Happy CastleFanficMonday, everyone! Thank you all for your wonderful, kind words on last chapter. I'm so excited to continue this journey.
"Hey, boss?"
Looking up from her requisition report, Beckett finds Kevin Ryan leaning into her office, his face hopeful.
Her lips lift. For the majority of her captaincy, her detective has almost exclusively sent Esposito to talk to her about, well, anything. She hopes it's a good sign that he's coming to her now, even if he's only here to talk shop.
"Hey, Ryan. What's up?"
"Are you busy?"
Her pen hits the desk. "Please save me. As you can tell, Castle bailed on me over an hour ago to go play with you guys."
Ryan chuckles, stepping deeper into her office. "What's holding you hostage this time?"
"Requisitions. Apparently, we've used more paperclips in the last six months than we did all last year. I have to decide if I should ask for more or just hope it was a fluke this time around."
He smirks. "Think we can blame Castle for that? He makes those chains to pass notes across the bullpen."
Ah, yes. Her boyfriend's interesting method of alleviating boredom. He really is nine years old sometimes. At the same time, though, it is kind of adorable to watch him brighten everyone's day.
"You know, he actually set up a pretty smart pulley system, but then the janitor made him take it down. Lenny must've tossed the paper clips instead of returning them to supplies."
This time, there's no hiding her affectionate smile. "Yeah, well, next quarter, Castle gets to explain why we need so many."
Ryan flashes another quick grin before turning serious once more. "Ah, speaking of next quarter."
She nods, indicating for him to go on. Now that they're getting down to business, she has an inkling what he's here to discuss; she's not deaf to their chatter, especially given that she's sleeping with the Curly to their Larry and Moe, but she hasn't been willing to butt in until they've seemed ready to talk to her.
It had been disappointing when, despite her wheeling and dealing, she'd been told Ryan and Esposito wouldn't be approved for promotion. At least not until the New Year and not until the boys sat for the exam, which they hadn't seemed to have any inclination to do at the time. Her plan to surprise them had been dead in the water.
"Javi and I want to sit for the Sergeant's exam."
Thank goodness. They both deserved the promotion and damn it, they were going to get it.
"Good. I think you both should. And I don't mean that just as your boss."
"Yeah?" he asks, looking surprised. How he could be surprised that she wants them to get ahead is beyond her, but maybe she needs to be better about acknowledging that.
"Yeah, Kev. I um, to tell you the truth, I tried to bump you guys to the top of the list a few months ago, but without the exam under your belt, they didn't go for it."
He blinks. "You did? Really?"
"Really. I wanted to do something to show you guys that I know how hard you've worked since all of this happened," she pauses, gesturing around the room. "But it kinda backfired on me."
Ryan grins, shaking his head. "It's the thought that counts, I think."
"Yeah, but a little follow-through never hurts either."
"True," he agrees, shifting his weight. There's obviously more on his mind, but it looks like she's going to have to work to get it out of him.
Kate smiles, offering him an M&M from the dish Castle's continually refilling for her.
"What else is up? You look antsy."
He flushes, finding something interesting on the floor for a few seconds. "I, ah, well, do you mind if I cut out early? I'm on for the rest of the week for the holiday, and all weekend." There's no malice in his voice, even though they both know he could be upset that she expects them to be there while she goes away for a few days with her boyfriend. "And I… kind of have a date tonight."
Sitting up straighter, Beckett bites her lip to contain her interest. As far as she knows, he hasn't dated since Jenny… would it be too much to hope that they've somehow rekindled things? "Yeah?"
Ryan nods, looking bashful. "Yeah. I uh, I called Jenny last night and asked her to meet me. She said yes, so we're going to get dinner and hopefully talk things out…"
She's on her feet without a second thought, rounding her desk to bear hug her friend. Kevin laughs, returning her affection with gusto. It feels easy, it feels like the way it was before.
"I am so happy to hear that. Go, go. Come in late tomorrow if you want to."
He sputters, forcing her to review what she'd just said.
"I meant in case you're out late tonight. Because you're going to be talki – forget it. My point is, I'll be here early for the next few days, I can keep an eye on your desk tomorrow, too."
Ryan smiles. "You're leaving Wednesday?"
She nods. "Yeah. My dad's not coming –"
"Fishing?" he interrupts. They both know her father usually spends time away from the city around the holidays.
"Yeah, with the guy he's sponsoring. They made the plans before I asked him to dinner and Max is really looking forward to it, so he didn't have the heart to cancel. So Rick and I are driving to Castle's place after my last meeting at 1PP Wednesday night."
"Gotcha. In that case, thanks. I'll uh, maybe take you up on that. Thanks, Beckett."
Nodding, she steps back to give him a little space. He offers her another grateful smile before leaving her office and practically skidding to grab his jacket from the back of his chair.
"Night, guys. And thanks, Castle."
Kate perches in her doorway, watching the boys perform their overly complicated handshake before Ryan disappears toward the elevator.
"Good luck, bro," Esposito calls to his back.
"And don't forget the honey milk!" Castle adds, pinching his fingers a second later for Espo to 'feed the birds.'
Spinning, she grabs her empty coffee mug off her desk and steps out to join them. She doesn't need the excuse; they'll welcome her even if she's empty-handed, but old habits are hard to break.
"Thanks, Castle? Did you give him advice or something?"
Rick preens, chest puffing with pride under her scrutiny.
"I did. I gave him some truly excellent advice."
"Hopefully the advice you followed on our second date, not our first," she teases, stepping closer and knocking their elbows together.
"Uh huh. I think I did even better than that, actually."
Espo snorts. "Better? He laid it on thick for us the other day. Said if Ryan really thinks Jenny's the one, then he shouldn't let anything get in the way. And what better time to go make amends than at the holidays?"
Glancing at her boyfriend, she finds him squirming a little, his cheeks an interesting shade of pink. Rick lifts a shoulder, feigning nonchalance.
"Call me a hopeless romantic, but I think those two kids really have a chance."
Her fingers flex against her coffee mug. Flippant as he can be sometimes, as hard as he tries to hide it, it's sweet how deeply he feels.
It's also kind of sexy.
Okay, very sexy.
"That's really sweet, Castle," she murmurs, looking up at him from under her lashes.
"Plus, think of the improvement to his mood if they do get back together."
Kate sighs. "And you've ruined it."
Castle and Esposito laugh, bumping fists. Oh, the male need to posture. That's far less sweet.
"Okay, funny man. Take your stand-up act into the break room and work that fancy espresso machine for me? Please?"
He's tried to teach her how to use it, but every time she attempts to make her own, it's a bitter disappointment – no pun intended. It's better if he does it.
Rick's fingers slip over hers as he takes her mug. "I will be right back."
"Thank you," she hums, allowing her eyes to follow him all the way into the other room. Maybe it's the lighting, maybe it's the jeans, but she can't deny that he looks particularly good today.
Espo's watching, bemused, when she turns to face him.
Her eyes narrow. "Yes, Detective?"
He feigns innocence. "Nothing. Why don't I tell you where we left off with the Harris case?"
"Mmm, good call."
She settles on Ryan's desk, resting her hands on her thighs and nodding for Esposito to begin.
They're debating the legitimacy of their prime suspect's alibi when her skin prickles with awareness. Castle's on his way back.
"Need to use my desk?" she asks as he nears. His face is bright, and she's knows by now that it means he's had an idea. He needs to sit and write to get it out of his head.
"Ah, not this time. I'm gonna just… run home and get this down. Make sure it fits with what I have already instead of guessing. That okay?"
Her coffee sloshes as he hands it over, but they manage to right the mug before there's any damage done.
"Yeah, of course that's okay. I think we can survive one afternoon without you, Castle," she teases.
"Hah hah," he pretends to grumble, turning back to the murder board. "Hmm, you sure about that? Cause I think my expertise is needed here; you're totally overlooking the right guy and going for the obvious choice."
"Who?" she scoffs, trying to see what he sees. "The delivery guy checked out. GPS in his truck confirmed he was driving his route all day long."
"Yeah, but the route goes right past our victim's apartment and around the block. Who's to say he didn't just park it at his next stop and double back on foot?"
He must see the wheels start to turn in her mind, because he hums in self-satisfaction, brushing a kiss over her cheek. "Call me later; let me know how it turns out."
She hums an acknowledgement, but her eyes don't leave the board. Could it really be that simple?
Maybe it can be.
Clearing her throat, she stands once more. "Look into it, Javi."
Esposito looks skeptical. "Really? You think it was the delivery guy over the friend who was seen arguing with the victim and then drowning his sorrows in the middle of the day?"
"It makes sense. If this guy was as hammered as everyone says he was, he might've been able to kill her, but would he have had the dexterity to swing our victim over his shoulder, carry her down the stairs, and get her into the recycling bin? All without being seen? The driver could've parked around the corner, acted like he was coming back to make another delivery, killed her and shoved her into a box, carried her down, dumped her body, and then gone about his business. I hate to say it, but Castle could be right."
Her detective stares for a moment before his face splits into a grin.
Beckett tilts her head. "What?"
"Nothing. Nothing. It's just, you back each other up. Castle said almost the same thing. Oh, maybe you're starting to think alike."
"Funny," she drawls, relishing in the thrill of being back here, actually helping to solve things instead of seeing the final reports. God, it feels good.
"Hey, I didn't ask you to click with the guy. But you did."
Her eyes narrow, but Javi simply lifts his shoulders once more.
"Beckett, how long've we known each other? Who else gets you the way Castle does?"
"Yes, Oprah. Thank you for the sage wisdom."
"I'm just saying. Anyone else does the things he does, and you'd bust them back down to traffic."
Beckett purses her lips. "I can't bust Castle down to anything; he's not a cop. And besides, even if I did throw him out, he'd just keep coming back. Like he has half a dozen times already."
"Yeah, like you're complaining." Off her look, he adds, "Cap'n."
"Uh huh." She's not angry, though. The familiar teasing is working wonders for her mood. "Get more information on delivery man and let me know what you find out, will you?"
Javi nods, reaching for the phone. "On it, boss."
"Good." With that, she heads back to her office, ready to tackle her reports once more.
Two hours later, Espo sticks his head in. "I think we should get a warrant for his clothes and to search the truck. It'll be morning before we can see the judge, though, unless –"
"Unless?" she asks, arching an eyebrow. He wouldn't have come to her to tell her this unless there's a catch.
"Well, unless Castle can call a friend and get it signed faster. Like tonight."
"Thought we've been training him not to abuse his connections?"
"Yeah, but do you really want to have this case stretch over the holiday?"
She doesn't. She hates not getting things done, hates the idea of Regina Harris's family going without answers because of an impending holiday.
"No, I don't. We're already working on the assumption that he hasn't destroyed the evidence. I don't want to give him more opportunity to do it." She waves for Espo to sit before she reaches for her phone to make the call. Hopefully Rick isn't too deep in his writing fog to pick up.
"Hey," he rumbles after the third ring. "Miss me already?"
Her cheeks flush; she does, but right now that has to take a backseat to her request. "Something like that. We need a search warrant for the truck and our driver friend's clothes. Think you can call in a favor and get it for us tonight? Espo'll go pick it up."
"Ah, yes, my insight has once again proven invaluable."
Kate rolls her eyes. The fastest way to get him started is to tell him he was right.
"But for you, Beckett, I won't gloat. And I will give my good friend a call as soon as we hang up."
"Thank you, oh selfless one. Your sacrifice astounds me."
"You're welcome. See you later?"
She could agree flat-out, tell him that she'll come to his place once she leaves work, but where's the fun in that?
"Mmm, maybe. You'll have to wait and see."
Rick chuckles in her ear, low and sexy. "Well if it helps you decide, I'll cook for you. And I can offer my talented fingers for a massage. Your shoulder looked stiff earlier."
"Tempting," she singsongs, ignoring Espo's look of disgust. He might not be able to hear Castle's end of the conversation, but he's a detective; he can figure out the gist. "Let me know when I'm clear to send Espo."
"On it," he promises. "And I will see you in a little bit."
"Thanks, Castle."
She hangs up, checking her volume just to be sure. It shouldn't be too long, unless Castle gets to talking about playing golf with the judge. Again.
"He's on it."
Esposito grins, leaning back in his chair. He doesn't say a thing, he doesn't have to. The tease is there regardless.
"Shut up," Beckett orders, lifting her pen once more.
Thanksgiving with Castle is… different.
It's been a few years since she last celebrated, she knows, but never before has she woken on Thanksgiving to find pumpkin muffins and coffee on her nightstand. Never before has she devoured the offering beneath a cozy duvet and let the world come alive around her. She has no idea how long Castle has been awake, but the house already smells good – rosemary and thyme, maybe even a hint of lemon – and she finally drags herself out of bed to see what she can do to help.
When she pads into the kitchen with her coffee mug cradled against her chest, Rick greets her with surprising enthusiasm.
"Morning, Kate!"
"Mmm, morning," she says around a yawn, looking him over. Yeah, he's wired. "How much coffee have you had?"
She slips beside him, intent on pressing a kiss to the curve of his bicep, only to have him dart to the other side of the counter for an onion and the celery. She must make an annoyed noise, because he practically skids back to her, the apology already forming on his lips.
"Sorry. Hi," he whispers, centering himself before slipping an arm around her waist and drawing her in. His mouth cover hers, warm and soft. He tastes like said coffee and spice, with a tiny hint of brown sugar as well.
"Been sneaking treats, Rick?" she teases, flicking her tongue against the corner of his lips.
"Not until you walked in."
It's a cheesy, cheesy line, but she still shivers a little bit. Ridiculous. Grinning at his own cleverness, he presses another kiss to her mouth.
"How were the muffins? I sampled the mix, but not the final product."
Tucking her head against his shoulder, Kate squeezes him. "Wait, you made them? From scratch?"
"Uh huh," he hums, swaying with her. It can barely be classified as dancing, but she joins in, sweeping her hand up his back.
"They were delicious. I thought about saving you one, but I ended up eating them both. Sorry."
Rick chuckles, tracing the ridges of her spine through her shirt. "No, no. Both were for you. And there are more down here. I've been too busy to eat."
Kate frowns. "You should've woken me up. I would've helped get things together."
"I know, but I wanted to let you catch up on your sleep. Plus, you were dead to the world when I got out of bed. I will admit, I gave myself a little pat on the back for that," he adds, patting her ass for emphasis.
Her eyes roll, but she doesn't admonish him; he did do good work last night after giving her the tour of his place.
"Uh huh, but where's your mom? I thought she would be here to help you."
"Ah, Mother is helping exactly the way she should be – she's off visiting a friend for the morning while the food is being prepared. Trust me, you don't want her assistance in the kitchen. Not unless you want Thanksgiving dinner to consist of pizza delivery from a place that makes a killing off of hapless cooks each year."
She winces. "That bad?"
"Let's just say it's a good thing she can afford catering when she hosts parties."
Chuckling, Kate nods. "Still, you should've woken me. It's my dinner, too, so let's work on it together."
She looks up in time to see something she's not quite sure she's ready to name flash across his face. It's gone a split second later, but it was there, and that's enough to set her heart a flutter.
"Absolutely. But first, can I refill your coffee?"
"Well, I have to catch up with you, so sure."
They work side by side, trading gentle barbs and samples of the sides they're crafting. She has a feeling that, in the end, the spread will be better suited for a dozen people instead of just the three of them, but it doesn't matter. They can take the leftovers home to the city and leave them at the precinct for everyone to enjoy if it comes to that. It's worth it to see how Rick lights up as they work.
Around noon, she sends him into the living room to rest. He's been up since God only knows when, and she can tell he's starting to drag. Ten minutes after he settles onto the plush couch, she checks in to find him passed out, his face slack with sleep. She covers him with the throw from the back of the chair, giving in to the urge to kiss his forehead.
He's so out of it, he doesn't even stir at the shutter sound from her phone's camera.
She hates to do it, but she wakes him a little while later to get his help. The turkey is so large that maneuvering the pan to check the internal temperature requires a spotter. Rick can say what he wants about his mother's cooking, but she'll be the one banned from the kitchen if she drops the turkey or sends them to the ER on their first Thanksgiving together.
"We'll check it again in a little bit," he rumbles, leaning into the hand she cards through his hair. He's always like this when he first wakes up, quiet and a bit clumsy as he shakes himself out of hibernation. Next year, she'll have to find a way to keep him from getting up so damn early.
Dragging her teeth over her lip, Kate lifts onto her toes and blows a raspberry on his neck. Rick jolts, laughter bubbling forth a second later.
"Just making sure you're awake." She grins, stepping back, away from his wide eyes and mischievous grin.
Retribution is coming, she knows that much, and she would rather have the opportunity to run while she still can.
Instead of retaliating, though, he stretches and scoops a bottle of Merlot off the counter, offering it to her.
"Sure, Rick, I'll take some wine."
He smiles, pouring them both a glass.
"Be ready, Beckett," he warns on the hand off, stealing a kiss from her that leaves her breathless.
Oh, she's ready.
He strikes later, much later, once his mother has returned and the turkey is resting and waiting to be carved. She's stirring butter into their mashed potatoes and listening to one of his mother's exuberant stories when he steps behind her and settles his hands on her hips. She braces herself, expecting him to get his revenge and dart away. He surprises her, though. Instead of a raspberry like she gave him, his lips trail along the back of her neck, nipping lightly.
She shudders, reaching back with her free hand to cup his neck. He's cheating. This is actually cheating.
Across from them, Martha chuckles, excusing herself to give them some modicum of privacy. Kate feels a stab of guilt for running her off, until Rick does it again. And again. The same nuzzle, trail, nip, tease, over and over until she has to grip the counter to stay upright.
She clears her throat, pushing back into him anyway. "Rick. Your mother is home. She's in the other room."
His breath hitches, but he stays on task, smoothing his lips behind her ear once more.
Only to smack the loudest, wettest, most obnoxious kiss he can possibly manage against her skin and pull away.
"Gotcha," he teases, calling for his mom to come retrieve the plates and set the dining room table.
Kate feels her cheeks flame, but she laughs anyway.
"Funny, Castle. Now hurry up and feed us; we haven't been snacking all day the way you have."
"One feast, coming right up."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you.