Anonymous prompt: Gates asks Castle to keep helping out at the 12th when Beckett goes to DC.

"Yo, Castle." Espo hurried out of the break room to catch him, spilling a couple of drops of coffee on the floor in the process. "Wait up, bro."

He stopped in turn, brown cardboard box still in hand, returning the greeting with a smile and a nod.

"Whatchu doing here man? Figured with Beckett gone, we wouldn't see your ugly mug haunting us anymore. Or at least, you haven't been around much." Espo raised an meaningful eyebrow as he came to a stop in front of him.

"Actually, I've been up in DC the last couple of weeks, helping Beckett move into her new place, set up all the furniture and stuff. Just got back last night. Came back to pick up some papers she'd left behind." He shrugged, holding up the box in his hands.

"How is she settling in?"

"Oh you know Beckett, chomping at the bit to get to work." He made himself mute any concern he had. He might be worried about his fiancee's workaholic nature resurfacing while she was away on her own in DC, but this was hardly the time or the place to voice any such concerns. "What about you guys, any cool cases?"

"Oh yeah, a real freaky one. Dude strangled in a sex club dungeon. You would've loved it. We just caught the perp yesterday. Ex-boyfriend-slash-stalker." Espo shook his head, a little in disbelief it seemed like. Must've been quite the case to draw such a reaction from him. "Mighta solved it quicker if you and Beckett had been doing your psychic-foreplay-case-solving thing like you used to, mind. Or might not."

"We didn't- we don't- it's not…'" He lets his voice peter out, the grin on Espo's face not worth arguing against. "And how's Ryan?"

"Baby crazy. Off at the doctor with Jenny right now. I miss Beckett's ability to calm him down, if nothing else."

"I hear you."

"So…what's the plan? You gonna stick around in NYC?"

"That's the plan for the moment, with plenty of weekends and the occasional week or two up in DC. At least in the short-term…"

"Well, we're gonna miss around here bro. Unless you wanna keep coming back with your girlfriend gone?"

"Well, you're not quite as pretty Espo, but the last time I was here without her…I got thrown out on my ass, remember?" He nods in the direction of Gates's office, blinds shuttered, door shut. She had shown up briefly at Beckett's going-away drinks, offered her congratulations on the job and their engagement congenially enough, but he hadn't heard from her since. Thankfully.

"Mr. Castle!"

"…and speak of the devil." Espo gave him a quick nod and walked away, leaving Castle to face the music.

"Captain Gates." He turned and walked towards as she stood in the doorway of her office, eyes narrowed at him over those stern black glasses.

"A word if you please, in my office."

"Of course." He never could quite shake the feeling that stepping into Gates's office was like being sent to the principal for being naughty, and that a scolding was due.

"Take a seat." She sat down herself, removing the glasses, losing a little of the schoolmarm steel.

"Thank you."

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Oh just picking up some personal papers for Beckett."

"Indeed. And how is she settling in amongst the circling sharks at the federal level?"

"Still finding her feet, but you know Beckett. She'll be up and running in no time."

"And you, Mr. Castle? What your plans with the…special relationship with my former detective no longer holding you here at the 12th?" She's almost a little hesitant, a little diffident as she asks, polishing the frames of her glasses. He doesn't know if he's ever seen that in her behaviour before.

"…I don't know, honestly, sir. Between the move and the engagement and everything being a whirlwind, I haven't had a lot of time to think about that." He shrugs sincerely, blue eyes solemn.

"Well, a detective the calibre of Beckett's is a big loss for us here. I'm not even sure when we'll get a replacement. Could be weeks, or months, with Homicide here understaffed. Resources are stretched everywhere."

He doesn't say anything, just makes a soothing murmur, encouraging her to go on.

"And despite the unorthodox nature of your presence here, I'm forced to admit you were indeed an asset to the team. It is difficult to argue against the number of cases that were solved with your direct involvement."

"I was happy to help. And of course, the research…" He isn't stupid. No hint of the smile he is feeling on the inside is allowed on his face, not even to ghost over his lips. He settles for deliberately relaxing his shoulder, letting his body language speak of confidence.

"Yes. I'm sure." She takes a deep breath as if steeling herself to eat something that will taste unpleasant but will have to be eaten nonetheless. "I would like to invite you to keep consulting with the Homicide division here at the 12th Precinct, liaising directly with your old team of Detectives Ryan and Esposito. Would you be interested, Mr. Castle?"

"I would be honoured to keep helping out the NYPD, Captain. While continuing my research, of course."

"Of course. Who knows, maybe without you and Beckett mooning around each other like lovesick teenagers, you might even find yourself more effective." She can't quite stop the waspish statement, he can tell, but he doesn't mind, letting the barb go. It's a huge change from the last time she unceremoniously threw himself out on his ear, and he luxuriates in the feeling of being wanted. Needed. It's nice.

"Maybe, Captain." He gets up to go, briefly shaking hands with her in the process. "See you tomorrow."