Happy birthday, Beckett!

[thebestseller]

WHO: Castle thebestseller, Beckett themuse, and you!
WHAT: It's Beckett's birthday, so Castle feels like she needs a little fun and decides to throw a party for her. The fact that she doesn't know about it is just a bonus.
WHEN: Backdated slightly to November 17th
WHERE: The conference room at the precinct
WARNINGS: Everyone on the island is invited, so please, feel free to show up and mingle. There won't be any alcohol, as it's at the police station, unless someone brings it, but then you might get arrested for disorderly conduct, oh, my...

---

Keeping secrets was one of Castle's skills, he thought. And keeping them from Beckett was a nearly impossible task, so when he was able to actually do it, he felt quite proud of himself.

It was sheer luck that he managed to smuggle an entire party into the precinct under her nose, however- but then again, it wasn't much, because he knew she wouldn't want much, and the part where he was even throwing her a surprise party could be delicate to begin with. But there was cake- two cakes, in fact, a handsome red velvet and a chocolate cake Castle had baked himself- some sandwiches and other assorted snacks, and coffee, and hot chocolate, and balloons and presents.

It wasn't the grand party he felt like she deserved, but he hoped she would, at least, enjoy herself.

Now he had to hope people showed up.

Comments

[mindoirsurvivor]

"Guilty as charged," he admits, with a wry twist of the mouth. "If Castle's not careful, I'm going to conscript him as unit morale officer."

That's mostly a joke. But only mostly.

[themuse]

Beckett just gaped for a moment before her mouth curved into a smile. "Don't mention that to him. He'll take it seriously and I'll never get any work done."

She casts a glance at Castle, shaking her head. "He does have a knack at keeping people's spirits up. He's fun." She looks back at Shepard. "When he's not being annoying and immature, obviously."

[mindoirsurvivor]

"My kind of guy." Shepard has an excellent deadpan.

"Anyway, I was more than happy to host the party."

[themuse]

She laughed. Sometimes, Shepard reminded her of Montgomery. It was a welcome likeness, but often a surprising one.

"I'm glad you did." She lowered her voice. "It'll make it easier to sneak off to my desk in twenty minutes and get the rest of my paperwork done."

[mindoirsurvivor]

"Paperwork on your birthday? Come on, the party can't be that bad."

[themuse]

"I'm not... usually a party person." She passes a forlorn look at her office door. "And even if the crime spree is over, I still have a murderer out there to catch. I'm used to wrapping up a case before I party."

[mindoirsurvivor]

"This isn't a party for the end of the case. That party is going to be at a bar."

Shepard shakes his head.

"I'm not going to order you to stay at your own party. That's ridiculous, and you're off duty. But I will say it's not the course that our morale officer would recommend."

[themuse]

"As far as Castle's concerned, I'm sure he's rather me lounge around my apartment all day." She pressed her lips together and shook her head. "I like work. It gets my head out of things but I guess... It wouldn't hurt to try something a little different for once."

[mindoirsurvivor]

"That's more like it." Shepard glanced speculatively over at the drinks table. "Now, you want to cover for me while I spike the cider?"

[themuse]

She presses her lips together, trying to cover her smile and failing miserably. "I've got your back, sir."

aaand cue cheesy wrap-up XD

[mindoirsurvivor]

"Then let's move out."