Title:Let Me In

Author: CRene

Rating: T

Summary: An invitation to a wedding brings the gang of the 12th precinct closer together. Can Kate finally admit the truth to herself and Rick? Will Rick and Kate finally have the discussion they have been neglecting to have for months?

Note1: Feedback is not needed, but is very well appreciated; just a little note goes a long way in my world. I also realize I have OutOfGoodbyes to continue, but I can multitask when needed.

Note2: This story takes place after Season 4 Episode 8, yet without the viewing of any episode after that, but I am counting the days until Kill shot comes on. Set in Spring of 2012.

Chapter One:

They had just caught the killer of a long exhausting case, and while Esposito and Ryan were finishing up, Castle sat in his spot next to the woman that held his heart. She knew where he stood about his feelings for her, but he didn't know that. Castle watched Beckett finish up the last of the paperwork.

"You know Ryan's wedding is only a week away," Castle mentioned looking over at the fellow detectives in the 12th Precinct that he had worked with the past three years.

"I know, Castle," Beckett replied signing her name on the last file.

"Well, since we are both invited, how about we go together," Castle suggested before taking a sip of his coffee not being able to look at her.

"As in a date?"

"Well I guess that is up to you," he stated hoping, praying that she would say yes on both accounts.

"I don't know, Castle."

"Save on fuel, I hear going green is in these days," he retorted.

"I'll think about it," she responded turning off her computer and grabbing her purse from the desk drawer.

She watched him sit there as she got up from her desk and walked away. She didn't know what to think about the invitation or Castle for that matter. She still had not told him that she had heard him that fateful day at Captain Montgomery's funeral when she had gotten shot. The two of them had come so far since then, yet they were as farther apart as ever. Kate knew she felt something for Castle, but was it enough to go to that place where neither of them could ever take back. Then she still had her mother's murder to solve which involved solving Captain Montgomery's murder and her shooting. Everything tied together like a little bow, and once she solved one crime, they would all fall into place and she could move on with her life. Did this life include Castle in a more personal level? Did she want him in her life on a personal level? She didn't know how to answer that, just yet, but maybe her fellow detective's wedding would help put two and two together.

"Castle, are you coming or are you going to sit there all night with your mouth wide open," Beckett asked watching him not move since she had walked half way past the bullpen.

"Coming," he replied catching up to Beckett and waving to Esposito and Ryan, "see you tomorrow, boys."

Things were looking up for the gang at the 12th precinct. Esposito and Ryan watched the non-couple/couple get into the elevator both of them not looking at one another, yet each with that little smile they had when they were thinking of the other.

"See, man, I told you this wedding of yours was going to be epic even if I'm not the best man," Esposito stated to his best friend and partner.

"She didn't say yes," Ryan responded realizing that Castle and Beckett did not realize their conversation could be overhead by everyone in the bullpen.

"Oh, she is going to say yes. I have on good authority she is going to say yes," Esposito said smiling that smooth smile of his that could melt even the dead's heart.

"You mean, you're going to tell Lanie about this little development?"

"Yup, she knows it and we know it, those two belong together."

"I thought you and Dr. Parrish weren't on speaking terms."

"We have an understanding," Javier Esposito pointed out picking up his phone and calling the good doctors number. "We are friends with benefits, with no discussion about marriage or long-standing equipment."

"Yeah, because that has worked so well in the past," Detective Kevin Ryan commented knowing the Esposito was head over heels in love with Dr. Lanie Parish, but the boy was a hard one to crack.

Love was in the air at the 12th precinct these days and all of them were hoping a wedding would bring them even closer together.