Okay, first off, sorry for taking so long to update; haven't felt like writing much. Or maybe it's just my sched. But don't you guys worry, because I am BACK with a VENGEANCE! So, yeah.

Second, as an early Christmas treat, I'll be doing requests. I will randomly select ten requests from the readers (that's you) and I'll include them in this collection. If you want to see your near miss included, drop me a PM with the episode and scene it's from, and what you'd like to happen. I'll only be doing TEN, but they'll be spread out though the course of a month. Deadline is on January 17, 2011.

2x13 "Sucker Punch"

"I've gotten used to you pulling my pigtails." Beckett said with a little smile. It was true; she didn't mind Castle joking around anymore. In fact, she actually enjoyed it. "I have a hard job, Castle, and… having you around makes it… a little more fun." There. She finally admitted it. She waited for Castle's reaction, almost afraid that she'd crossed a line, but at the same time expecting him to pull out another joke up his sleeve.

"Your secret's safe with me." Castle smiled and began to eat the food he'd brought. Beckett smiled back and followed suit, glad to have someone distract her from what had happened earlier that day. After they'd finished all the food, with the help of Ryan and Esposito, of course, they tossed the garbage away, and headed to the elevator.

As they both stepped inside, Castle said, "Well, Detective, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then." and pressed the button for the first floor. Beckett paused, and said, "Why don't you let me drive you home?"

Castle shrugged it off politely. "No, that's okay, Beckett. I'll just get a cab." and he added, "Besides, shouldn't you be getting rest? I know you've had a long day." Beckett almost grinned at that. It wasn't every day that Castle acted all gentlemanly towards her, and it certainly wasn't every day that he gave her an opportunity to rest, what with him doing research every day. Against her willpower, she nodded. "Okay." then she added, "Castle?"

"Yes?" he said hesitantly. Beckett paused before doing anything. "Thanks. For… everything." she slowly went on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Castle immediately wanted to pull away, because he knew that Beckett would shoot him if she were in her right mind, but he let her kiss him. Not because he wanted to kiss her, but because she needed someone to lean on right now.

He wanted to pull away, because he knew that as soon as the elevator doors would open, someone was bound to see them, and Beckett would never let him live it down.

He wanted to pull away, for all the reasons they weren't in a relationship yet.

He wanted to pull away.

But he didn't.

ME Lanie Parish tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the elevator doors to open. She needed to go up and have a small chat with Detectives Ryan and Esposito about their little scheme to set Rick and Kate up.

She heard the ding of the elevator opening. Finally. she thought, and watched the elevator doors slowly part.

Well, looks like our plan won't be necessary after all. she thought as she saw Castle and Beckett jump apart. "Well," she said with a grin of satisfaction, "is there something you'd like to share with the class?"

Beckett flushed bright crimson. "Uh… Lanie, hi! Do we have another body?"

Lanie frowned. "You're avoiding my question."

"No, there's nothing going on." Castle intercepted.

"Well, by the looks of it, I'd say there was." Lanie said smugly, and looked at the clock. Ryan and Esposito were expecting her upstairs, so she said hurriedly, "Never mind, I can see that arguing now would be useless. But you owe me an explanation tomorrow." she said and dashed into the elevator, pressing the 'UP' button. She smiled at the two, nestling a single thought in her mind.

Ryan and Esposito are going to find this very interesting.

Love it? Hate it? Have a violent reaction that you'd like to share? Send me a review.

PS: Thanks to all the people who've reviewed my first chap. I really appreciate it.

TGA, out.