new york wolves } { of new partners and the usual terms

[killmypatience]

Ryan: [looks up from his desk and nods to where Derek's coming in] New guy.

Esposito: Fresh meat?

Ryan: Heard Flack was bringing him in from the crime lab to work with Beckett.

Esposito: She's not going to like that

Ryan: [turns his head at the ruckus from the Captain's office] Yeah, I think she's getting the news now.

Derek: [and nope, he's listening into both conversations, a small smirk on his lips as he waits, but moves just to where Flack can see that he's there]

Beckett: Come on, Flack, I've been working fine without a partner.

Castle: Except for me. She needs me.

Flack: No offense intended to you, Castle, but you're not a cop. And Beckett, you just got back on active duty after being shot in the chest by a sniper. [he pauses and gives her a pointed look] I want someone with you who can carry a gun. [catches sight of Derek and waves for him to come in]

Derek: [deep breath, and he goes to the door and opens it, staying silent but gives a small smirk and nod to Castle]

Beckett: [turns towards the sound of the opening door] With all due respect, sir, I think I can handle things just ... Derek! [she blinks for a moment] What are you doing here?

Flack: [smirks] Detective, meet your new partner.

Derek: Hey Kate. Miss me?

Beckett: [there's definitely a smile there, because okay, this doesn't entirely suck, but she's still slightly miffed] I didn't know you got promoted.

Derek: Well, it's still new. Today is day one.

Beckett: Congratulations.

Derek: And I haven't really done well on permanent partners since you left. You made it hard for them to follow.

Beckett: It's not like I've been big for team ups myself. It'll be just like old times.

Derek: And it's also probably a good thing i already know how to handle Mr. Castle.

Castle: Hey now. I do not need to be handled.

Beckett: Really? Because when we first met you were practically begging me to. [dry]

Derek: [eyebrow up]

Castle: I learned better.

Flack: [smirks] As touching as this is, why don't you all catch up out there while you're getting back to work.

Beckett: [glances back at him before shaking her head] Yes sir.

Derek: Thank you, sir. [he nods to Flack, a thankful smile, and then he will follow the other two out.]

Esposito: [leaning back with Ryan] One week, my man, and he will be out.

Ryan: [watches them for a moment, before extending his hand over to Espo] I'll take that bet.

Beckett: [leads the way out] This is the rest of the team - Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan. Guys, this is Derek Hale.

Esposito: [slaps Ryan’s hand, then stands up] 'Sup Derek? Where you from?

Derek: Crime lab.

Ryan: Nerd squad. Fun.

Derek: [his eyebrow went up] Seriously?

Esposito: Careful, Ryan. Some nerds don't have a sense of humor.

Ryan: [eyebrows go up] Here I thought it was the age of the geek.

Beckett: [rolls her eyes] Just ignore them. I usually do.

Esposito: Ouch. Taking the rookie’s side.

Beckett: I've known this rookie longer than I've known the two of you. You want me to take your side over his you better up your game.

Esposito: Challenge accepted. So you two do know each other?

Derek: We were partners back on the beat when I was an actual rookie.

Beckett: We pretty much learned the ropes together.

Castle: My knowing Derek is not quite as interesting.

Esposito: Wait, you know him too?

Derek: My younger sister is in school with his daughter.

Esposito: Ah.

Beckett: So out of all of us, you two are the ones with catching up to do.

Derek: Well, it's been a few years since we've had time to chat. [to Kate] Last time we really talked was just after you got transferred.

Beckett: [nods slowly] Guess we should do some catching up of our own.

Derek: Wanna grab a coffee then and catch up?

Beckett: Sounds good to me.

Derek: [and he's going to just nod at the other men and motion with his head for Kate to join him as he heads towards the elevator]

Beckett: [nods and gets up to follow him]

Castle: [waits until they disappear through the doors before leaning back in his chair] This should be good.

Esposito: Alright, fill us in.

Castle: [glances back at them, then to the doors] What, about Derek?

Esposito: Yeah. If we're going to be working with the guy, we need to know what to expect. [looks at Ryan]

Castle: [he shrugs] Well, I don't know much from the police side. Derek and his family moved to the city about ... I guess seven or eight years ago now from California. Alexis sort of adopted Cora so I got to know the rest of the family. Good people.

Esposito: You think he and Kate will be able to work together again?

Castle: That I don't know. As I said, I don't know the police side.

Esposito: Well, seeing how Kate works... I'm going for a week. Want in?

Castle: [considers for a moment before nodding] I'll take that action.

Esposito: Now we're talking.

Castle: The usual terms?

Esposito: Of course.

Castle: Then gentlemen, you have a wager.