Hi, I'm still fairly new to writing fics and figuring out how to post here. I love stories about other ways our beloved duo could have gotten together and always felt ripped off that we didn't get to see them at more of Ryan's wedding. Sorry if you are sick of wedding fics but read on if you love them too! I truly hope you enjoy it. I think it will be a two-shot.

Disclaimer: These are not my characters, only my own fictional story. Sorry for any errors, I have proofed as well as I could!

"Come on Beckett," Castle said with a drawn out whine as he rose from his chair. "You have avoided this long enough. It's time for me to show you my moves," he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows and smile that lit up his sapphire eyes.

"I wasn't avoiding you Castle, I was finishing my dinner. Anyways I don't think you'll be able to handle my moves." she flirted back.

"Challenge accepted. You forget I have a Broadway actress as a mother. I spent too much of my youth backstage learning the choreography from all her plays. I can dance circles around you," he affirmed offering his hand to help her up from her chair. A true gentleman despite his playfulness.

He wiggled his hips side to side exaggeratedly as he walked backwards holding her hand and guiding her to the dance floor. She smiled at how carefree and silly he was. And wow, he sure does clean up nice, she noticed watching his body move.

They were having a great time together at Ryan and Jenny's wedding. When Alexis canceled as his date, Beckett suggested they be each other's plus one. He couldn't have been happier with the turn of events. She was slightly worried and ok maybe even jealous upon hearing the great qualities of the date he planned to bring to the wedding, until he revealed it was Alexis. It warmed her heart a little more each time she saw the way he adored his daughter.

On the dance floor he showed off in true Castle style, to the fast rhythm coming from the DJ's latest choice. There was salsa, which he was quite good at, hip hop, and a few songs they'd never heard before. Through them all though, he kept her close, rarely releasing her hand as they danced to the varying beats.

"Keep up Beckett," he teasingly chided her as he spun her out of his arms yet again. "OK, Castle I concede! You are a better dancer than me," she gasped. The dancing had turned into quite the workout, which she could handle, but he had the footwork down to a level that far surpassed hers. "Man, I'm going to need a drink soon," she shouted over the loud music. "Yes, the dance master wins another round!" He boasted as he twirled her in and out of his arms another time and threw her back in a dip that had them both laughing.

"Come on, over here," he said guiding her to a bar top table. "I'll go get us some drinks. Rest up, though because there's more dancing to be had!" He said walking away to get refreshments.

The dance floor was still full. Ryan's Irish family turned out to be a rowdy, fun-loving group which helped the atmosphere remain light and full of laughter. The ring bearer and flower girl ran in between the couples dancing in search of cake and many of bridesmaids and groomsmen had indeed paired up together.

Beckett spotted Lanie and Esposito quite cozy on the dance floor. Despite their worry over the need to each bring a date to the wedding, the two apparently ended up together anyway. There always seemed to be an attraction they were powerless against. She wondered why they kept on denying it. It was so obvious to everyone around that they wanted to be together.

Lanie caught her eye, smiled and came over to her.

"Hey girl, I see you've been heating up the dance floor with your writer boy tonight. Will you two be heating up the bedroom later?" She teased. She could always count on Lanie, to call things as she saw them.

"Lanie!" she said with exasperation, looking around to see if anyone had heard her, "you know we are just friends."

"Come on Kate, you two were looking more than friendly on the dance floor tonight. He hasn't taken his hands off of you all night. I'm surprised he has left you alone here for this long," she said.

"That is not true," Beckett countered but it made her pause and consider what Lanie had said. "Not to mention the way you two always are together, finishing each other's sentences, the way you look at each other, it's… I mean, we can all see you want to be together. Half the precinct thinks you've already hooked up."

That got a squint of her eyes and a scoff of denial from Kate. After a moment of reflection she shared,"I just don't want to mess this up. So maybe I do have feelings for him, OK?" she finally confessed. "But Lanie, after you, he is my best friend. He is an unorthodox partner, a non-paperwork doing partner," she added, "but he is mine and we make a great team. What if it doesn't work? What if I ruin this like I seem to ruin all my relationships?"

"You'll never know if you don't try. Kate," she continued, "you two have been literally dancing around each other for years. You are finally both unattached. Maybe he's not your forever person, but if you don't find out soon, you might lose your chance. You could be missing out on something great. How long are you going to put off finding out?" Beckett pondered this as her friend continued, "He's changed since he met you, and I would bet he has changed because of you and for you. I think he's just too worried how you'll react to risk making the first move."

This conversation closely mirrored an internal one she'd had more than once in the last few weeks. "If I didn't know better I'd say he sent you over here to intercede on his behalf," she said with a smirk. Lanie shared, "you know I'm only saying this because I care about you girl. You deserve to be happy for a change."

"I'll think about it Lanie," she said quickly as her eyes met Castle's as he emerged from the crowd with their drinks. "Think about what?" Castle said as he leaned in beside her. "Oh, nothing, just girl talk," she replied trying not to give away that he had been the topic of their conversation. "Nice dance moves out there, Castle," Lanie said. "Keeping Kate on her toes I see," she couldn't help but try and push them in the right direction. "You two look good out there together." "Thanks, Lanie," Castle replied with a little suspicion. Kate glared at her friend as she quickly excused herself to find Javier.

"Can I just say that I am so glad you are my plus one," he said addressing Kate. "The single women at the bar basically attacked me when they saw me coming. I thought you were going to have to call in the swat team to extract me. Jenny's sorority sisters are something else!" He continued with "I'll have you know that my butt was groped for your drink Beckett," he said with a slight twinkle in his eye. "Oh, you poor thing, however will you recover?" she bantered back at him, full of sass. "Well, you drink up because you are going to make it up to me on the dance floor. Your plus one duties continue," he said.

He stopped with his glass mid-air to watch her. Appraising her lips and delicate neck as she swallowed the rest of her drink. She caught him staring; he didn't look away and her heart sped up. In an attempt to distract from it, she took his hand and said, "Let's go." He downed his drink and let her lead him out to dance. He followed close behind her, very close. His chest brushed up against her back as she walked and it did nothing to slow her heart.

Once again on the dance floor his eyes held her gaze as Michael Buble's song "Everything" filled the air. His playfulness had returned and he smiled and spun her into him again. She couldn't help but notice the song was sweet and upbeat and apparently one that Castle knew. She wondered if it was by his choice or Alexis' that he knew the words. He sang to her a few lines as they swayed, comfortable with each other.

"You're a falling star, you're the getaway car

You're the line in the sand when I go too far," he sang with a laugh that she reciprocated. He should sing more often, she thought, enjoying the fullness of his voice. The voice that made her more aware of her body's response to him. Especially tonight.

"And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute

When you smile at me you know exactly what you do

Baby, don't pretend that you don't know it's true

Cause you can see it when I look at you," he continued and her eyes were glued to his.

He continued with the line that soon followed, making sure he had her full attention.

"You're every line, you're every word, you're everything."

"Every line, every word, you're everything," echoed in her ears. Coming from a writer, her writer, the meaning was not lost on her.

As the song continued she reflected on him, their relationship, where they were headed. All the reasons she had cryptically told him existed that day on the swings seemed so far away now. Meeting with Dr. Burke these last months had helped her deal with the trauma from the shooting and she learned to control the symptoms of having PTSD. The things she was healing from were real, but Castle had dealt with trauma too. He watched the woman he loves almost die in that ambulance.

Castle was nothing but supportive, patient and self-sacrificing for her. Maybe she needed to let him in and give herself to him. Maybe they could give each other what they needed. Is this why her relationships never lasted? She didn't let them in and didn't give enough of herself? She would risk her life for him, just as he had proven he would for her. She cares for him so much, and is maybe even in love with him. Love. She has to tell him that she remembers. She remembers everything from the shooting. I hope he will understand, she thought.

Being here in his arms, laughing with him she saw their situation with new eyes. New hope grew inside of her that they could figure things out together. They could solve her mom's case together as partners and as a couple. They were already working to solve it together. Why not go all in?

The DJ announced that he would be slowing things down and beautiful piano music filled their ears. Suddenly feeling exposed and flustered at her internal trail of thought she started to backpedal and she said, "Maybe we should get some cake?"

"One more Kate? Please?" he asked with a tone that was gentle and that matched the softer music. Playful Castle was gone and she felt him gaze at her intensely. Did he know she was suddenly nervous? Was he nervous too? Could he tell that she had been thinking of him, of them? Or was she effective at hiding the flutters she now felt in her stomach?

Despite her nerves, she nodded in agreement to the dance. Give it a chance Kate, this could be great. Dive in with him, she thought. Her self-talk did nothing though to stop her pulse from drumming through her veins.

Several guests took the romantic music as an opportunity to step aside and sit or get a drink. Kate glanced over his shoulder and saw the bride and groom wore matching infectious smiles. Love radiated off of their faces. Ryan looked at Jenny with such adoration. Kate could feel something tug at her heart seeing them so happy together.

The lights appeared to dim and she felt Castle's full attention on her. It was as if there was no one else on the dance floor. Castle put an arm around her waist and she brought one of hers to rest on his shoulder. He reached for her other hand to hold in his. Looking deep into her eyes, he pulled her closer to him. A classic, "To Make You Feel My Love" redone by Adele filled the air. Adele, she thought, of course it was. It seemed even the DJ was conspiring to get them together.

When the rain is blowing in your face

And the whole world is on your case

I could offer you a warm embrace

To make you feel my love

She could feel his heartbeat speed up within his chest as they swayed together. She wondered if her own pulse betrayed her facade to him. But then, did she want conceal her feelings any longer? Kate was still not sure she wouldn't mess this up, but now, in his embrace, it felt so right.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear

And there is no one there to dry your tears

I could hold you for a million years

To make you feel my love

As they moved in harmony, Castle splayed his hand wide on her back and tenderly rubbed his thumb side to side. Kate took her hand out of his and a momentary flash of uncertainty shone on his face. It quickly turned to awe as she moved it to join her other hand around his neck. She pulled him closer and willed his body to be flush with hers. Hips touching and feet intermingled on the dance floor. He drew in a deep breath. Then he wrapped his abandoned hand around her side to meet his other in the soft curve at bottom of her spine.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet

But I would never do you wrong

I've known it from the moment that we met

No doubt in my mind where you belong

As violin music filled their senses, she toyed with the soft hairs at the bottom of his neck. He let out a soft moan and bent down slightly to bring his cheek to meet hers. She nuzzled gently against him, felt the start of stubble forming and found herself breathing him in. He smelled of the perfect mix of cologne and coffee. It was so him.

"Kate…" he let fall from his lips, nearly breathless as the song continued. She closed her eyes and enjoyed his presence. No one and nothing else crossed her mind.

I could make you happy

Make your dreams come true

Nothing that I wouldn't do

Go to the ends

Of the Earth for you

To make you feel my love

As the song wound down, she stayed close, but leaned her head back just enough for her eyes to take in his face, his dark hair. She took in his big, deep blue eyes, and noticed their sincere appraisal of hers. His hands began to slowly stroke up and down her back. She could tell he didn't want to part from her.

Finally deciding what she wanted she moved one hand lower to caress his jaw. She glanced to his lips before lifting up on her toes to brush her mouth against his. If he knew the kiss was coming he didn't let on. Castle was still, as if in shock. It only lasted a moment before she pulled back and spoke, her eyes closed as if to gather strength. "Rick, do you want this? Me, do you want this with me?" she asked in an uncharacteristically shy voice.