new york wolves } { of deducing detectives and coming clean

[killmypatience]

Ryan: [takes Derek by the arm and is just going to drag him in the direction of one of the interrogation rooms] Can I borrow you?

Derek: Um... sure?

Ryan: [glances around to make sure no one's around before heading inside and closing the door] I know about you and Beckett. [just ... gonna put it out there]

Derek: What about me and Beckett?

Ryan: That the mystery boyfriend in the Hamptons with her was you.

Derek: [he debates a moment, and then he sighs] Who else knows?

Ryan: [shakes his head] Just me. I didn't say anything to Espo.

Derek: Thank you. [he looks at Ryan] We can't let anyone know. I don't want to put Flack in a position to have to deal with the regulations on this.

Ryan: [shakes his head] He won't hear it from me.

Derek: [nods] I owe you one. You know once Castle or Espo knows... we're done.

Ryan: Does your sister know?

Derek: Yeah, they do. They... found out on their own.

Ryan: Then you might want to tell Espo before he finds out everyone knew and kept it from him. He can keep his mouth shut.

Derek: [sighs] We really just wanted to have this for ourselves for a while, you know.

Ryan: No, I know. I totally get that, especially in this precinct. But if you know how huffy he gets when he's left out of the loop and you don't have to ride with him - I do. [a pause] That being said, I think we should definitely keep it from Castle.

Derek: Yeah, I don't want to end up in the next novel. Trust me. [looks out the window as Espo] Let me talk to Kate first, and then we'll tell him.

Ryan: [nods, and there's a small smile] I'm happy for you two.

Derek: [and he smiles back] Thank, Ryan. We're still figuring this all out... but it's nice.

Ryan: Good. I hope it works out.

Derek: Me too. We should probably go before someone wants to know what we're talking about.

Ryan: [nods, clapping him on the shoulder] Welcome back. [and with that, he's heading out into the precinct again]

Derek: [and he's going to head out, and then go to Beckett] A second?

Beckett: [glances up and nods] Sure.

Derek: [heads for the coffee room]

Beckett: [follows, slightly confused but going anyway]

Derek: [closes the door and goes to make an espresso.] Ryan's too smart for his own good.

Beckett: That's why he makes a good detective. [a beat] He figured it out.

Derek: Yeah. He hasn't told Espo or Castle, but he wanted to let me know that he knew, and he's happy for us.

Beckett: [smiles a bit at that before nodding] What do you want to do about it?

Derek: Well, we have to tell Espo. My sister knows, and his partner knows. It's not fair to him, and I don't think we want to deal with him later.

Beckett: Fair enough. You want to do it, should I, or should we try and pawn it off on Laura?

Derek: I'm always for pawning things off on my sister, but it's probably something we should do.

Beckett: Okay. You want to do it together, or I can grab him later to track down something on the case.

Derek: You guys have more history. [especially after the whole last few months] I think he'd appreciate it more since I'm the one who asked Laura not to tell him.

Beckett: We'll see what shakes out today and if we don't get an opportunity I'll take him out for a drink tonight.

Derek: Alright.

Beckett: Are you sure you're okay with this?

Derek: It was going to get out eventually. I just... I don’t want Flack to know because I know he'd be happy, but with the regulations the way they are, others may force his hand if he knows.

Beckett: [nods] I get that.

Derek: And Castle we need to just... not tell. Ever.

Beckett: Just make sure Alexis knows not to say anything.

Derek: Well, the girls aren't supposed to tell her. It's supposed to stay a family secret for now.

Beckett: Then we probably won't have to worry about that for a while.

Derek: No, we won't. [small smile] And Ryan and Espo knowing isn't like the rest of the world knowing. We should still be okay.

Beckett: Good.

Derek: [holds out a coffee to her] So we good?

Beckett: [nods with a smile] We're good.

Derek: [holds his cup] God, I wish I could kiss you right now.

Beckett: [smiles a bit before stepping away to head back to her desk] Swing by my place later and I'll make it up to you.

Derek: [smirks to himself, using the coffee mug to hide it as he sipped his espresso and followed her back to their desks]

Beckett: [and eventually, later Beckett and Espo will wind up on a stake out or something?]

Esposito: [working the case for the murdered socialite girl]

Beckett: [yep, and while they have some downtime, she glances back to Espo] So I hear you've been trying to figure out my mystery boyfriend.

Esposito: Lanie ratted us out, didn't she?

Beckett: [smirks] No. Derek did.

Esposito: Damnit, Hale. And here I thought he could keep his mouth shut to you about it.

Beckett: [nods and she's just going to wait and see if the wheels in his head will start turning to figure out why Derek told her]

Esposito: [no, he's actually going to trust that someone would have told him if it was Derek. He trusted the guy, after all.] Is there a reason why he felt the need for you to know? I mean, we're only looking out for you, you know.

Beckett: [sighs. alas] Because it is Derek, Javi.

Esposito: [blinks] ... Seriously?

Beckett: [she nods with a small smile] Yeah.

Esposito: [shifts to look at her, really look at her] When the hell did that happen?

Beckett: After I resigned.

Esposito: [nods] You do know Derek doesn't do relationships well. [is protective of Beckett, okay?]

Beckett: Neither do I. This is kind of new territory for both of us.

Esposito: [sighs] Are you happy?

Beckett: [a small smile crosses her face and she nods] Yeah, I am.

Esposito: Good. Long as it stays that way, or I'll kick his ass - werewolf or not.

Beckett: I have a feeling it will.

Esposito: Good. [but he's going to be watching you, Hale]

Beckett: Be nice to him, Javi. He's already nervous enough about this.

Esposito: Oh, I'll be good to him. I'm dating his sister, after all.

Beckett: Yeah, that's one of the reasons we wanted to tell you. That and ... Ryan sort of figured it out.

Esposito: You mean.... oh I'm so gonna have words with him when I get back...

Beckett: He just wanted to make sure we were okay with it before he told you, that's all. He's the one who said we should tell you.

Esposito: Uh huh.

Beckett: [sips her coffee, amused]

Esposito: Why am I always the last to know things like this?

Beckett: Maybe you should pay attention more.

Esposito: [looks. just all the looks]

Beckett: [total innocent face]

Esposito: So what about Castle? He know too?

Beckett: No, and we are not telling Castle. Ever, if we can help it. Flack knows before we tell Castle and Flack doesn't know.

Esposito: Yeah, good plan. Pretty sure Flack wouldn't mind. Derek's pretty much a son to him from what I can tell.

Beckett: Yeah, but right now we don't want to put him in that position.

Esposito: Yeah, I get it.

Beckett: [nods]