Chapter 35 - Hey Jealousy

That vein in her forehead was standing out, she was grinding her teeth and her knuckles were turning white as her grip tightened on Lizzy's pram. If she had a dollar for every time she heard-

"Oh Mr. Castle, I'm your biggest fan. Would you mind signing my-"

She better not say chest.

"-book."

Ah. Good.

Rick smiled tightly, yet still charming and nodded. "Sure, no problem." He placed their coffees on the counter and briefly glanced in her direction where she stood a few feet away, apology evident in his eyes.

It wasn't Rick's fault. It really wasn't.

Kate sighed. No point of getting a table here now, they will have to-

"I've been a fan of your work for such a long time. I can't believe I'm meeting you." She heard the over-eager fan say.

Oh. Brother.

Kate rolled her eyes and huffed out an annoyed breath. Rick only smiled tightly and asked the woman her name. It was a 'Lucy' or 'Lisa' or something.

"You're even more handsome in real life than on the book covers," the woman continued with an irritating little grin.

Kate narrowed her eyes. Really? That's her line?

Oh. Brother.

Rick forced out a laugh. "Thank you. My wife tends to agree." The smile dropped from the woman's face. "Well, here you go, Linda. Have a nice day."

"Uh, thank- thank you," Linda stuttered.

Rick grabbed their coffees and made his way over to his two girls; a large, beaming smile splitting his handsome features.

"Grand skim latte, two pumps, sugar-free vanilla." She slowly shook her head and smiled at him; softly, affectionately.

He got that adorably confused look on his face. "Wh-what?"

She took the cup and her smile widened. "Nothing, Castle. Just... thank you for the coffee." Kate leaned up and kissed his cheek. "C'mon, let's go."

"You don't want to sit here?"

"Nah, I want to take our daughter for a stroll." She glanced at him as they made their way to the exit; side by side, both with a hand on Lizzy's pram. "Besides, we might be mobbed by your fans."

She was only teasing. Really, no hard feelings.

He cringed. "Sorry about that."

"Not your fault, Castle. You can't help it that you're irresistible and that women tend to flock to you."

Okay, maybe a bit of teasing with a hint of possessive jealousy. Just maybe.

He watched her, carefully trying to gauge his wife's mood. She seemed relatively relaxed despite the thinly veiled annoyance in her tone. His lips quirked. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy, Mrs. Castle?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "Oh puhlease, Writer Boy. We've had this conversation many times before. I don't get jealous."

Liar, liar pants on fire.

His grin got wider. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, Kate." He bumped his hip with hers. "Remember Serena Kaye?"

[][][]

"Well, Mr. Castle. Detective Beckett. It has been a delightful pleasure," Serena Kaye said, smiling broadly, bearing her teeth; all the while keeping her eyes on Rick.

Kate stuck out her hand, grabbing the woman's attention. "Thank you for your assistance Ms. Kaye. Goodbye and all the best." The 'Now get the hell out of here' left unsaid.

"Thank you." The blonde bombshell turned her attention back to an oblivious Rick. "Mr. Castle, keep in touch."

What the-

Rick laughed and shook her hand. "Only if I need some advice on a piece of art. Goodbye, Ms. Kaye."

Kate crossed her arms and resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Goodbye." With that the sexy insurance investigator walked off.

Kate sat down at her desk, a little sour and irritated.

"Well, another murderer behind bars. Another victory for justice," Rick said with a large grin, plopping down in his chair beside his girlfriend's (girlfriend!) desk while she did the dreaded paperwork.

"Mm."

'Mm' was her only response? Maybe just tired.

He waited a few moments, watching her; the way she nibbled on her lip, the way her hair fell over her cheekbone and curled around her jaw, the hollow of her throat where he marked her the other night-

His lips quirked. "So… dinner at my place or your place?"

He wanted to mark her again. Yum.

Kate only returned a shrug, brow furrowed and eyes boring into the file in front of her.

Silence.

"Kate?"

"What, Castle?" Biting. Annoyed. Pissed.

Huh?

Okay. Let's try this again.

"Dinner. My place or your place?"

Finally, she looked up at him. "Actually… I just wanna go home, take a bubble bath, drink a glass of wine and go to bed."

Ah. He grinned. Rick Castle could do that. So very, very well. "Want me to join you, Detective?"

She avoided his eyes and sighed. "Not tonight."

His brow furrowed as well as he regarded her. Not tonight? What the hell did that mean?

He leaned towards her, his voice low. "Kate, what's wrong?"

Immediately: "Nothing."

"This doesn't sound like nothing."

She sighed again, threading a hand through her hair and looked up at him. "I'm just tired, okay?" That sounded like a lie.

He set his jaw, not expecting her rejection to sting quite so much. "Of what? Me?" He tried to joke feebly.

She glared at him. "God, Castle. What's with the insecurity?" Kate said, getting up from her chair.

He shot up and followed her to the break room; anger swiftly rising. "What has gotten into you?" He asked once inside.

She glanced at him, suddenly weary. "Nothing. I told you that I'm tired."

He softened, moving towards where she was at the espresso machine. "Then let me take you home." He brushed a hand against her waist, stepping in behind her; his chest touching her back. "Eat something, relax-"

"And also help you to scratch an itch? Thanks, but no thanks. You can take care of that yourself, Rick."

She was irritated. Irritated about how long her paperwork was taking. Irritated about how little sleep she had gotten the last few days. Irritated by the sexy, leggy blonde who had zoomed in on her man.

The nerve of that woman... Being all flirty and sexy with her guy. Her, Kate Beckett's, guy. Man. Writer Man.

He immediately retreated, stung. "Excuse me?"

But she was on a roll. "Or better yet - why don't you invite your new fan, Serena, over? I'm sure she will be more than willing to assist. You two seemed to get along just fine."

Wait. What? Wait a minute-

She was jealous? Kate Smokin' Hot Beckett was jealous? Sure Serena Kay, art insurance investigator a.k.a former art thief, was sexy. But seriously?

No competition.

He laughed, literally burst out laughing. His heart eased with relief and sudden amusement. She glared at him and Rick couldn't help but find her scowl and the way she folded her arms around herself adorable.

"What's so funny, Castle?"

He stepped closer again, making sure to trap her against the counter. "Babe, c'mon. Really? You're jealous?"

Her frown deepened and her fury just got more endearing. "Don't call me babe," she grumbled sourly. He chuckled and tugged her closer. "And I'm not jealous."

"Sure. Keeping telling yourself that, Detective." He grinned and kissed her cheek while she continued to wear a glower; more annoyed now at being caught out than jealous.

"Yeah, well I saw the way she was looking at you. The way she was acting around you."

"So?"

Kate glared at him. "She was practically throwing herself at you. And undressing you with her eyes."

He hugged her and planted a few kisses in her hair, still grinning. "Maybe so, but I kept my eyes on you the whole time."

She rolled her eyes. "Smooth... and cheesy, Mr. Castle."

He grinned and kissed her. "Of course I was imagining you naked. In the shower. All soapy and-"

She punched his arm.

"Ow!"

"You're so full of it."

"What?" He responded, rubbing his arm. "It's true."

"Rick," she admonished in a longsuffering tone.

"Naturally, in my frequent daytime fantasies - where you are in the shower, naked and wet - I'm there with you and we-"

She silenced him with a kiss, hot and fast. "Shut up and take me home, Castle."

He grinned like the Cheshire cat. "It would be my pleasure, Detective."

[][][]

"See? You were totally jealous." They were walking arm-in-arm through Central Park, the late afternoon sun warm and soothing. Their daughter sound asleep, her head lolling against the seat.

Adorable cherub baby.

Kate ducked her head, her lips tilting. "Yeah, okay. Fine, I was. Could you blame me though?"

Her husband grinned and kissed her temple. "Babe-"

"-Don't call me that."

"-c'mon. No competition. You won hands down." He turned to look at her; his expression suddenly tender. "You always win hands down."

She leaned up and kissed him; a barely-there brush of her lips. It made his knees weak, his heart skipping a beat. His gorgeous, gorgeous wife did that.

Kate did that.

"Good to know, Mr. Castle." She smiled, alight with beauty.

His Kate.

They walked in silence for a while, Kate checking a few times to see if Lizzy was still asleep. After a few minutes they found a park bench and sat down, arms still linked and watching the people passing by.

"You do too, you know."

Rick turned to his wife, confused. "What?"

"Win hands down."

He grinned and kissed her. "I know," he responded with a shrug. "I've had you from the get-go."

Kate sat up and raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

His crooked smile widened. So infuriatingly sexy. "Yeah."

"Awfully confident there, Mr. Castle."

"So? I always knew we'd get together. And now look at us." He gestured between them. "We're married with a kid." He leaned in and brushed a kiss against her cheek. "Look like I was right," her murmured into her ear.

"Touché, Castle, touché," Kate conceded softly, nodding her head. "But that still doesn't mean you didn't have your doubts. Your moments of uncertainty. Your fits of jealousy."

He sat back, brow furrowing. "Fits of jealousy?"

She grinned knowingly. "Oh yeah. You think I didn't notice?"

He sighed, placing an arm around her and pulling her closer. "Fine. Yes, there were times - brief instances - where I got jealous. I admit it."

I'm jealous. There - I said it. I want you all to myself.

She smiled and leaned in to him, kissing his cheek. "Remember Special Agent Jones?"

[][][]

"Alright people, you know the drill. Our informant said that Calzone will be there at nine. Agent Jones and Detective Beckett will stake out the bar. The plan is to..."

Rick wasn't listening anymore. He didn't want to listen anymore. He wanted to go with her. On an undercover mission. While she was wearing that red dress. But the Feebs were on point on this mission and, well, everything the NYPD suggested was overruled. Except for Detective Beckett's 'special involvement' - a.k.a playing the role of Agent Jones' sexy, leggy arm candy.

Ugh. Not cool.

He could feel himself pouting like a petulant five-year old.

"...The rest of us will be monitoring the situation. When we have everything we need, we'll move in on Calzone." Rick glanced towards where Kate, being all hot in her tight red dress, was standing next to Montgomery and Agent Douche Bag, a tall, dark and handsome fella. "Let's make this a clean, quick operation people." She caught his eye for a moment before turning her attention back to Jones who was saying something to her. Leaning a little too close for the writer's liking. But whatever. He was a jealous guy. He really wasn't.

Rick sighed, pushed off the desk, his eyes never leaving Kate, and walked to the break room. A minute or two later, he saw her out of the corner of his eye; high heels, endless legs, tight dress that hugged all of her curves. Except, this time he wasn't enjoying it so much.

"Hey," she greeted softly.

"Hey." He turned to her with a small smile. "You ready to go?"

"Mmhmm." She walked up to him, biting her lip enticingly. "Well... how do I look?"

He sighed, turning his attention back to the espresso machine. He wanted to grab and kiss her senseless, but he couldn't because they were at the precinct filled with officers, detectives and, of course, FBI agents. And that irritated him. Immensely.

"Why don't you ask Agent Jones? It matters to him, doesn't it?"

Bitter, bitter boy.

Kate pursed her lips to stop from laughing. "Maybe. But I want your opinion. Besides, he already said that I looked really, really hot."

Rick's head snapped up and he stared at her, eyes blazing and nostrils flaring; his inner caveman rising.

She stepped closer and grinned. "I'm kidding, Castle. My, aren't we jealous?"

"I'm not," he mumbled, frowning.

"Mm, sure." Suddenly she grew serious. "Look, Rick, I know that you want to go with the team, but I don't think it's such a good idea-"

"What?" He immediately shook his head. "No. I'm going, Kate."

She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Castle, this is going to be dangerous, okay? Just let..."

He was already a little pissed at the fact that another guy was all over his girl. "Just let what? The real cops handle this?"

"Please, you know that is not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean, Detective?"

They stared at each other for a few moments before Special Agent Jones stepped into the break room. "Beckett, you ready? We need to go." He glanced between the two lovers, picking up on the tension.

"Uh, yeah. I'll be there in a minute," Kate responded, turning to face the other man. Jones smiled, nodded and walked away. She turned back to Rick. "Listen, I'll see you later, okay?"

He sighed and dragged a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I'll be here. Waiting." He sighed. "Doesn't mean I want to though."

"I know. But do this for me. Please." Kate stepped closer and intertwined their hands loosely.

He nodded, rubbing a thumb over the back of her hand.

Kate lifted a hand to his face, gently stroking his jaw. "I love you."

He smiled. "I love you too, Babe."

"Don't call me that," she grumbled before claiming his mouth in a searing kiss.

"Go catch some bad guys, Detective."

Two and a half hours later...

It was late and he was dozing off on the break room couch. Never really falling asleep; he couldn't. His partner was in a dangerous, undercover mission, but luckily Ryan and Esposito were giving him regular updates. In fact, about twenty minutes ago they informed him that the mission had been-

Suddenly, there were footsteps and voices. Rick started to get up, but stopped when he heard Agent Douche Bag speak.

"Well, Detective Beckett, it has been a pleasure working with you."

Rick stood and moved to the window, watching the interaction at her desk curiously.

Kate glanced at Jones and smiled. "Yeah. I'd say mission accomplished and a job well done. Everyone got what they wanted." She put her hand out towards the agent. He took it and smiled.

"Yeah, maybe," Jones responded, watching their intertwined hands for a moment before looking at her again.

A certain writer did not like the way he was holding her hand. Or the way he was looking at her. In that dress.

Sex-on-legs.

"You know, if you ever get tired of that writer of yours." She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. "Give me a call."

Seriously? Oh. Brother.

Kate removed her hand. "I'm flattered, Agent Jones, but-" A large smile spread out and enveloped her features "-I'm very happy with that writer of mine."

He wanted to break out and do the happy dance.

Jones nodded and smiled lopsidedly. "Worth a try, though. Well, it was a pleasure... Goodnight, Detective."

"Goodnight Agent Jones."

Kate watched him walk away before turning back to her desk. "You can come out now, Castle."

How did she-

Rick stepped out and smiled sheepishly. "Hey."

She was fighting a grin. "You were listening, weren't you?"

He scratched his head and walked towards her. "Uh, um. Yeah, a little bit."

"Mmm," she responded, lips quirking.

He cleared his throat. "So I take it you got the guy."

"Yeah. Ryan and Esposito are booking him now. The rest of the team is busy wrapping things up at the location."

"Oh, good. That's... good." He pushed his hands into his pockets, swaying slightly; Kate watched him closely. He was burning to make a comment.

She rolled her eyes. "Just spit it out, Castle."

He grinned. "I make you very happy, huh?"

She softened, smiled and stepped closer. "Yeah. Yeah, you do, Rick." His smile faltered at her sincerity, her affection. Kate placed a hand on his chest. "You make me very happy."

Before he could reply, her mouth enclosed his. Soft and sure, leaving no doubt where her loyalties lie. Where her heart would always be.

"Ditto, by the way," he responded after they broke apart. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close and kissing the side of her head. They stood like that for a few quiet moments. "I can't believe Agent Douche Bag asked you out." Kate laughed and stepped out of his embrace. "I knew he was hitting on from the start, but jeez. What an idiot. Just another reason not to like the Feds."

She smiled at his jealous tirade. It was kinda cute.

"Not even Mulder and Scully?"

He frowned. "Well... they don't count. They're fictional characters."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh. What about the lovely Agent Shaw?"

He grinned. "Okay, yeah. Fine, I like some of them. Especially if they have awesome toys."

She rolled her eyes, not able to stop the smile. "I'm dating a twelve year-old."

He grinned. "Let me take you home and disprove that statement."

She ignored him, grabbed her phone and clicked off her desk light.

"C'mon, Writer Boy. I wanna kick off my shoes and get out of this dress."

His grin grew devilish, a twinkle in his eyes. "Need help with that, Detective?"

Kate bit her lower lip, watching him from beneath her lashes. She leaned up, putting her mouth next to his ear. "I might need... a hand."

[][][]

"I never told you-"

"Mmm?" Mommy and Daddy were giving their little girl a bath with her giggling and splashing around in the water.

"-that guy, Agent Jones or whatever his name was... he kissed me."

Rick whipped his head to her. "He what? When?"

Lizzy bounced around, making waves and splashing water on both her parents. "Come on, baby girl, sit still. I gotta rinse the shampoo out." Kate swiped a rogue strand of hair behind her ear and turned her attention back to her husband. "Yeah. While we were undercover."

Rick's brow furrowed. "You never told me that." He wiped the washcloth over Lizzy face, her chest and fat little stomach.

"Well, you already didn't like the guy," Kate responded with a shrug. She placed a hand over her daughter's face and tipped a cup of water over Lizzy's head. "I didn't want to give you any more reason to hate the Feds."

"Ass-"

She slapped his arm. "Castle! Not in front of our daughter. I don't want her first word to be that."

"He's still one," Rick grumbled. "So, how did it happen?" He inquired, wiping excess water off Lizzy's sputtering little face; his other hand holding onto her chubby arm.

"What? The kiss?" He nodded.

Kate sighed and tipped another cup of water over her baby's head, making Lizzy whimper in response. "It's okay, baby girl. Almost done... Uh, well, I can't really remember. He just sort of grabbed and kissed me. As a diversion or cover or something."

"Mm. Sure," Rick snorted.

She turned and grinned at him, blowing a strand of hair out off her cheek. "If it's any consolation, Writer Boy, I was thinking about you the whole time."

He glanced at her, face serious, but eyes twinkling in amusement. "Flattery won't get you very far, Detective."

She raised an eyebrow, shuffling over to him on her knees; damp shirt clinging to her chest, cheeks flushed from exertion and eyes sparkling.

Utterly beautiful.

"Well then, Mr. Castle," Kate started, pressing herself against him; her mouth against his ear. "How about a whole night of... cuddling with me and your daughter in bed? How does that sound?"

He turned and smiled softly at her; his wife, mother of his child. Rick caressed her cheek and kissed her once, twice, three times.

"That sounds like a plan, Mrs. Castle."

[][][]

'Cause it's you and me and all other people

With nothing to do and nothing to do

And it's you and me and all other people

And I don't know why but I can't keep my eyes off of you

Title of this chapter is a Goo Goo Dolls' song, 'Hey Jealousy' and lyrics at the end is from Lifehouse's great song, 'You and me'.