This chapter was originally part of Chapter 6 before I split it, so it picks up only seconds after Chapter 6 ended.

Also, in this chapter, I've included 2 songs. Normally I'm not a fan of adding song lyrics to stories, but this time, I felt it worked so well that I couldn't leave them out. You see I'm kinda anal when it comes to details. In previous chapters when I've described things like Kate's dress, the hurricane lamps, cakes etc... I've looked online for actual pics of the things I liked so I could describe them to you. So when I got to the point in the story where music came into play, I didn't just throw a couple songs I liked into it, I poured through our i-tunes and researched the lyrics to find just what I wanted. If you aren't familiar with these songs and would like to hear them for yourselves, you can find the first song on the original Shrek soundtrack. The second song is from "The Cream of Clapton" cd. There was also a nod to the song in last week's episode. Maybe this is a bit too far, but I'll even admit to the fact that I made a play list with all the song mentioned in this story, in order, and listened to them as I proof read the story, to get the entire feel of it. OCD much?

Also this was the first chapter that I've done any editing in from the original. I just changed a couple words to tone it down a notch, nothing big, but wanted to be clear about it!

OK, so without more of my babbling, I give you chapter 7 of a story about characters I don't own, dancing to songs I don't own!

Chapter 7

Thankfully by the times they sat back down, the Best Man and Matron of honor were making their toasts and then the wait staff was loading the tables with soup, salads, salad dressing and rolls. Their friends all chose to distract themselves with the delicious food, and random small talk instead of commenting on what they witnessed. Even Castle who was wearing the garter on his arm, was wise enough to let the whole thing go.

About half way through her salad Kate began to relax. She was probably overreacting. The romantic atmosphere was undoubtedly distorting the facts. It was not unlike Castle to tease her mercilessly. He probably made sure he got the garter just to counter my uneasiness over catching the bouquet; to try to show me how fun traditions can be. That has to be it!

Kate carefully studied him out the corner of her eye, looking for anything different in his tone or mannerisms. Nothing. Just as charming and funny as usual. Maybe he hasn't changed. Maybe I have.

As the soup and salad plates were cleared, bottles of wine were brought to each table, in preparation for the main course. Seeing this as a way to deal with her stunning realization. Kate easily finished off the wine in her glass and poured herself a new one.

Platters of beef tenderloin, chicken parmesan, and grilled salmon were placed on every table, along with bowls of pasta, steamed veggies, and roasted potatoes.

"Mmmmm that smells good," exclaimed Esposito.

"And it certainly does look delicious too." replied Connie Montgomery.

Castle served himself small portions from each vessel before passing them on to Kate. More than once their hands touched, sending little charges of electricity up Kate's arm. It took every ounce of self control that she could muster not to jump every time their hands met. Before long though, the serving bowls came to a rest and conversation died away because everyone was enjoying the food too much to speak.

"I love family style dinners at weddings," Rick said, breaking the comfortable silence. "I just feel like they add to the family and community feeling surrounding the couple."

Captain Montgomery agreed. "I never thought of it that way before, but you're right. It does make it seem more like a big Thanksgiving meal with your loved ones, rather than a stuffy formal occasion."

Several more minutes were spent discussing meals people had had at other weddings, until Connie's cell phone started to ring. She looked embarrassed, and apologized for the disruption before answering.

"Hello?" She paused for a while as she listened to the caller. "Yeah, I can do that." Another pause. "When?" She nodded to herself. "Ok, well I'll be there as soon as possible. Hey, one more thing, has Angie Porter come back in?" She was quiet while the person on the other end of the line looked for something. "Really? That's wonderful. Ok I'll see you soon."

Connie hung up and turned to Roy, but addressed the entire table. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut this evening short. That was the hospital. Due to the storm, they are going to be locking down soon, meaning no one will be able to leave until further notice. So they are calling in the next shift to get there now if they can. But the good news is, the Porters were readmitted this morning and now have a lovely 7 pound, 4 ounce daughter named Lyla. Mom and baby are doing great."

"I'm sorry you have to leave, but it's good news to hear about the new baby." Lanie said.

The Montgomerys pushed back their chairs to leave, but Connie attempted to stop her husband. "Roy, you don't need to leave because of me. I'll call a cab."

"No, don't worry about it. If it is bad enough out there that they are closing the hospital, I'll head into the station. They're bound to need some extra help. I'll drop you off on my way."

"Maybe I should go in too." Kate thought aloud.

Roy immediately slipped into the roll of boss and firmly shot that idea down. "No, you and your team are off this weekend. I don't want to see any of you before Monday morning. Stay here and enjoy yourselves, and that's an order, Detective."

With that clear, the couple said their good byes and headed out.

"In a few minutes," Kurt the emcee spoke to the crowd, "Cake and coffee will be served, but right now we have some very important dances to get to. So, without further ado, please direct your attention to the dance floor for Kevin and Jenny's first dance."

The newly weds stepped out onto the floor and held each other as if there was no one else in the world. Eric Martin's song "I Love The Way You Love Me" serenaded them as they danced. Their mutual love shown around them like an aura.

Kate could feel Rick's gaze on her so profoundly that it was almost a caress, therefore she kept her eyes glued on the happy couple in front of them. She would not look into those blue depths. Not now, not here. She knew if she did, she might just fall under his spell, and she wasn't ready for that. Coming to terms with these feelings within her was not easy. She needed another drink.

After the first dance, there was a dance for Jenny and her dad, and then one for Kevin and his mom. During these songs, Lanie moved into Javier's embrace, Rick moved his chair as close to Kate as he could get without her resisting, and Kate finished her third glass of wine.

Near the end of the third song, waiters delivered huge slices of vanilla cake filled with a chocolate hazelnut cream. Kate had just taken her first bite when the emcee's voice began again.

"We have one more reserved dance, before we open the floor up to everyone. For this one, the Ryans would like to invite the bridal party and the recipients of the bouquet and garter toss to join them."

Kate choked. Rick patted her back. Lanie and Esposito headed out hand in hand to join the others.

Castle whispered , "Come on Beckett, you're my date, it's not like you weren't going to dance with me anyway."

Realizing the truth in his words, she nodded and stood, taking his offered hand. Once the music of Dana Glover's "It Is You" began, he opened his arms to her, and after only a brief pause, she stepped into him and placed her hands on his broad shoulders. Not satisfied with the distance between them, he took a firm grasp of her narrow hips and pulled her gently to him. Surprising both of them, she didn't evade his advance but instead pressed her body against him and laid her head on his shoulder.

Rick kept one hand snug on her lower back and raised the other one to the soft bare skin between her shoulder blades.

Rick and Kate allowed themselves this moment and just absorbed each others presence. They never even noticed the smug and slightly shocked looks that their friends and co-workers shared.

The music and the words worked their magic as they swayed as one.

"There is something that I see
In the way you look at me
There's a smile, there's a truth in your eyes

But an unexpected way
On this unexpected day
Could it mean this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along

It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved all along

There were times I ran to hide
Afraid to show the other side
Alone in the night without you

But now I know just who you are
And I know you hold my heart
Finally this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along

It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved all along

Over and over
I'm filled with emotion
Your love, it rushes through my veins

And I am filled
With the sweetest devotion
As I, I look into your perfect face

It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved
It is you I have loved
It is you I have loved all along"

When that song ended, another one started. This one was the Beatles song "Something". Many people had already begun to leave, but of those who stayed, many found their way to the floor to dance. Castle expected Kate to dash from his arms back to the safety of the table or bathroom or somewhere, but she stayed. She didn't even try to put any distance between them. They stayed that way for two more slow romantic songs before a faster one was played, but even then Kate didn't leave him. They laughed danced and sang along to fun songs like Black Eyed Pea's "I Gotta Feeling", Jay Z's "Empire State of Mind" and Pink's "So What".

Eventually they decided to grab some more drinks and go back to their cake that had been long forgotten. When they returned to their table Rick shed his jacket and Kate removed her shoes.

"That's better. My feet are going to hate me tomorrow."

"I was surprised how well you can dance in those bad boys. You've got some pretty fly moves."

"Speaking of surprised, you really wowed me with your rapping abilities. Should I start calling you "C-Diddy?"

"Oh Kate, if you were impressed with that, you should hear me sing 'Get On The Floor'."

"I'm sure it's a sight to behold! Do you wear a lot of bling and have your pants hanging off you ass when you sing it too?

"No. I don't wear pants when I sing that. That's strictly a boxers only song."

"In that case, I can't wait!"

Rick rewarded her with a wicked grin but also noticed that Kate's vodka cranberry drink was already half empty. She rarely let herself go, and he wasn't going to stop her, but maybe he'd make sure he brought her a glass of water next time. He didn't want her to later regret opening up to him .

While they were eating their cake, Lanie and Esposito joined them.

"I hear the roads are getting pretty bad out there. How long are you staying?" Javier asked Castle.

"I think we'll just stay until the party is over. I have a couple rooms reserved in case we can't get out, but Beckett's sure we'll be fine. What about you guys?"

"We've got a room. We even stayed here last night. So we can party all night!"

Soon they were all back on the floor, dancing to a Rihanna song. Lanie and Javier were in their own intimate little world almost immediately. And much to Rick's pleasant surprise it didn't take long before Kate turned around and began grinding herself on Rick's front. He couldn't control how his body responded but didn't want to embarrass her so he took a step back. With their bodies no longer touching, she turned toward him again, and again closed the space between them.

"Where do you think you're going, writer boy?" She stepped even closer, her eyes locked with his, arms stretched above her head, the front of her chest occasionally rubbing against his.

"Kate do you know what you're doing to me right now?" He growled quietly.

She placed her hands on the back oh his hips and drew him to her. "I have a pretty good idea."

"Is this what you want?"

"Would I still be here if it wasn't?"

Castle didn't need an engraved invitation to know what to do. He placed his hands on her hips and held her to him as they moved. When she turned in his arms again he moved one hand to her abdomen and slid the other hand down the side of her body letting it rest on upper thigh. Through the delicate fabric of Kate's dress, Rick felt the ridge of what he assumed was a garter belt.

"Do you have a gun strapped to your thigh Detective?"

"I bet you'd love to find that out, wouldn't you?"

Song after song played. They allowed the music to be their excuse as they explored this new aspect of their relationship. No matter the song, the moved together as one, like lovers do.

This turn in events did not go unnoticed by Lanie and Javier who swayed together not five feet from the distracted couple.

"I've got twenty bucks that says they end up sleeping together tonight" Lanie told him.

"I've got twenty bucks that says she sobers up before it gets that far, and Castle gets shot."

Kevin and Jenny couldn't help overhearing their conversation from where they were.

"I've got my money on Beckett hand cuffing him to a bed and then leaving him there." Ryan said.

"I don't know," Jenny replied. "This is so new to them, but we've all known it was coming. And the feelings behind it are real. I don't think they'll sleep together, but I also doubt they'll have the strength to leave each other tonight either."

"Oh baby, you're so romantic." Kevin whispered as he nuzzled her ear. "When can we ditch the party and go up to our suite? I'm tired of sharing you."

Jenny giggled softly as they danced away.

The DJ announced the final song of the night and on behalf of the Ryan's, thanked the few remaining guests for coming.

When the opening strains of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" started to play, Rick hugged Kate so tightly to him, that they could hardly breathe. He rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, just content to be together.

Secretly Kate had to admit to herself that she loved this. She enjoyed they way his back felt below her hands, the way his hair brushed the skin on her face, and the way their bodies fit together. She loved the smell of his cologne and even the sound of his voice when he began to softly sing the words of the song to her.

"It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."