True. It's no secret that Castle's got a hell of a chip on his shoulder (we're talking Gibraltar here) and that he's adamant that the majority of it is deserved. But Beckett's savvy enough to see through the act (most of the time) and, through her, Castle achieves a sense of self that's a little more respectable.

His hands pass over the small of her back, thumbs folded against her spine. He hasn't slow-danced in a long time.

"I'm curious." When isn't he? "How'd you get a reputation for working the 'freaky cases'? I mean, it's to my benefit, obviously. Wouldn't be shadowing a desk jockey."