Chapter 3: A Delicate Dance

As Castle and Kate ventured further into the generously appointed Grand Ballroom, they found themselves near the stage. Despite the sizeable space, the skilled lighting technicians had succeeded in creating the intimate feel of a relaxed and cozy jazz club. Even the music painted a romantic scene. Kate thought she recognized a familiar voice. Sitting at a spotlessly polished, black Steinway grand piano was the Grammy-winning Canadian jazz vocalist Diana Krall, accompanied simply by a guitarist, drummer, and bassist. Krall was mesmerizing the audience with her deep contralto voice singing sweet and romantic melodies reminiscent of a bygone era. Castle expectantly watched Kate's reaction with eager anticipation. Kate's jaw dropped when she realized to whom the lovely voice belonged. "I love her! Did…did you…kn…know? How did you…" Kate stumbled. Her reaction was just what Castle had hoped. Castle's only response was his trademark eyebrow wag. He couldn't conceal a triumphant smile. Questioning him was futile. Kate feigned an annoyed glare, but couldn't hide the contradictory smile that was trying to escape her pursed lips.

"Come on. There are a lot of people anxious to meet the inimitable Kate Beckett," Castle coaxed. Kate closed her eyes and took in a measured breath deeply through her nose and exhaled slowly through her mouth. She saw Castle's hand held out in front of her as she opened her eyes. Kate shyly took his hand with a weak smile and braved herself for the undertaking ahead. Castle was undeniably a master at working a room and he took Kate along for the ride. He thought he knew most of what there was to know about the inner-workings of Kate Beckett. What he didn't realize until tonight was that the normally confident Detective Beckett, the woman he has seen go head to head with the worst of the worst in New York, was a little bashful in a crowd. She fidgeted, blushed, and spent an exorbitant amount of time staring at the toes of her 4-inch Manolo Blahnik pumps. Just when he thought she couldn't be any more adorable, she throws something new at him. Kate's uneasiness was in stark contrast to Castle's audacity making them improbable, but natural complements to each other. As one might expect from a woman of Kate's fortitude, she rose to the occasion drawing courage from Castle's poise and self-assurance. They fell into a comfortable rhythm greeting New York's biggest luminaries, one after the other, until Kate thought she couldn't fake one more smile. As if right on cue, her father came to her rescue.

"Richard, would you mind if I borrowed my daughter for a quick dance?" Jim Beckett asked. Kate flashed a relieved smile at her father that didn't go unnoticed by Castle.

"Of course," Castle conceded with a nod.

Father and daughter took to the dance floor during an instrumental version of Unforgettable. This was familiar territory for the two of them. As a young girl, Kate had learned to dance to this song by standing on the tops of her father's feet while Johanna Beckett stood nearby shouting encouragement. A lot had changed since then. Kate was forced to learn the hard way how to stand on her own two feet. Jim was all too familiar with his shortcomings and the toll they had taken on his daughter. He accepted that fact that the harm had been done. He had made his "amends" with Katie years ago and she had forgiven him, but he knew the scars remained. Jim held out hope that he had finally met the person who could mitigate the damage the murder of his wife and his subsequent melt down had done to his daughter.

"So, Richard Castle?" Jim queried as they swayed to the music.

"What about him?" Kate coyly sidestepped.

"Well, he doesn't really fit the image they portray of him in the papers. Don't get me wrong. He's quite the charmer…but I…I don't know…I like him! Under that larger than life image, he seems…I don't know…genuine," Jim admitted.

"Daddy…"

"Katie," Jim interrupted. "I'm not suggesting anything. It's just that from where I'm standing, he could have any woman in this room, but he can't seem to take his eyes off of…you!" Jim nodded with amusement towards the man across the room that was trying unsuccessfully not to stare at them. Kate couldn't help but smile when her eyes met Castle's. Castle quickly averted his gaze in a vain attempt to protect his dignity. Kate and Jim looked at each other and laughed.

Kate suddenly became serious. "Dad. It's complicated. I've got a…"

"There's nothing complicated about the way you two look at each other, honey," Jim firmly interrupted. "It's the same way your mother and I looked at each other," he said with a hint of sadness and regret in his voice. Kate understood that her father wanted nothing more for his daughter than for her to have the chance to experience what he and her mother had experienced. Kate lovingly responded by holding her father a little closer. "He's a good man, Katie," Jim stated plainly.

Kate sought out Castle and their eyes met from across the room, "Yea Daddy. He is!"

Moments later, Castle tentatively approached Jim tapping him on the shoulder. "May I cut in, sir?" Castle asked. "The press is anxious to get some shots of Jameson Rook and Nikki Heat dancing," he feebly explained.

"She's all yours, son," Jim conceded with an encouraging smile.

Castle and Kate assumed a respectable dance posture for the awaiting paparazzi allowing them the promised photo-op. As the song played, they cautiously danced amidst the grating lights of dozens of flash bulbs. The photographers seemed to lose interest when one of the more infamous stars of The Real Housewives of New York made her grand entrance. At the same moment, the band began playing the classic Rosemary Clooney version of Why Shouldn't I.

All my life I've been so secluded

Love has eluded me

But from knowing second hand, what I'd do of it

I feel certain I could stand a closer view of it

Why Shouldn't I…

Without either of them realizing it, the formal dance posture they'd assumed for the cameras had slowly collapsed into one in which their bodies were intimately pressed together. They fell into a flawless rhythm, swaying to the tender song. Kate's cheek was nestled into the crook of Castle's neck with her chin resting on his shoulder, her eyes closed. The entirety of Castle's right arm was securely wrapped around the small of Kate's back and their joined hands were pulled in closely to Castle's chest, resting over his heart. The careful gap they had initially constructed for the cameras had disappeared and Kate could feel his breath caressing her ear as he softly hummed along to the gentle melody. She found it hypnotic and instinctively melted deeper into Castle's warmth. For a moment she forgot where she was and allowed her mind to give way to her heart.

As the song came to a regrettable end, Castle and Kate slowly disentangled their bodies. Their faces were only inches apart. They stared ardently at each other for what seemed like an eternity before realizing they had attracted an audience much worse than the paparazzi…their friends and family. The crew from the 12th made no attempt to mask their excitement at the partners growing closeness. Lanie and Esposito, Ryan and Jennie, Captain Montgomery and his wife, and Martha, Jim, and Alexis had gathered near the pair and were gawking expectantly. Castle let out a frustrated sigh knowing that despite their best intentions the good will of their friends and family would only serve to scare Kate…something he had been very careful to avoid over the last several months. He leaned in to whisper in Kate's ear. "I could use some air. You?" Castle asked offering an escape from the unwanted attention.

"Yes, please!" Kate responded.

"Meet you on the balcony in five?" Castle asked hopefully.

"Yea…sounds nice. In five…" Kate replied with an affectionate smile.

Kate retreated to where all ladies go to gather their thoughts and regain their composure…the lady's room. After applying a fresh coat of lipstick, she hesitated as she stared at herself in the mirror. Looking at her reflection she realized she was seeing herself for the first time in a long time…really seeing herself. Through Castle's eyes she was now able to see the side of herself that she had put away like an old doll you'd put in an attic chest and forget. You don't realize how much you've missed her until you finally pull her out and dust her off. She realized she did not want to lose her again, which meant she could not lose him. Maybe it was possible to reconcile the girl she thought she had lost with the woman she had become. The bathroom attendant noted her pensive mood. "You all right, Miss?" the attendant asked. "Never better!" Kate responded.

Castle retreated to where all men go to gather their thoughts and regain their composure…the bar. He signaled to the bartender who immediately recognized him. "Mr. Castle. What can I get for you?" the bartender inquired.

"Two glasses of your best champagne, Ernie," Castle requested. As the bartender returned with two flutes of the golden bubbly beverage, Esposito interrupted Castle in his revelry. "What's up bro? Where you going with that champagne?" Esposito asked teasingly with a pleased look on his face.

"Uh…Uh…nothing…nowhere. Just thirsty, I guess…love me some champagne, you know. Uh…what's up with you…b…bro? I…I…uh, I gotta go!" Castle stuttered as he made his way towards the balcony. Esposito smiled as he watched his friend march toward his future.

Kate managed to make her way to the balcony unnoticed. She spent her entire life in this city, but it always seemed to take her breath away when she least expected it. She leaned on the railing with her back to the door and stared mesmerized at the skyline waiting for Castle. She heard the doors open. A husky voice called her name, "Kate?" She slowly turned around.

"Josh! What are you doing here?" exclaimed Kate.