A/N: First an ex, then Castle's plan is put into motion. Still not mine.

Kate was beating on the heavy bag in the precinct gym that Rick was holding for her but she wasn't happy with the results. She had been hoping to see some of Rick's speed and strength and the only thing that was different is that she didn't tire as fast. She wouldn't complain about getting more energy and fast healing but the rest of it would have been nice, especially for a cop. Things got worse when she heard someone behind her say "Kate".

She put her cop face on as she turned around, confirmed who had spoken and she replied, "Demming".

"Your Captain caused quite a scene in robbery. She isn't making you any friends in our department."

She didn't like his tone but tried not to show it. "She hasn't exactly been spreading joy in our department either."

Demming pretended to be amused but wasn't particularly convincing about it. "Still have your shadow, I see."

Kate liked this less and less. Demming had completely ignored Castle and his tone had not improved. "He's not just a shadow. He's the best partner I've ever had, in more ways than one."

She could tell that Demming didn't like her reply. Good, she wasn't very happy with him either.

"Partner? Really? OK, why don't I hold the bag for you and you can show me what a writer can do."

She turned back to a surprised looking Castle and gave him a smirk and waggled her eyebrows at him. His mood improved instantly as he let go of the bag and Demming took hold of the bag as Kate eased back so she was behind and to the side of Demming. Demming then said "Give it your best shot. Show me what you've got."

She saw Rick gave her an inquisitive look and she gave him a big grin and an enthusiastic nod. She was really looking forward to this.

Rick wound up a punch and didn't disappoint her. A very surprised Demming found himself abruptly seated on the floor and the involuntary "oof" when he landed indicated that he hadn't enjoyed it. He got up gingerly but Kate's grin faded as she saw Rick give the bag a disappointed look. She decided that there was nothing else to accomplish here so she nodded towards the locker rooms as she spoke. "Come on, Rick. Let's call it a day."

They were side by side just before they had to split up and she whispered to him, "What happened?" He whispered back, "There's a small tear in the bag."

Even though they had to separate, she knew he'd still hear as she whispered, "Don't worry our equipment is old, nobody will think much of it."

There was an unexpected delay at the front desk as Rick arranged to make a donation for an upgrade to the precinct gym. The desk sergeant gave Kate a perplexed but happy look and she just shrugged and smiled back. Rick seemed to be making another friend. She was glad she had the day off. With their experiment out of the way, it was time to put Rick's plan into action. Unfortunately, it was late afternoon before they found their quarry in the situation they were looking for.

As they watched their prey enter an alley Rick took a quick look around, picked her up and had them close to him before he began to realize that he wasn't alone. He had to put her down abruptly to disarm the man and she barely had her balance again when he was taking the clip out of the man's gun and remarking, "Nice gun. I don't suppose you have a license to carry one, do you?"

As Rick tossed the clip towards the opposite wall, the man began to object, "What the hell do you…."

Kate had her badge out by then and the man slowly ground to a halt. He gazed at her balefully and then looked chagrined again when Rick tossed his gun far back the way they had come. He looked like he was about to shout at Rick again when Kate demanded, "I want to talk to you about Lazarus."

The man sneered at her and began to reply, "I have nothing to s… - Urk!" He was rudely interrupted by Rick grabbing him around the torso with one arm and taking the back of his head in a viselike grip to force him to stay in place and face Kate. The man tried to struggle but felt himself held firm so both arms were pinned and his head pointed any way the man behind him wanted him to face.

"This is police brutality, you won't be able to use anything…."

Kate gave him her most intimidating glare. "Spare me the jailhouse lawyer shtick. This is just a few questions among friends."

The man retorted but was sufficiently cowed to only mutter his response. "You're no friend of mine."

"I'm crushed." Kate was enjoying the chance to be sarcastic and she saw Rick's lips threatening to turn up. "We're looking for someone who can verify that Lazarus is Senator William H Bracken. Are you high up enough in the food chain to know?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Kate kept staring at their suspect but she could see Rick shake his head marginally indicating 'no'. It made sense that Bracken would be careful enough not to let his identity get out to too many people but it would have been nice to know of another person who knew the truth.

"If you ever find yourself in a more talkative mood, give me a call." She stuffed one of her cards in his pocket while he glared at her. She decided to make sure both of their identities would be known since they both wanted his attention. "Come on Castle, this small fry isn't much help."

Rick immediately let go and pushed him a little further into the alley as they turned and started walking away the way they'd come. She was a little nervous about turning her back on the suspect but Rick murmured, "Don't worry, if he goes for a weapon I'll know. We know where his only gun is." He pointed out his gun that was still ahead of them. "He's shaking his arms, muttering some nasty words…. Oh! That could get his mouth washed out with soap."

Kate rolled her eyes at him and he winked back at her before continuing. "He's trying to find his clip."

"Could you tell if he is planning to contact Lazarus?"

"That is definitely on his to-do list. You did a good job of distracting him but there wasn't much to get. You were right, for our purposes, this guy seems to be small fry. He can deliver our message though." Just before they left the alley he added, "He's staying back. For some reason, he doesn't seem to want to come near me." Kate decided that earned him an elbow in the side even though she knew it wouldn't affect him at all.

"Gloating isn't attractive."

"Oh. I'll stop then."

"Thank you."

"What about puppy dog eyes, does that work?"

She glanced at him with a smirk before replying. "Well, you could try it tonight and see how it goes."

"Sounds like a plan."

Since Rick had made her day not once but twice, she decided then and there that it would work. She'd do her best to make his evening very pleasurable.