Castle's apartment – Monday night

There was a big turn out at Castle's on his birthday. Presents piled at the table next to the door and everyone was giddy on punch and wine. Castle brought out all the games he had stashed in his cupboards and people participated in everything from twister to wii to poker. Castle and Beckett were engrossed in their own conversation, standing in his study. Rarely did they get a chance to behave like adults and just have a conversation to better acquaint one another without bickering and distractions. But Castle's eyes panned the room and settled on Lanie and Esposito. He grabbed Beckett and they sneaked up behind them next to the kitchen bench.

"What are we doing secretly in this part of the room" Castle said with his eyes narrowed on Esposito and raising an eyebrow.

"Is there something you're not telling me now?" continued Beckett.

"Can't a girl and a boy have some fun without your prying eyes?" Lanie replied seductively. Then she turned to Esposito and asked him to walk her home.

"That is so hot" blurted Castle as he bit lightly on his clenched fist, "do you want me to walk you home?"

"No" Beckett was very blunt which disappointed him. But she continued with her eyes fixated on his whilst pacing towards him, "I'm thinkin' it's probably too late and too dark to go home now. Perhaps I should stay the night?" Castle's eyes were about to pop out of his head. He couldn't believe her forwardness but caught a hint of hesitation.

"Don't think. I have a king size bed, very spacious and supportive" he said quickly. She let out a sigh of laughter.

After the guests left it was close to the first quarters of the a.m. Castle, Beckett, Martha and Alexis were left picking up the mess.

"Do you think Lanie and Esposito are getting lucky?" whispered Castle to Beckett.

"Ew. Minor!" Alexis shouted pointing to herself. She took this as a sign to leave the adults to their mature conversations. Martha also turned in but not before asking them to keep their noises to a minimum. Beckett felt very awkward.

Completing his grooming before bed, he waltzed over awkwardly in his pjs. On his king size bed sat Beckett, covered up in her t-shirt and shorts, reading a book.

"This is awkward to say the least"

"Should I go?" she asked feeling weird about this whole thing for the past hour.

"No! It's nearly 4 a.m., where are you going to go?"

"I thought I'd hijack your car" she joked as he slipped into his side of the bed and snuggled comfortably beside her tense body.

When the lights were off, Beckett slipped out of Castle's grip. Although he was exhausted, he still had noticed her movements but allowed her to have her own comfort zone. She remained still for some time and all they heard were each other's breathing patterns. She began to fidget and he turned to see why, but was taken back as she slipped off her t-shirt. She then removed her shorts and then turned to look at him. He was wide eyed and gobsmacked.

"You don't have to do this" he said quietly, but she had already moved her body on top of his. They dived into a passionate kiss and she pressed hard against him. He explored every part of her torso with his hands and mouth, identifying all her sensitive places and lingering for longer to satisfy her. She let out sighs of satisfaction as his mouth covered and held on to the right places. The situation made Castle ecstatic, but he couldn't help but feel some discomfort. He couldn't help thinking that she was somewhat pressured into this by his complaining about not getting lucky or maybe she felt bad because she was the one who held back all this time. Beckett could sense his hesitation in the midst of their play and pulled back.

"What's wrong? I want this, don't you?" she asked with her eyebrow furrowed and a little upset.

"I do, but this is not the right time" he replied "we're both tired and we need to get to the precinct tomorrow and…"

"…and what?" she demanded.

"and I somehow feel like what we have is more special than this. Don't get me wrong, I really want this, but not 4.a.m. in the morning so we'll have to rush it and not be able to stay in for pancakes" his voiced quietened as he got to the last part of the sentence. She couldn't help laughing at his childishness.

"So you feel cheap and used, and robbed of having some pancakes on the side?" she asked in disbelief and giggling.

"I guess that's what I'm trying to say, except you make me sound so whinny" he replied.

"Stop being a girl and go to sleep" she said hitting him softly on the chest. They settled into each other comfortably and she smiled as he pulled her in to him and let out a big sigh.

"Rick"

"What?" She reached up to his face and kissed him lightly on his lips, "Happy Birthday."

"Best birthday ever" he replied.

End.