I do not own any part or NCIS or Castle. The original characters are my own creation, as well as the plot line. Enjoy!

"Abby, he's never going to let me go."

"But McGee, this is a huge honor!" Abby exclaimed. "You have to go."

Tim shook his head. "No, it's fine. I need to be here."

"McGee," Abby began but was interrupted by Tony and Ziva entering the lab. "Hey guys."

"Gibbs wants to know what we've got from the slugs," Tony announced but Abby was still staring at Tim. "Is there something we need to know?"

Abby groaned. "McGee won't ask for a few days off to fly to New York where he is being honored for Deep Six."

"Do you get a special award, McGee?" Ziva asked.

He nodded. "But it's nothing special. They can just send me the award."

"Send what award, McGee?"

The four of them jumped as their boss entered the lab, a Caf-Pow in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.

"Hey Gibbs," Abby said as Gibbs moved closer to them, a skeptical look on his face. "I don't have anything yet from the slugs."

"What about the prints on his belt buckle?" he asked, moving his stare from Tim to Ziva to Tony and back.

"Um, I found Janson's prints and one other set which belonged to his wife, Kelsey," Abby stated. "Either he forgot how to put his belt on that morning or he was getting lucky before work."

Abby stopped talking as she noticed Gibbs standing directly in front of Tim. "Do you have something you need to discuss with me, Agent McGee?"

Tim shook his head, but Abby couldn't help herself. "McGee is supposed to be accepting an award for his book in New York but he didn't want to ask for time off."

"Is this the book you wrote about us?"

Tony held back his laugh as Tim slowly nodded his head. "Yes, boss."

"You should go. Do you need a date?" Gibbs asked.

Tim smiled. "Is that an offer, boss?"

But Gibbs failed to see the humor. "I was going to say you should take Abby but I'm sure I can find something here for you both to stay and do."

"No!" they both exclaimed.

Now, Gibbs smiled. "Good, but you don't get to leave until we solve this case. So get to work."

Gibbs left and Tony and Ziva followed closely behind, but McGee kept his spot next to Abby. "So, Mr. Gemcity, what exactly does this weekend entail?"

"Beckett."

"How would you like to be my date this weekend to a lovely awards ceremony at the Four Seasons?"

She smiled at how unexcited he sounded. "I thought you were taking Alexis?"

Rick sighed. "She and my mother decided a girl's weekend in DC was more important. So are you in or no?"

"When should I be ready?"

"I will be at your apartment at four this afternoon. And make sure you have enough fancy clothes for three days. There are all kinds of activities planned."

Kate smiled again. "I'll see you at four." She hung up her phone and stood up from her oversized chair, leaving her signed copy of Naked Heat open on the arm of the chair before she walked down the hardwood floor barefoot towards her bedroom, searching frantically through her closet for clothes to pack.

Two hours later, the doorbell rang to her apartment and she put her book down in the same spot to answer the door. She pulled the door open and found Rick standing in the hall, his signature grin on his face. "Are you ready?"

She nodded and grabbed her suitcase before heading out the door. "So what will this weekend entail?"

Rick smiled as he opened the door for her. "Tonight, there is a mixer for all of the authors being honored and their dates. Tomorrow, there is brunch, book signing and panels for fans and then dinner in the ballroom. And Sunday, there is the award ceremony at 3."

"Sounds exciting," Kate said. "I wonder what people will think when they find out you brought the real Nikki Heat to this writer's weekend."

He laughed as he put the key in the ignition, stating the car. "They are going to love it."

It wasn't a long drive to the hotel for them. They pulled into the parking loop, a concierge rushing to open Kate's door first and then Rick's. Another concierge unloaded their bags from the trunk and placed them on a cart, wheeling it behind Kate and Rick to the main lobby.

"Checking in," Rick said as they approached the front desk, a petite blonde with a nametag that read 'Savannah' standing at the computer.

"Mr. Castle?" Savannah asked and Rick nodded. "Here are your keys. You're in room 4325, if you take the West elevators up to the fourth floor, the room will be down the hall on your right. Your itinerary for the weekend is in your room, as well as a contact sheet for the hotel in case you need anything."

Rick smiled at the young girl. "Thank you." They followed the same young concierge who gathered their suitcases to the elevator on the opposite side of the lobby, where they waited silently for the doors to open. They all stepped off the elevator to the fourth floor and walked down the hallway, still silent, until they ended in front of room 4325. Rick handed the concierge a $20 bill from his pocket as he pulled the card key out, ready to unlock the door.

"Your room awaits, my lady," Rick announced as he swung the door open, revealing the $700 a night room to a smiling Kate.