Author's note: this story is based on Castle and takes place during Season 7. It started out as just a request which ended up turning into a sequel to Another Castle.
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Tory Ellis was used to people coming to her with computer problems. She had fixed laptops, PCs, even games consoles in the past, so when Detective Kate Beckett mentioned in passing that her laptop was broken she of course offered to fix it.
After all, it was no big deal. However as she did the service for free she couldn't help but take a look at the hard drive. Specifically Web search histories and photos. Normally it was harmless enough, but this time round she had discovered a shocking surprise, and she was unsure what, if anything, she should do about it.
"Hey wait. Hold the elevator!" Beckett called out.
Tory froze. She prayed the elevator would go before the detective got to it, but alas she reached it just in time, Beckett then frowning at her causing her to squeak, "Sorry, I... I'm sorry."
"Is something wrong?" Beckett asked as the doors closed behind her.
"No, no." Tory said unconvincingly before handing the other woman her laptop back, "Here, all done."
Beckett stared at her for a few moments, then pressed the emergency stop on the elevator and crossed her arms, "Did you go through my laptop."
"I, I..." Tory stammered, before sighing and coming clean, "I'm sorry Detective Beckett, I just... I won't tell anyone and it won't happen again, I swear."
There was a long pause and then Beckett uncrossed her arms, took a step closer and asked, "You liked what you saw?"
"No." Tory blushed, quickly adding, "Maybe, I don't know, but it's none of my business."
"Castle and I have... an arrangement." Beckett explained, "But we'd rather our co-workers didn't find out... I could make it worth your while to stay silent... if you're interested."
Just when she didn't think she could blush anymore Tory felt like she became as red as a tomato, "I, I-"
"Shhhhhh, just think about it." Beckett said, quickly handing Tory a card, "My husband will be spending the weekend on a trip with his daughter. If you're curious enough, drop by this address, and we can do anything you want. Provided you stay silent, of course."
With that Beckett reactivated the elevator and calmly stood there like nothing had happened until they reach their floor and then she casually strolled out. Tory stumbled out a few seconds later, spending the rest of the day walking around like a zombie.
The rest of the week wasn't much better, Tory thinking over and over again about what Beckett had said to her and what she had found on that laptop. Which was understandable, she'd never been propositioned by a woman before. She'd also rarely been propositioned that directly, yet somehow it seemed appropriate for Beckett's no-nonsense attitude.
That attitude somehow made the indecent proposition charming. Or at least she told herself it was as an excuse for why come Friday night she and even hesitate to head over Castle's apartment with every intention of fucking his wife, just the thought of it making her heart race.
Beckett was pleased, but not particularly surprised, to see her welcoming her in with a warm smile and offering her a glass of wine. Tory happily took it, the two women then sitting down on the sofa and making small talk for a couple of minutes.
Then when she finally got up the nerve Tory blurted out, "I'm sorry, I just have to ask... does... does..."
"Castle know you're here? Of course. There are no secrets between us." Beckett informed her casually, "We have an open marriage in every sense of the word."
"Oh." Tory blushed.
"Does that bother you?" Beckett asked softly, moving closer.
"It's none of my business." Tory shrugged.
"And yet you went through my hard drive." Beckett pointed out.
There was a pause and then Tory confessed, "In our line of work we see a lot of bad things. You especially, but I-"
"See everything?" Beckett offered.
"Well, not everything." Tory laughed softly, "But I see a lot... and... I guess I got this job because I find people fascinating. And even though I shouldn't be, I'm curious about their secrets."
"Understandable. Especially considering our line of work." Beckett smiled, moved closer still and then just in case there was any confusion placed her hand on Tory's thigh and asked, "Tell me Tory, what else are you curious about?"
There was another pause, then Tory took a calming breath and nervously looked at the detective. Then after staring into her eyes for a few moments she leaned over, reached out her hand to gently cup Beckett's face and then kissed her work colleague.
She was kissing another woman, and very much enjoying it, Tory increasingly relaxing into it as time went on, turning her body so it was easier to kiss the other girl and cup her face. After strategically placing her wine down Beckett did the same, the brunettes becoming wonderfully lost in the gentle kiss for several moments until Beckett guided her to stand up.