Hope You Never Grow Old

by movieholic

A/N: The title is from a song by The Cranberries.


"And there's the 12-year-old again."


Brow furrowed in concentration, Beckett leaned over her desk, attempting to block out the sounds of laughter and fun erupting from the coffee room. After a brief moment of silence, she sighed happily and began to write, until the chatter started up again. With a huff of annoyance, she threw her pen down and rubbed at her temples.

"Castle," she growled, shooting a dark look towards where the sounds were coming from. She began to push her chair out, ready to storm over and give the group of men a piece of her mind, but she didn't have the energy. And after a few seconds of thought, she realized she didn't have the heart.

Settling into her seat, she rested her elbows on her desk, her head cradled in her propped hand. The man was annoying. He was in the way, he was cocky, and he was childish.

But he was also handsome. And helpful. And charming.

And Kate Beckett thanked God that he was who he was. Despite his less than favorable qualities, and her daily complaints about them, they made him Castle.

He may act like a 12-year-old, but that's who he is, she thought to herself. And I wouldn't change that for the world.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice when the man she was currently thinking about was near her, until he perched himself on the edge of the desk and smiled down at her smugly.

"Beckett," he greeted her, giving a small nod as he folded his arms.

She slowly stood up, and grabbed her jacket from behind her chair. At his expression of confusion, she offered him a small smile and bit her lip.

"Where you going?" he asked, watching as she pulled her coat on and began to leave. He scrambled off the desk and followed her to the elevators. "Hey!"

"Castle." Beckett entered the elevator and turned to face him, studying his ruggedly handsome features, concern etched all over his face.

"What?" he questioned, troubled.

Her smile widened, and she pushed a button on the panel. Facing him again, she tilted her head to the side. "Just-" she watched as he appeared to lean forward more, as if what she had to say next was the most important thing in the world. "Never grow old."

The doors slid closed on his perplexed expression.


End.

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