19. We Watch The Stars(1)

"Okay," Skye said, stepping out from behind the screen. "The band is ready."

"Wow," Beckett said with a smile.

"She's right put a mustache on you and you're Freddie Mercury," Mary said. "What?" she said when the other two women in the room looked at her. "I mean that as a compliment grá."

"I know," Skye said, smiling at her lovingly. She then said, "I just hope that his fans will be okay with this."

"Including you," Beckett pointed out to her.

"And you," Mary said.

"I think we all are," Skye said with a laugh. "We'd best go," she then told them. "Nearly time."

"To dance," Beckett said simply. When her friend smiled at her she sighed exaggeratedly and said, "I need to see my daughter before I get out of here." Following the two women out into the hall she smiled at a few of the crew members on the show, not surprised when they were brief in their nods to her as it was just before the show was going to begin filming. She studied Skye and Mary in front of her, the former wearing a white military style jacket like the late singer from Queen had worn in yellow. She and the rest of the band were wearing all white though, a nod to the band's performance at Live Aid. Her daughter was calling to her then and she shook herself, smiling as she hurried down the hall to them.

"What do you think?" Julia asked. She was holding the skirt of her dress out and spun asking, "It's not weird is it?"

"No, that's how they were in the music video for the song I'm going to sing," Skye replied with a smile.

"At least we're wearing clothes," Mari said. "Under the red fabric," she added when the women looked at her.

"You wouldn't be going out without your dresses," Beckett said with a smile, the girls wearing dresses for their Paso Doble later. They were cut similarly to the one Jennifer Grey had for her second of the same dance and black. They also had strips of red fabric around them, it was both an homage to Queen in their music video for the song Skye would sing first that night and to cover their backs a bit which were cut out a little. "But you both look great."

"Thanks," Julia said, her friend saying the same. She hugged her mother tightly and said, "Before the Jazz dance Rebecca can come backstage right?"

"Yes, they'll be here in time," Beckett said, saying that to Mari. "Break a leg," she told both the women and the two girls.

"Thanks!" Julia said gratefully at the same time as her friend. When her mother was gone she looked down the hall seeing that her partner, Clive and Derek were coming over to them. "What do we do now?" she asked.

"We'll go to the Sky Box," Derek told them.

"Those dresses are cool," Peter said to the girls once they were walking together.

"Thanks, your jackets are too," Mari said, the two wearing military ones like Skye's though theirs were black and closed with red fabric around them.

"Yeah, they had awesome clothes," Clive said before they were laughing together.

"Hey, there are the little imps," Eddie said as he was up in the box already. "Your parents are here you three."

Julia smiled when her three friends rushed over to the railing to look down at the dance floor and she said to the actor, "You look really cool."

"Why thank you," Eddie replied, smiling at her. "I wanted something that was reminiscent of Bowie, but not Ziggy Stardust."

Nodding, since she was aware of what the latter name was, Julia said, "You look… stark, like everything's black and white and sophisticated." She looked down at his feet and said, "I hope your feet will be okay after your dance."

"They will be," Eddie replied as he was wearing low black heels. "If I was doing the Jive I'd have to be careful."

"We need to go," Derek said. "You'll be okay?"

"Yep," Clive said quickly.

After they'd told the women to break a leg and said goodbye to the pro dancers who were heading down for their dance in the beginning, Julia turned back to the railing and looked out over it to watch the beginning of the show. She glanced at her parents, smiling at the sight of them together and holding hands that she could see even from there. The show began, and she looked quickly at the screen with the others as it talked about the legends aspect of the theme. She smiled at the quick shots of the pairs practicing and felt Mari squeezing her hand. They shared a smile with one another before they turned to look down at the stage as the music began to play from the intro of the song. She couldn't help jumping up and down at the sound of it and the fog that was billowing onto the dance floor, nearly filling it before Skye soon appearing and walking across it to the old-fashioned microphone across from the main stage. As soon as she was there she began to sing, Mary and Jackie as well helping her with backup, including the opening two lines.

(Radio)(Radio)I'd sit alone and watch your lightMy only friend through teenage nightsAnd everything I had to knowI heard it on my radio

At the last lyric, Skye detached the top of the mic from the rest of it and she held it while walking around towards the audience and pausing to sing the last two lyrics of the next verse, pointing to them in time with the beat of the second to last lyric before extending her arm for the last.

You gave them all those old time starsThrough wars of worlds invaded by MarsYou made 'em laugh, you made 'em cryYou made us feel like we could fly (Radio)

Walking to the middle of the dance floor, Skye sang while the pros and troupe dancers went around her. When it came to the first part of the chorus, Emma came to her and she sang while the pro's arm was on her shoulder before the dancers let her walk over to the steps leading up to the main stage.

So don't become some background noiseA backdrop for the girls and boysWho just don't know or just don't careAnd just complain when you're not there

You've had your time, you had the powerYou've yet to have your finest houseRadio (Radio)

With the main part of the chorus, Skye was raising her hand in time with the beat and the band behind her was instructing the audience in how to clap in time with them while they sang with her. She was relieved when they followed, knowing it was a mix of fans of the song and her family and friends. She focused on the lyrics as she would need to move when they were over again.

All we hear is radio ga gaRadio goo gooRadio ga gaAll we hear is radio ga gaRadio blah blahRadio, what's new?Radio, someone still loves you

At the beat, Skye was walking with Mary and Jackie across the dance floor again, stopping together in the middle. She sang again, the dancers coming out for the next two verses as they remained in place while they were going around them.

We watch the shows, we watch the starsOn videos for hours and hoursWe hardly need to use our earsHow much music changes through the years

Let's hope you never leave old friendLike all good things on you we dependSo stick around 'cause we might miss youWhen we grow tired of all this visual

Julia couldn't help getting the chills at the way the investigator sang the third lyric of the second verse and she smiled while the other pairs were coming onto the dance floor and helping the band with the beat of the chorus when it came to that eventually. She and everyone else were clapping, starting immediately that time and going through the rest of the song.

You had your time, you had the powerYou've yet to have your finest hourRadio (Radio)

All we hear is radio ga gaRadio goo gooRadio ga gaAll we hear is radio ga gaRadio goo gooRadio ga gaAll we hear is radio ga gaRadio blah blahRadio, what's new?Someone still loves you

With the instrumental and short verse, the pairs were introduced until they lined up with Skye and Derek in the middle and she sang the very last verse of the song.

Radio ga gaRadio ga gaRadio ga ga

You had your time, you had the powerYou've yet to have your finest hourRadio (Radio)

When the music had ended the audience was applauding, Tom and Erin talking about the songs that night before they introduced Eddie and Emma first that night, showing their intro for their Tango.

"That was amazing," Julia said once Skye was in the box.

"When are you going to change?" Mari asked her.

"At the first commercial, which is after the intro right now," the investigator said quickly. She smiled and said, "You want to see my costume, don't you?"

"We all do, we've all seen the show now," Peter said.

"You will, soon," Skye said. "Oh, right now," she said when she heard Tom speaking.

"Have you guys seen that show?" Clive asked, not surprised Julia and Mari's eyes widened at him asking that.

"I did, when she told us about it," Jonathon said. "Just one episode though."

"Did she tell you about Manos?" Julia asked with a smile.

"Yeah," the TV star said with a laugh. "And then I watched Werewolf."

"Oh, that's better," Mari said.

Turning back to the railing, Julia saw her parents were talking to her sister and the others and she waved as her family looked up at her. A bit later she felt Mari touch her elbow and quickly turned, seeing that Skye and Derek were walking into the box with their costumes for their Quickstep on.

"In the not too distant future…" the investigator sang. "Oh, thank you," she said, bowing playfully when a few of the stars and pros applauded her. "What do you think?" she asked the kids as they walked over to them to wait for their turn to go, which would be fourth out of the six couples left that night.

"It looks cool," Peter said first.

"Like you were on the show," Clive said.

"Perfect," Skye said with a slight laugh since she and Derek were wearing jumpsuits like the ones on the show Mystery Science Theater 3000. Hers was blue while Derek's was a deeper red and she suddenly said to her partner, "Are they here yet?"

"I'll check," the pro replied, leaving quickly to head over to a crew member.

"How come they weren't here at the start?" Mari asked.

"They were here, you just didn't see them," Skye said with a smile. She was about to point out where they'd been when her partner was walking back to them and talking at the same time.

"They're backstage, getting everything ready," Derek replied.

"The puppets?" Julia said. When the dancer nodded she smiled at her friends and they looked down in time for Eddie and Emma's dance to begin. She smiled at the familiar music to the song Fashion and she watched the actor to make sure he would be alright dancing in the heeled black shoes he had on. Cheering the pair on, she couldn't keep herself jumping up and down in time with music until they had stopped, and she looked over at Derek.

"Not bad," the pro said in amusement since all four kids and his partner were turned to him. "I think they'll score well."

After the pair were up in the Sky Box, Julia waved at Eddie when he glanced at her but didn't do anything else since he and Emma were talking to Erin. She held her breath as it went to the judge's scores and cheered with the others as Carrie-Ann gave them a ten, Len a nine and Bruno another ten. "That was great," she cried when the show went to Raul and Sharna and she could talk to the actor.

"She's right, it was fab," Skye commented. "How're your feet?"

"They're fine, but I'll need to change," Eddie replied.

"How much longer until you dance?" Mari asked Skye and Derek.

"A little longer, get comfortable," the latter said with a smile.

Sighing, Julia glanced down at her parents, who were watching the intro for Raul and Sharna still. She hoped time would go a lot quicker, but knew they had to let the other couples dance first. She felt Peter's hand on her arm and looking at him said at the same time as him, "Practice?" With a laugh she went with her friends to where there was space and they started to go over a few steps until they went back to the railing to see the next dance.

"Are you ready?" Mary said, going up to her wife during the commercial.

"Yeah," Skye replied, smiling at her. "Did you want to talk to them?"

"That would be nice," Mary replied.

"Go," Skye said with a laugh though she was walking over to the counter that was set up at the bottom of the stairs.

"Are you in this dance?" Kevin Murphy asked to the doctor when they reached where he and his colleagues were getting ready.

"No, her second one," Mary said with a smile. "I wanted to see how things were going."

"They're good, Crow and Servo are ready," Bill Corbett said.

"Are you sure Len will be alright with this?" Mike Nelson asked Skye.

"We told him," the investigator said. "If he was going to nag about you then you wouldn't have been asked here."

"I better go," Mary said as a crew member said there was a minute left of the commercial break. She hugged her wife tightly and murmured, "Break a leg grá."

"Thank you," Skye said before she watched her wife make her way to the stairs up to the Sky Box. "We'll see you two after the dance," she then told Kevin and Bill jokingly.

Beckett, having been watching them, felt her husband squeeze her hand and she glanced at him. When he nodded up at the box she looked and then saw their daughter leaning over the railing. She took a quick glance at the crew; to judge if she had time; when she decided to do it anyway and motioned to the girl as Julia was looking at her. When she pulled away rapidly she couldn't help smiling at Castle murmuring, "Nice," before someone was counting them back in.

"Welcome back," Tom said once the red light at the top of the camera came on. "Next we have Skye and Derek, performing a Quickstep with some very special guests."

"Is your mom mad?" Mari whispered to Julia as the intro started with a recap of the pair the week before.

Shaking her head firmly, Julia smiled as the intro then went to the pair in the studio the Tuesday the week before while they were planning the song.

"I was thinking," Skye said. "Stop it," she said, exaggerating her accent when she saw the face that Derek was playfully making. "No, what if we did a Mystery Science Theater 3000 themed dance?"

"I'm a full MSTie," the investigator said in a voice over while the pair were dancing in the studio. "A fan of the show," Skye said as the footage went to her sitting in another room. "And for some reason this song just yelled to me this theme. Luckily Derek's game to try it out."

Beckett glanced around the audience when some people started to cheer as the three men that had been on MST3K went into the studio where Skye and Derek were practicing while the investigator was describing the basic plot of the show. She smiled as the men on the stage were waving before the three were talking on the screen.

"I'm not sure why we're here…" Bill started to say.

"For the dance," Skye said, hissed behind him.

"Oh! Right," Bill said with a nod. "And we're here to dance."

"To act!" Skye also hissed before they were laughing.

The screen switched to Skye and Derek talking to the three men about the dance and their idea before they were tossing around lines. The footage changed again, and they were practicing lines, Derek leaning against the barre with the three men as Skye was at the edge of the screen watching them.

"Dr. Forester's gone too far," Bill; as Crow; said.

"We didn't want to come up here either," Derek said. "But we're part of the experiment too you know. What about next Movie Sign?"

"If you can get Skye to come with you then I'm game," Kevin; as Servo; said.

"I think we've got it," Derek said in a voiceover. "It's a strange theme but I'm ready."

"I definitely am," Skye said with a nod, the footage going to her and Derek together in another room. "And as for the Quickstep…"

"We got it," Derek said, pretending to whisper in her ear.

"Yeah, that," Skye said with a nod. She then started to sing the theme to MST3K until the music and logo for the show ended the introduction.

Castle felt his wife squeezing his hand and he smiled at her before they were turning back to where Derek was 'dusting' the counter that looked a lot like the one on the show. He was surprised that the dancer was wearing a 'Gizmonics' hard hat; the 'company' from show; but was distracted when Mike, Crow and Servo appeared from behind the counter.

"How's the movie going?" Derek asked after he'd jumped at their appearance.

Mike made an okay sign with his hand before he said, "It stinks."

"Mind if we join you?" Derek said.

"Yeah!" Servo said, jumping as Skye walked by.

"Well…" Mike started to say. "If she'll come with you then you're both in."

"Better hurry," Crow started to say as Derek tossed his duster to Mike and was walking away from them. "Before Movie Sign!" and it was there the song's music began as the dancer tossed his hard hat to Castle.

Beckett, watching him, wanted to ask if that was planned but Derek had reached Skye at the judge's table and tapped her shoulder just before Jeff Lynne was singing the first lyric.

After Skye turned at Derek's tap to her shoulder, she shook her head when he held out his hand. The second lyric had her going away from the table and Derek running after her before he spun her around to get her into hold. They stopped at the third lyric and stared at each other between the first verse and the second before they were beginning to dance.

Well, I get rattled every time we meetI get rattled even in my sleepI get rattled baby over you

Skye and Derek began to dance around the floor, going to the other side of it before they moved back towards the stage, doing that for the entire verse until they reached the third one. At the first lyric they were spinning twice until the second where they were raising their hands that were holding each other and they danced normally the very last lyric.

I get twisted, I get turned aroundI get twisted and I'm up then I'm downI get twisted baby, over you

With the first lyric of the third verse Skye and Derek were stopped and they began to kick their feet in between the other's legs. They kept that up into the second lyric and then started to spin before they reached the counter where Mike and the 'bots were watching them, moving in time to the beat of the song. Derek took the hard hat that Skye had still been wearing and tossed it to Mike before they were off again to the middle of the dance floor. On the second to last lyric they began to make exaggerated steps forward in time with the singing; moving their joined hands back and forth too; and on the beginning of the very last line sung Skye was jumping up as Derek kicked in between her legs before they were dancing away again.

Well baby, baby, baby won't you save one night for meBaby, baby, baby is there something wrong with youBaby, baby, baby this is out of my controlIt may look like nothing's wrong but deep down in my soulI'm twisted- shaken- rattledI get rattled baby over you

There was a brief instrumental then and Skye and Derek were going around the dance floor until they were near the stage and the counter. When the last verse began they were moving their feet in unison; staying still; before they kicked their feet in between each other's legs. That continued into the second lyric before they were dancing together in front of the counter until the very last lyric of the song. They spun around and before letting go and they stood at the counter, leaning against it sideways so they could be seen while they were looking at Mike.

Oh, I get shaken, I'm torn up by the rootsYeah, I'm shakin', way down in my bootsI get rattled baby over youI get rattled baby over you

Yeah, I'm rattled baby over you

"Are we in?" Skye asked while the music was still playing but lightly in the back.

The music stopped as even the 'bots were looking at Mike until he finally said, "Okay you're in," moving his arms at the same time.

Before anyone could say anything, an alarm began to ring and red lights flashed before everyone at the counter was yelling, "Movie Sign!" and they went to the stage or; in the 'bots case; ducked behind it. The audience began to applaud, and Skye and Derek hugged each other before she was giving a quick one to Mike.

After she'd thanked Bill and Kevin; who were sitting on the steps; Skye let her partner take her hand and they hurried to Tom at the judges table, waiting to see what Len would say first.

"That was a very good Quickstep," the British judge told them. He waited for the audience to quiet down; as they were applauding; and he continued, "I was warned about your… TV show, but despite that you had very good choreography. Your body contact was a little…" he said, motioning with his hands. "Wonky but still good."

"Bruno," Tom said.

"If this is what the show was about then I need to binge watch," the judge said before he was laughing. "You had excellent footwork, very good choreography and you enjoyed. Every. Minute," he ended with, hitting the desk with his palm.

"Carrie-Ann," Tom said though the audience was applauding.

"I agree with Bruno and I loved that you were able to include that storyline though did those really work together?" she asked.

"It was still fun," Skye said with a laugh once she straightened after being doubled over for a moment.

"Okay, let's get your scores here," Tom told them.

"They did really well," Peter whispered to his friend in the Sky Box as the dramatic music played.

Looking on while the judge's names were said, Julia held her breath as Carrie-Ann gave them a ten, Len a nine and Bruno a ten. She was cheering with the others before she said, "That's a good start."

"She's tied with Eddie," Mari said, her friends nodding in agreement.

"What do you think?" Julia asked Mary who'd been silent next to them. She was startled when the woman didn't say anything, merely watched as Skye came up the stairs towards them first before she was wrapping her arms around her wife. Her eyes widened when the doctor kissed her wife roughly on the lips and she smiled at Mari before Derek was calling to the two.

"I'm about to fall off the stairs," the pro said. "Sorry," Derek said as the women turned to him.

"I'm sorry," Mary said. "It was great grá," she told her.

"You guys need to prepare," Derek then said while the two women were talking to each other quietly.

"Two more dances?" Clive asked.

"Two more, one more quick practice once Skye and I get changed," Derek said.

Watching the Sky Box, Beckett waved with the others as the kids were doing so and she looked at Eliza who came over to her.

"Did they go to practice?" the little girl asked her mother.

"They did," Beckett said.

"Sit sweetheart, the show will come back soon," Castle said. He made sure she was alright next to him and then leaned over, kissing his wife's cheek gently. After he pulled away he felt her hand taking his and they sat back, slightly impatient for their daughter's dance after the last two of the first half.

"Remember to hold your lines," Derek was telling the kids, on the dance floor with them before the show came back from commercial. "And watch the skirts girls. Break a leg," he managed to say before a crew member was counting down.

"Break a leg!" Eliza cried, just as the show was airing.

Julia bit at the side of her mouth in her laughter, and she did her best to look serious while she watched Tom in front of them introducing them.

"Tonight," the co-host said after he'd welcomed the audience back. "We have another special performance from the Hamptons troupe, dancing the Paso Doble to a song from the band Queen."

Feeling her heart starting to pound a little heavily, Julia listened to the music closely as they knew the show had shortened it so they wouldn't be waiting to start their steps. While that music was playing she and Mari were holding their skirts out and they walked towards Peter and Clive to the beat. With the first lyric they were meeting and hooking arms with their partner before they were turning to face each other, and the girls moved their skirts back and forth while the boys were moving their feet to the first two lyrics of the first verse. They stopped at the third lyric and got into hold, dancing their way towards opposite ends of the dance floor until they spun and let go of each other at the last lyric.

Oh, let's go

Steve walks warily down the streetWith the brim pulled way down lowAin't no sound but the sound of his feetMachine guns ready to go

Facing each other, the two pairs started to dance towards each other while they stomped their feet. Doing that for the first two lyrics they got back into hold and started dancing back to the middle of the floor for the rest of the verse.

Are you ready, hey, are you ready for this?Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?Out of the doorway the bullets ripTo the sound of the beat

Dancing together for the first two lyrics, spinning and moving their feet at the same time, Julia and Mari put one hand on their partners' chests, pushing them back until their backs were hitting each other. At that point the girls spun away before the boys were grabbing them and they danced side by side in a circle together for the rest of the chorus.

Another one bites the dustAnother one bites the dustAnd another one gone, and another one goneAnother one bites the dustHey, I'm gonna get you tooAnother one bites the dust

The music sped up and the pairs were spinning in place before they were dancing back towards one another. When they were near one another they danced around each other in a circle leading them to the last lyric. There the boys spun the girls and let them slide out as the verse slid into the next one quickly. They helped them up swiftly and then began dancing together again, back and forth until the end of the verse with various Paso Doble steps. When they had reached the end, the pairs were back together and though the song jumped to the very last lyrics of the song they didn't stop.

How do you think I'm going to get alongWithout you when you're gone?You took me everything that I hadAnd kicked me out on my own

Are you happy, are you satisfied?How long can you stand the heat?Out of the doorway the bullets ripTo the sound of the beat

With the first two lyrics of the last verse, Julia and Mari stood side by side as they had been at the beginning and they repeated dancing towards their partners. They were moving their skirts back and forth while the boys were doing the same steps with their hands in fists and their arms up by their ribs. At the third lyric the pairs came back together and spun away from each other before they danced into the fourth lyric. With the last two of the chorus they were dancing back towards each other to prepare with the very last lyric of the song. There the boys dipped the girls and they stopped, Julia and Mari holding their arms above them before the audience was applauding.

Another one bites the dustAnother one bites the dustAnd another one gone, and another one goneAnother one bites the dustHey, I'm gonna get you tooAnother one bites the dust

Oh, shooter hey, hey, all right

Beckett was standing with everyone else in their group as soon as the music stopped, applauding as hard as she could. When Julia and the other kids went over to the judges table she waved, pleased when her daughter saw her and did the same back to her. She waited for the response to die down so they could hear what the three at the table had to say, hopeful when she saw the smile on Len's face.

"Very nicely done," the British judge said. "You had very nice lines and it's a shame that you aren't being judged, I'd give you a ten."

Julia and Mari were holding onto each other, jumping up and down repeatedly in response to that before they hurried to add their thank yous to their partners'.

"That was adorable," Carrie-Ann told them. "But you were very mature," she added quickly, laughing when the four kids wrinkled their noses. "And you had nice lines like Len said."

"That was fantastic, have you all been to Seville?" Bruno asked. When only Julia raised her hand he said, "You are quite devilish," taking on a coy tone.

"No, Irish," the girl said, blushing and ducking her head when the judges all laughed at the way she shook her head. She was laughing though and when she raised her head Tom was thanking them once Bruno had said he'd loved the dance before he had them read his lines to introduce Eddie and Emma's next dance. While the intro was playing she rushed to her parents and hugged them, her friends going to their parents as well, saying, "That was weird."

"You take after your dad," Beckett said wryly.

"Believe it or not I agree with her," Castle commented when Julia looked at him. He kissed her cheek and then said, "Time for you to go?"

"Me too!" Eliza said happily.

"Yes, all of you," Beckett replied. She shared a quick kiss with her husband and said, "I'll be back."

Nodding his head, Castle watched them go before he felt his mother touch his arm and he smiled at her for a moment before he watched his wife go with their daughters and the others up to the Sky Box.

Julia was relieved they were being allowed to watch Eddie and Emma's Quickstep and she smiled as they did well, getting the same score they had for their first dance. Shortly after she was rushing with her mother and sister to the dressing room, Rebecca and Mari joining them. "This is going to be so cool," she said to her sister while she was getting out of her dress and her sister was taking off the one she was wearing.

"Yeah," Eliza replied. "Mommy will you come with us?"

Beckett smiled, as she'd been expecting that, and said, "I can't sweetie, I'm not really part of this dance like I was last week."

"How come?" Eliza asked.

"Skye wants Mary to be with her," Julia told her sister firmly.

"Oh… you too Mommy! You can go too," Eliza said in a rush.

"Another time," Beckett said soothingly, kissing the top of her head. While they'd been talking she'd helped the little girl dress and once she was done she looked her over, studying the pair as Julia had finished as well. "You both look cute," she said.

"Why are we in the seventies again?" Mari said, walking over in her costume.

"That was Skye's idea," Julia said, rolling her eyes as they were wearing summer clothes from that era. She and Mari had peasant blouses on and bell bottom pants while her little sister had a floral print dress. She and the other kids would all be wearing skin tone slippers, since it was supposed to take place outside in the summer. "I wonder if the others are ready."

"Hopefully," Beckett said before she went to the door to open it at a knock there. She was surprised to find it was Skye and Mary and was about to ask why the former had changed when the investigator started to let her know.

"Unexpected development," Skye began. "We have permission to perform a song and we'll be doing that as soon as Raul and Sharna finish up."

"The whole band?" Beckett asked.

"Yes," Skye said slowly.

"No, technically it's all of us," Mary said when her wife looked at her.

"But I'm here to ask… well I suppose it's up to the two of you," Skye began. "If you'll stay with the kids."

"We don't need to be watched!"

"Grá."

"We're not babies," Peter, then Mary and last Julia said.

"Oh… I suppose I flubbed that up right well," Skye began. "Sorry," she told the kids and the two women still in the room.

"Where will Derek be?" Rebecca asked.

"You'll see," Skye said. "Head up to the Sky Box. We'll see you," she told them.

"It's gonna be a romantic song, isn't it?" Julia asked her mother as they stepped out to watch the two women leaving hand in hand.

"I think so," Beckett replied. She turned to the girls and said, "Let's go," as the boys were walking down to them. "And we'll see you for your Jazz dance." She shared a quick hug with her daughter before she and Rebecca saw the kids off down the hall. They hurried back to their seats, sitting during the commercial to find that Skye and Mary were at a grand piano that had been placed on the dance floor close to the main stage.

"What's going on? Another performance?" Castle asked his wife once she was sitting next to him.

"Yeah, I think they just got permission for the song," Beckett explained, noticing Derek and Sharna talking with the pair at the piano before the show was coming back.

"We have a second special performance tonight," Tom was saying. "Performing the Elton John hit Your Song, ladies and gentlemen The Rambling O'Dells."

Beckett shared a look with her husband as the investigator began playing the piano, her wife sitting at the end of the bench with an acoustic guitar in her hands. The rest of the band was on the stage and they were playing together as Skye began to sing. Her husband took her hand, holding it tightly and she smiled at him while they listened to the lyrics.

It's a little bit funny this feeling insideI'm not one of those who can easily hideI don't have much money but boy if I didI'd buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor but then again noOr a man who makes potions in a traveling showI know it's not much but it's the best I can doMy gift is my song and this one's for you

Julia was smiling widely at Derek and Sharna dancing together at the beginning of the second verse, but she eventually turned her attention to Skye and Mary. Though the investigator had to sing into the mic in front of her she was looking at her wife and she sighed as the two were staring at each other. She then recalled the boys and glanced at them, relieved they didn't seem to be too bored with the song while Skye soon after began the chorus.

And you can tell everybodyThis is your songIt may be quite simple but now that it's doneI hope you don't mindI hope you don't mindThat I put down in wordsHow wonderful life is while you're in the world

"Look at Mommy and Daddy," Eliza whispered to her sister.

"I see," Julia said with a smile as their parents were sitting as close together as they could. She then looked at Skye and Mary, seeing they were looking at one another but that was it. She felt a little bad for them and looking at the older McDouglas twins, she wasn't surprised to see the slight frowns on their faces. She nodded to Mari murmuring that she felt bad for the two women too, but Skye was starting to sing again as Derek and Sharna came to the piano and stood at the end to watch her.

I sat on the roof and kicked off the mossWell a few of the verses well they've got me quite crossBut the sun's been quite kindWhile I wrote this songIt's for people like you that keep it turned on

When the next lyric began, Skye tried to look at her wife the best she could though Mary was only able to glance back at her. She smiled at her when their eyes met, as her wife knew she sang that particular verse for her.

So excuse me forgettingBut these things I doYou see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blueAnyway, the thing is what I really meanYours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

Hearing Skye emphasize the words 'sweetest eyes' Beckett was smiling as she knew for sure then how much the song was personal for them. But her attention was distracted when her husband entwined their fingers and she leaned against him while Derek and Sharna were dancing again as Skye sang the rest of the song.

And you can tell everybodyThis is your songIt may be quite simple but now that it's doneI hope you don't mindI hope you don't mindThat I put down in wordsHow wonderful life is while you're in the world

I hope you don't mindI hope you don't mindThat I put down in wordsHow wonderful life is while you're in the world

"Oh, I got the chills," Mari said when the music ended.

"Me too," Julia said with a smile, the McDouglas girls agreeing. "At least they got to hug now," she said to the girls while their mothers were embracing.

"Yeah, they're not gonna like performing now," Kathleen said jokingly. "But we're going to be dancing soon."

"Are you ready?" Peter asked, speaking to the ones that hadn't been on before.

"I am," Eliza said. "I have my slippers," she said to everyone, showing them her right foot.

Julia wanted to say that those weren't really slippers, but she decided it didn't matter as they were turning back to the railing and watching the next dance while they waited for Skye's and Derek's next turn.

"You're not doing the Charleston," Mary told her wife.

"No but I have to do something," Skye said simply.

"Nervous?" Mary asked. When her wife nodded she pulled her to her and embraced her for a moment, not doing so for too long as they were waiting for the show to come back so they could start. "You'll do great," she said seriously.

"Thank you grá," Skye replied, smiling down at Iris who'd taken her hand.

"Are you ready Mummy?" the little girl asked.

Hearing one of the crew members calling that they were returning, Skye told her, "I think I need to be. We all do."

"Go," Castle said to Eliza as the little girl was with him and his wife. He sent her off to the others that were gathering, in time for Tom introducing them. He smiled with his wife as the kids were running around Mary with Skye and Derek before it went to their practice footage.

"We're going to be joined by extra guests this time," the investigator said as she and Derek were in the studio. She gestured to the side and the camera panned that way to show the kids and her wife on the steps before they started to wave.

The footage showed Derek teaching Skye the dance and then them practicing with the kids where they needed. It then showed the city of Las Vegas and Derek spoke in a voiceover saying, "We're headed to meet with a dancer in the Love show. We want to get an idea for the steps we want for our dance."

Beckett smiled at her husband when the footage showed the kids practicing with the dancer in Las Vegas on the Love stage. It then showed Skye practicing with Derek on the stage and she wasn't surprised when the investigator was saying, "This is a more… ambitious dance and my old injury is starting to act up." The mention of an old injury did startle her, and she looked over at her friend to see she was smiling back at her slightly.

"It's from when I was six," Skye was saying, the footage having gone to herself in the studio with Derek. "And it's never left me."

"Do you need to leave?" the pro asked, watching her sit on the floor with her leg stretched out.

"No," Skye said with a smile as her wife walked into the room. She watched her come over to her and said, "She knows what to do to help me."

As Skye and Derek were shown practicing again, the investigator was saying, "But I want to dance with my family, and the girls' friends, so I won't let my leg slow me down; not when Derek and I have come so far."

The logo went over the screen as the music played and as the pair were running in front of a set of a stoop of brownstone in NYC with the kids the announcer said, "Dancing Jazz, Skye McDouglas and her partner Derek Hough."

"Kids!" Mary said, stepping out from the door. "Come back in, it's time for supper."

"Not yet Ma!" Derek called back before the music started to play. They began to run in a circle, Mary stepping over to them and pretending to scold them before the first verse began. He grabbed Skye while the other kids paired up and they then started to stomp their feet as they'd learned to do in Vegas. They did that for the first two lyrics before Mary was pretending to gather the other kids, leading them over to the steps of the stoop so he and Skye could dance on their own. He picked up Skye and helped her into the splits before she was jumping up and they twisted back and forth until they reached the next verse shortly after.

Lady Madonna, children at your feetWonder how you manage to make ends meetWho find the money when you pay the rentDid you know that money was heaven sent

Julia, Peter, Mari and Clive hurried over to the pair as the second verse began and to dance the same steps, doing their best to keep up with them. Skye and the girls were being lifted slightly before they were moving away from the façade a bit until they stopped, and Skye and Derek danced a few steps with them kicking their legs and spinning a few times, bringing them to the end of the verse.

Friday night arrives without a suitcaseSunday morning creeping like a nunMonday's child has learned to tie his bootlaceSee how they run

There was an instrumental there, and the kids ran over to Skye and Derek to dance with them, the foot stomping they'd learned and shortly after they began to alternate between spinning and a few steps that took them eventually back to the façade.

The kids took Skye and Derek's hands, running around in a circle together before the pair went inside of it and they danced there for the verse which was only two lyrics.

Lady Madonna lying on the bedListen to the music playing in your head

With the next verse all the kids paired up and they danced in a triangle formation, Skye and Derek at the head of it. The kids, after they all took turns turning with their right leg up in the air, broke off and started clapping their hands together as the investigator and her partner danced side by side to the façade while they were holding hands.

Tuesday afternoon is never endingWednesday morning papers didn't comeThursday night your stocking needed mendingSee how they run

With the very last two lyrics of the song Derek picked Skye up and he spun her before she bent backwards and did a flip, standing up and they started clapping their hands together as the other children were doing around them.

Lady Madonna children at your feetWonder how you manage to make ends meet

With the music extending after those lyrics, the kids all danced again, their steps stomping their feet, when Mary called, "For the last time, supper!" Everyone stopped for a moment before the music started up again and they raced up the steps and through the façade before Mary, who'd followed them, went inside the doorway and pretended to look outside before she nodded and slammed the door with the very end of the music.

Castle and Beckett were quick to stand up yet again to applaud, smiling as the kids all ran out of the façade and down the steps. They waved to their youngest as she was first out, and Julia before Skye and Derek were paying attention to the judges while Bruno was called on to give his opinion of the dance.

"That was very interesting," the Italian judge said. "A lot of children here. But the amazing thing was that you were all in sync as we were watching them as well. That was a huge risk you took Derek."

Nodding the pro said, "They were eager to learn."

"So a ten for you children," Bruno told them. "And excellent dance you two," he said to Skye and Derek. He turned to Eliza and asked her, "How old are you?"

Blushing deeply, the little girl hid her face behind her sister's arm and forgot to answer the judge.

"She's five," Julia said quickly, smiling at her little sister's reaction.

"Does she dance?" Carrie-Ann asked.

"She's learning in my class too," Julia said. "Our class," she corrected herself, motioning to her partner, Mari and Clive.

"Keep learning," Carrie-Ann said.

"They're not learning," Julia said, nodding to the McDouglas girls.

"Carrie-Ann, why don't you go ahead next," Tom said.

"Yeah, your daughters aren't learning to dance like these five are," she said. "And they were able to keep up with mom. That was very sweet. Now as for the dance itself…" Carrie-Ann began before trailing off.

Skye couldn't help leaning her head towards the judge, feeling Derek doing the same as she was hoping it would be positive feedback.

"Was fantastic! A summer night and a lot of fun!" Carrie-Ann said in an almost sing-song tone. "You had great synchronicity, just the two of you, and you executed your lifts perfectly. How's your leg?"

"It's fine, thank you," Skye said with a nod before Tom turned to Len.

"It was very well done," the British judge said. "I'll agree with Bruno that it was amazing to see the children all with you in your moves. Fantastic choreography Derek, I enjoyed it."

"Go ahead and head up to the Sky Box," Tom told the group.

"Do I go too?" Eliza was asking her sister.

"Yeah, come on," Julia said, glad that their parents were motioning her little sister on. She held her hand while they went and once they were up in the box she wasn't surprised when Erin started talking about how many of them there were before she was talking to Skye herself.

"You have nearly your entire family here," the co-host said. "How does it feel to dance with your daughters?"

"Great, it was so much fun to learn this dance with them involved," Skye replied. "And of course, I loved getting to dance with my wife involved too," she added, wrapping her arm around Mary's shoulder.

"We can tell you enjoyed it, all of you," Erin said. "Let's get your scores."

Beckett felt her husband squeezing her hand and she smiled at him before the announcer was saying, "Carrie-Ann Inaba." as the music had begun.

"Ten!" the judge said, holding up her paddle.

"Len Goodman," the announcer said as Skye and Derek were hugging each other.

"Ten," the British judge said quickly.

Hugging her wife that time, Skye wrapped her arm around her partner, the other around Mary, as they waited to see what their last score was.

"Ten!" Bruno said, standing up as he held his paddle.

While Erin was talking about voting Skye was hugging her partner, wife and the kids before it went to Tom who was talking about the next dance.

"Now do you rest Mum?" Marie asked.

"No, we have to practice the marathon," Skye said with a sigh. "And you lot all need to change."

"Come on," Mary said, smiling at her wife when their daughters groaned and started to protest.

"Will you help me?" Eliza asked her sister as they went backstage.

"No, she will," Julia said. She smiled when her little sister's head whipped around to look ahead of them and at their mother who was there. She let her hand go so she could run to Beckett and followed, pleased when she was praising their efforts in the dance before they went to the dressing room to change yet again.

Breathing out heavily, Skye looked at her wife as she was moving her leg up and down and said, "If these trousers rip I'm done for."

"If these trousers rip," Mary said in Irish. "I'll get an interesting view." When her wife snorted she added, "I don't know of what, but I'll enjoy it."

"You're degenerate," Skye said jokingly.

"Thanks for not saying she was a pervert," Beckett said as she walked up to the two. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just making sure I'll be okay for this dance," Skye replied as she lowered her leg and let her wife help her stand. "The kids?" she asked.

"They're with the other parents," Beckett said. "Thank you for that song."

"Oh… I forgot your husband would use that as well," Skye said with a slight laugh. "I sang it for Mary, using the legends theme for that.""Is there any reaction to that on social media yet?" the doctor asked.

"Yes, Rick looked and it's luckily mostly positive," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when the two women looked at each other and she was about to ask if they would do that again when the investigator's wife was cutting her off without knowing it.

"We've been asked to perform again, but we're not going to do anything so personal," Mary said.

"Skye," Derek said for the end of the hallway. "We need to get going."

"Break a leg grá," Mary said.

"She's right break a leg," Beckett said, squeezing her friend's arm before she walked down the hall to let the two women have a moment. She went straight to her daughter and said, "It's time sweetie."

"I know," Julia said with a smile up at her. When her mother opened her mouth to speak she quickly told her, "I'm fine, I'm not going to dance that long this time. She smiled again at the surprised look on her face and explained, "I knew you were gonna say that already."

"I'm just checking," Beckett replied. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to her daughter's head saying, "You look pretty sweetie."

"Enough for a dance?" Julia asked jokingly.

"You do," Beckett said, her daughter wearing a fifties style dress with her hair in a ponytail. "And you look like you could go dancing with your grandmama, and your gram too I think."

Laughing Julia nodded and said, "Probably."

"Break a leg, all of you," Beckett then said as she knew she needed to go back to her seat. She smiled when the other three kids thanked her, and she hurried out to the ballroom. She squeezed her husband's hand sitting next to him and smiled at Eliza saying, "I'm sorry you can't dance too."

Shaking her head, the little girl said, "I can't dance that long."

Though he wanted to point out the four weren't dancing the entire marathon, the show came back from commercial and Castle held his wife's hand while they watched Tom introduce the marathon. There was some footage of the pairs practicing for it but while that was showing in the ballroom he watched with his wife as the kids and pairs stepped out to the dance floor.

Julia smiled at her family and waved before she turned to Peter and they practiced their steps a bit more until it was coming back to Tom.

"With some help from the Hamptons troupe," the co-host was saying. "Here's our freestyle marathon."

With the beginning of the music, Julia and her friends started to dance, basic Jive steps since they'd been allowed to make that up themselves. They danced in the middle of the dance floor, a spotlight on them, and were doing that until the first verse ended.

Let me tell you 'bout a placeSomewhere up a New York wayWhere the people are so gayTwistin' the night away

Spotlights appeared on the six pairs and they were dancing as well, doing lifts since they could, but mainly Jive steps. They were all dressed in fifties clothing and Derek was dressed in a simple white dress shirt and trousers while Skye had on black slacks and a white and green striped top. They were focusing on Jive steps and the lifts he'd come up with, trying not to worry about who would be picked first to leave the floor during the second verse and chorus.

Here they have a lot of funPuttin' trouble on the runMan, you find the old and youngTwistin' the night away

They're twistin', twistin'Everybody's feelin' greatThey're twistin', twistin'They're twistin' the night away

Seeing the paddle that read Eddie and Emma, Julia groaned and hurried over to the pair, tapping the former's arm to get their attention. She and her friends had been told they would be going to get who would be picked to stop dancing. Luckily none of the pairs minded them doing that and she shrugged at her friend when she was standing next to Mari again. She watched the pairs dancing together for the next two verses, smiling as Derek was flipping Skye around to some cheers from the audience.

Here's a man in evenin' clothesHow he got here, I don't know, butMan, you oughta see him goTwistin' the night away

He's dancin' with the chick in slacksShe's a movin' up and backOh man, there ain't nothin' likeTwistin' the night away

Out of the corner of her eye Skye saw Peter going over to Raul and Sharna to get them to stop. She focused on their steps, though since they'd come to the chorus she was walking away from Derek as they went around in a circle while they clapped before they came back together again. The next verse she was being picked up and Derek helped her swing her legs on either side of him. At the middle of those lyrics they were moving together, and she saw Mari heading across the dance floor.

They're twistin', twistin'Everybody's feelin' greatThey're twistin', twistin'They're twistin' the nightLet's twist a while

Lean up, lean backLean up, lean backWatusi, now fly, now twistThey're twistin' the night away

Beckett glanced down at Mary, not surprised to see the relief on her face as Mari was walking with Jonathon and Whitney. She breathed out, seeing that it was only the three female stars and their partners left and they were all dancing well through the next two verses.

Here's a fella in blue jeansDancin' with an older queenWho's dolled up in a diamond rings andTwistin' the night away

Man, you oughta see her goTwisin' to the rock and rollHere you find the young and oldTwistin' the night away

Julia, watching Clive getting Lisa and Keo, shared a surprised look with her two friends as she thought they'd last to the end. She held her breath as it was just Skye and Derek and Daisy and Sasha left dancing for the last instance of the chorus.

They're twistin', twistin'Man, everybody's feelin' greatThey're twistin', twistin'They're twistin' the night

When she ran to get Daisy and Sasha, Julia couldn't help crying to Skye, "You did it!" When she was back with her friends she was surprised when, with the last of the lyrics, Derek picked the investigator up and spun her around before setting her down just as the music ended.

One more time

Lean up, lean backLean up, lean backWatusi, now fly, now twist

Breathing heavily when they stopped, Skye hugged her partner as tightly as she could saying, "I'm so glad this is over."

"So am I," Derek said with a laugh.

Beckett was applauding with the audience as Tom went over to them and she wasn't surprised when the pair was told they had immunity winning the marathon. She laughed as Mary whistled next to her and wasn't surprised when Julia hurried over to her so they could watch to see who would be voted off next.

Skye and Derek, though they had won immunity, went with the other five pairs and they watched as Raul and Sharna and Jonathon and Whitney were called into jeopardy.

"After eight weeks of competition, the pair going home tonight are…" Tom started to say. The dramatic music played, and the co-host waited for a bit before he finally said, "Raul and Sharna."

Skye smiled slightly at her partner; in her relief that it wasn't them; before she was hurrying down to the pair on the dance floor. As Tom and Erin were talking at the end of the episode she could vaguely hear them mentioning eras and she hoped they had good songs before she was hugging the dancer tightly.

"Next week is eras night," Derek said to his partner at her question. It was after the show and they were in a studio to get their dances for the next episode. "You have a performance, don't you?"

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Skye replied with a nod.

"Are you going to be wearing the clothing?" Castle couldn't help asking.

"The basics," Mary answered before her wife could say anything.

"She's right, I do have to change after," Skye said.

"We'll probably dance second next week," Derek said before they were looking over at Julia who had suddenly cleared her throat.

"What?" the girl asked in surprise at everyone looking at her.

"I'll let you know the dances we have," Derek said laughing.

"Just two, right?" Skye asked.

"Just two," Derek said with a nod. He got the first envelope and said, "We are dancing the Argentine Tango, in the 1930s to the song… Shanghai Surprise."

"Awesome," Skye said immediately with a grin. "And our second dance?"

"A Flamenco-" Derek started to say before he was interrupted by his partner suddenly.

Letting out a loud groan Skye said, "I told them not to have me do that!"

"I think the idea behind that is that you know standard Flamenco, not the ballroom style we have," Derek said.

As her wife sighed Mary pointed out to her, "I've noticed a lot of people on social media saying they wanted you to dance it."

"Or was that you grá," Skye said teasingly to her wife.

Laughing briefly Mary said, "You know better."

With a nod and smile to her wife, Skye looked at her partner and asked, "What's the song? And the era I should add."

"It'll be the 1920s," Derek replied. "To the song Maxine," smiling when his partner immediately let out a whoop of joy at that. "And one more thing; it'll be a trio dance."

"Oh… well…" Skye said slowly, knowing they needed to pick someone to dance with them.

"If you want the third person with us to be your wife," Derek began. "I've asked the show already and they said that would be fine."

"Great," Skye said, turning to her immediately.

"Are you so sure?" Mary asked with a smile.

"I am grá," Skye said seriously. "And we know the song well."

"I won't let you down," Mary replied in the same tone.

"We'll be alright," Skye said gently. "And the kids?" she then said to her partner.

"That will be a Quickstep," Derek said as he'd already looked at the paper for them. "From the 1950s."

"And the song?" Clive asked, palming his face when his voice when up higher than it normally was.

"Tennessee Waltz," Derek replied as he was smiling.

"Which version?" Beckett asked.

"Sam Cooke," Derek said, laughing with the others as the kids were sighing in relief loudly. "Since we're set," he told his partner. "We need to start with the Argentine Tango, I'm more concerned with that one for you than the Flamenco."

"Alright," Skye replied. "Ideas are going through my head," she said when the pro looked at her questioningly.

"Good, keep that in mind while we start with the basics," Derek said.

Watching the pair beginning, Beckett looked down at Julia and wasn't surprised to see her looking on eagerly. She felt her husband touch her arm and she smiled at him before they turned their attention to the floor to see how things would go for the investigator with her new dance.

"I really hope your leg doesn't bother you…" Mary started to say as she walked out to the bedroom. She trailed off when she saw that her wife was asleep on their bed and she smiled before getting onto it with her.

"Grá?" Skye asked, opening her eyes at the movement of the bed.

"It's alright," Mary said quickly. "I wasn't surprised to see you're so tired."

Skye sighed as she sat up and she grabbed her cup of water on the nightstand before she told her wife, "I didn't think it tired you out that much."

"Now you know for sure," Mary told her with a smile. "How's your leg?"

"It's good," Skye replied, moving it a bit. She smiled at her wife and said, "I'm really excited for next week. I was hoping I'd manage to actually dance with you; not just have you be in the background."

"Or pretending I'm your mother," Mary said, shaking her head as her wife laughed. She leaned over and kissed her when the investigator had calmed down and said, "So I'm happy about that myself."

Skye, smiling, nodded before she sat up a little more and said, "Are you tired?"

"Not really," Mary said, slightly concerned. When her wife looked at her questioningly she said, "We shouldn't grá, you were asleep just now."

Shaking her head, Skye sat up and pulled her shirt off herself saying, "It was a cat nap."

"Oh?" Mary asked though her wife was tugging at the bottom of her nightgown.

Skye didn't reply to that, merely pulling until finally the doctor helped her in getting her clothes off. She was going to lead things, but her wife turned her onto her back and she smiled saying, "How long have you been repressing?" in Italian.

"A long time," Mary said before laying on top of her wife so she could kiss her better. She wasn't surprised when Skye was responding to her immediately but was when she was suddenly moving a lot. Pulling away she was about to ask her what she was doing when the investigator pushed her away slightly. "Oh," she said suddenly as she realized her wife had still been dressed. She helped her and once their bare bodies were pressing against each other she was kissing her hard. After they'd become involved in that for a while, she was beginning to move her hips, pressing down against hers until they were parting.

"Don't look at me," Skye said with a smile at the way her wife was looking at her. "This is your decision."

"I want you to say something," Mary replied. They stared at each other for a while and she wasn't surprised when they suddenly moved together, her leg pressing in between hers and Skye's between her own. Without a word they began to move at the same time, rubbing against one another and crying out at the same time. She was a little startled when her wife dug her nails into her back and she breathed out hard as the investigator leaned up to bite gently at her ear lobe.

"More," Skye said simply. She was nearly hissing at the way her wife started to move faster against her quickly and she did her best to respond in turn. They were rocking against each other, kissing one another until she was the first to break, crying out heavily before she was silent as she pressed herself back to the bed. When they had calmed down enough she pressed her lips to her wife's cheek and said with a sigh, "Not much foreplay."

"Well… we couldn't really reach one another," Mary said before she sat up. She wasn't surprised when her wife followed, and they began to kiss deeply before she reached up to her breasts. They began to fondle each other for some time before they parted again, and she said with a smile, "Now we're in a difficult place."

"I know," Skye said, grabbing her wife and getting her onto her back that time. She leaned down to her and kissed her passionately before she moved to go down her body.

The two women pleasured each other eagerly, taking turns before the investigator was laying on the bed. Her chest was rising and lowering with her breaths, her wife caressing her hair where she could.

"We need to sleep, don't we?" Skye asked in disappointment.

"Once the show is finished we can spend a whole night together," Mary said though she was disappointed as well.

"Hmm, and I get my strength back," Skye said. She opened her eyes as her wife laughed and looked at her questioningly when she stopped.

"You just gave the reason why we're stopping now," Mary told her.

"Oh… yeah I guess that would do it," Skye replied with a smile. She hugged her wife tightly as she settled down next to her and said, "I love you grá."

"I love you too Skye," Mary replied. "Get your rest, we have big things ahead."

"But more of us later," the investigator said, reaching down and grasping her wife's ass with her hand.

"Later," Mary said in a promising tone. "Goodnight grá."

"Night," Skye said, moving her hand to the small of her back so she could close her eyes. Though she was tired it took her a bit to fall asleep, her mind on her wife and their intimacy keeping her from her repose though she soon found it and slept deeply with Mary pressed firmly against her.

"Kate?" Castle said, coming up the stairs to his wife standing at the window that looked towards the main house.

"Thanks," Beckett said, taking the mug of tea that he was holding. She took a sip before saying, "I was thinking."

"About next week?" Castle asked. When his wife sighed heavily he took a sip of his own tea to hide his smile before he lowered the mug. "We're not doing anything that big," he pointed out to her.

"No but…" Beckett said. "We're not dancers."

"We're not going to be judged either," Castle was quick to say.

Beckett sighed heavily and then said, "I agreed to it."

"And we know the steps already," Castle added. He laughed when his wife pinched his arm before he said, "We'll be alright." He then thought of something and said to her, "Are you ready to be interviewed too?"

With a smile Beckett said, "I am, I really had to wonder though if she was sure we should be the ones to be interviewed."

"Did you ask her about it?" Castle said.

"I did," Beckett replied. "Doug is going to talk," she continued. "But the rest of her friends didn't really want to so she's hoping we will."

"Okay," Castle said. "But I hope they'll talk to you instead of us both."

"You know her too," Beckett pointed out.

Shaking his head Castle said, "You two are a lot closer."

Nodding Beckett said, "I know."

"It should be interesting this week," Castle commented, knowing she was still thinking about how Skye had asked them to be interviewed by the show since she would have a segment before her Flamenco about her background.Not really having anything to say to that, Beckett drank more of her tea before she was smiling. "At least we have the concert later," she told her.

"They seem to be a little calm about that," Castle said.

"I think they need to be," Beckett said with a smile. "With the show, the kids…"

"Guests?" Castle suggested when his wife trailed off. "And by that, I mean the fact we've been going places."

"I'm not sure, I hope not," Beckett replied. She went over to the bed to sit on the edge of it and said to her husband as he was sitting with her, "But tomorrow we're spending time with Josie again."

"You're hating this aren't you?" Castle asked, wrapping his free arm around her.

Beckett nodded briefly before she said, "But it's good for Julia and Eliza."

"That's what I've been thinking," Castle said. "So it goes back and forth. But there's only three more weeks."

"It's hard to believe," Beckett said. "I can't wait to see this Quickstep though."

"Me too, you can tell they're overjoyed with it," Castle replied. "Already even though they barely started on choreographing."

Finishing her tea Beckett stood and said, "Let me take yours."

Castle shook his head and followed her down the stairs though she took his mug by the sink and he had to watch her rinsing both before he said, "Are you going to take a shower?"

Shaking her head Beckett said, "I don't need one." She knew her husband was still watching her after her simple answer, but she didn't say anything, merely finished with the cups before she went back to the stairs. Hearing her husband nearly running after her she was going to turn at the top to talk to him when he was suddenly hoisting her up in his arms. "Rick!" she said before she laughed. "Remember what I said about warning me?"

"Not really," Castle told her before he set her down on the bed, sitting quickly on the edge next to her. "I'd like to tell you something this time."

"Okay," Beckett said, watching her husband unbuttoning her blouse she'd worn to the show.

"This was in 1933," Castle began, finishing with her buttons before he began. "In the fall."

"Any date more specific than that?" Beckett asked him with a smile as she pushed his hands away from his shirt so she could unbutton it.

"It was November… eighth," Castle said, thinking about that for a moment. "It was a school night so our three oldest were sleeping and of course Josie was out." Shaking his head to focus things back on them, he said, "We were in our room and I was starting to get my shoes off when you surprised me," not surprised at the smile on his wife's face since he knew she would recall.

Nearly jumping off the bed, Rick looked back at his wife and asked, "What's wrong love?"

"Nothing," Kate said, kissing the back of his head. She pulled away a little, letting him turn to look at her and she said, "I was awful hot in my clothes," as she'd fully undressed.

Rick had to pause for a moment, staring at his wife's body before he then said, "It's sweltering," standing up as soon as he'd finished speaking. He was going to ask if she would help him when she was speaking and making him pause in getting his vest off.

"I prefer to watch you," Kate said easily.

Opening his mouth to speak, Rick paused and merely smiled before he was turning his attention back to his clothes until he was nude. He moved to the bed and then kissed her as he got on it until she was grabbing him to lay back. Laying on top of her he was busy for some time, kissing until her legs wrapped around him. Pulling back, he smiled at his wife and said, "I'm at your service."

"Hmm," Kate said with a smile. "Just this…"

Watching her carefully, Rick let her take his hand and draw it to her sex before he took over, gently fingering her until she stopped him.

"Not like that," Kate said firmly. She gasped when her husband suddenly moved, sliding down her body so his face was at her clit. The first flick of his tongue against the swollen nub and she was crying out loudly before she could stop herself. "Oh… I don't know if I can stand how good this is Rick," she told him when he pulled away to look at her.

"We won't need to stop," he told her. When his wife nodded, Rick couldn't help himself, moving up to her and kissing her. He'd planned to move back down but he was too eager to continue rolling his tongue around hers to bother for a little longer. When they finally did part, he slid his lips down her body until he was back at her sex again and he began pleasuring her as earnestly as he could.

"We were together after that," Castle commented. At that moment he was laying with Beckett wrapped in his arm against his side, his fingers rubbing at her clit lightly as he'd been talking.

"No," Beckett said simply. "I did the same for you and then we were together." When she saw the way her husband was looking at her she smirked and said, "We were fucking very roughly for a long time."

"Yes," Castle said as he studied her. When she just stared back at him he breathed out heavily and said, "It's a good idea."

"It is," Beckett replied before they were kissing each other hungrily. She fought against her husband playfully until he was moving away from her slowly. Cupping his face with her hands she murmured, "You should start."

"I need to," Castle said simply, though he'd been about to tease her with that. He brushed his lips to hers before he moved down her body while she let him go. He had been tempted to kiss over her body but quickly reminded himself he had to avoid her breasts. Once he had reached her clit he pressed a few kisses to it before he pulled away and was about to ask if his wife had any preferences for what he should do when she was talking to him quickly.

"You can do whatever you want," Beckett told him.

"Good," Castle said simply. He was about to go back to her when she touched his shoulder and he quickly looked up at her.

"I'll do the same to you," Beckett said swiftly. She did her best not to smile when her husband visibly shuddered and was distracted from it as he began pleasuring her, which she allowed him to do happily.

Listening to his wife crying out as she reached her pleasure, Castle followed her swiftly and he was groaning her name until they had both stopped. It took him a little bit but finally he could speak and he said, "That was too fast."

Beckett was smiling; since it had been her insistence that they have a quickie; and she said, "We'll be busy this week."

"True," Castle breathed out heavily. "But… one more?"

"If we do that it'd need to be fast," Beckett told him firmly.

"Yes," Castle said. He wasn't startled when his wife looked at him in surprise and he shrugged saying, as he pulled away from her, "I'll take what I can get."

"Pervert," Beckett said, her tone slightly frustrated when he withdrew from her fully.

"I am," Castle said easily before he kissed her hard. They were involved in that for a while until finally he broke away from her lips to begin kissing her neck for a while until he reached her pulse.

Beckett was gasping heavily as he nibbled at it gently and she stopped his hand that was rubbing at her clit. "Here," she said, moving to straddle him. With him holding his erection up she lowered herself to it and once their hips were meeting she said, "We don't have to stay in one place."

"No," Castle was able to say before his wife was moving, rocking her hips against him. With her position she couldn't move that quickly, but he held her hips to try and help her. When he felt her struggling he grabbed her, turning them around before he got on his knees and thrust as hard as he could. Her legs wrapped around him under his arms and he used his arms to move even harder. He tried his best not to go so hard he pushed them over the edge and just managed it before he pulled away and waited for her to press herself against the headboard of the bed.

Feeling her husband behind her, Beckett closed her eyes while his hand was running around her ass. She was going to ask him to slap her, but he was moving again, and she gasped as he was sliding inside of her. When he stopped she bit at her lower lip, flexing her muscles around him before he thrust. She had to hold onto the headboard the best she could as he was moving her roughly, but she didn't mind it, the pleasure he was working up in her was more than enough for her. She eventually reached back to him, cupping the back of his neck and holding on there until he was slowing down to her groan of disappointment. "Rick, you don't really have to," she breathed out though she knew she had asked for it.

"I know, I'm horrible," Castle said, kissing the back of her shoulder as he pulled away. He pulled her off the bed, tossing his shirt on the dresser so she could sit on it. As soon as she was set he leaned over, kissing her deeply on the lips while her legs were wrapping around his waist. He kept kissing her, doing nothing else but that until she was breaking away and pulling him against her hard.

Beckett wasn't surprised at her husband's groan of pleasure against her and she told him, "Fuck me lover, I don't want to wait."

Not saying a word, Castle let her hold him so he could slide within her and they were groaning that time together. He felt her nails slightly scraping along his back while he began to thrust, going as fast as he could. He was kissing her at first, but he finally pulled away and just focused everything on her, feeling her and taking in everything until he made himself stop.

"Rick that…" Beckett started to say, breathing roughly though she hadn't been able to move that much. She ran her hands over the back of his head while they were kissing sensuously and when she could she said, "We were supposed to be fast."

"I know," Castle replied, nuzzling her lips with his own. He then smiled against them and said, "Back to the bed?"

"Help me down," Beckett said swiftly. She was pleased when her husband didn't comment on it, instead helped her down before they went over to the bed and got on top of it. She pulled her husband onto her and as soon as he was in her she hooked her heels into the small of his back to let him know he wasn't going to be moving them after that. He was thrusting roughly and she was responding, overjoyed he had no protest to her demand. They were kissing at the same time and they were clinging to each other while their hips were slapping repeatedly.

Castle was doing his best to pay as much attention to his wife as he could so he would know when she was about to climax. He was relieved when he recognized that she would soon, and he did his best to move even faster. That was the last push she needed, and he groaned feeling the beginning of her orgasm and his own was starting shortly after. He could feel her holding onto him tighter and her nails were nearly digging into his skin. But before they could break it she was relaxing and he himself gave her a few more thrusts before he nearly collapsed against her. "Fuck love," he couldn't help swearing into her neck.

"Hmm, watch your language," Beckett told him teasingly while she was caressing his hair and back. She was testing to see if she'd scratched him but was relieved there was no blood on his back.

"No more?" Castle asked, pulling away so he could look down at her.

"No," Beckett said, smiling at him. They kissed and deeply but not for very long before she reluctantly let him go as he was moving away. Once he was laying down she went to him, pressing against his side saying, "You know what I'd like now."

Smiling himself; as his wife hadn't posed that as a question; Castle said, "Let me see what comes to mind."

Turning to move onto her side, Beckett studied her husband as he was very obviously trying to recall something. "What year?" she asked him when he suddenly smiled."Here," Castle said, getting the sheet so he could cover them. He was surprised when she stopped him, and he asked, "Get dressed?"

"Yeah," Beckett replied. They got up to put their pajamas on quickly and when they were laying down she asked, "What's the date?"

"March twenty-fourth," Castle replied. "A Sunday in 1935. Julia was almost thirteen, Eliza was almost eight, Alexis almost seven and Josie was already five."

"What were we doing?" Beckett asked, pressing closer to him.

"We were in the city," Castle said. He became thoughtful again and said, "We went to Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden." He paused to press his lips to his wife's forehead as he felt her snuggling closer to him and then continued with, "The kids were rushing off ahead though their aunts and uncle were in pursuit."

"You girls will listen to your ma now," Rick told the four once they were back with him and Kate. "We'll walk together."

"Oh but Da, the flowers are blooming!" Julia said. She saw the slight frown on her mother's face and said, "I can smell them."

"From the car?" Kate said simply.

Wrinkling her nose, Julia sighed and said, "No Ma. But I know they are, I just know it."

"We'll see them soon," Kate replied before they reached the moon bridge. "Be careful," she told her daughters as they hurried to climb it.

"Josephine as well?" Patrick asked.

"With her sisters going she wouldn't let us stop her," Rick said. "When the three of them go somewhere she's a big six."

Kate smiled as the man laughed and she watched her brother in law leave them before she turned to her husband. "Where will she meet us?" she asked.

"At the tea house of course," Rick replied. "She wants us to contemplate the garden."

"We will now," Kate said with a nod before they were walking around to the other side of the bridge to where their daughters were climbing down to the ground. "What if Ma saw you?" she asked her twin teasingly.

"She wouldn't be surprised," Rose said with a smile. She turned to her nieces; expecting them to have run off; and seeing they were still where she'd left them said, "They're well behaved."

"Or else we won't have cousins!" Alexandra exclaimed.

"The dessert at the tea house," Kate corrected her.

The family continued walking through the garden, admiring the cherry blossoms that were blooming. After they had passed the home where the caretakers lived, they went down to the tea house, finding the woman in charge there.

Bowing to her first Rick said, "It's beautiful," speaking in Japanese.

"You knew how to speak it?" Beckett asked her husband with a smile.

"You interrupted me, you did too," Castle said. "We had a neighbor, Julia was in a class with him at their school, and she learned and taught us."

"Rick," Beckett said after thinking for a moment. "What about during the war?"

"I know," Castle said with a heavy sigh. "We took care of their home while they were gone. And they were friends with Takano Hagiwara, the woman at the gardens."

"Keep going," Beckett told him, trying to ignore the thought of the family in their neighborhood and the family at the gardens sent to internment camps in the forties.

Castle nodded, gently rubbing her upper arm to reassure her, before he was saying, "We were shown tables and Ms. Hagiwara; as we called her; got everything ready."

"Arigato," Julia said, not surprised when her little sisters said the same, though Josephine couldn't quite get it right.

After nodding to the family Hagiwara said, "Tanoshī," which meant enjoy.

"Leave the cookies for dessert," Kate said firmly to the girls, not surprised to see they were eyeing the fortune cookies. She turned to the woman and said in Japanese, "Thank you for these, the girls always love them here."

"There are fortunes in there," Hagiwara replied with a smile. "Since I knew your girls were coming."

Thanking the woman again, Rick and Kate watched her leave before they turned to their daughters to make sure they ate and weren't focusing on the fortune cookies that had been freshly made.

"Da, tell the story again," Elizabeth said eagerly. "About the cookies."

"Oh, I've told it too many times," Rick said, shaking his head. "Anyway, you know it yourselves."

"We should have them here all the time," Alexandra said, holding one of the cookies.

"Ichirou said they're serving them in Chinese restaurants," Julia said suddenly.

"He went to Los Angeles, didn't he?" Mary asked her niece.

"Yeah, and he went to a restaurant there," Julia said with a nod. She smiled and said, "He got me a statue of a Buddha."

"I remember seeing that," Rose said with a nod. She waited for her niece, or any of the others to say something about the cookies, but they returned to their food. She smiled at her sister until they were eating their dessert, kuzumochi, and the fortune cookies. "Why do you call him Ichirou? I thought he prefers to be called Isaac."

"He likes his real name, but some boys were teasing him when they found out," Julia said. "So I call him Isaac at school but Ichirou when we're not around those boys."

"That's nice of you to do," Mary said.

"Thanks," Julia said, blushing deeply. "But are we gonna walk around still? Once we finish?"