674. Chapter 674

After Headhunters

Episode 4.21

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I'd get mangled if I said I own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above

Castle was feeling proud of himself, walking into the bullpen with a bloody nose, and Brian Reilly and Shea in cuffs. He snuck a quick glance at Beckett and the boys. He thought they looked impressed with the new, improved gang task force Castle.

Actually, Ryan and Esposito thought Castle had finally lost his mind. Kate was appalled that Castle was with a sociopath like Slaughter.

One other person in the precinct was also interested. "Detective Slaughter, Detective Beckett, and Mr. Castle. My office now." Captain Gates said loudly.

Slaughter just stared at Gates. "I'm busy. I've got a hot lead here. Later." He started to walk away with Shea.

"No! Not later, now. Right now."

Castle followed Beckett into Gates' office, followed by an unwilling Slaughter.

"I told you that I've got…"

"What are you doing in my precinct?" Gates asked, coldly.

"What am I doing? My job. What the hell would you think I'd be doing?"

Gates stared at him. "Gang task force is a department wide unit. That said, it's your responsibility to cooperate with whatever precinct you're using. That means with me."

Slaughter smiled. "Fine. I'm here. Now, I'm busy." He got up and started to leave.

"Since this is a homicide, and it's in the 12th's jurisdiction, you'll be working with Detective Beckett on this."

Beckett was surprised. "Sir, I have a trial to prep for. I can't investigate a murder."

"The defense asked for a continuance and it was granted. You have another three weeks. You're on the Reilly murder with Detective Slaughter and….him." She nodded in Castle's direction.

"No, I work alone or with other gang cops. Not some pretty face."

"This is my precinct and you'll work with who I tell you to work with." Gates shot back. "Or you can get out."

"Maybe I should call my captain and see what he says about that." Slaughter said, glaring at Gates.

The Captain smiled at Slaughter. "And maybe I should call the Chief of Detectives. I'm sure he still remembers you. You made yourself very hard to forget. I'm sure he'd just love to hear about what you're up to now."

Slaughter stared at Gates, then got up. "Fine, Sweetcheeks is with me. And Beckett, too." Then he stomped out of her office.

Once out of Gates' office, Slaughter pulled out his phone. "I gotta make a phone call." Slaughter told them and headed down the hall.

Beckett turned to face Castle. "What do you think you're doing? Do you know what Slaughter is like?"

"I was able to take care of myself."

Beckett shook her head. "You're nowhere near able to take care of yourself with him." At least if I'm with Castle I can keep him safe and try to figure out what the hell has gone wrong with us. She thought.

Castle was about to tell her that he was doing better with Slaughter than he had been with her, but Slaughter came to get them. "I gotta informant we need to see."

They were standing by Slaughter's car, waiting for the informant. Slaughter smiled at Beckett. "It's pretty obvious that you aren't doing anything with Shakespeare here. You're the kind of chick who'd want to be in a relationship with a man." He moved his hand to the top of Beckett's hip.

"Take your hand off of my hip."

He leered at her. "Or what?"

Beckett slammed the heel of her boot down on his instep. Slaughter cursed and danced on one foot. "Hey, you're my kind of girl."

Beckett put her arm around Rick and rested her head on his shoulder. "But he's my kind of man and he's more man than I can handle sometimes." She leaned over and kissed Castle's cheek.

Slaughter laughed. "Him? Be serious."

"We are serious. Very serious."

Slaughter looked past them. "There's my guy. Wait here and keep an eye out."

As soon as Slaughter was out of sight, Castle turned back to Beckett. "What the hell was that all about?"

"Maybe you don't mind your new pal groping me for the rest of the investigation, but I do. I know Slaughter and I know his type. Will you play along?"

Castle nodded. For all that Beckett had done to him, he couldn't let her be embarrassed or made to look weak by having Slaughter grope her in public. Or worse, having Beckett get in a fight with Slaughter. No matter what Beckett had done, he wasn't going to let her get hurt. Except that meant Slaughter hurting him. Still, the feeling of Beckett leaning against him, the scent of cherries filling his nostrils, her warm breath against the skin of his neck….No! I can't think like this. She's only doing this to throw Slaughter off.

Two shots rang out and Slaughter came running out of the building across the street. "Get in the car." He yelled. As they sped away, Castle looked back. "You killed him? You killed him."

"I couldn't have. We were never here."

Castle's mouth went dry and he looked at Beckett.

"Don't worry, Castle. He didn't kill anyone. That was another gang task force cop, Detective Marc Gibson."

Slaughter managed a pout. "Did you have to tell him, Sweetie? He looked like he was going to crap in his pants when I came running out." Slaughter had a good laugh.

Kate had hoped that Slaughter wouldn't do anything stupid with Castle while she was seeing Dr. Burke. She was wrong. She pulled her car up just as Ryan, Espo and the uniforms were extracting Castle and Slaughter from Vales' gang. She walked past Slaughter. "In my car, now, Castle."

"I don't think… "

"No, you don't." She took his arm and pulled him towards her car. Castle looked over at Slaughter who was grinning.

"Better go with the little woman, Sweetie. I bet you do look cute in a skirt."

They were six blocks away before Beckett had calmed down enough to talk to Castle. "Do you realize how close you came to getting killed?"

He nodded. "He's crazy."

"Isn't that all part of the thrill? Running and gunning with a madman?"

He shook his head again. "It's not a thrill. Not the kind I want anyway." Castle was close to telling her that the only thrill he ever wanted was her, but she spoke.

"I have better things to do that save you from being killed by some Mexican gang. Can you just drop this?"

That reminded Castle that Beckett had been lying to him for months. Why the hell is she acting like she actually cares about me? We both know she couldn't care less about me. "I don't give up just because there's a little rough spot in a relationship." He refused to look at Beckett all the way back to the precinct.

Beckett hated the silent treatment from Castle, who was usually so voluble. I have to say something or do something. Dr. Burke was right. I've been acting like I was the only person with a problem. Castle has problems as well. He has one giant problem with me. I have to fix this. It should be so easy. People do this thing all the time. You meet someone, you're interested, so you tell them. But is he still interested? Is he more interested in protecting himself? Does he even want more with me right now? Will he leave if I tell him that I want more? I have to say something, dammit! But what?

She stopped the car at the precinct and turned to Castle who was getting out of the car. "Castle can we talk?"

"I have to find Slaughter. He said he had a plan with Vales." Castle walked swiftly off.

Castle found out what the plan was and he hated it. He tracked down Beckett, feeling like an idiot. Fortunately, Beckett was too much or a professional to let Slaughter arrest Vales for a murder he didn't commit. Eventually, Brian Reilly was arrested for the murder of his son and Cesar Vales was released. Slaughter, after punching Castle in the stomach, left as well.

Castle looked up at Beckett. "Hey. Thanks very much for your help." He grunted, holding his stomach.

"No problem, Castle. It's what partners are supposed to do." Beckett turned and walked away.

All she wants is Rick Castle as her damned partner. She probably figures her damned closure rate would drop if she lost me. "I'll try to remember that if I ever get a partner."

Beckett turned to him just as Gates' door opened. "Detective Beckett? My office, now."

Kate looked at Castle as the elevator door closed, then walked to Gates' office.

Later that night she called Castle, but he didn't pick up. What the hell do I do to fix this?

She sat for a moment and then stood, gathering her things. I have to end this. I'll go see him and tell him….something.