Situation 2: Lanie traps Castle and Beckett in a closet to work out their problems.
XX
Castle and Beckett were in a slight...disagreement. It was Jenny and Ryan's wedding day, and no one was going to have any of it. They'd already been warned by Esposito to knock it off. This day was about the newlyweds. After the ceremony, the pair had been dancing and talking, when Castle crossed a line, bringing up Josh. He'd asked her why she hadn't brought him as her date. Clearly, a nerve was struck because she began yelling at him. Words were said, and he ended up telling her the only reason she was with Josh was because she was afraid.
Then she slapped him. Lanie saw the whole thing and grabbed Kate, Esposito grabbing Castle just in case things escalated. They were taken to seperate corners, Esposito and Lanie cooking up a plan.
"There has to be something we can do. They've never fought this much before."
"Beckett's never hit him before."
"Something must be really up with her and Josh if she's this upset over him bringing it up. He's lucky I didn't smack him. Sometimes he can't just zip his lips, I swear." The ME shook her head, letting out a sigh. "I think I have an idea."
"Wanna fill me in?" She smirked and took his hand, leading him farther away where no one could hear their conversation.
"How are we gonna pull this off?" She nodded slowly.
"I've got this, just follow my lead." Lanie approached the fuming Katherine Beckett, who was sitting at the bar with a cocktail in front of her, swirling the mixer in it.
"Hey, Kate, honey." Lanie slid up on the chair next to her.
"Oh, hi.." She sounded down. Sad Beckett was better than angry Beckett. Angry Beckett coulld do some serious damage.
"Come with me." She took her hand.
"Why?"
"I wanna talk to you." Kate followed her friend. Seeing how Lanie planned to get Kate in the closet, he went to do the same thing with Castle.
"Yo, man!" He called to his friend, who was chatting up an attractive woman who claimed to be Ryan's cousin. "Castle." The writer turned to look at him.
"Uh, can it wait until later?" He asked, frowning.
"No. Come on, I gotta show you something."
"I'm really not in the mood if it's got to do with you know who. In case you haven't noticed." He pointed at his cheek, the growing red mark obvious.
"It's got nothing to do with Beckett, just get up." He groaned.
"I'll be back." She nodded, smiling and waving as he followed Esposito.
"This better be good, she was about to give me her number." The shorter man said nothing as walked towards the walk-in closet that held peoples jackets. "Why'd you bring me here?" The door was closed. Esposito swung it open and shoved Castle inside. "Hey!" Lanie was in there with Kate.
"Oh, good." The woman walked out, standing beside Esposito.
"Lanie, what the hell!" The detective felt betrayed.
"Sorry, but we can't let you ruin their wedding day. Or each other. We love you guys. Work this out!" Lanie slammed the door shut and used the key in her pocket to lock it.
"Where'd you get that?" Esposito raised his eyebrows.
"I have my ways." She winked.
"These ways better not include flirting with caterers!" He called after her as she walked back towards the party.
Inside the closet, both parties were freaking out. Castle was slamming on the door, pulling on the door knob.
"Esposito, I'm gonna kick your ass!" Kate wasn't bothering to try it, she knew her friends. There was no way in hell any threat would get them to open that door. So, she decided to wait it out and took a seat on the floor. "Shit!" He gave the door one last shove before giving up and plopping to the ground, leaning against it. Neither of them would look at each other for a few moments, before Rick's eyes lifted and he stared at her. The staring continued until she finally decided to speak up.
"Is there a reason you're staring at me?"
"No." He said coldly, looking back down. It was her turn to stare at him. She was admiring the mark on his cheek.
"I'm sorry for hitting you." His ears perked up in surprise.
"You are?"
"Yes. I'm sorry for hitting you but I'm not sorry for getting upset. I just went too far."
"So.. You still don't think you exagerated?"
"Exagerated? I did not exagerate! I had a perfectly good reason to get upset with you."
"Perfectly good reason? All I did was ask why you didn't bring Josh with you!" She flinched.
"Forget it. Forget I apologized. I take it back, I'm not sorry. You deserve way worse than a slap in the face." He snarled at her.
"If anyone deserves a slap it's you." They were both taken aback by what came out of his mouth. He didn't really mean that, he didn't even mean to say it. It just slipped out in his anger tantrum, and he immediately regretted the words. Never, did Castle treat her that way. He was always a perfect gentleman when it came to serious things, but now she wasn't so sure. They were both quiet.
"Fine. Hit me." She dared.
"What?"
"I said hit me. Do it. If you think that's the way to be even, go ahead." He shook his head. "Come on, Castle! I'm giving you a freebie!" She put her hands up to show she wouldn't fight back. "Go ahead."
"I'm not going to hurt you." He whispered.
"Why not?"
"I would never hurt you." She felt her heart swell at the soft, broken way he said that. Kate put her hands down and licked her dry lips. It was silent again. "Just tell me what happened with you and Josh."
"We broke up. Okay? Is that what you wanted to hear?" He blinked a few times, trying to understand what she was saying.
"What?"
"He dumped me. Wanna know what's even better? He broke up with me because of you." She bitterly laughed. "Yeah, he said I would always choose you over him. And you know what else?" She paused. "He was right. I would. But now, I don't know. Because, I don't think I even know you anymore." She blinked away the fresh tears.
"I didn't..." Rick didn't know what to say. "I didn't know." Two pairs of eyes met each other. "Still didn't give you a right to hit me." He frowned again.
"You're right." She wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry, Castle." He reached forward and took her hand, gently rubbing his thumb over the top.
"Me too. I shouldn't have been so insensitive." With that, she launched forwards and wrapped her arms around his neck. It took a moment for the author to respond, but he placed both of his palms flat against her back, pressing her to him.
"You're my best friend. That can never change. We can't let stupid fights like this get between us." He silently agreed, closing his eyes and letting the feel of her wash over him. They never noticed the door opening, not until a person cleared their throat. Twice. Reluctantly, Kate pulled away from him.
"Lanie." The detective gasped.
"Seems you two worked things out." She had a very smug grin on her face, Esposito standing behind her with his arms crossed. Kate and Rick stood back up and exchanged glances, small smiles appearing on their faces. "I'm glad. Let's get back to the party before Kevin has a stroke. He was worrying about you guys messing up the day."
"Then let's go." Kate followed Esposito and Lanie out.
"Let's not do that again. Okay?" Castle stopped her, referring to the argument.
"Right. No more hitting. Unless you really deserve it." He pretended to look offended.
"Why, Detective Beckett. What makes you think I'd ever do anything to deserve that?"
"Oh, you'll find some way to annoy me to that boiling point." She kept on walking once again. Rick chewed on his lower lip in thought, but then realized she was already on the move. No time for a funny retort.
"Hey, wait up!" He quickly caught up to her.
"Would you like to dance?" She asked suddenly, once they reached the main room once more. Taken aback, he seemed to fumble with his choice of words.
"I-We... You.." He gave up. "Yes." Letting out a laugh, she took his hand and together they moved to the rythm of the song, Kevin and Jenny in the middle of the dance floor, having the time of their lives. Kate leaned her head on Rick's shoulder.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"For what?"
"Forgiving me."
"Backatcha."
They held on to each other until the song ended - no. Even after that. For the rest of the night, they danced the night away, laughed, along with their small group of friends.
Fin.
A/N: I'm not sure about this situation, it wasn't really that 'sticky'. I guess in general, the 'sticky situations' oneshots, will just be about either them being in big trouble and getting out of it, or fighting. Or something. =P
Hope you R&R'd. Look for the next oneshot, it'll be up in another chapter soon.