Chapter 74

It was an hour later they found themselves in the meeting room of the bullpen rifling through Jessica's notes with a new approach to the case, a new of view. They had a subject and now her notes and research made more sense. They knew who she was writing about.

Between them on the desk sat two empty cups of coffee and a torn paper bag. Esposito walked in the room. Noticed the bag and reached for it.

"Too late Espo." Castle intercepted, "Miss Beckett ate the lot."

"Whoa." He pulled his arm back, studied Beckett who continued to work.

"Don't listen to him, Xavy. He brought in two bear claws and gave me one."

"Four and you ate two. You said you were starving."

She lifted her eyes from the paper to his blue eyes, "That's because I didn't get dinner last night."

"What? All the local take outs were closed, Beckett?" Esposito asked with a cheeky smile. Rick laughed.

"You've seen her fridge too?" Castle casually inquired, not making too much of an issue of it and he paused his work for a moment to gaze over her face.

"I have. This woman doesn't cook."

"She does cook." The woman responded. "I also had a hectic exercise regime. Left me spent."

"With your personal trainer?" Rick cleared his throat. Waited for the bait to be bitten.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

He sat up, glance to Esposito who was enjoying the banter way too much, "What I would like to know, Beckett is, whether you took the walk of shame this morning, huh?" He tapped the pile of paper in front of him, "This case? Don't know about the rest of you, but it's made me so horny."

"Oh, please." Beckett pretended to dry reach. "Yuk!"

"I'm with you, Castle." Esposito said with a snicker watching Beckett's award winning performance.

Beckett sat back on the chair and sized up her companions, one of which she'd kept company with, had engaged in hours of sexual activity with during the night. Their energy levels were running on fumes. Needed sleep. Her appetite for Castle had become an obsession during the case. She'd never had so much fun with a man as she was experiencing this week. She'd never felt such strong feelings for a man as she was experiencing this week.

"Castle," she quietly said, requesting he not become crude, even though she knew he would refrain from being so. He was the one who demanded they keep their relationship a secret because he was the one who had the most to lose.

"Hey, Beckett, don't forget we have the target training tomorrow morning." Espo said as he went to leave the room.

Rick, suddenly interested, sat up. "Target training?"

"Yeah. All teams required. We have to be at the range by seven thirty." Beckett replied.

"And when were you going to tell me?"

"You're not a cop." She stated.

"But his name is on the list," Esposito replied directing his eyes to Beckett and giving her an odd look. "You put his name on the list."

"Did I? Must have been a moment of weakness."

"I'll be there. Seven thirty." Castle declared, "Any chance to shoot a gun. More research." He smiled.

Beckett thought about that. She thought about the way he'd knocked her off her guard last night. On top of him, prepared to give him one helluva time for a while. And then, in a minuscule second, she'd been spun over. Not only had she found herself in a compromising position, it was one that had disabled her. Subdued her. The unexpected maneuver had contained technique and training.

Once Esposito was out of hearing range she leaned in.

"Castle?"

He stopped and looked up to her face, tilted his head and frowned, "Please don't tell me you want more…" He glanced about to ensure they were safe then whispered, "Sex?" He paused then pointed over his shoulder, "I guess we could use the cleaners closet."

"Castle," she hissed. "No."

"Then what is it? No one can hear us so talk." He said aware her back was to the bull pen.

"How did you get me into submission like that last night? Where did you learn that?"

"Arrr… freaked you out a little huh?"

"I wasn't expecting you to practice such technique on me. Espo? Yes. Castle? No. That was specialised." She crossed her legs and calmly asked again, "Where did you learn that?"

"I was taught it during research for a Storm novel. You know I like it to be real in my stories. Just had the opportunity last night and tried it. On you. Successfully. Why didn't you mention the range practice?"

"Not a priority to me. But you should come as you are my partner. But it's time when you're with Alexis."

"She has school."

"Cool. Ok. Let's get this case wrapped up. We have what we need to arrest her."

By midday the case was wrapped up with the murderer arrested and the team were at the Precinct to finish up their paper work. For once Rick was helping with paperwork, by mainly dictating to Beckett who was typing up her report for the DA's office. He paused to scan Jessica's research.

"Jessica and Danielle knew each other for approximately eight years and had lived together for three."

Beckett typed the details.

"So, you've closed the case." The Captain asked from his office.

Castle turned about and Beckett ceased to type.

"We arrested the housemate, Jessica's best friend." Beckett said when Montgomery came from his office. He'd just finished up an hour long telephone conference and appeared weary. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.

"Did she confess?"

"Eventually. It took a bit of persuasion." She answered.

"We told her," Castle said, "That in her research, Jessica described being in a dysfunctional relationship, that she was scared to leave because the other person had become so dangerously codependent."

Beckett said, "At first we thought it was her boyfriend Tyler. But it wasn't."

"Jessica's fellow student dropped off Jessica's research. Danielle read all the things that she wrote about her." Castle said, "Jessica termed Danielle as Subject 'b'. Said she showed all the signs of being a masochist, completely dependent for her sense of self."

"We know Danielle read the files." Beckett continued, "That's why she staged Jessica's body that way."

"And then she got rid of all the research." Castle added, "And Danielle was the only one who had time to clean up after herself."

"What happened between them?" Montgomery asked.

"Danielle was very close to Jessica, Captain. She said she was her everything, that they were family. Unfortunately, Jessica didn't feel the same way and wrote awful things about her that Danielle read. She said she pushed Jessica who fell. Her head hit the table. She started to scream. She said-she said she hated Danielle! Danielle put a pillow over her head and suffocated her."

"She didn't mean to kill Jessica, just wanted her to stop screaming." Castle added.

"In the end, Castle was right. The murder was a crime of passion." Beckett said, "The cuffs, the caramel, were all just theater to throw us off."

"I can't help but think, Beckett, that if Matt hadn't copied Jessica's research, Danielle never would've read it, and none of this would have happened."

"I agree, Castle."

"Well," Montgomery said, "Now he won't get his fellowship or his degree. What about Lady Irena? What was she doing at the apartment?"

"Some of the girls thought that Jessica was working off the books, Captain, so, Irena dropped by to tell her to knock it off."

Castle added, "They had a glass of wine, and she left. She just did it on the wrong night."

"Yeah, okay, but why'd she give you such a hard time, then?"

Beckett smirked, "That's easy. She's a lawyer."

"And a dominatrix." Castle commented.

They were all distracted from their conversation when they saw Ryan stand up from behind his desk. He gave a wave to a pretty woman in a coat and carrying a purse, who exited the elevator in search of someone. He met the blond woman at the edge of the bullpen and gave her a kiss. "Hey. You made it."

Seeing the close proximity Ryan and the woman maintained, Esposito joined Montgomery, Castle and Beckett. They were all a bit surprised by Ryan's actions.

Castle muttered, so only Beckett would hear, "Perhaps this is the lady who gifted Ryan the tie."

Esposito elbowed him, "Good call, Dude."

"He likes her." The writer commented.

Ryan, who was beyond a little flustered and nervous, approached his team with the woman's hand in his, "Guys, uh, I want you to meet... Jenny." He smiled.

"Hi." She timidly greeted.

Beckett smiled, "Welcome. We've heard wonderful things about you."

"Oh, the same goes for all of you." Jenny replied, "I-I feel like I know you guys already." She addressed Beckett. "You are so much prettier than your picture in Cosmo." Shen then looked to Castle. "Kevin gave me his copy of Heat Wave. I could not put it down." She turned to Esposito. "And thanks for being such a great partner. You know, make sure you keep him safe out there."

Esposito said, "You got it."

Ryan smiled, tugged on Jenny's hand, "We have a movie to catch. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Beckett said, "You guys have a great time."

Ryan grabbed his jacket and phone from his desk then left with Jenny.

"Damn. If I had a girl like that, I might be whipped by her, too." Espo commented.

"Now we know why he didn't bring her around sooner." Rick commented.

Beckett said, "So the two of you don't act like idiots around her?"

"No, so we wouldn't try to steal her from him." Espo replied.

Castle turned to Beckett, "So what about this imaginary boyfriend of yours? Are we gonna see him around here or is he at home tied to a bed?"

Beckett couldn't help the grin that spread over her face, "What's the matter, Ricky? You jealous?" She started towards her desk in a slow swaying steps, waiting for him to react.

Castle laughed, "No. You only get to punish him at night. You punish me all day."

"Well, you deserve it." She replied unaware Esposito had retreated to his desk to prepare for home.

Castle followed Beckett, grabbed his sunglasses as he asked, "What did I do to you?"

Beckett replied, "Let's just start with the first day we met…"

"You mean the night we met." He corrected as he grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair. "I met you in the evening."

She smiled, amused. "I arrested you."

"Yes, you did. Any opportunity to get cuffs on me."

"In your dreams."

"Dreams do come true." He replied, "Would you join me for a burger at Remy's? A shake?"

"So long as you're going to behave." She retrieved her bag from the desk drawer. She followed Rick to the elevator lobby to wait for it to return. Rick slapped the button a few times, keen to get out of the bull pen.

When the doors closed and they were alone in the elevator, side by side facing the door, Rick casually stated, "It was the best night of my life."

Beckett thought about what he said, and the realization of the subtext had a smile blossom over her face. "I think, Castle, that the best night was our first date night." Unconsciously, she bit her lip and using her right index finger she twirled her hair.

"Agree. For me it was the moment I met you."

"That's cute, Castle. I wanna kiss you."

"Mm. I know. Plenty of time for that later."

The doors opened to the ground floor and they stepped out of the elevator. He politely pulled her to a stop in the lobby then spoke quietly so others didn't hear them.

"Mine or yours?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "I have clothes at your place. School night."

"Good call." They continued to walk to the entrance.

"Let's skip Remy's, Castle. I'm beat."

"Same, but aren't you hungry? You've barely eaten today."

"I'm okay." She stopped on the sidewalk, faced him. "Subway or cab?"

"Walk a couple of blocks and we'll grab a cab."

They walked. Two blocks later Rick pointed towards a cab pulled over with someone climbing out.

"Grab it." Beckett responded and lunged forward into a jog to catch the open door of the vehicle. Right behind her, Castle opened the front door and leaned in to speak to the driver.

With confirmation the cab was available they bundled into the rear of the vehicle. As soon as the car was on the go, Beckett homed in on Castle, snuggled into his left arm. He took a hold of her hands.

"You're cold." He stated.

"A little. Order pizza, Rick. I'm starving."

"You said you weren't hungry." He replied as he flipped his phone over. "I'll order from the one near my place."

"Yes. The usual please. Extra cheese."

He tapped on his iPhone, the car rumbled forward dashing in between traffic, and seconds later he slipped the phone into his coat pocket. "Ordered." He stated and gave her hand a squeeze. Don't know whether I'm more tired or hungry."

"Hungry." Kate replied. "Very hungry."

"Famished?"

"Starving." She confirmed.

At 7.30 pm, Martha unlocked the doorway to the loft. The scent of pizza and cheese caused her stomach to growl. Snoring caused her to cringe even if it was familiar. She closed the door softly, then turned about and walked towards the living area where the rumbling emanated. It was on the couch she found the source of the noise stretched along the length of it, with his girlfriend tucked snugly against him.

Oddly undisturbed, Kate slept, her head on his left shoulder. His hand was wrapped over the side of her head. A bare leg rested over Richard's thighs.

"How on earth does she sleep through that?" Martha muttered as she lowered her body to the armchair. She crossed her legs right over left to pull off a heel then swapped legs to repeat the same action. All the while, she stared at her son and future daughter in law. With every inhale of oxygen, he snored. Loudly. His chest rose and fell.

The remnants of a large pizza and four empty bottles of beer were on the coffee table. Their shoes were on the floor beneath the table with Kate's dress pants.

Martha checked the time unable to believe these two reasonably young people were totally knocked out at this hour of the evening.

Then, without warning, Beckett's hand moved and she gave Rick a bit of shove into his ribs, "Castle."

The snore was disrupted. He grunted. He shifted his head, his fingers lightly caressed her hair.

"'Atta girl." Martha whispered as she stood up.

A few minutes later she was back on the armchair with a glass of rose wine and a magazine to read. The slumbering pair kept her company. Rick kept snoring.

It was almost 9.30 when Beckett pushed herself up to a sit and sleepily gazed about the room. Sleepy eyes eventually settled on Martha who lowered the magazine.

"Arr.. sleeping beauty awakes."

She smiled. "Cute. How long you been there?"

"Almost two hours. You two are so young. Why aren't you out going places?"

Kate swept back hair from her eyes, looked down at Rick who slept. Snored. She smirked, then looked to Martha, "That's because we've barely slept the last few nights. It's been exhausting."

Martha's sudden laughter was full of richness, "Oh Dear, that's what I like to hear."

"What was that?" Rick asked as his hand went to his face to rub it.

"I was telling your mom why we're not out tonight. Why we've crashed here."

Rick devilishly chuckled, "Oh heck. What a week. Hits my top five."

Kate laughed, stroked his chest, "It's been exhausting." She lowered herself to give him a kiss, then whispered, "It's been a few rough nights on my knees doing that dance."

"Oh shit." Castle said, "It's time for bed."

Martha broke into laughter again. "To sleep."

Beckett pushed herself up to a sit then climbed over Rick to get her feet to the floor. She collected the beer bottles and pizza box. "There will be nothing more than sleep going on tonight." She stated.

"You're young and vigorous." Martha replied.

Rick stood up. "Tonight, I'm not." He glanced to Beckett who quickly put away their dinner remains. He picked up their belongings from the floor as he headed to the bedroom.

"Good night mother." He called with a wave of his arm.

"Sleep tight."

Kate strolled across the living area towards the office. "See you tomorrow, Martha. Good night."

"Good night."

"I cannot believe you told my mother we have been fucking like there's no tomorrow." Castle said the moment Beckett closed the door to the bedroom. He kicked out of his jeans.

Beckett stopped, pressed her lips together then said, "I didn't tell her that, Castle." She tugged at the shirt she wore, wanting it off. "What's the big deal?" She lifted the top over her head, exposing black underwear, and tossed the garment on the armchair by her side of the bed.

"She knows we've been up all week, screwing about." He too undressed from his shirt and left it with his jeans.

"I prefer making love." Kate purred out then giggled, not missing a chance to admire his bare chest and arms.

"Really?" He sounded surprised.

"Yes. But what's the big deal?" She started towards the en suite and Rick followed.

"She's my mother?"

"So?" Beckett checked them in the large mirror, looked over her shoulder to Rick who sauntered in behind and wrapped his arms around her body.

"Do you tell your Dad about your sex life?"

She glared at Rick via the mirror and screwed up her nose with sheer disgust. "Are you fucking serious, Castle?"

"Yes."

"My Dad would have a breakdown if he heard half the stuff."

"You do know he had to do some shagging to create you."

"My point exactly. Your mom has shagged plenty too." Beckett replied, "So why can't your Mom know?"

"Why can't your Dad know?" He unhooked the bra.

They fell silent but Beckett, with pursed lips, stared him down for a second or so thinking, before she inhaled deeply. She spoke as she slipped the bra down her arms and place it on the vanity.

"I can't tell my Dad, because I don't believe he would enjoy hearing about the things I do to you, or what you like to do to me." She smiled with closed lips. "I'm also a Daddy's girl and don't want to shatter that on him."

Rick laughed, "You enjoy it too."

"Maybe." She softly replied and watched him slide his hand down her tummy and beneath the panties.

Rick grunted, then groan in approval. "I believe a little more than maybe?"

She frowned, tried to ignore what his fingers were up to. "Really? You're taking that from this whole discussion?"

"Yes." His brow furrowed as his hands moved to her hips. "No. Its not. Seriously though. Daddy's girl? Shatter that status?" He thought she was more her mother's daughter but he wasn't gonna put that out into the atmosphere.

Kate grinned and bit her lip and leaned back into him against his chest. "Of course, I am."

"Mm. I know." He momentarily reflected on the times she looked up at him, or the way she climbed upon his lap and curled up against his body seeking his security.

"How so?"

"The way you are around me at times." He humbly replied with unfiltered endearment in his tone.

She gave him a questioning glance. "Tell me."

"No." He instantly replied and waved his finger at her in the negative, "There's no way I'm giving that information away."

"I will get it out of you."

"Nope. You won't."

"Your mom, Castle."

"She could, yes." He nodded.

Beckett laughed. "No. I mean, she would be more open to talking about sex than my Dad, and she is an actress. She laughed her ass before."

"Can we talk about something else? I don't want to think about our parents and sex."

"You just brought up that it's how my father and mother created me. Our parents. They've done it at least once, Castle."

He snorted, held up his hands in defeat. "I'm out. But if you wanna talk to my Mother about girl stuff, knock yourself out, but I'm too scared to bring up the topic with your Dad." He dropped his arms. "I don't even know if he approves of me as your boyfriend. I'm just a writer."

"Rick." She inhaled and sighed, "You know he likes you." She softly said with reassurance and took off her panties she then threw in the hamper.

"We'll see," he replied. He turned on the shower faucet paying particular attention to the temperature setting.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Showers good." He said.

"Thanks." Kate stepped into beneath the flow of water.

"What about the day I go bang on his door with a ring in my pocket, a sweat on my brow, that question on my tongue?"

She turned about to face him, smirking at the image he'd put forth in her mind of him standing on her father's porch, too scare to knock. She decided to lead him on a bit. "What question?"

His blue eyes widened in surprise. "You really asking that?"

"Yes. Well, no."

"There will be the day I am there," he held up his right hand and pretended to knock on a door, "To ask Mr Beckett for permission to marry his daughter, for your hand in marriage."

She laughed at his antics, "Really? You're that traditional, Castle?"

"If course I am. Respect. To you, your father, your mother." Naked he stepped into the shower with her, but remained beneath the second shower rose.

"Shit." She put her fingers to her mouth. "Castle you are really freaking me out here."

"Keeping you on your toes?" He reached out to her hand, took a hold and gently brought her to him.

"Sending my brain spiralling out of control is a better description." She replied, snaking an arm around his neck. "So, our dominatrix murder is solved and we've had a mega sex marathon." She smiled in response to his.

"C'mere. There's still some life left in this old tiger."

She pulled herself up, closer to him, "You mother might hear us," she said only to tease him.

"Better than you telling her."

TBC