AN: Fill for the prompt list: "oh wow this necklace is super pretty WHAT DO YOU MEAN REAL DIAMONDS NO TAKE IT BACK THAT'S TOO MUCH"
Set Season 4.
Kate is bent over her desk, finishing one of the many reports that's been piling up over the past days, when she hears the elevator. She doesn't have to look up to know who it is.
"Good morning, my dear detective," he greets, placing her customary bear claw and coffee on her desk.
"Morning, Castle," she greets, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "What brings you here? There's no body today." Although, she doesn't mind him being there. Not that she would tell him so.
His mouth forms into one of his boyish grins.
"I believe today is a special day, is it not?"
She stares at him, her mind drawing a blank. Her glance slides to the digital calendar on her computer, which is currently highlighted on November 17.
"Oh," she says and then shrugs. "I guess I just forgot." She never liked making a big deal out of her birthday. The most she'd do would be to have drinks with Lanie or in the more recent years, go to Remy's with Castle.
"Well, good thing I remembered," he replies, beaming."I have something for you for this special occasion."
With a flourish, he produces a plain yellow bag from behind his back. He sets it on the desk, smiling expectantly.
"Aw, thank you, Castle. You didn't have to get me anything." Although, if she had asked for anything, even a pony, he probably would've found a way to get it for her.
"Nonsense. Now come on, open it up!" he exclaims, bouncing on his toes with excitement.
She grins, grabs the bag, and peeks inside. Reaching in, she pulls out a medium-sized, purple, square box. Lifting the lid, she gasps softly when she sees what's inside. Gingerly, she removes the silver chain nested in cotton, holding it up to the light.
The necklace glistens, creating a slight simmering effect on her desk. As she examines it, her lips curve into a smile when she spots the pendant. Two gem encrusted loops combined, making for a familiar symbol.
"Oh Castle, it's beautiful," she breathes, fastening it around her neck. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." He gives her one of his smiles, the one that makes his eyes crinkle.
"So, Remy's?"
"Ah," she hesitates. "Raincheck? I have a lot of paperwork to finish."
"Fine." He pouts, before sighing dramatically. "I guess I'll go write."
"I have a feeling you better," she says, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you have a deadline?"
"Don't remind me," he mutters. "Well, I bid you adieu, Beckett. Also, I'm holding you to that raincheck." With that he heads for the elevators, giving her a little wave after he steps in.
She chuckles, shaking her head as she turns her attention back to her paperwork.
A while later, she receives a text from Lanie telling her to come down to the morgue. She contemplates declining, but realizes it's time for lunch anyway. When she arrives, she spots her best friend cleaning some tools.
"So, what's up?" she asks.
The M.E. turns around, hands on her hips. "What's up? Girl, it's your birthday is what's up. Come here and let me give you a hug."
Kate chuckles as she embraces her friend. "Thank you."
"So, drinks tonight?"
"Um, nah, maybe some other time. I have a lot of paperwork to finish."
Lanie rolls her eyes. "Oh come on. The paperwork will be there tomorrow. It's your birthday, have some fun."
The brunette shakes her head. "Nope. Besides, I already turned down Castle's offer for dinner. I would feel bad if I took your offer over his. Soon though, okay?" She and Lanie haven't had drinks in a while. It would be a good way to catch up.
"Okay, okay." Her friend huffs. "So, Castle asked you out to dinner, huh?" She tosses Kate a knowing smirk.
Ignoring the obvious teasing, Kate replies, "Just his usual offer for Remy's. Oh, and he gave me this necklace as a gift." She pulls the jewelry out, showing it to Lanie.
"Oh, that is very very nice. I bet it cost him a pretty penny too."
"Lanie," she scolds. It was rude to think about something like that with a gift. Besides, he probably only paid like one-hundred dollars for it at most.
"What? You remember he plopped down one hundred thousand dollars for you once, right? This necklace would be small potatoes to him." Taking out her phone, Lanie grasps the necklace, taking a picture.
"What are you doing?"
The M.E. holds her finger up while grinning. "I have an app that tells you the price of any item you can take a picture of. Works great for all of the stuff I see in magazine ads."
Kate huffs in exasperation. "Lanie, I really don't see the point in," She's cut off as her friends shoves the phone in her face, the sight of price making her jaw drop. "Oh my god, are you sure that's right?"
"Mhmm. Told you so," Lanie sing-songs.
"That's way too much!" Kate exclaims, clutching the pendant. "He has to take it back! This is more for if I was his girlfriend."
"Well, technically…" the M.E. trails off.
"It's not appropriate," Kate grumbles, glaring at her friend. "This is all your fault."
"Whatever you say, girlfriend. I would keep that necklace though."
Kate shakes her head. "I'll talk to him later, once my paperwork is done."
"Alrighty then,' Lanie mutters. "Happy Birthday!"
Kate's lips twitch as she exits the morgue, waving her hand in acknowledgement. However, her mind is on other things.
Like killing Castle.
It's not until much later, when it's well past dark, that her paperwork is done. Kate bids the boys goodnight, who exchange final birthday wishes with her as she leaves.
When she arrives home, she immediately dials the familiar phone number, her fingers impatiently playing with pendant hanging from her neck as the phone rang.
"Happy Birthday to you," answers a singing voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this late call, Beckett?"
She bites her lip. "Ahh, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Sure, what?"
"The gift you gave me, the necklace," she starts.
"You're very welcome for it," he interrupts, sounding like an excited little boy.
She closes her eyes, hating to let him down. "It's beautiful, Castle, but I can't accept it."
"Why not?" he whines.
"It's too much. Real diamonds?" Real, very expensive diamonds.
"What else would they be?" he asks, his voice taking on a tone of confusion.
"Castle," she sighs. "It's not appropriate. It's not like I'm your girlfriend." The yet hangs heavy in the air.
"You don't have to wear it work," he suggests.
Her fingers rub her forehead as she sighs. "I just-"
"Look, Kate," he begins. "Just think of it as a preview of what's to come." She smiles at the thought. "If it makes you that uncomfortable, just put it away in your drawer or something. Then, take it out when you're ready to use it." He's not pushing, which she's thankful for; however, the implication is clear. "Either way, I'm not taking it back. Besides, I don't think it would go with anything I own," he jokes.
She chuckles. 'Okay, I'll keep it. And I do appreciate it, Castle."
"You're welcome. Goodnight, Kate."
With that, he hangs up, leaving her smiling. Looking at the pendant, she sighs, knowing it's a reminder of the promise they made to each other.
She hopes they can start fulfilling it sooner rather than later.