So, this is my first story, please be nice :) Let me know what you think, advice is always welcome!

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle, too bad…

"Girl, tell me you're going in some sexy outfit that drives Writer Boy crazy. Last time was fun, but come on!"

Beckett groaned, already knowing where this conversation was going. "Lanie, I'm not even sure I'm going."

"Yes you are! I'm gonna drag you there all by myself if necessary, but you are going!"

"Yeah right, gotta go. Murder's waiting, Lanie. Too bad, huh?" She winked and left the morgue quickly.

"We'll get back on this! You better be thinking about what you're gonna wear!" Lanie yelled after her and grinned. This Halloween's gonna be interesting, she thought.

In the meanwhile, Beckett was thinking the same. She was sure she wouldn't be able to avoid the party, Lanie was already nagging about it since she had heard about it. It was the main subject at the precinct, everybody knew how succesfull Castle's parties were. The boys were looking forward to it, and Castle kept Beckett asking if she'd come.

Back at the precinct, she saw him sitting in his chair next to her desk. Speaking of the devil.

"Well hello, Detective. Already decided?"

Here we go again. But this time, she'd have to give him another answer.

"Decided? Oh, you mean if I will come to your party?" His eyes glittered hopefully. "Apparently, I have no choice."

Castle frowned. "How so?" And then his face lightened up. "No wait, let me guess. Lanie?"

"Who else?"

There was the 5-year-old-on-Christmas-morning-look. Beckett sighed.

"Aaaaaand?"

"And what?" she snapped. Oops, maybe a little harsh, but he didn't seem to notice.

"What will you be wearing? Don't tell me the black coat with a surprise frog again."

"I'm afraid Lanie won't allow that. But I'm still pretty sure you won't be able to handle me straddling in black... tight... leather. " She spoke those last words slowly in a low, whispering tone, knowing exactly what effect it would have on Castle.

His jaw hung open, and after he realized it he tried to swallow. Beckett loved seeing him like this, knowing what she could do to him by only speaking on that tone.

"Let's find out then" he said while trying to imagine Beckett in leather. Black... tight.. leather...

"Castle! Focus on the murder instead of me in such an outfit! And I'm telling you nothing."

"Ah c'me on!"

"Nope."

"A hint?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No, Castle.

"Please? Color, fabric, theme, character, anything?"

"NO!"

Thank God Esposito came in at that moment with news about the murder. He looked at them for a couple of seconds. This was one of those moments between Mom and Dad the boys were already used to. So he just shook his head and told them the murdered woman had filed divorce papers against her husband. Apparently, he had quite a temper. Maybe they'd get this case closed by the evening already. Beckett smiled. Then they could go home earlier, and relax.

"Yo Beckett, you're coming tonight, right?"

"Tonight?" Damn, the party was tonight? "Euhm, yeah."

"Cool. Lanie told me she'd drag you to the store for a costume, just wanted to be sure." He grinned.

"Not funny, Esposito."

At 4 P.M. they'd got a confession from the husband, and the team was cleared to go home.

"See you tonight, Beckett." Esposito shouted on his way to the elevator.

"She's coming?" Ryan asked. "Nice." They both grinned at the sight of an irritated Beckett.

The door of the elevator opened, and as they were about to step in, Lanie came out and ran to Beckett.

"Keep the door open, will ya? We're coming with you" she yelled at the boys while hurrying towards Beckett's desk.

"Come on girl, it's shopping time!" she said in a way too excited tone.

"Hey Lanie? Get her something sexy, will ya? She has to make up for last time" Castle winked at her. "Can't wait to see you tonight, Detective." He wiggled his eyebrows. Beckett rolled her eyes in response.

Lanie gave him an "Of course, what did you think?"

Oh no.

They all left together, the lift packed and everybody staring at a nervous and annoyed Beckett.

They separated ways at the parking lot.

"And now, it's shopping time!" Another sigh and eye-roll.

The store was huge, filed with racks full of Halloween costumes. A nightmare. Lanie went straight to the women's section.

"I'm gonna go as Cher, I think." Lanie said enthusiastic. "Catwoman was fun, but I want something different this year. What about you? Any ideas yet?"

"No. I was still hoping you'd forget it."

"Hah, like that would happen. Take a look around, I'm gonna look for a Cher-outfit."

Beckett sighed. How was she supposed to find something Lanie would be okay with? After half an hour of browsing, Lanie came standing next to her.

"What do you think?" Lanie asked excitedly, showing off her outfit with flair.

"Uhm.. Very Cher. Esposito will like it."

"Well, I'm taking it. What about you? Find anything yet?"

And just as she wanted to say 'no', she saw it. She smiled at the idea of how Castle would react.

"Yeah, I think I have." Her smile grew wider. It was perfect.