AN: I own the plot and characters you do not recognize. Castle is owned by ABC et al. Intelligence and Criminal Minds are owned by CBS et al. Thanks again, LEM for being my Beta. This is a continuation from the Castle Onion, Peeled and won't make much sense without reading that first. This is the story based around the 2 weeks following TCOP and includes the actual takedown op and the immediate aftermath. More of this style of short stories is planned, varying in length. This begins directly after Chapter 13 of TCOP. Enjoy!

Excerpt from The Castle Onion, Peeled:

Rick looked around the room at the team gathered there. NYPD, CIA, FBA, CyberCom...all professionals, all ready for whatever dangers may take them down as they do their jobs.

He had never felt prouder in his life.

"I have so many things to say...so many. It's been said that the sun must set before it can rise; we stand here surrounded by night, waiting. But we stand...together, watching as the sky lightens. Together we will bring back the Light." He looked over at Kate. "A wise man once said that there are no wins or losses; you just have to make a stand. So many people have lost their lives to our target. We take this stand not only for Johanna and so many others…we take this stand for those of us here that knew them, that loved them; that respected them. Individually we could not stand against this but together we will let them know that evil has no sway."

He took a moment and looked around and locked eyes with Jordan. "Many years ago I stood where you are on another task force. We all knew what we should do, and we had others around us that we respected or that we had become friends with. We went out knowing that we had the law on our side. We left 25 strong and came back two less, one which we buried four days later. We knew though that the bad guys had taken a heavy blow. We knew that justice had been done, but we also knew that a father would never again hug his children nor kiss his wife."

His eyes once again shifted to Kate. "I know that we face danger this morning. I know that there are chances that any one of us may not see the setting of the sun tonight. But I know...I know that I am proud to be a member of this task force and I know that what we do today will not only potentially save hundreds of lives, but will provide closure for those that have been wronged by our target. So let's end the reign of terror that the target has wrought; let him know that the end of his tyranny is today. Good hunting!"

With a nod to everyone and a smile at Kate he walked to the door. "And now we get to be the bogeyman's bogeyman."

TCOP2

Chapter 1 – Getting into Position

Penelope Garcia had been an analyst with the BAU for several years, but had never been assigned to a task force. Thus she was used to working alone in her PC lab; but as she looked around today she counted six others that she was in charge of. Derek would never believe this if she was even allowed to talk about it! She settled in and started to review the schedule as she fired up her network so that she was ready when she was needed.

New York City, Team Echo (Esposito and Ryan)

Esposito looked at his partner. "Yo, Kev. Was it just me or did Castle look scary?"

Kevin Ryan snorted. "It wasn't just you, man. And Beckett? I've never seen her like that."

"I know. She was focused but she looked...happy, almost."

"I bet it's because her mom's case is almost over."

"That or it's Castle acting all responsible."

"Yeah. So who all are we looking for?"

They went back over the paperwork and readied their team to move when the signal was given.

TCOP2

Washington, DC, Team Bravo (Shaw, Lillian Strand and others)

Jordan looked at her watch, noting that she had about twenty minutes left. She went over the paperwork and verified everything was in order.

Lillian looked over. "Nervous?"

Jordan snorted. "I'm more worried for Rick and Kate. It's been awhile since he was in the field and she is too close to the case."

"I wouldn't worry. We are the ones that have to meet PotUS and arrest the Vice President for treason and accessory to murder."

"Yeah but Bracken is going to be on camera. He has a Press Conference scheduled this morning and they should get there just after it starts."

Lillian laughed. "Oh I can just see the news tonight."

Jordan chuckled. "You have a point. We move in about fifteen, so get ready."

TCOP2

Washington, DC, Team Charlie (JJ, Garcia and FBI Techs)

JJ looked up from her desk after hanging up the phone. "Well, that's the last of them."

Jackson Hunt smiled. "Thanks. I know this wasn't in Rick's plan but having an announcement right as the cards start to fall will be distracting enough to the target and his operation that it should make each piece fall into place. Garcia, do you have the schedule?"

"Yes, sir. At 945 Team Echo will arrive at City Hall in New York. They have two objectives: A dirty judge by the name of Markaway and the head of the NYPD's IA group named Lt. Bannock...he took over after Capt. Gates got promoted and became the head of the 16th precinct.

"At 950 Team Bravo will move into the White House to apprehend the Vice President. Once that is accomplished they will head to the Department of Homeland Security to arrest the Director by 1030.

"At 1000 all other teams except Team Alpha will move on the secondary targets; this will happen in Washington and at several points across the country as we round up the baddies.

"At 1015 Team Alpha will move in to secure Senator Bracken and his director of security."

"Thanks, Penelope. Now Agent Jareau...you need to start your press conference just after 1010 so that the news crews at Bracken's office won't have time to react. We have to damage his credibility beyond repair. Understand?"

"Yes, sir, though I'm not sure exactly what to say."

Jackson Hunt smiled like the predator he was. "Leave the details to me. I will have a statement for you to read ready in time."

TCOP2

Washington, DC Team Alpha (Rick, Kate and others)

Rick looked over at Kate who was checking her vest for the third time. "You okay, Kate?"

"Yeah I just want to get this guy."

"I know. He can't get away this time. We have him, babe. He's going away for a good long time. Just remember that the cameras are there are so speak loudly enough that they get every word. We'll be totally professional."

Kate watched as Rick pulled his FBI windbreaker on and rolled her eyes. She would never have imagined that her fiancé was anything more than what the writer and playboy that he had appeared to be. She wondered what other layers there were to the Castle onion.

Rick watched Kate as she prepped. He knew how important today was for her. It was the only reason he had agreed to Jacobs' request. He had slipped back into his agent persona easily even though it had been a long time since he left. He decided to leave a little bit of this when he went back to helping out at the twelfth; the cat was out of the bag, anyway. He grinned when he thought of seeing everyone else's reaction at the twelfth when all this came out.

9:45 AM

"Ready, Bro?" At Ryan's nod they walked into 1PP and headed straight toward the IA Chief's office.

Bannock looked up at the knock on his door. "Enter."

In walked a group of people including two detectives, two uniformed offers and the Chief. "How can I help you officers?"

"Leroy Bannock...you are under arrest on charges of accessory to murder, treason, obstruction of justice, bribery and extortion." Ryan moved to place him in handcuffs while Esposito read him his rights. The uniformed officers took possession and transported him to the holding area.

Ryan sent a text to Beckett to let her know they were done and headed to the Courthouse.

TCOP

9:50 AM

Jordan Shaw and her team followed the White House Chief of Security towards the oval office. She had only been here once several years ago to meet with the President in order to brief him on the liaison position she had been in with the NYPD and how it was working out.

She waited as the Chief knocked on the door and waited for an answer. When he was told to come in, Jordan and her team followed and moved towards the Vice President. "Jonas Edwards...you are under arrest on charges of accessory to murder, treason, obstruction of justice, bribery and extortion." Lillian put the cuffs on him as his rights were being read to him. Jordan spoke briefly to the President and followed her team out to waiting SUVs for the trip across town while the Secret Service spirited away the prisoner to the holding area. Jordan reported in and buckled her seat belt before pulling out.

9:55 AM

JJ looked at the printout she had been handed and shook her head. This was going to be damaging. She checked her hair and makeup; vowing to make Rick proud of her she set her shoulders and started off towards the briefing room.

Across town, Ryan and Esposito entered the courthouse and made their way towards the judge's chambers.

Gabriel followed Senator Bracken into the room filled with reporters. Standing to the edge of the room, he watched as the Senator started to speak. He sent a text to Kate to let her know things were moving as expected. Then he entered the system and shut down the landline phone system for the building and connected to the local cell towers to block off reception so that no calls could go out or come in.

10:00 AM

Dallas, Texas (US Marshals)

The nondescript man was waiting to board a flight to Mexico City when two men approached him and quietly gathered him and his things and walked out of the airport heading for a Black SUV. Benito Juarez was an assassin in the employ of Bracken. He was now in the custody of the Dallas US Marshal Office.

Los Angeles, CA (US Marshals)

Two men walked into the restaurant and approached the owner. He was quietly cuffed and taken out the back. Luther King was a known hit man working for Bracken with a front as restaurant owner. Now he would be sitting in a cell courtesy of the LAPD.

Other cities

In eighteen other cities, members of Bracken's problem removal squad were gathered up and taken in for questioning. Each was charged with murder among other crimes.

New York City

Judge Markaway was caught with his pants down, literally. He was cornered in the men's room and arrested on charges of accessory to murder, treason, obstruction of justice, bribery and extortion. After he pulled up his pants he was headed for a trip to prison as one of the leaders of Bracken's organization.

10:10 AM

New York City

JJ smiled as she stepped to the podium and took a breath as the room quieted.

"Thank you for coming this morning. I will be reading a statement and will answer questions as I can." She placed her paper on the podium and began. "Several months ago the FBI and CIA intercepted some memos that pointed to an organization that was responsible for several murders. The directors of these two agencies pooled some resources to begin an extensive investigation as this organization operated both inside and outside of the United States. Quickly it was determined that the investigation would have far reaching consequences so it was decided to be run as a task force. A few weeks ago the task force was formed and has continued the investigation culminating in warrants for over 100 individuals."

She paused and looked out at the people in the room. "These warrants are being served even as we speak. It has been determined that the ringleader is a sitting US Senator. We have agents from the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, the Secret Service, CyberCom and US Marshals office as well as the NYPD that are out making arrests today."

She paused for a moment and looked around the room. "The investigation has uncovered a network of associates that have been operating for nearly twenty years. The list of individuals that have been found to be involved has been reviewed by Attorney General and the President himself." She paused to look at her watch and smiled.

"At this moment, the man who appears to be the mastermind behind these criminal activities is being arrested in DC. We will be releasing a full list of names once we have all the suspects in custody. Thank you."

Every reporter called for her attention. She called to one of them.

"Agent Jareau! Bryan Koch, Daily News. Which Senator are you referring to?"

"I cannot give out his name at this time, but as I said he should have been placed in custody a couple of minutes ago." She nodded to another.

"Mandy Newton, ABC. When do you expect the list of names to be released?"

"I can't say for sure, but I would expect within the next 24 hours." She pointed to a third.

"Kalie Wirt, New York Times. As you are working here in the city, can we assume that a Senator from New York is involved?"

"Ms. Wirt, you can assume whatever you wish. I can neither confirm nor deny anything at this time. We'll release the list via normal press release channels when it becomes available. Thank you all." She turned and left the room.

TCOP

10:15 Washington, DC Team Alpha

Gabriel watched the Senator's press conference start to wind down just as Riley entered the back of the room. When she nodded he shifted closer to Bracken's Head of Security. When he saw Rick and Kate enter the room, he moved behind his target and whispered to him. "No moves. Sit tight and be a good boy." He nodded to Rick.

Bracken saw the commotion at the back of the room and his eyes narrowed in anger when he saw Kate. He glanced around the room but there were too many witnesses and he had to be careful.

"William Bracken, you are under arrest on charges of accessory to murder, treason, obstruction of justice, bribery and extortion." She cuffed him and read him his rights while the cameras rolled and the reporters scribbled furiously.

Rick hung in the back and let Kate handle the arrest to get her some closure. He knew that today was only the beginning as there would be months of trial preparation, but he felt he had helped her find justice for her mother and for the other hundreds of victims of the Senator.

Gabriel cuffed Bracken's Security Chief and Enforcer before handing him off to an FBI agent to have his rights read to him. He winked at Riley and restored the IP traffic and cell phones. The reporter's cell phones started going off immediately. He looked down and grinned. It was a good day.

TCOP

It was after midnight when Rick and Kate finally entered the loft. They grabbed some wine and sat on the couch leaning against one another. Kate sighed. "Thanks, Alex."

Rick combed his fingers through her hair. "We did it together, Katie love. Did you call your dad?"

She laughed softly. "No, he called me about noon. JJ's press conference caught his attention and he figured we were involved. He wants us to come to dinner Sunday to get details."

"I told Jacobs I was not coming in tomorrow. We'll have a few weeks of trial prep before I can retire again..."

Kate laughed. "Already planning?"

"Yeah, I have a wedding to help plan."

Kate smiled and kissed him. "That you do, Rick. Let's get ready for bed."

Rick stood and helped her to her feet. "As you wish."

TCOP

Two days later found Rick once again in the briefing room looking out at the entire task force team. He smiled and nodded at them while he waited patiently for the last stragglers to find seats. The room was set up in the same configuration as it was for their initial briefing from several weeks earlier.

Rick looked at the clock and nodded to the agents holding the doors. They shut and locked them and found seats. "Good morning, everyone and welcome to the Debriefing session for Task Force 13-081 Codename: Dragonslayer. Once again I am SAC Rodgers. To my right is my second in command SSA Shaw. To my left is Detective Beckett of the NYPD. To her left is Deputy Director Hunt with the CIA and to my far right is SA Harper.

"We began this effort in earnest several weeks ago with the major objective to investigate allegations against Senator William Bracken and others to be identified. We have fully completed our goals and this task force is considered to be a success. Two days ago our investigation culminated in the arrest of Senator Bracken as well as the Vice President, other members of Congress and ninety-two others. We are following up on several others who remain at large but should have them in custody within the week.

"So let me say this...excellent job, everyone! There is not a single person in this room who failed to make a difference in this operation. We will be placing commendations in all of your personnel jackets in regards to your participation in this effort. To our brethren here from other agencies, the commendations will be forwarded to your respective directors as well.

"We still have work to do; the suspects are yet to be put behind bars. We need to make sure our documentation is together and we must make ourselves available if need be for hearings and the like. We have until next Friday before we disband officially and on that date we will have a get-together to celebrate a job well done.

"Now head out there and let's make sure we are trial-ready. Thanks again! Dismissed."

He turned back to the rest of the command staff. "Thanks to all of you for your help. We wouldn't have gotten him without your assistance."

Jordan grinned. "Well, I got the chance to work with Ricky Rodgers, so I'm good." Everyone laughed.

Kate sobered. "And I got to find out way more about you than I expected."

Jackson smiled at Rick. "It was an honor to work with you and if you ever need me, let me know." Rick nodded as the man got up and left.

The others started to disburse when Rick felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see Lillian, Gabriel and Riley standing there. "Thanks, guys. It was great to work with you all."

Gabriel grinned. "Yeah, catching the bad guy is fun."

Riley snorted. "You keep in touch, will you?"

Rick smirked. "Of course we will, April! We might even invite you to the wedding." Riley glared at him and then kissed his cheek and moved to Gabriel's side.

Lillian narrowed her eyes and smirked. "April? Do I sense a good story here?"

"You can ask her later. Looks like you and I need to get to know each other, cuz..."

Lillian snorted. "Looks like it."

"I'll call you and invite you to dinner in a few weeks when things settle down."

"That works for me." She leaned over and gave Rick a hug.

He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. "You take care, Lilli, ok?"

"You too." She kissed his cheek, gathered the others and left.

Soon only Rick and Kate were left. Rick led her out to their desks and their things. "Well, we'll have a few weeks to build the case but then it will be a few months before it goes to trial. Do you want to head home and we'll relax and start talking about wedding plans?"

Kate smiled. "That seems like a good idea. I do have some questions, though."

"Hopefully I have some answers."

She snorted. "Well, are you going to leave the Bureau again and come back with me to the precinct? Are you going to write again and be Rick Castle? When do you want to get married?"

He looked at her thoughtfully. "I can answer those...whew! First, my plans with the Bureau have not changed. They have asked me to come back, but I feel I am a bigger asset working with you. There are some options in between and we can discuss them later, but I will not be moving back to DC. My home is in New York with you." He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "So...I think I have a premise for a new book...I think I will call it Federal Heat. Maybe Rook's back story will be revealed?"

She grinned. "I'd read it."

He winked. "Then I'll write it! As to getting married? I bet we can get some planning done and then we can grab some dinner then settle in for the night."

"Sounds good." The pair headed to the garage and went home.