Huge thanks to Demtry, red2013, and Nadreth for the reviews and to everyone else who alerted and favorited this. A lot of the inspiration for this chapter came from the song Short Change Hero by The Heavy. You should have a listen, it's pretty good.

Esposito whistled to himself as he grabbed his coat off the back of his chair at the precinct and walked to the elevator. "Hot date tonight?" Castle asked from beside him. "You've been with him for a while now, I think it's time I sit him down and ask him his intentions."

He flashed a mock glare before entering the elevator, "I actually haven't talked to him today, I was going to swing by his work and maybe get some dinner with him."

"Where does he work?" he asked curiously.

Both exited on ground level, "Like I'm telling you. When the time's right I'll bring him around. Why are you leaving so early today? Beckett's still here."

"Alexis wanted help with her science project, I can't deny that child anything. So I've noticed you're letting your hair grow, could that have something to do with your mystery man?"

Esposito just rolled his eyes and walked to his car, there was no way he was confirming to Castle that Ryan wanted him to grow his hair out and that he had been powerless to deny him anything. An hour later Javier entered the bar and looked around at all the people scattered in a few booths along the back wall and Ryan standing off to the side of the bar speaking to the man with black hair that he had seen only a couple of times before. No one seemed to notice him and he watched the larger man whisper furiously to the bartender before he backhanded him so hard he almost fell over. Ryan tried to steady himself as blood oozed out of his mouth, his chin trembling as the viscous fluid dripped lazily off his lips. No one even seemed to react to the abuse and Esposito got the sinking feeling that this happened quite a bit. The man said something again making Ryan turn with wide fear filled and embarrassed eyes to see Javier. Before the detective could even take a step he was grabbed around the arm by his boyfriend and jerked outside. "Bro what the hell was that?"

Ryan looked nervous, more than nervous. Terrified. "You need to leave now Javi. Get out of here," he said quickly as he pulled out a hanky and rubbed the blood off his lips and chin.

The taller man frowned, "What are you talking about Kev? That guy just hit you I should go beat his ass. Does this happen a lot? Is this where all your bruises and cuts come from?" Everything clicked as he thought about all his various cuts and bruises over the time he had known him. Bartenders dealt with rough crowds at times but they didn't get beat up like Kevin did. He was a victim of frequent abuse and he hadn't even realized it, he was a terrible boyfriend and detective. How long had this been going on that he now just accepted it as his life?

Ryan was shaking as he ran a hand through his hair, "I can't talk right now but you need to leave. You should have never come here. Leave and don't come back." He turned to leave but stopped when Esposito grabbed him.

"Talk to me, what's got you so spooked? Why do you take shit from that guy? I mean look at you, you're already bruising," he said softly, his fingers gently tracing over his cheek.

Ryan jerked away, "Are you fucking deaf? Get out of here! Don't ever come back, forget about the bar… about me."

"Whatever's happening I can protect you," he said desperately.

A hysterical laugh bounced off the walls of the alley, "No one can protect me, he's everywhere. You don't belong here." Before Esposito could stop him he ducked under his arm and backed away. "Don't come back, ever."

"Kevin talk to me bro."

Ryan took a few steps forward, "You want to talk, how's this? We're over. Don't call me, goodbye." He spun and fought the tears that were gathering in his eyes forcing his feet to keep moving even though his heart was breaking with every step. Javier was the best thing that had happened to him in years, his only light in a world of darkness but he had snuffed out the flame. Had been forced to. Esposito was too important, too much of a hero to be dragged down to his level. His teeth ground together when he thought about how stupid he had been to not turn him away that very first day, he could have just avoided all this but he had just been so nice to him. In his life of pain and hate it was nice to have someone who cared, someone who wanted to take care of him, even if only for a short while.

Esposito could only watch in shock as his now ex-boyfriend backed away and eventually turned and walked back into the bar. He could have gone after him, probably should have but it hurt so much that he just stood there until finally driving home. This had been real and even though they hadn't been together for that long he knew that he could have been with him for years, maybe forever. That wasn't an option anymore though, now he just had a broken heart and a head full of memories.

Almost two weeks passed and he realized this really was over. He hadn't gotten a phone call or anything and the two times he tried to call there was no answer. He still had so many questions about what had even happened but the only way he could get answers would be to go to the bar and demand them but he wasn't in a place yet that he wanted to see the other man. He missed him severely, from his small mischievous smiles to the way he fit perfectly against him. At least he had a case to focus his energies on, a new double homicide and as of today they still had hardly any leads.

"Esposito you with me?" Beckett asked as she took in his spaced expression. Seeing his nod she looked out the window of the cruiser. "So our witness says to look for a man around this area. Height approximately 5'8", short brown hair and he's said to be wearing an olive green leather jacket today." They scanned the area with the vague description until someone caught Beckett's eye. "I think that's him let's go."

They exited the car and began to follow the man, Esposito getting a bad feeling when he saw an almost familiar gait on the suspect, and when he sped up slightly Beckett knew they had been spotted. "Espo go around the side of the building, keep your radio on."

She quickened her pace and when she was close enough shouted, "NYPD stop." The man never hesitated before breaking into a sprint. "He's running!" she radioed. Becket ran as fast as she could weaving in and out of people and objects but the man was too fast and disappeared around a corner before she could stop him. "I lost sight Esposito."

Esposito saw the man dash around the corner and instantly gave chase. He was fast and seemed to know every nook and cranny in every alley. Seeing he wasn't going to catch him on speed alone he took a risk and cut up a different alleyway. He was right at the end when he grabbed the man and shoved him against the side of a building. The man struggled and caught him with an elbow to the nose before breaking in to a sprint again.

It more surprised him than anything, the hit not near as hard as he had anticipated and he quickly followed him. It was a full two blocks away when he finally caught up to him again and he cursed when he saw he was already climbing a fire escape. Done with messing around he ran forward and grabbed his legs before jerking him to the ground where he continued to struggle.

"Stop resisting," he shouted as he finally wrestled him to the ground and dug his knee in between his shoulder blades. He slapped on the handcuffs and flipped the man over to see him, jaw dropping and eyes widening as sky blue met mocha brown.

"Hey Javi."

Esposito kept his face neutral when he entered the interrogation room and saw a relaxed Kevin Ryan sitting across from Beckett wearing a bored expression and a pair of handcuffs.

"Mr. Ryan," Beckett began. "Tell me about yourself." Seeing he wasn't going to cooperate she sighed and flipped open the file, "Kevin Dylan Ryan born July 27, 1984 in Brooklyn to Liam and Muirne Ryan. Mother and father deceased, one sister who lives in Chicago. A theft charge, possession charge, a couple disorderly conducts and an assault charge but that's all. Other than a temper you seem suspiciously normal Kevin, now explain to me how someone like you gets involved with the mob."

Esposito had to work hard to keep himself in check at the word mob. He knew something was going on with the man across from him and the mob had entered his mind but he had refused to acknowledge it. He could have looked him up in the system but that would be a breach of trust, now he was wishing he would have just to be better prepared for this conversation.

"Was it the loss of your parents? It happens all the time Kevin, people prey on children that don't have a home or people there who love them. They use them as mules or train them to take on tasks that won't be traced back to them. Is that what happened?"

Ryan never even blinked.

Beckett shook her head, "You can try to stay quiet or deny it all you want but our gang unit and narcotics division have proof you're associated with very powerful people doing very illegal things. It seems though that the proof stops there. Did you finally trip up Kevin? Murder the wrong people? They might not be able to prove you've done anything but I will. Do you have anything to say to that?"

Ryan leaned forward and his eyes flashed to Javier's before looking back at Beckett with a mischievous grin, "They're after me Lucky Charms."

Beckett hastily pulled out photos and threw them down on the table. "Is this funny to you? Two people are dead. Do you recognize either of them?"

He picked up his cuffed hands and sifted through the brutal pictures without so much as a grimace before shaking his head, "No. Never seen 'em with or without the back of their heads missing."

Beckett sighed heavily, "Mr. Ryan you could be facing murder charges, where were you on the night of the thirteenth?"

"Working."

"Where?"

He sighed and moved slightly making the cuffs rattle under the table, "At the pub on Katonah from four until two."

She scribbled down the note, "Can anyone confirm that?"

"Yes. Lot of patrons and the boss can."

"Are you aware the pub is owned by Edmund Boyle, the boss of the Irish Mob?" The room descended into silence until Beckett spoke again, "Why did you run from us Mr. Ryan?"

His eyes narrowed slightly and a different air began to surround him, "Because the last time the law knocked on my door I got a night stick to the head and a warning that a piker like me should know to keep his head down."

Esposito finally spoke, "You were assaulted by an officer? When?"

"Quite a few years back, it's not something you just forget. A limey goat calling me a…"

"What?" Esposito wondered.

Ryan crossed his arms and spoke quietly, still simmering. "A narrow back paddy. Said it right to my face and I couldn't do a damn thing about it." He noticed Esposito rubbing his nose a little and frowned, "Nose ok? I tried not to hit you too hard."

Esposito offered a barely there smile and nodded.

Beckett felt like she was missing something in their interaction but pushed her thoughts aside and set her hands on the table casually. "Mr. Ryan I'm sorry you had a bad experience with an officer but I need you to give me more than you are. I can't help you if you don't want to help yourself."

Ryan leaned forward with a cocky expression, "Help me? You're not helping me now. See, you think I did something that I didn't. I think you're running down false leads by liars. Is this how you operate detective, running around chasing your tail?"

Esposito's eyes narrowed as Ryan insulted his partner. When it was just him and Ryan he could almost forget about their different lives but seeing him sitting on the opposite side of the table acting like every other suspect was a reality check. Ryan wasn't a cop; he was a criminal with a record who didn't like police. They were from completely different worlds and with every passing second it was getting more obvious.

Beckett jumped up and slammed her hands down on the table, "You know something and you will tell me sooner or later."

Ryan grinned and held up his hands, "Ohh scary. I like you, you're a firecracker. Why'd you even bring me here anyway? What lead did you follow?"

Esposito leaned forward, "We have a witness who says that you were speaking to someone who might be directly involved with these murders. That means you either know who did it or were involved yourself."

A laugh filled the room, "That's it? That's why I'm here, because some guy said I was talking to someone who might be involved? Let me guess who it was." He snapped his fingers, "Riley. I bet it was Riley."

"We're not going to discuss who…"

Ryan shook his head, "You blinked, it was him. Next time you see him give him my regards. Oh here's a good tidbit, did you know Riley is on so much crank that he can't usually remember his name?" He shook his head and laughed again, "Next time try paying him, he seems to pay a little more attention when he's got cash in his pockets."

"I'm sure," Beckett replied dryly. "I can keep you here all day, tell me what you know."

Ryan shook his head as he rubbed his hand over his upper lip. "I may have been speaking to someone who may have known something about the two stiffs. I talk to a lot of people, hard to keep track ya know?"

Beckett leaned forward and glared at Ryan as she spoke quietly, "I will find out what you know. I will follow you, hunt you. I will make your life a living hell."

Ryan licked his lips and leaned forward so he was only inches from Beckett before speaking in the same soft tone as her. "You have no idea what you're starting, what they're capable of. If I were you I'd keep that pretty head down and let this go."

"Are you threatening me Mr. Ryan?" she asked in a dangerous tone.

He shook his head, "It's not me you should be worrying about Detective Beckett."

A tense silence filled the room and when Ryan leaned back and looked down at the floor Beckett stood and shook her head. "You don't want to talk? Fine. We'll put you in holding for a while and see if that changes your mind. There are all kinds of interesting people down there today."

Esposito stood and followed the pair downstairs and it took everything he had to not say anything when they placed him in the cell with a few other men who dwarfed him. Ryan allowed them to remove the cuffs before walking into the cell calmly and wrapping his fingers around the bars, his intense stare locked on Javier. His expression was amused but his eyes were filled with longing and he smiled softly when he looked over his ex's slightly longer hair, even though they had broken up he was still letting it grow. There was hope.

Esposito forced himself to turn around before their eyes could meet and followed Beckett out. As soon as they exited holding he turned to Beckett, "I need to tell you something…"

When the door slammed shut Ryan sighed and turned to look at the larger men who were starting to surround him. With a click of his tongue he slipped off his jacket and laid it to the side before he began rolling up his sleeves to his elbows, "Can't we be gentlemen about this?"

His answer came in the form of a punch to the side of his head.