115. Chapter 115

After Till Death Do Us Part, Again

BY

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Still no. Rating: K Time: See above.

Rick Castle thought that this was the best wedding reception he'd ever been too. His own two wedding receptions had been lavish affairs with no expense spared. This was different. The Ryan's reception was in the church's parish hall, featured unremarkable food and drink and no band, only a sound system and a DJ who was related in some vague fashion to jenny. Castle was sure he wouldn't have gotten the job otherwise. But, Jenny had told him to play only slow songs. He had danced every dance with Kate Beckett in his arms. Kate now had rested her head on his chest and had both of her arms around his neck, holding him close. He could feel her warm, toned, supple body against his. She had said that maybe the third time would be the charm. In spite of what he could only describe as two disastrous prior marriages, he couldn't stop thinking about dancing in a tuxedo with Kate, while she wore a white wedding gown.

Jenny Ryan watched Rick and Kate over her husband's shoulder. "Kevin, I won't make the same mistake I made with Esposito and Lanie, but what is it with Beckett and Castle? I mean, I look at them right now and I think, "They're a couple." But they aren't. I admit I don't know them at all well, but there doesn't seem to be any reason that they wouldn't get together. What is it?"

Kevin Ryan had asked himself the same question for several years, but had never brought the subject up. He knew better than that. "Beckett has a lot of issues." He said simply, hoping that this would satisfy Jenny.

It didn't, of course. "You mean her mom's murder? Why would that keep them apart? Didn't you tell me that he helped identify the guy that actually killed her mom? He did a lot more than just identify the guy, Kevin. He put out a hundred thousand dollars to get the guy out in the open."

Kevin tried to dance Jenny away from Castle and Beckett, to no avail. "She'd been on this one woman crusade for so long, I don't think she can make a connection with someone else. None of the relationships she's had since she's been a cop have lasted more than a few months."

Jenny frowned. "That's ridiculous, Kevin. She's been with him for three years. They're partners, right? Friends? They should be together."

Ryan nodded. "Jenny, if I could get them together I would. You never met Beckett before Castle came along. She was a good cop. A damned good cop, but that was it. She had no life outside of work except for some short term relationships. And damned few of them. She's a thousand percent happier now that she's with Castle."

"Kev, she's not with him! That's my point. If your mom had been murdered, I know that you'd never rest until you caught the guy. And I'd be right there with you, helping. Maybe not like Castle can help, but I'd be there. Can't she see that?"

"Jenny, I know. Believe me, I know. She's a better cop with Castle around and the two of them are better together than they'd be by themselves. And I have no idea how to get them to move forward. No idea at all, okay?"

Jenny watched the couple dance together, locked in each other's arms. It just isn't right. She thought.

Lanie Parish was also watching her best friend dance with what should be her man. Dammit! She thought. What is wrong with that girl? She went with Demming and realized that he wasn't for her. Then Josh and now he's gone. Okay, Castle screwed up and started dating his ex-wife, a move that proves that men can be extremely dumb, but that's over now. Why the hell aren't they together like they belong?

"What the hell is wrong with Castle, Javi?"

Esposito turned to look at Castle and Beckett who were just across the dance floor. "He looks okay to me. Too much Scotch, you think?"

Yes, extremely dumb sometimes. "No, Javi. What's wrong with him and Beckett? He's crazy about her and she's crazy about him. Can't he see that? What's he waiting for?"

Espo shook his head. "And this is automatically Castle's fault?"

"Are you saying it's Beckett's fault?"

"Could be. She hasn't exactly been there for him. She's the same way she's been since I've known her. She's completely self sufficient. She doesn't need anyone. Never has and probably never will."

Lanie snorted and Espo knew he had made a mistake. "Javi, that poor girl has been drowning in loneliness and misery for years. Finally Castle comes around and things start to change. Okay, I'll admit that Demming and Josh were mistakes…"

"Personally, I'd call that doctor worse than a mistake. I never liked him."

"Me either. But that's not the point. All he needs is just a little push, Javi. Which is all she needs. Don't you think that we could do something about that?"

"I should suggest to Castle that he should marry Beckett? What should I say? Hey, bro, the priest is still around, the flowers are in place, why don't you and Beckett get married?"

"Very funny, Javier." Lanie said coldly.

"Look, I agree with you. The two of them would be happier together. As a couple. If I knew how to get them together, I'd do it. But I don't, so I'm doing nothing because I'd probably screw things up. Neither one likes to be pushed."

Lanie thought for a while. "Okay, you're right. I can't think of any way to get them together either." But that doesn't mean I'll stop trying.

Kate Beckett danced slowly with Rick. She was having more fun than at any of the weddings she had been a part of. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride? Is that how I'll end up?