Thursday rapidly approached meaning game night, Rick's favorite group activity. It started almost four years ago when he had the gang over for a Texas Holdem poker contest, one where he intended to thoroughly school Beckett. To this day he has no idea
whyhefolded the full house he drewon the flop. With thosethree cards showing,he knew had her beat,but, bluffing, she went all in. The chips were in his court so to speak. If he called the pot would be over a thousand
dollars,not exactly chump change forthe working men and women at the table.
He relished his victory, savoring the sweet taste. But then something strange came over him. As he pretended to deliberate, Beckett trash talked like an NBA all-star as Castle just took it all in. He wanted nothing more than to bring her knees asthatannouncer
used to say "In the a agony of defeat!" But yet, he tossed in his full boat, succumbing to even more barbs and taunts. Beckett relished in her "Thrill of victory' unabashed,well until her cell phone alerted them to a fresh murder.
The jovial atmosphere surrounding that poker game continued for at least a week. The boys, Ryan and Espo kept reminiscing about how much fun it was and that they should get together again. Lanie and Kate enthusiastically gave their approval. That wasenough
forCastle. His new mission at the 12th and among his friends became clear. His christened himself Lord Of Fun Night.
They all agreed and accepted Lanie's suggestion of it being a monthlyaffair and Castle suggested Thursday nights were best. It was close to the end of the week but did not interfere with everyone's personalplans for the weekend. He would providedrinksand
appetizers thendessert. For the first few months poker, in all variations, entertained them. But, like with anything, it became dull, threatening to bring their social setting to an end.
But leave it to Castle and his vivid imagination. The array of fun and games knew no boundaries. By far his favorite had to be what he dubbed Castle's Cook Off Challenge. This fun fest had two chefs with four judges who blindly rated each creation. Names
wentinto a hat, normally six but occasionally Martha and Alexis would join in. Next place cadswith six unique but well known ingredients were added to a second hat. First the two competitors were drawn then each randomly chose an
item thatwould be the basis of a dish to be prepared within thirty minutes. Most famous and most disgusting creation, hands down, was Rick's Smorelette. This concoction even had hard core medical examiner Lanie Parish retching.
This Thursday needed to be special. It came a week early with Kevin and Jenny's impending nuptials the followingweekend. It made this edition special to Castle for a couple of reasons. First off as he thought back with a poetic nostalgia,these
game will not be the same. Jenny cameon board to replace Montgomery when the gatherings commenced with Beckett's return. Now with them gettingmarried, the dynamic of all singles wouldchange. Second, one wondered ifthe two wouldthen
drop out being
newlyweds? Would just Jenny bow out leaving anodd number?
Lastly, and maybe more important, he pissed off Beckett pretty badly the other day. He knew better but could not help himself. Castle found an entry in Michael Bailey's journal thatshowed a picture of Jenny, gyrating Jenny, that is. He badgeredBeckett
about telling Ryan which leadto a very biting dialogue. It still haunts his memory:
BECKETT
What? Why? Castle, if we were getting married would you want to know about all the guys that I've slept with?
CASTLE
All?
BECKETT
Seriously? You sign women's chests at book readings. You cannot be shocked that I'm not a virgin.
CASTLE
I – it's just the word –all- suggests a lot. How many are we talking … exactly?
BECKETT
Are you really asking for my number?
He was so out of bounds especially when he tried to diffuse the tension. What the hell was he thinking? "You show me yours, I'll show you mine." Really? No wonder she lashed out at him. He could be such an idiot at times.
But of course, the content of the exchange did pique his interest. He knew she was not pure, hell she made sure he knew she slept with Josh on at least two occasions. He even felt a sense of smugness in her tone. How arrogant! Then again,she probablyfelt
she needed to in order to get the message across. He understood now how insensitivehe got back then trying to win her over and now, once again doing so,shedefensivelyslipped into the same behavior.
Secondly, he still hungered for that knowledge. It gnawed at him. Maybe because he placed her on a pedestal, perhaps one he would never be able to ascend to,not wanting to envision her with anyone else, especially notenjoying each other'scompany
carnally. But It killed him not to know, a real contradiction for sure,since he never denied his playboy persona and the suggestive nature assumed within that. Nevertheless, he wanted to know, but without asking again.
He stumbled across the game "TRUTH OR DARE" and the light bulb clicked on. Needless to say, the game would incorporate tweaks unique to Rick's peculiar imagination. Employing his trademark sombrero, Irish cap and Don Draper fedora, Rick created whathebelieved
were truly unique categoriesand dares to store within for selection.
Castle sat back, satisfied with his accomplishment, printed out the rules for everyone. The sombrero contained the players names, the cap had categories to frame the truth questions and the fedora the devilish array of dares. Since the persons beingchallengedwere
random, a person could only be chosentwice in a row. Additionally each player had to use up their two assigned dares. Castle decided that the first to arrive at the loft got to select the first name. After choice of the victim,a category
would bechosen. Next if truth is requested, the panel of non participants would judge if the question was acceptable. Within the framework of the category. If dare is preferred, a selection from the fedora is made. Castle wringed his hands
in anticipation. This will be fun, Castle snickered dastardly!
Rick busied himself around his island, checking on the stromboli's in the oven, then going back to arranging the platters of hot and cold antipasto. Next he checked the glassware on the makeshift bar. Deciding to feature a selection of seven wines, fivered
and two white (with plenty in reserve), they were all from the exclusive Perna vineyard.
Satisfied with his presentation, Castle double checked the game rubrics while awaiting his guests. Suggested arrival time was 7pm but rarely did anyone arrive before 7:30. Much to his surprise, and totally out of character, the first co-worker arrived
right on time. More shocking, it was Beckett who presented herself first. After greeting her awkwardly at the doorway, as their skirmish in the bullpen had not been resolved, Beckett buzzed past him to the bar. Pouring a generous goblet of Merlot
/,she settled next to Castle on the couch biding her time until the rest of the gang showed up.
Everyone arrived shortly after, digging into the feast of roasted red peppers, eggplant and Italian meats not to mention the three types of Stromboli. Obviously hungry, any hope Castle had for leftovers vanished. It put a huge smile on his face to know
/hisfriends enjoyed the culinary fare, and of course, the wine.
The friends congregated into the living room where Castle arranged six seats in a circle. Interesting enough, the girls congregated together just like a high school dance,and as fate would have it, Beckett faced directly at the host. In the middle
/sat the coffee table with the three hats. Castle passed out the rules, explaining as he went, Ryan and Espo letout a low whistle while Lanie squirmed ever so noticeably. Castle allowed the murmuringto continue for a moment or two
before clearing his throat and announcing the startof the evening's merriment.
"Beckett, as she arrived first, gets to select the first sucker!" Castle gleefully opened the festivities. Plunging her hand into the sombrero. She extracted the name of her best friend, Lanie Parrish. Before being asked, Lanie blurted out "TRUTH". Kate
/nextblindly selected the question category, "Romance". Pondering how dynamic she wanted to kick off the night, Kate decided to ask "Listerine or Scope before kissing" As per the matrix, the panel of non participants voted I unanimously to acceptthe
/question, perhaps hoping for leniency upon their interrogation.
As the game progressed everyone got caught up in the jocularity. The most probing question was asked to Castle by Lanie, the query being who was better in bed, Merideth or Gina. Espo took the first dare, embarrassed into strut around the loft in
apair offour inch stilettos. When Lanie drew Beckett, not chancing anything as it could get quite embarrassing,Kate took the challenge. Retreating to the hall bath, she emerged wearing a jock strap over her form fitting jeans in
the crotch area makingfor a truly hilarious sight. Esposnapped a picture, a no no according to the rules, and Beckett teasingly threatened to kill him and have Lanie hide the body if that saw the light of day. Espo deleted it but only
after sneaking a copy to Castle.
As the night progressed, each randomly spoke about how much fun this was. Jenny even escaped her personality by answering a rather kinky question asked by Javi. Castle even drew Beckett once, she declaring Truth especially after the athletic supportercharade.
Momentarily stunned by the question "what is your favorite position in bed" she had a snappy comeback.
"In the middle. Two pillows under my head, laying onmy left side, blanket up to my armpits, no lights."
The reply drew howls from the peanut gallery, making Castle blush for asking that innuendo and Beckett smuglyenjoying her retort. Settling down finally, the game continued with the questions getting more risqué, especially towards the soon to be
newlyweds,withRyan especially embarrassed. His dare caused him to wear Jenny's bra for two questions. Doing that thing only ladies can, taking it off without removing her shirt, Jenny triumphantly pulled it out of her sleeve and tossed it to
the blushing detective. Lanieeven offered to snap it on, fiddling with the single hook,to prolong the torture. Needless to say, it was another Espo Kodak moment.
Interestingly enough, it took almost all night for Beckett to draw Rick's name. Rick had two shots at Kate, the second Truth question encompassed the category of domestic skills. Not memorable at all. But now the catcalls implored Rick to choose Truth,which
hegallantly did. "Ask me anything, I fear nothing" his bravado taking trash. Stealthily dipping her right hand into the Irish cap, the well used placard "Romance" reared its seductive head once again. A big broad smile filled Kate's face knowing
she wasbeating the master at his own game creation.
"Ok Ricky, what is your number?"
This is chapter 1. Subsequent chapters to follow