611. Chapter 611

After Famous Last Words

Episode 2.07

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: The last word on the subject is, I don't own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above

2009

Sky Blue began a slow ballad. Castle noticed that some of the couples near them were dancing. He thought about asking Alexis to dance, but decided that her reaction to being asked to dance by her dad would be along the lines of "Eww! Gross." Not wanting to embarrass his teenage daughter, he turned to Beckett. "Care to dance, Beckett?"

That was the last thing Kate Beckett had expected to hear that night. "What?"

"Care to dance?" Castle repeated.

"With you?"

"Of course with me. Who else is standing here asking you?" He smiled at her. "You can dance, can't you Beckett? Did they teach you ballroom dancing at the police academy? It must have been difficult in those huge, clumping boots you had to wear."

Kate was not going to let a challenge go by. "I can drink you under the table and I can dance you off your feet, Castle."

Castle put an arm around her waist and one on her shoulder. Kate made sure that she was separated from Castle as they danced.

This is foolish. One thing I do know about Castle is that he's a great dad. He would never try to grope me in front of Alexis. I'm just being silly. She relaxed and leaned her head on Castle's shoulder. Now this isn't so bad. If only this Castle was around all the time, the caring concerned father and not the horny teenager that shows up the other half the time.

Why can't he be like this all of the time?

2010

"Unchained Melody. I love this song." Beckett said.

Castle smiled. "When I bought the Old Haunt, I made sure that all of my favorite songs were on the juke box. Look like I got one of yours as well."

"Just dumb luck. I'm sure." She shot back.

"Dance, Beckett? I know you know how."

She was about to say no, when she saw that Captain Montgomery was dancing with Lanie. Castle's my friend and my partner. Just because I'm with Josh doesn't mean I can't be nice to Castle. He's back with Gina, his ex-wife, too. There's no reason I can't dance with him.

When they began dancing, she found herself leaning into Castle. Wait! I shouldn't be dancing like this with Castle. Not with my body pressed up against his like this. But he didn't pull me this close, I just…did it. Then again, if Josh wants to spend all of his time in Africa or whatever, there's no reason for me not to have any fun. It's not like were engaged or something. I don't even know if we're exclusive. Oh, hell. This isn't just about me. Castle's with Gina. I shouldn't be rubbing up against another woman's man like this. Or is Castle Gina's man? He's never said anything at all about the damned relationship. He could be with half a dozen other women besides Gina.

By the time the dance was over and Castle led Beckett back to the table, she still hadn't figured out what she should have done.

2011

"Are you sure Ryan wants me at your impromptu bachelor party here at the Sapphire?"

Castle laughed. "I'm afraid that Ryan would rather have you here than me. He doesn't want to get into trouble with Jenny. And I can't say I blame him."

Kate smiled. "Why Castle, you actually have something good to say about marriage? What's come over you?"

"There's no reason that Ryan and Jenny shouldn't have a happy marriage that lasts forever. And there's no reason I shouldn't have one with someone I love. I know who that someone is, too. If only….If only what? I told Beckett that I love her while she was bleeding out in front of me. I watched her die. But she doesn't remember any of it. It would be so easy. Just get her alone and tell her. Tell her that you love her. It's easy. All I need to do is find the right time and place.

As they walked through the Sapphire, they passed a room where a band was playing slow music. This is perfect. "Come on, Beckett. Dance with me." He pulled her into the room and after a second's hesitation, she followed. Soon they were dancing together and Beckett's ear was inches from his mouth. Just say something, dammit. What's wrong with you? He knew what was wrong with him. From the first day I met her, I've never had any idea where I stand with her. Am I a partner? Friend? Could I be more? Does she want more? With me? If she said she doesn't love me that would be it. I could never stay with her knowing she'd never be mine. I can't do it. I'm too damned afraid that she doesn't love me.

And so they danced and then went to Ryan's impromptu bachelor party.

2012

Martha and Alexis had gone to bed leaving Kate and Castle alone by the Christmas tree.

"Thank you." She said.

"For what? I didn't get you a present." Castle began to panic. "Did you expect a present? I can go out right now and get one. Just tell me what you want. I'll get it for you. Anything."

She laughed and took his hand. "I meant it. I didn't want you to get me anything. It's too soon."

He shrugged. "It feels like I've been with you, in one way or another, for forever."

He was sorry he said that as soon as he saw the look on her face. "Kate, I didn't mean…"

"It's okay. I put you through a lot to get here. I had walls and issues and I made mistakes, oh, did I ever make mistakes. But here we are. And I'm happy to be with you and I'm happy to be enjoying Christmas. I didn't realize how much I missed it. Can we try to get my dad to come over next year?"

"Sure."

The radio began to play White Christmas. "Come on Castle. Dance with me."

"You realize I'm going to dance you over to the mistletoe, don't you?"

"No, I'm going to dance you over to the mistletoe."

2013

"Are you sure it's okay for you to leave DC to be with me for a couple of days?" Castle asked, a bit worried.

"You almost died helping us solve that case. No one, not Rachel, not Vilante, not the Attorney General or even the President is going to keep me from making sure you get home and get well."

"The doctors say I'm fine, you know."

"Doctors? They're probably all part of a vast plot to keep us apart." Kate suddenly frowned. "Do you think you should take a nap? Maybe you should just lie down?"

"If you'll lie down with me, Agent Beckett." He said putting his arms around her. "I'm feeling better and better already."

"No." She said determinedly. "I don't want to put too much of a strain on you."

"Do you have any idea what a strain being without you is?" He pulled her tighter.

"How about we just dance?"

"The horizontal mambo?"

"No, silly. Just like this." She began humming and moving her feet in time with the music. "See?"

The more they danced, the more aroused they became and in spite of all of Kate's good intentions, Castle got quite a work out that day.

2014

"Happy Mrs. Castle?"

She laughed as they danced together. "You have no idea. I've been dreaming of this day for years."

"Not as long as I have."

"Really, Castle? You expect me to believe that?"

"Don't be too sure. I was fascinated by you from the first day we met. When you walked up to me, showed me your badge and hauled me down to the precinct. By the next day, when I told you about your past, I was more than fascinated. I was entranced. From there it was just a short hop, skip and a jump to being in love with you."

"You were in lust with me, Castle. All you wanted was to get me into bed. I was in love with you long before you loved me."

"Oh, and when did you fall in love with me?"

Kate stopped dancing and looked away from Castle. "I don't really know. I spent so long trying to convince myself that we'd never work out, that you'd never love me the way I loved you, that I'm not sure when I finally gave in and admitted to myself that I did love you. I'm sorry, Castle."

"So, if you don't really know, you could have fallen in love with me the same day I fell in love with you, right?"

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

And so they danced on.

2015

"The Poe's Pen award? I'm just lucky you didn't get this back when you were insufferably cocky."

"I'm still insufferably cocky and with good reason. I not only have the Poe's Pen Award, but something far, far better. I have you."

"That sort of flattery will get you everyplace with me, Castle."

"I meant every word I meant up there tonight, Beckett. Until I met you I didn't have anything left to say. There was nothing I could write. I was done. And all of a sudden this mysterious, magical, enthralling woman came into my life and since then, everything in my life has changed for the better. I feel like I could write forever, and solve cases with you forever and I know I will love you forever."

"As I love you." Kate looked around. The awards dinner was over and everyone but Castle and his guests had left. "Dance with me, Castle."

"I'd love to."

2016

"Happy second anniversary, Mrs. Castle." Castle said, taking his wife into his arms and dancing through the loft.

"I promise you that all of our future anniversaries will be better than the first one." She whispered in his ear.

"I know."