[EDIT: The chapter order should fixed now]

Hey guys,
So this was a little idea I had after seeing the 4x13 promo (asjkdjfj guise their hands.) It was supposed to be posted a couple of days ago before the ep, but I didn't realize there was a 2-day no-post period for new fanfic members. Yep, it's my first fic so I'd really appreciate any feedback, thanks 3

I don't and will never own the characters :c

The moment the door swung open, the over-excited Golden Retriever bounded in, followed by an even more enthusiastic Castle. Ignoring the pleasantries that had clearly been forgotten, Beckett smirked and spun around to her partner. "Castle, you were supposed to be here over an hour ago. "It's called joint-custody, not show-up-when-you-want custody, right," Beckett smirked as she closed the door on the cold evening outside.

"Yeah, I know, I thought I had everything together but the last minute I could not find me Squeaky" he explained, pulling the toy of out a bag with a small squeak and a playful grin. "Oh, and don't worry about feeding him, I had a Rib-eye I couldn't finish," he said with an adoring smile, beaming at the dog like a proud parent.
"You fed him a steak?" she asked, hardly surprised that Castle couldn't handle buying regular dog food.
"Yeah, don't worry, we worked it off. We played fetch in the hall, then we watched some Beverley Hills Chihuahua. Boy this guy, this guy is a snuggler." He could not keep the smile off his face.
"And I bet you let him sit on your couch, didn't you?"
"Uhmm..." he nervously tried to think of the right answer.
"No, it's okay, you can be the fun one, I'll just be the bad guy because there's no way that you are shedding all over my couch." She sighed dejectedly, directing the end of her sentence to the pup that was no happily panting on the floor. There was no way she would be able to out-do Castle anyway.
"Awh no, he's perfectly happy right there and oh," he swiftly pulled her hand into his, pushing up the sleeve slightly before starting to trace soft patterns. "He loves it when you rub him right between the eyes, just little circles like this, not to hard just.."

The sudden contact caught her off guard and she froze, gaping at their joint hands. He immediately realized the intimacy of the situation, slowing down his strokes and he continued to caress her hand. She didn't pull away and he didn't let go, her eyes transfixed on his circling finger. God, say something Kate. Do something, move! She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his, her mouth slightly agape and eyes still wide as she stared into the eyes that only radiated contentment and .. and something else she refused to process right now. You already look like a speechless idiot, don't get lost in his eyes. She blinked, her brain finally remembering how to form words "Castle I-" She was cut off by a sharp bark. They held their gaze held for a couple more seconds with an internal groan as the moment started to slip away. Their heads snapped back to reality from the place they went when their eyes met-the place where only they existed. "Marley, what is it boy?" Castle asked, with a hind of annoyance, as he freed Beckett's hand from his fingers glancing over at the Retriever that was perched attentively on the lounge room rug, staring attentively at the pair. Yet another moment interrupted. By an animal. Seriously?

Beckett shook her head slightly, her mind still spinning as she raised the toy her other hand was clutching. "I think he's after this," she said, chuckling as the dog's eyes lit up and he bounded over, confirming her theory. She bent down, stroking his long coat as he possessively took the doll from her grasp, not missing the 'Couldn't have waited another minute?' that Castle mumbled under his breath. Her stomach flipped as she stood up, the pup now having a wrestling match with his new-found friend. What would have happened if they hadn't been interrupted like always? His face hadn't portrayed any signs of surprise or uncertainty. It hadn't been teasing like she would have expected in a situation where they had encountered unexpected closeness. That's what had always happened before. An interruption or someone had chickened out, laughing it off, covering it with innuendo. But he'd gazed into her eyes with utter and pure, love. Yes, love. She couldn't deny that now, she was sick of being the queen of denial. She was tired of running. She couldn't hide behind her uncertainty now, she knew he'd meant it. The second he'd walked back through those doors on her first case back, she knew he'd meant it. He knew that she was alive. He wouldn't have come back unless-

"Yoo hoo, earth to Kate," he sung, breaking her out of her reverie, his sea blue eyes drilling into hers as he tried to catch any glimpse of what she had been thinking.
"Wha-what?" she took a moment to push the thoughts aside, not tonight, and focus back on her partner. "I…yeah, sorry." Before he could pester her on what had left her with a long-lost look, she cut him off. "And Marley? Seriously?"

"Whaat, it's perfect! And you couldn't come up with a name anyway!" he pouted.
"Huh, I think you've been watching too many Jennifer Aniston movies, Castle," she smirked, turning to the counter and beginning to unpack the dog supplies he had brought. "Well, too late to change it now," he said, just as she pulled out a blue bling collar, attached with a new, shiny custom nametag. "Really Castle? You officially named him without even asking me?" her hand rested on her angled hip and her burrow slightly furrowed. Sure, she hadn't given much thought to naming the dog, but it would have been at least nice if she'd had a say. It was joint-custody after all, not a brief daycare run. "Hey, consider yourself lucky. I was seriously considering 'Batman' or 'Detective Fluffy," he said, trying to lighten the mood, but her jaw remained rigid. "Awh c'mon Beckett," he pleaded with his five-year-old whiny voice and bottom lip pushed out. "That movie was a classic, he's been named after an animal superstar! Haven't you always wanted to be named after someone famous? You can't tell me that movie wasn't legendary!" Both Marley and Castle looked up at her with pleading eyes, awaiting her answer. "Well I, uh… I don't know," she said, trying to sound nonchalant, as she bit her bottom lip, trying not to smile from his adorableness. "Wait, wait. Are you telling me you have never seen Marley and Me?" His wide eyes and mouth indicating his surprise. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, Castle knew she was a movie junkie, from old Black and Whites to classic Sci-fi's and action new-releases. Surely, a tear-jerking chick flick would have been right up her alley. "No, I haven't," she replied shortly, finishing packing away the last of the luxury dog food and pulling out the several pages of instructions that had also come with the package. "You do realize I know how to look after a dog, right Castle?" she asked, scanning over the involved pages on feeding and bedtimes, narrowing her eyes and giving him one of her deathly looks. "No, I uh, of course you do! I know you're very capable but I thought that uh, you might need, wait, not that you would need any help but-" he gulped as she crossed her arms, eyebrows raised and a slightly bemused look on her face as he tried to explain himself without triggering a Beckett Bomb. "I can't believe you've never seen Marley and Me!" he blurted out, desperately trying to change the subject. "You know what, I'm going to go rent it right now! I saw a Blockbuster just around the corner, be back soon!" he called, flying out the door before she even had the chance to object.

Shaking her head, Beckett let out a breath and slumped against the counter, trying to gather her thoughts as the door, that seemingly held no purpose anymore flew open again. "Make sure the couch is all snuggly with pillows and blankets!" A waggle of his eyebrows and he was gone.

She couldn't help but break out into a wide smile and let out a short laugh as she shook her head. What a man-child. I bet he'll start a pillow-fight halfway through the movie. Wait. Movie. She had just agreed to a movie night with Richard Castle. Well, not really agreed, he hadn't given her the chance to agree. Mm, smart man. Either way he'd be back in less than twenty minutes with his movie and charm. Why did she feel so nervous all of a sudden? Sure, she'd spent evenings with Castle before. But that was in the comfort of a diner or street café. Or in the company of his mother and daughter. She smiled as she recalled the times when she had spent dinner and movie nights with the Castles. When she had felt part of it. Part of the family. There was no running now. Stop being stupid Kate, you're over-reacting. It's just a spontaneous movie with a friend. Partner. With Castle. She let out a huff of air and flopped down on the couch, tilting her head back against the comforter as she tried to reason with herself.

Suddenly a large, warm tongue swished its way against her cheek, breaking her out of thought once again. God, she'd been thinking way too much lately. "Marley! Bad Dog!" she spluttered, pushing his nuzzle aside and wiping her sleeve against her face, "and you're on the couch too!" She began to push him gently off, but he let out a heart-crushing whine, his puppy eyes meeting hers. He looked towards the door and back at Beckett several times before she understood. "Ohh, you miss Castle." She sighed, giving into the pleading dog and cuddling him closer. He'd already lost one owner and now another had disappeared, no wonder he was distressed. "It's okay baby, he'll be back soon," she soothed, stroking him between the eyes just as Castle had shown her, as he rested his head comfortably on her lap. The small gesture brought her back to thinking about earlier, the way his strong fingers had lovingly circled over hers, the way his eyes had been ignited by such small contact. She continued gently caressing the now-sleeping dog, staring down at the peaceful animal, somehow feeling safe as she felt the thoughts slipping from her head and onto her tongue. "I miss him all the time too."

Hope you guys liked it, reviews are greatly appreciated 3
and ajskdfjs did you guys see the ep? how adorable was it!