A/N: I normally wait until about season three to start any sort of fan fiction writing but I couldn't wait with Castle. I was dying to play with Ryan and Esposito because those two are my favorite! This tags to season 2. Episode 3: Inventing the Girl. New Castle fan girl. Playing catch up with DVDs on loan from a friend. Completely hooked.

Centerfold:

By: LOSTrocker

Esposito caught Ryan red handed. "What do ya think yer doin'?"

"Nothin'," Ryan bulled him.

"Uh-huh," Esposito wasn't buying him at all.

He was behind the desk when he watched as Ryan just happened to "accidentally" leave the mag that Beckett was featured in on her desk, wide open for a certain writer that they all knew and loved. Well, to a certain extent anyway.

"She said don't say anything to Castle." Esposito mocked Beckett with a chuckle.

"Does it look like I'm sayin' anything?" Ryan asked innocently enough. "I'm not sayin' anything." Ryan put up his hands as he walked away.

"Don't come cryin' to me." Esposito warned him playfully.

On cue, Castle came in. "Mornin' boys,"

"Beat Beckett." Ryan kept the score. It was always fun with those two.

"I like to keep her chair warm." Castle remarked as he made himself comfortable behind

"I bet." Ryan continued, exchanging a knowing glance with Esposito who smirked in returned.

"Oh, what's this?" Needless to say, the mag caught Castle's attention as Ryan hoped it would. It didn't take much to sway Castle especially when beautiful women were concerned. All though, he had to stop to take the time to admire the familiar features of the young model who was sporting the latest line in tennis wear. "You've got to be kidding me." Castle gawked with a laugh. This was all too good, and it was all for him. He looked up at the men responsible for this wonderful gift. "You two are my new favorite."

"Don't even look at me." Esposito said. "This is all on his ass if she finds out."

"What's so funny?" Beckett asked, coming up to her desk where Castle was currently positioning himself.

"Nothing." Castle quickly answered as he went to put the mag behind his back.

"Just something cheap that Ryan said, really cheap." added Esposito.

Beckett caught Castle glancing her way. It wasn't anything unusual really, not even with that smirk on his face. However, the twinkle in his eye lead her to believe that he knew something that she didn't and some smart ass retort was just ready to come out of that mouth of his. Instead, she beat him to the punch by clearing her throat so he'd get out of her chair.

"Right, apologizes," Castle said. The writer got up to offer the lady her chair back.

"Thank you." she returned sarcastically.

"You know, I'm thinking-"

"Don't strain yourself." kidded Beckett.

Of course, the funny part about this was that Beckett thought he had him all ready, like she always did. Hook, line and sinker but for once he was a step ahead of her thanks to Kevin and Javier.

"Maybe it's time I should start a new profession." Castle went on. "I was thinking tennis."

That's when Beckett's eyes went wide and straight to Esposito and Ryan. "I didn't do it." Esposito piped up.

Castle brought out the magazine with her spread with a grin that went from ear to ear.

"What did I say about not telling Castle?!"

"I believe you said you'd kill him."

"Ha, don't think you're getting off so easy Esposito," Beckett warned him. "He's your partner." she pointed between the two. "Besides, you helped him dig this up."

"Ever hear that expression-" Ryan went to say.

"Oh come on, too easy." Castle retorted cutting the deactivate off before he could finish.

"I'm not going to dig two holes, I'm going to dig three for all of you!" That wasn't a threat. That was a promise.

END