So, this is a Secret Santa for TheDanishWriter, who requested a Christmas dinner with the whole family. I haven't written in a while so I've got a bunch of plot bunnies that just wanted to join in. It'll be 3-4 chapters depending on how I break it up, and it gets to the real request more towards the end. It just needs a bit more smoothing out, so no worries it'll be done by the deadline.

Usual disclaimer: I own nothing


Staring through the one-way glass from the darkened observation room with his arms folded, Detective Ryan turned to his partner. "Why's she going after him so hard, she's known he didn't do it for like ten minutes now?"

A small huff of amusement escaped his lips before he said. "Duh bro, this means there's no way we're closing this case by tomorrow. We'll be stuck working on Christmas"

"Seriously? We were supposed to be done early today! Don't you think we could just pass the case off? It's not our turn to be on call for the holiday and I had plans, man, awesome plans."

"You know Beckett's not going to let us do that. She'll say the vic's family has already gotten comfortable with us and they deserve to get closure regardless of the holiday. And you know what? She's right."

Ryan fixed his glance on the floor and scuffed his shoe guiltily. The image of Jenny stretched out on the Caribbean sands in her new bikini flicked through his mind—so much for that. Why did he have to make so much sense?

"Let's go, they're coming out" The two investigators hurried outside as Beckett was leading Castle and what had been their best and only suspect into the bullpen.

"—free to go, and again, Mr. Zheng, I am sorry for your loss. If you think of anything, please call any time." As the man disappeared through the precinct, the team let out a collective sigh. Each waited, not wanting to be the one to say what they all knew.

"Look guys," Beckett began hesitantly, "with no leads, I'm sorry but, we're definitely working through the holiday. We can take off early tomorrow so you can have a little time to celebrate, but that's it. I'm going to give Gates the news then take another look at the victims phone records, you guys see what else you can turn up however you can."

As she strode off, the three men remained, two of them looked dejected, but Castle seemed to be stifling a smile. Barely managing a sympathetic intonation he began, "So your guys' plans for Christmas are…"

"Shot." Ryan said bitterly. "Jenny and I couldn't decide who's parents to spent Christmas with so we decided to go to the beach together instead and spend time with each of them later. Our flight was tonight; she's gonna be so pissed." He hung his head.

"What about you, Espo?"

"Lanie and I were going to cook a full feast together, but I don't think we'll have time for that now. Looks like Chinese again…"

"Well, I was thinking," Castle said, "since I'm not officially a member of this team, I could go home and—"

"No way!" The coincidence of their mirrored exclamations made the two detectives freeze and shoot each other quizzical looks. Then they both stepped threateningly towards the writer. "If we're stuck here, so are you."

Castle's arms flew up, his palms out defensively. "Whoa guys, I was just saying I Alexis and I could cook while you guys worked and then we could all have a proper dinner together. " He watched carefully as their glares softened.

"Jenny could come?" Ryan asked.

"Of course, Jenny, Lanie, everyone—I'll even invite Gates if you want." All three heads snapped towards the glass office where the captain seemed to be giving Beckett another stern talking to.

"Okay, maybe not—but it'll be fun, you guys, please?" He put his best puppy dog eyes.

Esposito spoke first. "Aw hell, who could resist a face like that? I'll tell Lanie about the change of plans. Come on Ryan," he slapped his partner on the back, "Castle won't even mind if Jenny wears her bikini"

He perked up for a second, "You think she'd do that?" The others stifled a laugh. "Yeah, probably not. Still I think we'll take you up on the offer, I just have to check with her first."

The smile on Castle's face quickly stretched from ear to ear. "Fantastic! I'll tell Beckett." He then practically sprinted towards the desk where she had begun to pour over the phone records. The excess energy with which he plopped down caused the chair to noisily scrape back a few inches, earning him glares from around the room.

"So…"

"What Castle? I'm trying to get some work done." There was a bit more snap to her voice than usual, but he ignored it.

"Did you have plans for the holiday?" He should have felt guilty for hoping her plans were ruined, but the image of sharing Christmas with Kate and his family was just too perfect. There was nothing he wanted more. Well, except the promise that they would spend every Christmas that way—but he could wait for that.

"Yeah, I was supposed to spend it with my dad's family, but since it would have been a few hours drive, it looks like that won't be happening."

Yes! God, he was so going to hell for reveling in this. "If you want, you can join my family's festivities."

"Oh no," she couldn't look him in the eye because he'd know her refusal wasn't genuine, "I couldn't intrude."

An impulse over took him and he reached out, using a finger to gently guide her chin up so their eyes met. "You are always welcome in our house." The corners of her mouth began to curl upwards, maybe because of the sentiment, maybe because he was still touching her.

Sadly, his hand dropped away as the moment passed. "Besides, Espo and Ryan already said they would be there."

She let out a sigh. This wasn't just for them, and she would have to share him. Still, with the others around, there was less pressure on her, and it was a lot better than spending Christmas alone. "Okay I'm in."

"Excellent," Castle could barely contain himself, "another Misfit Christmas!"

Beckett shot him a dirty look "Did you just call me a misfit, Castle?"

"No, I-uh-well…"

"Spit it out Castle!"

"Misfit Christmas is just my name for an old tradition…" his voice trailed off as he leaned back in his chair, lost in memories.

"You just going to leave me hanging? 'Cause the only image I'm conjuring up involves a polka-dotted elephant."

A snort of laughter escaped as he said, "It goes back to when Alexis was little. After Meredith left us, I really wanted a big Christmas but we don't have any other family to invite. So I just asked around. Anyone who couldn't get to their family, or didn't have one I invited; college friends, single mothers from Alexis's school, once even an intern from the publishing house! We had a blast." His blue eyes had come so alive with the memories, Beckett thought she could almost see them playing out, if she just leaned little closer…

But then he shook his head, closing those wonderful eyes in the process. "It couldn't last forever; people moved on and started their own families. Then when I married Gina—well, she thought it was dumb." He looked to his partner, who was now shaking her head as well. "You think it's stupid too?"

"No!" It came out louder than she had intended, but god forbid he ever associates anything about her with his ex-wife. Before she spoke again she lowered her voice, comforting, "I think it's sweet Castle, really sweet."

"So you'll come?" Castle was positively beaming.

"Yeah, I'll be there" Her confirmation had him shooting up from his chair, this time sending it so far back he had to resituate it as he picked up his coat.

"Okay then! Lots to do. Tell the boys dinner's at six, but feel free to come earlier." He was already halfway to the elevator when he hollered back his goodbye.


By 5pm they finally had suspects, fifteen of them, and there was no way Gates was going to let her bring the victim's entire office in for questioning. Her head dropped to the desk. She had run herself into the ground trying to finish this case in enough time for everyone to make their plans, and now she was exhausted with nothing to show for it. She could feel herself drifting off; she could afford to rest for just a few minutes…

The sudden buzz of her phone against her leg jolted her out of it. Taking a deep breath to slow her heart rate she withdrew the offending object from her pocket. Castle.

-come over when youre done tonite- After the day she'd had there was nothing she wanted more, but she couldn't give in that easy.

-I don't even know if I can respond to grammar that atrocious-

-Its texting youre allowed to shorten stuf-

-You have a full keyboard; you have no excuse-

-I know, I just like to fluster you-

"Augh!" She quickly snapped her head around to see if anyone had noticed her outburst but the room was blissfully empty.

-Don't know if I can, it might be pretty late-

-Late is fine-

She was still considering the ramifications of that statement when her phone sounded again.

-Oh, and wear something you can get dirty-


Ok, 1 more A.N. to tell you that I really appreciate reviews including constructive criticism. I always end up editing things. Thanks for reading.