Chapter 46 - First Day Back

Settling into her desk, her phone began vibrate in her pocket. Kate didn't need to look to know who it was, Castle had already text her 5 times in 30 minutes, using his 'Bruce Burner Phone.'

First there was the picture of her in the SUV, Castle had insisted on calling Clay. Of course Castle hadn't made her blow him a kiss, but he was the one who took the picture.

The next picture was of Castle tucking the bag from Maddie in HIS duffle bag. Castle attached a piece of hotel paper over the bag and renamed it 'Fearless.' Kate prayed Alexis or Martha didn't help him unpack. She still didn't know what was in the little bag.

Shaking her head she recalled their late return from Lady Liberty and Castle's slow seduction. He began by leading her to the window and undressing her, running his hands over every curve and contours of her body, tasting all of her, teasing her to the edge before letting her undress him. They stood in front of all New York City naked and joined together. Kate flushed at the thought of how erotic it was to make love to Rick pressed up against the window, the cool glass against her back and the city lights behind her. When it was her turn to press his body up against the glass she hoped the view from his patio was as private as this and couldn't wait to find out.

Kate was thankful for the third picture, she needed to resist replaying their love making while riding in the precinct elevator. It was a distorted picture of his face pushed up against her door knob and her keys dangling from the lock as he unlocked her apartment.

Picture number four made Kate kick herself for their unexpected shower which had made it impossible for her to drop her bag at home and get to work on time. Castle was standing fully dressed in her shower with a scribbly sign that read 'Not as big as the Ritz…I'm game if you're game.'

Kate hated to be a kill joy as she quickly text back: 'Work phone.' Kate toyed with getting a burner phone; after all, Bruce had one.

Castle answered with: 'That's why my clothes are on.'

Kate gave in and pulled her phone from her pocket. It was Castle sending picture number five, one which tugged at her heart. On her bed was a brand new phone, with a note card propped up on the pillow beside it. He had gotten her a burner. A Cheshire cat grin formed on her face; damn that man he was a mind reader too.

Kate began fingering the buzzing phone in her pocket when she heard. "Yo, boss, where's Castle?"

"How about a 'hello'?"

Esposito dropped into Castle's chair, "Hello - where's Castle?"

Ryan rolled his chair over. "Yeah where's Castle?"

Even on silent Esposito heard the buzzing of Kate's phone."Gonna get that?"

Kate pursed her lips and rolled her eyes "Beckett."

The voice on the other end of the phone was low and sexy, "Miss me?"

As her heart beat out the answer yes, Kate sternly replied, "Need something?"

In unison the boys leaned in to listen. They were shot with another signature eye roll followed by a glare. "Hold on. Heckle and Jeckle would like to talk to you." Best offense is a good defense.

Beckett tossed her phone into Esposito's lap.

He deftly flipped it Ryan, "You take it."

Ryan swatted it mid-air. "No you take it."

The phone went crashing to the floor, skating across the slick tile to land at Gates feet.

The trio froze; the phone started vibrating. The call must have disconnected as it bounce from detective to detective to floor. Gates picked up the phone, took stock of the picture associated with the caller and marched the phone towards Beckett's desk.

With lighting speed of Esposito removed the phone from Gate's clutches and ran towards the men's room. "It's for me!" Ryan scrambled out of his chair, letting it roll dangerously close to hitting Gates, before rescuing it as he chased after Esposito.

Kate was left in the uncomfortable position of holding a stare down with Gates. Gates narrowed her eyes cocked her eyebrows like the wicked witch of the north that she was, "Not for you?"

Hoping the blush she felt reddening her face wasn't visible to Gates. "Apparently not."

"Yo, bro."

Castle was grateful that Esposito spoke first, he had been toying with trying out the greeting 'Hey, babe.' "Ahh. This must be Heckle, the magpie that speaks in slang with the undeniable New York accent."

"Cut it Castle."

Ryan crashed into the men's room with his eyes covered. He hated seeing coworkers at the urinal. He never could understand why guys didn't have all stalls – what made girls so special? "What did he say?"

Covering the phone Esposito snarled, "Nothing yet, setting up a little interrogation."

Ryan frantically nodded his head in agreement.

"Castle, not sure you know this, but you have to come through us first. If you know what's good for you – tonight Old Haunt, 6:00pm. Leave the chica at home."

Ryan began fidgeting beside Esposito mumbling, "Need to check with Jenny."

Esposito waved Ryan off. He was more interested in what Castle had to say, until he felt a firm thwack across the back of the head. He didn't need to turn around to know who assaulted him, but the man in him made Espo turn around to meet the evil eye of Beckett.

There she stood, in the middle of the men's room one hand on the hip, one hand demanding the phone.

Quickly disconnecting the call Esposito clenched his teeth and muttered, "No tengo miedo de su mal de ojo."

Beckett gave it right back "¿Estás segura de eso."

Ryan chimed in, "Yo soy, temo que eso es," before rushing out of the men's room.

Esposito reluctantly returned the phone.

Beckett smothered a smile and beckoned him with her head to follow. Beckett didn't feel all that comfortable hanging out in the men's room. Making sure her phone was on silent Beckett quickly text Castle: No body dropped, need to work. xoxo K

Esposito cautiously followed her into the hallway. He thought they were headed back to the bullpen until she turned on her heel to stare him down.

"Espo, I am going to say this once – you are the closest I have to a brother. The way you look out for me doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated, BUT please don't terrorize Castle."

"Terrorizing him?" With a look of indignation Esposito questioned, "Me? Nah, making sure he knows the rules. He took long enough."

"Espo, there are no 'rules.'" Beckett slumped against the hallway, "Majority of the 'long enough' was my doing. I haven't always treated him well or been the person he deserves." To make sure Esposito knew she serious, Beckett took a forefinger and poked him in the chest, "As favor to me tread softly."

Esposito met her gaze, acknowledging her request with a nod of the head. He more than anyone knew what it was like to fight the demons of PTSD; lashing out, pushing away the ones you loved the most. "Not even a little hazing? He'll think I've gone soft."

Smiling at her 'brother', Beckett replied, pinching her forefinger and thumb together, "Tiny bit."

Esposito dropped into his chair and leaned forward to speak with Ryan "Mom said we could take Dad out drinking."

"Technically isn't he taking us out? He owns the bar."

Esposito showed half a lip curl, "Semantics. Get Jenny's permission?"

"You get Lanie's?"

"Bro, you are the one with the ring on the finger, I make my own decisions."

The boys broke their huddle at the sound of Beckett's heels coming their way. Not only were they afraid of Beckett, they wanted to see the look on her face when she sees the bouquet of red Amaryllis that a delivery boy placed on Beckett's desk. Beckett slowed her walk when her eyes caught the flowers strategically placed in the middle of her desk. Castle was determined to stay at the front of her mind. Freeing the little card from its resting place nestled amongst the flowers Kate gently thumbed the envelope before opening it. 'Stay safe – Bruce.'

Kate smiled softly to herself. He was back to 'Bruce.' Burner phones and Bruce, she was in a relationship with a frustrated superhero.

Castle sauntered into the 'Old Haunt', nodded to Marco behind the bar. "Boys here yet?"

Marco shook his head no, "Need something while you wait?"

Castle hesitated for a moment then leaned against the cold rail of the bar, "Bucket of beer and scotch neat." Castle cradled his drink in his left hand and swung the bucket of beer from his right as he wandered through the after work crowd. Sliding into his booth Castle began to wonder what the boys had in store for him; a wry smile crept across his face as he thought about how long he had looked forward to this day.

They said in unison "Yo, Castle." "Hey Castle."

"Hey, boys, grab a seat."

The boys shoved into the booth – purposefully flanking Castle. Out of the corner of his eyes Castle watched as each reached for a beer, and took a swig. Esposito noisily slammed his bottle to the table top. Ryan rolled his bottle between the flats of his hands and invoked his most sincere menacing look.

Castle tossed out an ice breaker, "How was work today?"

Esposito shared, "Cold case day, but Beckett and I might actually have a lead worth following up."

Castle cocked a brow in earnest interest, "Really?" Kate hadn't mentioned a real lead, only that she had spent the day shifting through an old case.

"Yeah, Robbery caught a perp during a standard B and E, who when they ran his name and I didn't have any priors. Robbery printed the perp and bingo there was a hit. An fold jewelry store B and E, where the owner of the store was shot and killed, was linked to the prints."

Leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table and his chin in his hands, "You're telling me the perp had a fake name and ID?"

Ryan piped in, "Not sure yet. The twist is the hit was for prints that supposedly match up to the guy that is serving life for killing the jewelry store owner. Different name, same prints – but sitting in prison for the past 13 years."

"You think the wrong guy is sitting in prison?" questioned Castle.

Esposito added, "That's what the system is saying, Beckett found another link between the perp and the convicted criminal. Half-brothers."

Castle reigned in his jealousy over Kate not sharing the details of the case with him. She had only texted that she had paperwork that would interest him. He had been then one that was quick to respond with 'doubtful.'

Esposito took another swig of his beer, "Ryan enough of that, we aren't here to talk shop with Castle…" cracking a few knuckles he continued, "… we are here to come to an understanding."

Ryan gave a quick nod, "Right, right but first Castle – the Amaryllis were a nice touch. You probably know they mean beautiful inside and out."

Castle shook his head, did nothing get past these guys?

Esposito shot Ryan a menacing look "Really? Really, bro, talking flower symbolism?

Much more of this and your man card won't be rejected, it's gonna meet the shredder."

Castle leaned back from the table to rest his back against the booth, feigning ignorance, "An understanding? I thought we were three buddies having casual drinks."

Firmly placing the palm of his hand on the table, Esposito gradually rose out of his chair, "Casual? Casual? Is that code for things are casual with Beckett?"

"Huh? What?" Feeling the boys begin to push into his personal space, Castle cried out "No."

Esposito snarled, "Good. It is simple. Beckett's happy, we're happy. Beckett isn't happy we aren't happy."

Ryan grabbed a fresh beer and gave Castle a friendly pat on the back, "Got it?"

Castle huffed out a disappointed breath of air. "That's it? I threatened the teenage boys who come to pick up my daughter with more machismo than that."

Esposito challenged, "You think I am soft?"

Smirking and curling his lips to a smile, Castle joked, "Yeah, come on Esposito. Where is the talk about being a trained sniper or a description of how you could kill a man with your bare hands? No talk of cement shoes or late night drives to the east river? Definitely soft, sorry not scared at all."

Ryan caught on to his partners rising anger, "Beckett um well, advised us to go easy on you."

Ahh Castle thought to himself she threatened THEM. "You're scared of Ka - Beckett?"

"Yo, Ryan why did you play me like that?" Esposito drained the last of his beer as he thought about his next words. "Not scared respectful. BUT since you asked for more…" Turning to Ryan, "He did ask for more right?"

Quick to agree, Ryan's mouth went into over drive. His eyes bulged out their sockets and the vein on the left side of his neck began to pulse, "You hurt her, cheat on her or mistreat her I will go all ugly leprechaun on your ass."

Esposito slid off his leather jacket and flexed his biceps under his tight Henley, "Le haces daño, hacer trampa en ella o maltratarla voy a hacer que el duende feo como una de las Girl Scouts"

Castle opened a new beer for each of them. "I have no intentions of screwing this up."