A/N: Castle is not mine, just borrowing. Just a little breakroom scene I wish would happen. Okay, need to happen. Read, enjoy, and please review!
It wasn't even 10 am on her first day back and she felt utterly defeated. The new captain was exactly the kind of disaster the boys had described to her while she was recovering. When Kate entered the precinct at 7 am, she didn't even make it to her desk before Captain Martin had called her into Montgom-er, her new office. Desk duty for a full month, no questions and no complaining. Even worse, Castle was going to be late because of a publishing meeting he had tried everything to get out of.
After a few hours of doing nothing but backlogged paperwork, Beckett walked to the breakroom and practically collapsed on the couch. Apparently sitting at her desk was a lot more exhausting than sitting on the sofa at home recovering. She closed her eyes, leaned her head against the back of the sofa, and willed herself to get through the rest of the day.
"There you are," he said, entering the room hands full of coffee and what she was certain was a bear claw, a happy smile on his face.
"Hey Castle," she greeted, attempting to muster a small smile.
"Rough day huh?" he asked, motioning for her to scoot over a little so he could sit beside her on the couch.
"I didn't expect it to be easy….just not this hard, ya know?"
"Yeah I know, but everything will be okay. Change is inevitable," he assured her, giving her a small wink before resting his head against the back of the sofa as well.
They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments before Castle caught the movement of Beckett's hand out of the corner of his eye. She casually placed her right hand on his left thigh, palm up. He thought maybe she just needed some comfort after a rough morning, but as he moved his hand to hold hers, she laced their fingers together and squeezed his hand. He was speechless and stunned but she was casual and nonchalant, looking down at their hands with a small smile on her face.
"Thanks, Castle, I'm glad you're here."
"Admitting your true feelings in a weak moment, Detective? Maybe I should arrange more bad days for you, imagine the possibilities…" he teased.
"Don't press your luck, buddy," she retorted, bumping her shoulder gently with his.
Another silent moment went by before she spoke again.
"Castle…."
"Hmmm?"
"You know you're my best friend right?"
"I know that you're mine," he replied, rubbing her hand with the pad of his thumb.
"I guess the break's over, huh? Time to face the music," she sighed, dread in her tone.
"You can do this, Kate. Imagine how fun it'll be watching me watching you do paperwork….for a whole month!"
"I can barely contain my enthusiasm," she snarked, releasing his hand and standing up.
She brushed her hands down her dress pants and began to walk out of the breakroom and back to her desk when Castle's arm on her shoulder stopped her.
"Kate, everything is going to be okay. I'll be here with you just like I was this summer."
"Thank you," she said, sincerely, grabbing his hand.
She attempted to lead him back to her desk but was met with resistance as Castle didn't budge, his eyes fixed on their joined hands.
"Oh come on, Castle. Like you said 'change is inevitable.'"