Castle offeres to take Beckett horse-back ridding in the Hamptons! This should be fun... ;)

Note: My first upload on - I've been using this site to read the most amazing stories, and i figured this story would have a better home here than deviantART. If you like it, let me know, and I'll write more!

P.S. Please excuse any mistakes!

1

Things were quiet at the 12th precinct that afternoon. Kate sat at her desk, surrounded by her team. The four of them huddled around her work-station to complete the last of their paperwork. Castle had suggested they play a game of Truth or Dare. Much to Beckett's surprise, she was enjoying the playful banter. Listening to Ryan and Esposito reveal secrets of their childhoods made her feel closer to them. Castle, on the other hand, managed to evade most of his 'truths' with interesting quotes and attempted subject-changes; only having to except one dare to steal a dollar form the Captain.

"So, what about you, Beckett," Castle asked with a smirk, "Truth or dare?"

Beckett hadn't noticed she was speaking; she was busying herself with her paperwork, only listening to the game her friends played. The detective was in no mood to embarrass herself, so –not wanting to ruin their fun- she said, "OK, Castle… Truth."

Looking a bit disappointed, –not doubt he would have asked the cop to act out some erotic fantasy if she had said dare- the writer cocked an eyebrow and made a face like he was thinking.

Crap, Beckett thought, now he's gonna ask me some ridiculous question. She felt her cheeks turn a bit pink at the thought of what question Castle may ask her, what if it was too personal.

"What is something most people don't know about you?" the novelist finally asked, and Kate was surprised. Hmmm… funny way of phasing it, Castle.

Beckettstalled for a moment as she wracked her brain for an answer that was not too personal, but would satisfy him, it had to be good. "Uh…" she started, trying to make it sound casual, "I loved to horse-back ride as a kid."

This seemed to shock the three men. Kate was sure Castle had already conjured up an inappropriate image in his head. "Seriously?" was the only phrase that escaped her team in unison.

"Yeah," Beckett said, surprised that they were so surprised.

"Wow. Tell me more!" Castle insisted in his flat I want 'details' tone.

"Well, my mom loved horses and she would buy me Breyer figures when I was young and when my dad told me that they went ridding on the beach for their honeymoon despite his fear of horses, I begged my parents to take me" Kate explained.

Castle still wanted more of an answer, and so he said, "How often did you go?"

"As often as I could! My dad's collage buddy owned a farm upstate, so he invited us to stay with him almost every holiday."

"When was the last time you went?" their conversation carried on as if Ryan and Esposito weren't there.

"I haven't gone since my mom died."

The smiles on the boy's faces vanished instantly at the mention of the detective's mother. The subject was a sore one ever since the team's run-in with Lockwood. The squad's day ended early and they went their separate ways in the parking garage.

2

Beckett sat on the couch of her tiny apartment. She had to downsize considerably since her break-up with Josh, but she got by. The work-year was coming to an end and she figured she would wait until she got her year-end bonus before she went apartment-hunting. There was a long weekend coming up and she planned to take a few of her vacation days. Kate flipped through a travel magazine full of places upstate where she could get away for a couple of nights.

"Newpaltz is beautiful this time of year," she muttered out loud to herself, "maybe I'll go there." The detective had just dropped the magazine on the coffee table and rested her head on her palm when her phone rang.

"Beckett."

"Hey!" Castle's voice answered.

"What do you want, Castle?" she couldn't help but notice sounded hostel.

"I have an offer."

She sighed and said, "Shoot…"

"Come with me to the Hamptons this weekend."

Kate's mouth dropped open and she cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"Alexis has a fencing tournament on Sunday and I know this gorgeous farm-"

"No!" she objected

"Oh c'mon, why not?" he whined.

"Because I'm busy," she lied.

"Liar! That settles it! I'm taking you, and you're gonna get back on that horse… so to speak."

Beckett laughed at his words and found herself not caring that her could hear. Castle had his heart set on this and she knew she could not deter him from his mission to see her on a horse. In truth, she really did want to go ridding again. "Alright, Castle," she gave-in, "But just for one night."

"Great," he sounded like a small child, "come by my place tomorrow at noon. Bring your things!"

What had she gotten herself into?