People wanted a sequel to The Day Off so here's the beginning of one (but you don't need to have read that fic to read this one). This will not be the same as The Hamptons episode from season 5 as it's AU from my previous fic which was set in season 4.

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

It had been several months since they'd started dating and things were going well between them, so much so that Castle was planning on inviting Beckett to spend the week away with him at his home in The Hamptons. It was funny, how easy the transition between just friends and being in a relationship had actually been but that's probably due to how close they'd been before that. Now, they spend most days together and most nights at either of their apartments.

After only a month of being together, Castle had shifted some of his things around in this room, making room for some of her stuff at his place which prompted Beckett to do the same. They've been spending increasingly more time at his house due to his need to see his family as well but it was nice that they had personal belongings at both their homes. Castle had toyed with the idea of asking her to move in with him but he hasn't yet, wanting to at least to try take things slow.

They'd been very good at that, taking things slow, the slow build up to their relationship which lasted several years before they finally dived into it together with their "I love you's" and sleeping together on their first date, no longer taking it slow any more. Truthfully, Castle's already bought her an engagement ring and is just waiting until he thinks she's ready to give it to her. He knows she's in this completely, just like he is, but he's determined to take things slow, go at a normal pace in their relationship for once.

They're currently curled up on his couch together, watching a movie while his mother and daughter are out for the evening and this is the perfect opportunity to finally ask her to The Hamptons with him.

"I have an idea," Castle said, picking up the remote to pause the movie before he shifted, dislodging Beckett from his side so he could turn and face her as he spoke.

"If this is anything like your last idea, I'm all for it," Beckett smirked, her voice a tease as she ran her fingers down his arm as she saw his eyes darken.

"Later," he promised, trying to not let the heat in her eyes distract him from what he wants to say, something he's been building up the courage to ask since they sat down (and for the last few days).

"Is everything okay?" He suddenly seemed nervous, something she hadn't seen on him in a while around her.

"Yeah," he replied, the smile on his face reassuring her as her wandering fingers reached his hand and she twined her fingers with his.

"What's your idea then?"

"Do you remember when we first started dating and I suggested we take some time off together and go to The Hamptons?" He didn't think she'd turn him down, at least not because she didn't want to go with him, but it didn't mean he wasn't nervous to be asking her.

"Yeah," she nodded, smiling at the memory of their first morning together as he tried to convince her to stay in bed with him and take another day off. She also thought back to how she'd felt at the time he'd asked. It had cemented in her mind that this wasn't just some sort of fling between them that would end soon. It was them making plans in the future, still months away, that she knew they'd keep because this thing between them wasn't something temporary, it was permanent.

"Well, I was thinking, what if we take the next week off and-"

Beckett cut him off, not even letting him start on the list of reasons he's thought of to convince her to take a holiday with him, "Yes."

"What?"

"Yes, I'll go away to The Hamptons with you," Beckett said, a bright smile lighting her face as she spoke, already looking forward to a week alone with him when she's only just heard his idea. She does spend a fair bit of time alone with him already, especially when they spend the night at her place. But work is always there, in the back of her mind, forcing them to work late nights and making them get out of bed a lot earlier than she'd like some mornings. So the thought of them alone together at his house by the beach, with nothing to do but spend time together has Beckett wanting to be away with him as soon as possible.

"But...I don't even have to try to convince you to take time off work?" Had she really accepted so easily? Not that he's complaining but he expected more convincing her to be required.

"Nope," she said, popping the p, "work can wait for a week."

"Really?" He's not sure why he's questioning her decision but he needs to reassure himself she really has thought this through before saying yes.

"In the past, my job and solving my mother's case may have been the most important thing to me but it's not any more, you are," she answered shyly, letting her hair fall in front of her face to hide the blush that she knew was now staining her cheeks. She hoped that he knew that, that she's done enough in the past few months to show him how much she really does love him and how much he means to her but this is the first time she's voiced this thought.

He disentangles their hands from where they've been resting on her thigh so he can cup her cheek and then he kisses her with everything he has, letting the joy spill from his lips to hers at the words she's just said.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips, saying the words that were still fairly new to them but he said them as often as he could, wanting her to know without a doubt how he felt about her.

Castle pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, voice low as he spoke, "I had a whole list of reasons I was going to use to convince you of why we should go away together and if that didn't work, I had a few other methods of persuasion up my sleeve." His last words were punctuated by his hands moving down her body, his turn to tease her with his touch.

"And what other methods of persuasion would that be?" Beckett asked glancing up at him, fake innocence in her voice as she threw her leg over his and settled into his lap.

"Something similar to the idea I had the other night," he replied before he reached up, pulling her down so he could kiss her again.

Good thing they're home alone tonight, because he doesn't think they're going to make it to the bedroom any time soon.

I can't promise quick updates but I will update whenever I find the time. Thoughts? Want more?