To The Heart

Detective Javier Esposito had kept it together one breath at a time, one foot in front of the other and one sentence at a time. That was the only way to get through "an incident".

Somehow "incident" seemed more palatable than describing shooting a man to death even though he was a killer and had a gun drawn on one of Javier's best friends, Det. Kate Beckett. Everyone assured him it would be ruled "a good shoot", however, Javier still had to jump through the usual hoops.

He refused to talk to the media but he had answered questions from the brass, I.A. and from the prosecutor's office. He'd surrendered his rifle to the Crime Lab and let paramedics give him a once over. After that, Beckett approached him.

They weren't sloppy, neither of their styles. He tried to get by with just a nod. She had other ideas. Beckett wrapped her arm around his neck and whispered, "Thank you, Javie."

"It's what we do." He did a bump hug in return and broke away, "You'd do the same and you have."

"Still…"

"Leave it, Beckett."

She stepped back and they were silent on the return ride to the precinct.

Javier went from there to the morgue and made sure the ballistic evidence was retrieved and sent on for processing.

He was surprised not to see Lanie Parish. Instead, the chief medical examiner was there which could only work to Esposito's advantage. No possible conflict of interest from left over gossip about a failed relationship.

The final gauntlet was run outside the morgue. Ryan and Castle waited outside. Esposito eyed them as the pair tried to look ultracasual. "What, no Beckett?"

"She's with the captain." Ryan offered, "We were happy to avoid that tender scene."

Javier looked at Castle, "You don't even have coffee for me? I guess you do like Beckett best."

The writer shrugged and pushed himself off the wall. "She smells better than you. Besides, I didn't think you needed a caffeine jolt. I am, however, offering you the open bar option at The Olde Haunt with limo service home."

Ryan chimed in, "I'm driving for the moment because Castle's going back to wait for Beckett."

Esposito appreciated the support. But he was bone tired and ready to get out of the public spotlight and even away from the reassuring eyes of his friends. "Uh, rain-check, okay?"

"You sure?" Castle asked.

"He's sure. Let's go, Castle." Ryan indicated the door but turned back to fist bump with Javier. "You did good, bro. If you need to, call."

"Thanks and yes I know, Castle—ditto for you."

Finally, Esposito was coming down his hallway intent on getting inside. Then, he could lower the shield and become human again. There was one more obstacle left to face.

(TBC)