Disclaimer: The show and characters belong to ABC, I just borrowed them for fun. However, I wish I owned Rick Castle. :P :)
Pairing: Castle/Beckett
Rating: K+
Summary: Everyone knows the two belong together, only Kate doesn't see it. Will she ever admit the truth? Will a kiss make her change her mind for better?
AN: The story is set around Christmas time, but it's NOT a holiday fic. I just couldn't get the mistletoe idea out of my mind. :) So you can read it even if you're not in mood for holiday fics.
Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed my very first Castle fic, this one is for you. Hope you'll enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
Thanks a lot to my fabolous beta, Emily for her help and encouragement. This story is dedicated to you in first place. :)

"Beckett, Castle," Captain Montgomery called. "This is going to be a one time event. It's not like the 12th precinct is given an honour every day. I expect you to be there at the party tonight." His tone allowed no refusal.

Kate, frowning, glimpsed at Castle who was beaming at the prospect of attending the precinct's Christmas party with the detective. Not again. She didn't like the idea of having Castle by her side for the evening – the smug smile and high-class attitude while strolling around, following in her wake.

"You can count on us." Castle flashed a confident grin at their superior.

"Good," Montgomery noted and entered his office.

"Captain," Kate followed him into the room, shutting the door right before Castle could have joined them. "Castle is not a cop. Is it really necessary him to attend the party?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Detecive Beckett, like it or not, our mystery writer has helped to solve many of our cases, so he has kind of earned the officer of honour title. Besides, the Mayor's going to present the award, so the least we can do is show him that we appreciate his protégé. And if you have to stroll around arm in arm with Castle to satisfy the Mayor, you'll do so. The precinct needs his support. If he's-"

"...-happy, we're happy," Kate finished the well-known sentence unenthusiastically. Damn you, Castle, she cursed the writer's prominent connections.

"That's it," he approved her words, sitting down at his desk.

*

"Seems like you're going to be my date for tonight." Castle's elbow was on Kate's desk, his stare impossible to avoid. His blue eyes were bright and the typical Castle grin was plastered on his face.

"I'm not your date," Kate snapped, giving hin a sharp look, "It's strictly work."

"That's what they call it these days?" he raised a brow. "Yet, I prefer the word 'date'. Or 'rendezvous'. That's more mysterious and romantic," he pondered aloud.

"Which part of the 'I'm not your date' didn't you understand?" She glared at him.

"Ouch, Beckett. You're so grumpy today," Rick pouted, lounging in the chair. "You could really do with some fun." He didn't take his eyes off of her.

His ringing phone interrupted the bickering, and Kate was glad that his attention was finally averted away from her and tonight's plans. Sighing, she took a large sip of her coffee and opened the case file in front of her. She couldn't explain why she was this tense these days. The writer's annoying presence must have had to do with it for sure. Never vote for this Mayor again, she made a mental note. She was staring at the lines of the report but couldn't concentrate; the words were a mere blur. Men always made a woman's life complicated, but this bestselling mystery writer could top all males she had known.

She sneaked a quick glance at him, which he noticed. He flashed a mischievous smile at her in return. Shutting the phone, he leaned toward her; his blue eyes sparkling like ice in sunshine.

"I'll make this evening worth it, promise," he whispered huskily.

Kate could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, and his voice made a shiver run down her spine. She hated her body reacting that way. He might have annoyed her to death, but she had to admit that he did it with style. He wasn't called a lady's man for no reason.

"You won't regret being my date," Rick murmured, the charming smile still on his face. He was always aware of the effect he had on the weaker sex, and he absolutely enjoyed Kate's reaction too. She was a challenge, and he liked it.

"Keep on dreaming, Castle." Snapping out of the spell, the detective gave him a sugary smile. "The only reason why I don't shoot you is that, thanks to my superiors, I'm stuck with you on the cases. But that doesn't mean I can't make you suffer."

"So you like it rough, huh?" Castle grinned. "Always suspected you're the dominatrix type. With the handcuffs and gun...," he wiggled his eyebrow mischieviously. "My offer is still on." he stuck out his tongue suggestively. "You may spank me anytime."

Her face flushing, Kate so wanted to slap him right there. "You're disgusting, Castle," she uttered contemptuously while her eyes alone could have kill him.

"Might be, but I swear you'd enjoy it," he smirked, emerging from the chair. Leaning closer to her one more time before leaving, he whispered into her ear, "I'm sure I would."

*

"They're so Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook," Ryan noted, watching Beckett and Castle from his desk.

"You've read Castle's new book!" Esposito grinned at his partner in surprise. "You're a bigger fan of his than I thought!"

"Well, he is a good writer, there's no doubt about that," he shrugged.

"You're not the only fan of his here," Esposito smirked, not taking his gaze off of the sight of Beckett and Castle.

"I bet that they'll kiss tonight," Ryan cast a confident glance at his colleague.

Esposito raised a brow at him, suggestively. "You do?"

"50 bucks they will."

He grinned. "50 bucks they won't."

"Deal."

"Right"

"Anyone else in on the bet?"

"Yeah, why not?" Esposito shrugged. "The more, the merrier," he grinned.

"What's up, guys?" Lanie Parish, the medical examiner, stepped towards their desk.

The two men exchanged a knowing smirk.

"Hey, Lanie, do you feel like joining in for some fun?"

*

"Arrogant, smug bastard," grumbling, Kate threw the wet towel onto her bed and ruffled her hair.

"So it's Castle again," Lanie noted with a sigh of resignation. "What has that poor guy done this time?"

"Poor guy?? Whose side you're on, Lanie?" Beckett raised her brow reproachfully, pulling a cocktail dress out of the wardrobe.

"You know I'm with you, but... Come on, give this guy a break. He's not that bad."

"Oh thank you! My best friend is the devil's advocate in disguise," Kate sneered. "You should hook up with him if you feel so sorry for him."

"Believe me, I'd give it a try once he finally takes his eyes off of you," the M.E. watched the detective adjusting her dress. The pine-green velvet dress hugged Kate's figure perfectly, emphasizing her curves in all the right places. "But once he sees you in this dress, I don't have a chance," she pouted in amazement.

Turning to the mirror, Kate had to admit that the dress looked nice on her indeed. Frowning, she reached for the zipper to undo it, when Lanie jumped up from the bed and stopped her.

"What are you doing??"

"I'm not going to wear this dress when he's all about making double-entendres," Kate scowled.

"Oh yes you are," Lanie looked into her eyes firmly. "Give the guy a run for his money."

Glancing back at her reflection, Kate contemplated the M.E.'s words for a moment. She wanted to give Castle a hard time, and if her dress would be part of that, let it be.