A/N: Firstly, thanks to everyone who favorited/followed/reviewed (special shout out to TORONTOSUN for always making me smile and blush). I decided to change it up a bit for this episode and give you a scene from Castle's perspective (Meredith's visit to the precinct). And since I couldn't ignore that end scene between Castle and Beckett, I decided I'd give that to you as well. Hope you enjoy! As always, review are most welcome and appreciated.

"No, I'm not going to wait downstairs." No, no this could not be happening. Why was she here? "Do you know who pays your salary? Me and my taxes."

"Is that?" Beckett asked as Rick prayed he was hearing things.

"Ah, yep." This was not going to be pretty.

"Richard, over here." Who even told her I was here? He asked himself as he nodded across the bullpen at her.

"Deep-fried Twinkie?" Esposito asked, knowing the answer.

"'Fraid so." Rick got up, bracing for the oncoming storm. "Meredith. What a surprise."

"I know, isn't it great?" Not exactly the word he'd use. "In L.A. no one ever just stops by. Don't you just love this town?" She wasn't looking at him, but at Beckett. Oh, could this get any worse? No wait, of course it could, it always could.

"More and more by the minute." Beckett replied behind him. He was never going to live this down.

"Meredith, these are Detectives Ryan and Esposito, and Detective Beckett." She took a step forward and extended her hand for Meredith, no doubt counting the ways she was going to needle him for this later.

"Oh Beckett, your new muse." Here it comes, Rick couldn't believe this was happening. Talk about worlds colliding. "Alexis told me all about it." He wanted to be angry, but the look of mortification on his daughter's face was too much for him to punish her further. "And I simply had to stop by. You know I was his inspiration once."

"Were you now?" Oh, Beckett was enjoying this far too much. He didn't think he'd ever seen her smile so brightly. For just a second he lost himself in it, but then Meredith continued and he was crashed back into reality.

"Still am, from time to time." Alexis' jaw dropped. Here, this was the point where it could not possibly get worse. "Right Kitten?" And there it was. She was doing this on purpose now.

"Kitten?" No, Beckett was not allowed to call him that, damn it Meredith.

"I had this dream once," Rick said as he tried desperately to wipe the egg off his face with the small amount of dignity he had left. "Only I was naked," he wasn't able to prevent himself from appraising Beckett as he said the word. Damn it Rick. "And far less embarrassed." Beckett nodded at him, all pursed lips as she tried not to burst out laughing.

"Anyway, we were in the neighborhood, and I have a dinner tonight, so I thought I would drop Alexis here instead of schlepping all the way downtown. Is that SJP's purse?"

And she was off again. Why couldn't she just leave already? And then she was interfering in the case. Alexis mouthed "shopping" when he silently questioned her and they both rolled their eyes, turning to the group now discussing the victim's purse.

"Canal Street," Beckett said, realizing the connection between their victims. Damn, now Meredith had to be helpful too?

"Bailer's gonna make it." Kate leaned against the wall and watched him drink his champagne. Now she'd have to explain to Montgomery why the department had to pay for the bottle. "You okay Castle?"

"My first gun battle." He was smiling smugly as if he'd been the one to actually shoot.

"Your last gun battle." She had a feeling his laser tag games with Alexis wouldn't feel so realistic from now on.

"Don't be so pessimistic. I think I handled myself pretty well."

"Yeah," she did have to give him that." Probably saved my life." Let him chew on that for a bit, she thought wryly.

"Probably?" Oh, now he was going to ruin it, wasn't he? "I definitely saved your life. And you now what that means, don't you?" Uh, oh. "It means you own me." Fantastic.

"Owe you what?" She really didn't want to know, but then again, she kind of did.

"Whatever I want." Well, that wasn't good. The gleam in his eyes as he stepped forward made her wonder where he was going with this. "And you know exactly what I want, don't you?" He leaned in close and all she could think about was the feel of him when he'd tackled her. "You know what I really, really, want you to do." His eyes left hers, landing on her chest for the briefest of seconds before returning. Her heart fluttered without her brain's consent. He leaned even closer and whispered in her ear. "Never, ever, call me Kitten."

As he walked off she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. She bit her lip to suppress a laugh. Someday she would find the opportunity to call him Kitten again; she knew it wouldn't be anytime soon, but she could wait.