IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Birthday Suit

Kate Beckett walks into the 12th precinct with a slump in her shoulders and a crick in her neck. She lets out a soft groan as one hand tries to work out the stiff muscle. She steps into the elevator, leaning back against the wall with a yawn. She didn't get much sleep last night...So today she's hopeful for a quick and quiet work day, seeing as it's her Birthday and she rather not witness a horrific crime. Not that she cares much for her birthday...it hasn't been all that important to her since her mothers death. She rather just forget about this day and move on.

Kate notices them all right away when she steps out of the elevator. Everyone in the bullpen has stopped what they are doing, and are all looking at her. Some whisper. She gives them all a curious look and then flops into her chair with a huff. Letting out a soft yawn, Kate boots up her computer and finally settles back to look around. She gives a few of them a nasty glare, and they rush off almost banging into each other. It's just her birthday. They have never made a fuss of it before.

But then, oh no.

The lights dim and Castle comes out of the break room wheeling a giant birthday cake. Big candles shaped like the number 32 rest in the center, and they glow with a flickering flame casting a handsome shadow over Castle's face. On his cue, everyone starts to sing. Normally she would be mad, but the look on Castle's face as he gets closer melts her, and she hides her face in her hands embarrassed. At the end of the song Castle walks around the cake, taking Kate's chair by the arm rests and wheels her towards it since she refuses to budge. This action makes his body come very close to hers. She peeks over her hands into those marvelous blue eyes of his.

"Make a wish." He says softly, now at her ear. He's taken up a new position behind her chair, hand on the back of it as he leans forward. As if he wanted to get the exact view of the cake as she.

Kate shivers and looks over her shoulder at him. Not realizing how close he actually is their noses brush. It takes everything in her not to lean in farther and capture his lips with hers. He winks at her as if he knows her inner desires. She blushes, turning away from him and leaning towards the lit candles. She knows exactly what she'll wish for. With a huge smile and a soft nibble to her bottom lip, Kate glances at Castle one more time before blowing out the candles. Everyone claps and rushes in for the cake when someone wheels it away from her. She shakes her head at all their eagerness for Cake, and then sits back in her chair, her shoulders brushing Castle's hands that still rest there.

"Happy Birthday, Kate." He says leaning down and placing a lingering kiss to her cheek.

Her cheeks flush profusely. "Thanks, Castle." She replies in a low deep voice, feeling very in the moment.

"Always." He says with a smile, going to sit in his own chair. They stare at one another for several long moments. Just taking each other in. "So what did you wish for?" Castle asks excitedly.

Moment gone.

Kate rolls her eyes. "I can't tell you or it wont come true." She says with a gleam in her eye but she's actually quite serious. "You of all people should know that." She then says tilting her head to one side.

Castle looks at her with shock. "My my my." He says leaning his elbow on the desk and placing his chin in his hand.

"What?" She also leans in.

"Sounds to me." He pauses for affect, looking upwards and tapping his lip with one finger adorably. "Like a certain someone." He points at her with his finger. "is starting to believe in...something I call...magic?" His eyebrows raise in that unbelievably cute way of his.

Their faces are very close now. She can feel his hot breath on her face, smell the coffee he's been drinking mixed with something purely Richard Castle. The second shiver in the last 20 minutes spreads throughout her body.

Her eyes dart to his lips. She speaks, softly in her bedroom voice. "Maybe." She breathes.

"Yo Beckett! Castle!" Esposito and Ryan walk up, both holding cake.

Ryan stops short seeing the position the two seem to be in and raises an eyebrow with a nod to his partner. "Oh..were we interrupting something?" He asks innocently.

"No." Castle leans back in his chair.

Kate turns her head now in her hand towards the other two detectives, "Maybe."

Castle shoots her a curious look and then the boys smirk at each other. "So..." Esposito starts licking frosting off his top lip.

"Are we still on for the Old Haunt for Your birthday?" Ryan finishes looking at Kate first, and then castle Who is still apparently thrown by Kate's "maybe." "Jenny's excited." He then adds.

"Yes of course." Castle says to Ryan, and then looks at Kate questioningly, leaning on the desk again. "That is. If we make it after our family dinner with Mother and Alexis?" He asks her.

Family dinner...The fact the he seemed to have included her in that phrase without pause makes her heart leap, and a sentimental lump form in her throat. She's too choked up to answer so she merely purses her lips and nods with misty eyes.

"Awesome." Esposito says nudging Ryan. The two go to their desks with their cake.

"Great!" Castle stands up "I'll go home and see what I am going to prepare tonight." He says excitedly.

Kate gets up as well, wanting coffee anyway. So she follows Castle to the elevator. She leans against the wall as they wait. "What do I need to wear?" She asks finally getting a grip.

Castle turns towards her. "Mother likes to go all out and dress up...but you don't have to if you don't want to, it's Your birthday." He says,

"No, no. Sounds good..." She bites her lip trying to think of what would be the perfect outfit.

The elevator dings and Castle steps inside with a smirk. Just before the doors close he pokes his head out with an eye waggle. "You can always come in your Birthday suit."

not much to it, just thought it would be cute.

Thoughts?