Title: Anniversary
Author: dftwinkie (individual authors listed in the chapters)
Rating: T (mostly PG, but some chapters have swearing)
Spoilers: All aired episodes
Disclaimer: They are not ours, we just love them
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Lanie
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"Hey, Lanie, you almost ready?" Kate Beckett asked as she walked into the morgue. "Because I could definitely use a drink."
Lanie, who was still wearing her scrubs and covered in blood up to her elbows, raised an eyebrow as she regarded her friend. "Do I look like I'm ready? You were late, so I thought I'd do the routine autopsy on Mister Blake, here."
"Sorry." Kate grimaced. "My paperwork took forever." She looked at the other autopsy table, "This one's clean, right?" At Lanie's nod, Kate hopped up on the table and sat there, swinging her legs as she watched her friend finish the autopsy.
"That's ok. I finally got rid of Perlmutter when I sent him out to that big accident on 50th about an hour ago, so I was enjoying the peace and quiet. I swear, that man is crazier than any ten people I know. It's a good thing we don't work too many shifts together, or I think I'd strangle him."
"Justifiable homicide." Beckett grinned, "and I'd help you get rid of the body. But how do you think I feel, working with Castle all day? Today he insisted on coming in, despite the fact that there was no case, just paperwork. And he alternated between sitting there, watching me, which is creepy, and trying to get me to stop working and play with him, which is annoying."
"Mmmm-hmmm," Lanie said, concentrating on closing the Y-incision.
"Do you realize that it's been a year since he started shadowing me?"
"Time flies when you're having fun, hmm?" Lanie smirked.
Kate rolled her eyes. "I was thinking more along the lines of 'time drags when you're being annoyed.'"
"Oh come on, girl, that man is nothing but fun!" Lanie pulled the sheet back over Mr. Blake, stripped off her gloves and began washing up.
"Which is the problem! He can't take anything seriously."
"Whereas you take everything much too seriously, Beckett. Lighten up, live a little! Heck, I have a more exciting life than you, and I work with dead bodies all day. Besides, weren't you just telling me you were tired of quiet, and wanted some loud? Rick Castle is practically the definition of loud."
"Yeah, you're right," Beckett sighed. "He does keep things from getting too grim around the precinct. And, to be fair, he is occasionally serious. You should see him with Alexis, it's really kind of…sweet."
Lanie ducked into her office to change her clothes, and so that Kate wouldn't see the smile on her face. Not that Kate would probably have noticed, as she seemed to have momentarily drifted into some far off land. Those two were so blind. They were perfect for each other, and everyone could see it but them. They balanced each other out – Castle's silliness reflected some light into Beckett's life, and her determination kept him focused when he got out of hand. Kate had a deep well of vulnerability hiding under her tough exterior, and underneath Castle's sugar-high twelve-year-old personality there really was a caring heart and a protective instinct that would help her weather any storm.
Yes, Lanie thought as she gathered up her coat and followed Kate out the door. They really were perfect for each other. Hopefully they would figure it out soon, before she owed Esposito more money.
Author: sarastar43