A/N: I don't know what this is to be honest. Tumblr prompt. Season 4, post Cops and Robbers, Beckett overhears Castle talking to Ryan about…..

Beckett had been on her feet for the whole day. Up and down, left and right, not even five straight minutes to sit in her seat and relax her legs, no, not today. This case drilled the heck outta her, and for whatever reason, it kept her from stopping at all until she couldn't take it anymore.

She needed a chocolate break.

Taking a breather, she went over to the vending machines in search of a fix. Completely indecisive from the stress, she stared at the showcase of goodies before her for a solid five minutes, which quickly evolved into a hassle as she stared blankly at the glass. In a moments passion, she shoved the money into the receiver and punched the first numbers could, unaware of what would fall down. Closing her eyes, she dipped her hand into the slot and picked up a bag of trail mix.

Oh, thank God.

As she went to get her water, she walked to the farther machine, but in the distance she heard two pairs of footsteps clattering against the floor, familiar voices trailing along. Slow in their steps, they gradually came to a full stop, though still fairly distant from where she was.

"Come on! She's great, you guys will be a hit," Ryan started. Whoa. Who would be a hit now? "She's got personality–she's funny, she's smart, she's witty, she's pretty–"

"Dude, you really think you should be talking about a woman in that way other than Jenny?" Castle said.

"Are you kidding, she's the one who told me to say these things." Off Castle's look he laughed and continued. "It's her friend. She really is great. Although I've only met her once so I can't really vouch for her more than what Jenny gave me."

Castle rolled his eyes, while Beckett inched closer to the corner of the wall, careful to keep out of sight. She was interested in his disinterest of this woman.

"I'm just not actively looking for anyone else right now, that's all."

"Else?" Ryan's voice jumped. "Oh, you mean someone else other than Beckett?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Seriously? You're gonna say that to the guy who's been here since the beginning? Who's watched you two chase each other and fall flat on your faces every year?"

At his words Castle planted a seat on one of the benches, realizing he'd have to tell him. "What do you know?"

"Everything we see…everything we theorize about you kids. Whatever Espo knows."

"So nothing," he asked with a laugh.

"Basically, yeah. Somehow I get the feeling there's more to this story that we don't know." She touched her fingertips to her lips, realizing where this was headed.

It took every bit of force from him to say it aloud again, but it still slipped out of his lips so weakly. "I love her, Ryan."

It wasn't the first time she'd heard those words, but it certainly felt like it. Gunshot…pain…I love you. That day just rang in her ears, fighting against everything else she could hear.

The silence between the boys hung for about a minute…and it seemed to be the longest minute that whole day. "Are you serious?" Ryan asked. His voice dropped down so earnestly. Castle just nodded. "Geez Castle…damn, does she know?"

"I think she does. I mean, I told her."

"When?"

"After she got shot."

"So at the hospital?"

Oh this was embarrassing. "No…I mean literally, right after she got shot, when I was on top of her–post tackle."

Another silence followed, but it built up to a response neither Beckett or Castle expected.

"Are you kidding me? You waited to tell the woman you love that you love her until her very life was evacuating her body? Are you insane?"

The speed of his words shocked both Castle and Beckett. Castle stuttered, struggling to muster up the words to respond appropriately, but nothing came. Beckett just waited wide-eyed for the response.

"Okay, admittedly, not good timing yes, but I don't know…it wasn't that I didn't know I love her, it's just that I thought I had time, I guess. In that moment, I thought I would lose her, and I couldn't let her go without her knowing. I think she knows though. She might not remember it now, but in the moment she heard it. She had that smile of hers, you know, that cute one, just more subtle as she'd just been shot?"

Ryan looked in Castle with clear confusion, plainly saying, "I guess."

"If she does remember, but refuses to say, don't you think that means something?"

"Well if that's really the case, I think she has reasons. Maybe she needs to heal and deal with whatever it is she needs to heal and deal. Maybe she's not ready for that yet, or doesn't know how to even approach it."

"Or so she'll say," he added with a flick of skepticism. Though truthful, his words cut through her chest horribly. One day maybe he'd understand. She wanted him to…she didn't wanna lose him over this.

Ryan joined him on the bench, sitting down and laying back against the wall. He exhaled quick before speaking up. "Listen Castle…you know Kate. She cares about you. We all see that, and she can't deny it no matter how convincing she sounds. My God, the bank scare had her twisted up in her wits trying to figure out how to save you. You gotta believe she cares for you. A lot. So whatever she's doing, I'm sure she's trying to protect you in the process too. You love her, right?" Castle looked over at him, eyes a little tender and jaw a little hung. He just waited on Ryan. "Give her time. More than what you've already given her. Whether she remembers or not, still give her time. If it's meant to be, you'll both find your way in time."

A heavy sigh dragged out of Castle while Beckett listened intently off the corner of the hall. She leaned up against the wall, thoughtful over everything. She just reflected on all they said, wondering when…when she'd be able to love him.

And if he'd still be around when that time came.