Standard Disclaimer.

Here it is, the last one. I am working on another one though, mostly Caskett fluff - a sequel to my story Roving Heat. I'll adda spolier at the end for you check out.

I would love a comment now this one is wrapped up.

Thanks to everyone who has left a review, especially the two or three that commented everytime - you know who you are.

Enjoy.

"His lawyer wants to push for the psychiatric evaluation," Beckett looked at her Captain as much as the man she left cuffed to the chair behind the glass. She kept it short knowing Montgomery had heard this story every which way. Also possibly out of spite, that Richard Castle had avoided charges and had weaseled his way into observation.

The man had impersonated a police officer and interrogated Evan's counselor. How did he get away with it? It's not like he could walk on water. Civilians were not supposed to be privy to this kind of information.

"Is that going to work?" Castle asked, eyes volleying between the detective and Roy. She looked back at him, remaining silent until Montgomery gave a round about circle of his finger.

"The warrant came through and we got his counselor's notes as well as found the list of medications Evan was on. Our M.E took a quick look, but said that none of them were likely to enhance any violent or psychotic tendencies enough to support insanity. Even if he went off the anti-stress and anti-depressants, he wouldn't be any more dangerous than he would be normally."

"It sounds crazy enough to me," Montgomery shrugged. "Killing his wife's favourite actors and coworkers just to get back at her for cheating on him? Looks like he just snapped."

"His attacks were planned and spread out. That shows intent." Castle was staring at Evan. One shoulder was leaned casually against the two way mirror frame, his hands shoved deep into his pockets and one leg resting in front of the other. His body language looked comfortable enough but from the raised bumps in his pockets, she knew his hands were curled into fists.

The intent light in his face surprised her. This time it wasn't worry for his mother or anger, it was a keen intelligence. He was studying the man he knew, clearly trying to puzzle out the man's frame of mind; the motivations, the story. It was a side of him she had given up seeing off the stage and to see it now, her heart trembled a little: This was Richard Castle. The Richard Castle.

"We're matching his DNA sample to the hair on scene now. Ballistics say his gun is a match for the murder weapon and to the slug they pulled out of Officer Simmons."

"Good work, Detective," Montgomery broke the silence. "Start the processing."

"Yes, Sir."

She turned for the door, eager to get the paperwork started so she could head home, but she wanted to get one last glance at the man who had made such a difference in her life; one last glance of the man, to tide her through the memories of how annoying he had been. Her chin hadn't even lined up above her shoulder when she saw the shape of him move right behind her.

Her step faltered and he strode right into her back, his hands coming up to her shoulders to steady himself when his leg got caught between her own.

"Sorry," he breathed, righting himself. "You can't just stop in the middle of a doorway, Detective."

She just stared at him. Over his shoulder she saw Montgomery fighting a small smile and felt her eyes narrow. Assuming she was glaring at him, Castle held up both hands. "It's a well-known fact. If you stop there, no one can get in or out. It kinds of defeats the purpose of having a door."

"My bad." She offered him a tight, closed lip smile, her molars in full contact. "I guess this is it. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Castle."

"Detective," he smiled broadly, taking her hand.

She looked up into his eyes, feeling off balance. What was he doing? He increased the pressure around her fingers and drew her towards him. She saw his head dip and felt the brush of something warm and soft in the hollow of her cheek.

She knew her mouth had just dropped open, saw it in the self-satisfied smirk, so she withdrew her hand, nodded and turned on her heel.

What the hell was that?

Richard Castle kissed her.

"You're sure about this?" Montgomery's baritone rumbled through the open door to Observation.

"Is the Pope Catholic?" Rick scoffed.

"Good Luck, Rick." Montgomery clapped his hand on the actor's shoulder. "You're going to need it."

Her head jerked up. There was something wrong about that…

"Beckett," Montgomery called a halt to her strategic retreat. "Can I see you in my office for a minute?"

"Sir?"

He nodded at her and led her down the beaten wooden corridor. She caught Esposito and Ryan staring at her, waiting for the results of the interrogation, and she shrugged at them. She had no idea what was going on. When they stepped in, Montgomery didn't move to close the blinds, a sign Kate hoped was a good omen.

"Hey, wait for me," Castle protested, popping first his head in and then the rest of his tall frame.

She looked from one man to the other, but Montgomery didn't look perturbed by the actor's presence.

"Sir, why is he here?" There was no way she wanted a witness if she was about to be reprimanded. Her Captain didn't look angry, but there was a tight band pulling in his face she recognized as stress. Or trying to hold back a laugh. "Is this about the case?"

"Well, I am a witness," Castle supplied helpfully, altogether too happy.

"No, it's not about the case," Montgomery interrupted. "Castle tells me you're aware that he has been offered a position with the ABC."

"Sir," she replied. What the hell did Castle's daytime soap opera have to do with anything? Last she heard, he hadn't even signed the contract.

"He also told me he has accepted the role." Montgomery shared a smile with his friend. "We are in the company of the next biggest on screen NYPD Homicide Detective."

Her mouth opened a little and then closed again. What was she even supposed to think about that?

"Now we've both talked to the Mayor and the Commissioner. He'll have to sign the paperwork, but Rick here wants to shadow the best Homicide detective New York has to offer and make his performances as authentic as he can."

Both of them looked at her expectantly.

"And that's me?" she managed.

Montgomery smiled.

"No. No, Sir. I can't."

"Why not?" Castle was nearly whining behind her. It was such a world away from the man she had seen back in the Observation room she looked back at the actor just to make sure it was the same person. From the childish pout, she had the feeling the appearance of the normal guy she saw earlier was just a fluke.

"Sir. He is like a nine year old on sugar rush; incapable of taking anything seriously."

"I resent that," Castle protested.

"Sir, no. I'm not going to put my team at risk."

"He's an actor," Montgomery placated her. "How much trouble could he be?"

She didn't bother to list the possible disasters; they would all be listed in the paperwork she was going to have to sign. "This has already been approved, hasn't it?"

"We need the good press and we need Castle to get it right. I know you're aware how much talent Castle could bring to bear on this role. He wants to learn from the best."

Kate barely restrained a glare at her Captain for that little piece of emotional blackmail. He knew how much she loved Castle's work and what it meant to her.

He softened the blow a little. "Hey, when the Mayor is happy, the Commissioner is happy and when the Commissioner is happy, I'm happy."

Which translates to, you don't have a choice. Roughly.

"How long, Sir?"

"That's up to him."

Kate turned to face him; maybe if she found a way to incinerate him with her eyes this nightmare wouldn't ever terrorize her reality.

He smirked and blew her a kiss.

"I'm going to need a leash," she muttered.

"Don't worry, partner; I won't bite," he grinned. "Unless you want me to."

...

Cheers. Don't feel too sorry for Beckett though, we all know the partnership doesn't turn out that badly.

As mentioned, here's a section from my upcoming fic, History Reheating. Don't know when I'll get to publish it because I'm starting a new degree next week so writing time is going to be scarse.

It's basically Natalie making life awkward...again.

"Are you the officer who took the report?" she asked, resigned.

"Yes Ma'am. Detective."

"Was there another woman with Ms Haas when she filed this report? Maybe a blonde? Tall and looks a lot like -"

"Natalie Rhodes?" the man interjected, the enthusiastic reply blew static in her ear.

Figures.

"She was there?"

"Yeah," the officer on the other end let out his reply on an amazed breath but caught himself and cleared his throat. "She was quite distressed."

"I'll bet she was," Kate muttered sourly.

"Detective?"

"He's not missing. He's just…gone underground."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"You don't have to, just dismiss the case. He's not missing."

"I'm going to need some evidence to officially drop the case. He hasn't been back to his hotel and we have no credit card usage since before he…went underground. May I have your permission to review a copy of the call you received from Mr Castle last night?"

She felt her face flame.

"No!"

Her gut clenched just thinking about what he had made her do over the speaker last night, what she had said to him. God she had missed him so much.

:)