A/N Just a quick, light chapter to lift the mood. More tomorrow! Thank you so much for your continued support!

"I think I'll pass on those drinks," Ryan said when they had finally collected all their belongings, which had somehow become distributed across most of the homicide department. "I really need to lie down."

"Okay," Beckett said. "We'll manage if you need a few days off."

"Nah, I'll see you Monday," Ryan said. As he picked up his jacket and headed for the door, Esposito called after him.

"Kev, wait."

Esposito strode up to him and pulled him into a hug. It only lasted a second. When they broke apart, Esposito clapped him on the arm.

"See you Monday, bro."

Ryan smiled. "Monday."

When Esposito came back over to them, Beckett had a knowing smile on her face.

"What?" Esposito asked, looking a little embarrassed.

"Nothing," she said.

"I always knew you were a secret softy," Castle said, poking him in the arm with a playful smile on his face.

"I'm not soft," he said sharply, shrugging his arm away from Castle with a slight note of irritation in his voice.

"Aw, look, he's all embarrassed," Beckett said.

"I'm not having drinks with you guys anymore," he said sulkily.

"Oh, don't be like that, sweetie," Castle called as they watched Esposito head to the elevator.

"Did he just flip you off?" Beckett asked as the elevator doors closed.

"Yup," Castle said, smiling.

"Maybe we shouldn't be so mean," Beckett said.

"Do you have any idea how much abuse we'll get from him and Ryan when we tell them about us? Consider this early payback."

"When will we do that, by the way? Kate asked.

"What?"

"Tell them about us."

"Well, I assumed you wouldn't want to for a while..." Castle said, hesitantly.

"Let's tell them on Monday," she smiled.

"Monday it is," Castle agreed, grinning. "Well, it looks like it's just us for drinks tonight."

Lifting herself on to her tip-toes, she put a hand on his chest and leaned in so that her lips were almost touching his ear. "Why don't we skip the drinks?"

"Why, Detective Beckett, that's the best idea you've had all day."