Strawberries and revenge, so sweet – By Morgan-Starr.

Rating: Mature (for later on in the story)

Characters: Castle/Beckett

Plot: Castle has finished his book and is hoping that this doesn't have to mean the end of their relationship; Kate on the other hand has bigger and better plans for him.

Theme: Romance/comedy.

The night outside was cold, the air was thick with calm and excitement for tonight was the grand opening; Richard Castle was no longer shadowing Detective Kate Beckett. He had spent the best part of the past 6 months following her around and taking notes, of her work, of murders, of victims and offenders.

As Rick stumbled out of the taxi he turned around to see what he had fallen over, it was nothing, he really had drank too much…he should have listened to Kate when she had told him; but Rick had better idea's. He had spent the last 4 hours; dazzling, writing, speaking, drinking and entertaining and now he was just beat.

He threw a twenty at the driver and thanked him, stumbling towards the entrance to his apartment. Again, tripping over something that wasn't actually there and finally reached the doors, giving a small sigh of relief as he entered the lobby. He wobbled his way towards the lift with a huge goofy grin plastered over his face and pressed the call button.

Riding his way up to the top floor he had a moment to think to himself, he had a moment to think about how much he would miss Kate and if there was any way he could get to see her again. Totally coming to a loss- he stepped out onto his floor and fumbled around in his pockets for the keys, unlocking the door and closing it behind him. He rested back against the door and sighed softly to himself, closing his eyes.

It was nice to have the house to himself, it felt strange being so empty but it was nice to be able to just walk around and do whatever he wanted without judging eyes. He pulled off his jacket and threw it towards the coat rack, missing it and leaving it on the floor. He leaned against the wall with one hand and began to take off his shoes, wobbling around in the process.

Once he had taken off his shoes he made his way into the kitchen and found a nice bottle of Champagne and some strawberries, taking them into the lounge and flopping down on the rather simple but expensive couch. About to take his first bite he was interrupted by his cell phone; could it have been his daughter calling from her school trip to England, could it have been his mother calling from her new house to inform him that she was stuck in the bathroom again? No, it was Kate.

"You know, it's not mandatory for you to call me at such an hour…" he told her teasingly.

"Funny Castle…Rick" she replied bluntly, although her voice was filled with sadness and a little croaky, which of course Rick picked up on.

Quickly sitting up from his slouched position he leaned more into the phone as if she was there with him and shook his head "You sound kinda goofy, are you okay?" he asked, hoping that it was nothing drastic.

His concern was enough to make her burst into tears again, she felt stupid for letting him hear her like this…but she had been drinking the same as Rick and it was harder to hide emotions when you had been drinking a depressive drug like alcohol. "I…I don't know Rick…I can't loose somebody else"

"Hey…you're not loosing anybody" he assured her, his tone soft and soothing.

"Yeah but…I wont see you again, you're a big shot and I'm…I'm just –me" she told him honestly, she was never in his league.

"Now listen to me Katherine, don't you put yourself down like that…you're the sweetest woman I know" he told her firmly, supportively.

A small giggle came down the line and Castle shook his head with a smile "Listen, tomorrow…me and you are going to dinner, I'll pick you up at 7, wear something revealing and make sure your ready to be dazzled and swept off your feet." He warned, only causing her to laugh more.

"Castle, you're such a goofball…but Okay…I'll see you tomorrow" she assured.

"Bye"

"Bye Rick"

2 hours later

Rick had found his way to her apartment with his champagne and his box of sweet strawberries; a little more sober now than he had been earlier…he had eaten and drank coffee so that he could stay awake longer.

Knocking gently on her door he waited for her to answer before smiling brightly "So I was in the area…thought I'd drop by and see how you are" he told her, noting that she was in bed clothes and looked as if she had been asleep.

"Are you crazy, its 3am…and, and tomorrow-"

"Is Sunday" he finished, grinning and pushing by her until he was in her apartment; he had never been here before, but he was impressed by it's impeccable cleanliness and her attention to detail.

"Rick…you brought Champagne and Strawberries?" she asked him sceptically, not even understanding the logic behind that.

"Yes, I wanted to drink the champagne from your bellybutton and then cover you in strawberries and eat them off you" he informed her with a boyish grin.

After six months of cat and mouse, playground banter, poking, laughing, annoying…it was time to get revenge on Richard once and for all. "Oh, that sounds divine" she whispered, her response subtle and seductive. She took a step towards him and grabbed his hand, leading him to the lounge and throwing him down on the couch "Sit, wait…" she told him, her tone authoritive.

Ricks eyes were wide, wide with anticipation, disbelief and excitement. He couldn't believe that she was finally going to bed him.

Kate on the other hand, had other plans-plans that involved handcuffs, strawberries and torture. She danced around her bedroom and put on her best undergarments and headed back into the lounge.

Ricks eyes widened more and his jaw dropped a little when she entered clad in nothing but sexy underwear. "Kate…" he started, but he was cut off.

"Do not talk…" she warned him, going behind him and cuffing his hands behind his back.

To be continued….