Authors Note: Ok, so this would not let me alone. (too much time listening to Lady Gaga on my drive home without hubby for a few days) So, let me know if I should continue or not, cuz I have a feeling I'm gonna go OOC... Yeah...maybe even M?

His head was pounding…how had he ever done this sort of thing? He had aged...he decided with a groan. He was never going to allow his agent to talk him into "entertaining" the L.A. representatives for the Heat Wave movie again. This had not been on his agenda first thing back from his book writing hiatus. The L.A. rep was a young smooth talking man; that he instantly disliked. Paula, however, wanted nothing more than to keep him happy and the movie deal on a solid foundation.

The music pulsed around him and he barely heard Paula, his agent, tell him that she and the young rep were going to go dance. He half smiled and nodded, hoping that he had actually heard what she said.

Rick Castle leaned back against the railing behind his chair and casually scanned the throng of dancers.

His eye was caught by a tall brunette wearing a short black dress that was halter tied and exposed a sleek back. He allowed his eyes to wander over her while she danced, and he was male enough to enjoy the flawless grace and abandon with which she moved. Smiling appreciatively he started to get up to go for another drink; or maybe sneak out. The smile froze on his face when the woman spun around several times. Beckett.

Immediately he began checking the nearby dancers for Demming. He was half relieved when he didn't see him, but didn't doubt the man was somewhere close. It was the last thing he wanted to see…Beckett and Demming together on the dance floor. Demming touching her… Gritting his teeth, he got up and moved quickly to the small staircase; wanting nothing more than to escape the music, his agent, the rep, and her.

Unfortunately, he collided with another woman on the stairs. As he began apologizing, he could hear her say his name, so he paused to really look at her: Madison! Beckett's high school friend….just great.

Her bright blue eyes were wide with astonishment and eager excitement. He flinched away from her as she leaned into him. He sighed with relief when he realized she was only moving in close so she could be heard over the blaring music.

"Hey there! Last place I expected to see you! Becks is here. You here with someone?"

He plastered a smile on his face and responded "Just here on movie business… was just going to sneak out and leave my agent to entertain… Say hello to Beckett and Demming." There, he thought, that should allow him a tidy escape. Blue eyes blinked at him in confusion; then she frowned in puzzlement.

"Demming?"

Barely concealing a scowl he nodded "Yeah, tall guy, robbery detective…"

When she still stared at him as though he'd grown an extra head, he finished "You know, the 'boyfriend'?"

Her brow suddenly smoothed and she smiled wickedly. "Oh…him…or rather not him."

Castle was the one sporting a puzzled frown. He really needed to leave this place; the decibel level was going to kill him; and he must be missing key points to this conversation.

Madison leaned into him again "So…where is your ex? She come out with you and your agent?"

If anything, his frown deepened. Gina?... or Meredith? "Neither of my ex-wives are here. Why would they be?"

Madison pulled back and made a face at him. "Oh puhleeze! Rick, you went to the Hamptons with her over the summer…."

"As friends and as my publisher/editor…I needed to finish the book…and Beckett… Well Beckett had other things going on."

Madison regarded him silently for a minute; then pointed behind him towards the dance floor. "You should go dance with her… Mr. Robbery hasn't been around since you left for the summer."

Castle paused. Did he hear her correctly over the noise? Demming had not been around since…since when?

He wasn't aware that he had spoken aloud until she reaffirmed "Yep, not since just before you left with your ex wife." When he just stood staring at her, she grabbed his arm and spun him around giving him a small push. He was moving towards the floor before what she said actually clicked in his mind.

Kate Beckett was not with Tom Demming… had not been with Tom Demming, Mr. tall dark and robbery, since before? Before he had left. Did he really hear that? That meant…

Castle's heart started pounding in his chest.

Pushing past the multitudes on the floor he finally saw her again. Her back was still towards him and he allowed himself the luxury of watching her for a moment. She was exquisite. Extraordinary.

He pulled himself together and gently reached out, grasping her arm to turn her around. Fortunately, he knew her well enough to step sideways as she spun thus avoiding the jab of her other arm. She froze. Her jaw had dropped open and whatever scathing words she had been about to say also froze.

It was just too much. Wide dark green eyes; hair curled and scattered; dress clinging oh so nicely; it was just too much. Castle cupped her face, stepped into her space, bent and claimed her mouth with his.