AN: So, this is my entry for the Ficathon. I'm going to make this quick as I can, but I will be putting some of my other stories on the backburner in order to finish this. Anyway, as always, constructive criticism is welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

"Come here, boy, come on," Kate said, gently patting the floor. The poor dog in front of her seemed so confused. The canine kept walking back and forth between the two, trying to decide who to go with. Kate prayed he would choose her. The short time she spent with Royal had been fun, and it was nice to have some company in her quiet apartment.

After another minute or two, Royal stopped turning and faced Kate. He trotted over to her, gave her cheek a big lick, and barked, making his decision clear.

"Good job, Royal," she praised, patting the dog on the head. Royal simply wagged his tail in excitement. She looked up to see Castle pouting, a disappointed expression on his face. Kate chuckled. "Don't look so sullen, Castle. You can come and visit him." Castle's expression brightened and he grinned. He walked over to her and handed her Royal's leash.

"Be careful," he joked. "I might become a frequent visitor to your apartment."

She certainly wouldn't mind that.

"Guess I'll just have to double up on the dog treats then," she teased. At the mention of food, Royal's ears perked up and he stared at Kate expectantly. "Not you." She shook her head, smiling.

After clipping the leash onto Royal's collar, Kate announced, "Okay buddy, time to go home."

"Bye, Beckett. Bye, Royal," Castle said, giving the dog a gentle pat on the head.

"Night, Castle," Beckett responded. Royal just barked.

She then turned around and headed into the elevator with her newest companion.

Kate arrived at her apartment an hour later, Royal trailing behind her on his leash. After she detached his leash, the canine happily bounded over to the couch and jumped on it, making himself comfortable.

"You know this isn't to become a habit, right?" Kate asked rhetorically. Royal cocked his head before lying down on the black leather, his head in-between his paws. "Fine," she relented, knowing she wasn't going to win the fight. She sat down next to him and Royal rested his head on her lap.

"I realize I need to buy you things, like food, a bed, and toys," she said, stroking the top of his head. "I also need to figure out what to do with you while I'm at work. I probably shouldn't leave you alone. Maybe Mrs. Hansen will be willing to watch you for a few hours," she mused. Her neighbor lived alone and probably would like some company. "I'll ask her tomorrow."

Royal rolled over on his back, his paws up in the air. Kate ran her hands over his stomach, causing him to pant happily.

"You're so adorable," she cooed, continuing to rub his belly. She laughed as he wagged his tail vigorously, creating a thumping sound as it hit the couch.

Suddenly, her phone pinged, indicating she received a text. Picking it up, she smiled as she read the message.

I'm at your door.

She raised an eyebrow, surprised he was missing Royal that quickly. Unless he just wanted to see her. She smiled at the thought before going to her door and opening it.

"Miss Royal already?" she teased, letting Castle into her apartment. She eyed the bags that he brought with him.

"What I can't just come to see you?" He feigned hurt. She rolled her eyes. "Okay, yes, I came to see Royal. However, I also come bearing gifts." He lifted up one of the plastic bags he was carrying. Royal, who had gotten up from the couch, sniffed the bag before circling Castle. "It's your lucky day, buddy. All the stuff I bought is for you."

Looking over Castle's shoulder, Kate saw more bags in the hallway. Her eyes widened as she saw a huge pile of plastic at her door.

"Castle, what did you buy?"

"Just a few necessities for Royal." She quirked an eyebrow. "I realized that you didn't have most of the things that dogs need, so I took the liberty of buying some things."

"What did you do, buy the whole shop?" It wouldn't surprise her if he did.

"Noooo," he replied slowly. "Just necessities." He pulled out a large bag of dog food. "I figured you would need this, especially since I doubt you were going to give him food from your barren fridge."

Kate took the bag and placed it on the counter. "Thanks. I was actually going to buy some stuff later though."

Castle shrugged. "I'm sure. I just wanted to help." Kate gave him a grateful smile, signaling for him to continue. "I also bought doggie bowls, a bed, another leash, a brush, and a lot of other things."

She opened one of the bags and looked inside. Various toys filled the bag, from squeaky ones to hard plastic chew toys. Royal walked over and stuck his head in the bag, grabbed a bone shaped toy with his mouth, and walked over to Castle, wagging his tail.

"He doesn't need all these toys, Castle," Kate reprimanded.

"Oh, come on, Beckett. Look how happy he is!" He grinned and gestured to Royal, who seemed impatient, nudging Castle's knee with his head. "We'll play in a bit, let me just give Beckett the rest of your things."

After bringing in the rest of items, Kate found that most of the things were useful. Castle had bought a few bags of food as well as small bags of dog treats. He also had shampoos for treating fleas and ticks. He had bought an extra collar too.

"Thanks for buying all of this, Castle," Kate said as she set up the brown dog bed near the couch. She smiled at the little paw prints that surrounded the outside of the fluffy cushion.

"It's no trouble; I figured I'd give you a bit of a hand."

Kate considered it more than a bit, but his gesture was still sweet. When she looked over at him, she saw him throwing the bone toy and Royal, who ran to fetch it. The dog came back to Castle with the toy, tail swinging, and dropped it at the author's feet.

"Good boy," Castle praised, rubbing Royal's head. He then looked at her. "Don't forget that rubbing technique I showed you."

The rubbing motion he had done to her hand as an example? The demonstration that ignited a fire in her belly and made her want to jump him? How could she forget?

"Don't worry, I remember," she replied smoothly. "So," she started, grinning as she watched the game of fetch between the dog and author. "Do you want to stay for dinner?"

His head turned to her and he replied, "Unfortunately, no. I promised Alexis I would be home for dinner. However, we can take a rain check." He beamed at her.

Kate rolled her eyes. "Why do I have a feeling that you're going to be visiting a lot?"

"Because you can't say no and you enjoy seeing Royal happy?"

"Maybe," she retorted. "I mean, I'm sure I'm enough company for Royal. Isn't that right, boy?" she said as she scratched the canine's ears. Royal responded by lifting his head up and giving her head a lick. "He agrees with me."

"But he needs some fun in his life. His life can't be totally boring."

"Are you saying I can't have fun, Castle?" she teased.

"Oh, I'm sure you can have fun, Beckett. Except the fun I'm thinking of doesn't involve a dog." His eyes held a mischievous glint and he winked.

"Some other time." She winked and almost laughed when his jaw dropped. "You're too easy."

"Evil woman," he muttered. Suddenly his phone rang and he removed it from his pocket. He glanced at quickly before putting it away. "I'm needed at home," he said and Kate could tell he didn't want to leave. She didn't want him to either. "Anyway, bye Royal. Until Tomorrow, Beckett."

She opened the door and waved as Castle left.

"Bye, Castle," she shouted down the hallway before shutting the door. She turned around to see Royal waiting for her again.

"He thinks I can't be fun, huh?" she said, picking up a squeaky toy. "We'll see about that, won't we, Royal? Now, go fetch!" She threw the cow-shaped object across the room and chuckled as Royal went after it enthusiastically.

She could get used to this.

AN: So, here it is. This is going to be a series of connected one-shots since that seems to be the way my brain is organizing this fic. Anyway, constructive criticism is welcome!