Night – Thursday

Her eyes fixated on a large figure as it sliced through the highland grass with the force of wolves hunting prey. She sat perfectly still, silent and observant. Its presence crept up slowly on her nerves and she let out a small breath of perspiration, but she refused to let fear show. For the first time in her life she wanted to seek comfort and she had a warm and safe place she could go but fought hardly against. Her thoughts were interrupted by the touch of a hand on her shoulder.

"You underestimate my bravery" she whispered to Castle as he stretched wide to put his arm around her. He had chosen a horror film as they finally had decided to enjoy each other's company in the form of a date.

"I know, but I am. I was never good with scary movies" he smirked at her. She couldn't help but smile at his childishness. Even though they hadn't had a proper date, it was as if they had known each other for years but with the excitement still alive. Castle was on his best behaviour on this night. He knew all along that coexisting with Beckett as a couple would take a lot of convincing on his end. He had to prove to her that he was in fact serious about her and that this was no ordinary relationship to him.

"You know what I'm thinking?" He broke the silence as they paced slowly down the sidewalk leaving the movie theatre.

"That you look really beautiful" he said gazing at her. Beckett smiled at him.

"Castle, your flowery words may work on all your other women but I can see right through you"

"Really? What underwear am I wearing?" Castle said smugly. Beckett grew a big grin on her face. She continued walking carrying with her that smile of content as Castle followed watching her with great excitement and intrigue.

They had strolled for an hour down Third Avenue when Castle conjured up enough courage to reach out for Beckett's hand. He knew she didn't like PDAs but couldn't resist testing the boundaries. He slowly inserted his fingers into the gap of hers and watched for any flinching of discomfort but she didn't even turn around to look at him. What he couldn't see was the slight rouge that had spread infectiously across her face.

"Do you want to grab some dessert?"

"Uh, no, I think we should go. I have to be at the Precinct quite early tomorrow" Beckett said as she looked straight ahead.

As they paced pass the window of a diner, both caught a glimpse of a happy couple feeding each other out of a large chocolate sundae dish.

"That little worm, I knew he was hiding something from me" exclaimed Castle.

They quietly entered the diner and approached the booth where the couple sat startling them. Esposito and Lanie turned to look at them shocked with chocolate on both corners of their mouths.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't sergeant Honesty who is a big fat liar!" Castle pointed panning his finger between the two of them.

Esposito was shocked to have been caught. Just last week he was proclaiming that he was not dating Lanie and that he didn't really fancy her presence. Lanie however, had told Beckett everything so the girls had become spectators in the boy's argument. Castle and Beckett slid into the seats next to them.

"Ryan better not know about this otherwise our relationship has definitely changed" threatened Castle.

"He doesn't know. I haven't told anybody yet, unlike gossip queen over here" Esposito said referring to Lanie.

"Hey. Don't get your boy panties in a twist, Kate's my best friend and we share everything so get use to it" defended Lanie. "So what's the deal with you two anyway since we're in an exposing mood?"

A short silence whilst Beckett and Castle tried to define themselves.

"We're at a tryout stage" answered Beckett slightly awkward.

"When did sleepovers become part of the tryout stage?" Lanie said with a grin on her face.

"You two should try it out, it's very soothing and comforting". Becket gave Castle a hard nudge in the stomach.

After more petty talk, Beckett stood up and put her jacket on. "I expect you to be there nice and early Esposito. Remember we have that meeting"

"Alright, alright," Esposito answered as if to an older sister telling him to stop playing his playstation.