Their dinner was an interesting affair. Rick found himself content to watch Kate, and she found herself remarkably happy with this arrangement. Usually, she would have felt terribly self conscious – but this was just kind of fun, for a while. Until she began to feel it... There was something different in their mood – the week had brought them together in so many ways, but the tension that started to sizzle across the table was hotter than Rick's curry.

Despite the chill outside, the air felt thick and humid. Rick rubbed the back if his neck, then wiped his hands on the table cloth. He hoped his palms would stop sweating before the dancing. Kate smiled through it, but she felt as though flames were licking her body. The sensation wasn't unpleasant – but the dress had been to drive Rick crazy, not her!

When the waiter finally arrived with the bill, there were too well disguised sighs of relief. Kate stood up, and Rick jumped out of his seat as though it had given him an electric shock. The dance was just across the square. Kate, eyes glowing, looked up at Rick. He linked his arm through hers, and she bit her lip. He was very ready to dance – they had been stuck in one place for far too long. They had shared a bottle of wine at dinner, both drinking in an attempt to take the edge off, but it hadn't made much of a difference. If anything, the thought that they might be drunk, even though they weren't, was just adding to their stress levels.

The dance wasn't big or fancy. They were easily the best dressed couple in the room. The band was good, though, and it was well attended. Rick led Kate to the floor, and she wished she'd chosen something to wear with a little more manoeuvrability. Oh well, it was too late now. She danced with him, and found that the music, accompanied with the concentration required to get her feet in the right places, helped her to relax considerably. She grinned at him – she knew he had found it calming as well.

Rick hadn't danced like this in years – but he had learned to in his younger days. He was surprised Kate was so good, but he shouldn't have been – he couldn't think of anything she wasn't good at. He twirled her around and flipped her back over his arm. The style was... they were just copying everyone else, but it reminded him of Dirty Dancing. He admired the way her hair fanned out when she spun, the way her legs looked in that dress... She pinged his braces at every available moment.

The song ended, and the band began something much slower. Rick wasn't sure if they should attempt it, what with the events at dinner, but Kate seemed game, so he tugged her into a tighter hold and began swaying with her to the music. She adjusted to the hold, and if her heart rate quickened, who was judging?

They danced to almost every song, taking just one break to get drinks. When the band announced that they were about to play the last song, though, the couple stared at each other with expressions of panic. They would have to go home. There wouldn't be anything to do... They had agreed to take things slowly, and not to be under the influence. They still had a lot of ground to cover...

The last song began to play. And no one could have put it better than Billy Joel.

A Matter Of Trust

Some love is just a lie of the heart

The cold remains of what began with a passionate start

And they may not want it to end

But it will it's just a question of when

I've lived long enough to have learned

The closer you get to the fire the more you get burned

But that won't happen to us

Because it's always been a matter of trust

I know you're an emotional girl

It took a lot for you to not lose your faith in this world

I can't offer you proof

But you're going to face a moment of truth

So break my heart of you must

It's a matter of trust

You can't go the distance

With too much resistance

I know you have doubts

But for God's sake don't shut me out

This time you've got nothing to lose

You can take it, you can leave it

Whatever you choose

I won't hold back anything

And I'll walk a way a fool or a king

Some love is just a lie of the mind

It's make believe until its only a matter of time

And some might have learned to adjust

But then it never was a matter of trust

I'm sure you're aware love

We've both had our share of

Believing too long

When the whole situation was wrong

Some love is just a lie of the soul

A constant battle for the ultimate state of control

After you've heard lie upon lie

There can hardly be a question of why

Some love is just a lie of the heart

The cold remains of what began with a passionate start

But that can't happen to us

Because it's always been a matter of trust

That just did it for Kate. It could have been Rick speaking. And she knew. She trusted him. She had to. And she was ready. She was kissing him before the end of the song, enthusiastically enough to draw the shocked attention of several elderly couples. Rick guided her out of the hall and into their car. Having come back to her senses, Kate sat right to one side of the back seat; Rick was on the other. She pressed her knees tight together, but she couldn't take her eyes off him; her tongue was practically hanging out. He was in a similar state.

She knew. Every situation she envisaged, every stupid thing he could possibly do, every stupid thing he had already done, every mistake he'd made, and every mistake he was going to make -

"None of it makes any difference," she said, almost startled by the revelation.

"What?"

"None of... Never mind."

"But I do mind."

"Billy just has a way of putting things, doesn't he?"

Rick laughed awkwardly. "You could say that."

Kate realised he might not have drawn the same thing from the song as she had. He didn't know. She had to tell him. She reached out and took his hand.

"I trust you, Rick. With everything."

"You do?"

He sounded like a kid at Christmas.

"I do. And I-"

He was kissing her before she could even get the damn words out. He'd done it on purpose – he didn't want the wine and the music to make her say it before she meant it. That she trusted him was enough. She didn't need to push herself.

But she wanted to. She gave him a shove, and pulled herself away.

"I was still speaking."

"I was letting you know you didn't have to."

"Why?"

"Because I know what you were about to say and you don't have to just because you know I want it, or because Billy said so. I don't mind if you wait until you're ready."

Kate laughed. "You're absurd. And absurdly sweet. But I'm a grown woman. And if I'm in love with a guy, I want the chance to tell him."

Rick took a deep breath, and Kate smiled, putting a finger over his lips. She leaned in, and whispered in his ear.

"I love you, Richard Castle. And I want you. Tonight."

She couldn't have held him back if she tried, after that.

With thanks to Billy Joel, for being awesome and amazing. I hope you enjoyed that. Just to warn you, this is not going to become M rated. Sorry. You can imagine what you want though. She wants him. And she has handcuffs under her pillow... Thanks for reading, please review, and do listen to the song if you get the chance! Loads of hugs and loveballs, Z xxx