Nikki Heat: A Mop and Broom Drabble

"What is going on around here today?" Broom asked as Mop, together with his workmate Bucket, was returned to his place in the Janitor's closet.

"Whew," Mop answered, his handle flopping wearily against a shelf, "they are expecting some kind of important visitor, everything is being cleaned. Vacuum is still out there and they'll probably grab you before too long too. It's mostly the men who are excited. I heard a name, Natalie Rhodes. I don't know who she is but those guys certainly seem to. Some of the women just look a little disgusted though."

A hand reached for Broom's handle

"Did you find out anything else?" Mop asked when Broom was returned to his spot.

"Not much." Broom answered, "supposedly it has something to do with the movie they're making of Castle's book."

"If that's it," Mop opined, "Beckett shouldn't be very happy. Whenever I've heard her talking to Castle about it she did not sound too impressed."

"You're right about what she's been saying to Castle," Broom agreed, "but she was actually smiling. I don't know what's up with that."

"I guess if they spill something or knock something over, we'll find out. Somebody's coming!"

"Did you see that?" Mop asked as the door closed behind the two men returning to the bullpen. "Those guys were giggling like kids."

"I saw the pictures they were showing each other on their phones," Broom answered. "She is a pretty lady. Her clothes were torn though. It looked like she had rips in the exact places she needed to show off her - assets."

"I doubt that was by accident," Mop told him. "Those were probably pictures from a movie. I've cleaned up at night when some of the guys are watching stuff like that. The costumes always seem to rip in the most strategic places. Wow! There's a lot of noise out there. She must be here."

"I haven't been out there much during the main shift in the last couple of days," Broom said. "What's been happening with that actress?"

"It has been weird," Mop answered. "I got to see, when several people spilled their coffee looking at her. She's started to dress like Beckett, stand like Beckett, talk like Beckett, and she even got a brown wig to make her look more like Beckett."

"I would think Castle would like that," Broom commented. "He really likes looking at Beckett. Now he has two."

"I'm not sure," Mop said. "I couldn't tell if he was turned on or scared. He looked a little of both. Beckett doesn't like it, though. I heard some whispers about that actress going after Castle. Beckett got jealous."

"Yeah, it's funny about those two isn't it?" Broom asked. "Everyone can tell she likes him. They joke about all the time. Everyone seems to know it but her."

"Yeah, I've noticed," Broom agreed. "Sometimes it seems like there's a Castle god somewhere writing scripts to keep them apart."

Mop waved his tendrils. "Now that's just silly! Oooh something else is going on out there!"

"Okay," Mop said, "you just swept up all the crumbs from the party in the break room. What were they celebrating?"

"I think Kevin finally proposed to Jenny," Broom answered.

"It's about time!" Mop exclaimed. "How many times have those two snuck in here to make out?"

"I lost count a long time ago," Broom replied, "but I hope they don't stop. They are fun to watch."

"They can be quite a sight," Mop agreed. "Jenny really knows how to let loose. But I'm waiting for the day Beckett and Castle finally wise up and make it in here."

"You're right," Broom said, as a sigh whispered through his straws. "That will be quite a day."