I don't own anything (except the occasional random 'filler' character).

This would be set sometime in season 4... after Pandora but before 47 seconds... it doesn't really matter where you want to slot it in between those episodes but this story will mess with the rest of the timeline so... yeah.

Enjoy! :)

Hampton getaway.

His intentions were pure. There was no ulterior motives, no "what if" or "maybe" had even occurred to him when he extended the invitation to her. But here they were - standing too close to each other, yet too far away, staring at each other in silence and knowing that this was it... this was make or break.

It started on Friday, early in the afternoon. Their case was all wrapped up with a nice little bow... just in time for the weekend. Castle knew that the three detectives had the next three days off - and after the frustrating few days they had just endured with their last case, he thought perhaps a few days at his place in the Hamptons would be a welcomed change of pace.

"I have to finish the last chapters of my book, but that won't take up much time... I'd love to have some company." He stated casually, after filling Beckett in on his plans for the weekend.

She had been filing away the mandatory paperwork that came with closing a case. Shoving the Manila folder into the filing cabinet, she turned to face Castle, brows furrowed.

"Are you seriously asking me to go to the Hamptons with you?" She asked before pushing her way past him and back to her desk.

"Is that a problem?" Castle returned, cautiously. He sat in his chair beside her desk and studied her face. She was busy digging around her drawer, presumably for the pen she had been using just moments earlier. "It's on your keyboard." He stated, not even shifting his glance for a second.

She stopped digging and looked toward her computer - there, sitting between the two top rows of keys, was the pen she had been searching for. She muttered a thanks before grabbing it and quickly scribbling her signature on the next lot of forms to be filed.

"It's not a problem, Castle. It just seems a little... out of the blue."

Truthfully, she just couldn't help but think back to the last time he had invited her to his place in the Hamptons. Logically she knew that the whole mess of that summer was her fault - she was seeing someone... and had told Castle in no uncertain terms that she would not go with him. But knowing that he had turned to Gina instead... well, that hurt. Even now, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of hurt as she remembered him walking out of the precinct that day.

"You boys in?" Castle called across the desk as Ryan and Esposito finished up their share of papers. The boys looked at him, confused, having only heard part of the conversation. "This weekend, my place in the Hamptons? Have a few beers, maybe play some poker or Xbox? Just decompress?"

He could see the idea appealed to them - but they hesitated, shooting each other a quick glance.

"I'd obviously have to check with Jenny first." Ryan answered.

"Of course! She should come too - the more the merrier!" Castle looked back to Beckett, who had seemingly relaxed a little knowing that she could possibly accept Castle's invitation without it having to mean anything more. Since her shooting - and more specifically, since Castle told her he loved her - she tried to be very careful not to get herself into situations that could be misunderstood. She was still trying to put together the pieces of her life... the last thing she needed was to shatter the very fragile lifeboat that was her relationship with Castle. "I was thinking you could invite Lanie, too. We all deserve a relaxing weekend, I think." Castle continued, trying to make his offer all the more appealing to his partner.

"Sounds good to me, bro." Espo confirmed, giving Beckett a slight smile of encouragement. Ryan nodded and excitedly walked off, phone in hand, presumably to call his wife.

"I guess I can give her a call and see if she has plans." Beckett replied, more or less confirming she was in.

"Excellent." Castle shot her his signature grin and practically leapt out of his chair. "I'll make sure everything is ready! Text me when you're done." He hurried off.