A/N: So I tried to write a chapter longer than 800-1000 words, this one's something around 2000 and it wasn't easy to write, but I managed, and that's probably why I'm a little bit late with this one. But the next's already half written, so it should be up by tomorrow, or Tuesday :)
Anyway, I hope you like it, reviews are always welcome ;) (and please tell me if you find grammar or spelling mistakes)
Have fun!
Disclaimer: It's too bad, but… Castle isn't mine.
"Oh, this plan's even better then I thought it would be." She pointed at the partners who were now dancing together. They moved smoothly in synchronization with each other in their own little bubble. "And I'm gonna request something slower in 15 minutes, good?"
"Good," the boys replied at the same time. All the three of them had a sneaky smile on their face. They should've done this earlier.
And the best has yet to come.
Now it had really started. Lanie'd said she'd request something slow, but she couldn't find any DJ or someone else who seemed to do the music. iTunes playlist, she figured. This would be harder than she had anticipated. Well, it was for the greater good. Castle and Beckett were still dancing, so now would be a good moment to sneek into his office and edit that damn playlist.
But there was one problem: how would she get into Castle's office without anyone noticing? Maybe she could ask Castle's daughter or mother for help, but what if they'd say no? No, she had to keep it between her, Esposito and Ryan.
"Okay guys, change of plan. I'm gonna have to sneak into the office and his computer to put up this song. Keep your eyes open and give me a sign if someone comes in, okay?"
Ryan and Esposito looked at each other in agreement before they nodded. "Sure."
Lanie had never been in Castle's office before, and tried to see something in the darkness as turning on the lights would draw too much attention. The room was big and his desk stood right in the middle. The walls seemed to be covered in bookcases filled with books she couldn't read the titles from in this darkness. On the wall behind his desk she saw some weird spiral pattern, and narrowed her eyes to see what it was. Against that same wall also stood a drawer with some pictures on it. More details that she wanted to inspect but couldn't see. Why didn't she bring along a flashlight? The little bit of light that came trough the open door was barely enough to make out the stuff on his desk, but she didn't see his computer. Damnit. And just as she wanted to step closer to take a better look, she heard a voice behind her: "What are you doing in here?"
Castle admitted he had hoped Kate would attend his party, maybe even wear something sexy. But he hadn't thought she'd actually do it. They were dancing now, and he couldn't keep his eyes away from her. She looked relaxed, careless, off cop-modus. She was beautiful. And hot. It wasn't like they talked much, and that also wasn't necessary, but sometimes he couldn't stop himself from giving comments about others:
"Lanie as Cher, why am I not surprised?"
"See that man? I give him a compliment about his costume, and know what he says? 'What costume?'! I thought he was dressed as a crow, but the nose is real, believe it or not."
"Ryan and Jenny almost deserve an award for cutest Halloween-couple, but I can't do that to him. Said Esposito."
"He's a bit early," pointing to a Santa Claus.
"Alexis used to go as Hermione when she was little. Didn't think Karpowski would go as her too..."
Then they laughed sneakily, hoping the subject of their amusement wouldn't be noticed.
Beckett couldn't pinpoint why, but she felt happy at this moment. Maybe it was because she was dancing with Castle, laughing together with him, forgetting the stress and worries for a while. She let herself go into the music, swinging on the rhythm together with Castle. Neither of them noticed the looks they got from others, the whispers, didn't feel it when they bumped into someone else, too lost in each others eyes. When they'd just started moving, it was tentative: not too close, dancing careful with small and mindful movements. Now, she didn't know how much later, they didn't care anymore. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, he was that close, and she didn't mind at all. She enjoyed it. She was happy.
Lanie jumped up and yelped. "Oh God, I'm, uh, I..." she stammered. There, in the doorway, stood Martha Rodgers with a Bloody Mary in her hands watching Lanie intensely with a little smile on her lips.
"I remember you from my son's last party, you're, oh wait, let me think, Lanie Parry? The ME?"
"Actually, it's Parish, but yeah that's me," she smiled shyly.
"Oh well, it's late already and I've already gotten some of these," she raised her glass a little bit, "but I do remember you're nice. So I assume you're not here to steal anything, so-"
Lanie cut her off before she would be too embarrassed to say anything more. "Music," she said, "I wanted to change the music."
"Why? Everyone seems to enjoy it."
"Well, it's sorta complicated, and though we'd like to tell you, we aren't really sure you'll like it."
"We?" And at that moment, Esposito and Ryan finally came in.
"Guys, what did I tell you?" Oops, angry Lanie is not good.
Her eyes switched from Martha to them. They seemed no notice Martha only now.
"Ummm" For once, the boys didn't know what to say.
"Not important," Martha interrupted, "but I'd like to know what you kiddos are up to. Does this have to do with Richard?"
Lanie did the talking, shutting the boys out. They should've known better.
"Well, since it's Halloween and Kate's here we wanted to..."
"-take advantage of it-" Ryan. So far for shutting them out.
"And give them a good time." Lanie added.
"And open their eyes." Esposito ended the sentence. The three pair of eyes looked at Martha questioning, hoping she'd understand what they wanted to do, but she'd need a little more.
"You know you son and Kate are..."
"Blind? Yes, I see it every day. Too bad, she's a beautiful creature and more important for Richard than she realizes."
"And we are convinced that we have to open her eyes and that she could use some help. Or slow music." Lanie's eyes glimmered and she couldn't hide the grin on her face, and neither could the boys.
"Honey, why didn't you ask? Give me the CD, I'll put it in the stereo. Any more things I can help with?"
Both their arms were swinging in the air when the music slowed down. Their movements froze, not really knowing what to do. They lowered their arms and looked around to see people starting to shuffle. Their eyes locked hesitantly.
"May I have this dance, Kate?" He held out his hand, hoping for acceptance.
"Yes you may, Rick," she whispered and put the stress on his first name. She never called him 'Rick' but he loved how it sounded from her lips.
Her small hand took his, and he pulled her closer, wrapping his hand cautiously around her waist. When she put her free hand carefully around his neck, he pulled her a little bit closer, their others hands still clasped together. He felt his heart beating faster as her cheek brushed his. She quickly pulled back and put her head on his shoulder. She was so soft and their movements were light and fluently.
"Seal, I love his songs. Your choice?" she asked on a soft tone, her breath hot against his skin. And then in occurred to him. My choice?
"Um.. No, and actually I didn't put in the playlist. Alexis maybe." But the song makes sense, he thought.
Rely on me to supply
Your needs from now on
Shelter you and be
A pillow to lean on
For in your eyes, I see
What I was born to ne
And now, now my life can begin
For I am your man
Oh, yes, I am, yes, I am
I'm your man
Listen, darlin
There's no sacrifice great or small
I wouldn't do
My ambition is
Bringing happiness to you
And if troubles comes our way
I'm gonna promise to stay
Right by your side
'Cause that's where I wanna stay
For I am your man
Oh, yes, I am, little darling
Little darling, I'm your man
My childish days are through
I wanna be someone you can look up to
Someone who can protect, oh
Someone who you can respect
I'm just trying to make myself worthy
Of the precious, precious love
I know you've been giving me
They were silent again, shuffling and for a moment Kate buried her head in his shoulders and shut her eyes to enjoy the moment. When she looked up again she caught sight of Lanie. Lanie.
"Lanie."
"Hm?"
"Or Lanie. She's watching us, and Alexis isn't dancing so I don't think she has anything to do with this."
"Lanie's watching us?" He almost pulled away to give Kate the space he thought she wanted, but she stopped his movements. Strange, when someone saw them too close, she always pulled away.
"No. Stay. She'll get payback." He heard the grin in her voice, but also the need. She wanted him close.
"Okay," and he pulled her even closer than before, "but let's turn around a little, I wanna see where she stands." They made a half twirl, and he saw Lanie next to his mother. They seemed to be sharing some joke. "Mother" he groaned.
"Your mother? What's with her?"
"She and Lanie are laughing. I bet she has something to do with it. Double revenge, definitely." They both laughed and met each others eyes. Beckett loved to see the wrinkles around his eyes when he laughed. He loved it to hear her laugh, the honest laugh she kept for only few people on moments when she was far away from murder and mayhem. The smiles disappeared slowly and faces grew seriously. They stood still and their bodies were pressed against each other. Everything around them became a haze while their lips parted slightly and came closer and closer.
I want nothing more for myself
Your love is greatest wealth
And when you take my hand
And when you take my hand
You will proudly say
Oh, this is my man
Oh, yes, I am, little darling
Little darling, I'm your man
Oh, ooh, ooh, baby, baby
Yeah, hoo, I'm your man
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Ooh, baby, baby
PS: The song's called 'I Am Your Man' from Seal
