Three legged race time! Now this isn't how I wanted this to come out, but it did so I'm just going with it. I had a whole different going public scene in my head that I might still do as a alternative. I hope you guys enjoy this! (all mistakes are mine as I know there are a lot of them as I haven't slept in TWO days!)


"It's just a knot, Castle." Beckett glanced down to the writer who was taking his sweet time tying their legs together with two separate bandannas. One was down by their ankles and the other just below the knee. Castle's thigh was to big to tie to hers, so this was going to have to do. Not that she was really worried about it because she knew that they were going to smoke the competition.

"Just checking." Castle straightened to hear Ryan and Espositio snickering at them. He gave the two partners a smile, whom looked very uncomfortable so close together. "Might want to back out now and save your money. I mean I won't hold you to the bet if you don't compete."

"Dream on writer monkey." Espositio replied crossing his arms over his chest. "Ryan and I have been each other's partners a hell of a lot longer then you two."

"Yes but you two haven't been handcuffed together." Castle pointed out. "So you can say we experience being joined together."

"More so these days I would think." Ryan whispered so only they heard and had the pleasure of watching the writer's face go beat red.

"That came out wrong." Castle said just as the judge of the three legged competition called the runners to the starting line. Slipping his arm around his partner's waist, they moved as one almost effortlessly to the calk line. Castle looked back to see Ryan and Esposito struggling as it seemed they didn't want to touch each other anymore then they had to. Oh yes they were so going down.

Beckett smiled thinking the same thing as the two men finally made it to the line. "Last chance guys."

"No way." Ryan was obviously struggling to keep his balance.

"Okay first one to the far side is the winner. Please be mindful and don't step on fallen competitors." The judge kindly asked as he raised the whistle to his lips. The man waited for a beat trying to see how many he could fool into a false start before he gave the whistle a lout blow.

Right off the bat nearly half of the pairs bit the dust when trying to move off the line. Others hobbled, cursed, and somehow managed to move across the field. Castle and Beckett took an early lead while Ryan and Espositio struggled to find a rhythm. They were too busy trying to figure out who was leading that they only covered half of the distance that their friends had.

Cursing, Esposito basically dragged Ryan forward, "Come on bro they can't win. We'll never hear the end of it."

"Well if you stop trying to dislocate by hip." Ryan spat out trying not to wince at the ties around their legs. "We need to count out the steps."

"No time they're almost there."

"Dude would you stop for one sec-." Ryan's statement turned into a curse when he lost his footing and went down. His partner tried to catch him only to fail and land hard on top of him.

Laughing, Castle and Beckett turned to look down the field at them. Everyone watching start chanting their names as Beckett and Castle continued the rest of the five yards backwards. They won a full twenty yards ahead of everyone. Castle turned to Beckett beaming when what he truly wanted to do was haul the woman in his arms and kiss her senseless. In the seven months since their relationship started they had managed quite successfully in keeping it off of anyone's radar. Of course there was that one time they were nearly caught once trying to sneak off for a little alone time at the station by Demming of all people, but thanks to his fast talking they skidded around that one.

Beckett bent down to make quick work on the bindings to get her leg free. Then in front of the entire department and their families, she threw her arms around her partner and gave him a smacking kiss. She laughed at the look of confusion on his face before it was lost between his lips as he took a hold of her and dipped her to the cheers of the on lookers. For a long moment all the noise and lights just faded away and there was nothing more than the man before her. It amazed her how Castle had that affect on her.

Grinning like an idiot, Castle drew away as he brought them back upright. "Had this planned?"

"No." Beckett just gave a little shrug, "I just am so happy and you're the reason. I don't want to have to hide that. I love you and I don't care who knows or what might happen because I know that no matter what nothing is going to tear us apart."

"I love you."

"Stop it!" Ryan grumbled as he limped up to them, his face covered in sweat and dirt. "You know the kids don't like seeing mom and dad making it. It's just gross."

"So gross." Espositio backed up. "Quite a coming out though."

Beckett looked out at the faces and to her amusement she found several police officers exchanging money. "A pool? For how long?"

"I think after kidnapping case." Ryan informed. "I wonder who won."

"How much was it up to?"

"I think maybe two."

"Hundred?"

"Thousand."

"Thousand." Beckett and Castle asked in unison.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Well I must say my dear that was quite a kiss." Martha watched Beckett's face go beat red. They were all piled on a blanket with their hands full of classic picnic food. They were joined by Jermey and his mother Sarah as well as Beckett's father and Alexis.

"Can we not talk about it?" Beckett softly asked. An hour later they were still getting slaps on the backs, congratulations, and about damn times from almost everyone that passed by.

"I'm happy for you that's all." Martha passed the potato salad to Jim.

"Don't know who was more shocked." Sarah took it next, "Rick or that captain of yours."

"Gates saw?" Castle asked after nearly chocking on his bit of a hotdog.

"She did." Gates answered as she walked up to the small group of people.

Beckett took a moment to prepare herself before turning to look up at her boss and to her surprise Gates looked happy. "Umm I guess we will need to have a nice long talk Monday?"

"Very long." Gates assured, "But for now I'm going to say thank you."

"For?" Castle asked after a moment of silence.

"I won the pool?"

"You did?" Beckett asked.

"Well I did kind of hope that my lead detective wouldn't break such a rule about being involved with your work partner, but I could see the signs. Just didn't think it would take you two damn long." Gates replied.

"Well technically we've been dating for seven months." Castle informed to Beckett's dismay.

Gate's gaze went to Beckett, "A very very long talk, Detective."

"Yes sir." Beckett mumbled.

"Well if that is the case then I did not win to pool."

"Who did?"

"Roy did." Gate smiled at the female detective, "I think she is here, I think it would be good to give it to her don't you think."

"Yes sir I do."


I know Jeremy's mom came out of no where, but no worries she will be explored on more here soon.