Ending scene: Flowers for your grave
"How long, Sir?" She asked, not even attempting to mask her frustration.
"Well... that's up to him." Captain Montgomery fixed his gaze in the direction of the doorway. Beckett's eyes followed until she spotted the writer standing there, looking rather pleased with himself.
"Castle, what the hell are you doing?" She asked, unamused.
"Research."
She rolled her eyes and exited the captains office, pushing her way past him and across the bullpen - Castle tailing close behind her. He almost ran straight into her when she stopped in front of the now cleared 'murder board'.
"And what exactly does 'research' entail?" She couldn't tell if he was trying to rile her up or if he was just naturally this frustrating. The smug grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth indicated that this was intentional... and that he was enjoying it.
She had felt brave when they said their goodbyes... it is amazing what thinking you'll never see someone again can do for your confidence. But if she knew she would be forced to work with him for the unforeseen future... well, she wouldn't have teased him like she did. She would have remained professional.
"You know... shadowing the city's finest detectives, sitting in on interviews and interrogations, getting... up close and personal." he toyed with her, stepping closer into her space. But she wasn't about to back down - she wouldn't willingly show him that he was succeeding in getting under her skin. So, instead, she smiled flirtatiously and stepped toward him - ignoring the ever-growing tension building in her nerves, despite her better judgement.
"You sure you're ready for that..." she leaned closer, pushing her own boundaries. "Castle?" she finished, barely a whisper in his ear.
He had to choke back his response - the sound of her whispering his name in his ear... her hot breath on his skin... the smell of her... all making it suddenly harder to breathe.
She laughed and walked away, leaving him standing dumbfounded. It took him a moment to bring his mind back to reality and away from the indecent thoughts that echoed through. He let out a slight, amused chuckle - genuinely impressed by the game she was playing.
"Dude..." the slightly irked voice called him to attention, noting - for the first time - the two male detectives standing by their desks.
"She wins this round." he muttered before taking his leave.
Until tomorrow...