Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

This chapter was incredibly fun to write! I hope you enjoy it.


Stuck

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Day 15 Continued...

"One case closed in less than two days!" "Feed the Birds!" Esposito grinned as he reached toward Castle, all five fingertips pinched together in a baby bird parody.

"Feed the Birds." Castle smirked back as he played the Mamma bird, feeding the baby bird, tapping his fingertips against Esposito's.

"Yeah, well," Beckett appeared, newly returned from booking. "Laury Zaks was careless, leaving that receipt and the condom around for Ryan to spot.

"Speaking of, good eye, Ryan." Montgomery clapped Ryan on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Feed the Birds." Castle's mama bird pecked at Ryan's baby bird.

"Feed the Birds?" Montgomery looked from one to the other.

"Just my way of saying, Let's see more of that."

"Ah," Montgomery turned to Beckett. "How did you know Reni Eschevarria was involved?"

"The lab found her DNA on the condom. It was Castle who noticed it was a glow in the dark flavored condom. The same kind she carries in her Adult Toy Shop."

"You a connoisseur of flavored condoms, Castle?" Ryan grinned.

"I am a man of many talents," he began and then paused, "but not that one." He gave Ryan a pointed look, missing a Beckett eye roll.

Montgomery openly smiled, "Excellent work people. And might I add, nice timing. Four o'clock on a Friday and nothing left but paperwork." He gave his team thumbs up as he disappeared into his office.

"Paperwork, schmakerwork." Ryan grimaced.

Esposito wasn't ready to let the celebratory mood go. "Let's get these reports done and check out that new tavern, Popeye's, for happy hour. They've got $3 margaritas till seven." He glanced around at his colleagues. "Whaddya say? Bring in the weekend with sass?"

"I'll see if Jenny can meet us there." Ryan, already pushing the speed dial on his phone, missed Esposito shaking his head over his smitten partner.

He caught Castle's eye, "He used to be fun. What about you, Castle? Anyplace you have to be?"

Esposito caught the questioning look Castle cast in Beckett's direction and bit back a smirk. Those two might fool Ryan, but not Iceman Ice-posito.

"I'm free." There was a note of reservation in his voice. "Beckett?"

She slowly looked up from the folder in her hands, "Um, yeah. That might be fun. I can come for a while." She headed for her desk and Castle scooted out of her chair, holding it for her as she sat.

Esposito shook his head. Between Ryan and Jenny's goo-goo eyes on one side and Castle and Beckett pretending nothing was going on, He was not about to play the fifth wheel. He dropped into his chair, swiveling into his desk. A moment later, his phone was ringing in his ear. "Lanie, Esposito," he identified himself. "You busy tonight?"


"You know you can leave if you feel uncomfortable."

"What?" Beckett hesitated as she pulled one arm through the sleeve of her red leather jacket.

Castle was completely serious, "Tonight at Popeye's. If you feel uncomfortable, we'll leave."

Nonplussed, Beckett pulled her jacket the rest of the way on, ignoring the we. "Why would I feel uncomfortable?"

"Come on. Happy hour on a Friday night? You won't feel funny being the only one not drinking?"

"What makes you think I won't be drinking?" She turned away to hide her smirk.

He scowled at her and opened his mouth to retort but closed it again as Ryan approached.

"I'm going now, in case Jenny's early." He straightened his lapel as he rushed to the elevator, not waiting for a response.

Beckett arched a brow at Castle who shook his head. "Do you think he's ready to propose?" he asked.

Her lips twitched. "Just about."

He shook his head again. "Poor fool."

Beckett returned to their earlier conversation, "I'll be fine tonight, Castle."

"Hey," It was Lanie Parish, who'd ditched her usual scrubs for Friday night wear, a short skirt, heels, and a red camisole peeking out from under a black suede jacket.

"Hey," Beckett smiled at her friend.

"Dr. Parish, I almost didn't recognize you without your scrubs." Castle grinned appreciatively at the M.E.

"Lookin' good Doctor Parish." Esposito arrived at last, having just sent the last report to Montgomery.

"Thank you." Lanie gave him a sideways glance and winked at him. He grinned, tugging his jacket on.

"Let's fly."

"You're in a good mood," she observed.

"Got reason to be. Closed a complicated case in time for the weekend, gonna have some fun tonight—"

"Let's just hope we don't get called for a new body."

"Uh uh, BossLady. Go take your gloomies somewhere else. Body dropping on my Friday night is not allowed!" Lanie shook her finger at Beckett.

"Besides, Karpowski's team is on call this weekend." Esposito told her as he led the way out of the elevator.

"Hey, we've a ten block walk; it's a full moon; anything can happen!" Castle grinned.


"Would you look at that!" Castle grabbed Beckett's arm, pulling her to a stop as he gaped at the dingy window display.

"What?" Her trained eye darted over the store front, simultaneously cataloguing and checking for signs of blood spatter, forced entry, suspicious persons, and noting the security system. Each sweep came up empty. "What is it?"

Castle's voice was low, reverent even, "An exact replica of Dr. Who's original scarf!"

"Who?" Her voice was flat, unimpressed.

"Exactly!" Castle looked at her and sighed at her blank expression. "The alien doctor who travels through time and space righting wrongs and defeating foes." You must have heard of it. It's a BBC classic! The longest running sci-fi show ever!" Castle leaned closer to the window, taking in every detail of the multi-colored scarf.

"Since when are you an expert on long-running sci-fi shows?" Beckett's critical eye gave the scarf a perfunctory glance. She shrugged as a display of cashmere scarves in rustic Autumn colors caught her attention.

"Hey, I'm freezing here," Lanie interrupted, her arms were crossed as she shivered in her mini skirt, but the door chimes were already tinkling in Castle's wake.

Beckett sighed, "We'll be along in a bit."

"We'll see you there." Esposito said, giving her a grin which clearly stated, Better you than me. Then to Lanie, "They should try building that kind of following with 14 episodes!"

She followed Castle into the scarf shop. He'd had no trouble finding the display shelf holding several replicas of the scarf. One was already wrapped once around his neck, the ends puddling at his feet.

"Cool, right?" His boyish grin was infectious.

"It's a little short." She couldn't keep from smiling back.

The sales lady, a plump African-American woman with hair lacquered in gorgeous waves, was showing him how to wear it. "Honey you have got the height and shoulders to pull this one off too. Try it this way."

Beckett shook her head at his childish enthusiasm as she browsed. There certainly was a lot to see, scarves for dress, scarves for winter, huge square ones, shawls, smaller neckerchiefs, handkerchiefs… She was drawn to the rack of cashmere scarves she'd noticed from outside. She fingered the fine, maroon fabric. Cashmere was supposed to be warm…

She selected a black one with fuchsia stitching, looping it around her neck. Checking her reflection in one of the many mirrors, she had to admit, the drape was stunning. She rubbed the end of it against her cheek, enjoying the softness.

"Beckett."

She turned around to find Castle with the gargantuan scarf looped three times around his neck, the graceful loops hanging over his chest and across his belly… He cocked a rakish eyebrow at her.

Still wearing the black cashmere, she walked toward him, shaking her head.

"What?"

"It's ridiculous. That scarf has got to be fifteen feet long—"

"Fourteen."

"Fourteen," she conceded. "Why do you need a fourteen foot scarf?"

He pulled the loops over his head. "Because," he answered, dropping a length over her shoulders. "It's fun." A moment later it crisscrossed her shoulders and he tied it in front with an enormous bow.

The ends hung to her knees.

"If you ever forget your handcuffs, you can tie your suspects up with this." He grinned, nudging her toward the full length oval mirror, framed in a beautiful honey-oak.

"I'd rather tie you up." She muttered without thinking.

"That can be arranged…" he murmured, his warm breath tickling her ear. "Just remember my safe word is still apples." His blue eyes snared hers in the mirror. He lingered, his lips brushing her hair. The warm teasing was utterly replaced by something else smoldering in the depths of his single eye visible. Her breath caught in her throat and their eyes were locked for a long moment. She felt a fluttering in her belly, a spreading warmth…

"We'll take them both." He announced, to the sales lady who'd retreated behind the check stand. He sauntered toward her, pulling his wallet out.

Kate stared at his back in the mirror as he walked away. How did he do that? She closed her eyes, as she willed her breathing to slow. Then, giving herself a shake, she was pulling the Who Scarf over her head as she zeroed in on what Castle was doing.

"No." Her voice was firm. "No scarf for me, thank you anyway."

"You look sophisticated in—"

"No, thank you." She tried to wad the enormous scarf into a ball, but settled for a messy bundle which she shoved into his arms.

"For Lanie, then." He turned back to The Scarf Lady "I'll take it anyway."

Beckett's lips were open to argue with him further but she nodded acquiescence, dropping the cashmere on the counter. Lanie would freeze her tail off without it.

Moments later, they were back on the street, Castle wearing the Whovian scarf with one end dangling down his back, Lanie's tucked into a magenta shopping back. They walked in silence for a time, Beckett pretending not to see him glancing occasionally at her profile.

The silence hung between them, edgy and palpable. It was Castle who first broke it, his voice hesitant, even vulnerable. "I have something for you at home." His eyes lingered on her face.

Beckett made a sound in the back of her throat. "It better not be more panties."

"It's not." Then he grinned, "Have you worn them yet?" It was too dark to see the gleam in his eyes but she could hear it in his voice, "Because, there is a very hot coordinating negligee that I—"

"If you like it so much maybe I should return the panties to you." She gave him a wicked smile, "Just so you can wear the coordinating set—you understand."

Castle cocked his head slightly, as if considering. "Will it make me look fat?" he dead-panned.

"It's supposed to make you look hot—"

A smile tipped the corner of his mouth and he leaned closer, murmuring, "Do I look hot without it?"

"I—" Beckett swallowed. Did he look hot? Her cheeks grew warm as she struggled to think of a safe answer. A memory sprang forward, unbidden, of his weight upon her, and his touch—she pushed it away. She peeked at him from the side. He was grinning at her. Damn.

Satisfied by the answer the awkward silence gave him, he changed the subject. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

Beckett grimaced. "Looking for an apartment."

"Still haven't found one?"

"Nope."

"How long can you sublet this one for?"

She sighed, her frustration evident, "The owner's return from Europe in two months." He could hear the discouragement in her voice. A companionable silence fell between them as each considered the impossibility of affordable housing in New York City.

"What happens if you don't find one by then?"

"I either find another sublet, or move into the boroughs." The quiet between them only highlighted the city sounds around them. They turned onto Amsterdam, not much further.

"You know what?"

She looked up at him, her green eyes lustrous in the smoky twilight.

"You should move in."

Beckett's jaw dropped open, and she abruptly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and faced him. "Wh-What?" She was sure she hadn't heard him correctly.

"We have an extra bedroom. You'd have your own bathroom. Why not?"

"I can't move in with you!"

"Why not?" he repeated.

"Because…" Beckett blinked several times before answering. "Because you and I are not together, for one thing. For another, we work together, and I need my space, and for a third thing, it's ludicrous!"

It's not ludicrous, it's perfect! Think of it; it's closer to the precinct, secure, with a doorman, a community weight room and underground parking. We can carpool! Or share a cab."

"Castle!"

"What?"

"We are not dating. We are not together."

"I know that. I wasn't suggesting sharing bedrooms, although," he grinned as though he'd just now thought of it, "that would be fun!" His voice was husky.

Beckett stalked away and he hurried to keep up. "Just think about it." He hesitated, swallowing hard, then, with his voice lower he said, "With the baby coming, it would be ideal. We could both take care of her, be part of her life."

Her head snapped up and her eyes widened. Clearly, she hadn't thought of this new angle.

"Just think it over," he encouraged.

This time, her tone was completely different. "No. Thank you for the offer, Castle, but I can't live with you."

He sighed, "Alright. But I get to pick out the couch."

Her brows snapped together. "Excuse me?"

"Well, if you're not going to move in, then I'll be staying with you when the baby's born." He quirked a brow at her astonishment. "I will require a comfortable place to sleep." He gave her a sexy smile. "Unless you prefer to share?"

She stared at him in shock.

"No?" he sighed, "Well, it'll have to be a very comfy couch then, cause I like to spread out. Maybe a sectional?" he mused.

"No."

"Well alright but it'll have to be long—"

"No, you're not living with me, you're not—"Beckett shook her head frantically.

They stopped again, this time under a streetlight. "Okay." He stared at her for a long moment, his brow furrowed as he considered her. She started to walk away. "But you do realize you're stuck with me now."

She stopped and bit her lip before facing him. "How's that?" She crossed her arms. A tiny line appeared between her brows.

He waited until she dragged her eyes back to his. "If we have a baby together," he spoke slowly, his voice soft, "There will always be visitations to arrange, birthdays, holidays, graduations…." His voice trailed off as he watched her closely for her reaction. "You can never completely walk away from me."

I walk away from you? She thought, her mouth dropping slightly open. He was the one who was always leaving! How could he suggest—She swallowed hard.

She was still staring at him when he took her cold hand in his warm one. "Come on. We'll solve the world's problems tomorrow." He laced his fingers through hers and drew them into his pocket. He was smiling as they approached the tavern.

She was wondering what the hell just happened.

They were nearly to the tavern when she pulled her icy fingers from his. He let her go, and held open the heavy carved door. She was very aware of his presence behind her, as she peered through the gloom, carefully avoiding eye contact with him. An unmistakable peal of laughter from a certain M.E. wafted from a corner. "This way," she muttered to Castle. They made their way to the table where their teammates perched on stools.

"There you are!" Ryan greeted them, one hand clasped with Jenny's as he waved them over. "We were wondering what happened to you."

"Yeah Bro," Esposito remarked to Castle, his voice pitched for his ears alone, "Did you find a dark corner so Beckett could give you a pat down?"

Castle's eyes widened in genuine surprise at the implication, "What are you insinuating?"

Ryan interrupted, "Oh my God! That's a genuine Dr. Who scarf!"

Castle's dimples popped as he vamped, "Cool right?"

"YES!"

Esposito made a disparaging remark as Beckett quietly greeted Jenny, gratefully taking the remaining seat, between her and Lanie; who leaned over to snap a phone pic of the three stooges. Castle beamed between the two shorter men, a loop from the scarf around each. Ryan was completely delighted.

Esposito was less than thrilled. "Lanie, if that picture ever sees the light of day…"

"You'll what?" She arched her brows, looking him over as though taking his measure.

He tossed the end of the scarf back at Castle, and was about to give Lanie answer when the waitress arrived and began placing drinks in front of each of them.

"Whoa. What is this?" Castle stared down at a salt-rimmed margarita glass in front of him.

"Popeye's Specialty, Bro." Esposito grinned, "Spinach margarita!" He lifted his own draft beer to salute the writer.

Castle stared at the drink and then looked at Esposito, "You're joking."

"A full day's supply of iron, vitamin C, and, best of all, fiber! Very nutritious." Ryan laughed.

"The whole point of an alcoholic beverage is they're not nutritious!" Castle protested. "The city health department allows them to serve this? It looks like seaweed and tadpoles met their demise in a blender." His eyes widened suddenly and he looked up. "Oo! A blender would be a very interesting tool for hiding a body!"

Jenny, unused to Castle's morbid tangents, giggled harder.

Beckett smiled slightly at her friends' antics, until an identical glass was set in front of her. "I didn't order this," she protested to the beleaguered waitress, shaking her head slightly. The waitress merely pointed at Esposito before turning to the next table. She looked up to find Castle staring at her, his brow furrowed slightly as he looked from the glass to her. She bit her lip and turned away.

He winked anyway and took a cautious sip of his margarita. "Pineapple, tequila and kelp." He identified the main ingredients for his audience. More laughter as he tipped his head back, downing the drink in one go. He slammed the glass down to general hoots and hollers, grimacing good naturedly.

"The whole thing?"

"I can't believe he drank it!"

"Don't stop there, Castle." Beckett slid her glass in front of him.

"Oh, hey now! That's your drink! I bought that especially for you." Esposito was clearly enjoying himself.

"Let her be," Lanie admonished him, laying a hand on his arm. He didn't seem to mind. She seemed in no hurry to move it away.

Castle cradled the stem with one hand, without drinking, while he listened to the conversations swirling around him. Not that Beckett blamed him. The drink looked disgusting.

Still, she appreciated the chivalrous gesture. Beckett slipped away to the relative privacy of the bar. "Two lime margaritas. Make one virgin." she told the bartender.

Moments later the waitress set a margarita in front of her. "This one's the regular." She pushed a second glass in front of her, where the usual spinach leaf garnish pierced a maraschino cherry. "Here's the virgin."

"Thank you." Beckett muttered. She slid the plain margarita across the table toward Castle and then tipped the waitress, who began collecting empty glassware.

"Ah. Now this is a margarita!" He pushed the spinach margarita glasses toward the waitress who didn't even blink at the untouched drink.


I would love to hear which are your favorite parts and which made you laugh out loud. Any kind of feedback is good. Review?

Coming soon, Martha & Beckett. For the record, I'm not a Whovian, but researched it to make it feel authentic.