Career Exploration

Lanie trudges through the door, removes her suit jacket. She doesn't normally mind being called as an expert witness, but Perlmutter's sick, Hanson's on maternity leave, and there's a stack of waiting bodies.

"Dr. Parrish?" A fresh-faced girl is sitting on a stool, keeping the covered body on the table company.

"Alexis—sorry about the wait. Court went long."

"Oh, it's fine. I read this magazine." Forensic Science International, naturally.

"You're sure you want to do this here?"

"It'll provide atmosphere!" Alexis readies her notebook. "So, Dr. Parrish. When did you know you wanted to be a forensic pathologist?"

Fragging

Javier's been talking about the new map pack all week and Kevin's eager to play. They both know that if he invites Kevin over, Kevin'll spend half the time texting Jenny. So Javier comes over to their apartment, hugs Jenny (she's studying on the other couch), and powers up the Xbox.

The other team's fragging them when Jenny suggests, "Pick up that sniper rifle."

"Where?"

She takes out an earbud, points with her highlighter. "The other guys keep picking it up first."

Javier looks at Kevin. "Bro, you got a sweet deal here. You know that?"

He's grinning. "I do."

Team-Building

Kate keeps wondering how she got here. A team-building retreat is the sort of thing that happens to other people. Except here she is, pulling twice her weight because Richard freaking Castle can't paddle a canoe, and hoping like hell they won't do a trust fall after the marshmallow roast.

A pathetically sunburned Ryan hollers something from Esposito's canoe about racing. Castle yells back and starts thrashing his paddle like a maniac.

"Castle—Castle! Don't rock the—!"

As Kate falls out of the stern, she regretfully visualizes what her weekend would have been like. Quieter. Probably a bit drier.

Bullet

Pressing a hand to his stomach, Rick watches Ryan and Esposito haul the guy down the alley.

Beckett kneels and leans over him. "Castle, you okay?"

He groans, playing it to the hilt, then pops up smiling. "Great! Can we go again?"

He hadn't thought taking a bullet for her would hurt so much, even with a vest. The back of his skull bouncing off brick hurts more.

"Ow!" he protests, but is silenced when she kisses him, quick and rough.

"Do that again and I will blow your head off," she says grimly. "Now get in the goddamn car."

Author's note: Hello, internet. Not dead, just busy. Watch this space.