Hi everyone! Ok, so this is my first fanfiction ever, and I'm still new to this. Just thought I should mention. Anyway, just to be clear, this is a collection of one-shots of alternate scenarios of the different 'near-misses' of Caskett's relationship. Again, this fic is CHOCK-FULL of spoilers, so I'm indicating the episode which the scene is based from.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle. Plain and simple.

1x05 "A Chill Goes Through Her Veins"

Castle bent his head down and peered over her shoulder to read Melanie Cavanagh's case file. Beckett froze, and sniffed his perfume. She snuck a peek at him and looked away quickly when she noticed that he was looking at her as well. They began to talk about the case again, Beckett getting a little more self-conscious.

Castle moved his head slightly so that he was even closer to her. "Some people just love the institution, hate the day-to-day." he shrugged. Beckett looked at him again out of the corner of her eye.

"Are you one of those people, Castle?" she said, turning her head and facing him. She raised her eyebrows and shot him a skeptical look.

He looked at her with mock seriousness. "Guess I just haven't met the right girl." he smiled and teasingly gave her a smoky look.

Beckett held her breath, trying hard not to get intoxicated by his scent. The extreme proximity was killing her, and she tried to lean back, but she felt Castle's hand touch the small of her back. She was cornered and had nowhere to go but forward.

So just like that, she kissed him.

And just like that, she felt the stress of the case wash away from her. Just like that, she forgot about the bustling precinct around her. Just like that, she felt the nine years' worth of pain melt away at his touch.

Just like that, she learned to love again.

Just like that.

"Whoa. Wonder what's gotten into her?" Ryan asked as they both raised their coffee mugs to their lips. They had both witnessed the scene that happened at Beckett's desk, and they were still in shock over it. After all, it did seem very un-Beckett like for her to just kiss people in public, let alone kiss Castle in the precinct.

"Well, whatever it is, Castle sure seems to be enjoying it... check out the look on his face, bro." Esposito grinned, then, noticing a familiar figure in the back, propped his feet up on Ryan's desk and began talking about the Cavanagh case.

"Pssst! Hey!" Lanie rushed over to them as soon as Beckett's back was turned. "Did you guys see that?" she dragged them to the break room and closed the door, sounding almost irritated that both detectives were discussing it matter-of-factly. Both men nodded hesitantly, almost expecting her to scold them at any moment. As soon as they moved their heads, Lanie exploded.

"Well, why didn't you at least take a photo? That was a once in a lifetime oppurtunity, guys! It will never happen again!" she cried, pointing to Beckett's desk, where Beckett stood up and, slipping her hand in Castle's, made a beeline for the break room.

A smile slowly spread across Ryan's face. "Maybe it will."

So… whaddaya think? I know it's short, but it's just a snippet of what could've happened during that scene.

Reviews are appreciated!

TGA, out.