A/N: So normally I write, and when the story is done, I start posting it. Because I don't have lots of time to write and wouldn't want to leave something half finished. But this one is something I wanted to get out before the new episode - or at least get the first chapters posted - and so it's not actually completed yet. Hence there may be a delay with new chapters.

As always, I'm delighted to receive any reviews & comments. Pleeeeease?

Cumulonimbus

"Dad!" Alexis bounded across the room as Castle came through the door of the loft.

"Hey, Alexis. You're wearing that look that usually precedes a request of some sort."

She tilted her head and smiled in recognition of his recognition. "Yes, but you'll love it. Remember when I was 9 and we were at the beach and that storm came in? And we spent the whole night watching the rain and waves?"

"And we watched 'The Perfect Storm'," he nodded, recalling the evening. "And I'm pretty sure you finished a whole bag of marshmallows by yourself."

"Yes! Well I saw on the Weather Channel, there's a big storm due to come in over the coast this-"

"Wait, you were watching the Weather Channel?" He looked at her with a mixture of confusion and disgust. "You know we have about 1546 other channels? All of which have significantly more watchable programming? Although not if it's Jersey Shore, I'll give you that."

Alexis summoned her long-suffering look. "We have a geography project on weather systems, I was doing research."

"Oh." He nodded.

"Anyway, there's a storm coming in and I thought, how cool would it be to go out to the beach house and sit through it again?"

"Oh, Alexis. I'm not sure I've ever been more proud of you," he tucked her under an arm and kissed the top of her head, "Wait, this isn't part of your school work is it?"

"Not really... I had the idea while I was studying, and I would be able to use the experience in the project... But mostly I just wanted to make s'mores and listen to the rain and wind, and pretend we're on a boat in the middle of the ocean."

"Sweetheart, I can think of nothing I'd rather do. This weekend you say?"

Alexis nodded.

"It's a date then. Does Gram want to come?"

"I asked, but you know how she feels about anything more than a breeze. Besides, her school is entering the decorating phase and she wants to start picking out drapes and floors."

"Well then it's best we get as far away as possible. Want to see the storm from the other side of the ocean?"

"The beach house is just fine, thanks Dad." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before heading for the stairs. He went to his office, dropping keys and wallet on the desk and flipping up the lid of his laptop to check the weather reports. He wanted to find out what time they definitely needed to be barricaded in by.

At the precinct the next day, Castle sat obediently in his chair by Beckett's desk as chaos reigned around him. Two bodies had been called in simultaneously, which may or may not have been linked, and there was some sort of visit from foreign dignitaries going on, and everyone seemed to be on the phone trying to deal with it all as well as their normal workload. Ryan had his desk phone balanced between his shoulder and ear, and was listening to his cell with his other ear, wearing the pained expression of a man who knew from bitter experience that it was best not to question the difference between serving fish or chicken.

As it happened, Castle had been reveling in the mayhem until a few minutes ago, sweeping between rushing bodies with cups of coffee and a cookie in his mouth, flashing the sort of smile that made you believe he thought he was on a red carpet. He had been barked into his seat by Detective Beckett, who was trying to manage the two cases as they landed and frankly needed her partner to stop swanning about and give her a hand. Which is exactly what she told him, and why he now sat like a misbehaving child in the naughty chair.

A murmur washed over the noise in the bullpen and the volume dropped a little as the European officials, on a tour to see how NYPD worked and if any of their practices could be taken back to their countries, scanned the area and tried to engage in conversation. Unfortunately, someone hadn't noticed, and a bellow rang out from the far end of the room.

"I am NOT an asshat and I don't care if you're bringing someone else. I'm bringing a date too."

All eyes were fixed on Esposito as he hung up with a defiant and dramatic button push.

Castle leant in to Beckett a little and whispered behind his hand, "It's just not as satisfying as slamming a receiver down. Lacks the finesse."

"Yeah, Castle, that's what we were all thinking," she whispered back, dripping sarcasm through her teeth.

Esposito looked around and realised the silence he had created. He cleared his throat, pointed into a side room as if that was his plan all along, and moved hurriedly inside. A quiet chatter, rising to the previous loud hum, rose again around them as everyone returned to work.

"So Lanie's bringing a date to the wedding?" Castle asked Beckett, who was scribbling notes onto a pad on her desk.

"Sounds like it," she said, looking up to where Esposito had been.

"When are those two going to stop throwing sand at each other?"

"When they get out of the sandbox." She shook her head. "Neither of them are backing down. I didn't think it would go on this long."

"Denial is a powerful thing," Castle said, pondering the situation. Suddenly his face lit up and he turned back to Kate. "I have just had an awesome idea."

"Castle, no offense but your last 'awesome idea' was leaving a chocolate under my coffee mug and we know how that worked out." She glanced at the hint of a stain where the treat had melted.

"Well you were meant to find it quicker, who leaves a nice hot cup of coffee standing for twenty minutes?"

"A busy detective, that's who," she said, picking up a pen to start scribbling again.

"Ok, ok, listen to this. This weekend I'm taking Alexis out to the beach house for the storm. It's the perfect situation for getting two people to see the error of their romantic ways - rain and wind battering the windows, fire going, blankets, wine... You could invite Lanie, I'll invite Esposito, and before you know it - Esplanie!"

"I wish you'd stop calling them that," she said, then looked at him thoughtfully as she considered the idea. "You know, that could actually work, Castle. With all the weather, they wouldn't be able to hear each other bitching-"

"It's a five bed house, there would be plenty of room for them to," he lowered his head and looked out from below his brow, "make up."

Kate considered for a second more. "I'll call Lanie." She reached for her cell. "Wait! What's my cover story?"

"Cover story?"

"Yeah, why am I asking her to YOUR house, when it's cold and wet, and there's about to be a heavy storm?"

"Come now, Detective Beckett. Don't tell me you don't think that being trapped inside during a storm isn't one of the biggest thrills in life. With your clothes on, that is. Although that is optional." He looked at her sideways, teasingly. She looked back at him flatly.

"Seriously, Castle, what shall I say?"

"Just tell her that, I don't know, she needs a weekend away. Girly time. Chick flicks. Cocktails. Pillow fights in your underwear... Wait, that may just be me."

She twisted her mouth to one side. "I suppose it'll do. What're you going to tell Esposito?"

"Easy - Halo field trip. And he can drive the Ferrari."