"Good morning, all."
Ryan noticed. Esposito noticed. Both were smirking knowingly. They were so expectant, waiting to hear the details, that they almost didn't notice that Beckett didn't.
"So who was it?"
Castle played innocent. "Who was who?"
"Oh, come on," Esposito groaned, glancing at Beckett, who had yet to glance up from her monitor. "We all heard it. You're using your 'I-just-got-laid' voice. Who was she?"
"A supermodel?" Ryan interjected.
"A movie-star?"
"Some mysterious heiress?"
"Gentlemen!" Castle interrupted. "I don't kiss and tell."
Kate finally cracked, a smirk on her face as she scoffed, "Since when?"
He leaned forward, a smile on his face, and they wondered briefly, because it was more than just smug. It was truly happy. Not just 'I-just-got-laid' happy, but a content, 'I-just-found-the-woman-I-want-to-spend-the-rest-of-my-life-with' happy.
"This one's special."
Kate broke into a grin. "Yeah?"
He nodded. She laughed.
"All right, guys," she said. "Back to work. Castle and I will go question the sister again. You two go through the phone records, see if there are any red flags."
She stood and donned her coat, Castle following her out, only… Instead of walking a few steps behind her, he walked only a half-step behind, more at her side than usual.
Esposito cocked his head, staring after them. "You don't think…"
Ryan pursed his lips the way he does and shook his head. "Nah." They turned to walk out of the precinct the other way, but they couldn't help but glance back.
The moment they did, Castle placed his hand on the small of Kate's back, looked in her eyes, and smiled.