So TORONTOSUN suggested the episode Double Down and this is what I came up with, hope you like it.
What if they'd decided to forgo the hair cut but all had to wear dresses to the 12th the next morning
"Technically," Rick mused, "None of us actually won the bet. We actually all lost it."
Ryan, Esposito and Kate all stared at him, each of them realising that he was actually right in that respect. "So?" Kate asked hesitantly, "What of it?"
"Well," Rick continued slowly, "While I'm not saying that we should shave our heads I think we should all wear a dress tomorrow." He saw that the three of them were about to say something, no doubt no or words to that affect, so quickly continued to say, "We lost the bet and that was the forfeit so by all rights we should all have to do it."
The three detectives all shared a look before Esposito turned back to Rick with a smirk on his face and teased, "You just want to see Beckett in a dress don't you writer boy."
Rick kept eye contact with the Hispanic detective, because he knew that if he did Espo would know that he was dead on. Kate rolled her eyes before retorting, "Actually Espo I'm pretty sure Castle just wants to wear a dress and have the excuse of losing a bet if anyone asks."
Esposito and Ryan both looked Rick up and down before they both nodded, both easily accepting what Kate had said. Rick just stayed quiet, wondering what the three of them were going to decide.
"He does have a point," Ryan decided, "I mean we did all technically loose the bet like he said since the cases were connected and solved together."
Esposito looked at his partner before he shook his head. "Are there any real men here?" he teased, "I'm the only one who doesn't seem to want to wear a dress."
"Hey," Ryan exclaimed, "I never said I wanted to wear a dress, I was just saying that I can see where Castle is coming from."
Esposito looked sceptical but didn't say anything more on the matter, just looked to Kate, to see what she was going to say, although he was guessing she was going to say no because the Katherine Beckett he knew didn't wear dresses to work ever, unless a case deemed it necessary.
Kate was carefully watching the three of them, unsure whether or not she was going to accept or condemn Rick's proposal. On one hand she knew seeing the three of them wearing dresses would certainly be a riot. But on the other hand she didn't really fancy having to wear one herself. Sure, she wore dresses occasionally, but never to the precinct. Not only was a dress impractical for a homicide detective who could well end up chasing an armed suspect, she had always thought that if she wore a dress then the respect she had gained from her co-workers would diminish. Policing was still male dominated, especially homicide detectives, so Kate had always dressed in something smart but practical with only a little bit of femininity so that she was better able to fit in with the rest of the men, although in more recent years, since Rick had joined them, that had changed a little.
However, right now, she was looking into Rick's puppy eyes and finding it harder to think that this was a bad idea. Screw it, she thought before saying aloud, "Sure, why not. A bet is a bet after all."
Esposito looked disgusted while Rick looked happy that Kate had agreed and Ryan looked totally indifferent.
Kate looked at Esposito and commented, "It was you bet plus we're only going to be in for the morning."
Esposito shook his head but didn't say anything as Rick spoke. "If we all bring a dress to the precinct to change into then we won't have to deal with the morning commute in a dress."
Esposito looked happier with that idea as he, Kate and Ryan all nodded in agreement. Rick smiled, tomorrow was certainly going to be fun.
When they all finished up for the day a little while later they all bid each other goodnight and headed their separate ways.
The next morning Rick arrived carrying his dress in a bag, which he placed on the desk along with Kate's coffee, before he sat in his chair and waited for the others to turn up. He knew they were around because they were always here before he was, plus he could see bags on Esposito and Ryan's desks much like his own. He also knew that Kate was around because her computer was on and the screen saver had yet to appear.
Rick knew he was right when Esposito and Ryan appeared from the break room.
"Morning," Rick greeted.
"Morning," they replied together as they sat down at their desks.
"Where's Beckett?" Rick questioned.
"Right here," came the familiar voice from behind him.
Rick quickly turned and watched as Kate walked past him and sat at her desk, picking up and drinking some if the coffee once she was seated.
Kate then looked at Rick and raised an eyebrow, clearly asking why Rick was still staring at her. Rick held her gaze for a moment before he looked away. He hadn't even realised that he had been staring in the first place, but who could blame him, Kate was already wearing her dress and she looked good. It was a mid-length black number and was fairly form fitting, showing off Kate's curves.
Rick happened to look over to Esposito and Ryan after he looked away from Kate and saw that they were both giving him knowing looks, and were both smirking too, for good measure. Rick ignored them and looked away, his eyes falling back to Kate.
Kate gave him a smile, which he returned, before she looked towards Esposito and said, "Go on then boys, time to hold up your end of the bet."
Esposito sighed while Ryan and Rick both stood and picked up their bags Esposito followed suit and the three of them headed towards the bathroom so they could change.
Ryan and Rick did so fairly quickly and then waited around for Esposito to come out. When he did he did not look at all happy, but his expression soon changed to a happier one when he saw Rick and Ryan in their get ups in front of him. "Come on," he muttered, "We might as well get this over with."
"Cheer up," Rick replied as they headed for the door, "It could have been worse; you could have had to shave your head as well."
The two nodded as they opened the door and filed out. They were met by a loud wolf whistle from Kate and Lanie, who had come up from the morgue especially to see them, along with a few other whistles, and laughter, from the other Detectives and uniforms that were present.
While Ryan and Esposito looked at their feet Rick played to the crowd. He took a look around then locked eyes with Kate and curtsied, picking the skirt of the dress up a little as he did so. Kate laughed out loud, quickly followed by Lanie, at his actions.
Rick then walked towards Kate, who was leaning against the desk, and Ryan and Esposito quickly followed behind.
"Nice legs boys," Lanie teased as they all came to a stop in front of the two of them.
"Why thank you Lanie," Rick accepted gracefully. However, he didn't take his eyes off Kate as he spoke, the two of them staring right into each other's eyes. Kate gave him a shy smile before she finally looked away.
Lanie was quite obviously ogling Esposito's legs, but before Rick could make a comment they all heard another voice say, "Very nice Detectives, Mr Castle."
The three detectives, Rick and Lanie all turned to see Captain Montgomery standing in the doorway to his office. "Sir," Kate greeted.
Montgomery was standing there with a totally straight face and Rick was wondering if he was about to tell them off for what they were doing, dresses probably weren't suitable precinct attire, not for men at least anyway. Then however Rick realised that everything was fine because Montgomery suddenly went from completely straight faced to full on laughter. Kate smiled as well. Montgomery then stated, coming out of the doorway towards them, "Right, I think a picture is in order."
Esposito and Ryan didn't look all too thrilled by the idea but none the less they moved with Kate and Rick to stand in front of the empty murder board.
Lanie smiled as she pulled out her phone and starting taking pictures. Rick then passed her his phone so he could get some too.
While they all felt a little silly they could all see the fun side of what was going on and were actually beginning to find it more fun themselves.
