This is a two-shot and I'll post the 2nd chapter in the next day or so.

If you have any prompts just review and let me know because I'm going to run out of ideas soon and I'm really enjoying writing Castle fanfics. I've posted a couple in the last few days so check them out :)

AU-ish. Set mid season 4 but Beckett didn't get shot at the end of season 3.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle or the characters.

They were at the precinct when Ryan and Esposito invited Castle and Beckett out to drinks that night. Lanie and Jenny were also going and they were going to make a night out of it together. Beckett declined saying she already had a date with her boyfriend that evening and Castle declined saying he was planning to write since he had a chapter due.

XXX

Castle sat alone drinking at The Old Haunt. He'd told the boys that he was going to be writing but in truth he already had plans that night with his girlfriend. Castle and Beckett had been dating for a year now and in fact, it was their one year anniversary today which is why they wanted to spend it together. They were keeping their relationship a secret but they were planning to tell everyone soon, especially if Castle's plans for the evening were successful. Castle knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Kate and he hoped that tonight, she'd agree to spending the rest of their lives together. They were meeting at The Old Haunt for a drink before they went out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary.

He was sitting at the bar waiting for Kate to arrive. He patted his pocket to ensure he still had the ring. As nervous as he was about what he was about to do, he was also very excited. He knew without a doubt that he wanted to marry her and he couldn't wait to tell her that. He had his whole speech planned and was currently practicing it in his mind. In truth, he'd been planning his proposal since their first date together which had been at this very bar, which is why he was going to propose here.

He kept glancing at the door, knowing that she'd be here soon. He'd offered to pick her up but she had said she'd wanted to meet him here instead since it's where they had their first official date. So when Castle heard the door open, he looked up, hoping to see Kate Beckett walk through the door. What he didn't expect to see was Ryan, Esposito, Lanie and Jenny to walk in. Castle was too late to try and slip out unseen when Ryan noticed him sitting at the bar by himself.

"Castle, what are you doing here? I thought you had to write tonight?" questioned Ryan, thinking Castle was just slacking off. But if he didn't want to be writing, why did he decline their invitation for drinks?

"I…." Castle couldn't come up with a good reason for being there alone, especially after he'd declined their invitation out, without bringing up Beckett.

"It's okay bro, I understand. Drowning your sorrows since Beckett is out on a hot date right? We all know how you feel about her, so why not just tell her the truth?" Castle hadn't been expecting Esposito to say something like that.

Before Castle could reply to Javier, Lanie cut in, "Javi, don't be so mean and I'm sorry Castle, but you really should've made your move a long time ago, I did tell you that. And it does seem like she really likes the guy she's with now." She looked sadly at Castle, wishing him and Beckett had had a chance together but nevertheless, she as still happy for her best friend who seemed happy with this other guy, even if she wouldn't tell her who he was.

"Castle wasn't man enough to just tell her he liked her," said Esposito laughing, he'd obviously had a bit to drink, "And I bet you'd still be too scared to tell her now."

"Leave him alone Espo, he's probably upset enough without you rubbing his face in it," said Ryan, trying to pull his best friend over to a table to leave Castle in peace.

"You know what," said Castle, an idea forming in his mind, "I'm going to tell Beckett how I feel, just to prove you wrong."

Esposito laughed at him, "I bet you wouldn't, you wouldn't have the guts."

"Do you want to bet on it then?" asked Castle. Of course he would win this, there was no way he could lose since he told Beckett that he loved her all the time and they were already planning on telling everyone about their relationship, so why not do it this way?

"You want to put your money where your mouth is?" Esposito challenged. He didn't believe Castle would actually say anything to Beckett, not after all the chances he'd had to and besides, she was already in a relationship.

"I say we bet on something other than money." After thinking for a moment, Castle continued, "If you win, you can borrow my Ferrari whenever you want for a month and if I win, you have to do most of Beckett's paper work for a month, deal?" asked Castle. This way if Beckett had less paper work to do, they could spend more time together.

"Why would you want that?" responded Esposito, confused by Castle's bet.

"Well, if it turns out she likes me back, then we're going to want all the free time we can have, right?" answered Castle, winking at Esposito which caused him to cringe. He really didn't want to think about what Castle wanted to do with Beckett in their free time.

Castle was now facing away from the door so it was Esposito who saw Beckett enter the bar first.

"So, the bet is that next time you see her, you have to tell her how you feel, right?" asked Espostio, knowing that Castle wouldn't go through with it right now, especially with having no time to prepare.

"Deal," said Castle, extending his hand for Esposito to shake, which he did. Castle knew that Beckett would be arriving any minute, he just hoped she would forgive him for what he was about to do in front of their friends. He patted his pocket again and yes, the ring was still there.

Lanie, Ryan and Jenny were all watching in interest as they had just seen Beckett walk through the door.

"Well, you're in luck bro, because she's just walked through the door," said Esposito, trying to hold in his laughter. He knew either way he'd win the bet, it was just a matter of how much Castle was going to embarrass himself first. Things were about to get very interesting.

Thanks for reading, let me know what you thought and again, prompts are welcome! :)