This story is a sequel to When you play with fire, you get burned. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend that you do. It's not that it this story won't make sense, but it will give you background on how they became a couple, and how their relationship progressed, etc. And yes, I do realize that Christmas is months away, but this story just begged to be written. It would be lovely if you left a review! :)

So, here's the first chapter! I am going to try to include more of the murder case, so chapters won't be up as fast as they were for When you play with fire, you get burned. I also want to get a little ahead so there won't be a really long gap between chapters. I will also say that I have absolutely no idea how long this story will be; it all depends on what my brain decides to spit out!

As always, I hope you enjoy and please review. I love reading your praise (and constructive criticism too)! You can't get better when nobody tells you how to improve.

By the way, this story isn't set at a specific time. (ie, beginning of season two, after episode 1x05, etc.) Even though I'll most likely include a few details or references from episodes already aired, the story stands alone. The only thing it follows is When you play with fire, you get burned. Anyway, just wanted to explain that in case as the show progresses, the details of my story don't quite fit.

Disclaimer: I own nothing belonging to Castle, or anything movie and song references/quotes used. Everything belongs to their rightful owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

"Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
over the fields we go laughing all the way
bells on bob tails ring making spirits bright
what fun it is to laugh and sing a sleighing song tonight…"

It was December twentieth and Richard Castle was sitting in his kitchen belting out Christmas tunes while waiting for Kate, Alexis, and Martha to return home from some last minute Christmas shopping. Castle was staring towards the same doorway where he and Kate had their first kiss. Even though she had run off, Castle still thought the moment was magical. It had been almost a year and a half since that day. To be exact, it had been seventeen months, three weeks, and four days. But who was counting? Certainly not Rick Castle.

Castle was currently sporting his Christmas party attire, while planning his annual Christmas Eve party. It was always a huge event. Famous fellow writers would be among those in attendance along with models, actress, actors, and anybody who was lucky enough to fall into Castle's social circle. This year there would be some new faces. Last year, Kate, Lanie, and the rest of the team had already made plans when Castle invited them to the party. This year, however, he had made them promise to attend, and they agreed. Castle didn't enjoy himself as much as he thought he would have the previous year. Before he had met Kate Beckett, Castle was the king of parties. But since Kate, and the rest of the precient had come into his life, he was acting more like an adult. Parties weren't Kate's thing, but she understood that was apart of him. She hated the red carpet and the paparazzi. However, she knew it came with his job description and now it was apart of hers. Although he still enjoyed an upscale event, Castle thought about how fun it would be to cancel the party and only invite his true friends. Not his famous friends, no, just the ones who would take a bullet for him. Or, would fire a bullet in his defence – literally. Just as his three favourite women made their way through the door an idea struck him.

"Good afternoon ladies, Ì have a wonderful idea!" Castle said beaming.

"What on Earth are you wearing?" Kate burst out laughing and almost dropped the bags she was holding. There before her stood Castle, dressed in a green velvety jacket with a white faux fir trim. There was a black belt with a gold buckle around his middle, and for his bottoms he wore yellow skin tight pants. This ensemble was completed with a pointed elf hat and shoes to match.

"Christmas party," Alexis said nonchalantly to Kate as she set her bags down.

"What?" Kate was still beyond confused and trying to contain her laughter.

"Every year Richard hosts a Christmas party. There are only two rules. One. When you arrive you must place your keys in the bowl, and Alexis takes the bowl. There's enough alcohol served to supply a club and he's always been one for safety." Martha smiled proudly at her son.

"And the second?" Kate still shocked, but had managed to control her laugher.

"In order to attend you must dress festive. Some people just wear red or green. Some dress as Santa or Mrs. Clause. We've even had a few reindeers once. He, however, likes to go all out."

"I can see that," Kate said matter-of-factly.

"See Kate," Alexis said as she took Kate's bags from her, "this is what you missed out on when he invited you before."

"What a shame," Kate teased as she studied the full grown man standing before her. "I get the Christmas dress up thing. I do, really, but what exactly are you?" Kate's shock had worn off and now she was curious.

"I'm Buddy!" Kate just looked at him like he had three heads. "The elf..." He paused waiting for Kate to catch on, but that didn't happen. "Don't tell me you never seen the movie Elf!?"

Kate shook her head.

"Will Ferrell… James Caan… Mary Steenburgen? Please tell me this rings a bell in that pretty little head of yours!"

Kate just stared at him with a blank look.

"You disgust me!" He replied doing his best Buddy impersonation.

This time it was Martha who rolled her eyes. "Richard, be a dear and help us get the bags. While you're at it, tell us this wonderful idea of yours."

He swiftly took the bags, and placed them on the counter. "I have decided to cancel my annual Christmas party," he said proudly.

"What!? Why!?" Both Martha and Alexis screamed in unison causing Kate to jump a little.

"I'm getting tired of them. I figured it'd just be you guys, Lanie, Esposito, Ryan, and Jenny. Montgomery and Karpowski are invited too." Castle looked at Kate, "And your dad. Mother, you can invite Chet, too."

"What about Paige, dad? She always comes over for the party." Alexis looked a little disappointed.

"Oh sweetie, Paige can still come!" Castle smiled, "It'll be fun guys! Don't look so down!"

"Well I guess we won't have to see you in that outfit anymore?" Kate teased as she leaned in for a quick kiss.

"Oh no, you still must dress festive! I'll kick you out!"

Kate playfully hit him. "I'll arrest you!"

"I'll taser you! You've seen firsthand that I have an excellent shot," Castle beamed.

Kate rolled her eyes.

"Christmas attire is still mandatory. You can be Jovie!" Castle grinned.

"Jovie?" The confused look returned to Kate's face.

"Yes, Kate. You really need to watch this movie." Castle shook his head in disappointment. "The girl who Buddy has a huge crush on. It should be too hard to find you a costume. But we'll have to make her a little sluttier. You know, we have to keep with your Nikki Heat persona. And afterwards we can –"

"Dad, ew! I'm still in ear range!" Alexis plugged her ears.

"Yeah darling, I may not be as youthful as Alexis, but my hearing is perfectly fine." Martha grabbed Alexis, "Come on sweetie, let's go wrap these gifts."

Both women made their way upstairs.

As soon as Martha and Alexis were out of sight, Castle grabbed Kate, pulled her towards him and pressed his lips to hers. Kate deepened the kiss and that was his cue to let his hands roam free. His hands were like fire on Kate's body, telling her he wanted to take it up a notch. Kate would have allowed it had it not been for the Castle women upstairs.

"Your mother and daughter are upstairs! We are not doing this here," she said as she pulled away.

"Oh, but Kate," he moaned as he nuzzled her ear.

It took every ounce of willpower for Kate to pullback and firmly place a hand on his chest, separating their distance. "No."

Castle groaned. "Since you killed the mood, how about we watch Elf?" Castle didn't give her time to answer because he had already grabbed Kate's arm and made their way to the couch.

"I am not watching anything with you while you are dressed like that. Change, now!"

"No way! It puts me in the Christmas spirit."

After some convincing on Castle's part, the two had settled down on the couch and started the movie.

"Oh, hello. You're, uh, you're probably here about the story. Elves love to tell stories. I-I'll bet you didn't know that about elves. There's, uh, probably a lot of things you didn't know about elves. Another, another interesting, uh, elfism, uh, there are only three jobs available to an elf. The first is –"

Kate's phone rang, and Castle reached over before she had a chance to answer it. "It's Ryan. I guess you'll have to learn the three elf jobs later." Castle smirked and paused the movie.

"Give me my phone!" She reached out her hand trying to snatch the phone, but she was too slow.

Castle flipped the phone open and answered like any elf would: "Buddy the elf, what's your favourite color?"

"Buddy the… what? Castle?" Ryan could be heard on the other line. "We've got a body. I assume Beckett is with you? And what is going on? Wait. Never mind, I don't want to know."

"Why yes the lady elf is here," Castle said flashing a grin Kate's way.

"Give me my phone!" Kate grabbed the phone from Castle's hand. "Ryan what's up? Address?" Kate motioned for Castle to pass her the pad of paper on the coffee table. He complied and she took down the address. "Okay, we'll be right there."

"Let's go!" Castle was already standing by the door with Kate's coat in hand.

"You are not seriously going to keep that on are you!?" She shook her head in disbelief.

"I want to spread Christmas cheer!"

"Rick, you are not leaving this house in that! Change right now!"

Rick. Castle let the word mull over in his brain. In the time they had been together, Kate rarely called him Rick. She used his first name in only two situations; two very different situations, which called for very different tones. The first was a very sultry and seductive tone that was only used when they were alone, and took advantage of the position they were in, so to speak. The second was her serious, hard hitting, serious as a heart attack, no-nonsense detective tone.

Castle figured that since he was not turned on, this was the latter situation. He, however, decided to have some fun with it. "Well if you say so," Castle shrugged and started to strip down.

"You mother and Alexis are home! Get upstairs, right now!" Kate shouted at him.

"Yes, Scrooge," Castle joked, hunched his shoulders, and made his way up to change.

When Castle had finally changed into something more appropriate for a crime scene he descended the stairs. Kate had noticed there was something in his hand. "What's that?"

"Christmas CD. Alexis made it a few days ago. No reason we can't keep the car ride festive." Castle wiggled the CD between his fingers.

Kate rolled her eyes motioned for him to hurry up.

"Mother! Alexis! Duty calls. We'll be back later."

"Bye!"

"Bye!"

With that they exited the loft and headed for the crime scene.

A/N: If you haven't seen the movie Elf, staring Will Ferrell already you really should! It's a great Christmas movie, plus it will make the references so much better!

I have a few scenes and plots/ideas in mind. I'm sure you know the drill by now – if you have any ideas that you like, review this chapter, or drop me a PM. I always give credit where credit is due.

Also, even though it's already established that Kate and Castle are together, I didn't want them to be too mushy, head over heels in love, and it being nothing but rainbows and butterflies. If (and when *fingers crossed*) Kate and Castle get to together on the show, I'm sure they would still be solving crimes together. Montgomery already said that the precient has one of the best conviction rates since Castle joined the team. And if Castle stopped shadowing her, you wouldn't be seeing much of Kate doing her job… so the procedural would be gone. Which, in my opinion wouldn't be such a good move on the writer's part. I also think that Castle would still tease her and push her buttons. But he'd also romance her, and I think even though her exterior would come off as annoyed, she would secretly like it. So this story will still have the classic banter, but every now and again they'll be an 'awwww' moment thrown in there. But, I do think that Kate would keep her romance out of the workplace. Which you'll see in later chapters.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you a little insight into my thought process. Agree? Disagree? Click that little button below and have at it!