Chapter Fourteen
Scarecrow
Season Five, Halloween

"This isn't what I had in mind when I suggested these costumes," Castle grumbles.

Kate pats his cheek with her free hand and steps around him into his apartment. "But you make such a cute dog," she teases, sneaking a look at his tail - well, at his butt. "The real Toto would be proud to see you honoring his legacy. Lanie's right behind me," she adds when he starts to close the door.

She kicks her flats into the coat closet on her way to the kitchen, where she unloads the bag of snacks onto the counter. "Are your mother and Alexis going to be here?" she calls out, glancing in his direction when she hears him greet Lanie and Esposito.

"Alexis has another party to go to, but Mother said she has a surprise in store. I'm a little scared." He palms her hip and plants a kiss on her cheek. "Hi, by the way."

Kate feels her cheeks flush. Even though most everyone knows that she and Castle are together, it still feels weird to show affection around their friends. Nevertheless, she leans back into his embrace and smiles when he presses a kiss to her neck. "Hi," she parrots, knocking her temple against his.

Castle turns her in his arms and takes a step back, tugs on one of her pigtails. "This is adorable."

Kate grins. "Thanks. So are you."

"Come on, coat off. I wanna see your costume."

"Down, boy," Lanie pipes up from the other side of the counter. She flashes a grin when Kate steps back, embarrassed. "Save the undressing for the after party."

"Very funny, Lanie." Kate starts to unbutton her coat, trying to ignore the way her boyfriend's eyes darken with every button. She draws it out, despite the company and impending party, and when she finally shrugs the coat off to reveal her Dorothy outfit, Castle's eyes are almost black with desire.

"I'm ruined," he says in a low voice, almost a growl. "I can't ever watch Wizard of Oz without thinking of you in this outfit. It is absolutely doing it for me."

Kate draws her bottom lip between her teeth and gazes up at him through her lashes. "We could cancel the party," she teases, reaching for his waist.

"No you don't," Esposito calls out when Castle's lips touch hers. He drops a heavy grocery bag on the counter with a large thud. "I didn't get in this getup just for you two to send me home so you can do the nasty."

Kate looks at him and snickers. He's trying to look annoyed, but it's hard to take her friend seriously with his straw hat, painted on nose, and loose farming clothes stuffed with what looks like straw. "Sorry, Espo."

Castle takes a step to the side, although Kate notices that he stays close to the counter to hide himself. Obviously her pigtails and gingham jumper does have an effect on him. "I'll keep my hands to myself," Castle adds, lifting his arms in a motion of surrender.

Esposito crosses his arms, but his glare soon gives way to a smile. "You better," he tells Castle, "or I'll sick the Wicked Witch after both of you."

Kate furrows her brows. "We don't have a Wicked Witch."

The loud shrieking laugh comes from the top of the stairs, and she turns in surprise to see Martha, clad in a long black dress, cape, hat, and every inch of visible skin painted green. "I'll get you, my pretty," she shrieks, her voice dripping with drama, "and your little dog, too."

Castle laughs. "Well done, Mother."

"Yes, well," Martha says in her normal voice as she descends the stairs, "a Wizard of Oz group costume is nothing without the Wicked Witch of the West. Hello, Katherine."

Kate accepts the kiss Martha presses to her cheek. "Hi, Martha. You look wonderful."

"As do you, darling. Now, where are our Tin Man and his lovely wife?"

A knock on the door is the answer, and Lanie opens it to reveal Kevin and Jenny, dressed as the Tin Man and Glinda.

The party is soon in full swing, with Castle mingling as he plays host, and Kate manning the refreshments. He drags her into the crowd every so often, usually to introduce her to someone, but since their relationship isn't public yet, she doesn't stay by his side as much as she wants to.

Martha must notice, because after a couple hours of Kate watching her boyfriend, Martha sidles up to her. "I'll take over, dear," she says, taking the punch ladle.

Kate shakes her head. "No, I'm-"

"Miserable," Martha interrupts. "You're miserable over here. Go, keep Richard company. You want to, he wants you to."

"But we're keeping it quiet. You know, us," Kate reminds her. "We don't want it to get back to Gates."

"Gates isn't here. And nobody who is here will tell her. Go."

Kate gives her a side hug and grabs a drink. "'kay. Thanks."

Castle's smile when she joins him on the dance floor lights up the room, and as they move together, in perfect sync as usual, she's overwhelmed with gratitude for her friends, friends that are more like family. This is the first holiday party they're co-hosting, and she knows it won't be the last.

A/N: Thanks to Callie for this idea!