Disclaimer: Don't make me laugh... I think Castle's in good hands. Literally. ;)

Summary: The words of an unconscious person can be priceless. And then, the games officially begin.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the awesome reviews on the first part! I hope you find this one just as amusing! A special thanks to that awesome guy in my life who inspired this.

This one's for Li - For the laughs we've shared and will continue to share, and for the one that started it all.

Monkey Business

Kate looked over at her partner, noticing how his eyes were beginning to glaze over. "Castle, why don't you go home?" she suggested, "You're obviously tired, and it's gonna be awhile before we're finished."

He shook his head and failed in his attempt to hide a yawn. "I don't have anything else to do, and besides, there's no one to go home to."

She saw the look he gave her and understood the true meaning to his words. However, with the boys not far away, she didn't dare say anything. "Then why don't you get some coffee? Maybe that will help wake you up. You're definitely not doing me any good. If anything, you're making me more sleepy."

"I'm not-" he tried to stifle another yawn, and she shook her head. "Okay, maybe I am a little tired," he admitted, "Would you like a cup?"

"Yeah, thanks," she said, and smiled.

Castle lightly dragged his fingers across hers as he walked away from her desk, sending a wave of electricity up her arm. She really wish they could come up with something on the case before long, so they could call it a night.

Kate studied the murder board for a while, hoping she'd missed something before, but still found nothing that seemed out of place. She made a few notes on her computer, and decided to re-read several of the witness reports to see if there could possibly be anything she or the guys could have missed. Before long, she realized Castle hadn't yet returned with the coffee.

Slowly, Kate got to her feet and stretched before she walked into the break room. She found the author curled up on the couch, fast asleep. He hadn't even touched the coffee machine.

She looked around to make sure the two were alone, before she ran her fingers through his hair. Castle shifted a little, pressing the side of his face further into the arm he was using for a pillow.

"Monkeys," he mumbled.

Kate stopped what she was doing and bit her lip in an effort to keep from laughing. "What?" she asked, not sure if he was really asleep or not.

"Monkeys."

Castle took a deep breath and shifted again. It was a motion she was familiar with now, and knew he was, indeed, asleep.

She couldn't help herself. She wondered if that was all he would say, or if there was more to it. "What monkeys?"

"They're loose in the bullpen," he sighed, "Taking things. One's on Esposito's head. Gotta get that one before it takes his gun."

It took everything she had left to keep from laughing, but somehow, she held it in. "How many monkeys are there?"

Castle weakly lifted his hand as if he were pointing at something, then counted, "One, two... eleven. Gates just cuffed the one on Espo and put it in the tank. He's safe."

"Espo or the monkey?"

"What...?" Ryan's voice cut through the break room. "You know what, forget I asked, and I'll forget I heard."

Kate turned, not sure what she could say to get out of this one.

Castle shifted again, now on his back. His voice was still heavy in sleep, and maybe a little whiny. "Kate, I'm too tired for another interrogation. You always talk too much."

She felt all the blood rush to her face, and the look Ryan had didn't help much at all. "And that's the awkward moment where stuff is said that you'd rather not hear. He must be having some weird dreams..."

"Yeah," she deadpanned, then laughed, maybe a little too squeaky, but she hoped Ryan would take it as being for the late hour.

He gave her a questioning look, then spoke again, "Anyway, financials finally came through our our vic. Looks like there's a lead we can check out in the morning."

"Sounds great. Let's call it a night then," she said, "We can check the lead in the morning."

Ryan nodded and said, "That's... what I just said, and just so you know, I'm not waking him up."

Kate rolled her eyes and looked back at Castle. "I think I can take care of him."

Oh shit, that came out wrong. She risked a glance at the other detective, who was shaking his head. "Yeah, I bet you can."

She waited until he was gone, then poked Castle's shoulder hard.

"Ow!" He pushed himself up onto his elbows and tried to glare at her while blinking his sleep-glazed eyes, "What was that for?"

She kept her voice low as she fussed, "That was for talking in your sleep!"

His eyes widened, obviously realizing where he was, "What did I say?"

"I don't know exactly what Ryan heard, but we're going to have to do something about your fascination with monkeys."

"What?" Castle rubbed a hand over his face, clearly not comprehending anything she said.

"Do you remember what you were dreaming about?"

He appeared taken back, then suddenly serious. "Do you really want me to answer that question?"

"No, not really, now that you mention it," she answered, then got back to the subject, "Ryan and Espo found a lead we're going to take up in the morning. It's time to go home."

Castle stood and tried to appear casual as he scanned the room, "My place or yours?" he asked quietly.

"Depends on who gets to the elevator first, without looking suspicious." Kate smiled, and swayed her hips as she walked out of the break room and to her desk. She laughed when she looked back and saw he had barely moved from where she left him.

She guessed that's what broke him out of the daze he was in, because he smirked and made a beeline for the elevator. He had a pretty decent lead on her when she grabbed her purse and walked fast to catch up.

"Hey!" Kate called, hoping he'd hold the door for her, but it didn't look like that was going to happen. She could've sworn she heard him laugh as it began to move downward.

Well now, that just won't do.

Kate sprinted for the stairwell, shot through the doors and took the steps two and three at a time, loving the wave of feelings as they surged over her. She couldn't quite give any of them a name, but it felt awesome.

At some point, her phone buzzed, letting her know she'd received a text message. She knew it would be from Castle, so she ignored it. There would be plenty of time later to see what snide remark he had for her.

She made it to the bottom and burst through the door just as Castle had taken a few steps out of the elevator, stuffing his phone into his pocket.

"You're not going to get away that easily," She called as she followed him out of the building, thankfully not sounding as winded as she thought she might. "What was that about, anyway?"

His eyebrow playfully quirked upward and his face was brimming with mischief. "I thought we were still playing..."

"Playing?" she asked, then pulled out her phone and checked the message.

Castle 1

Beckett 1

She looked back at him, "Keeping score? You really want to keep this up?"

"Yeah, why not?" He gave a playful smirk, "Unless there was something else you were referring to... either way, it'll be fun."

Kate smacked his shoulder, "Calm down, Writerboy. I think I've had enough excitement for one day. Besides, I'd wipe the floor with you, and I don't think your ego could handle that."

Castle stopped and moved in front of her, not touching, but very much in her personal space. Not that she really minded.

"We'll see who will wipe the floor with whom, and how," his voice was a low rumble, sending all sorts of vibes through her skin. "And if I win, you have to let me drive."

"You're still on about that?" she asked as he turned and attempted to hail a taxi as it drove past. Kate whistled and waved, and a second cab passed Castle and stopped in front of her.

"Wanna ride?" she called, trying not to look too amused, "I could be convinced to share a cab with my partner."

"Sure," his lips pressed into a firm line, but she could see the humor glittering in his eyes as he answered.

Castle jogged to the cab and slipped in beside her. Kate gave the driver his address and then smiled as she gave Rick's thigh a squeeze. "If I win, you have to help with the paperwork for a month."

He seemed to think about this for a few, then breathed out a lungful of air. "Fine. Let the games begin."

And so very slowly, he leaned toward her and breathed into her ear, "I just hope you understand what you're getting in to."

She dragged her gaze from his lips to his eyes, loving how her reaction caught him off-guard. "Oh, I do, Castle. After four years of watching the field, I think I know how this game of yours works."