A/N: Who doesn't love Castle? Okay, so we have a few… let's say 200 hundred, thousand out there who are waiting for the new episodes to air. Everyone has a different take on how Castle and Beckett will be reunited. I've done that already, a few in fact, and now I thought I'd have some fun with something different… so while it's the beginning of the reunion, it's more about the DOG!

I hope I can entertain you enough to tie you over until September… :)

Over the summer, Castle had wrapped up his book, and the ideas had flowed for a third. Already he was beginning to think that conflict would make the next book a seller, and while his summer had brought angst and loneliness, he was never one to mix business with reality. His emotions stayed out of his writing… most of the time. He couldn't believe how many times he had deleted a chapter and started over.

But he had somehow pushed through, and completed what he needed to have.

He was looking forward to seeing Beckett again. Distance from her, had done more harm than good, he was sure, but at least he hadn't had to sit through the summer watching her play tonsil hokey with the jock detective! No ma'am.

He was almost… nervous, was that what those butterflies were that lined his stomach ready for battle? Yes, that's what it was, nerves! He approached the familiar police station with caution. The last thing he could stand to see was Beckett and Demming locking lips like some raging-hormone teenager.

But when he saw her, she was alone, seated at her desk, where he had pictured her everyday doing what she did best, whether it was playing on the whiteboard with the criminal photos, writing up paperwork, or physically rushing though the streets of New York City to catch the perp.

"Kate…" he greeted with a wide smile. Was it okay to call her Kate, or did she prefer Beckett?

She looked up only briefly enough to shoot him that disapproving look that made him feel like a naughty school boy. Not that he minded much. Maybe, Beckett would have been better to start with….

"Hi," he said trying to pry a word or two from her vocabulary.

She kept her eyes on the paperwork on her desk.

"I am here right?" he teased patting himself down. "I didn't die over the summer and now find myself a ghost figure, walking the room of a police station to haunt those who have made my life just that little bit more difficult," he was rambling, he knew he was rambling, but she wasn't saying a word. She hadn't even uttered a hello.

Finally, she looked up.

She hadn't changed much she was still stunningly beautiful, despite her ability to hold herself at a distance. One day, he thought, he was going to break through that wall and she was going to feel extremely vulnerable… and then, he was going to pounce.

"Hello Detective Beckett, I'm not sure if you remember me, I used to work with you… I don't know… about three months ago. I understand that it's just a long time since then, that my face might be unrecognizable but-"

"Shut up, you smart ass," she retorted.

"Oh," he covered his hand over his mouth mockingly. "She speaks."

Beckett grimaced. "Do you want something?"

"A greeting…"

Beckett folded her arms across her chest, his attention instantly drawn to the Gift that God had given her. "I'm not in the mood, Castle," she warned.

"Okay, I'm serious," he dropped the immaturity and sat in the empty chair at her desk, his eyes moving up to meet hers. Beckett looked like she might very well take her gun out of her side pocket and pull the trigger. "Is everything alright?" he asked suddenly concerned. Had something happened while he was away at the Hamptons? Had she had a hard time?

"Yes, why wouldn't it be?" she challenged.

"I don't know," he pretended to think. "A little thing called A BAD MOOD… do you have your monthlies, Detective."

Beckett's face turned crimson. "Inappropriate, Castle!"

He shrugged. "I understand a girl's hormonal changes, I have a daughter."

"You wouldn't think," she shot back with sarcasm.

"Cold," he stated.

"Do you want something or did you just come back to torment me?" she looked extremely unhappy.

Castle hid his disappointment. Seeing as they'd left on such good terms, she having had admitted she'd had a blast working with him, he assumed that because of that, she'd at least be happy to see him. Apparently he was easy to forget. "I just came by to say hi and let you that I'm back."

"Swell," she replied.

"I'll head off then. Let you get back to work…"

"Fine," she seemed nonchalant about his return.

"I'll see you soon then," he stood from the chair and brushed down his pants.

"Can't wait…" more sarcasm.

Castle made his exit then, feeling rather rejected, his shoulders slumped as he headed for home.

Okay… if you're interested in seeing where this leads, post a review and tell me you want more, more reviews equals chapters… happy clicking. :)