A/N: Here is the first proper chapter! And on that note, I'd like to put the worries of some of my readers and reviewers to rest and say that what I posted prior to this was just my introduction. My chapters will not be nearly as short as that!

In terms of this chapter's content, please assume that it's before Season 3 Episode 4 where Josh is introduced, but just an untelevised episode of a more boring case. Happy reading!

"No, nu-uh I'm not listening to yet another one of your crazy theories Castle," Beckett says, sounding exasperated as she looks straight ahead and therefore away from Castle. "That's what got us here in the first place and I'm this close to calling Ryan and Esposito on the radio and ordering them to call off this dumb stakeout and go back to the precinct and think again." The dynamic duo in question were in an unassuming grey Subaru, parked on the sidewalk right in front of a little alleyway which was lined with dumpsters for the takeout places either side of it. Ryan and Esposito were in an equally dull black Saab right behind them, probably whiling away the time with some stupid game or another. Kate always tried to believe there may be something worthwhile in Castle's harebrained theories but as every minute ticked on by, she was starting to think this idiotic stakeout for the killer to just wander on by was just too ridiculous. The affable writer on the other hand, had not quite given up yet.

"Okay fine I may be able to see why the CIA may not be interested in the notebook but our guy Jung definitely will be and that'll prove he's our killer. A writer's instinct is never wrong," he replies with that voice of persuasion he always uses on Beckett which ultimately got them here in the first place.

"Well then Castle, as you've been so kind as to drop the CIA theory, I'll cut you a deal. If this Jung guy shows up within the next five minutes, I'll make you dinner. And I'm not talking oven fries and fried chicken. A proper three course meal." Castle turns to Beckett excitedly, his face lighting up like a Christmas tree, or when he gets a call from her about a fresh body.

"Ooh okay well then if he never shows, I'll stop bringing up my theories on the next case you get," Castle offers. Kate raises an eyebrow at him.

"Why don't we keep it a little more realistic huh Castle? And anyway, how come you get to decide the punishment?"

"Because you got to decide my reward, oh partner of mine. Fine then, how about… I take you on a shopping spree. Unlimited spend."

"Oh you must be very confident to give yourself a punishment like that. You're on." No sooner did they shake on it than the car radio came on.

"Yo, isn't that Jung trying a little too hard to blend in by that dumpster over there?" asked Esposito over the radio. Both Castle and Beckett turned to focus on the dumpsters and sure enough there he was, just like Castle said.

"Yep, that's our guy let's get him," Beckett replied, getting out of the car as quickly as she could with Castle in hot pursuit. "Police! Steven Jung you're under arrest for the murder of Lacey Taylor."

-x-

"So Detective, can you please explain to me just how one of Castle's ridiculous speculations actually ended up being true?" Montgomery asked once Jung had written his confession and had been taken away into custody. Beckett was avoiding the Captain's gaze, her eyes averted to the floor. Castle on the other hand, was all too happy to fill Montgomery in.

"It all comes down to the fact that he's a writer. You see Lacey and Steven were co-writing a novel as girlfriend and boyfriend which was all sunshine and roses at the beginning, until they started having their creative differences, which broke up their relationship. But it was when he got wind of a new book coming out that was under her name only, he started to get suspicious. You see any writer worth their salt would do anything to stop someone from claiming his hard work as their own. Jung asked her to come down to dinky pizza place they went to on their first date, hoping it would help her come quietly and give in to his demands of either being put as her 'co-author' or getting a large cut of the profits but Taylor being greedy wasn't interested in his offer. She wanted all the money and fame to herself. So she told him to take a hike and dumped their notebook where they co-wrote the story in the trash behind the store when she thought he wasn't looking. When Taylor got back to her apartment, she had no idea that Jung followed her there and in the heat of the moment, Jung pushed her hard and her head hit a sharp nail that was sticking out of the wall and killed her. He must've hoped that if he found that notebook, he'd be able to show the publisher's that it was his masterpiece too not just hers. That's why he went back to the alleyway to get it. He must've seen her throw it away." Montgomery and Beckett just stared at Castle, almost not blinking. The longer he shadowed Kate, the more he was actually starting to sound like a Detective. It was not a good look on him and it frankly freaked them both out.

After a few seconds, the Captain broke the awkward silence.

"Well umm good job, Castle. Maybe your ridiculous theories are more credible than we both realised. Just try not to follow in this writer's footsteps and start murdering some guy who tries to steal your work." Castle laughed at this and looked over at Beckett.

"Oh I can't make that promise, Captain. But at least I have a beautiful, intelligent lady to break me out of prison afterwards." Kate just sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Don't push your luck, Castle. I'm a woman of the law. I don't intend to go about ruining that image for someone who has such stupid reasons for murder."

"I'll have you know plagiarism is a very serious crime!" Castle remarks, "If anything me killing the guy would be poetic justice."

"Well I hate to break it to you Castle, but poetic justice wouldn't save you from a murder charge." Before Castle could come up with a response, Montgomery interrupted them.

"Would the two of you mind continuing this little game outside my office? I have a lot of paperwork to do and so do you, Beckett. You may not have been the one to officially solve this case, but you still have to do the paperwork now it's been closed." Beckett sighed, but nodded.

"Of course, Captain." The two of them filed out of his office and went back over to Beckett's desk where she got started on the paperwork just like Montgomery had suggested. Naturally, this was Castle's cue to leave so he wished her a goodnight and headed towards the elevator. But not before taking one long look at her as she concentrated on her work. It was a look that he secretly admired, no adored, but of course he wasn't going to tell her that any time soon. Or anyone else for that matter either.

When he made it back home, he was alone. His mother was probably out at some audition or another and his beloved daughter had one of extra-curricular activities on that evening. So he went over to his office, opened his laptop and began to write. But shortly after he stopped, given the nature of the last case he had been working on with Kate it seemed a little creepy.

Kate. How he loved to call her that. In his head of course, he'd never say it to her face. It would seem too… weird. Nothing was going on between the two of them, of course not. He wasn't even interested. Okay barely interested. He just cared for her deeply that's all. As a friend. A very, very close friend.

As he was absorbed in his thoughts, his mobile rang and once he saw the caller ID, he was only too eager to pick up the phone.

"Castle?"

"Hey, it's me. It just dawned on me, you won the bet. Got any dinner plans tonight?" He briefly thought about his mother and Alexis, but assumed that they'd probably be okay without him cooking for one night anyway. Alexis was more grown up than they were anyway.

"No, not at all. Why is the enigmatic Kate Beckett admitting defeat and offering to make me dinner as a gift to the handsome new Detective on the block?" he teased.

"Watch it, Castle. I'm still the one with the badge. And the gun. See you at 7:30."

"It's a date."

A/N: Wow that was much more difficult than I thought! Both Castle and Beckett are such unique characters and I really want to try as best as I can to portray them faithfully here. Let me know what you think :)