Hi people! We would like to thank all the subscribers just for the first chapter, it really means the world to us. Thanks for the reviews too :) Here is the next chapter, hope you'll enjoy it.
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CHAPTER 2
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Lanie heard three knocks on the heavy wooden door of her room and guessed somebody was standing outside.
"Come in", she said as she was busy taking some clothes out of her suitcase that was wide open on the double-size bed.
Kate entered the room and quickly looked around.
"Well, well, well, you do have a nice room too!" she said with an approving smile.
"Yup, I think so too. Rick sure knows how to treat his guests," Lanie smiled. "I gotta see your room too, by the way. Is it far from mine?" she asked, as she refolded a tank top.
Kate flopped down into Lanie's bed and stared at the ceiling.
"Mm…sort of. It's on the other side of the hallway actually. Between Rick's room and Ryan and Jenny's", Kate replied. Lanie let out a laugh.
"Castle gave you a room next to his? Oho. He's not very subtle" she said frankly. Kate sat up on the bed and raised one eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Lanie rolled her eyes.
"Oh, come on, Kate."
Kate sighed and shrugged.
"You know what, I don't care actually. Seriously, I don't mind having my room next to his."
"Of course you don't", Lanie said ironically. Kate glared at her but didn't want to argue and just kept going.
"What bothers me is that on the other side, I share a wall with Ryan and Jenny…and you know how these two are always still in their "honeymoon phase" since their wedding. I may not sleep at night at all if you know what I mean…" she sighed.
"Why?" Lanie asked. Kate rolled her eyes.
"Seriously, do I have to draw you a picture?" she said. The M.E burst out laughing.
"Honey, if you really can't sleep, come to my room and we'll share my bed. It's a double-size one. That should be fun", she suggested with a smile. It was Kate's turn to chuckle.
"Very funny."
"What?"
"Lanie, stop trying to convince me that Castle gave you a room next to Esposito's, and none of you guys complained about it, as if you didn't consider one second there might be a possibility that something happen between you guys? Really?" Kate said, staring at Lanie. All things considered, judging by Lanie's surprised look, it didn't cross her mind.
"What…are you serious? You think just because we're neighbors, something's going to happen between us?" Lanie repeated, trying to understand what she meant.
"I know you…it would be really surprising if nothing happens", detective Beckett said with a smile. Lanie rolled her eyes and tried to focus on her suitcase full of clothes.
"Well, you're wrong, honey. Let me remind you that we both moved on. We are over", she said with a tone that was supposed to sound convincing and indifferent.
Kate studied Lanie's look and couldn't help but smirk. Lanie sighed with irritation and crossed her arms.
"What," she mumbled. Kate shrugged.
"Nothing. It's just that I spend my time at work surrounded by people who lie. So I kinda became an expert at figuring them out..."
"Well, I spend my time using scalpels on bodies and I'm also an expert for that, so watch out, I might start to practice on living human beings if you keep going on. And for your information, I always bring tools in my car," Lanie replied with humor.
Her friend nodded and smiled at the comment.
"Lanie, please stop lying to yourself."
"Why would you say that?" Lanie protested. "Kate, he completely forgot me."
"Sure. That's why I caught him eyeing your twins when Castle greeted us earlier", Kate smirked.
After Kate's revelation, Lanie stared at her friend, surprised. She was trying hard not to grin, although this was certainly nice to hear.
"Oh…Really?" she said, raising her eyebrows, still trying not to sound like a teenage girl.
"Yeah…do you really think that means he forgot you?" detective Beckett said with humor.
Lanie smiled before shaking her head resolutely.
"We're talking about Esposito here, Kate. He always stares at boobs. Not just mine."
"Well, good point," Kate admitted.
"And did you see his reaction when Castle talked about Kay?" Lanie added with an irritated voice. Then Kate rolled her eyes.
"He only said that to make you react. And see? it works!"
Lanie sighed and remained silent. Kate added:
"Lanie, you guys are crazy about each other. I don't even know why you broke up! You and Javi are meant to be together but you guys do everything you can to deny the obvious. Why are you doing this seriously?"
Lanie stared at Kate, eyes widened.
"Are you kidding me, YOU are really telling me this?" she said.
"What do you mean," Kate frowned. Lanie continued:
"You and writer boy…Do I have to draw you a diagram?"
Detective Beckett rolled her eyes.
"And there you go…why do you always bring him back to the conversation?" she sighed as she got up from the bed.
"Well, it's not like we are spending the whole weekend at his house, aren't we? And for what occasion, honey? His birthday…so it's hard not to talk about him, you know," she teased.
"Well, it's different," Kate protested.
"Why that?" Lanie asked softly.
"Because nothing ever happened between us…"
"What about the kiss one year ago?" Lanie interrupted.
"We were undercover", Kate claimed. She couldn't help but smile at the memory.
"And let me tell you that Espo and Ryan would be dead now if we hadn't kissed," Kate added, hoping it would be enough to convince Lanie.
"Hum Hum. So I guess I should thank you for that?" the M.E teased, crossing her arms.
Kate rolled her eyes and sighed, deciding to stop arguing.
"Anyway…I will not sleep in your bedroom," she said finally.
"Why?" Lanie asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Because I don't wanna hear you jabbering about Castle and me all night…and most of all, because between Espo and you, and Jenny and Ryan, they're definitely NOT the loudest ones," she teased.
Lanie opened her mouth, before throwing her pillow at Kate who avoided it at the last second with a smile. Beckett jumped off the bed and reached to the door, trying not to laugh.
"How dare you…" Lanie laughed. She watched her walk away, still amused by what she just said.
"Come on, let's go downstairs, join the group?" Kate offered, as she opened the door and looked back at Lanie.
"Yup", she nodded with a grin, after grabbing her sunglasses on the night table.
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... to be continued