In Plain Sight

A/N: Hello, All! I am officially merging into the world of FF! This is my first attempt at a story so reviews would be wonderful! My goal is to really have this be a character driven story (with Caskett, don't worry) but I do need to create a bit of a plot so I can have an excuse for the fluff! (I'm all about balance) :) I've got the first few chapters already written so initially updates shouldn't take very long if there is sufficient interest! Thanks!

Chapter 1

She ran her fingers carefully over the fabric contained inside the box.

To KB, the note on the inside read, See you soon. -RC

From the moment she noticed the box on the floor outside the door to her apartment she found herself glancing around suspiciously as though Ryan and Esposito were just around the corner waiting to dish out some grief over receiving gifts from the writer. She had hurriedly gathered it in her arms and rushed inside to avoid any prying eyes. It wasn't until now, when she was alone in her room with the door shut, that she allowed herself to enjoy the gift he had so clearly chosen specifically for her.

A small smile played on her lips as she gently shook out the silk, teal, kimono-style robe. It had delicate, light pink cherry blossoms with precise gold embroidery weaving in, out, and around the flower pattern. It was girly, but she found she liked that he could see her wearing something aside from the more practical outfits she wore to work everyday. And, if she was honest with herself, she missed him.

He'd been gone for nearly four weeks. He hadn't wanted to leave, not with her still recovering from the gunshot wound back in May, but at three months out from her surgery she was healing quite well and, after all, he had promised Alexis. His daughter started school at Stanford come January and they had always planned to take a trip out of the country before she started college. So, true to his word, and after much reassurance from Kate that she would be fine, he and Alexis left for Japan for a month.

"Go, Castle, I'll be fine!" she had told him.

"Well, I mean, we had originally planned to go after her senior year of high school- not after her junior year, so technically, we could wait one more year and go next summer-"

"Castle," she'd had to interrupt him as she so often did, "this is important. I know it's hard for you to see it because you've been so wrapped up in taking care of me but you and Alexis need to do this. It means a lot to her and she's given up so much of her time with you because of me." She had studiously avoided looking at him and concentrated on the file in front of her as she swallowed the last of her words.

He had known she was right. After all, she was back at work part time, desk duty only, of course, and she had recovered enough that she was able to cook, clean, and dress herself for the first time since the shooting. She still got sore and tired towards the end of the day but she really didn't need him around for that. The pain made her irritable anyway.

The alarm on her phone startled her from her thoughts. She picked it up and glanced at the screen, trying to ignore the small flip her stomach did as she read the message.

Castle home in 2 days.

She had entered it in her work calendar trying to convince herself that it was purely professional. She needed to know when he would be back so she could schedule their work days accordingly. She rolled her eyes at herself. Who was she kidding? It wasn't like they would have a case as soon as he got home. She was on desk duty for at least another two months so the most excitement he would see would be tagging along with Ryan and Esposito, undoubtedly leaving her at her desk, bored and alone. She tossed her phone unceremoniously on the bed beside the kimono box. She couldn't wait to be back in the detective saddle again.

Her phone rang at that moment making her jump a bit. The station.

"Beckett."

"Hey, Beckett, it's Ryan."

"What's up?"

"We got something."

Her heart leaped nervously. "What do you mean you got something?"

"We got a lead...but it's not really what you'd call a good one."

"Ryan, you're killing me. What do you have?"

She could sense his hesitation and figured between him and Esposito he must have drawn the short stick and had to call her.

"Look," he finally continued, "We've got evidence they've hired a new hit man. Gates wants you briefed and rather than have you come all the way back in I figured I'd just call."

She winced slightly at the mention of their new captain's name. Victoria Gates was not her favorite person right now and she was pretty sure the feeling was mutual.

"Wait, Ryan, how? I mean, nothing, for all this time, and then all of a sudden someone crawls out of the woodwork? That doesn't make sense!"

"I know, I know. That's why I-," she heard Esposito protesting in the background, "why we wanted to call you before you heard it from someone else."

She remained quiet on her end of the line waiting for him to continue.

He didn't disappoint. "You know that protective detail she's had on you for the past few weeks?"

She had noticed but tried not to let it get to her. The new captain was not as free with information as Montgomery had been and Kate was slowly getting used to being kept out of the loop. She figured it had something to do with her lack of visitors lately, what with Castle being gone and the boys busy with their own cases again, that the captain wanted to make sure her people were taken care of. She wasn't a cruel person, after all.

"I mean, you had to have known, right?" Ryan continued, "With their hands always up by their faces and all the suspicious glancing around and the Crown Vics? Come on! Didn't anyone ever teach them how to-"

"Ryan!" It was time for a gentle nudge back on subject.

"Right, sorry. So, protective detail. Apparently, a few weeks ago, the feds called in with the bad news. No one knows who it is but the feds followed a paper trail suggesting Big Boss is sparing no expense looking for a new wing man."

She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Big Boss" as everyone called the ring leader was as elusive as ever. Rumor had it the feds had a name and access to some financials but nothing that directly tied him to Lockwood or the shooting at Montgomery's funeral. And, no surprise, the feds were being tight lipped on any names being tossed around, presumably to protect the people involved. Funny how Beckett didn't feel much safer not knowing who he was. She had a sneaking suspicion that no one wanted her to know for fear she might do something "irrational". They were probably right about that.

"Ok," she started, "What do we have?"

"Not much, but something got the captain wound pretty tight after you left this afternoon. She even mentioned moving you to a secure location."

"Humph," Kate laughed dryly, "Where did she have in mind?"

"I don't know, but she said to have your stuff packed by tomorrow morning just in case."

Kate sighed, "Great."

"Sorry, Boss, just the messenger."

"I know, thanks Ryan. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

She ended the call and slowly sat down on the edge of the bed. She ran both hands through her hair and considered her options- or lack there of. It felt a little premature to be changing location when it seemed like the feds had so little to go on. Out of the loop, she reminded herself. This thing could be a lot bigger than she knew.

On that note, she pulled out a duffel bag from her closet and began tossing things in.