A/n: Thanks for going this far (and to all the people who encouraged me on the first chapter...). Hope you like it. Message me if you're a sweetie. ;)

- K.H.

Chapter 2: "Yes. Yes, a thousand times... Yes."

-Castle'sPOV-

She'd left her account open; I peek at the screen, which consists of nothing but reports and information about the case... but there's a tab hiding in the internet bar. I click and hold my breath taking another peer at the hall; she's still deep in conversation. A window pops up: she's ordering an expensive and frankly sexy dress. He He He He. I click the next tab, it's her email. I pop through the message: spams, updates, and (oooh) an update from that the new screen art is up. (Told ya' she was a fan) But something else catches my eye. Wedding plans? I click on it.

Wedding Plans?

To:

Hey, did you get the invitation?

I know you have told me time and time again that you 'hate' weddings, but please do it for me. And Jessa, she needs another girl from the academy to fend off our old boys. Jamie, Camel, Stitch. I even got a text that Lopez's new girl is forcing him to go! I'd be like old times. Do it for an old buddy from the academy...

-Sam

PS: I don't mean to alarm you but, being Jessa's 'old' friend from High School. Trev may or may not be attending. I know that's a big no for you, but please:

Think about it.

Re: Wedding Plans?

To:

From:

Sammy,

You know I HATE weddings, with a passion. But I guess... I guess I'll go. For Jessa... I'm pretty pissed at the male population right now. Why you might ask? Because my boyfriend's being a girl.

But I guess I'll bring someone, if I have too. I'm bringing a friend of mine. He's kind of an alternative route if anything goes wrong.

But don't be too hard on him, alright. The whole surrogate big brother thing might scare him off. He's the writing-monkey I told you about. You might like him... but he can be. How do I say this? Irritating, but in the best of ways. I was wondering how many of the boys from the academy are going? Because if Trev's going I'm probably going to need to buy some bug spray... you know our history. Uhhhgggg.

- Kate

PS: Tell Jessa that the pictures of her dress she sent me are gorgeous. ;)

Re: Re: Wedding Plans?

From:

Great. And yes, Trev's coming. I'll tell him to keep a few hundred feet away from you. But knowing Trev you'll need that bug spray. :D Pepper spray's more like it.

Jessa's really excited you can come and so am I. I won't be too hard on your little writer-boy but if he does anything shady me and the rest of the boys are gonna have to talk a bit of sense into him. Ya' know knock him around, and tell him who he's dealing with.

- Sam

PS: You're not ya' know goin' out with him are you?

Re: Re: Re: Wedding Plans?

To:

From:

It's complicated.

And Sammy, I'm a cop. I carry a gun on a daily basis... If Castle tries anything 'shady' I can deal with it. As long as you don't have any tazers or pointy objects we'll be fine. The guy's a genius when it comes to literature and killing people in books, but when it comes to an attention span Castle got the short ended stick. The only thing I've ever seen him pay any attention to is me, and my ass. Hhhhaa... But I guess you can trust him.

Trev's gonna be surprised, I'm not the girl I used to be. I'll sick Castle on him if Trev tries anything... (That boy's very obedient. Like a puppy...)

And Sam... No were not actually 'goin out' as you put it. But saying that he'll risk his life for me counts for something right?

Why do I always fall for the weird ones...? GAWD...

:)

-Kate

Re: Re: Re: Re: Wedding Plans?

To:

From:

Just wondering... don't you already have a bf? Josh, right? Cardiac surgeon... real mans man. He's got a Harley or somthin'? (Jessa sent me the pics you sent her.) I think he's... well sweetie. He looks like a pretty boy. What happened to him?

-Sammy

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Wedding Plans?

To:

From:

Things aren't as good as they used to be.

Besides he's gotta work all week. I think he planned it that way.

:/ But it's cool. I'm might take an alternate route for once. :)

I can hear the click of Beckett's heel on the concrete floor... uh oh. I quickly close the window before she can suspect anything, and jump into my chair next to her desk waiting for her like a duck waits for his mother (my usual position).

She looks bummed out for some reason.

"You O.K.?" I lift my hand, and put it on her shoulder. She glances up for a few seconds but her face tells me: Not right now, but I appreciate it.

"Yeah..."

She's lying. I can see it behind her eyes.

Beckett fidgets with her hair for a second and takes a little sigh. My heart strings tug a little, why can't I just hug her and tell its ok?

There's an invisible wall blocking my condolences, but I can feel it breaking; ever slowly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Clearly something's wrong, Beckett you-"

"-Castle." She gives me a look; I simmer down.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

And I do. She's not ok... but I can't tell why.

Beckett takes a second, and then sits down back at her seat. I look down at her, why won't she just see that I care her? And that when something's wrong she should tell me.

I guess I'll open that door when I get to it.

I sit hunched over my laptop. Beckett can't keep me from writing about Nikki can she? I can write all the love letters and fantasies want through my writing. And there's nothing she can do about it, except maybe punch me. And she punches hard... but that wouldn't stop me.

My fingers click upon the keys swiftly as my door bell rings.

As I take a sip of hot chocolate, I fly to door.

I peek in the peephole... of all people to be 'in my neighborhood' tonight its Kate Beckett.

Unlocking the door, I say "And what do I have to thank for this surprising visit, my gorgeous detective."

She smiles, but I can tell she's been crying.

"Castle? Do you-"

"What?" I perk up my ears, this sounds promising.

"Do you... wanna-"

"-I'll do anything for you..." I blurt, looking into her eyes.

OH MY GAWD I'm such a love sick puppy, I should really take pills for that. But, really Rick? You're gonna say that? Rookie move dude, rookie move. I'm hypnotized by the look she has on her face.

"Stop interrupting me. God... what are you twelve?" She rolls her eyes, and then glances up at me. But then her face changes.

Beckett leans close to me. "Do you want to go to Jessa and Sam's wedding with me-"

"Yes. Yes, a thousand times... Yes."

She smiles, and I melt. "You knew that's what I going to say didn't you?"

"I've been waiting all day. Why'd you finally ask?"

"Josh. Broke up with me..."

"Really?" My entire body goes into an electric shock... I can't control it. I try to act surprised, but I'm not. My entire body fills with a mix of emotions I can't control: freedom, love, nervousness, and even a little anger I want to take out on that motorcycle boy for breaking her heart. I could almost thank Josh for breaking her heart right about now, even though that sounds so mean.

Finally, here's my chance.

I want to scream my ass off, I'm so happy.

But I keep my composure, this is a hard moment for Beckett; she really liked the guy. But GAWD he was annoying.

But I can scream: 'SHE'S ALL MINE', from my balcony later. Right now I need to make a good impression on my beautiful detective.

"Yeah."

"Earlier, when you were on the phone."

"Yes."

I feel the invisible wall begin to fall again, brick by brick. This time I feel a little bridge begin to form. There's nothing stopping me from now on, from loving her. And I can tell you from this moment, nothing will.

"The wedding's in four days. You think you can get some clothes before that? A ticket to Albuquerque?"

"I can do that and more."

"Really?" Beckett rolls her eyes and a look on her face appears that makes me melt. She smiles at me, in that 'god I love you, but you're still an idiot kind of way." (Ya know... her normal smile)

"Ya wanna come in? I got hot chocolate."

"No- I'm gonna get on home, but Castle?" She almost looks embarrassed, like a high school girl getting asked to the prom.

It's adorable.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for this."

She leans closer and hugs me quickly, as she starts to pull away I grab her hand. Beckett gives me another glimpse of that smile I love and I let go of her hand. Seconds later I'm alone in my doorway waiting for the electric shock to wear it off.

"Welcome." I whisper even though she's already in my elevator by the time it gets to my lips.

Oh my GAWD.

A/n: I know the plot went a little fast but I wanted to get it over with. What are your thoughts? Leave them in the review; the only criticism out there is, constructive: bad or good.

Cookies for people who say nice things... Just sayin'. ;)

Ohhhh? Any ideas or thought for the next chapter? Also should I change the title to: 'Taking the Alternative Route.'?

I think I will, I like it better. Do you?

Yeh!

Next chapter up soon. Probably in the next few days.