A/N: Hey! I'm a little blown away at the amount of reviews for the last chapter. I'm glad you guys enjoyed it so much but I was not expecting that. In case you were wondering, yes, I heard Ronan, and yes, I thought it was amazing.
Props to the people just reading!

I hope Esposito fans don't get too mad at me. I see him getting a little darker in season 5 - and the spoilers seem to be leaning that way, too.
I broke my own rule and dropped the "f-bomb" in dialogue. Up to now, it's just been in the characters heads. Beckett came pretty close in Big News but I needed a really strong word that would get a certain character going in context and I had already used, "Screwing". "Boning" just seemed silly. Once I started, I couldn't stop. Well, it is Esposito.
Yeah, I know, I said I would have multi-scenario chapters. This is pretty short, so, I could have fit another scenario in here. I was just so happy with the reviews, I was impatient for more. It's addictive. No pressure, though. I hate being asked to review. Ugh.

Upload Date: 11 September, 2012

Edit [12 September, 2012]: I've gone back and fixed some things. Also, I've elaborated slightly on the coffee scene to make it a little more romantic. Before it felt more like a "how-to" coffee-making guide.

Chapter Rating: M (strong sexual references, violent references, Frequent Very Coarse language)

Chapter Summary: Esposito calls Beckett about a body-drop and ends up getting more than he bargained for.

#13

Javi dreaded these early morning body drops only slightly more than he dreaded making the calls to Beckett. After everything she'd been through, he didn't like interrupting her sleep, but of course, she was Beckett; she could handle it. She understood. That was the job.

"Beckett," she answered, sounding short of breath.

He was relieved. He must have interrupted her morning run. That meant she was already up.

"Yo, Beckett; we got a body drop."

"Ok," she puffed.

He gave her the address.

"Alright," she breathed, "see you in twenty."

"See you then," said Javi, but then he heard a thud. It seemed she had dropped the phone without hanging up. He was about to end the call when the sound of his name stopped him.

"That was - Espoo," she gasped. "Body."

He heard a male voice groan.

Esposito's eyes nearly popped out of his head. She was with someone. He really didn't need to hear this. Maybe it was just a running partner.

Yeah, right.

Again, he moved his thumb over the end-call button, but then, it occurred to him that if he listened in, just a little, he might get some great ammunition with which to tease Beckett later.

"Do we have enough time to just finish up?" the man asked.

Their voices were slightly muffled and distant but the man's sounded familiar.

"Sorry, cowboy," he heard Beckett chuckle. "Ride's over."

"Cowboy? I think I'm more like the horse in my current position -"

Ok, definitely not a running partner.

"-which would make you the cow-girl, detective."

Javi froze. He definitely knew that voice. It sounded just like -

"Castle," Beckett moaned. "Stop. I have to go. But you can come with me."

"I don't see why we can't do that here."

Now, it was Javi's turn to drop the phone.

Just a few months earlier he would have been a little hurt that they had kept it a secret, grossed out but also amused at what he had heard, happy for his friends and relieved that they'd finally gotten their act together.

Now? He wasn't hurt as much as annoyed. He didn't know how long this had been going on. For all he knew, it was still new and he and Lanie hadn't told anyone about their relationship initially.

He was definitely grossed out. Just a little. Of course, Beckett was a grown woman, fully entitled to a sex life. He just didn't need to hear about it.

But he wasn't amused, relieved or happy. Because things weren't the same any more. He didn't know where Castle stood with anyone, let alone Beckett. Even though, unlike Ryan, Castle hadn't technically betrayed Beckett, he had walked out on her, abandoned her when she needed him most.

He also had no idea what this was. Was it serious or just a casual thing? Were they both in the same place or was one taking advantage of the other?

Really, it was none of his business, and over the following weeks, he tried to stay out of it, but the information he now had now put everything in a new light: the furtive glances, the flimsy excuses. They were lying right to his face and it was getting to him.

The straw that broke the camel's back came when he called her at the Hotel she'd said she'd be staying at in The Hamptons while consulting on a case, just to check in, to learn from the concierge that due to a plumbing issue, the entire floor she was staying on was flooded. Concerned, he tried her mobile.

"What's up, Espo?" she answered.

"Hey, Beckett, are you ok?"

"I'm fine; why wouldn't I be?"

"Have you been back to your hotel?"

"Yeah, I'm in my room right now."

"Right now?"

"Yeah."

He inhaled deeply.

"What's wrong, Espoo?"

"Nothing, just checking in. Check you when you get back."

"Ok, bye."

She was staying with him. Ok, she had a right to her privacy. But the lying was what irked him. She could have said she was staying with a friend. Yes,, he would have seen through that, and she knew it.

Still, hadn't he earned her trust?

"So, how was your weekend?" he asked her when she got back.

"Good. We got the guy."

"Did Castle behave himself?"

"I'd've been concerned if he'd behaved himself completely, but he managed to stay out of too much trouble," she smiled, the way she usually did when talking about Castle.

"What about the hotel?"

"It was good."

"And the weather?"

"Great."

'It wasn't too... wet?"

"Of course n - " her face fell as comprehension flooded it. She took a deep breath. "You know about the flood."

"Apparently, you didn't when I called."

"Look, Espo - "

"It's ok; you don't need to come up with some fresh lie. I've known about you and Castle for a while now."

She looked shocked. "How?"

"Remember a few weeks ago, I called you about a body drop while you were... otherwise occupied?"

Beckett's face slowly contorted in horror. "I didn't hang up, properly."

"No, you did not."

"How much did you hear?"

"Enough."

"Ok, well, I guess there's no point denying it - "

'Don't worry; I don't need all the seedy details."

"'Seedy?'"

"I'm not a kid, Beckett. So you guys are fucking. It's none of my business. No big deal," he shrugged.

"No big – Fucking?! Is that what you think?'

Javi instantly regretted his words when he saw the look on her face. In a few seconds she'd switched from guilt to outrage.

"How long have you known me, Espo?"

"Long enough to know it wouldn't be completely out of character."

She seemed confused at first before she realised what he was talking about. "Espo, that was a long time ago. And this is different. You know it is. It's Castle."

"Then, why haven't you told me?"

"Because inter-office relationships are complicated. You and I know that better than anyone. Look at you and Lanie."

"We only hid it in the beginning. Besides, you're right. This is Castle. It's different. There's four years of history there. You don't need to test the waters like Lanie and I did."

"Castle thinks it would be a bad idea if it got back to Gates - "

"You think I'd tell her? Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, Espo, but it's not just me I have to think of any more."

"I don't buy it. I think you're just ashamed of the fact that sometimes all you need is a hard, long - "

"Detective Esposito, if you finish that sentence, I will punch you." Her voice was low, but quivering with rage. "How dare you. Do you even know me at all? First of all, if that's all I wanted, I wouldn't be ashamed. Secondly, I wouldn't be using Castle to do it. I could never just... fuck Castle. It would always mean something more, at least to me. I love him."

Javi sighed. "Beckett, I'm just worried at you. I'm not really mad - "

"That makes one of us,"she said more calmly. ""I can't be here right now. Let me know when you're ready to stop taking your own issues out on everyone else." She went to the break room.

Fuck, thought Javi. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Castle showed up about five minutes later, looking quite cheerful.

Javi met him at the elevator.

"Hey, Esposito! Miss me?"

"Save it, Castle," said Javi. "I'm not in the mood. How serious are you about Beckett?"

"What?"

"Don't play me, Castle, I know."

Castle stiffened. "Know what?

'"That you're sleeping with Beckett."

Castle inhaled deeply.
"What did she tell you?"

"She didn't have to tell me anything; you two aren't as clever as you think you are. I'm a trained detective." Really, it had been dumb luck, but Castle didn't need to know that.
"Now, answer the question. Are you as serious about this as she is about you, or is she just another conquest?"

Once he had recovered from shock, Castle's eyes darkened.
"Look, I know things have been tough for you lately. I know you've had a hard time trusting me. I get it. But that doesn't give you the right to speak to me like I'm some stranger, like you don't know first-hand that I would take a bullet for that woman.'" He looked around. "Where is she?"

"In the break-room."

Castle seemed to read something in his eyes.
"What's going on? Did you say something to her?"

"I just asked her the same thing I asked you.

Castle looked like he was trying very hard not to strangle him.

"I know you could kill me with your thumb, but I swear to God, if it turns out that you've hurt her in any way, I don't know if I can be held responsible for my actions."

He walked past him.

"Castle - "

"I don't want to hear it.

"I just don't want you to hurt her again."

Castle stopped and slowly swiveled around.

"What do you mean, 'again'?

Javi sighed. "Maybe you already know this. If you don't, I probably shouldn't tell you."

"Spit it out."

"You broke her heart two years ago."

Castle stared. "What are you talking about?"

"It wasn't your entire fault. I'm to blame, too. I'm the one who told Beckett to stop ignoring her feelings, to wake up and smell the coffee. Specifically, your coffee.
"And she listened to me. She broke up with Tom before you left for the Hamptons. She was going to tell you – well, I'm not sure exactly what she was going to tell you because she was interrupted by Gina. And then, you went off into the sunset with your ex-wife and didn't call for four months."

Castle's eyes were wide, his breathing shallow. He said nothing.

Javi continued. "I've known Beckett a long time. We've been through a lot together. We look out for each other.
"You could hurt her again so easily. She loves you, bro. And I don't just know that because of how painfully obvious it is to everyone. She told me, right over there," he pointed to her desk, "ten minutes ago."

There was a pause.

"Esposito, I'm not really sure what to do with that Demming/Gina stuff right now. I'm certainly not going to confront Kate about it just yet, not after you two have obviously had some sort of fight. I – Look, I get it. We're cool."

"Castle - "

"No, I refuse to justify myself to you. I know how committed I am and so does Kate. Now, if you'll excuse me, my girlfriend just had an argument with one of her closest friends and she might need someone to talk to."

"Hey," said Castle as he opened the door.

Beckett looked up from the Espresso Machine. "Hey," she said softly.

"When I saw the blinds were closed, I thought you might be hiding a secret boyfirend in here," he said, shutting the door behind him.

The smallest hint of a smile played at her lips. "No, the guy I'm cheating on you with left five minuted ago. You just missed him."

"Well, good. That would have been awkward."

"Yeah," she shook her head as she picked up a pitcher of milk.

"Hey," he said softly as he stood behind her, his chest pressed lightly against her back, and gently covered the hand that was covering the handle with his own. "That's my job."

Beckett inhaled slowly, but then eased into his warmth, basking in the comfort of his touch.

"I guess we can do it together," he whispered against her neck, his warm breath sending shivers everywhere.

He guided the milk under the wand tip, turning the dial with his other hand, raising the milk up.

"Perfect," he whispered against her cheek as the milk hit the right temperature, swiftly shutting the machine off.

Her breathing was shallow. She was totally aware of every sensation, every touch.

Because there were two people maneuvering it, their movements were slightly slower and more exaggerated as they worked the milk, their arms lined up, his chest gently grazing back and forth against her as his shoulder worked their right arms, gently but firmly tapping it down onto the counter a few times.

He swiftly wiped the nozzle clean and moved the coffee cup already containing the dark rich liquid down onto the bench.

Whenever he leaned forward like that to do something, she felt his body gently pressing into hers and had a sharp intake of breath.

She inhaled his scent as he leaned in again to grab the vanilla syrup, pouring it into a mug before pulling a shot of espresso.

She thought that if he hadn't been holding her, she probably would have knocked the cup over. lLthough, if he hadn't been holding her, she probably wouldn't be shaking so hard.

Together, they rested the spout of the pitcher on the edge of the cup, allowing the milk to flow gently, moving in sync as they topped it off with a smooth crema.

His face turned slightly so that he was looking at her.

"Beautiful," he whispered as they placed the milk back down, releasing their hands from the handle and each other.

Trying to keep her breathing steady, Beckett picked up the cup and raised it to her lips.

Taking great care not to make any sudden movements, Castle gently wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands clasped on her stomach.

Beckett smiled warmly as he lightly rested his head on her shoulder.

"Thankyou," she said.

"Always."

She sighed in contentment before taking another sip.

"Esposito stole my "I love you'," he said after a few moments.

She turned her head slightly to face his, causing him to lift his head. "What?"

"The first time I heard someone say that you love me was supposed to be from you."

Beckett took a deep breath. "So, you spoke to him."

"So did you, apparently."

"Yeah."

"It's gonna be ok, you know. He'll come around."

"I know," she said, turning back to face the machine and sighing. "And I do love you."

"Well, it's too late now," he smirked. "You already gave away the first 'I love you'.

"Well, then, I guess I'll have to save all the rest for you."

"Hold on, let's not throw the baby out with the bath-water. You can tell other people once we come forward. You can yell it from the rooftops if you like."

Beckett bit her lip to stop herself from asking just when that would be. Now was not the time for that conversation. Instead, she tried another tack.
"He didn't happen to mention just how much I love you, did he?"

"No," he murmured into the crook of her neck.

"Well, I'm no writer, but... a lot."

"How much is a lot?"

Beckett simpered as she placed the coffee cup down and turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I could show you better than I could tell you."

His eyes widened. "Here?"

She bit her lip mischievously, leaned in close and whispered, "No.""

He groaned.

"You have no patience, do you?"

"I think we've both used up a lifetime's supply of patience," he said, holding her closer.

"Forget it", Castle," she said, freeing herself from his grip. "I am not having sex with you in the break-room."

"Whoa, who said anything about sex? That would be wildly inappropriate. I'm just talking about a little over-the-clothes action."

She gently pried his hand off her arm and walked towards the door. "Break's over."

He pouted.

Without even turning back, she said, "Don't give me that puppy dog look," as she left.

How did she know?

I think I know a little more about coffee than I do about alcohol. Feel free to correct any mistakes, though, people who know about coffee. I'm no expert. I probably do it wrong. Also, I know usually when two people make a coffee together, one steams the milk while the other makes the espresso. This seemed more romantic to me.
If there's any character in particular you'd like to hear from next in this miniseries, feel free to let me know in a review or pm if you'd like.