What better place to start than at the very beginning? We all knew they were an 'us', it was just a matter of time.

Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me, but I am most certainly claiming ownership of this story.

1. Stop and Stare

She had him the moment he turned round pen in hand; in hindsight it was a very good thing that he was leaning against the bar. His momentary lack of stability could immediately be attributed to alcohol and the seething mass of fan girls. Signing chests could be exhausting. Gina was also a factor; dealing with his ex-wife and publisher was enough to sap anyone's energy.

It would take many subsequent months for him to admit it to himself, but the instant he stared in to Beckett's eyes he was lost.

He really doesn't stand a chance as she struts in to the interrogation room and leans on the table to take his breath away. Did it just get hot in here? She isn't playing fair, isn't there something in the Geneva Convention about doing that? There should be. Flashing eyes and perfect lips; there seriously has to be better uses for those. He could give her a list. Come on Rick get your act together. In his defense there's really no option but to fight back; flirting most definitely can't be against the rules when she's playing dirty.

Things get even better when he realizes why he's here. His fictional crime scenes are not so fictional any more; wait until his poker buddies hear about this. She's a tease. If he can't get the photos of the crime scenes legitimately he'll have to employ some diversionary tactics. Begin by turning up at the precinct and inserting yourself neatly in to the investigative team courtesy of your poker buddy; their Captain. So convenient. Follow the lovely detective everywhere, dog her steps, until she is so distracted by how annoying you are that she fails to realize you have an ulterior motive. She'll also be forced to notice your charm of course, there's really no way she could miss that. Make yourself invaluable to the investigation, charm your way in to the team, leave her a signed copy of the latest Derrick Storm as a cover, and walk-don't-run out of the precinct with the crime scene photos you conveniently swiped from her desk when she wasn't looking. Perfect. Kissing her cheek as you leave is the perfect finishing touch; she can't follow you out with weak knees.

The crime scene photos clearly show that the murderer isn't nearly as obsessed with him and his books as the detectives believe; the details are all wrong. Small details about the way the bodies are staged, but they're important and bring him to a surprising conclusion. They have the wrong killer. Outstanding. Imagine how impressed she'll be when he lets her know what he's discovered. Strangely enough she doesn't look pleased when she arrests him, but the thought of her and handcuffs and himself all together in the same room is irresistible; so distracting. He really has to tell her that; immediately. He does at least remember to let her know his safe word, makes sure he gets it out there early before they might need to use it. Best trip to the library ever.

His joy at spending time with the enchanting detective is somewhat tempered by being let out on bail to find his mother and daughter waiting for him. Talking to said detective and her Captain; that can't be all good. What might the two of them have said about him? He really should have prepped them beforehand about what to say about him if they ever met. He doesn't want to go home yet; his work here is not done. In fact a plan is rapidly forming in his head about a way he can ensure he spends countless hours with the enchantress whilst working on a project that will banish his boredom and growing disenchantment with Derrick to the darkest corners of his office. Surely there can be no chance of facing writer's block with Beckett in the room. Of course the bedroom would be better than the office, but they'll need to discuss the arrangements later.

Having finally helped lead his new favorite detectives to the real murderer, the icing on the cake that is his first real-life case, is that she gets to see him in action. He takes down the murderer right in front of her. How can she fail to be impressed by that? Did she see him? He's not entirely sure that her poking him is enough awe and gratitude for his act of heroism. Okay, so the safety was on Tisdale's gun all the time, but he still took his life in his hands to take him down. He really might have a flare for police work.

There's a soundtrack playing in his head shortly afterwards as he watches her strut away from him, all swaying hips and bouncing hair. On purpose. He sees what she's doing. Yes please. She might have had him on the point of collapse just now from the all-too-brief warmth of her breath in his ear, but he's over that temporary weakness. He's now really desperate for Beckett to give him some idea. That was a promise wasn't it? He has lots of ideas as well Beckett, really good ideas, but there's room for yours as well.

In fact his best idea to date has him leaning alluringly in the doorway to Montgomery's office the next day. He's all perfect hair, intense eyes and friendly welcoming smile. She gets to find out that he's going to be shadowing her for his next book. He's basing his new character on her, no more Derrick. How exciting is that Beckett? All that time we'll be spending together. Time for so many ideas.

She'll come round. This is going to be fun.

So there we have it. Hope you've enjoyed it so far. I'm intending the chapters to be written from both Castle's and Beckett's point of views, whichever seems the most appropriate as I write each chapter.

Sally.

Twitter: mshistorybrit