Sorry this is late but I've been cramming for a midterm (for which I had to memorize ten definitions and then define them and give major examples from media on the written test) and I am exhausted after being up now for….over 12 hours (which is a lot for me, okay?). But I'm here and I'm ready to give y'all what you've probably been waiting two whole weeks for. Enjoy!
Spring Break Part III
"What's the matter, girls? Feeling a little blue?" Castle teased as they all made their way to the front of the paintball field, taking off their paint-spattered coveralls to reveal their street clothes, and losing the giant goggles. Lanie and Kate glared at him, witheringly, as he gloated, retelling the story of how he'd snatched their victory from right out underneath them after they'd tried—and failed—to ambush him. Instead of getting the surprise takedown they'd been expecting, he'd skillfully and gracefully (by some impossible means) dodged their ammo and shot them both in the chest—which had been thankfully covered by padding, but would probably still bruise—ending the game with him on top.
The girls had shared a single look before each shooting him in the chest as payback. Castle didn't care though; he'd won. And he would probably never let them forget it.
"So," Kate said, with a seriously disinterested voice, "what now?"
Castle gave her a large grin. "Video games?" he suggested and Kate and Lanie shared a look before agreeing; after all, they'd made him go to the salon the day before. Besides, video games could be fun.
"So long as you stop gloating," Lanie said. "Otherwise, I might just strangle you with the controller."
"They're wireless," Castle pointed out, smartly. Lanie hit him with a mean glare.
"I'm sure there are plenty of things in Beckett's apartment I can use as a murder weapon, Writer Boy," she warned. "Don't test me."
Castle clamped his mouth shut and mimed zipping his lips shut. Kate snorted and rolled her eyes, tugging on his hand.
"Come on, ya goof," she said, grabbing Lanie as well and dragging them both to her apartment.
XXXX
When they got there, Kate disappeared to take the first shower (her hair was covered in blue ick, thanks to Castle).
"Order some food," she called out to them. "I'm starving!"
"Chinese?" Castle asked, knowingly.
"Uh, duh!" Kate teased through her bedroom door, making Lanie cackle. Castle chuckled and dialed the number, not even bothering to ask what either of them wanted; he already knew everybody's order by heart.
"What game should we start with?" he asked Lanie.
"Mario Kart?" Lanie suggested, holding up the game in question. Castle grinned and nodded.
"Good choice," he said. "Best two out of three?"
"You're on," Lanie challenged, taking a seat in the corner of the Beckett's couch, controller in hand.
"May the best man win," Castle replied.
"I still don't see any 'men' here," Lanie retorted with a smirk. Castle stuck his tongue out at her and she returned the gesture.
"Good day, children!" a voice exclaimed as Jim came through the door. They looked up to see him juggling a stack of files and his briefcase.
"Hey, Mr. B," Castle said, standing. "Do you need any help, sir?"
"Quit it with the sir stuff, Rick," Jim replied. "It's just Jim, remember? And no, thank you, I'm fine. Just have a couple of files to look over before we go to trial. Tell Katie and Jo I'll be in my office if they need me."
"Will do, Mr—er, Jim," Castle promised.
Jim shot him a grin before disappearing into his home office. When Castle turned back to set up the game, Lanie was grinning at him.
"What?" he asked, self-consciously.
"You know what," Lanie scoffed.
"No, I can't say I do," Castle replied, haughtily, frowning at her.
"Come on, Castle!" Lanie cackled. "You've known Jim since you were, like, five! You can't still be uncomfortable around him; he's practically your father!"
"It's different now, though," Castle replied. "I'm dating his daughter and…well, I didn't really get along with Kyra's parents either."
"But Jim adores you," Lanie pointed out. "You know that, I know that; so what's the issue?"
"The issue is…well, I just…I dunno. He just makes me nervous now, ya know?"
Realization flashed through Lanie's eyes and she nodded. "Yeah," she said, "I know. Javi's the same exact way with my daddy. He's practically a priest whenever my dad is so much as in the same building; barely even looks at me when he's in the same room. It's kind of annoying."
"Do you think Kate finds me annoying?" Castle asked, concern etched on his face. Lanie shook her head.
"Not a chance," she said. "I mean, maybe sometimes, but even then she gets this little grin on her face whenever you do something that a normal person would consider irritating. To her, it's just plain adorable. Weirdo."
Castle laughed at that. "Thanks, Lanie," he said.
"For what?" Lanie asked. "I ain't tellin' you anything you don't already know, am I?" He was silent, but she could read the self-conscious look on his face. "Castle, the girl loves you; I know you know that. There's nothing you could do, short of cheating—which I know you would never do because there's about a dozen people who would end your life the second you even so much as think about doing that—that could drive her away, okay? So relax and play some Mario Kart with me; I wanna hear you squeal like a pig."
"Oh it's on," Castle replied, grinning at her. "You're going down, Parish."
"Put your money where your mouth is, Castle," Lanie challenged in return. "Loser pays for lunch."
"Deal," Castle said, spitting on his hand and offering it to her.
"Yeah, I'm not touchin' that now. Just take my word for it."
Castle barked out a laugh, before turning to the TV and pressing start.
"Game on."
Sorry it's short and didn't have the game in it (I have no idea how paintball is played tbh) but hopefully I'll get to updating more regular-like. REVIEWS please!