I wasn't planning on writing a chapter tonight, but I saw some promotional photos for episode 5x05 that made me kind of sad, so I figured I'd do this rather then homework!

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle.

Chapter 11: If you're ever sad, I'll make you laugh

Kate was surprised at how easily the two of them joked on the way to the precinct. He was telling her jokes that were causing tears to form in her eyes from laughter. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy.

Rick was in awe of how care free and simply happy Kate was acting. In all the years he had ever known her he had never seen her like this. Sure, she had let her guard down for a few minor seconds, but to see her so laid back for an entire 15-minute car ride was something else.

When the two arrived at the precinct, Kate gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Remember, Castle. If this is going to work, we can not give off even the slightest inking that will make them think we are together." She laughed as he nodded like an eager puppy. She hadn't even seen him this exited around crime scenes, and that was saying something. Maybe she should have shown him this side of her earlier. He truly had no idea how different she was when she let her guard down and momentarily forgot about all the baggage she was carrying. It was a wonder he had waited for her for so long.

As the elevator carried the couple up, they held each other's hands as if they were never going to have the chance again. As soon as the elevator came to a stop, however, they let go of each other's grip. "I miss you already." Rick whispered quickly before the doors opened. Sure, he was excited to finally get pay back on the guys for their years of taunting and gibing the two of them, but he would be lying if he said he hadn't considered dropping the act just so he could continue to place his claim on the lovely detective.

Kate felt like all eyes were on her as soon as she entered the precinct. She knew she was being ridiculous, and clearly no one cared more about her today than they did yesterday, but she still felt like they could tell. She walked over to the murder board that Esposito had already set up. He was leaning against the desk studying it when she approached him. "Trying to be me, Esposito?" She smiled, resting against the desk beside him. He took a few seconds to tear his eyes off of the board, as though something was physically holding him there and he had to struggle to redirect his gaze.

"Every night before I fall asleep I pray that I can be exactly like you one day, Beckett." He said, playfully nudging her in the arm. She laughed a little at his quick-witted statement. She only realized her mistake when he gave her a sideways glance of confusion. "You seem awfully cheery today." He said slowly, as if whatever he said could offend her in some way.

Kate gave her friend a small smile of reassurance (trying her best not to overdo it this time). "Don't worry, Espo. I'm the same as I always am. I'm not getting all—" she feigned a fake shiver, "happy on you or anything like that." He smiled at her, obviously accepting her act. That was a close one. He turned back to the murder board and continued to study it.

Kate studied the board along with Esposito for about 10 minutes until Castle finally made his way over to where they were standing. With 7 little words, he set his plan into motion. "So I've got a date for tonight." Kate tried her best to give a look with the perfect mixture of jealousy and indifference. Esposito looked completely confused. Castle hadn't been on a date in what—7 months? What was with the sudden change of heart?

Esposito was making an obvious attempt to diffuse the heated glares Kate was throwing at Castle. "So… uh, who is she?" He asked, hoping he would keep the answer simple and move on. Apparently, he did not have that in mind. His eyes lit up like he was waiting for him to ask. "She is this totally hot PR director for one of my friends. We met at a birthday party and it was an instant connection. Honestly, if I believed in soul mates, I might just think she is mine." Esposito was completely stunned.

No! He thought, wanting to shake the writer until he saw reason. Beckett is your soul mate! Not some blonde chick you met at a party! He put his thoughts aside and attempted to end the conversation. He could tell that Beckett would rather be anywhere other then where she was in that moment. "Well, I hope you have fun tonight." Castle smiled and quickly responded, "thanks I will." To make matters worse, he winked at them. Like he was planning on getting lucky and expected them to high five him.

Kate cleared her throat and interrupted the two. "Well, this isn't an appropriate place to be gossiping. So if you boys want to talk about Castle's hot date tonight, you can go elsewhere. I'll be over here trying to solve this murder." Kate saw Castle look up at Esposito for guidance through the corner of her eye. Well played, Rick. She thought, appreciating the way he made it seem like he wanted to gossip with Espo and leave Kate to stare at the murder board. She felt a swell of pride when she saw Esposito slightly shake his head. Even though this was a joke, it was nice to know her friend had her back.

After about 5 minutes of mindless staring, Esposito decided to duck out and fill in Ryan on what was going on. "I'm going to go get some coffee." He told the couple, not waiting for either of them to nod at him. He knew that while they were studying the murder board there was no interrupting them. He toward Ryan's desk and as he passed he grabbed his partner's arm and dragged him along with him. He continued dragging the confused cop until they were in the safety of the break room.

"Castle is going on a date tonight with a woman he says could be his soul mate!" Esposito whispered fiercely at Ryan, whose mouth dropped open so low it looked like it may fall right off his face. "No way! Beckett is his soul mate!" Ryan said with an equal fierceness to his voice. Esposito rolled his eyes and hit his partner in the arm, not caring that the man winced and began rubbing the spot where his hand had made contact.

"Well obviously I know that, but I thought Castle did too! We need to do something about this." Ryan nodded vigorously at his friend's words. It was true that this was bad. Ryan, always being melodramatic, began to picture what it would be like if Castle fell in love with this woman. He knew Beckett would be a wreck and Rick would probably stop shadowing her. He always complained about having Castle around, but the truth was, he actually liked his company within the precinct. Castle made the usually dull atmosphere a whole lot more fun. Ryan couldn't imagine what it would be like without him. "So what do you want to do about this?" He asked Esposito, who was clearly brainstorming plans.

Meanwhile, Castle and Beckett were sitting in their usual seats. Kate was behind her desk in her swivel chair, and Rick was sitting in a stationary seat to the left of her. Castle looked around to make sure no one was within earshot. Finally, once he was satisfied with his analysis, he began to whisper. "Do you think they bought it?" Kate rolled his eyes at his lack of perception. "Of course they bought it! What do you think they are doing in the break room right now? They've been in there for 10 minutes. There is no way they are just getting coffee." Rick hadn't even realized that they had both gone in together.

"What do you think they are talking about?" Rick asked, with complete honesty. Though he would never admit it, Kate's guess was usually better then his. She shrugged her shoulders and contemplated this for a moment. "Probably just gossiping about whether or not they should be happy for you. They will probably decide to side with me rather then you, but before they do they will come up with a plan to get you to rethink your 'date'." She said with finality.

Rick smiled and rubbed his hands together as though he were an evil mastermind. "Well," he said in his best evil voice impression. "I guess its time to implement phase 2."

If you guys have any ideas as to how they should mess around with Ryan and Esposito, feel free to post them in a review, or message me them. I have a few thoughts, but I am having trouble coming up with creative ones. I hope you guys are enjoying so far!