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Prompt #44: Universe - He believed that it kept them together. She thought it had a twisted sense of humor.

Words: 420

"Ever notice how we never seem to seperate for long?"

Beckett looked up from her paperwork at the sound of his odd question. "Huh?"

"Think about it," he said, leaning forward in his chair. "For the last five years, we've had a big argument or event near the beginning of summer that made us go our seperate ways for three months. But we always make up just before fall really gets underway."

"What's your point?"

"You can't tell me you haven't noticed this."

"So what if I have?"

"Just an observation." He rested his chin on the heel of his palm, elbow on his knee. "Think it's a sign?"

It was now clear that she wouldn't get back to work, so Beckett leaned back in her chair and sighed, "A sign of what?"

"That we're meant to be together."

"Oh please," she scoffed. "Not that nonesense about the universe keeping us together."

"You don't believe in it?"

"Nope."

Castle pouted. "That's harsh," he mumbled. "How else do you explain the strangeness?"

"You not being able to keep yourself out of trouble," she said shortly. "Don't pout, it's not as cute as you seem to think it is."

The pout didn't completely disappear, lingering as Castle fell to thinking. "Do you think it'll happen again?"

"I thought you just said the universe wants us to stay together. And - " She glanced around to make sure Gates wasn't in earshot before whispering, " - we are dating, after all."

"That's true," he admitted.

"Did you do something stupid or dangerous?"

"Nope."

"Then there's no danger," Beckett said blithly, returning to her paperwork. "Maybe this time we can break the cycle."

"Or..." A lecherous smile tugged at his mouth, widening until he resembled the Cheshire Cat. "Maybe we won't..."

Beckett's eyebrow rose slightly. "Oh?" she prodded.

"Well, we could spend the summer together," Castle said. "At the Hamptons...you know, like I asked you to once."

"We could."

"Mother and Alexis would stay in the city."

"They would?"

"If I ask politely." The smile became his winning, ruggedly handsome grin. "So? Care to disappear with me for three months?"

She smiled as her eyes descended to review her paperwork. "Ask me in April. I'll let you know for sure then."

"Ouch. No yes?"

"Something could come up. The universe has a weird sense of humor like that."

"That's harsh, Detective Beckett."

"You sound surprised, Mr. Castle."

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