Twenty-six:

The police descended on the scene like a swarm of locusts. Rick met with Ryan who was acting as the lead detective for now. After a brief exchange of pleasantries between the two, Rick explained the situation in the bar below them. They cordoned off the area around the body as a CSI team scoured the area for any evidence. Kevin followed Rick down the stairs and into the bar full of people. By now, many of the people were suspicious that something was going on outside. Rick walked to the center of the room and whistled loudly to get everyone's attention. The room went silent in a few seconds, all eyes trained on Rick and Kevin.

"I'm sure that you're wondering why I interrupted your celebration, but I need your attention." Castle spoke in a calm, reassuring tone. "Outside, a few minutes ago, there was an incident involving a guest to this party.. Someone was murdered..." The entire room erupts into shocked reactions of those standing there. Rick holds his hands up again asking for quiet. "Standing beside me is detective Kevin Ryan. He is one of the best that the NYPD has to offer. Your safety is my primary concern. There will be a group of officers that will take your name and contact information before escorting you to your cars. I'm so sorry about this.."

Stationed by the door two officers had legal pads ready to take the information from the attendees. One by one the people provided the requested information and police escorts walked them to their cars. A barricade had been setup around the body to keep everyone from seeing who it was. Rick walked around the barricade and was stopped by a uniformed officer who didn't know who he was. He sees Lanie crouching down beside Vaughn's body collecting samples as she pointed to a photographer where she wanted a picture taken. Hearing the conversation, she looks up to see Rick talking with the policeman.

"Castle, what are you doing at my crime scene?" Lanie asks in her usual pissed-off tone.

"You do realize that we are in front of my bar?" Rick replies.

"I'm not blind writer-boy. Was the vic at your party?" Lanie inquires.

"Yes."

"Why in the hell would you invite Erik Vaughn to your party?"

"I didn't. He came as Beckett's date." Castle replied without emotion.

Lanie is stunned by the revelation. She quickly regains her composure and responds. "Why in the hell did you invite her to your party? She's been gone nearly seven months without a word." She shakes her head in disgust as she rises to her feet to face him.

"It was Paula's idea." Castle quickly replies like a small child trying to defend their actions. "I didn't think that she'd show up, especially with Vaughn."

Lanie closes the gap between them and gently places a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Castle. I know that this must be tough on you. Were there any witnesses?"

"Yeah, a couple of off duty cops who were working security for me and.. Beckett." He paused to see what reaction Lanie had before continuing.

"Kate's here? Where?" Lanie asks incredulously. Rick simply nods his head, unable to make eye contact as he points to the Old Haunt's entrance.

"She's pretty shaken. I left her with Mindy and Alexis in my office."

Lanie nearly bursts into laughter hearing Castle's explanation. "Tell me you didn't leave Kate alone with your new 'girlfriend' and daughter?" Rick simply shrugs his shoulders. "You may be the dumbest smart man I've ever met." Lanie shakes her head in disbelief.

"Do you think I ought to check on them?" Rick inquires.

"You think?" The ME arches her eyebrow as she stares at him. "I won't hide her body."

X-X-X

While Rick was taking care of the guests and helping Ryan, Kate sat in the middle of the sofa that faced his desk as Mindy and Alexis sat there silently watching. Mindy was watching while Alexis tried to bore a hole through Beckett with her glare. Mindy could tell that Alexis was about ready to blow. She might be Rick's daughter, but she had enough of her mother's temper to make this interesting if Mindy didn't do something quick.

Rising up from her seat, Mindy walked in front of Kate and extended her hand. "We haven't been formally introduced. My name is Mindy King and I assume that you are Agent Katherine Beckett?"

Kate looked at the proffered hand and shook it nodding. "Yes, please call me Kate or Beckett." Her gaze returned to the far wall unable to focus on anything as she relayed the events of the shooting over and over, looking for any clues.

Alexis watched the exchange between the two women and nearly growled. Mindy turned to look at the girl giving her a 'this isn't the time or the place' look. Alexis' glare faded and she too stared at a wall. Mindy turned back to face Kate and inquired. "Would you like a cup of coffee Ms Beckett? I know I could use one right now."

Kate looked to see the concerned expression on Mindy's face and replies. "Yes, that would be nice, thank you."

"Alexis, would you be so kind to ask Sherry for a couple of cups of coffee?" Mindy turns back to Kate. "How would you like yours Ms Beckett?"

"Black is fine." Kate replies.

"Make that two black coffees, will you please?"

Alexis nearly sprints out of the room. The last place in the world she wanted to be was in the same room with Beckett, especially after she had promised to behave herself. "I'll be right back Mindy." Alexis replies, deliberately ignoring Kate.

Mindy sits down on Rick's desk facing Kate and attempts to make small talk to ease the tension. "So, Ms Beckett, Rick tells me that you are a Federal agent? Must be very exciting and rewarding."

Kate simply nods. "It's rewarding, in its own way, I guess." She responds, never making eye contact.

"You worked with Rick when you were a cop? That had to be interesting.."

"Yeah, we were together for nearly five years."

"I'm sure that you must have a ton of embarrassing stories about Rick you could tell then.."

Kate smiled a little at the thought of some of the embarrassing situations that Rick had been in over the years, but decided that these were private. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because I would never hurt Rick's feelings on purpose." Mindy responds without hesitation.

Beckett knew the double meaning in her reply, that Kate had deliberately tried to hurt Rick. "I never meant to hurt Castle's feelings. I wish I could take it back."

"Which part, the kiss itself, or Rick seeing it?" Mindy was having a hard time staying composed. "You crushed him in front of his friends and daughter."

"Everything. I wish I'd never came to the premiere or the party. A man would be alive right now if I didn't come, but I had to see for myself.."

"See what Ms Beckett?"

"The woman that replaced me in Castle's life." Kate replies as she makes eye contact for the first time since they began talking.

"So you show up with the one man that you knew Rick felt inferior to, to show him that you 'traded up'? Real smooth." Mindy's expression changed to one of disgust. Luckily, there was a knock on the door to prevent Mindy from saying any more. "Come in." She calls out.

Kevin Ryan sheepishly opens the door, poking his head inside first. "Don't shoot. I come bearing gifts." He offers as smile as he shows the two cups of coffee he's carrying. He walks into the room and hand a cup to each of the women. Mindy mouths a silent thank you to him as he starts to speak. "Beckett. Long time, no see."

Kate simply nods her head. "Too long Kevin."

"I'm sure that as soon as the Feds find out who was involved, they'll swoop in and take the case from us, but for now I'm the lead detective. You were an eyewitness, correct?"

Kate nods her head. She was too tired to be offended by the way he referred to the Feds as she was now one of them. Her involvement as an eyewitness would keep her off of the case automatically.

"Kevin, do you want me to leave?" Mindy asks assuming that they will want some privacy.

"Would you please?" He responds.

"No worries. I'll be up at the top of the stairs if you need me." She replies and walks out of Rick's office.

Kate had watched the whole exchange between the two and was a little surprised how comfortable they were with each other. "She seems like a nice girl.. Have you known her long?"

Kevin smiles. "No not really. The first time I met her was about a week ago. She really seems to care for Castle." He comments before realizing who he was talking to. "I'm sorry Beckett."

Kate nods her head in understanding while fighting the urge to cry. "It's ok Kevin. He's moved on."

Not knowing how to respond, Ryan returns his attention to the task at hand. "What can you tell me about the incident?"

"It all happened so fast. We were coming up the stairs and out of the Old Haunt when someone yelled at me that I had left my wrap on the bar.. I ran back down the stairs to get it while Erik, I mean Mr Vaughn went on to talk to his bodyguard. By the time I got back up the stairs only a few seconds later, I saw two men run out from the shadows wearing ski masks and carrying handguns. The first man shot the bodyguard who was reaching for his own weapon. The second man shot Mr Vaughn in the head. They both ran off in the opposite direction that they came from. As soon as they were gone, I ran to where Vaughn and the bodyguard lay. Vaughn was dead and lying in a huge pool of his blood. The bodyguard was shot in the chest and was bleeding out.. I tried to stop the bleeding and assure him that help was on the way.." She shuddered as she relieved the moment again.

Kevin saw how her body was reacting to reliving the story and placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "I know that you've been through a terrible ordeal and I appreciate your cooperation. I'd like for you to come in to the 12th tomorrow morning and give a formal statement. Is that ok?" Kate nods her head. "Do you need a ride somewhere? I can have a patrolman take you anywhere you like."

Before she can respond, Rick walks into the room. "You can take her to my place. There were too many things that had to fall into place for them to take out Vaughn the way they did. This was a professional hit and you know it. They were probably after Beckett too."

"What makes you say that Castle?" Kevin asks.

"The Feds have been secretly investigating Erik Vaughn for some time now. It appears that he was involved in some shady dealing with some less than friendly countries.. Maybe this is their way of tying up loose ends.."

Kate was stunned that Castle knew about Vaughn being investigated. 'Was he working with Hunter too?' She wondered. "How do you know that?"

"Let's just say I have my sources and leave it at that." Castle calmly replies. He was good at reading people's reactions and Kate's lack of one to the news that Vaughn was being investigated concerned him. Either she knew and didn't care, or she was working on the investigation. Regardless, the kiss he witnessed was very real. He'd seen her kiss enough men to know.

"Where are you staying Beckett?" Ryan asks.

"The Four Seasons. Vaughn had a suite.." She stopped herself from doing any more damage.

"We can put you up someplace safe Beckett until we're sure that they're not after you also." Ryan comments.

"She can stay at the loft. I have a guest room she can use. The building's secure and I have my carry permit." Rick speaks to Kevin as if she's not in the room.

Both Kate and Kevin are surprised at Castle's revelation that he has a carry permit. Kevin speaks first. "How long have you had a carry permit?"

"About three years now." Castle replies.

"All this time you've been allowed to carry a weapon and you didn't tell us?" Kate asks more than a little upset at the news.

"Would it matter? I never carried when I worked with you guys on the off chance that I'd be forced to use it. I can only imagine what the press would do with that.. No, I had a carry permit to protect my family." Rick pauses to see Kevin nodding his head in understanding while Kate still looked pissed-off. He really didn't care how she felt about it at the moment. "Beckett, give your room key to Kevin and he'll have a uniform stop at the Four Seasons and pick up your belongings. They can drop your stuff off at the loft.. You can go in tomorrow and make your statement and be on the first plane back to DC."

"You do realize that it's Christmas?" Kevin asks.

"Doesn't change anything. We need to make sure that Kate is safe until we can get her back home."

Beckett was getting madder by the minute listening to the two men discussing what to do with her as if she wasn't there, but softened when she heard the way he called her Kate. He really wanted to protect her and she had seen first hand just how far he would go to protect the ones that he loved. Loved? Was it past-tense? Would he put forth the same effort for Meredith or Gina if they were in this situation? Her whole body seemed to deflate when she realizes that the answer was yes. He may not love them now, but he wouldn't let them be harmed.

Was she now nothing more than a part of his past?