Sorry about yet another impromptu hiatus but I'm having trouble finding the time and energy to write what with my recent finals and lack of drive lately. I'll try to keep on my schedule now, at least for the month-long break. This story will probably come to an end after high school (or I'll extend it to their first year of college) and then I will have an epilogue. I think this story has gone on for so long—it was my first after all—that it's about time to end it.

Also, I want to remind certain people that this story doesn't really have a set plot. It's literally a bunch of loosely connected one-shots about the Castle gang as kids. Nothing more. It's just supposed to be a fun little thing I started when I began watching the show. Don't get too worked up about it, please; it makes it less fun to write when I get hate over it.

Anyways, please enjoy!

Castle's Return Home

As the school year came to an end, Castle found he couldn't really focus on his finals or the story he'd promised to submit to the literary magazine, or even the fact that he would see his mother in person for the first time in nearly a full year.

No. All he could think about was the fact that he would be leaving this place—the only person of whom he would actually miss being Damien, who'd encouraged his writing and pretty much insisted that Castle send him stories while he was back home in New York and he would see about putting them into the magazine under a pseudonym—and returning to his friends and unofficial family, the Becketts.

Since his mother wouldn't return from her tour for another week after school had ended, Castle would be staying with them once again, and they were already making plans to go up to the cabin again. Jim insisted that they invite his mother up with them so she could take a little break from work for a bit, but Castle knew his mother.

Being at home, in the air conditioned apartment, blissfully alone and peaceful was her perfect vacation; she'd never compromise that to be outside where she would likely be eaten alive by mosquitoes and the like. He'd tried asking her anyway, but Martha declined, claiming that she had plenty to keep her both busy and relaxed while he was away with his dear Katherine.

He had no idea what she meant by that and he didn't even bother to ask.

Final exams passed with no small amount of difficulty on his part but, thankfully, he passed and had all his things packed for the long bus trip back to the city, greeting all of his friends at Port Authority wide bone-crushing hugs and his usual dramatics.

"I'm never leaving you again!" he faux-sobbed as he practically tackled Javi to the ground, picking up the smaller boy, pinning his arms to his sides as he shook him back and forth. In return, the Latino boy threatened all kinds of bodily harm as their friends snickered at them. When Castle finally put him down, Javi lunged for them, causing the bigger boy to shriek and hide behind his girlfriend.

With one look, Kate was able to deter a grumbling Javi as he crossed his arms over his chest and backed off. Kevin made a whipping sound under his breath and received a deathly glare, though he couldn't be bothered to care; he had news of his own, after all.

It wasn't until they'd dropped all of Castle's things back at Kate's apartment and headed off to have lunch at Remy's that he finally shared said news.

"I have a date tonight," Kevin said, shocking everybody sitting at the table around him so much that their mouths were all gaping open as they looked at the unofficial baby of the group, his smile blinding and eyes wide and excited.

"A date?" Kate gasped, the first one to snap out of the trance. "With who?"

"Whom," Castle corrected, getting a flick in the ear in return. "Ow!" he whined, glaring at his girlfriend. Kate just rolled her eyes and looked to Kevin for the answer. The boy was practically glowing with happiness.

"Jenny O'Malley," he replied, his grin practically splitting his face in two.

Simultaneously, Lanie, Kate, and Castle all squealed girlishly. Lanie, who'd been sitting next to him, wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tightly, no doubt cutting off his breathing and circulation.

"I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed.

"Thanks…Lanie…" Kevin choked out, groaning as Castle, who was sitting on his opposite side, wrapped his arms around him as well, squeezing just as hard with his developing muscle-y bulk.

"Our little boy is growing up," Castle teased, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Castle!" Kevin groaned. "I…can't…breathe!"

"Oops," Castle said, letting the smaller boy go. "Sorry, buddy." Kevin slumped back in his seat, trying to regain his breath as all his friends looked on at him with soft, happy smiles on their faces. He frowned.

"Would you guys quit it?!" he groaned. "I'm fifteen; I'm not a baby anymore."

"D'awww!" Castle teased, pinching his cheek. "Did you hear that, guys? Little Kevie isn't a baby anymore. He's a big boy now, isn't he? Little Kevie Wevie." Kevin pouted and batted his hand away. "Ouch!" Castle whined, turning to Kate. "He hit me!"

"You deserved it," Kate replied, taking another bite of her burger, unable to hide her grin. Castle's frown deepened, but he said no more, going back to his own cheeseburger.

"I'm real proud of you, bro," Javi said, smiling at his friend.

"Thanks, Jav," Kevin replied. "That means a l—"

"Your balls finally dropped," Javier finished, causing Castle and Kate to snicker while Lanie swatted his head.

"Stop it, all of you," she said. "Leave Kevin alone." She wrapped one arm around the boy, hugging him to her side before pressing a kiss to his temple. "I'm real proud of you, Sweetie," she said. "Jenny's lucky to have you."

Kevin blushed bright red. "Thanks, Lane," he said, "but it's only one date; it's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal?" Javi scoffed. "Kev, you've been in love with this girl since first grade; hell yeah, it's a big deal! You've got the chance to go out with the girl of your dreams; you gotta woo her!"

"Shut up, Javi," Lanie hissed. "You're gonna make him all nervous." She turned back to Kevin, who was suddenly looking unsure of himself. "Don't listen to that dunce," she said. "Just go and have a good time. Y'all are only fifteen; you got plenty of time for 'wooing'. Besides, I'm pretty sure Jenny's already got a crush on you."

"You think?" Kevin asked, hopefully. Lanie nodded and Kate voiced her agreement.

"Definitely," she said. "I've seen her looking at you in the hallway; she's just shy is all. But there's no doubt that she likes you. Just be you and everything will be fine, alright?"

Kevin nodded. "Thanks, guys," he said. "That means a lot."

"And if all else fails," Castle added, "just tell her a joke; girls love a funny man. Right, Kate?" he grinned at his girlfriend, who rolled her eyes.

"Just because I fell for a fool, doesn't mean she will," she replied, nonchalantly, stealing one of his fries.

"Couldn't hurt to try," Castle replied, turning to Kevin. "I'll write you a whole list of jokes and funny stories to tell for tonight; guaranteed to get a giggle out of her."

"I'll read over them first," Kate said, "to make sure they're appropriate."

"Aw, you're no fun," Castle pouted. Kate snickered and pressed a kiss to his lips.

"Perfect," she said. "We balance each other out.

Kevin made a gagging sound, but couldn't help the hope rising in his chest that maybe, someday—hopefully soon—that might be him and Jenny.

The thought made him about 20x more anxious about tonight, but just as excited.

REVEIWS please! Date is next!