Thanks for the feedback. Its time I reminded readers that when I started writing this, I made a rule I had to stick with the core story line and work within that. Sometimes its hard. The other rule is "when there's romance, there is also a good dose of reality". If you've read my stories then you know I like to provoke a reaction and I source real situations and life experience to write. I'm not eighteen, I'm not thirty, I'm not forty. Not fifty or sixty either.

Your feed back, and comments that you're dying to know where this story goes, make me smile and feel good. I'm happy I can allow you such excitement, that you look forward to ready more. Contents me. Its awesome.

Chapter 44

Movement on the mattress, not caused by Kate, brought her from sleep and she opened her eyes to see Rick clambering quickly towards her with a boyish grin. His cologne was fresh, aroused her body's desires.

However, the brain was onto other matters and it was her brow that furrowed, as she questioned, "Castle, what are you doing here?"

"I'm taking you for breakfast. Its about time you woke up. I've waited long enough." He leaned down and kissed her cheek, "Good morning, Kate."

She smiled as she reached her arms up and around his neck. She dragged him down and repeatedly kissed his lips his cheek.

"Kate in the morning." He murmured into her hair with fondness, which was followed with laugher as his body collapsed alongside hers.

"Huh?" She stroked the side of his head.

"You are very cute when you're sleeping. I was watching you sleep for a while."

Her smile faded and for several seconds, they remained silent staring into each other's eyes. His expression sobered, "What's wrong?"

"Umm." She gazed over his face, "I thought you were angry at me."

"I was. Not now."

"Me too. At myself."

"Mm. How did you know?" He inquired.

"You didn't turn about and wave me goodbye. I waited."

He put his hand to her shoulder, frowned "I know. I'm sorry 'bout that. I was pissed off that he kissed you, but this morning I can see the flaws in our plan. So, I was thinking…"

"Mm?" She waited with anticipation.

"Umm… why don't we invite Sorenson over one night for a threesome." He suggested biting his lower lip, then waited, watched. It was with pure enjoyment he witnessed the transition of her expression from confusion to utter disgust and objection.

"No!" She squawked pushing against his chest.

He laughed like a teenage boy, "Classic." He rolled to his back.

Her fist landed on his upper arm. She punched him. He yelped then laughed harder, "Castle!" She went to sit up but he hooked his arm about her waist and lifted her to his body.

"Oh Baby, your face. You almost had a meltdown." He assisted as she untidily clambered onto his body, to settle straddled over his pelvis. His hands went to her hips for a bit then he rolled them so he was above her body, she flat on her back. They were on the other side of the bed.

"I was having a meltdown."

He brushed back her hair. "As if I would share you with another man."

"I won't share you with another woman." She firmly stated then kind of gave him a quirky smile, "But I guess I could make the exception, call Sorenson and see what he's doing Saturday night. Just saying."

He chuckled, "No, Honey. No way you're gonna do that," he replied, "I'm more than enough man for you."

Kate's hand glided down his body to his jeans, "Mm. Large claim. Well, if you let me go to the bathroom, you could perhaps get your clothes off."

"Sure." Rick rolled off her, then took her hand as she got off the bed, using him as support.

A few minutes later when she returned to the bedroom Rick was seated on the side of the bed, still clothed. "Why aren't you undressed?" Kate soft asked as approached him. We her hands to his shoulders she climbed upon his lap.

His hands rested at her waist. "Because I want you to go get ready for work and I will take you for breakfast. If we stay in bed, you will be late for work. Let's put foreplay on the menu for the day."

She gave him a quirky smile. "Okay." She pressed her lips to his and stayed there a little while then smiled. "I'll go get ready."

They sat around a round table in Kate's favourite eatery for breakfast, a small French bakery not far from her apartment where they regularly ate mainly because it served croissants to die for. The coffee wasn't bad either. Like the other times they'd dined there, two mugs of coffee and a plate of crumbs were between them. Her hand was held by his and he stroked near her thumb. She repeatedly stole crumbs from the plate by sticking them to her finger tips, a habit Rick was sure she'd practised since childhood.

After some discussion and brainstorming, their plan of action had been created in the event either one was to be advanced upon by a party of the opposite sex. Rick was more than happy about resolving the problem mainly because he was certain Kate would be the one who would be asked out all the time by other men.

Rick checked on the time aware there was only a matter of minutes before they needed to be on their way to the Precinct for the Detective to clock in. He looked at Kate, at her hazel eyes watching him. He gazed about, sure that something bothered her apart from the incident with the FBI agent. He just had to go through list of things that generally bothered or worried Kate that he knew of, and one of those worries seemed quite obvious when he gave it some thought. Contemplating whether he would bring it up, he sat back, letting his eye line return to the brunette woman. To him she was imperfectly beautiful. She was human and adorable. He wanted to see that little sign of worry leave her eyes. He drew in a deeper breath, caressed her hand with this bringing her attention back to him.

"You're late," he murmured.

Immediately Kate's eyes widened, stared straight into his blue eyes, spooked by his statement. She went to say something but only her jaw relaxed. No words came. His free hand lifted and stroked hair from the side of her face. He leaned in closer his expression urging her to say something.

"That's what's been worrying you," he suggested.

She nodded.

"I knew something was up."

"How?"

"I know you, Kate."

She looked away, blinked. It concerned Rick she was going to cry.

"I'm late." She confirmed, "Can't figure out where I messed up."

"You didn't. How late?"

"Three days, just on."

"You've been stressed," he commented. "The case, us."

"Only time in a long while," she replied, her hand covered his.

He cupped the side of her face, and she dropped her hand to her lap as he said, "It's okay for you to be late."

Entirely involved in their conversation, she calmly asked, "What if I'm pregnant, Rick?"

"That's okay." He continued, "We will be fine. We would make great babies."

She smiled, "Yes, we would."

"It will be okay," he reassured, "to have a family."

"You have a kid."

Rick rubbed his jaw, slightly amused by her comment, then said, "You don't."

"Rick …" She closed her eyes and bit her lip. "It will come." She said which he thought was self-reassurance.

He picked up his mug and had a few sips of coffee. There was an overpowering urge to know more about his girlfriend, her wants and dreams, "You don't want kids?"

She breathed in deeply, thinking about how she would answer the question. She smiled and opened her eyes again, "How about we wait a day or so, huh before we talk more?"

"We can do that. But you need to know that you deserve to be happy to have what you want, and if that's a family some time in the future, that's okay with me."

Her lips were pressed together, and she fidgeted once Rick put his hand down. She glanced to their joined hands, "Castle?"

"Mm?"

"I will tell you if I get it."

"You'd better." He smiled.

She squeezed his hand, "Castle?"

"Mm?" He raised an eyebrow, amused by their conversation.

"You know when Will and I broke up it wasn't because things went bad between us. He took a job in Boston, a promotion, asked me to go with him but I wanted, I needed to stay in New York. After he was gone, I was forced to suppress a lot of emotions I still had for him."

"And now?"

"I have far stronger feelings for you. Different to anyone else with you." She squeezed his fingers. "I hope you feel the same about me. What happened last night only served to strengthen what feelings I have for you."

"That's reassuring." He leaned in once again with a smile and whispered, "No matter what, Kate. I'm right here."

She gave him a nod. "I kind of know." She smiled warmly, glanced at the time as he did, "We need to go."

"Yes." He looked at their joined hands, gave her a soft squeeze then released her hands, "Drink your coffee, my Detective girlfriend."

Immediately a grin appeared, then laughter as she picked up her mug. "My writer boy." She cheekily replied.

Rick scratched his head, "Better than some things I've been called, I guess."

"Drink your coffee." She ordered.

"It's time to interrogate the natural mother." Beckett said as she got up from her desk. The team had just spent a while discussing the case, updating events that happened during the night.

"Take the FeeBee with you," Rick said as he nodded toward the square jawed agent who waited for the detective. She acknowledged and strolled off. Rick watched her ass swing with emphasis aware she was stirring him, but also observed Sorenson giving him the stare of a challenge.

Rick smirked with amusement, partial cockiness. If only the agent knew that Kate was his, what an idiot he was making of himself. Beckett and Sorenson walked to the interrogation room. Rick took the time to finish his coffee then followed a while later but went to the viewing room to watch the interview of the baby's natural mother, Lucia Gomez. It was almost over by the time he got there. Lucia's signature had been forged. Beckett established the natural father was in the country. He had returned from a tour of Iraq and was now a person of interest.

With it resolved the mother wasn't involved, about a half hour later Rick found himself standing idly in a parking garage keeping company with Ryan and Esposito. It was mostly about observing his team of detectives in action. He watched Beckett and Sorenson approach Juan Restrepo, who detailed a car. Beckett called out to identify herself but as soon as Restrepo saw Beckett's badge, he took off sprinting down the off ramp straight. Juan reached the bottom within seconds and ran right into Castle, Ryan, and Esposito.

Ryan shouted, "Get your hands up. Hit the ground. On the ground!"

The young man hit the ground face down his limbs out. Ryan and Esposito moved in to cuff him. They lifted him off the concrete and held him as Beckett caught up. Castle circled the detectives, and happened to meet up with Sorenson on the side, within ear shot of Beckett who spoke to Restrepo.

Castle stepped closer to Sorenson. He kind of pointed in the general direction of Beckett, "What? No good cop, bad Fed?"

Sorensen frowned, "The guy did two tours in the Gulf. I go over there, he'd turn it into a pissing match. But Kate, she's got a way of sneaking up on people."

"You mean like last night?" Rick inquired gazing into the back of Juan's beat-up Corolla. To his annoyance, Sorenson didn't take the bait. Esposito and Ryan inspected the contents of the interior of Juan's car. Ryan picked through a pile of fast food wrappers in the filthy front seat. Sorenson, also gloved, inspected the trunk. Beckett questioned Restrepo, unware of what her team were up to.

Ryan groaned out, "Can you believe this? He details cars for a living. He could have a little more pride in his ride."

"It's full of shit." Sorenson added as he closed the trunk.

Castle continued to follow him, harbouring strong emotions about Sorenson's actions the night before. "I'm just saying," he said, "Looked like quite a kiss."

There was a pause in Will's step and he looked at Castle, "You jealous, Castle?"

"Me?" Rick smirked like a wise ass, internally wondering where his behaviour was coming from. "No. Though you have to admit, I was right."

"You are jealous. That I hooked her."

Rick scoffed, but stepped in closer to the FBI agent, "What's there to be jealous of? You couldn't reel her in."

"We'll see about that," Sorenson replied then raised his eyes to Rick's clearly willing to take on the challenge the writer seemed to push for.

About two seconds ticked over, that Rick used to weigh up his options. Retreat while it was amicable or push on with antagonism. The temptation to press the agent's buttons was too strong to ignore.

"Too late," he hissed so no one else heard. He glared at the Fed's blue eyes, his expression deadly serious. He repeated, "Too late."

Sorenson glanced to Beckett, then back to the writer, "Too late?" He challenged, "I don't think so."

"She's off the market, Mate." Rick stated then backed off, pointing at himself.

Not an hour later, Beckett, Sorenson, and Castle stood together in the breakroom where they could see through the door into the bull pen where Ryan and Juan were seated at Ryan's desk talking.

Beckett had a mug of coffee she sipped on, "I established the father had been trying to find out if his daughter was okay at the garage." She said to the men.

"You also mentioned he had an alibi," Rick replied.

Esposito entered the break room from the bullpen. "Yo."

"Mm?" Kate responded.

"He's the birth dad. Story checks out. Limo company had him doing their fleet yesterday."

Beckett nodded, "Thanks, Espo. Cut him loose."

"Sure." Esposito gave Beckett a nod, glanced at Sorenson and Castle with an odd expression then headed back to Ryan's desk.

"Wasn't him." Kate muttered, mainly to point out to Sorenson that it was time to give up his persistence that Juan was the kidnapper. It didn't make sense.

Sorenson said, "I don't care. He had motive and opportunity."

Castle said, "His motive was the instinct of fatherhood. If he took her, he'd have been with her. Not at some twelve-dollar-an-hour detailing job."

"Doesn't matter. I want ESU on his place," Sorenson insisted.

Kate's brow flattened out, her eyes appeared darker, "It's not him, Will," she firmly said. "We're at square freakin' one, and we've got nothing." She put down her coffee and faced up to the FBI agent, "You can send ESU wherever you want, but I'm not losing this one." Frustrated, she walked away from the men into the bullpen, her heels loud on the floor. Castle raised an eyebrow in response to Beckett's strong reaction.

Sorenson and Castle stared at each other for several moments. Rick glanced out at Kate, then back to Sorenson, and pointed in her general direction, "What did she mean when she said she's not losing this one?"

"The case we worked."

"I thought you got the guy."

"We did, but..." Sorenson paused, sighed, then added, "The kid was already dead."

Castle absorbed that, looked to where Beckett went. Sorenson's phone began to ring which he picked up, "Sorenson." He greeted then listened, "On my way."

Sorenson hurried to Beckett in the bullpen. "Kate, there's been another call about the ransom."

"Really?"

"We need to get to Candela's apartment.

The Candela household in which Castle, Beckett, and Sorenson stood was bustling with activity. There was an air of urgency. Sorenson and Will studied a map on the kitchen counter.

Sorenson said, "Once they get paid, there's no incentive to keep her alive. So, I'll make the drop. Figure we'll place our people at a one-block radius from the mailbox-"

Alfred who overheard them replied, "No. They said no cops."

Everyone looked to the tall lean male as Sorenson said, "It's okay. I've done this before. They won't know I'm an FBI agent."

"And if they do?"

Beckett said, "Mr. Candela, we need this to go as smoothly as possible."

Alfred said, "She's my daughter and we're going to follow their instructions to the letter. They said no cops. Look, I'm her father and I can do this. Do I make myself clear?' He insisted.

Sorenson nodded. Seemingly satisfied he'd confirmed the arrangements, Alfred turned and left the room.

Sorenson guardedly said, "No way we can send the father. Too many things could go wrong. He's too emotional."

Beckett who stared to where the father had gone, asked, "What choice do we have?"

"Me," Castle replied.

Beckett's head spun to see Rick, eyes widened as she asked, "What?

Castle said, "I'm not a cop. I'm certainly not emotional."

Sorenson replied, "No. Absolutely not."

Castle said, "The NYPD already has a signed waiver from me. And, I don't like saying this, but you're running out of time."

Beckett said, "Castle's right."

Sorenson said, "You can't be serious.

Beckett said, "He's been with me on cases before. He's good under pressure. And he's our best shot."

"I hope you're right."

"She's right."

When Sorenson looked at Kate, she nodded, even if she was worried about Rick's welfare.

"I'll be right." Rick affirmed.

"All $100 bills?" Rick asked.

"Mm." Beckett replied, "They asked for seventy-five packs of hundreds, randomized serial numbers and warned against bait, money, dye packs, and trackers. They were detailed, Castle, right down to the make, model, and color of the backpack."

"And now we wait for their call." He nodded, his gaze momentarily in the direction of the family room then said quietly so only Kate would hear, "The Candelas are on edge and arguing constantly which is agitating the FBI team."

"Yeah, I noticed that too. I think its escalated since the demand for the ransom."

"I dunno Beckett, their demand for a civilian, not a cop to make the drop, or they would kill the girl, might heighten stress levels. The FBI got proof of life, now we just need to reclaim their child." He raised an eyebrow, his concern all over his face.

"I would kill anything in my path to get back what was mine." Kate said.

Rick glanced out the door before he said, "I hope that includes me. I'd die for you."

"Me too. Don't you go being stupid out there, Rick. You're not a cop," she softy said.

"You'll be there. The boys will be there. I'll be fine," he reassured.

A female FBI Technician tapped on the wall interrupting their conversation. Castle and Beckett moved apart a little.

"Hi, are you the person I was assigned, to set up a microphone on?"

The writer smiled. "That's me. I'm Rick, this is Kate."

"I'm Agent Leonie Crawford. Hi."

"Hey." Kate greeted. "You gonne wire him up?" She sat on a chair to get out of the way of the technician who was about to start her work on Rick.

"Yep."

Kate smirked, "You might find him ticklish in a few places." She said and immediately saw Rick's eyes widen in warning. Kate shrugged a shoulder dismissively and continued, "He's a terrible partner in tackle games, as he laughs too much when I get a hold on his ribs." She added rescuing her own slip up.

"I know where you're ticklish, Beckett," he warned.

As the woman untangled a wire she casually replied, "You two sound like you spend a lot of time together."

"We're partners. We work together some long hours." Rick replied, "Surprising what you find out about someone."

"So many layers," Kate remarked.

With the agent and Beckett in his presence, Rick stood in the abducted child's bedroom watching his girlfriend keep a possessive eye on the other woman. It was subtle, but he noticed it. As the woman began to thread a wire under Castle's shirt, he gasped, "Cold hands. Cold hands." He quickly pulled away from the woman's hands. She paused, looked at his eyes, as he boyishly smiled.

Kate frowned at him, at his inability to act sensibly, "These people are dangerous, Castle. You need to stay alert and focused," she said.

"Alert and focused, got it." Castle gasped again as the tech's hands brushed his skin again. "Maybe if you, maybe if you just rub them together for a second," he suggested. The FBI tech smiled, shook her head, and continued to work. Rick turned his attention back to Kate, "Wait, alert and what?"

Beckett gave him a stare.

"I'm just kidding." He grinned boyishly.

"You're good to go." Agent Crawford said with a smile.

"Thanks." Castle buttoned up the rest of his shirt as the FBI agent exited the room. Castle looked at Beckett, noticed her concern showed now they were alone. "Hey. It's gonna be okay." He lightly reassured.

Beckett fidgeted on her feet, then focussed on Rick, "Look, about last night, what happened in the kitchen, I had a think after..- I just..."

"Oh, listen, You don't need to explain that, that's...we sorted that out earlier." He reassured, "Don't have to explain."

"I don't-"

"Unless you want to. But we talked it through, Kate."

"Uh... no, you know, I just wanted you to know I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault."

"I- I just figured for the character, for Nikki Heat..." She explained stepping closer to him.

"Yeah, y- I think- I think I understand Nikki better than you think I do." Rick said although he was thinking about Kate. "We just need to stick to our plan in the future." He suggested and she nodded her agreement.

"I don't want it to happen again." She confirmed, then glanced through the doorway before she said, "Be careful, okay?" She said in a soft voice.

"Do I detect actual concern for my well-being?"

"Screw this up and I'll kill you." Beckett said.

Rick smiled, "That's more like it."

Parked in a nondescript vehicle with an uninterrupted view of a mailbox Beckett and Sorenson observed Castle who carried a green backpack as he walked toward the designated mailbox on a busy street. They talked to him over radio transmitters.

"Okay, I have eyes on the target. Over." Rick said through the transmitter then it slightly crackled and fell silent. Seconds later he asked, "Are you reading me?"

Kate rolled her eyes, partially amused by the writer. She picked up the transmitter then said, "We don't have to read you, we can see you. Now shut up and focus."

Grinning, Castle replied, "Roger that. Five by five."

Sorenson smiled, amused by the writer, and looked at Kate, "You know, he's quite a guy. If he only knew how big a fan you really are," he teased.

Kate gave Will a look, "Yeah, well, he's not going to know," she said straight up.

"You never told him how you stood in line for an hour just to get your book signed? How his novels got you through your mother's death?"

Beckett stared Sorenson down, "Is there anything you don't remember?"

"Oh no," he softly replied, watching the writer over the road, "Not when it comes to you."

They shared a look.

Sorenson said, "You're with him."

Kate opened her mouth to object, read his expression, closed her mouth, and gave nod. "Secretly."

He nodded, "Keep it that way, Kate."

"Mm." She looked across the street at Castle crouched down at the side of the mailbox, and reached underneath it.

"I feel like Michael finding the gun taped behind the toilet." He ripped the phone away from the bottom of the mailbox and pulled the tape off. The phone beeped. "Uh. You might want to tell Ryan and Esposito to hang back. They just sent a text. It says, We're watching you."

Sorenson suggested, "Could just be a ruse."

"Nope. They just sent another one. It says, You're wearing a black raincoat." He glanced at his black jacket then said into the transmitter. "They're right."

Beckett half rolled her eyes then said, "Okay, so they can see you. That doesn't change anything." Her phone beeped with an incoming text. She picked it up and read it.

U guys making out?

Sorenson read the text, "Tell him to stop fooling around."

"Like that'll help."

Castle read the next text. "Okay," he said, looking about him, "It says, cross the street, and head west on East 47th." Castle walked a few steps, then paused a moment. "That's left, right?"

"Right," Beckett said.

"Right, right? Or right, left?" Rick asked

Beckett and Sorenson answered, "Left!"

Castle headed across the street and paused in his gait when the burner phone received another text. "1201 1st. That's just ahead."

Castle continued toward the building he was directed to. He entered the lobby of 1201 1ST Avenue finding quite a crowd inside. As he gazed around, taking in his surroundings he said aloud, "They want me to leave the bag at the shoeshine stand and exit out the side. Alright, I'm at the stand."

In the car, now with no visual on Castle, Sorenson said to Beckett, "Have him make the drop."

Beckett got on the transmitter, "Castle, leave the bag. Make the drop and walk away."

They watched Ryan and Esposito enter the lobby. Ryan said into his wright, "We're in. We don't have him yet."

Castle walked through the lobby and as he passed by a shoe stand he dropped the backpack and kept walking. "I just left it. I'm headed out." He said.

Beckett said, "Esposito, Ryan, you got eyes?"

Espo replied, "I see the shoeshine stand."

Beckett used small binoculars to spot Ryan and Esposito through the lobby glass but she struggled to find even a glimpse of them.

"I can't see them, Will. So many people."

"Popular area."

"Mm." She continued to scan the area, saw Rick leave the lobby at the other end but he was turning in a slow circle.

"You see this Beckett?" Castle asked through the transmitter.

"Oh my God." She momentarily lowered the binoculars, "You gotta see this." She said to Sorenson who took the binoculars.

"What the-?"

They heard Ryan through the transmitter say, "Wait. I got the backpack. Asian male, long hair. I got him, I got him."

Kate picked up the transmitter and said to Castle, "I see it Castle. We were friggin' set up."

Rick dropped his arms, then pushed his right hand through his hair, "We were played."

As they heard Ryan and Esposito say in utter surprise that the lobby was full of people wearing the same backpacks, Kate and Will's eyes met. Kate swallowed, "We can't lose this one, Will."

"Call the team back."

Kate spoke into the transmitter, "Meet back at the Precinct in an hour. We'll debrief there."

Sorenson started the car, "We'll pick up the writer monkey."

Kate glared at Sorenson, who smirked, "C'mon, Kate. I'm having a joke."

"Yeah, well if you call him that to his face be ready because he is relentless with stirring."

"He already has been, Kate. We've been in the playground kicking dirt at each other for a day or so. Puts some fun in it."

Kate stared at him, then looked forward searching for Castle whom she found waiting on the side of the road. She had noticed their head butting but had chosen to ignore is. However, before Castle got in the car she said to Sorenson, "I'm staying out of it."

"Good idea. We're having fun. Two boys. Girl in the mix." He smiled, "I like him, Kate. He's good for you and the team." Sorenson pulled up to the curb as Rick stepped closer and opened the back door. He basically fell into the back seat as the car moved on. H

"Did you see that?" Rick excitedly asked, "All the backpacks! I didn't see that coming."

"None of us did," Sorenson replied.

"I'm going with inside job, Beckett." Rick said when Kate turned about in her seat to look at him.

"I think so too." She agreed. "How about we go back to the apartment and tell the parents then Castle and I will go back to the Precinct."

"Castle?" Kate stopped at the bottom of the stairs to the Precinct entrance and put had hand to his shoulder to cease walk. They'd just stopped for lunch and were heading inside to meet with the boys.

"Mm?"

"In the car, you said you think it's an insider job."

"Yeah. I'm still thinking that."

"Why?"

"The backpack plan was elaborate, took planning. Then, I managed to slip the phone that the kidnappers gave me into the backpack and then its located.."

"Soon after Sorenson told everyone about the phone you planted in the back pack."

"The kidnappers must've found it and taken the battery out." He shrugged his shoulders, looked over her fact, "Something is going on Kate and we're not seeing it." He hurried up the steps to the Precinct ahead of Kate and pulled the door open for her. Inside the foyer, he took hold of her lower arm and pulled her aside for a second.

"This kidnapping case." He said, "I know its scaring you the baby will be harmed or worse, but we will find her, Kate. We will figure this out." He looked about them for a second, "I will meet with the guys, then I'm heading home to have dinner with my family."

She nodded, "Okay. We just need to find the weakest link."

"We will." He glanced at the time. It was almost four pm. "Let's get upstairs. I have about a half hour."

She led him to the elevators as one arrived at ground level. As soon as all the passengers exited they dived in. Alone during the ride up, they stood side by side.

"Its arrived," Kate said.

Rick adjusted his footing, glanced to Kate who watched the numbers.

"Say something," she insisted.

"Told you it would."

She sighed then smiled. "You're not afraid, are you? Of commitment."

He looked at her eyes, his wider than usual, "Of what we have?"

"Mm."

"No. What we have, Kate, it's something else. Nothing about us scares me."

Kate stared at him.

"Now snap out of it. It's time for you to pretend you don't like me tagging along." He nodded towards the floor signals as the elevator tinged their arrival. As the doors opened she walked out.

"I told you not to go to that diner, Castle. It has tasteless buns and today they were stale."

He followed, "Yeah but the shakes were good. I know you love their shakes."
"Maybe. Did you boys get my message?"

"Yep," Esposito replied, as he jumped out of his seat, "Not much could be got out of that YouTube video."