Disclaimer: The wording is mine but the characters aren't

OOOOOOOOO

Beckett reached her hand up and let her fingers draw on his chest under his jacket. She probably shouldn't, but she let her nails scratch across his more sensitive areas. The sigh he let out blew across her face and she let herself hide if in the crook of his neck. She was tempted to nuzzle her cheek to his, but he was too prickly.

From her vantage point she saw more company incoming and pulled away reluctantly.

Castle flicked an eye out to the room.

"Friends of yours?" He jerked his head at the men approaching.

…

OOOOOOOOO

41.

Stacy scowled. "Something like that."

The two men stopped short a safe distance away. "How much you longer you gonna be here?"

It wasn't lost on either of the investigators that the comment was directed entirely at Stacy. They didn't miss the sullen look she shot back at them either.

Daniels wasn't a bad looking man. A little rough. Beckett could see similarities with Castle and wondered at Stacy's interest. Tall, dark, attractive. But no affection.

He was certainly an improvement on the man that had come with him. Shorter and heavier set, this man sported a full beard and clearly noticeable weight just above his belt. He seemed less concerned with Stacy's presence on this side of the bar though, if she had to put a name to it, she would label Daniels' objection as being one of duty. His woman, with another man. He had to keep up the appearance.

"Just congratulating them on a good match," Stacy explained.

Daniels grunted, turning reluctantly to Castle. "You've got a good arm, man."

Castle just nodded shortly. "Thanks."

"What brings you here?" Daniels asked. Kate wasn't sure if he asked out of suspicion or good manners.

"Just got in and saw the bikes. Thought we might find some company."

"What you riding?"

"79 Honda CBX."

"Nice bike." The guy was actually softening a little. Looks like Castle could be a man's man after all.

"I like it." Castle said gruffly. "Smooth ride."

"I'm a Harley man," Daniels volunteered.

"All the way," echoed his friend. He had barely taken his eyes off Kate, even when showing token interest in Stacy. "More than happy to give you a ride." He leered at her and she fought off a shudder.

"I like mine, thanks," running her hand up Castle's thigh pointedly.

"You ride?" he asked obliviously.

"'94 Harley Softail."

"Beautiful."

She wanted to take a shower. She was used to being stereotyped and reduced to deranged fantasies when she was in the box, but this was something else. She was very grateful Castle was between her and their companions. She took the opportunity to burrow a little further into him and avoid the scrutiny.

He seemed undeterred. "What you hiding out here for honey? Come meet the gang."

Oh joy. "We're fine, thanks."

Reverse psychology. Well she used it as such, but it was 100 percent true.

"Man, you can't hide her away. I challenge you to pool. I win and you come and do shots with me. Your shout."

The tension in him suggested Castle wasn't too happy but couldn't afford to lose face.

"No darts?" he asked both hopeful and joking.

"Pool."

He leered at Kate as Castle moved away from her, exposing her fully. "I changed my mind. I sink a ball and I get a kiss from your girl."

She didn't try and restrain her scowl. But he remained unaffected- he was probably used to getting attitude from women.

"Fine," Castle agreed and she caught at his jacket sleeve. He looked down at her and she recognised the barely restrained anger in him. "But if I sink a ball I get a kiss from her and a shot at you."

"You're on." His grin was a picture for her ledger of creeps.

They left and she pulled Castle down to the level so they could talk. She tried to keep her voice down and censor as she knew Stacy would be far too curious.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting to know people."

This was his plan to get Daniels talking?

"Please tell me you can play."

"Mad skills, baby. Mad skills."

She watched him head over to the group for introductions before the game.

"Real charmer you've got there." Kate commented sourly to Stacy who had remained behind to nurse her beer.

"Which one?" she scoffed.

"Which one?"

"You just met my brother and my boyfriend." She looked bitter. "You want them? They're free. "

"Don't know what I'd do with three," Kate declined.

"Be very satisfied." Stacy snorted and took a long swallow.

"Mine is more than enough."

Stacy's head came up, a little too interested again. "Good?"

Kate buried the blush down deep. "I really don't think I have the words."

Ryan and Espo wouldn't be able to give her trouble for that.

She raised her eyes again to see Stacy looking hard at her boyfriend. "Ass." She muttered spitefully.

"That bad?" she made sure to sound as offhand as possible. Two girls sharing sympathy.

Stacy sneered. "Doesn't think I know he's with someone else."

Kate grimaced in seeming empathy. "You don't seem pissed."

"His friend is very, how did you put it? A smooth ride."

"Huh," she pretended to take a second to process the information. "You slap her yet?"

"He's not worth it," Stacy shrugged, genuinely resigned. "I'd slap her one for having such bad taste. Daniels? Just a pretty face. Too wimpy to hit on her, I guess. Sam and now my pathetic excuse for a man? Sam's ham-handed at the best of times. Downright vicious when he's on a bender."

"Never could be with a drinker." Kate concurred quietly while alarms were tripping inside.

Stacy looked uncomfortable and Kate wondered if Sam's bender weren't just with the drink. Sam. Sam Carrik. The leader? Daniels' was with Carrik's girl? She was surprised it wasn't their bodies they found.

Kate struggled for unaffected to regain the levity of the earlier situation. "No offense but I think I'll stick with mine."

She gave a tight smile, shutting up. She stood. "You ready? My brother's a sloppy kisser, so I hope Rick's as good at pool as he is with darts." Stacy collected her bottle and left.

"Boys," Beckett said quietly. "Run down Carrik's alibi again. Him and his girl."