*Castle*
After deciding what was for dinner I headed home. Only making a pit stop to get the ice-cream and a bottle of Beckett's favourite wine, and some beer for the boys. I could tell something had been bothering Beckett for a while, and she has just decided to share since Ryan and Esposito went rogue earlier today.
So I figured offering to cook dinner when she wanted us altogether tonight was something I could do to help. Just like going through all the jail records to help solve the case. Plus there was something therapeutic about the peeling and dicing of the potatoes to make the chips. By the time seven rolled around I'd set the table and had just put dinner on the table when the doorbell rang. I opened it and stepped aside to let them in. I was shocked that they even managed to get here though, as they all looked lost in thought.
*Esposito*
This whole case had been tiring with 3XK once again on all of our minds, plus a murder to solve. It was especially difficult for Ryan. I was worried for my partner, I could see how hard he was taking the case, because it was his old service weapon the murder was committed with.
And I know something happened in his conversation with Beckett earlier that has been on his mind all afternoon and is making him worry. As far as I was concerned seven couldn't get here fast enough. Ryan was my partner and, Beckett was like a sister to me and, in the three years Castle has been shadowing Beckett I've come to consider him family to.
So for Beckett to want all of us to get together and for it to worry Ryan I was getting concerned myself. I was filling out the paperwork for the case on complete auto-pilot, and before I knew it Beckett was standing up telling Ryan and I it was time to go and she was driving.
*Ryan*
The whole case was trying emotionally. As soon as I found out the victim was murdered with my old gun, the one I let be taken off me, it got personal. It brought up the bad memories of when the triple killer had gotten the drop on me and knocked me out.
When Gates kicked me off the investigation I knew I couldn't just go home. I wasn't surprised when Esposito followed me. He's my partner, my best friend. I knew he would have my back and help me with Ben. I expected the lecture from Beckett in a way, she's like an older sister to me, I didn't expect the reason behind the lecture though.
I know Gates hates Castle, and she doesn't really like Beckett, so I can understand why she would want to tear us up in a way. But she can't, were family, we solve the most cases at the precinct. I saw Esposito looking at me and I could tell he was worried, even though he didn't really know what was going on. When Beckett told us it was time to go we obediently followed her to her car, the ride to Castles was silent, as we were all lost in thought.
*Beckett*
When Gates gave Ryan the rest of the day off, I saw the look on her face when we all walked out, the one that says 'mess up please I can't wait'. I know she wants to get rid of Castle. I also know, she doesn't like me very much. But I thought nothing serious of it till I saw that look. I love Ryan and Esposito like brothers and, I don't want to loose Castle, which if we mess up and Gates has her way will happen. Castle will get banned from following me and my boys will get reassigned.
I know I worried Ryan earlier but I have to make sure they know what is at stake. I don't want any of them to feel guilty if we get split up. I was glad when Castle offered to have the dinner at his apartment. It meant I didn't have to worry about dinner and would get a home cooked meal.
It was time to leave to go to Castle's so I got the boys and made my way to the car park. The ride to Castle's was silent as we all seemed to be lost in thought. Before I knew it, there was Castle opening the door and stepping aside to let us in. I could smell the dinner, and was able to see a bottle of my favourite wine sitting on the table, and suddenly with the delicious smell of a home cooked dinner and surrounded by three of my favourite people, I could breathe easier and everything didn't seem as bad.