Hello my dear friends!

Glad you liked the boy's interrogation :) it was so much fun to write! There is some Caskett-y goodness in here, so I hope y'all enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 16]

The steel doors opened and Kate strutted out, her high heels clicking against the wood floor. She booked it to the break room in search of Rick. Closing the door shut, she found him sitting on the bench with an empty cup of coffee in his hands. "Hey," she smiled, walking over to him and joining him on the bench. "How'd it go?" She set her belongings down next to her.

Rick looked up with a plain expression. "They can be terrifying when they want to be. But I'm fine now." He reached for her hand and smiled softly. "Better than fine actually."

Kate smiled as she squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry they were so rough on you, but you know how they can be. They're just trying to watch out for me and protect me. But I'll talk to them."

He nodded, looking back down. "Thanks."

Squeezing his hand one more time, she got up to make them both some more coffee. Rick watched her as she struggled with the espresso machine, boiling hot steam going everywhere. "Ouch," she hissed, sucking her aching and reddening thumb.

Rick smirked as he watched the little show take place before him. "Having trouble?"

"No."

"Yes, you are," Rick sneered, chuckling.

Kate silently turned around and stuck out the mixing rod and a cup for him to take. Rick walked over to her, removing the items out of her hands with a smile. Kate side-stepped and got out of the way, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting as she leaned against the counter.

"Watch and learn," he instructed, starting everything over. Kate did as told and watched as he did everything with ease. The smell of coffee quickly invaded their noses, basking the whole room with the aroma. Pouring the coffee into two mugs, he gave Kate one and kept one for himself.

She closed her eyes as she took a sniff of the delicious drink. Blowing on it, she took a small sip. "How do you do that?"

Rick stood there with a proud expression on. "I'm just that good," he winked, sipping his own coffee. Kate shook her head in a laugh. The two remained in the break room nursing their coffees. "How'd it go with Lanie?" Rick wondered after some time of silence.

"It went really well. She wanted to know all about our date last night and how shopping went on Saturday," Kate explained as Rick smiled at the memories that began to flood his brain. "I had fun."

"I'm glad to hear that." He reached over to take her free hand in his, receiving a smile and a blush from the detective. Kate turned away, embarrassed by how such a simple act could make her as red as a tomato. "Did I just make Kate Beckett blush by holding her hand?"

Rick tried to look at her, swiveling around to get in front of her. Kate ducked her face, attempting to get away from him. "No," she mumbled, setting her hands over her face.

The writer yanked on her hands, pulling them away from her face. He jumped for joy. "I did!" With his hands bracing hers down on the counter and his body over hers, he had her trapped. Her lower back was pushed up against the counter and she was sure she'd have marks there later.

His little exclamation made Kate blush even more. What was going on with her? Rick grinned at this tiny feat. Kate looked up at him, still red. Their eyes stayed connected, never straying.

He smirked but then saw how red she actually was. "I- I'm sorry I embarrassed you," he apologized, his voice low and breathy.

Kate felt a slight tug on the corner of her lips. With her hands bound and her body pressed up against his, she was left in quite the position. Kate had the need to kiss him. Feel those lips on hers in a sweet caress. "Prove it," she challenged her voice just as low and as breathy as Rick's. She quickly forgot where they were, all that mattered was feeling his mouth over hers.

Rick caught on fast and he didn't need any more instruction. Their mouths met in a soft kiss, lips ghosting over one another. Kate tried to release her hands from his clutches, but he was not relenting. His mouth danced with hers, a dance only known to lovers. Eventually, Rick let her hands go, sensing her need. Kate's hands flew to his hair, threading through the incredibly soft locks. Rick moaned into her mouth, the vibrations rocking against her. The temperature was growing hotter and hotter with each swipe of their lips.

Rick's hands fisted Kate's shirt, pushing her against the counter even more. Their chests collided as their heartbeats quickened and the kiss deepened.

"Hey, Gates-"

The couple pulled apart immediately, eyes wide like deers caught in headlights. Rick took a step back, wiping his mouth off with his sleeve to get rid of any trace of Kate's lipstick. Kate's attention was drawn to her feet, too embarrassed to make eye contact. Her bottom lip between her teeth.

Ryan stood awkwardly in the doorway, having just caught mom and dad making out. Something that will forever be engraved in his head. Great. "Uh...am I interrupting something?"

"No."

"Yes."

Kate and Rick stared at one another, both turning beat red.

Ryan raised an eyebrow at the blushing couple. Clearing his throat, he went back to the reason why he even stood in the doorway in the first place. "Okay...well, I just came to tell you that Gates says break time is over and that the paperwork won't finish itself. And if I were you, I'd get out there as soon as possible. You wouldn't want her to find you guys like...that."

Kate tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her focus downward. "Okay, we'll be right out."

The Irish detective nodded, "I'll leave two alone so you can...freshen up." Before he left, he looked right at Rick. "And Castle, sorry about earlier. She's our girl and we just want to be there for her."

"It's okay, Ryan, really." Rick smiled in understanding.

"And congrats. I really am happy for you guys."

Kate and Rick smiled in acknowledgment.

"Thanks, Ryan," Kate grinned as the detective closed the door.

Rick straightened his button-down, a few creases here and there. "That was...awkward."

"No kidding," Kate agreed, fixing her hair. "Okay, from now on no more kissing or anything intimate while at work. It's just too risky. And I don't want Gates to be on our asses about it." A pout fell on Rick's lips. Kate walked over to him, placing a hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry, but we have to. No PDA at work." Rick went to say something but Kate was already ahead of him. "And that means crime scenes, too." He was about to say something again. "And not in the Crown Vic either."

"Spoilsport," he mumbled, pouting like a little kid.

"It'll be okay, Mr. Drama Queen. It's only when we're on duty. Any other time is fine."

He perked up. Wait, was she saying?

"So as soon as the shift is over...?"

Kate nodded, smiling. "If we're not on duty, yes."

He picked her up in a hug. "You're amazing!"

Kate waved him off. "I know. Now, put me down. We have paperwork that needs to be completed or Gates will have our heads."

Rick set her down and rushed to open the door, allowing her through the doorway first. She winked at him as she passed, heading straight for her desk. Rick was right behind her, taking his own place next to her. She set down her things and then handed him a thick manila envelope, placing one in front of herself.

"Do I have to? I'd rather watch you do paperwork," he tried handing it back but she refused. "Much more interesting."

"I think it's about time you did your share. We are partners after all."

Rick grunted, taking the envelope with a frown. "It's so boring!"

Kate began reading over the papers. "Welcome to my world."

Ta-da! :)

Hope y'all liked it! I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as I can. Please leave a review with your thoughts! They are strongly encouraged and greatly appreciated! BTW: where would y'all like to see this story go? If you have any ideas, please let me know! :) Until next time!

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