New little story. This takes place after Josh and Kate break up. Kate and Rick are on an undercover dinner to see if they can find their killer.

Enjoy!

"What does he look like again?" Castle asked, holding the menu over his face, hoping not to arouse suspicion.

"Castle, he's clear on the other side of the room, he can't hear you. Get that stupid menu away from you face." she laughed.

"Roger that." He whispered, placing the menu down.

"He's blonde, short with a snake tattoo on his left arm, and the doorman said he'd be wearing black slacks and an orange Beatle shirt." she said, "And he's right over there, we've established that already, remember." she replied.

"I can pretend we're Heat and Rook on a dangerous mission, can't I?"

"Whatever, but we are not reenacting page 105, I can tell you that right now." she raised an eyebrow and took a bite of her spaghetti.

"How can you eat when our lives are at stake?" he joked.

She rolled her eyes, "Because this is a restaurant, and people eat at restaurants, and since we're supposed to blend in, I suggest you eat too."

"Ey ey, Captain." he saluted, winking one eye and biting one side of his lip with a Popeye voice.

Just as she was about to take a sip of her wine, her eyes rested on a table not far from theirs. Her body stiffened as she saw who sat at the table, "Son of a bitch." She said softly, setting down her glass and holding the menu in front of her face.

"What?" Castle asked, copying menu trick and leaning in close to her face, "I thought you said we weren't supposed to do this." he whispered.

She shook her head.

"What is it?" he asked again.

"It's nothing, Castle." She answered, sitting upright and turning her attention back to her food, attempting not to make a scene.

Castle frowned, "That was not nothing, you just made a hypocrite of yourself and I demand to know why." he refused to break his stare at her, "Call it character research."

"It was nothing, I just thought I saw someone, but it ended up being nothing at all."

"Mhmm." He said sarcastically, "I totally believe you. Who'd you think you saw?"

She thought a moment, "Just someone from high school."

"Yeah?"

"Yup."

He pressed on, "Then why did you hide?"

She didn't have an answer for him, and her eyes went back to the table. Only this time, Castle saw where she had been looking, and he followed her gaze.

"Is that Josh?" he asked suddenly turning his head back to her.

"What?" looked back at him, "No!"

"It is, isn't it!" He laughed, now pointing to him.

"Castle stop!" she yelled in a whisper, slapping his pointing hand.

He laughed, "Didn't you guys break up?" even though he already knew the answer.

"Yeah, which means you should just shut up or he'll think we're on a date and that I'm just as shallow as you." she frowned.

"Why would he think that? Did you guys break up because of me?" he teased.

"Of course not," she scoffed unconvincingly. "But that doesn't mean he didn't commented on our little arrangement from time to time."

"Well, you should go tell him that we're not an item, would that make you happy?" he asked, tone more serious.

"No way! I think we should just go."

"What about our suspect?" his face looked saddened now as he discovered their undercover date may be coming to an end.

"Our orders weren't to stay here, they were to get a look at the guy, we can leave whenever we want to." she lifted her finger to indicate to the waiter that they were ready for the check.

"What about our lovely dinner, we haven't even eaten half of it yet." he wined.

"Oh brother, Castle, get a box and eat it later. Let's just get out of here."

"Oh fine." he moped, wiping the corners of his lips and standing up.

"Don't you dare say anything to him, or I swear I'll kill you." She threatened, point a dangerous finger at him.

He laughed, "You've already used that expression, and I already know you'd never kill me. What kind of superhero kills their plucky sidekick?"

"I'm serious, Castle, don't."

He shook his head, "I won't."

They stood up, tip toeing to the exit so that Josh wouldn't see them. They had almost reached it when...

"Kate!" she heard the familiar voice.

She turned, a fake smile plastered across her face, "Josh, hey!" she replied.

"Come over here!" He waved them over, and she hesitantly obeyed. "How are you Katie?" he asked, "This is my ex gf." he explained to the group of men sitting at the table with him.

"Hello." Kate greeted the other men.

Josh's eyes looked up at Castle, "And this is her partner, Richard Castle." He said with an unenthusiastic tone. The other men nodded. "So did you guys shack up, or something?"

Kate immediately shook her head, "Oh no, we're here under cover."

"I see," he turned back to the boys, "Kate's a homicide detective." The men looked her up and down, pig smile on their faces. She felt naucious, "That's good." He continued, "I never really saw you too as much more than partners. Detectives don't usually get together with second rate novelists." The other men laughed.

Kate frowned at him.

"Yeah, and we've seen what happens when smart detectives get together with cocky surgeons." Castle said under his breath.

"What was that?" Josh asked, his tone biting.

Castle smiled, "Oh, nothing, I was just saying that your lack of talent of saying anything witty is still low as it's aways."

Josh stood up, towering almost three inches above Castle, "Say that to my face." he spat.

"Why, has your hearing gone down with your sense of humor?" he asked.

"Castle..." Kate said in her authority voice, warning him.

"Don't waste my time, Castle, there'd only be two hits. Me hitting you and you hitting the floor." Josh gave a crooked smile.

"You didn't even make that up," Castle opposed, "That's from 'The Breakfast Club'!"

Josh shoved Castle shoulder sharply throwing the writer off balance.

Castle laughed, "That was a mistake."

"Why? Because you know I'm gonna beat the crap out of you?"

Caste shook his head, "Nope. Because of this." he threw his arm up at Josh's face with incredible force. But to his surprise, Josh had already hinted what was going to happen and had his defenses all set up. The first thing Castle felt, was a pain in his stomach, and the punch that he was sure would break Josh's face hit air. Then, he felt multiple pains in his face and saw fists flying. For a moment, he was unable to process if they were his of Josh's. Then he heard Beckett's voice.

"Josh, stop!" She yelled, and Castle saw her push Josh off of him.

He looked up, "That could've really hurt if you didn't hit like a girl." he smiled with tinted red teeth.

Josh grabbed his wrist and twisted it around his back, forcing his face on the table. "How's that, writer boy?" he asked.

"Let him go, Josh." Kate growled.

"Oohh... gross" Castle felt something mushy against his cheek, "My face is in the butter." he giggled drunkly.

It was a matter of seconds before Josh released Castle, and Castle struggled to regain his balance as he stood. Kate assisted him, grabbing his arm and walking him away.

"It was his fault, Kate." Josh said.

"Oh trust me, I know it is, but you sure didn't help." she answered, examining the writers bruises face as they exited the restaurant.

"Where are we going?" Castle asked as he realized Beckett was walking him, and he could sense she wasn't happy, "Are you taking me behind a Dairy Queen to kill me?" he guessed, half serious half joking.

"No, I'm taking you to my place to clean you up and show you how to fight like a real man." she replied.

He simply nodded and allowed her to buckle him up and drive him to her apartment.

Like to see what happens next? I hope so.

I don't think Josh is that shallow, from the one meeting we met him he seemed rather nice, as did Demming. But since we don't know Josh that well, I decided to take a different approach on him.

I really hoped you all like it, thanks for reading. Please review, it'll let me know whether or not to continue.

Have a great day!

Much love,

Sarah