Chapter 86

Early the next morning no longer able to sleep, and restless to get on with her day, Beckett was out of bed and in the kitchen. She needed to think, needed to shake off the anxiety she'd carried most of the night, needed to let go of the frustration of being kicked off the case. To alleviate her mind of all that it was run or cook. She wasn't allowed outside. She cooked. It was something she'd taken from her mother. Numerous days as a child she'd wake to the smell of pancakes and coffee or come home to the comforting aroma of casserole.

She prepared a breakfast by using the abundant stock in the fridge.

Her night had come from the depths of hell. By hand she whipped 6 cracked eggs in a bowl.

Being a cop, there was acceptance that she would experience nightmares and restless night. However, last night she'd been disturbed by a night filled with terrible dreams of explosions, smoke and fire, of chasing after a face in the subway, flashes of a gun pointed at her.

She tipped the scrambled eggs into a cast iron pan. Beside that in a different pan the bacon fried.

One dream that she couldn't recall much of at all, had been startling enough to wake her with a frightful cry.

Bread was in the toaster and a couple of pieces of fruit were slice up.

Hopefully the smell of bacon would wake the other person in the loft. Conscious, she'd found herself sitting up, alone, the blankets long gone from her clammy body. She remembered feeling spooked and calling out for Castle. Within seconds, he'd appeared from the office. She had sought his immediate comfort, something she hadn't really done with boyfriends in the past.

As she flipped the bacon she dwelled on those moment, a time she had purely needed him to soothe the anxiety. That had resulted in their making love, intensive love. Not only had it helped her to sleep soundly until she had woken, it had intensified what she already felt for Castle.

She stared at the bacon sizzling in the butter wondering when Castle would wake up, dwelling on whether she would stop cooking and jump on the bed to wake him up. The thought caused her to smile, almost tempted to act upon it. In the back of her mind she pondered whether he'd feel closer to her this morning.

She was turning the eggs when the lock to the front door sounded. Martha crept through the front door, as surprised to see Kate as she was to see Martha. Beckett was usually long gone by the time the older woman got up, or as it was this morning, came home from her walk of shame.

Beckett smiled, "Martha. Good morning."

"Good morning, Katherine." Martha replied as she approached the kitchen. She relieved her shoulder of the overnight bag to a stool and cast her eyes over the spread of food, unsure what was going on. She took a grape. "Kate?"

"I-I'm here on orders from the FBI. I'm off the case."

Martha held up her hands, "Darling, I am hardly the one to judge, but you're usually gone by the time I'm creeping in."

Beckett smiled, "I'm sorry. I wouldn't impose, but my place is –"

"Ashes. No, I know."

"And I can't leave here. Security is keeping an eye on us. Captain and Castle's orders I'm to remain in the loft."

Martha sat at the kitchen counter, "Well, that explains the pat down by the hunky guy with the ear bud. I assumed it was Richard making a dramatic statement about the conditions for my dropping by unannounced."

"Least he was hunky." Kate commented.

"Did he tell you I'm moving out?"

Beckett nodded, "Kind of. And now I've had to move in."

"I think it's the best thing for both of you." Martha calmly commented.

"A little unexpected and sudden, for everyone," Beckett timidly responded.

"Darling, you do understand you're very welcome here."

For a second or so Beckett absorbed Martha warmth. "Thank you." She looked beyond Martha to her son who came from the bedroom, all ruffled up and wrapped in a bathrobe. "He's finally up."

Martha whispered, "I hope you're going to choose to stay here."

Before Kate had a chance to respond, Castle approached his mother, his eyes on the counter of food. "Mm." He gave her a kiss on the cheek then moved onto properly view the array of plates food. "I just woke up, and literally smelled the coffee and the bacon." He looked at his mother, "Dropping by to return your keys?"

"Very funny. Very funny. No, I am looking for my aqua gloves because these clash." She showed them the color of her gloves against her outfit. She waved her hand over the display of food. "Well, she cooks, Darling."

Beckett removed the food from the heat to waiting plates.

Castle smiled, "Mm. And cooks well." He snatched a piece of hot bacon Beckett had just dropped on the plate while avoiding a threatened smack on the hand with the spatula.

"Actually," Beckett said while she watched him try to avoid scolding his mouth by waving his hands wildly about. "My mom was an amazing cook. She used to make Sunday brunch. And I would get the choice between pancakes, omelets or waffles."

With the mouthful of food gone he replied, "Wow, that's funny. Every Sunday, my mom would have me make her an ice pack and a Bloody Mary."

Martha waved his comment off, "Don't listen to him, Katherine. That only happened twice… tops."

They all looked to the front door when it closed and saw Alexis hurry to her grandmother, "Gram!"

Martha held out her arms for the granddaughter, "There's my girl. Oh! Oh, I missed you." The two hugged tightly.

"I missed you."

Castle who stepped around the counter, leaned into Beckett and murmured, "You'd think it was months. It's been a day." He took hold of her upper arms and gave the side of her head a kiss.

Beckett laughed and leaned into his affection. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Baby," he whispered. "Did I fix your insomnia?"

She nodded, smiled, reflecting on her post coitus bliss seconds before she was drifted off in his embrace. It had been nice to lose consciousness like that. "Yours?"

"Slept like a baby, my nose in your hair." He smiled in pure content.

They saw her phone on the counter light up with an incoming call.

"Its Avery," he said.

"Yes. Excuse me." She picked up the phone, "Beckett." She listened for several seconds. "Okay. I'll be right there." She disconnected the call, and turned to face her boyfriend, quite concerned. "Castle, that was Agent Avery. Jordan never made it home last night."

He looked from her to the meal, then said, "Well, let's eat, all of us and then we'll head off. We're not wasting your delicious efforts here and, anyway, the FBI will have this covered."

"With their fancy technology." She playfully grumbled.

"Yes. Sit. Eat." He ordered already seeing she was keen to get back to the Precinct. "Remember, you're off the case. I think you termed it caseless."

"Yes."

They ate breakfast with plenty of conversation. Beckett excused herself to take a shower and dress for work. It would be a while before she would be ready to leave. Alexis also ran off to prepare for school.

"How's she going?" Martha quietly asked her son once they were alone.

Rick instinctively glanced up to ensure their conversation wasn't overhead. "She's good." He calmly replied, "She had a rough night."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you know, kept tossing, talking and waking from nightmares about the bombing, chasing Dunn. She was that jumpy I reckon she'd would of believed a teddy bear could have killed her during the night." He snatched up the last piece of bacon.

"Oh dear. Poor thing."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I got up and wrote for a while. She woke about three am upset. I went in to check on her. Flung herself into me. Never seen her as vulnerable as she was last night. Worries me."

"Life changing event, Richard. She nearly lost her life and now she only has what's in the guest room."

"Mm. Yes. And me." He offered with a smile. He started to pile up the dishes.

"And you still have her."

"I do." He became serious, "Very happy about that. However, she's a bit delicate about not having a home to live in."

"Oh Richard, how I understand."

He looked at his mother, who had come to live with him because she'd lost her home. "Well, yes, you would know what it feels like."

She leaned in closer, "Have you shared with her she is more than welcome to live here with us? It's obvious you two should be together. I'm moving out."

Castle contemplated his mother's question, her statement, and thought about how to answer. "We've talked about it. She wants time to process what has happened. She also needs approval from you and Alexis before she will even think about it."

"I'll talk to her." Martha replied.

"Don't spook her, Mom. Let her come to you." He took a sip of coffee. "She comes across as being tough and strong, but…"

"She's very sensitive."

"Yes. Protective of this." He touched over his heart then checked the time. He was ready to leave but had to wait for his partner to find clothes, make up and what not.

"She's worried about us?"

He waggled his hand, "She has concerns and she doesn't want to move in because of what happened. She will figure it out."

"Castle?" Beckett called. Rick set his coffee down hearing urgency in her tone. Seconds later she appeared from the bedroom door a phone in her hand.

"What is it?"

"Avery just called again." Beckett said as she stopped alongside Martha. She seemed worried.

"And?"

"They found her car abandoned. He's going to text me the address and we're to meet the FBI there."

On the move, Castle gave his mother a kiss. "Gotta go, Mom." He pointed at the dishes, smiled sweetly. "Sorry Ma, but Kate cooked."

Kate extended the same courtesy of fare welling the older woman. "I'll help you next time, Martha."

"Be careful the two of you." She called after them as they headed to the front door.

They met the FBI team in an alley about five miles from the Precinct where Shaw's vehicle had been located, abandoned.

"She left the precinct just after nine pm." Agent Avery explained to Beckett and Castle as they walked towards the SUV. "Her husband said she never came home."

"What about the car?" Beckett asked as they circled the car.

"Stationary at this location since the transmitter was activated 20 minutes ago." Avery pointed at the door at damage near the window. "Our vehicle security tech said this was his way in."

"So, you're stated he was already in the car waiting for Shaw when she got in." Castle said as he leaned in the passenger side front. He glanced to Beckett who has approached the back seat. "Her purse is still in here, Beckett."

"No surprise. Nothing will be missing." Beckett searched the interior of the car, focusing on the back of the front seat and roof. "Castle, there's no bullet hole in here." She studied the blood spatter in the back area, "There's medium velocity spatter."

"Then what happened?" Castle asked studying the blood stains, still wet.

"Well, it shows he must of leaned in from behind. She elbowed him in the nose. He recoiled..." She got out the car and searched the ground, with Castle with her, "And a blood trail flies from that direction."

"She took her shot." Avery said.

"And left us some bread crumbs," Castle said pointing at blood trail.

Further along Avery found another spatter of blood. "Here's another one."

Beckett pointed, "And another one here. His nose was still bleeding, but he had Jordan at gunpoint. And he brought her to here, where there was a car waiting. There's tire treads."

"Let's run down reports of all stolen vehicles from the past 24 hours." Avery said to another FBI agent.

Beckett's cell phone began to ring. She brought it from a pocket.

"It could be Dunn." Castle said as he approached Beckett who accepted the call.

"Beckett." She greeted matter of fact.

"There's nothing like the bond between girlfriends, is there, Nikki? You must really miss her." The voice of Dunn said.

Beckett nodded signaling it was Dunn, and drew in closer to Castle so he could hear. "Where is she, Dunn?"

"Safe, for now."

"If you hurt her, I will-"

Dunn cut in, "Well, that all depends on you, doesn't it? This is your story, Nikki, not hers. She's just an extra. The showdown only works if it's between you and me. Come to the Battery Park Ferry Terminal at midnight tonight, Nikki. And come alone... or she dies."

"How can I be sure she's still alive?"

"I'll send you an email."

The call was cut off. Beckett turned to Avery, "That was Dunn. Shaw is alive. He's going to email proof of life video. We need to get back to the Precinct." She didn't wait for a reply. In Detective mode, she headed back to her Police unit with Castle clipping at her heels. She was on the phone to Ryan within seconds transferring him the information and details during the call. After she hung up, she said to Castle.

"Dunn said to meet him at Battery Park Ferry Terminal at midnight tonight. We've gotta find her before then."

"She'll be dead by midnight." Castle stated. He sat in the car and closed the door. Once Beckett was inside it too he said, "Avery has the equipment but he doesn't have the experience to find her, Beckett. You have the team to do that."

Car running, she gave him a glance. "We'll find her Castle. We don't need fancy smart boards to do our job. I have NYPD to help."

They opened the attachment to the email Dunn sent on the FBI's smart screen and saw a larger video image. Ryan and Esposito were already running down their research to find the IP address of the originating email and had a CSU team scrubbing the video for any clues.

The conversation on the video between Dunn and Agent Shaw was unpleasant. Shaw was a resistant hostage, Dunn the cocky detainee. Shaw was bound to a chair at the wrists and ankles and for the video and duct tape had been removed but was hanging from her cheek. She was dishevelled and discomposed.

There was an awareness in Beckett's demeanor that the situation needed her to now be the person to coordinate the operation to bring Shaw back. Not only had Dunn made it clear she was the character who made it work, she sensed it would take her and Castle together to be the ones who would ultimately take Dunn down.

The group agreed they needed to find Shaw before the midnight meet which they already anticipated was a trap in which Beckett would be sacrificed.

The originating email's IP address was an internet café in Midtown, which only gave the information Dunn and Shaw were in within a radial range of Midtown. Wasn't much.

Using the smart board, they could zoom in on the background behind Shaw in the video. Through a broken window behind Shaw they identified the Bridge towers.

A quick search revealed that Shaw was being held hostage near the Whitestone, which meant they we're looking south and east.

They then focused on the audio of video and put it on repeat, cutting out sounds. Without the voices of Dunn and Shaw and the nearby traffic they could hear a train on elevated tracks. A subway map, showed where the track intersected with the approximate line of sight through the window.

They knew IRT Pelham line intersected with Zerega Avenue station. It was determined Shaw was being held hostage at 1756 48th Avenue, the Bronx.

They needed to plan and the FBI arranged to have hostage rescue team meet them at the site.

After a day of casing, planning and gathering a fresh FBI team they found themselves back in the van but this time parked in a concealed ear nearby 1756 48th Avenue, the Bronx. Situated between two buildings, they had adequate views of the building they believed Shaw was being held hostage. The exits to the entire building were all under guard

Agent Avery was at the helm directing the team on the ground while Beckett sat beside him, observing the cameras. The last of the light was gone from the day, which enabled the teams to get into position without being seen.

The radio sparked to life. "Alpha team in place. Standing by."

"This is the place." Avery said pointing at the screen, "Building's supposed to be abandoned. Thermal confirms a hot spot on the fourth floor. That's where he's holding her. My team's gonna enter on this blind side of the building."

Beckett released a slight noise, as though she was thinking about the image's probable weight.

Hearing Beckett, Castle too studied the bright colored imagery that the so called state of the art thermal cameral showed. He didn't deny it was heat, but questioned it being a living person. It didn't move at all, and was an odd shape for a human either standing or sitting. He assumed Shaw would be tied to a chair or a pole. That's pretty much what he would do if he was writing it. Anyone would. Basic 101 hostage practice. He grumbled to himself then stated. "This is wrong."

"What's wrong?" Beckett inquired with a soft keen tone.

"I feel like Princess Leia when the Millennium Falcon escaped the Death Star. It's too easy."

The Agent glared at Castle, "What do you mean by too easy?"

"I mean, well let's go back to the video. The sneak peek out the window, waiting to record the message just as the train was going by." Castle paused to let it sink in, but Avery's facial expression was unaltered. He continued. "He led us here. You remember how perfect everything was with Conrad?" He asked Beckett.

"Yeah, I got the trap memo, too." Avery replied, "But that doesn't mean I'm gonna sit on my ass and do nothing. That's my partner up there."

Once again, the radio sparked to life, "Alpha team standing by."

Castle seriously stated, "She'll be dead the moment you breach that door."

"That's why we're not gonna breach. Hostage exchange goes down at midnight. That means he has to move her before then. We move in quietly, take position-"

Beckett said, "- and then as soon as Dunn comes out...

"I'll put him down... like the rabid dog he is."

Beckett and Castle watched the minutes tick by slower than watching grass grow. Castle had read the entire manuscript long ago and had discarded it on the floor of the van. For a while he'd considered the tone of the story, the theme. Overall, structure had been missing. Just like this night was. It was late and they were within the hour of midnight. He saw Beckett was cold and she looked pale but she didn't complain once. She remained vigilant, kept her eyes on the camera feeds and the time. She had the stamina and patience, accustomed to sitting in cold, cramped places for long hours waiting, often for nothing.

"Ryan and 'Sito lucked out getting the go home card." Castle quietly said to Beckett.

"It's getting close," she murmured. "Can feel it."

"I'm not sharing it, and don't know how he's doing it, but he's not up there."

Beckett turned about to look at her partner, inquisitive. "And what are you basing that on?"

Castle shrugged, "I don't know how I know. I just..."

Beckett leaned in, "You just what? Castle, you and I have known each other long enough for me to know, that sometimes your silly theories are right. So, if you have a reason to believe that he's not up there, then you need to tell me why, now."

"Just because." He stopped to think about why. "It's not how I would write it."

"What happens in your version?"

"Well Beckett. To begin with, he lets us think we found him to lure us here. Let's the FBI converge on the building, only he's not in there."

Beckett looked at the monitor then returned to his blue concerned eyes. "Then where is he, Castle?"

"Nearby, watching." He paused, cast his gaze over Beckett, "He's watching it all unfold, Kate. He's got something planned."

"And, if it were you?"

"If it were me... I'd wait until they all got inside, got settled into position." He swallowed, "And then I'd blow the building."

Several second passed as Kate processed his theory and stared into his eyes, read him. Shen pointed at the hot blob in the middle of the thermal picture. "We could be looking at a bomb in the building, as what the thermal is picking up doesn't move, Castle."

"My point exactly."

"Well, where do you think he is watching from?"

"I don't know, Hon." He cleared his throat, gave himself a moment to gather his thoughts, "He wants to show he's smarter than us. So, he'll be somewhere close by and out of the way."

"Castle..." Alone with him, she reached to his hand and held it. When he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, she smiled, "Baby, If it were you, where would you be watching from?"

Castle stared at their joined hands then raised his eyes to hers. "I wish we were home, in bed, me curled around you, squeezing you against me." He straightened up and continued with a deeper voice, "But we're not."

"No, but I wish we were too."

"I wouldn't be watching from this building where they are." He pointed to the monitor that showed the thermal picture, "I'd be watching from here." He then pointed at a screen that monitored the opposite building which was in complete darkness."

Beckett inhaled deeply then let go of his hand, "Come on," she said.

A minute or so later, prepared to go it alone, they stepped outside the van, hurried over the road, and crept into the building Castle believed Dunn was hiding within. Half way up a set of stairs, Beckett paused, turned about.

"Here," she said in hushed tones and handed Castle a gun.

Castle accepted and whispered, "You want me to hold it while you tie your shoe lace?"

"No, I want you to take it, just in case. I've seen you shoot. All right. Let's go."

They sneaked through the building in silence, hunting for any hint of Dunn's presence. When they heard a man's voice they paused, looked to each other. Beckett's expression was magical to Castle. He was right. They had found the room where Dunn was holding agent Shaw. They continued to close the gap moving as quietly as possible.

They heard Dunn say, "I'm almost sad to see it come to an end, Agent Shaw. You know, I'd expected more from you."

As close as they could get, Beckett stopped and turned to Castle. She whispered, "Castle, he's there. I'm gonna draw him away. You free Agent Shaw and get some help." She studied his eyes, saw he was serious, "Castle... You're my only backup."

Castle nodded, gave her the thumbs up.

"Okay, go." She proceeded forward until she could see her target, and yelled out to Dunn. "I thought it was me you were after."

The man spun about in search of Beckett who was concealed behind packing crates. He smiled, "Nikki," he called out, "You came."

"Put your hands up, Dunn, or I will take you down." She was loud and clear.

He laughed, "I've got a better idea, Nikki. Why don't you put your gun down? Or I'll detonate the 19 pounds of cyclonite that I have in the building across the street... turning Agent Avery and his entry team into mist." He raised his arms exhibited the detonator in his left hand, a gun in his right.

Beckett listened, watched, pointed her gun at Dunn. Quick assessment told her that Agent Shaw was ruffled up, tired and needed fluids but she was generally unharmed much to Beckett's relief. She was ready to shoot Dunn dead. She sensed Castle was poised, prepared to follow her if she took him down. She was tired, fed up and wanted to go home to bed.

"If you shoot me, Nikki, it might cause my body to tense up and push the button. Do you really want to take that chance?"

Beckett remained calm as she replied, "They're not in the building anymore. I only sent them in there to throw you off."

There was silence for several seconds. "You're lying."

Beckett calmly inquired, "Why would they be in there if I knew that you were in here?" She paused. "Face it, Dunn. I beat you. Nikki Heat won."

"No." Dunn sounded annoyed. He retreated to the chair Shaw was tied to. "No! No!"

He was about to hurt Shaw with a backhanded slap, but Beckett shot in his general direction. Dunn started to run away. Beckett jumped between the boxes and chased after him. Castle followed and ran directly to Agent Shaw who was frantic to be released. Without hesitation, he grabbed the duct tape and yanked it from her face. She gave a yelp that caused him to crinkle his face.

"I'm sorry."

"Where's my people?" Shaw demanded.

Castle replied as he untied her. "Across the street, sitting on 19 pounds of cyclonite."

"She was bluffing?!"

"She was profiling." He clarified.

Hand released, Shaw said, "Go help her. He could flank her. Go! Go! I've got this."

Beckett hunted for Dunn, quietly and cunningly. She paced her breathing, slowed her heart and listened. Behind her, she heard Castle and Shaw.

Beckett entered an open area, sure it was safe with the intention of crossing. "Dunn." She called,
Give it up. Nobody has to die."

From above, Dunn dropped on top of her throwing her to the floor. She cried out.

Castle heard the thump. His heart jumped when he heard Beckett's cry. He knew the sounds she made. He was familiar with her cries of surprise whenever he made a jump on her at home. He loved to spook her, hide and jump out at her. She usually ended up beating him to the floor into submission. This cry she'd been hurt. He swiftly pushed forward following the sounds of a scuffle, the gun held in his hand. They were into a real fight when he found them. Beckett seemed to be winning but she was struggling to keep her gun. Dunn had her hand, he snatched the gun and slammed her to the floor. On his feet, he pointed the gun at Beckett who instantly ceased to move.

"That's how all my stories end, with someone else dead."

Castle stepped out, pointed, "No!" He fired his gun. The bullet hit Dunn's hand, and flung the gun from his hand onto the ground.

Dunn reached for the gun, but Agent Shaw put her foot on his hand.

Shaw said to Beckett, "I believe this is your collar."

"This isn't over, Heat."

Beckett who was on her feet, fetched her cuffs and yanked his wrist to his back. "It's not Heat. It's Beckett." She put the cuff to his wrist then grabbed his other hand that Shaw had pinned to the floor. "You have the right to remain silent... so shut the hell up." She looked up to Shaw. "Thank you."

Shaw replied, "Ditto."

Beckett stood up but kept a foot in the middle of Dunn's back to keep him on the floor in submission. She smiled at Castle as he sheepishly approached. "Helluva shot, Castle."

He smiled sheepishly. "I was aiming for his head."

"Well, I won't tell anyone so long as you don't." Beckett replied. She grabbed her phoned, dialed Avery's phone. The Agent picked up in three rings.

"I have Dunn. It's over. Shaw is here with me." She paused. "Yes, she's safe. Bring someone to take Dunn down." She cast her eyes over Shaw who appeared tousled up and tired but she otherwise seemed in a good state. "No. I think she'll enjoy a long hot shower and breakfast."