Sealed Lips

Chapter Ten

Alexis enjoyed her time in the morgue. To be honest, it wasn't due entirely to the career – it was more the atmosphere, as morbid as that sounded. Lanie just had this air of fun surrounded her, like she knew how to live her life and was damn sure she was going to fight tooth and nail to get exactly what she wanted. Early on in their professional relationship, they'd established some unspoken ground rules, girl talk did not encompass anything to do with her father and the striking detective. Lanie had picked up on the sensitive nature of that particular topic and so it failed to rise within their conversations.

That didn't stop the ME from sneaking in a few questions about Castle's social agenda over the time they spent together, but it was subtle-ish. Given the unique nature of her childhood, Alexis really hadn't respected many of the female role models in her life – apart from her grandmother, but that was an unusual brand of admiration. She found herself liking Lanie, the woman's evident zest and brutal honesty marking her as someone worthy of esteem. They fell into casual conversation as they worked, today's dialogue focussing on Castle and Beckett's recent arrest. Alexis had heard the Castle version from her father and was animatedly filling Lanie in on the unique lens through which her father had seen the event unfold.

"So, Dad's standing there dumbstruck – although, I think his wording was, in awe – as Kate drops this massive guy to the floor, just by sticking out a heel and tripping him," she smirked, with arched eyebrows, waiting on Lanie's commentary.

Lanie hesitated, the scalpel awkwardly raised hovering over the corpse. She studied Alexis with a surprising intensity given the light-hearted nature of their conversation.

"Kate…" she mouthed, barely a whisper of a word.

"Huh?" Alexis queried, assuming she'd misheard.

"You keep calling Kate, Kate," Lanie asserted slowly, measuring her words as the gravity of the statement hit her.

"So… You call her Kate?" Alexis quirked her brow at the ME.

"Nuh-uh, not the point. You call her Detective Beckett. So why the change to Kate?" Lanie's tone was a blunt challenge. Alexis didn't think declining was an option.

"She tells me to call her Kate," Alexis offered weakly.

"That doesn't fly, she's been telling you that for years," Lanie replied with a shake of her head. "You want to try again?"

"Ah, um," Alexis shook her head with a sigh. "Less syllables. It's a reflection of my laziness?" she shrugged.

"Girl is so busted. You sit tight. I'm going to go have a word to Kate," Lanie groused.

"Oh, you mean Detective Beckett?" Alexis muttered under her breath – the retort lacked bite, given the meek manner in which it was delivered. Nonetheless, Lanie levelled her with the most impressive death glare that she'd ever seen the woman produce – that in itself was certainly saying something.

"Don't start with me Alexis Castle," she warned. "You do not want to see me mad," she tossed over her shoulder as the door swung to close behind her. Alexis waited until she was sure the woman was out of earshot before fixing her gaze on the corpse –

"I don't think Kate wants to see her mad either. Lanie's a little crazy." The corpse naturally enough uttered no response. Alexis sighed, "and apparently her craziness is contagious. Super."

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

The bullpen was basically abandoned. Gates was off at some bureaucratic meeting and the majority of the department had been pulled into an undercover bust. Beckett and her team were practically isolated in their corner of the floor. Apparently their situation had put Castle into an overly affectionate mood. Who needed workplace boundaries when no one – ignoring Ryan and Esposito of course – was around to see them? Beckett hadn't hesitated to insinuate that she needed boundaries. Castle had missed – pointedly ignored – that particular inflection.

"Beckett," he whined. "Do you know how many times I've wanted to kiss you right here, at your desk? It's been privy to so much of our relationship already. It would be cruel to cut it off now."

"Castle, I'm not having sex with you on my desk with Ryan and Esposito watching," she replied airily, her tone loud enough for the boys to catch every word.

"Dude," Esposito called. "Don't make me arrest you for public indecency."

"What?" Castle spluttered. "I just wanted to kiss you… But it's nice to know that's what's on your mind," he leered across the desk at her. She fixed her gaze longingly on the desk and let out a steady sigh –

"Well, I do love this desk…"

"Tease," he pouted. Ryan and Esposito gave up all pretence of paperwork and rolled their chairs over to join the conversation. Castle took their presence as a natural opportunity to shuffle his chair closer to Beckett's – much closer. Beckett didn't bother to stifle an eye-roll as he nonchalantly slung an arm over her shoulder.

"If you want to keep that arm, I suggest you withdraw it," she muttered. She was so close now that her breath tickled the back of his neck. Castle liked the proximity, no way in hell was he moving away – she'd have to literally remove herself, or break his arm… It was possible – not likely, but possible. Castle was all for taking his chances.

"You're bluffing," he shrugged, jostling them both a little. She settled closer into him.

"Try me," she warned.

"I happen to know you're very fond of my arm," he smirked.

"Really?" she arched her brows and fixed him with an incredulous gaze.

"Mmm. You like my arm when it holds your hand, you like my arm when I carry your coffee," he let his eyes drift slowly done her body, "most of all you like my arm when…" he paused, eyes lingering very obviously on the slope of her hips.

"Castle," she admonished, her voice a little strained. He grinned. He'd totally won.

"What?" he smiled innocently. "I was just going to say you like my arm most of all when I use it to write my best-selling novels. It's no secret that you're a fan," he smirked.

"I'm a little disturbed," Ryan threw out.

"Castle, bro, I think you're going to have to pay for my counselling," Esposito added dryly. Ryan enthusiastically nodded his support.

"I think we all need to have a serious conversation about public displays of affection," Castle grinned. Beckett rolled her eyes, still tucked into his side.

"Definitely an appropriate workplace conversation," she griped.

"I think it's a good topic," Ryan smiled sweetly. Castle nodded –

"My man," he put out his hand to feed the birds.

"Bro, no," Esposito nodded at his outstretched hand. Ryan hesitated, before letting his hand fall limply back into his lap, leaving Castle hanging. He shrugged, turning his hand to Beckett.

"Hell no," she asserted, tone dry.

"Anyway, while we're on the topic of PDA, can I just say the empty bullpen so doesn't count as public," Castle carried on, ignoring the surly – he thought he caught a hint of amusement under it all – expression on Beckett's face.

"Hello?" she gestured at the boys.

"They count as family," Castle shrugged.

"Aww, that's sweet," Ryan beamed. Esposito lifted a hand to his heart in a gesture of sincerity – the smirk alighting his face probably nudged at sarcasm, thus Castle elected to ignore it.

"Plus, they already know about us," he added, Ryan's smile fell slightly at that line of reasoning.

"I'm surprised you guys aren't totally public yet," Esposito mused, "especially with how intent Castle seems on PDA," he added with a wry chuckle.

"Who does know about you?" Ryan jumped in, eyes twinkling with evident interest in his work 'parents' personal lives.

"Just family," Beckett asserted adamantly. Castle nudged her with a slight grin –

"So you're telling me that you count Thomas the janitor as family?"

"Sort of…" she murmured noncommittally. "It's not like we planned on telling him."

"Don't forget about Demming and Sorenson," he gleefully added.

"Oh," Beckett's expression fell. "Maybe, a couple more people than just family…" she admittedly reluctantly.

"Demming? Sorenson? Seriously? So, that's it, three other people?" Esposito noted, counting on his fingers.

"Seriously," Castle gloated, "I'm not disappointed at all that Demming and Sorenson found out…" he trailed away Beckett levelled him with a glare. "Oh, don't look at me like that, you totally claimed me. It was the hottest thing ever."

"I don't know, Castle. It was pretty hot when you defended me from your plethora of exes, Gina, Paula, the stewardess," she scrunched up her nose at that. Ryan's jaw dropped open –

"They all know too?" he squeaked. Beckett shrugged.

"You guys are hopeless at secrecy," Esposito chuckled.

"Like you're one to talk," Beckett smirked. "You and Lanie were hopeless." Esposito opened his mouth to retort but Castle cut him off –

"Hang on, hang on! Paula is not my ex, sheesh," he hurried out in a whooshed breath of air.

"Semantics," Esposito waved a hand at him, Beckett nodded her agreement.

"Humpf," Castle hummed in disagreement. Beckett patted his cheek condescendingly.

"Fine, we all know that Paula's not your ex. I don't think it's really part of the point we're making here, Castle," she acceded.

"I can't believe you have the nerve to call me bad at secret relationships… That's a bunch of people," Esposito grumbled.

"It's not everyone," Castle admitted ruefully.

"Fail," Ryan whistled. Beckett merely glared. The whistle awkwardly tampered off mid-way.

"Who else?" Esposito grinned smugly. Beckett sighed and proceeded to list them off on her fingers –

"On top of those? Josh, a whole gaggle of Alexis' girlfriends," she blushed a little at that one. "Um, Cassie," she turned to Castle, "am I forgetting anyone?" He nodded his head in the direction of the offices. "Oh, Gates," she groaned.

"Who's Cassie," Ryan intoned, as Esposito gaped at the mention of Gates. Before either of the boys had a chance to be answered a shrill voice roared through the bullpen.

"Gates! Gates knows about your illicit love affair!" Lanie stormed into the room, eyes flashing furiously. "Unless your name is Kate Beckett I suggest you scram!" The words had barely left her mouth before Ryan was nodding in the direction of the break room and Esposito was flying after him. Beckett was sure they'd locked the door. Castle, however, remained frozen at her side. His arm suddenly stiff – his fingers wandering, tugging and lingering no longer. "That includes you too, Richard Castle," Lanie hissed. He pried himself from Beckett's side with a choked –

"Ugh," that Beckett chose to interpret as a please don't kill my girlfriend. He stumbled hurriedly to the break room, slamming into the locked door. Ryan flicked it open to let him in and the shutters fell closed. Beckett would have laughed had Lanie not been breathing steam in her direction. Her best friend had certainly been working on her death stare…

"Oh, Lanie, there's something I need to tell you. Castle and I are dating. Isn't that wonderful, you've been hoping for it for years," Beckett smiled sweetly. Lanie planted her hands on her hips and whipped her head from side to side in a severe shake of disapproval.

"Don't even try be cute, Kate," she cautioned, in a tone that Beckett could only describe as an order. Beckett wasn't the kind to be ordered around – by anyone.

"Castle tells me I'm cute all the time," she teased. Lanie stamped a foot in ardent disapproval. In spite of that, a small grin teased the corner of her mouth.

"That's actually a little sweet. Now, let me yell at you some more and then we can celebrate, because damn girl am I pleased for you!" Lanie smirked, her posture still very much pissed off. She looked a little ridiculous. Beckett snorted a laugh – it was completely subtle. "No laughing. We're still in the yelling stage," her best friend chided.

"Fine," Beckett sighed. "I'll admit, I could have told you a little sooner… Sorry?" she offered hesitantly.

"You do not get to apologise to me until I say you can – I'm not done yelling, I thought we'd covered this!" Lanie cried with an exasperated moan.

"No apologising, works for me," Beckett shrugged. Whilst the wrath of Lanie sent the men shaking and into hiding, it left Beckett smirking on even footing. It certainly made for an interesting situation, the strong personalities of both women left them fighting for dominance. Lanie rolled her eyes in a manner that revealed just how much she was best friends with Kate Beckett. "Was it just that conversation that tipped you off? I'm going to kill Castle, that man and his damn PDA," she mocked. Lanie actually laughed a little at that, then fixed her disapproving frown squarely back into place.

"No one had to tell me, Kate Beckett. I am no fool… But, if you must know, Little Castle gave you away – not that I didn't have my suspicions," she smirked somewhat proudly at her friend.

"Oh yeah, you're a real detective," Beckett commented wryly, "we've been together for months, Lanie. Wait? Alexis told you?" she gaped.

"Don't get me started on the months, Beckett – that is the wrong card for you to be playing… Alexis didn't tell me in so many words," she added, with a teasing curl of her lip.

"How?" Beckett mouthed more than said.

"She keeps calling you, Kate – fondly, may I add – it's like the girl actually likes you a little now. Dead giveaway," Lanie drawled with a wry grin.

"Oh…" Beckett smiled softly, her defences dropping. "That's sweet. I think we're okay now, it's not like she was ecstatic…" Lanie dropped into Castle's seat at that, giving her best friend a reluctant, but genuine smile.

"I think you've got a fan, now," she added gently. "Do you know who would have been ecstatic to find out?" she motioned to herself, picking her surly tone back up. Beckett grinned.

"Lanie, I'm dating Castle. I really am, and it's great… Better than I ever expected, but I was just so scared that it wouldn't work out. So, I didn't tell you, I couldn't tell you. You're my best friend, I didn't want you to see me fail in something we've all be hoping in for so long…" she couldn't stop herself from pouring her insecurities out to her best friend, Lanie cut her off with a wave her hand –

"You're forgiven. Conditionally," she warned.

"What's this condition?" Beckett questioned reluctantly.

"I need details, like I'm talking months and month of details – you will not be skimming over the bedroom part either," Beckett arched her eyebrows at the ME. "No, you will give me all the sexy details. If you don't, I will go to Writer Boy and he will cave because there is a fear of me that exists in that man and I will not hesitate to take advantage of it," Lanie added with a devious smirk.

"Writer Man," Beckett amended softly. Lanie's eyebrows practically quirked off her forehead, she beamed.

"Looking forward to those manly details," she hedged.

"Oh fine. Girls night tonight?" Beckett sighed resignedly.

"Yes…" she paused for moment, considering, "the other condition is you buy the wine."

"I suppose I should pick up the ice-cream too," Beckett muttered with a roll of her eyes.

"You do that," Lanie agreed in all seriousness.

"One more thing, umm…," Beckett glanced away from her friend's face to fix her gaze on the floor before she uttered, practically under her breath, "girl's night is at Castle's – I've kind of unofficially moved in…"

"You're living with Castle!" Lanie screeched, all anger at being left out of the loop back to the forefront of the conversation.

"Unofficially," Beckett muttered nonchalantly.

"Dead to me, you're all dead to me," Lanie seethed.

"Well, the good news is, Castle's providing the wine for our girl's night, so it'll be the good stuff," Beckett smiled, ignoring the fury colouring Lanie's gaze.

"Expensive wine will not buy my love, Kate," she pouted sourly. "Although, I suppose it's a good start," she added, perking up. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I have to go yell at your boyfriend," she grinned. Beckett beamed in response.

"Don't scare him away, I, uh, love this one," she said sunnily, fondness lighting up her features. Lanie squealed and gripped her friend in a consuming hug.

"God, I'm so happy for you! I get to be maid of honour, right?" she bounced on the balls of her feet, pressed tightly against her friend, awkwardly jostling her with the movement. Beckett could feel the happiness rolling from her.

"When do you think I was going to tell you about dating Castle…" Beckett teased dryly. Lanie smacked her shoulder a little too hard for it to pass as completely affectionate. She pulled back, looking her best friend squarely in the eyes –

"And for that, I get to pick the bridesmaids dresses completely, you have no say. I may outshine you on your wedding day – it's the price you pay," she asserted. Beckett got the feeling she wasn't kidding, at all. Super. Oh well, it was a small price. Plus, Lanie had great taste in dresses – anything she found would probably be better than Beckett's suggestions. Not that any of this was a conversation that they needed to be having at the present… "C'mon, let's go watch Writer Man squirm, just for fun," Lanie added, a smile to her tone.

She marched to the door of the break room, Beckett trailing along in her wake.

"Richard Castle, you open this door right now, or I will break it down!" Lanie enunciated, her fierce tone clearly back in place. Castle jerkily slid through the door and into the hallway, running a hand through his hair, a little flustered – and a lot adorable, in Beckett's humble opinion. She caught a glimpse of Esposito grinning through the wedged open door. She fixed her gaze on Lanie and slid to Castle's side, her steady touch a calming presence.

"You know," she directed to Lanie, "Esposito and Ryan have known for months and didn't tell you. Don't take it all out on Castle."

"Hmm," Lanie hummed. "I suppose you have a point – the man is twisted round your little finger, you say it's a secret, there's no way he's going to cave and tell. Javier Esposito, Imma need you to step out into the hall…Now." Beckett smirked as the smug grin plummeted from Esposito's face. She caught Esposito's hand flashing back to grip Ryan's wrist, dragging him into the hallway as well. She thought she heard an audible gulp from Ryan as they slipped past them to stand before Lanie with apologetic – albeit defensive – expressions.

Despite the two men now quaking before her, Lanie turned back to Castle. He was gazing unashamedly at Beckett, sincerely glad that she seemed to have survived the intense fury of her best friend. His eyes mentally scoured her, cataloguing for any injuries, physical or otherwise. He seemed content with his assessment. Beckett was momentarily revoking her PDA rules and absentmindedly running her fingers along Castle's, somehow holding his hand but not. It was a simple yet intimate act and as per usual, he was captivated by her. Lanie couldn't help the sincere smile that graced her lips at the sight before her. Seeing her best friend this obviously smitten – in love – was worth the months of deception. That wasn't to say she wasn't going to milk it for all it was worth from her friends for the next couple of…years. She had to have her fun.

She was a little tempted to give Castle the hurt my friend and you will pay speech, but judging by the man's expression, it wasn't really necessary. She'd known for years that Castle had absolutely no intention of hurting Beckett. Him hurling himself at Beckett to try stop her from taking a bullet sort of cemented that knowledge in everyone's minds. The woman in question noticed her staring and rolled her eyes, snuggling herself into Castle's side just a little bit and linking their fingers fully.

"We're just going to head home, see you tonight, Lanie," Beckett smiled, tugging Castle over to her desk. She glanced back at the boys standing tersely before Lanie. "Hey Ryan, you might want to leave now too, I'm thinking we don't want to watch whatever this is going to turn into," she waved her hands at the intense staring match Lanie and Esposito were currently engaged in. As the three of them trudged from the bullpen, she heard Lanie murmur to Esposito –

"Javi, I can't believe you didn't tell me. Them, I understand, it took Beckett four years to admit to me that she sort of even liked Castle…"

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Alexis was in the kitchen fixing some sort of a meal as Beckett and Castle meandered into the loft. Castle pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.

"Smells good," he assured his daughter, brushing from the kitchen to deposit Beckett's gun in the bedside table where it resided – her bedside table.

"I heard you worked with Lanie today," Beckett nodded in greeting at Alexis. The girl dropped the spoon she was holding with a resounding clang. Her face paled and Beckett found new meaning to the deer caught in the headlights expression. She bit back a giggle and schooled her expression.

"I, uh," the girl gaped. "I didn't tell her, I swear."

"Tell her what?" Beckett replied breezily, fixing the girl with a quizzical glance.

"Nothing, oh nothing," she rushed out.

"Mmm," Beckett hummed. "She's coming round for a girl's night if you'd like to join," she smiled.

"No thanks, I have plan. Lots of plans. So much stuff planned," Alexis hastily replied, picking up the spoon with an awkward half-giggle.

"You're not usually so clumsy," Beckett murmured. "Are you okay, Alexis. You're really quite pale." The doorbell sounded and Alexis jerked, her eyes flitting from Kate to the door at a million miles an hour.

"Um, I think Lanie knows. I'm so sorry, I didn't tell her. She just figured it out and…" Beckett cut the girl off with a gentle hug.

"Alexis, I know you didn't tell her. Your father and I totally gave it away when she overheard us this afternoon in the bullpen… But you should have seen your face just now," Beckett teased. Alexis pulled away from her embrace and Beckett worried that she'd crossed a line with the girl, but she was grinning.

"You're as bad as my father," she groaned, her expression clearly bemused. "You should probably answer the door…" –

"Lanie," the women said in unison.

"Right," Beckett added. She hurried to the door, jerking it open to find Lanie with an irked expression, she hustled past her into the loft with a –

"Girl, you took months to tell me about your relationship, then you go and leave me standing out the door, waiting. Not the way to be mending fences I tell you," she muttered, winking at Alexis as she slipped into the kitchen.

AN: Sincerest apologies for the delay between updates. I feel as if this one has been highly anticipated, I hope it meets your expectations. I'm really curious to know your thoughts – please review!

I feel the need to add, this is not the last chapter – I have at least a couple more in mind.