Here's hoping there are less mistakes in this one... riiiiiiiight. I apologize in advance.
A week after her break up with Josh, Beckett found herself alone in her apartment... again. The days were fine, she had work to distract herself, the evenings on the other hand. She had cried a lot since the break up but hadn't told anyone about it yet. And tonight might be tougher : it was the eve of her birthday. Deciding it was time to talk to someone, she picked up her phone, skipping through her contacts. She stopped at 'Castle'. She wanted to see him, wanted to speak to him. She wasn't sure however what were her motivations. If she was honest with herself, she had a fairly good idea but her mind seemed to refuse to acknowledge it just yet.
She shook her head and went directly down to 'Lanie', pressing dial.
"Hey Lanie ! Can I come over ? I need a drink... well drinks."
Half an hour later, she ran into a sulking Esposito in the lobby of Lanie's building. She pulled a face.
"Don't tell me she kicked you out ?"
"She did. But now I feel more comfortable knowing why. For a moment I thought she had a lover.. Wait ! You two aren't..."
She jabbed him in the ribs, he yelped his indignation at the physical abuse. Putting on a more serious face, he asked : "You okay ?"
She shouldn't have been surprised that he had noted her red and swollen eyes. He was a detective too.
"I'm fine". She gave him a small smile before heading out to the elevator.
Upstairs, she and Lanie had a classic I-broke-up-with-my-boyfriend night : a comfortable couch with pillows, an attentive friend's ear, tons of ice cream, loads of alcohol.
Beckett was starting to slur her words. Her eyes glazed by the amount of wine.
"Meee ? In Africa ? I hate the heat !" She suddenly doubled with laughter. "Heat ! Like Nikki Heat. Got it ?"
Lanie moved forward to take her glass from her.
"Funny ! You're cut off", she deadpanned.
Beckett pouted.
"If only because you waited until today to tell me !"
"Sorry", she mumbled drunkenly.
Lanie pondered her options. Beckett had taken a back seat this evening and Kate had made an apparition. This moment might be ideal to push some ideas in that stubborn head of hers. After all, she was the one who brought up Nikki Heat.
"So about Nikki Heat. Castle's writing a fourth book. Where do you think Nikki's and Rook's relationship will be ?"
Kate looked at her as if she had grown another head. Lanie realized the even not-so-subtle approach might not work.
"Fine. You and Castle. What now ?"
"What what ?" Kate asked loudly.
"He hasn't been in a serious relationship since Gina. You just broke up with Josh. Now is a good time, don't you think ?"
"Hu, hu. He had had women. I know, he has that I-just-got-laid voice.", Kate whispered with narrowed eyes.
Lanie smirked. "Jealous much ?"
"Yessss", the drunk detective slurred. Inside her head, Lanie did a little dance. If an inebriated Kate could admit it, maybe normal Beckett could too.
"So, what do you plan to do about it ?"
"I need a plan ?"
"I think you do, girl."
"I don't have one Lanie", she whined, throwing herself back into the couch suddenly. Lanie patted her shoulder.
"It's okay, you'll think of one."
"Lanie... Why is the room spinning ?.."
In the days following that night at Lanie's, Beckett did a lot of thinking. The ME had made sure she didn't forget she admitted being jealous of Castle's "affairs". She scolded and repeatedly told her to shut up. But her mind was reeling. And thoughts about the writer were invading her at the oddest moments. He just had to smile or say something stupid to elicit thoughts of his lips against hers, or the way he looked every time he had said always. He had been his usual self, except it seemed to her he was less pushy. She knew Esposito told him about Josh. He didn't bring it up.
Her epiphany came one morning.
"Here", Castle said, putting her coffee on her desk like he always did. But this time, she felt different, like this coffee was all she wanted. No like this coffee brought by this man, every morning was all she wanted.
"Thanks", she hid her smile taking a sip. Always observant, Castle caught it anyway.
"What ?"
"I needed it", she replied. He beamed at her and sat in his chair.
She just realized that she had to be the one to do "the" move. He was being her constant. Not backing up, but not pushing either. She just wished she knew how to tell him she was ready. Insecurity kept creeping up. It was always possible he wasn't interested anymore and just flirting with her as a habit.
The occasion to do something arose at one of his famous party. He had decided to throw one for the sake of it.
"It's Halloween meets New Year's Eve meets 4th of July." He explained excitedly in the middle of the precinct. "And your birthday" he added towards Beckett. "We never had the chance to celebrate it."
On Friday, when Beckett arrived at his loft, she realized he hadn't lied. He had a fake Christmas tree in a corner, mistletoe hanging here and there, everybody was in costumes – super heroes was the theme - and the whole place smelled of barbecue. He appeared on her side. He was dressed in boots, cargo pants and a tight t-shirt with a hammer on the front.
"I was hoping for Talia al Ghul or Catwoman. But another green lantern, Soranik Natu I guess, will have to do !" He exclaimed, looking her up and down, enjoying the view of her in the black and green tight suit.
"You're completely mad !" She said waving at the new "décor" .
"I'm not mad, I'm Captain Hammer !" He then ushered her to the bar through the crowd of writers, editors, socialites, cops... The place was packed.
"Did you invite all of New Yo...", she trailed off as she spotted the "Happy (belated) birthday Beckett" banner over the bar. She groaned.
"It had a nice alliteration, don't you think ? Happy birthday !" He pecked her cheek and went away to mingle.
It was just past midnight and the party was in full swing. Beckett was having a great time. The birthday part wasn't as bad as she had feared. No one broke into song and there were no cake. Just the banner. But Castle did have surprises for her. Subtle ones. Like at the moment, she was introducing Joe Torre to her agape Dad. She then let the two men to discuss the fact that they both didn't want to dress up as super heroes and baseball.
There were so many people in the loft that her and Castle barely saw each other. Every time she managed to get close to him, another guest would swirl him away in spite of his protests. Several times, he hold her gaze above the crowd, mouthing something she didn't get. So she smiled and went on with her conversation with whoever.
Around 3AM, Lanie, with Esposito in tow, found her.
"We're going, do you want a ride ?"
Beckett glanced at Castle. He was in deep conversation with the mayor and judge Markaway. The party didn't seem to die down. She was tired and even if she wanted to talk to Castle, she realized she would never do so with so many people around anyway.
"Yeah, let's say goodbye."
Castle tried to make them stay, to no avail. He decided to pout.
"At least, poker tomorrow night ?" He offered.
"You got it, bro. 8", Esposito said. "Awesome party."
"I guess I'll come too then", Lanie added.
Castle looked at Beckett, sad puppy dog look in place.
She laughed : "See you tomorrow, Castle." He beamed as he walked her walk to the door. He couldn't help to stare at her backside. He could swear she was swaying her hips like that on purpose.
End of chapter
Author's note : I'm teasing.. it's coming, I promise. For some reason, they just wouldn't hook up in ridiculous outfits.