"So, what are your plans for today, darling?"

Castle glanced over at his mother, who was curled up on one of the easy chairs, a cup of cofee in her hand (which he suspected was laced with a bit of whiskey). It was Saturday morning in New York and Richard Castle had decided it was a day for odd jobs. Of course, his odd jobs were much different from most men; instead of painting the bedroom or cleaning out the gutters, he would be finalizing some book cover blurbs and answering mail from the studios wanting his input on the Nikki Heat movie.

"Nothing too interesting," Castle said casually, taking a sip of oj. He was dressed in the pair of black silk pajamas Alexis had gotten him for his last birthday, a bagel and some juice within reach and his laptop humming away happily.

"Oh, I'm sure there must be something of interest," Martha said, leaving her spot to join Castle on the couch. "Do you have any more of those sketches from the new Derek Storm novel?"

" 'fraid not," Castle stated. He paused, considering something for a moment, before clicking the bookmark that led to the official Richard Castle Website. "But maybe I should bait some of the fans...always fun to get them into a tizzy."

Martha nodded, Castle not noticing that she was subtly typing a text message on her phone. She quickly slipped the device into her pocket, smiling when her son looked over at her, suspicious.

"Why the sudden interest in my work?" Castle asked. For the last few days, Alexis and Martha had been acting strangely...hugging him more, making supper, telling him to take a moment to relax and let them handle the dishes...it was freaking him out.

"A mother can't take an interest in their child's work?"

"...what evil plot are you planning?"

Martha rolled her eyes, waving off his accusation. "Richard, please. Now, what do you plan to do to your poor fans?"

Castle grinned, signing into his website's chat room, pleased to see that there were a handful of fans discussing away (granted, they weren't discussing him...they seemed more interested in some murderer in London that made his victims commit suicide...Castle made a note to steal that idea for a book). "Oh, just wait and see."

THEERichardCastle: Hey guys, just thought I would pop in...don't suppose you are interested in a new Nikki Heat project?

NedStark4Prez: Of course we are!

75Trombones: Tell us! Tell us!

CyberAli15: Please don't tease us...dish!

THEERichardCastle: Well, it isn't a new Nikki Heat novel...that will have to wait a bit.

THEERichardCastle: But what if I told you that there was going to be a Nikki Heat Graphic Novel?

RoachCoach1: Aw...how long of a wait?

CyberAli15: New grpahic novel? Are Nikki and Derek teaming up?

CyberAli15: ^graphic

THEERichardCastle: Nope, sorry. However, she will be teaming up with three other crime solvers: Kathy Reich...

THEERichardCaslte: Thomas O'Reilly and West O'Reilly

NedStark4Prez: OMG! You are doing a crossover with Temperance Brennan and Kevin Allen?

THEERichardCastle: Yup. The Kid has been begging for us to do something together...

RoachCoach1: omgomgomgomgomg

TheRealNikkiHeat: I don't know Castle...you think the O'Reilly boys can handle me?

Castle frowned at the comment. He was use to fans doing rpgs and fan fics on his message boards, but it was rare for them to play one of the characters from his book in a normal conversation...especially in a chat room while he was in it.

"What's wrong darling?" Martha asked.

"This poster...weird for someone to roleplay in a chat."

"Why don't you play along?" Martha said with a smirk. "You created Nikki Heat...so you should be able to handle an imposter."

Rolling his neck, Castle worked out the kinks like he was a boxer preparing to go after the title. "Alright...let's see what she's got."

THEERichardCastle: Well well well, Nikki Heat has joined us. And what exactly are we doing this morning?

TheRealNikkiHeat: probably the same thing you are, Castle...sitting on my couch in my pjs, thanking god there hasn't been another murder.

THEEERichardCastle: Give it time...I'm sure a weird murder will pop up to annoy you.

TheRealNikkiHeat: Ah, but the weird ones are more fun...have to work at them. I thought you liked the weird ones.

Castle frowned, ignoring the other comments that were popping up in the chat box, focusing on the imposter. Of course, most of the comments were people egging TheRealNikkiHeat to dish about herself or to get lost and stop wasting time.

THEERichardCastle: And how would you know what I like?

TheRealNikkiHeat: Oh, I know all sorts of things about you, Castle.

THEERichardCastle: Prove it, 'Nikki'

TheRealNikkiHeat: Ok, fans of Richard Castle...did you know that the great, brave writer once wore tweety bird boxers to a crime scene, and revealed such by accidently flashing the ME on duty?

THEERichardCastle: BECKETT?

Martha began to laugh.

TheRealNikkiHeat: Hello Castle...seems like you finally got to learn what my screen name is.

75Trombones: *confused* Who is Beckett?

NedStark4Prez: What's going on?

THEERichardCastle: Well everyone, I'd like you to meet the inspiration for Nikki Heat...detective Kate Beckett.

TheRealNikkiHeat: Hello everyone! :)

TheRealNikkiHeat: Thought I would stop trolling the boards for a while and pop into chat...imagine my surprise that my partner was on talking about my alter ego.

THEERichardCastle: Beckett, trolling?

TheRealNikkiHeat: Shup up castle

TheRealNikkiHeat: j/k

TheRealNikkiHeat: Well, since we are both on here, how about some Q and A?

Martha watched Castle's smile grow, shaking her head and leaving him be as he pounded away at the keys. Moving away, she glanced down at her phone and sent another text message: Took Bait Like Big Mouth Bass. Good Work Det.