Hey guys! So this is my first published fan fiction ever and I'm really excited and just a tad nervous. So, I don't think this is going to be a super case heavy fic, but I do need it to set the stage so we can get to the more fun parts! So if you stick through a bit of case work in the beginning you shall be rewarded. Anyways, here it is. Hope you enjoy!

Beckett pulled the crown vic up to the curb put it in park and took a deep breath before opening the door to get out. Castle paused briefly watching her prepare herself before clambering out of the car after her.

Both of them could feel the weight of the case. They were heading to meet victim number three. Even though no one wanted to say it they all knew the murderer was still three steps ahead of them and with victim number three he had just slipped into the territory of serial killer.

They ducked under the crime scene tape, Beckett flashing her badge at the uniform, and headed towards Lanie who was crouched down next to the body. They both put on their game faces.

"So Lanie, What have we got?" Beckett asked.

"It's not good news. This is Heather Gavin 29. We've got the same M.O. as the last two victims. Lacerations on the wrists and ankles show she was bound and struggled to free herself. Obviously, same cause of death." She said motioning to a gunshot wound on the neck." Single GSW to the neck that severed both the carotid and jugular. She would have bled out quickly, but it takes a lot longer than putting one in her noggin. If you ask me, he wanted to watch the lights go out."

"Okay thanks Lanie." Beckett said letting out a short sigh before turning her attention to Ryan and Esposito. "Hey you guys, let's canvass for witnesses to see if someone heard or saw something when he dumped the body. And let's also see if her apartment was broken into like the others."

After finishing up at the crime scene Castle and Beckett rode back to the twelfth in silence. Beckett was deep in thought as she deftly maneuvered the busy streets of New York City. Castle knew that the third victim must be tearing her apart. She was punishing herself for not catching him yet.

Back inside the precinct Castle headed to the break room to make both of them some desperately needed coffee while Beckett added the latest victim to the murder board.

He peered through the window and watched her as she scrawled what little information they knew already about victim number three. As inappropriate of a time as it was he couldn't help but admire how beautiful she was. The marker she was holding fell on the floor and she bent over to pick it up. Castle couldn't seem to remove his eyes from her backside with all sorts of inappropriate thoughts flashing through his head. And just like that someone entered the break room snapping him out of his daze and he quickly finished making the coffee and returned to her side.

A quick smile of appreciation flickered across her lips as Castle handed her her coffee. The two of them began to run through the details of the case.

"What do we know?" Beckett asked.

"We know each victim lived alone." Castle replied

"And they worked long hours which made the break ins easy." Beckett finished

"Each of the break ins were similar in that each room had been destroyed and ransacked, but nothing was taken." Castle supplied

"We know it's about a week after the break in that he kidnaps his victim and holds them for about 12 hours before their bodies are dumped." Beckett said.

"And we know he only kills women…so far" Castle finished.

Picking up the marker Beckett stepped closer to the board. "We know he is patient because he waits a week before he takes them, and he has them for 12 hours before he kills them."

Castle nods in agreement and pipes in, "He wants us to find the bodies. He doesn't hide them well, but they are in a location where he remains anonymous and unnoticed. "

"Okay good" Beckett replies," So he wants the attention but he doesn't want to get caught."

When Castle nodded again she scribbled "attention seeking" under the profile of their serial killer.

The next few hours passed without much event. They were working well into the hours of the night, but no one showed any signs of packing up and going home yet. Not even Castle had started whining or playing games on his phone. He knew that she needed him there. Though he also knew she would rather die than admit it out loud.

As time ticked on without any progress the team felt more and more desperate. At midnight they knew their killer had already broken into his next victim's home and they felt the clock begging to tick on the next victims life. No one wanted to have to break the news to another family that their loved one wouldn't be coming home anymore because they hadn't stopped a serial killer yet.

Captain Gates appeared around 1:00 AM and told the team to head home," I want you back here first thing in the morning well rested. You are no good to me like this." And with that she turned on her heel and left.

The team packed up. Castle and Beckett were ready first. They stepped into the elevator and Castle hit the button for the lobby. He turned around to see Beckett leaning against the back wall with her head tilted back and her eyes closed. He cautiously approached her and caught her totally off guard when he ran his fingers gently down her forearm.

Her eyes sprang open and he caught her gaze. His fingers lingered at her wrist trying to soothe her worry," We'll catch this guy you know." He paused and gazed into her eyes in an attempt to show her that they catch this guy together, and frankly that they could do anything together.

"I know." Was all she replied in a soft voice close to a whisper.

He reluctantly removed his fingers from her wrist and stepped away from her as the elevator dinged open. He insisted on giving her a ride home. Claiming to be concerned about her level of exhaustion. And she appreciated it even if they both knew it was just a desperate attempt for each of them to keep the other's company just a little while longer. They drove quietly only making the occasional offhand comment. He pulled up in front of her building and she climbed out of his car.

"Call me when you get inside." He said

"Really Castle..." she said giving him one of her famous looks "I'll be fine...I'm armed" she said as if that would get Castle to back off.

"I will walk you up if you aren't going to call." He shot back at her.

She rolled her eyes, "Fine" she said reluctantly and closed the car door.

He waited until she was inside the building before pulling out onto the street. He made it less than two blocks before his phone rang. It was her. He answered, "All tucked in for the night detective?"

She didn't answer for a split second and he immediately knew something was wrong. "Kate?" he asked quietly.

"Rick, I need you to come back…my apartment's been broken into … and trashed."

It was the first time he had ever heard fear in her voice.

"On my way." Was all he said has he banged a sharp U-turn and began speeding towards her.

Okay so there it is. I have the next few chapter all written out so they should be up in the next few days. I'm quite excited about this and hopefully you liked it.

Always, Elizabeth

P.S. I haven't quite decided if the rating will eventually go up or not...seeming as I haven't written that part yet... I know some authors post the higher rated chapters separately so I will have to think about that one. If you have any suggestions about the ratings or really anything in general feel free to share your ideas with me.