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

[hot4engines]

"Well, that's true," said Kaylee thoughtfully. "Havin' been here for as long as I have, the weird just don't seem all that weird no more. But yeah, it didn't bother me but it ain't something I'd ever want someone else to see, neither. Not me, nor the folks who know someone as looks like me like Dr. McKay does, 'cause I know how frustrating that is."

[themuse]

Kate hadn't thought about that. After all, if someone showed up who looked like Alexis, she was sure it would probably tear Castle up. Hell, if someone showed up who looked like her mom or even Ryan or Espo, it would probably be hard on her, too.

"God, I hadn't even thought about that. It must have been so hard for you with Castle looking like your captain. If our roles had been reversed and it was your captain and not Castle, well..." Well, considering the fact that hadn't been speaking when she arrived on the island, she wasn't sure how she would have felt. "I'm sure I would have had some mixed feelings on that."

[hot4engines]

"You would," Kaylee agreed. "I love Mal, but he ain't exactly the friendly sort to new folks, and he wouldn't really know what to make of this, I don't think. He and Mr. Castle are totally different. I like 'em both, though. Mr. Castle lets me sit and read in the bookstore."

[themuse]

Kate smiled. For some reason, that tiny comment warmed her heart. "Yeah, well... He's a generous guy." A big part of why she fell for him, really. Kate knew that she was starting to look a Kaylee like a little sister almost; it was hard not to, with a personality like hers. So she wondered briefly if Castle found something in the girl that helped sooth his pain in missing Alexis. She'd never ask him about it, though.

"I'm sorry that you have to be so far away from your friends, Kaylee. But I'm glad you have some here, too."

[hot4engines]

Kaylee was quiet for a moment after that. She was very far away from her crew, after all- both in distance and in time. This was 500 years into her own world's past, a time period she'd never stopped to learn or even really think about.

"It hurts not havin' any of them around," she admitted quietly, a pain in her heart as she thought suddenly of Wash and Book. "My attitude about this place has always been 'make the best of it', but I wish I at least knew they were okay. It ain't something I really dwell on, but I think about them a lot."

[themuse]

"You should think about them," Kate urged, reaching out to pat her arm affectionately. "I think remembering people is what keeps them real to us. You shouldn't ever forget... But you shouldn't let it take over your life, either."

It had taken thirteen years for Kate to learn that. Thirteen years of thinking the only way she could honor her mother's memory was by letting it define her every move, her every thought, her every motivation. She'd almost lost the man she loved because of it; and ironically, that was probably the last thing her mother would have ever wanted.

[hot4engines]

Kaylee nodded her agreement, feeling a little jolt of warmth from the touch. She always loved little physical gestures like that, and Mal's little touches and hugs and kisses of brotherly affection were one of the things she missed most.

"Especially when I'm the only one here," she agreed. "I ain't never been one to much dwell on stuff, thankfully. I feel happy when I think about them most of the time."

[themuse]

"I'm glad." Kate squeezes her arm, looking around at the party and smiling thinly. "I guess I better get back to the schmoozing but... Lunch sometime soon, okay?"

[hot4engines]

"Absolutely," Kaylee grins back. "You go and have fun. It's your birthday, after all!"

[themuse]

Kate laughed and nodded, standing up. "Thanks for coming, Kaylee." With a nod she moved on to mingle with the other party guests.