The dancing needs to come to an end very slowly. Like, "Oh wow! They kissed, now everything is super awkward." And then they don't kiss again for a while. Sort of like, let's acknowledge the fact that we want each other, but let's not start dating/fooling around right away just because we kissed once.

Alexander said:

I enjoy watching the dance as well. But I could see something to the extent of them investigating a crime scene and somehow someone with a gun still at the scene armed and dangerous and Castle taking the bullet in order to protect Beckett, not dying of course but keeping her from harm. That way he could show indirectly that he cares for her. Then at his hospital bed Beckett could have the alone time they need about to give him a kiss as thanks for saving her and right before they do they get interrupted by someone walking in. Lol can’t have them kiss though would ruin the dance.

 After seeing Castle hop to his feet after hearing that the punch was spiked at that party and how much he cares for his daughter I could defiantly see him making some self sacrificing move to protect Beckett. That’s just my opinion.

I totally agree about his trying to protect Beckett and getting hurt while doing it.

I totally see it the other way around.  I could see Beckett getting hurt because of Castle not staying behind like she told him to… or him getting himself into a scrape that she has to come and rescue him from (like the Russian mob poker game).   I can't see Castle being anywhere near that heroic.

angie1379 said:

The longer they draw out the romance, the longer the show will run. That, I think, is the bottom line.

I'm a huge fan of the 80s show "Who's The Boss?", and that show just about holds the record for an unconsumated relationship. And after waiting 7 almost painfully-long seasons and 175 grueling episodes for Tony and Angela to get together, we didn't even get to see a wedding. But the show was a Nielsen top ten every season, and it's still considered one of the best tv romances. Those of us who are devout fans have learned what it means to appreciate the subtleties of a relationship.

Shows from "Moonlighting" to "Lois and Clark" all had the same problem. Once that tension was broken, rating plummeted. Even "Buffy" and "Friends" ran into ratings trouble when the tension was gone — which is why Ross and Rachel spent most of the show's 10-year run apart. Check out this article to see what I mean: http://www.post-gazette.com/tv…..2owen7.asp

Personally, I live for the stolen glances and the awkward moments, for the will they or won't they moments. I hope we don't even see a Castle/Beckett kiss until the end of this season. I thought the handshake was wonderfully appropriate and was further proof of their attraction. They are so unsure of themselves around each other and are so self-conscious that they woudn't even hug! That's the makings of a great romance! We need to see these characters grow as individuals and then discover what they can have together. By my calculations, that should take a good four or five seasons.

You do make a good case however, Castle isn't a huge success just yet.  A third season is not guaranteed.  So far we've seen their relationship grow stronger as each episode progresses.  The season fanale for season 2 is where I want to see a huge progress forward.  Why, cause it might be the last time we see a Castle and Beckett.   I am being pessimistic.  With the way some of these studios cancel shows I have to be.