I have pages and pages of drafts and outlines of ideas for this series - and yet typing them up would require doing actual work; so I just randomly made this up twenty minutes ago so I can tell you about Castlecast, which is an awesome Castle Podcast you need to listen to if you haven't already. The link is on my profile page or you can just type in castle podcast at Google and it's the first thing that pops up. You're welcome.

#25

Beckett stared at the empty chair. She hated when it was empty. It was just... wrong. Yes, she knew Castle had a "real job" and that his deadline was pushing in and he really needed to finish this book and besides, she would see him tonight; but it had been a few weeks now and he was writing into all hours of the night. In the mornings he would be asleep; so it felt like she hadn't seen him in ages. She just wanted to hear his voice.

This was where he belonged.

She had a staring contest with her phone that lasted about ten minutes before she finally gave in and called him.

"Miss me already?" came his cheerful answer.

"Yes," she said without thinking twice.

There was a pause.

"What?"

"I miss you, Castle. I'm allowed to admit that once in a while, aren't I?"

"Well, of course you can admit it. Feel free to say it as often as you want."

"Fine. I miss having you around at work. I miss solving cases with you. I miss your crazy theories. I miss just... having you here. And I miss... " she lowered her voice "being with you."

"Oh, Kate," he said, touched, "I missed you, too. I just really need - "

"To finish the book. I get it. I just wanted to let you know how much I... "

"Yeah?"

"Missed you; ok, see you tonight." She hung up. Groaning at her own immaturity, she slumped her head on the desk.

The phone rang about fifteen seconds later.

Beckett took a deep breath. It could be a coincidence. It might not be Castle.

"Detective Kate Beckett. How may I help you?"

It was Castle.

"Kate - "

Again, the words had left her mouth before she was even aware if having thought them.
"I love you, ok? I bet that makes you all kinds of self-satisfied, doesn't it, knowing I can't go through a simple day without hearing your voice; like I'm some love-struck teenager? Are you proud of what you've done to me, Castle? You've basically ruined me for all other men; and the worst part is that I'm glad; because I can't imagine ever being with anyone else. Now that I have you I don't want anyone else. I don't need anyone else.
"I bet you just love that, don't you?" But she hung up before he could answer any of her questions.

This time, he didn't call back.