Thank you for the great responses to the previous chapter. I hope that this one, short though it may be, is just as fun. I wanted something to do with Beckett seeing the Jag as a standalone, and then the next chapter will be the party at the Old Haunt. I am changing the rating on this story with the next chapter, as it will allow me some more flexibility with what I want to do in the remaining chapters. Gregg.
Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
The Jag responded well to all the extra paces Castle put it through on the way to the station. The car was just so damn responsive and comfortable that he couldn't resist. He just hoped Beckett didn't get wind of his being pulled over for taking a corner too fast and sharp or she'd never let him drive to a crime scene. Pulling up in front of the station, he got out and greeted some of the uniformed officers coming out of the building.
"Thompson, Keizer," he nodded politely. Early on he'd learned the names of all the members of the precinct, uniformed and detective alike, and always made sure that he had a kind word to say, or an inquiry about their families when he came in.
"Hey, Castle," Thompson said with a whistle at the car. "New wheels?"
"Just picked it up this afternoon," Castle grinned.
"It sure must be nice having the big bucks, Man," Keizer observed with an amused shake of his head.
"It has its perks," he admitted, though it was subdued. He may like giving his friends nice things, sometimes even expensive things, but he wasn't one to flash his extravagance in a vain or cruel manner that only served to highlight how much others had to scrimp and save for some of the simpler things. "Beckett still upstairs?"
The two officers rolled their eyes in unison. Everyone had been on to those two for almost the entire time of the partnership.
"She's up there," Thompson told him. "By the way, great article. It's nice to know that there are some people who really know what it is we do out there everyday."
Castle shrugged modestly. "It's easy to write when it's the truth, Guys," he told them. "I better get up there and see what's going on. Later, Guys."
He quickly made his way up to the bullpen and found here there looking intently at the murder board. Coming up to her as stealthily as he could, he almost was able to sneak a kiss on her neck, until she said something.
"Do it, and I'll really make you a KITTEN, Kitten," she said, a small chuckle in her voice.
Castle groaned and mentally crossed his legs. "You know, Kate, that threat is even worse than when you threaten me with your gun," he told her as he gave her hand a small squeeze. At least she was willing to allow that much of a PDA at the station.
"A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, Castle," she told him, a smile on her face now. "I thought we were meeting up at the Old Haunt?"
"I thought I could drive you there, and show you my latest toy while we're at it," he told her with an eager expression.
She frowned and moved her head down and to the right, looking at him like an exasperated parent. "What did you do now?" she demanded. "And if you purchased my building so you could evict me just so I would have to move in with you, I've still got my gun."
"Nothing so extravagant, Kate, though that's not a bad idea," he mused in amusement, but ended that line of thought at the glare she threw his way. They had discussed moving in together a couple of times, well he had brought up the subject, but she was hesitant. Even though they were now engaged she was taking such dramatic changes slowly.
"Watch it, KITTEN," she warned, the chuckle still in her tone as she grabbed her purse and coat. "Let's go," she told him.
Castle was excited as they rode the elevator down to the main floor of the station. Taking a black scarf from his pocket with a flourish, he immediately blindfolded Beckett.
"What the Hell are you doing?" she demanded, though she didn't rip the blindfold off and make him a permanent soprano, despite the temptation. She didn't like this kind of turn of event, as she had always been apprehensive of blindfolds.
"Trust me," he told her as he led her outside the main door, hoping she didn't pulverize him for such a demonstratively playful display at work. He led her to where he had parked the car and then told her to take the blindfold off.
Beckett quickly removed the offending cover and then gasped in shock at the absolutely beautiful Jaguar parked in front of her. Her knees were turning to jell-o as she took in the sight. In the 1980's she'd loved the show The Equalizer, and thought that the car was the sexiest vehicle on the road from that point on. She still had an almost primal, sexual reaction every time she saw a Jag, especially a black one like this.
"Castle?" she questioned. Despite their being involved, and engaged now, she still called him by his last name most of the time. It was almost like a pet name for him in her opinion. She reserved Kitten for when she was in a very playful mood.
"Isn't it great?" he enthused. "It's got everything! Leather and wood interior, GPS system with all the latest technology, blue tooth capabilities, and for the back, a fold down mini-screen with a DVD player and internet hookups! And a retractable skylight!"
"When did you get this?" she asked incredulously. As much as she knew he was incredibly wealthy, she still had a difficult time fathoming being able to get things like this any time one wanted.
"This afternoon!" he said with delight. "I also got Alexis a Mustang to try and bribe her to stay in New York instead of going to Oxford, but when I saw this I decided why not get something for myself?"
"Bribing your daughter?" Beckett questioned. "How bad were you on this trip?"
"She stomped up the stairs when we got home and announced she was going to Oxford," he admitted.
Beckett chuckled. "She's growing up, Rick, and will go wherever she wants to attend school," she shook her head and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know," he sighed deeply. Then he brightened. "But that doesn't mean I can't keep on trying Operation Materialism until she makes a completely final decision."
"Operation Materialism?" she asked. "Sounds more like Operation Buy Her Off to me."
"It's my plan, so I get to pick the code name," he said without any repentance.
"Come along Daddy Warbucks," Beckett shook her head. "I want to have a drink before we head to my place. And I want to be drove around in this sexy machine you now own."
"I was thinking," Castle said as he ushered her into the car.
"Uh, oh," Beckett teased him.
"Hush," he mock scolded her. "I was thinking we could use this to take us to and from crime scenes."
"This isn't The Equalizer or Miami Vice, Castle," Beckett laughed.
"But your car's a piece of crap, Beckett, and that spring is becoming more and more familiar with my nether regions, and I am not terribly thrilled with that idea," he whined good naturedly.
Beckett could feel herself becoming somewhat turned on just sitting in this incredible car. "I'll think about it," she grudgingly conceded.
"And with the tinted windows it's the perfect venue for some stealthy make out sessions," he added with a knowing leer.
"Maybe I need two drinks," she grumbled as he pulled out into the traffic.
A/N: Another short chapter, but the next one will be the party, and then the one after that will be the surprise that Beckett has in store for Castle. I hope you enjoyed this one. Gregg.