Day 21

Author's Note: The apocalypse may not be happening, but somebody is blasting Gangnam Style. And no, it's not me.

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"Are you going to come over tonight?" he whispers in her ear, placing the travel mug of coffee on her desk.

She squints an eye, thinking. "Wasn't planning on it," Beckett answers, testing her coffee.

Pouting, he whines, "But Beckett, you have to!"

The detective raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms. "And why do I have to?" she asks, suspicious.

"Because..." he starts, looking around. "It's the apocalypse tomorrow, and if we all die, I want you to be with me."

She smiles, trying not to laugh. "That's sweet, but the apocalypse isn't going to happen. It's just the end of the Mayan calendar," Beckett states factually, returning to her work.

Dramatically, he gasps. "Just the end of the calendar? Well then, why didn't they end it at the end of a month? Why in the middle?" Castle questions, leaning against her desk.

"They ran out of room," she replies sarcastically, eyes focused on the computer monitor.

"You think you're so funny, don't you," he mutters, looking at the floor. "Can you please stay?" he asks again, almost begging.

She finally looks over at him, sighing. "You're really worried the world might end, aren't you?"

Shrugging, he responds, "Better safe than sorry." With a nod, she answers, "Okay then. I'll be there," smiling as he immediately perks up.

Nearly bouncing out of his seat, he smiles widely. "Good," he says, jumping up out of his seat and towards the elevators.

"Where are you going?" she calls, watching him enter the elevator.

"You'll see," he tells her, the doors closing.

It's a quiet ten minutes before he comes back up with a large bag. "What is that?" she asks, pushing her chair away from the desk and standing up.

He drags the sack to his chair, opening it to reveal dozens of wrapped presents. "They're gifts to help you survive the apocalypse. Most of them are giant packs of food with survival books or post-apocalyptic radios, but we've got a few other things in here too," he answers, proud of his efforts. "You want to help me distribute them?"

She shakes her head. "I want absolutely nothing to do with this," Beckett answers.

"You will when everyone loves the gifts," he retorts childishly.

"I won't when Gates kicks you out."

Castle shakes his head. "I have something for her too. I'm completely and utterly prepared!" he exclaims, pulling out various boxes.

"You're very excited about this," she notes, shaking her head.

He nods, giddy. "I am."

The detective laughs, her arms crossed. "Tone it down a little before some suspects come in and make fun of you," she jokes.

Smiling wider, he chuckles and says, "Okay."