A/N: Just to clear up any confusion - these aren't necesarily in any particular order, although so far, they have all been when Joey is a little younger than 2, but again, not necesarily chronological. I think this One-Shot will also clear up any other pressing questions you have ;) So read on!

Kate Beckett was exhausted. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally. The week at work really hadn't been any different that usual, but the first trimester of her pregnancy was really kicking her ass, making everything difficult. She'd hoped the second time around would be easier, but so far, it hadn't been the case. She dragged herself to the front door and entered. Her sweeping gaze found neither of her men. Kicking off her heels, she sighed with relief as her sore feet were freed. "Rick?" She called out.

"In the study." She heard his quieter reply.

She moved on throbbing feet, finding Castle at his desk, feet propped up, leaning back in his chair. Joey was sprawled across his chest, sound asleep.

"Getting a lot of work done, I see." She teased, making her way to them.

"I'll have you know, I got two whole pages done." He said defensively.

"Two whole pages? That's it?" Kate shook her head in mock disappointment.

"Yeah, I admit it, I'm slacking today." He looked at Joey. "The boy and I were simply having too much fun."

"You know, he's asleep. You could put him in his bed and write." Kate pointed out. Rick sighed.

"But this is one of the best feelings in the world, having a child fall asleep on you."

"Mhm. He does look pretty cozy." Kate agreed. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to Joey's head.

"My turn." Rick said, his finger reaching out to guide her chin closer to him.

"I'll tell you what," Kate began, then pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "You let me take Joey and you can have this file." One more kiss. She watched his expression as she dangled the file in front of him.

"You got a new case?" He asked, his excitement clearly written across his face.

"Yes, and I could use your insight." She told him honestly. Rick pretended to mull it over for a moment.

"Fine."

Kate smiled and handed Rick the file, then started to carefully lift Joey off of Rick. He opened his eyes, but seeing it was his mother, closed them again. Kate slowly sauntered over to one of the chairs and eased herself into it, cradling Joey as she did. Rick was already flipping through the crime scene photos, but paused for a moment to peer over the file at his wife and son, snuggled together in the chair across from this desk. He missed the days at the precinct, following Detective Beckett around and living out his own boyish fantasy of solving crimes, but he and Kate had come to the mutual decision just before Joey was born that since Rick's primary career was that of a mystery novelist, it made sense for him to stay home with Joey and write when he could. It wasn't a perfect situation, because he did miss working with Kate, but Kate still snuck him case files practically every time. So they had nights like this now, building theory while Joey slept.

Rick watched Kate run her hand over Joey's hair, then down his back and then up again, as if she was trying to soak in every part of him at once. He knew it was hard for her, too. She missed Joey while she was working. She missed having Rick sitting in the chair by her desk, distracting her from paper work. But the way things were now made the moments with her two favorite guys all the more endearing.

"So, Castle, any theories?" Kate said softly, finally lifting her eyes from Joey.

He flashed Kate his self-assured grin. "Of course. It was the butler."

Kate rolled her eyes. "God, Castle, I meant real theories!" She blurted out.

He brought a finger to his lips and glanced at Joey, silencing her outrage. She shook her head at him. "Come on. Real theories." She prodded in a loud whisper, letting a small smile brighten her features.

He couldn't help responding with a smile of his own. He loved this. He loved how she always slipped back into calling him 'Castle' whenever they were discussing a case. "Alright, this is what I've got so far…" He began, planting his feet back on the floor and straightening up. Kate's eyes lit up the way they always did when she knew the two of them were about to do something great. As much as their relationship had evolved to being lovers and then parents, at the root of it all, they were still partners in solving crime. That much hadn't changed, even if Rick didn't make it to the precinct very often. They were still partners, one way or another.

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