Chapter 8 – Fan Boy

Disclaimer – still not mine.

There they stood face to face with Castle's admiring fan and Captain Victoria Gates.

Kate had pulled herself together, her laughter hidden behind her cop face. Castle wasn't doing as well, his eyes darted from the Captain to the 'fan' and back to Kate. Castle was usually quick on the uptake, but it took a few minutes for it to register that the man standing next to Sir Captain Victoria Iron Gates' was his fan.

Captain Gates was the first to break the silence "Detective Beckett, Mr. Castle – I would like you to meet my husband, Edgar Gates."

Kate slipped a hand over her face to wipe away the grin she was fighting to suppress as she watched Castle wrestle with the identity of his fan, who was so NOT ever her 'boyfriend'.

Edgar offered Kate a firm but friendly handshake. "I've heard great things about you."

Kate's eyebrows shot up and her eyes almost popped out of her head, as she shook Edgar's hand while mumbling "Thanks….um great things?" Kate mentally chastised herself, shit, shit, shit, I couldn't just say 'Thank you, a pleasure to meet you? I had to say 'great things.' '

As Edgar shook Castle's hand he turned to his wife "Annie, why didn't you tell me that the 'civilian' you have been talking about was THE Richard Castle?"

Kate and Castle locked eyes and telegraphed "Annie?"

The next round of telepathy was accompanied by matching smirks, "He calls her Annie!"

Captain Gates wasn't oblivious to their little exchange.

Gates cleared her throat and begrudgingly explained, "My middle name is Anne."

Edgar was a talker. "Yes, my Annie. I always thought Victoria was too formal, too stiff for my fun loving girl. How many girls named Victoria ride a motorcycle?"

Castle watched as Gates gave Edgar a death stare, he knew that death stare. Kate had the same exact one when she thought he was talking too much. Kate was impervious to the death stare, but she thought Gates right eye began to twitch, that was new. Kate filed it away, Gates had a 'tell'.

Edgar was immune to the look or decided to ignore it. Edgar's arm slid behind his wife back and pulled her close. "Mr. Castle…"

"Rick, please. Call me Rick."

Gates tried to regain control of the situation shooting looks of annoyance to both Kate and Castle as she spoke. "Edgar, I am sure that Detective Beckett and Mr. Castle would prefer to return to the dance floor. They looked like they were enjoying it."

Kate struggled to keep a blank face. Crap as much as she had told herself she didn't care what anyone thought, having her boss comment on their um, er – Hell just say it Kate. Nobody can hear you talk in your head - 'relationship'was not what she wanted.

Edgar gave his wife a quick smile, "Annie's right we should let you two go or Rick, I would spend all night picking your brain."

Castle had a puzzled look on his face as he asked, "Picking my brain?"

Edgar fished around in his pocket until he produced his business card and offered it to Castle "Rick, you and I should get together. I've been a food critic for years and just recently tried my hand at my first novel. Haven't shared it with anyone other than Annie, if your open to it she could bring it into work and you could read it and give me some feedback."

Castle opened his mouth to speak when Kate delivered a swift elbow to his ribcage. She didn't want the conversation to last any longer than necessary, nor did she want Castle working with her boss' husband.

It didn't stop Castle, whose face wore a shit eating grin "I would love to."

Kate couldn't have predicted what happened next. Gates was actually blushing "Edgar, if you promise to leave these two alone I will bring Mr. Castle your book."

Edgar leaned over and gave his wife a kiss on the check "Deal."

The duo watched the Captain and her husband walk away.

Kate playfully slapped his chest "Love to! You would love to read his book? What if it stinks?"

Castle's grin widened "Who cares? When my 'term limited' pal the Mayor is out I will have my new bff and favorite protégé Edgar Gates to secure my spot at the 12th."

Kate closed her eyes, shook her head and began to laugh, what was he going to do with this man? He was offering to adopt Gates' husband to lock in his position as her partner.

When she opened her eyes again she gave Castle a sideways glance, he was beaming.

Castle loved her laugh. It meant all was right in the world of Beckett. What he would give to hear that laugh every day of the rest of his life.

Kate slid closer to him so their bodies rested against each other shoulder to hip.

He gently leaned into her and clasped her hand. His heart raced when she didn't pull away.

She murmured in the lowest of voices "We do fit."

The room was suddenly too crowded. Castle wanted to be anywhere with her, other than in a room full of people, "Ready to go?"

With her free hand, Kate reached over and began outlining lazy circles on his bicep. "What about cake?"

Castle reached for the hand that was doing crazy things to his arm and spun her towards him. He looked into the depths of her eyes and said with a devilish smile, "I'll give you a cake."

Kate's cheeks reddened, she knew he wasn't talking about cake.