Sorry it took so long but I've been away. Thanks to anyone and everyone whose favorited or altered my story. Enjoy chapter 8.

Castle stood for a moment longer then sat down next to her. Positioning his body so that his knees were nearly touching hers he said, "I brought you in here so that the others wouldn't hear what I'm about to ask, you and I both know that, at the very least, Lanie would be listening at the door."

Beckett nodded, understanding the logic in his assumption especially after what they had all been talking about in the lounge, "So what did you want to ask?"

Castle paused for a moment, getting his thoughts in order, before saying, in a low voice, "If you're uncomfortable with what we've got to do, I can say that I need to do some book stuff and you can just go with Ziva and Tony."

Beckett stared at him for a moment, clearly shocked by what he had just said. She didn't know what she had been expecting but this was definitely was not it. Looking at him now Beckett realised just how much Castle actually meant to her and how far he would go to see her comfortable and happy. Shaking her head she smiled, "No Castle, it's fine, you're my partner and partners go in together."

Castle smiled and asked, "Are you sure."

Beckett nodded, "Absolutely positive," then as an afterthought she added, "I need someone to watch my back."

Castle's face split into a million watt grin and Beckett couldn't help but grin in return.

Beckett stood and pulled Castle up behind her, "Come on, we should go back to the others before they wonder what we're doing in here that's taking so long."

Castle smiled and led her to the door. Opening it again he stepped through before moving to the side and letting Beckett past. Once she was clear he pushed against the side of the bookshelf, swinging it shut. He turned back to Beckett and, with a smirk on his face, said, "I'm glad you said I could come Beckett, I can't wait to see you in your leather." He walked past her and almost made it to the door of his room before she grabbed his ear and twisted. "Apples, apples."

Meanwhile, in the lounge

Lanie, Ryan and Esposito watched Beckett and Castle leave with interest, "Wonder what writer boy wants," Lanie said quietly.

Esposito looked at her and shook his head, "We all know that in a few minutes you're going to go and put your ear to the door Lanie."

She glared at him, "Funny Javi."

He shrugged, and Ryan said, "Come on Lanie, give it a few more seconds and you're going to walk over to that door and listen."

Lanie scowled and honestly tried to stay seated and look like she couldn't care less what Castle wanted to talk to her best friend about. She lasted a minute before she stood and hurried over to the door.

"Told you," Esposito said, smiling. Ryan chuckled. The NCIS team just watched, amusement clear on their faces.

Putting her ear to the door Lanie listened, then turning back to the group said, "I can't hear anything."

From the kitchen Martha said, "Open the door Dr Parish and you'll see why."

Hesitantly Lanie pushed open the door and peaked in, "They're not here." Esposito and Ryan looked at each other and stood up, going over to stand either side of her.

"Of course not dear," Martha said, leaving the kitchen and walking over to the trio, "The walls are book cases and we would be able to hear every word they said."

Tony and Ziva stood up and walked over, now both wondering where there two new colleges had gone. Seeing the door to Castle's room Ziva nodded towards it, "What about in there?"

Lanie walked over and put her ear to this door too. Turning back she shook her head, "Not here either."

Not believing her, since there was nowhere else for them to go, Esposito walked over and pushed the door open. They were meet by an empty room.

Walking back to the kitchen, where Gibbs was watching the proceedings with a small smile on his face, Martha said, "You may as well give up, you won't find them."

With a sigh the five of them went back to their seats. "Ok, so where in the hell have they gone?" Lanie asked, "It's like they've disappeared off the face of the planet. There are no more rooms that they could be in."

"Maybe they got abducted by aliens," Ryan said jokingly.

"Yeah sure Castle Jr," Esposito said, smiling at his partner.

Tony and Ziva settled back into their seat, sitting, if possible, even close together than before.

"Maybe Beckett pushed him out the window," Martha said, with a smile, "He can be annoying at times."

The city employees laughed. Turning to Ryan Esposito said, "How much do you want to bet that the two of them come out of there hand in hand, having finally figured it out?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of how pissed Beckett looks and how sheepish writer monkey is," Ryan said with a smile.

"I'm in," Lanie said, "Twenty says Beckett comes out looking like she had a bad interrogation and Castle comes out looking pale and nervous."

"You're on Lanie," Ryan said.

"What do you think their talking about?" Tony asked after a few seconds silence.

Lanie shrugged, "Knowing them two it could be anything, although it's probably nothing of any importance since their not dying."

Ziva tilted her head to the side and Abby asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"Just that Dad and Kate never talk about anything with any real importance to them unless they're about to die," a voice from the stairs said. Everyone looked and smiled when they saw Alexis walking towards them, holding a text book. "Anybody know where he is?"

Before anyone could answer and say that he'd disappeared they heard the unmistakable sound of Castle saying, "Apples, apples."

Shaking her head Alexis smiled, "I think he's being annoying as ever."

"Hey, I resent that," Castle said, opening his bedroom door and coming out followed by a smiling Beckett, "Am I annoying?"

Beckett just raised her eyebrow and walked past him, shaking her head. Turning to the others seated he asked, "Am I really that annoying?" he had an innocent look on his face.

"Castle, if you weren't being annoying we'd send you to a doctor since you'd probably be ill," Ryan stated.

"I invite you all over and this is how you repay me," Castle said, mock hurt in his voice, "I'm offended."

"We only say it cause it's true Castle," Beckett said smiling.

Castle smiled at her, unable to help himself, before moving to sit on the arm of the sofa, the spot that Beckett had previously been occupying. Spreading his legs he patted the space between them, looking at Beckett.

Sighing Beckett went over and sat between them, leaning back into Castle to give herself more room.

Castle shifted his legs slightly, so that they were pressed against her sides then turned to his daughter. "What's up Alexis?"

Taking in the sight of Kate looking quite comfortable between her dads legs she said, "I was hoping you could come and give me a quick hand, my laptop just crashed and the normal stuff isn't working."

"I'll help," Abby said, jumping to her feet, "Come Mr MIT," she dragged Tim to his feet, "My butt is going to sleep."

Alexis hesitated for a moment then gave the goth a warm smile, "Thanks."

The NCIS agent and bubbly scientist followed the teenager up the stairs and into her room. Watching them go Tony laughed, "I think that's the longest I've ever seen Abby sit quietly for."

Ziva nodded, "And the stillest too."

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