Huge thanks to purplangel, rickkate3, Carmen Rodriguez, daisesndaffidols, trekkie1214, SusanInColorado, Alexis Dawn, jazzyjenn5, fanfar3, Dodge1989, and Dodo34 for the reviews and to everyone else who alerted and favorited this. I really, really appreciate all the support!


Friday evening Ryan reluctantly knocked on Castle's door and stood patiently with his son next to him. When the door opened Devlin ran in excitedly followed by his subdued father who looked entirely uncomfortable with life in general. Castle had to laugh at his unsure expression and his laughter only increased when Ryan shot him a disgruntled look.

The writer picked up Devlin and placed him on his shoulders much to the boys delight, "Hey Ryan, excited for your night out?"

He gave him a flat look, "I guess."

Two tiny hands covered Castle's eyes and he laughed as he acted blinded, "You might have fun. Alexis made it sound like they were bringing a cub outside the den for the first time."

"Yeah, that's how it sounded to me too," he said with a chuckle. "To be honest that's what it feels like." He swallowed his pride for a moment and looked seriously at Castle, "I haven't gone out in a long time, this ok?" he asked about his outfit.

Richard Castle was not the most mature man, nor was he the best person to show vulnerability to but in this moment Ryan was asking him for help and he sure as hell wasn't going to let him down or tease him. He knew how much Ryan needed a night out and he knew how entirely uncomfortable he was with the idea of going to a club. With eyes that had seen more fashion on people than he'd like he looked over Ryan's outfit, black dress shoes and slacks with a black button up and a white skinny tie. While he could never pull off the look it worked well on Ryan, the harshly contrasting colors emphasizing his blue eyes. "One hetero man to another you look great."

His comment pulled a small laugh from Ryan and he felt some tension fall away. "You go to clubs anymore Castle?" he asked curiously.

The larger man nodded, "Sometimes it's nice to just let go and have some fun, I don't care much for the music anymore though."

"I hear ya, I grew up listening to the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy much to everyone's dislike."

"No way," Castle said with a head shake. "I picture Mariah Carey and the Backstreet Boys."

Ryan didn't rise to the bait, "That'd be you Castle, I was too busy with Rage Against The Machine and House Of Pain." He glanced up at his son, "Dev's got good taste too, what's your favorite song bud?"

"It's Tricky!"

Ryan smiled one of his rare full smiles that lit up his entire face and began to laugh at Castle's shocked expression. "He knows it by heart, have him sing it for you later. He dances and everything."

The doorbell rang and Alexis came flying down the stairs but paused when she saw Ryan was there. With a slight blush she pushed her hair behind her ear and smiled, "Hey." She could only pray her dad didn't notice the pink tint to her skin as her eyes raked over Kevin.

Wednesday after breakfast her dad had tried to casually work her and Kevin's friendship into the conversation but of course she had recognized the attempt for what it really was. "We're friends dad," she had repeated for the seemingly millionth time. "There's nothing going on." Yet. She was honestly surprised he hadn't spoken to Kevin about it but she supposed that might make their work relationship a little awkward.

Ryan stuck his hands in his pockets and nodded in greeting at the redhead, his mouth suddenly dry. He did a quick once over of her and it took everything he had to not drool at her curves in a light teal dress which accentuated her legs and other… assets. Her hair was down and lightly curled, exactly like he liked it.

The doorbell rang again and she quickly strode over and swung it open revealing Taylor and Paige who were dressed to the nines in skin tight dresses and sky high heels. Paige instantly walked over to Ryan and looked him up and down, "Perfect."

Taylor clapped her hands together excitedly, "Let's go, let's go!"

Ryan looked at Castle with slight trepidation and Castle laughed as he set down Devlin so he could say goodbye. He kneeled down and hugged his son before pushing his hair out of his face. "Is féidir leat glaoch orm ag am ar bith is mian leat ceart go leor?"

"I know," Devlin answered. "I love you."

"Is breá liom tú ró," he replied before standing back up.

Castle tilted his head as a slow smile appeared, "You speak Irish?"

Ryan looked confused for a second like he hadn't even realized he was speaking it before nodding slowly and pointing a finger at him. "No leprechaun jokes."

Castle held up his hands in a 'Me? Never' gesture as Taylor grabbed his arm and began pulling him away, Paige doing the same with his other arm. He looked at Castle with a pleading look but he was no help. "Have fun Ryan!"

After an interesting cab ride that reminded Ryan why he always drove himself or rode with his partner they got to the club and the girls frowned at the massive twisting line, "Ugh, we'll be here forever."

Ryan wanted to just get right back in the cab but the disappointed expressions on the girls faces made him stick it out, he was a sucker for a pretty pout. He stood on his tippy toes and tried to see the front before he grinned, "Maybe not. Come on." They followed him to the front but stopped short of the bouncer, leaving Ryan to approach him on his own.

"Hey Tiny."

The bouncer, who was way over six feet and three hundred pounds looked down with a hard expression at the man that was barely up to his armpits and only weighed one fifty on a good day. He kept staring with a look of pure death before recognition set in and he smiled brightly, his moustache twitching with the movement. "Detective Ryan! Good to see you!" He grabbed the smaller man's shoulder in greeting and shook him slightly.

Ryan barely kept his balance as he was thrown around like a rag doll but still returned the man's sentiments. "Yeah, you too. How's Stacey?"

The man sobered and offered a shrug, "Doing better, everyday gets a little brighter."

"That's all you can ask for," he said with a knowing look. Figuring his social necessities had been fulfilled he glanced at the door before looking back at Tiny who got the hint.

The huge man pointed a finger at the door and raised his eyebrows, "You want in? No problem man."

Ryan turned and nodded to Alexis and her friends who were a few feet away, "I have some friends with me too."

Tiny looked at the small group and waved them over, "Go on in. Have a good time."

Once inside Alexis immediately inquired as to how he had managed to get them all inside with absolutely no waiting. "His brother-in-law got murdered, everybody thought Tiny did it but Javi and I proved he didn't right before the DA got to him. He was pretty thankful, his sister was too," he supplied as he fought to keep himself calm with all the people and loud music. It was easy to feel overwhelmed when you didn't do this often.

Taylor pulled out her charge card from her purse and grinned at Paige, "Come on lets go get a table." The two ran off into the crowd and Alexis instantly turned to face him better.

"Are you ok? You look nervous."

He laughed awkwardly, "Noticed that huh?" Feeling nervous wasn't something that happened to him often, after all when you had the entire city of New York behind you and a SIG Sauer sitting on your hip you didn't have much to be nervous about.

Alexis grabbed his arm and smiled reassuringly, "Just try to relax, if you hate it we'll leave ok? Taylor has insisted on buying a ridiculously priced table so at least you'll have a place to get away from everything."

Because of the noise level she was so close he could smell the spearmint on her breath and see that her mascara wasn't actually black but a deep blue. He offered a nod hoping it was the right answer since he hadn't been listening very well and was rewarded with a perfect smile. "Awesome, let's go."

Not wasting any time she grabbed his hand and laced their fingers together before pulling him through throngs of people over to where Paige and Taylor were getting settled. As soon as Ryan sat down his eyes began to skitter across the room anxiously, he was so far out of his comfort zone. A hand on his shoulder made his jump slightly and he looked at Paige who was holding a tumbler of amber liquid, "Relax Irish, enjoy the party." He took a sip and his eyebrows rose at the smooth flavor.

Paige grinned and nodded, "Good huh? Highland Park 30, no cheap crap tonight."

For the first time that night he flashed a true smile, he'd do whatever the hell they wanted if he could keep drinking this all night. He glanced at Alexis who wrinkled her nose at the drink and shook her head, "I'm getting something else."

She disappeared for a moment before returning with a clear drink which caused Taylor to burst out laughing. "Clear alcohols are for rich women on diets."

Ryan couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him as she slid in next to him. "Like you two?" she quipped after taking a drink. He whipped around to look at the other two who looked shocked at her comment before toasting her. "Touché."

After a short time Taylor jumped up and grabbed Alexis, "Come on dance with me!" She glanced at Ryan to make sure he would be all right and after a soft smile and nod from him she followed her friend into the crowd.

As time slipped by Paige found her self more and more drawn to Ryan, from his gorgeous eyes to his dry sense of humor. She knew Alexis liked him whether she acted like it or not but that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy his company and do a little innocent flirting. "Let me see your phone," she said from directly beside him.

Ryan did as told and handed her the object and watched as she put her number in, "You ever want to hang out you call me, and it's up to you how you interpret 'hang out'. I can't get over how adorable you are."

A blush appeared on his cheeks and he nodded as he slipped his phone back in his pocket. He leaned forward and grabbed his glass before finishing off the contents and setting it back down. Paige frowned at his empty glass, "We need more alcohol."

"No we don't," he countered. He was already feeling pretty drunk, a pleasant numbness spreading all the way to his toes as any doubts he had about tonight faded into the blurry outlines of his mind.

"Oh yes we do, Taylor come on," she instructed just as the two came back from the dance floor. Alexis sat down so close to Ryan their arms touched. "Paige has sure taken a liking to you," she commented in a slightly jealous tone.

Ryan blew out a breath and shook his head, "She's… uh, what's the word?" He broke off as he tried to get his intoxicated mind to work. "Intense! That's the word I'm looking for."

It killed her to say it but she wanted him to enjoy his night, "You know, it wouldn't bother me or anything if you wanted to… you know… with Paige."

He began to laugh, "With Paige? Nope. Nada. My entire life is intense; I need calm any place I can get it. She's pretty fun to talk to though."

Relief flooded through her and she placed a hand on his knee to reassure herself that Kevin was still hers. "Are you having a good time?"

He nodded exaggeratedly, "Yeah I wasn't sure I would at first but this is, this is nice. No responsibility, no one needing anything. No demanding Beckett with her sassy face or bitchy Javi or Castle getting me into trouble." He dropped his head onto her shoulder and she laughed as he mumbled, "Never ever repeat that. I'm so drunk."

"I think we all are," she giggled as she saw Taylor trip and Paige grab her before they began laughing hysterically. She nudged Ryan slightly, "Kevin?"

He lifted his head and waited patiently for her to continue, hardly taking notice to the fact that their faces were barely an inch apart.

Alexis's brain just stopped, all thoughts evaporating in an instant as her eyes widened at his close proximity. She could see every single sandy eyelash surrounding his azure eyes and when his eyes crinkled at the corners she knew he was grinning. Her pulse quickened when he began to lean forward and her eyes slid shut in anticipation...