As the doors to the elevator open, Beckett and Castle step in like every other morning. As the door close, Beckett reaches over and squeezes Castle's arm. "I know I don't need to say it but I want to, 'Thank You' for everything and thank you for being there with me."

"Always Detective, Always." he says smiling.

As the doors open on the fourth floor and they walk out, keeping their distance from each other, they head for her desk. They can see Ryan laughing and Esposito hiding behind his computer monitor. As Castle approaches his chair he sees why they're laughing, his chair is covered by flowers and other 'wedding' accessories including two very feminine garters and a veil.

"Thank you Detective Beckett, I'm so glad you gave the peanut gallery something to amuse themselves with." Castle says until he turns and sees Beckett bright red trying to stifle her laugh "Oh you too? Thanks!"

Ryan's the first to be able to speak "Castle, we just wanted to make sure you didn't feel left out in case you weren't able to catch the bouquet."

Esposito chimes in with "We didn't know what your colors were so we got you a choice of garters." at which he breaks out laughing again.

Karpowski, walking by pinches his butt and says "Hey Castle, gonna be bold and wear white?"

Castle, knowing he's done for, accepts his fate with as much dignity as he can find. He picks up the garters and puts one on each arm and carefully folds the veil and puts it in his jacket pocket. He picks up the flowers and distributes them to everyone around the bullpen. Finally sitting down, he looks at Ryan and Esposito. "I don't know how and I don't know when but you two are going to pay for this."

"Sure sure." says Ryan dismissively.

"Hey Kev, don't worry about it, if he breaks the traditions, you know what happens don't you?" asks Esposito

"No, bro, what happens?"

"You get cursed!" he says cracking himself up again.

Ryan, still laughing, in a childish sing song says "Ooohh I'm Castle, I don't believe in curses!"

Beckett looks at him "Castle?"

"Oh, not you too."

"No, I was just going to suggest that there is very little you'll be able to do or say that they won't be able to masterfully twist around and beat you over the head with. So, unless you want to keep throwing gasoline on the fire, zip it and sit quietly."

"Okay, thanks for the advice."

"I can't believe you'd think that I'd stoop so low as to kick a man while he's down by doing something like asking what color will the bridesmaids wear?" as she begins to laugh with the others.

"Et tu, Beckett?" Castle sighs and pulls out his phone to play a game.

The remainder of the day goes by quickly, no new cases and the chance to clean up old ones, as the day winds down, the boys take a couple more jabs at Castle before quitting for the day.

"I counted you know." says Castle without looking up.

"Counted what?" asks Beckett.

"The number of times I got skewered today."

"Oh buck up Castle, there's still tomorrow, some of the others never got into the office today."

"Wow, I feel so ... so ... 'special' and used."

"Wait until Friday."

Almost dropping his phone he looks up "What's Friday?"

"End of the week, writer boy, when everyone tries to let off steam before they go home for the weekend."

"Oh marvelous. It seems my karma's 'out of order' sign has been replaced by one that says 'kick me'."

"Why are you still wearing those garters?"

"I'm admitting defeat and taking my medicine like a good boy." he says winking at her.

"Well, when you take them off, leave them here. Put them in the bottom drawer on that side of my desk."

"Why?"

"I don't want your mother or Alexis asking how you got two garters as my guest at a wedding." she says without looking up from her desk "And I'm sure the boys are going to want to tease you some more about this."

"Okay, I'll put them away. You want to get an early dinner?"

"Yes, I'd love to but I can't."

"You can't?"

"I can't. I have a date."

"Wha..?"

"Castle. Stop with the lost puppy look already. Lanie's coming over for dinner at my place."

"Great, what are we having?"

"You're having whatever left overs are in your fridge. Lanie and I are having some of that Japanese food she gets."

"Oh well. If you girls need anything, including comic relief, you know where to reach me. Otherwise, I'm going to head home, that okay with you?"

Smiling softly "Not really but we'll survive." she whispers with a wink.

"Okay then Detective, until tomorrow." he says standing.

"'Night" she says, watching him walk down the bullpen heading for the elevator.