All the Usual Rules Apply
I do not own anything except a monitor and keyboard
ABC/Disney/Marlow and company own the real important stuff

I Think I must have a brain tumor. Otherwise I would not be doing this

It's the usual summer in the 12th precinct. Murders abound. It seems that the hot weather brings out the killers from every crevice that they hide in during the colder months. This June is no different.

Detective Ryan is finishing the paperwork on his latest murder case. He is looking forward to a nice weekend with his new girlfriend Jenny.

Detective Esposito is on the phone with Dr. Lanie Parish pretending to discuss a case, but everyone knows the two are planning to hook up later. How can they pretend to not be dating? Everyone in the station knows that when they are away from work they are engaged in some serious lip lock.

Detective Beckett is clearing the murder board from the last case she was working and thinking about the date she is going to have later with Detective Demming. They are planning on going to dinner and a movie and Demming probably wants to take her back to his place to compare notes on a very personal level. Kate is not ready to take the relationship to that level, yet.

Then, in walks the nuisance of the precinct, Richard Castle. After Beckett had him help with a really strange case a few months ago, he came back asking if he could shadow the officers for his next book. He has basically been in everyone's way ever since. He shows up when he wants to, asks really dumb questions. He laughs at some of the most horrific crime scenes, and has been known to be insensitive to the pain caused to victim's families. Everyone really wishes he would just find some place else to be. Anywhere but the 12th.

Castle comes in laughing with a coffee carrier with 4 cups from the local shop around the corner. This just happens to be the worst coffee shop around and no one likes any of the coffee from there. They all totally avoid going there because the coffee is so bad. They have told Castle that they really prefer the coffee in the break room machine, but he really doesn't seem to understand and just keeps doing whatever he wants to do and acts like they should be happy with whatever he chooses to bring instead.

Richard Castle! This famous mystery writer who has been able to wedge himself into the officer's lives because he "knows people". Important people such as the Mayor, Commissioner, Police Chief, and several Judges. Not one of the officers at the station wants to deal with him however.

When he comes in they all want to play rock/paper/scissors to see who has to baby sit him until he finally gets tired and leaves. Today he sets the tray down and makes an announcement to the three detectives.

"Hey! Everyone! I'm having a party at my house in the Hamptons for the forth of July and everyone is invited to come along with their dates. There is enough room so you can all stay at the house. We will celebrate the 4th as a group. Watch the fireworks over the water, eat, drink and be merry. Everyone will stay at the house and I am arranging the transportation to and from. So it will not cost anyone anything unless you go into town for personal stuff. Just let me know how many will be riding."

Castle lays a piece of paper on the desk and walks toward Captain Montgomery's office. The three detectives look around toward each other and several sighs are heard. A few of the uniform officers have overheard this murmur. They are thinking "Great" I am not going to be required to be there. I have to put up with him enough here, I don't have to spend my holidays with the jerk.

The funny thing about Richard Castle, the mystery author, is that earlier in her life Kate Beckett had a crush on him. She had all of his books. She had become hooked, so to speak, on them after her mother was killed. Reading his books had made it easier for her to get past the loss. She used this outlet instead of the one her father picked. Unfortunately, he chose to spend the years after her death in the bottom of a bottle. He finally got the help he needed and has been a great father to Kate ever since. She just wishes she could now find a man for herself who cares as much about her as her father does.

Castle goes into Captain Montgomery's office and closes the door.

"Captain, can I put you and your wife down for my July celebration?"

The captain thinks for a moment trying to find a way to beg off but he cannot think of any excuse to get him out of this very difficult situation. He and his wife were planning on doing absolutely nothing, so if he said anything, it would be a lie.

"Of course Mr. Castle, we will be there"

Castle smiles and says "Great" and leaves the office. Captain Montgomery goes out in the bull pen and calls the other three detectives into a meeting.

"If I have to go you have to go!"

Each one groans and begs the captain to not force them to travel all the way up there just to be bored or at the very least embarrassed just being around Castle.

"If you honestly have plans already, OK, but if you don't you better come. That's all I have to say about it"

He opens his door to indicate the meeting is over. The other three leave his office and return to their respective desks.

Beckett sits down and looks at the paper. She writes Beckett +1. She pushes the paper over to the other two and glares. Each one adds their name and goes back to work.

Within a few minutes the captain comes out and tells them that have a case. Ryan walks to the captain, takes the paper and the three detectives head out to earn their pay.