Watched Tick Tick Tick this evening, and just had to imagine what was going on in their minds during this episode. I don't own anything about Castle, outside of my own imagination.

Italics are the thoughts in their heads.

Beckett sat up quietly – what was that? – creaking noises outside her door. Slowly she got up, moving to her desk to get out her gun. This creep isn't getting me, no way. She inches forward, anxious to act. Finally, I get control back of MY case, she grinned.

"EEK!"

"Castle!" Of course, who else could it be? Oh Rick! "What are you doing here?"

Castle displayed the wine, and smiled as Kate let him in. Into the house of Beckett. Yesss!

She shakes her head and closes the door, putting her gun away. Castle walked into her kitchen to get some glasses, and something to snack on. They fell into their usual routine of bantering and bouncing things off of each other. Without realizing it, they were a team.

Castle poured out some wine, leaning forward, concerned. "So, what happened to your security detail? I didn't see anyone outside."

Oh please! Castle, I'm a cop! She quickly replied. "I sent them home after I got in. What? The windows are locked, the door is locked. I'm armed. So, our guy killed the others where they were found. Why not this girl? Why didn't he just leave her in the garage where we'd find her?"

They talked for a little while longer, as Castle thought about how he was going to break the news about her new "protection detail". He pours out some wine, and offers it to her, with a slight grin.

Ah, Castle, we can't do this. Need to be strong here. "No thanks", she began to shift on the couch.

Castle realized she was going to push him out the door. This is my fault, Kate. I'm not going to let you stay here alone! "No . . . . Agent Shaw said we need to decompress. Nothing decompresses like a 2000 Châteauneuf-du-Pape." The smirk back in place, Castle's eyes twinkled as her silently urged her to relax.

Kate rolled her eyes, sarcastically responding. "Oh, well, if Special Agent Shaw said so."

"What is that supposed to mean?" he returned. Kate noticed his gaze changed slightly. He really didn't understand where she was coming from.

Kate took a deep breath, prepared to push Castle away, again. "Nothing. I just see the way that you listen to her, the way that you look at all of her fancy equipment. Now my murder board's not enough for you? Now you need a smart board?" Gosh how needy was that? Ugh!

"Are you jealous?" he teased, like a little boy going after the girl-next-door.

Affronted by that, she replied. "I'm not jealous. I'm just embarrassed the way that you act like a 10-year-old all impressed by her data matrix. "Oh, it collates information so quickly, Agent Shaw. Tell me all about it." She mimicked Castle's comments from earlier that day. Her face and voice were mocking, but her eyes smiled at him. Look how much fun this is – teasing him right back!

"You are ridiculous," he scoffed, hoping she could see that he was trying to lighten the moment, and let her know that he understood her concerns. He never meant to disrupt their partnership.

They talked back and forth a bit more, with Castle realizing how much his enthusiasm came across to Kate in a negative way. They were on the same team, and he hoped she realized he never forgot that.

"Fine," he conceded at the end. "Now, drink your wine"

Kate rose, motioning to the door, "Thanks, but I'm tired. I need to go to bed." Wow, that sounded like an invitation! I'm not ready, really.

Castle looked at her, all joking aside. "No. I'm not leaving" His voice deepened with the seriousness of the emotions he felt coming through. "I'm here to protect you."

She smirked, "What, with your vast arsenal of rapier wit?". She loved these moments they shared. No one intrigued her as much as he did. It was a refreshing change.

Castle continued to look at her seriously, not breaking stride or focus. "There is a madman gunning for you because of me. I am not going to leave you alone."

Ok, roger that. Got it – you've got my back. "Ok, fine, I am too tired to argue." As she moved away, Castle poured her wine into his glass, and glanced around at her. "By the way, if I hear that doorknob turn – I sleep with a gun".

He smiled at her , acknowledging the comment, and relaxed. As her heard her door close, he grinned at his glass, taking a sip. "That's okay, Kate. I'll tackle that another time."