A/N: This story will be an ongoing collection of prompt fills and ficlets that I've posted on tumblr; I'm really just posting them here for my own organisation. They're all unrelated one-shots and fairly short. If you'd like to send me a prompt feel free, my tumblr is l03l :)

Prompt:

"In "'til death do us part" Castle describes his date, but before he's able to tell Beckett that it's Alexis, Kate leaves the room, because she can't handle the fact that he has someone new."

"You're bringing a date?"

To say she's caught off guard would be an understatement. Any lingering amusement at Esposito's antics disappears, and she turns to Castle as he responds.

"I am."

"Who?"

"Oh. Well, she's beautiful, she's intelligent, she's funny, the way she smiles at me sometimes just melts my heart…"

She pushes her chair back, the sound of it dragging against the floor loud and grating.

"I need to file this," she grits out, gathering up the half-finished paperwork that's spread across the break room table before standing and leaving the room.

She drops the file on her desk, falling into her chair with a soft groan.

How is he bringing a date?

They've been… getting closer, and she really thought there was no mistake as to where they're headed. Three days ago she was looking over her shoulder and promising him that the next time they're handcuffed together there won't be a tiger involved. Now he's dating someone new?

Logically, she knows he has every right, but that doesn't negate the jealousy bubbling in her gut, nor does it prevent her from acting irrationally and running away, apparently.

She was looking forward to a night out with him – with all of their friends – and now she's going to have to watch him with some beautiful, intelligent woman whose smile melts his heart.

"It's Alexis."

He holds the coffee she left in the break room out to her like a peace offering.

"Alexis is my date for Ryan's wedding."

"Oh."

Her cheeks flame, but his smile isn't smug, it's understanding.

"I didn't want to go alone, and I wasn't sure if…" he trails off, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I didn't want to assume anything."

His words are vague, but she understands perfectly. He didn't want to assume they'd face the wedding together, and he didn't want to take someone else. Alexis is the perfect solution.

Here he is, being so careful, so tentative, while she's showing her hand for everyone to see, stalking off at the first mention of him dating someone. There's no way to salvage it, though, not after such a blatant and childish display of jealousy, so she just looks up at him, transparent.

"You could have assumed, Castle," she murmurs. "Save me a dance or two?"

She told Esposito not five minutes ago that she'd dance with him if his plans didn't work out, but it's different with Castle. Like everything between them now, there's an undercurrent of someday, the indication that their future holds dancing at weddings where they aren't guests, handcuffs for purposes that aren't even slightly work-related.

He knows it too; he sees in her eyes all that she wants to share with him when she's capable of doing so.

He nods, taking her hand as if he's about to ask her to dance in the middle of the precinct, but instead focusing her attention, ensuring she doesn't miss the promise implicit in his words.

"I can't wait."

…

She's making small talk with Ryan's relatives when she sees him enter the church, surprisingly alone.

"Where's your date?"

She's grinning at him, so excited to see Ryan marry Jenny, to celebrate with her friends, with Castle. He's always in a category of his own.

He turns to her, confident as he holds out his hand despite the glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes.

"Right here."

Her smile widens, her whole face alight with joy as she entwines her fingers with his.

"Okay."

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