At the 12th precinct it was a well-known fact that all the detectives used the elevator. Detectives Ryan and Esposito both took this well-known fact to heart, and right around the Christmas season decided It would be fun to put a sprig of mistletoe in the commonly used elevator and watch the chaos.
The boys exchanged a brotherly hug in the elevator, not wanting to break tradition, then sat at their desks. Ryan had rigged the camera in the elevator so the picture would come in on their work computers. As they eagerly waited, there boss had called to tell them she was stuck in traffic and would be there soon. After calling the boys, Kate called Rick.
"Guess what?" He asked excitedly.
"What?" She asked confused.
"I just found Alexis' Christmas present for me! You will never believe what it is!" He practically screamed into the phone, but by this time they had both reached the precinct steps and turned to face each other, simply shutting off their phones.
"Wait you found Alexis' present for you? Won't that ruin the surprise?" He looked at her like she should know the answers to her questions already.
"No, each year we get each other three presents, we make one easy to find and then guard the others with our lives." Kate nodded in understanding.
"This year I got her tickets to a Rihanna concert and made that my easy gift, I thought Taylor Swift would be a bad idea 'cause of her and Ashley, you know." Again Kate nodded she remembered that the young couples song was written by Taylor Swift, she looked at Castle in admiration, understanding how much thought he had put into the gift, making sure to get something that would not upset Alexis. She almost envied there bond, she and her dad were close, but Castle and Alexis? They were joined at the hip, so to speak.
"That's nice, Rick" The pair stepped on to the elevator inside the precinct.
"Yeah, Alexis got me my very own handcuffs! Wait did you just call me Rick?" Castle looked at her there faces were close, really close.
"Wow" he muttered under his breath. Kate turned and looked up at him, but something above his head caught her eye.
"Who the hell put mistletoe in an elevator?" She asked looking up at the ceiling. Once her comment reached her ears he looked up as well. By this time the short elevator ride was almost over. Kate looked back at Castle.
"Well, I guess it would be wrong to break tradition so…" Rick frowned.
"No! Kate, I care about you! I know you keep telling me that you don't remember anything about the night you were shot, but, to hell with that! I love you Kate. I refuse to kiss you because of some stupid leaf! If I ever get the chance to kiss you again, it will be because you want me to, not 'I don't want to break tradition.' so if you want to kiss me, grow some balls and tell me! Tell me you care about me! Otherwise, don't play with my feelings!" He took a step away from her. She looked shocked and paused for a moment before speaking.
"Castle, I want to kiss you. I remember everything. When you first asked me I was scared, I needed time, I needed space. Telling you I didn't remember anything I got that. It became easier to pretend then to face the fact that I was in love with you to, I was just too scared to jump." She said desperately. He didn't speak one word; he just gathered her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss they had shared oh so many weeks ago was nervous there adrenaline was pumping, it was passionate. This kiss was tender, soft, it made Kate feel safe and warm, and she knew she was loved.
At the precinct
"OH MY GOD! Are they kissing? That means I just won five hundred bucks! I love you guys!" M.E. Lanie Paris shouted at the screen on detective Ryan's computer.