AN: Well, it's pretty short, but I really wanted to update this while I had some free time. I'm sorry about the long wait. I can't promise updates will be frequent as I am still busy with school. By the end of June I should be able to update more frequently. Thank you to everyone who has stuck it out and waited patiently for this long overdue update. I know it's not my best, but it was a necessary transitional chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 14:

By the time they get to the precinct everyone else is already there, including Gates. Kate groaned internally, knowing she still had to talk to Gates about the pregnancy and her impending maternity leave. Castle seemed to sense her unease, turning his head slightly to steal a glance at her. Kate smiled reassuringly and they headed into the interrogation room.

The interrogation took about an hour and by the end things were getting out of hand. The suspect was antagonizing Kate and she wasn't having any of it. Kate wasn't known for playing 'good cop', but hormonal Kate was a new situation entirely. By the time Ryan and Esposito stepped in and took over, she had the suspect pinned against the two-way mirror, holding him by the throat.

Castle knew better than to interfere with the situation, so he merely stepped back and exited the room calmly when Ryan and Esposito entered. Kate came storming out shortly after.

Castle let out an exasperated sigh. I'm in for a long night, he thought to himself. Kate headed to her desk and flopped down onto her chair to calm down. Castle approached slowly and sat hesitantly on the corner of her desk, unsure of what to do. Wow, you don't even know how to comfort your own fiancé, he thought cynically.

Kate looked up at him when he sat down, not saying anything, but visibly calming. Castle seemed to have that affect on her lately. She smiled at him easily.

He gave her a curious look. "What?" he asked softly.

Her smile grew. "Just thinking about the effect you have on me," she said lovingly.

"A good effect I hope," he said with a chuckle.

"Of course," she replied, leaning in to kiss him.

Just then Ryan and Esposito enter the room.

"Get a room you two," Esposito says jokingly.

They all burst into laughter, finally easing the tension that had been building up since the case started.

"So, is he the guy?" Castle asked.

Ryan nodded, "Yep, he's our guy, and he's being carted off to prison now."

Kate sighed, "I'm glad this is finally over."

They all mhmm'ed their agreement.

They sat around talking for a while until Ryan decided it was time he head home and get some rest. Esposito followed closely behind. Kate and Castle were now left sitting alone.

"Well, I guess we should go talk to Gates before she leaves and we miss our chance," Kate said begrudgingly.

"Yeah," Castle sighed. "So, how long do you think she'll yell?"

Kate laughed and replied, "Let's just say I hope you didn't have any plans of sleeping tonight."

With that they headed off towards the dungeon, also known as Gates' office.

Kate knocked at her door firmly.

The muffled reply of "come in" came a few moments later.

"Sir," Kate said with a nod.

"Detective Beckett. Mr. Castle. What can I do for you both?" she asked sternly.

Castle fidgeted, he never did well under the captain's scrutiny.

"May we sit down?" Kate asked politely.

Gates motioned towards the two chair in front of her desk in reply.

"Sir, there's something we need to tell you."

"I gathered that Beckett. Now please get on with it, I haven't got all night."

Kate cringed internally, this wasn't good. Gates was already annoyed and she hadn't even started telling her what was going on.

Castle sat there silently, at a loss for words for once. Kate didn't know whether she should count her blessings or feel annoyed.

"Well Sir, Castle and I," Kate reached out for Castle's hand as she continued, "We're engaged."

Gates let out a hearty chuckle. Kate and Castle exchanged bewildered glances as they waited for her to explain her reaction.

After Gates' laughter had subsided she said, "Is that all? Everyone has seen that coming for months." She paused and gave the two of them some further consideration and came to the conclusion, "If you two are sitting here looking this nervous there must be something more, so let's hear it…"

Kate decided there was no sense in beating around the bush, it would only annoy Gates.

"There is…" She paused and took a deep breath before elaborating, "I'm pregnant."

There she'd said it. No matter what happened next, she said it. The truth was finally out there. She had Castle by her side, Kate could face the firing squad Gates was sure to release. Kate grabbed Castle's hand and squeezed it for strength. Castle squeezed back gently.

Gates' jawed dropped and she fell silent for a few agonizingly long minutes before finally replying, "Well, I can honestly say this news came as a surprise."

Kate looked down in surrender before looking up hesitantly and saying, "I know Sir. It came as a surprise to us as well."

Castle nodded his agreement.

Gates smiled at them both, shocking them once again. Was she actually taking this well? Gates… The woman who insisted she be referred to as 'sir', was taking the news well.

"Congratulations," she said enthusiastically, extending her hand to shake theirs in turn.

"Thank you," Kate said with an excited smile.

"How far along are you?" she asked.

"About five months."

Gates nodded and thought about this for a few moments. "I guess that means you'll be going on maternity leave within a few months," she said casually.

"Yes. I will try to stick it out as long as I can though Sir," Kate replied quickly.

Gates waved this off saying, "Nonsense. There's no need to put your health or the baby's in danger. The job will still be here when you get back. I've never had a detective leave for maternity leave, so we'll take this day by day. When you feel the job is becoming too strenuous on you, you let me know. Okay?"

They nodded simultaneously.

"Alright, if that's it, I'm heading home. I have a bed with my name on it," she said with a grin.

Kate couldn't get over how different Gates was acting. She knew she'd be thinking about this for the next few weeks. It was the detective in her.

For now though, it was time to head back to the apartment. They'd had a long day and Kate was exhausted.