A/n: Hey you people! I know I haven't updated in what feels like an eternity. I have no excuse... I'm sorry. But I've got a ton of ideas, and hope to expand this story for several more chapters. I'm thinking at least 10 chapters and maybe more. I've been slacking allot so I feel bad. You will be rewarded, pinky promise. On a side note, did anyone see the preview video that ABC entertainment released? OH MY HOLY MUSHTACHE-WEARING HIPPOCAMPUS! It was so awesome... and so freakin' sad- I cried. I'm excited, are you? If you haven't seen it look it up on YouTube or the ABC website... oh... my... god...!

Apologies,

-K.H.

P.S.: I wrote this chapter entirely in Castle point of view just because I know how much you people seem to love it in my other stories. Also if you haven't, please check out my other stories, I think you'll like them- I really do.

Chapter 5: Tiebreaker?

Castle's POV:

I'm official. I'm so going to win. It is so on. And by it I mean... I will win and she will go on a date with me and... Well... You know. She's just in complete denial, as usual. Though I expected that sort of thing from her, of course; Kate Beckett has some kind of fondness for denying things... like how much of a fan girl she is. Or maybe how attracted she is to me. Completely denies all of them. We all know it's true though.

I spy on Kate from behind my newspaper in extreme covertness. She has no idea I'm spying on her- oh wait she looked up. Now a death-ray like glare is boring into my skull... I slink back behind my newspaper. For a girl with such pretty eyes, she can make them burn when she wants them too. Maybe now she's not looking, I'll peek at her again; aww she looks so pretty, and she has no idea that I- nope... she's still looking. I'm screwed. I slither back behind the sports pages, pretending to read a newspaper article I already read twice this morning. It makes a good Beckett-shield though so I keep it in front my face averting the glares she stings at me. Once again I peek at Beckett's spot but she's gone.

Uh-oh... I smell cherries.

"Castle," Beckett angrily whispers, and I jump about three feet. How? How- did she get over here?

"Castle... what were you doing?"

"When?" I inquire, trying my best to look like the innocent little angel I'm clearly not.

"Right now!"

"Oh- nothing..."

"Castle!"

"Yes, Detective Beckett?"

"You were doing something-"

"-No... By 'something' you must mean 'something' someone should not have been doing. Then no- no one was doing something over here." I add the air quotes just because I know how much she hates them. Kate fumes quietly, is it just me, or are clouds of angry smoke fuming out of her ears? Her eyes squint suspiciously, looking me over. Beckett leans up against the desk in front of me, crossing her arms. The tables have turned, now she's watching me. I rearrange my paper hiding my face from her evil glares, even though I know she can still see me behind it.

"You're reading that newspaper upside down."

"What...no? Pff... No that's actually how I like to read my newspapers. You don't do that?-"

"-Castle." Though I find it all quite amusing, she isn't amused.

"Yes?" My voice comes out very much resembling a terrified mouse cowering. Beckett is the fearless tabby pursuing her prey.

"Just, just shut up." She pounces.

"Oh, oh- O.k."

I follow her orders obediently... as usual.

-Later on that day-

I sprint across the bull pen.

"Hey Beckett... you are going to be so happy!"

"What?"

I guess she doesn't want to be happy. She doesn't look happy. Uh-oh.

"Um.. I sorta got some information.. You sorta need."

"What do you mean by sorta? What, what is it?"

I smile widely; she's intrigued. I go silent.

"Castle," Me being quiet is a rare sight, it troubles her. I smile wider. "Why are you smiling like that? Should I be worried? You didn't do something illegal again did you-" Beckett's suspicious, though secretly I know she's just teasing.

"No... Well not this time. I just 'Googled it'." I'm devious, and she knows it. Kate rolls her eyes.

"And I thought you had an army of spies or something. Give it here." Kate teases, she's smiling. I melt.

I pass my 'very-covert-paper-of-secretness' to her.

"Castle- this is just a list of people contributing to Quart's benefit tomorrow night... how is this supposed to help us?"

"Yes I know just, keep reading-"

"-Oh my, "She reads to the point I expected her to freak out. Kate Beckett has what you could call: an oh-my-gosh-Castle-is-such-a-genius moment. "Do you know what this means? Oh my god- I could kiss you!"

Then Beckett, why don't you? I think it but don't say it. I'm too chicken.

"Castle."

"Yeah?"

I look up quickly but it's too late to prepare myself for what was about the happen. A pair of arms wrapped around my neck in admiration. Beckett hugged me. She hugged me! I didn't think she was a hugger... but I guess she is.

"Thank you." I'm frozen on the spot. She pulls away quickly. The whole thing only lasted a few seconds but the feeling of her arms around my neck lingers. The smile that radiated from her face dims while Beckett's cheek's tint crimson; she's embarrassed. I'm still a statue with a wide smile.

"You guys o.k.?" Ryan interrupts our little moment.

"Fine... just fine." I mutter, stilly from my spot in the middle of the room. Beckett sighs and mutters something to Ryan about the lead I got... they're off.

Five minutes later I'm stock still, as I have been for some time.

I can't believe it.

A/n: Did you like it. What you didn't? What did you say? Oh you loved it. I thought so. He-he. I know it's shorter than usual but I feel the chapter should end here... I also want you guys to simmer thinking about what they discovered through Castle's lead... and what it's next for them.

-K.H.

P.S.: As usual treats and much love go to those who review... I also need ideas. So please, I beg of you... ideas! ;) You know you want to!