AN: So, here is the next chapter! As I said before, these are a series of connected one-shots. Basically just life with Royal. Thank you so much to Kylie for the beta, which without her help, this chapter would have been a giant mess. As always, constructive criticism is welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle

Rick watched as his partner slumped over in annoyance and exhaustion. They had been at this case for three days, and they were so close to closing it. However, they couldn't nail the culprit due to a lack of evidence.

The case was fairly simple. Nineteen year old Simon Linus had been found shot in the chest a block from his house a few days earlier. When Castle and Beckett had questioned his friends and family, they all made it very clear that he had been into drugs, big time. They'd also said that he'd owed someone money; something he had let slip in a panicked state when trying to scrounge up the funds for the person who was apparently his dealer. His parents didn't know who the dealer was, but his friends did. They'd directed the detectives toward a local guy who lived around the area of Simon's school.

Castle and Beckett had questioned the man named Bradly. He'd said he didn't know anything about the murder, but hadn't denied that Simon owed him money. However, he had an alibi, and while it was shaky at best, it hadn't stopped him from acting cocky, inviting them in to search his home.

Unfortunately, they came up with nothing.

Castle was just as frustrated as Kate was. Being a part of the precinct for so many years made him feel like a cop and when they couldn't put away the person who obviously committed the crime, he felt a slight sadness and regret that they hadn't found justice for their victim.

"There has to be something we can get on him," Castle muttered.

"We've tried everything, Castle. What more is there?" Kate frowned, her face contorting in annoyance. His partner was not one to give up, so he understood that cases that appeared to go nowhere, really raked across her nerves.

Hell, they raked across his just as much, and pushing his lips together, he thought for a moment.

What else could-

"What if," he said, an idea starting to form. "What if Bradly took back what was his?"

"We already searched his place and we didn't find a thing," Kate replied.

"Yes, but what if he hid it-"

Her eyes grew wide in excitement. "In a place where we wouldn't think to look!"

"Exactly!" Castle beamed.

"But," Kate grumbled dejectedly. "We don't have any reason to look. Also, we would have to tear the place apart to find it."

"Not exactly," he hummed, and Kate furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Us humans couldn't find the drugs. However, an animal on the other hand,"

"Would be able to sniff them out in no time," she finished.

"And I believe your canine sitting at home can do just that."

"Yes!" Kate exclaimed. "I'll go pick him up and we'll head up to Bradley's."

"I'll go with you, Royal probably misses me." Rick smirked as Kate rolled her eyes. They were both aware that he had seen Royal that morning after sleeping over.

"Come on, let's go, Writer Man," Kate teased, throwing her coat over her shoulder.

He followed suit, as usual.

An hour and a half later, the duo stood before Bradley's door, with Royal attached to his leash. Kate rapped on the wood and together they waited patiently for it to open. Bradley lived in a decent apartment in an okay neighborhood. It wasn't run down, and it was clear he had some money. No doubt from his dealings. Several minutes later, the door opened, revealing their annoyed looking suspect.

"Come to bother me again, Detectives?" he sneered, opening the door wider and gesturing for them to come in. "I already told you everything I know."

"Yes, we just wanted to clarify some things," Kate said, looking around.

"Who's the pooch?" Bradley asked, and Castle's could've sworn that the man softened a bit.

"This is Royal," Castle said, patting the dog's head and smiling. "He's got quite a personality."

"I'll bet," Bradley agreed. "I had a dog once; he was German Shepard name Terrance. Cute thing, but definitely knew how to bite." He gave a dark grin and Castle had to hold back a wince. Bradley tried to pat Royal on the head, but the canine moved away, growling. "Hmph. Guess he doesn't like me, usually I'm great with dogs."

"Anyway," Beckett said, changing the subject. "We just want to confirm where you were the night of Simon Linus' murder."

"I told you, I was taking a walk around the park." He scowled.

"And you don't have anyone to confirm that," Castle shot back.

"Yeah, well, that's not really my problem anymore."

By this point, Castle had let Royal off his leash and the dog was exploring the apartment. He sniffed around, the tag on his collar making a clinking sound as he went.

"It will become a problem when we find proof of your motive for killing Bradly," Beckett replied.

"Look, I told you what I know, now will you kindly leave?" Bradley marched to the door, his hand reaching for the handle when Castle interrupted. He'd been staring at Royal, focused on what their dog was doing.

"Beckett, look."

Kate turned her head and smirked when she saw Royal pawing at a radiator.

"Woah, what is your dog doing?" Bradley asked, seeming to get nervous.

"You see, Bradley, Royal isn't just a normal dog," Kate explained, walking over to the spot and gazing in. She saw a small satchel behind the radiator, a bag of white powder sticking out of it. "He's a drug detecting dog. And it looks like he just found the drugs you stole off of Simon after you murdered him."

One look at Bradley and Rick knew they had him.

Bradley appeared to come to the same conclusion, and, throwing open the door, he attempted to make his escape down the corridor. Lucky he was no match for Kate, who not only caught up with their suspect but quickly cuffed Bradly, hauling him out of the apartment building.

Seeing that everything was under control, Castle took Royal to the car, feeding him a bacon-flavored dog treat that he'd hidden in the glove box.

"You did good, boy."

Royal just bark and wagged his tail in response.

"Now, let's go close this case."

"I'm so happy that the case is over," Kate said, grabbing her coat. After only ten minutes in the interrogation room Bradley had cracked, confessing to the murder of Simon Linus. Meanwhile, Castle and Royal had observed from behind the one way mirror.

"Want to celebrate?" Castle asked, giving her a coy smile.

"Sure." She grinned. "Why don't we take Royal to the park for a game of catch with the Frisbee?"

Castle admitted to himself that he was slightly disappointed in her response, until he saw the twinkle in her eye. Ah yes, still keeping the couple thing a secret.

"Sure," he responded. "What do you say, Royal? Want to get some exercise?"

Royal nudged and pawed at Castle's leg, as if he was saying yes.

"It's unanimous then!" Kate exclaimed.

"Go fetch!" Castle instructed, throwing the green disk a few yards away. Royal happily bounded after it, sprinting as he chased it down. "So, you're not worried someone will see us?" He knew she still didn't want their relationship to go public just yet.

Kate chuckled. "Don't worry, Castle. All people will see right now is two friends playing with a dog."

"Our dog," Castle corrected. He technically did have co-ownership of the energetic pooch.

"Right. Except when he misbehaves, he's your dog." Kate smirked. Oh, how he wanted to kiss that expression right off her lips. Later, definitely later.

"Hey! Royal is very well behaved!"

"He stole my bra one morning!"

"Oh yeah," Castle hummed, a dreamy smile on his face. Kate had been in the middle of getting dressed when Royal had walked into the room and grabbed her bra when she wasn't looking. It had taken them five minutes to get the canine to release the underwear from his clutches. It didn't help that Castle kept staring at her while she held a shirt up that barely covered her bare chest.

Kate wacked his arm. "I'm sure you enjoyed it!"

"It's not my fault you have attractive boobs!"

"Yeah, well. You might not see them the next time that happens if you don't help me. Got it?

"Got it." Rick pouted, knowing full well she would follow through with her threat.

A moment later, Royal sauntered up to them, dropping the Frisbee at Kate's feet.

"Good job," she praised, picking up the toy, being careful not to touch the slobber covered side. She patted his head and smiled when she received a lick on the hand.

"I think we tired him out," Castle announced, examining the dog. It was true. Royal panted heavily before collapsing into a heap of fur at their feet.

"Poor thing," Kate murmured. "Guess it's time go home then." She grinned devilishly at Castle, and he licked his lips a little in response.

"Of course and I'm sure Royal is hungry." Royal lifted his head up at the sound of his name, putting it right back down when he realized he wasn't needed. "I know I am."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Uh huh. Come on, Royal, time to go home!"

The canine immediately stood up, seeming to get a second wind, and Kate clipped the leash onto his collar. As she did so, Royal nudged her leg and sniffed it.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you." Kate snickered. "Off we go!"

The trio headed out of the park and toward the direction of Kate's apartment. On their way there, the couple had to restrain themselves from holding hands. They were so close to each other and they would occasionally brush hands their hands together lightly. Castle had to contain himself from grasping hers, which wasn't hard since Royal kept jerking her away when he tugged impatiently on his leash.

However, Castle and Beckett just smiled at Royal's antics, happy to have him in their lives.

AN: Thanks again to Kylie for the beta.