A/N: yeah, I know ppl have been waiting for this, but I didn't want to rush it, so HERE we have a new chapter, hope it's alright. :)

"Want a drink?" she offered once they were through the front door.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Thanks. What have you got?"

"Wine… wine… and WINE!" she smiled.

"Wine sounds good," he laughed.

He followed her into the kitchen and watched her pour the glasses, and then joined her on the couch a few minutes later.

"Thanks, Castle… for- you know, for being there today."

"No worries," he shrugged as if it was a moot point. "So…" he made himself comfortable and in the process he moved slightly closer to her, if she noticed she didn't say so, either that or she didn't care. "That was a pretty BIG reaction about Malcolm since, you… well, you aren't usually very forward about such matters," he observed.

"I didn't make a big deal of it," she denied. "And if you say otherwise I'm going to set Lanie on you," she threatened.

He grinned. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Beckett wagged her finger at him, and smiled lightly.

"You're beautiful when you smile," he stated. His face expression changed when the words came out of his mouth, and looked like he wanted to pop them straight back in.

Surprisingly Beckett laughed. "Is that line supposed to impress me?"

"No," he said. "Just a fact."

The two of them chatted for a while, talking about a case they were currently working on. Castle disagreed with Beckett on some of the details but all in all they thought it was the same person, a rare agreement between the duo.

Time passed, and glasses were emptied and filled again.

Laughter surrounded the room. Giggles ensued from comments made about criminals and thoughts in each mind. Beckett began to feel light-headed and her inhabitations lowered as she watched him with caution. Yeah, okay, so he was as good-looking as they come, strikingly handsome and charming just enough charisma to make it tolerable.

"What?" he asked watching her with the same intensity as she watched him with.

"I er… nothing," she denied.

He elbowed her playfully. "Spill… what's going on in that insane detective head of yours?"

She pretended to zip her lips and throw away the key.

Castle only grinned.

"You really like the dog huh?" he asked changing the subject.

"Yeah," she nodded. "He's pretty alright."

"Why is he so important?" his face was serious and his eyes knowing.

She answered him without thought. "Because he's a gift from you, if I lost yo- Mal, if I lost Mal I think I'd… is that stupid?" she seemed to blush.

"No," he said. "It's kinda nice actually."

She nodded and leaned back against the couch.

"I'm tired," she announced. "I think bed's in order."

"Great," he smiled standing up. "Where's the master bedroom?"

"You're not sleeping in the Master bedroom, Castle." She stood and looked down at the couch.

He got the picture. "Oh come on now…"

"Nope! And remember, my gun is loaded and if you walk through that door you'll be needing a body bag to get out of this apartment."

"Yeah, yeah," he looked disappointed. "I get the picture,"

"Night castle," she said staggering to her room.

"Yeah, night Kate!"

"Blankets are in the closet," she called over her shoulder. She closed the door behind her.

The zip and key was UNKNOWN by my roommate. WHAT THE? Everyone knows that… right? I'm not insane, you all know what it is, RIGHT? Please help me regain my sanity by assuring me I am not ready for a straight jacket and a padded cell just yet? Press that review button and tell me you know what it is… and I'll send you another chapter.