Amusement for me to get over a bit of writer's block. The writer block gnomes have set up camp on my shoulders and are dutifully covering my eyes while gnawing on my ears. I cut this off where I did because I knew I could ramble on forever. Hope you enjoy!

I do not own Castle, sadly.

"Wait, wait, wait."

Esposito's eyes flash with amusement and some mischievous as he looked between Lanie and his partner. What the ME had just, accidentally, revealed to them had them both smiling like a couple of idiots with a little too much to drink. Good thing they were at the Old Haunt.

"We were inside getting our asses handed to us and they were outside playing tonsil hockey?"

His eyebrow hitched up as all three of their eyes landed on the two in question at the bar, the silly grin now forming on Lanie's lips as well.

"You're going to give them hell about it, aren't you?" Lanie asked, her voice sounding hopefully.

"Well.." Esposito looked across the table to Ryan who was giving him a 'do-you-even-have-to-ask' look. They both turned to Lanie at the same time and answered, "Duh!"

"Does he have his arm around her?"

Lanie's question had the two boys breaking their necks to turn and look at the scene before them, high-fiving across the table.

"I think we need some more drinks," Ryan supplied dutifully. "Don't you Esposito?"

"Why, Ryan," Esposito's eyes twinkled as he stood up with the other man. "I think you're right. What would the lady like?"

"The lady thinks you're both crazy if you think I'm going to just sit here. I'm coming along for the show."

Esposito smirked as they all three headed to the bar, quietly coming up behind Castle and Beckett. Luck was with them that night as they managed to get right behind the two without either of them knowing, Lanie's voice alerting them to their presence.

"Girl, please tell me you've gotten that man into bed. If not, he's going home with me."

Amusement came to the trio's eyes as the couple sprung apart fast, turning on the spot to look at the three. It didn't take a genius to recognize the blush on Beckett's cheeks, or see the smudged lipstick on Castle's mouth.

"Uh, bro." Ryan swiped at his own mouth, hoping to give Castle a hint.

The writer immediately received the message, wiping at his mouth in the same way a small child would with both of his hands. Beside him, Beckett was determinedly staring at a spot on the wall above their heads without saying a word.

"Do we need to dance around like small children and say I told you so?" Esposito smirked at his boss who sent him a quick glare. "Or not."

He studied them both for a minute before a mischievous grin came over his features and he excused himself for a moment. He made his way over to the bartender, quickly order a round of drinks for the group. When he had managed, quite skillfully, to gather all five drinks in his arms he made his way back over to find the rest of them emerged in a stare down - Ryan verses Castle and Lanie verses Beckett.

Lanie and Castle broke away first, turning their attention to Esposito as he started handing out drinks. He made sure to hold onto Beckett's for last, giving her a devious grin as he produced hers with a flourish.

"And for you, Beckett, the Lipstick cocktail."