Here it is, our first ever challenge competition!

Since we're now in October, it seemed appropriate to have a Halloween theme, and this story begins at a party Lucy and Sue are throwing. The story has been bouncing around my head for weeks, driving me nuts as, with the best will in the world, I haven't been able to talk the characters into letting me write what happens after they all arrive at the party - and that's where you come in!

What happens next is completely up to you! It may seem like the initial posts are very long (I don't do short!!!!) but they are just setting the scene, giving you enough background info to start you off, nothing more. I think I've included plenty of different threads for you to pick from – there are 5 couples at the party, each with very different relationships to explore, there’s a case in the offing, and just what is Garrett up to anyway? Pick one idea or combine a few, or even come up with completely new ones - that's the fun of it! So long as it follows on from the introductory posts, what you chose to write about is up to you and no one else, though I'm really hoping some of you will take this opportunity to go with something a little 'different'.

The time frame of your story is up to you, too - you can either just write about the party, or go on to the following day, following week, whatever works for you. In fact, all I ask is that you follow on from where I've left of, and also include the story's title (You're The One That I Want) in your story somewhere - who wants whom and why is your decision - and I'm looking forward to reading what you decide!!

Moving on to practical matters, you have to have your completed story posted by midnight on Halloween itself - and for all the people in different parts of the world, that means the ‘witching hour’ wherever you are! Oh, and nothing above PG-17 please, for this one at least!! To submit your entry, simply start a new thread here on the challenge board, and then you can either post your story gradually, or wait until you've completed it. It's fine for you readers to post comments too, just like you do in Works In Progress – all the writers like having some support and some feedback on their writing journey, so keep them company and enjoy the ride!

Please feel free to post as many entries as you like - the more the merrier! I hope some of our newer writers will have a go, and this would be the perfect opportunity for those of you contemplating writing to dip your toe in the posting pool! Once the closing date has passed it'll be time to vote for your favorites from amongst the entries - and there will be more than one category to vote in (further details of the categories will follow soon)

I think that about covers it!! I hope you all have fun with this - please post lots of entries so I don't end up looking a complete fool here! I am very much looking forward to seeing what you all come up with – this story has been begging me to find it a way forward, and I’m hoping you guys will do it the justice I couldn’t! I never ceases to amaze me what a talented and imaginative bunch of writers we have here, and how they can take the same characters and lead them in completely different directions - and that's what's making me so excited about this competition!!

Before I go, I'd just like to thank Jen for her support, and for giving me a opportunity to get this story out of my head before it drove me completely bonkers, and also thanks to Allison, who came up with the whole concept in the first place!

So with no further ado, let’s start our first ever Challenge Competition! Enjoy yourselves ....... and good luck!!!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All submissions are final. Entered material becomes the property of www.stfbeyefanfic.com. www.stfbeyefanfic.com reserves the right to publish submissions at any time. By opening a thread you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. Stories will be catalogued and stored in archives unless it is deemed by Administration otherwise.

Pam

PS – while I will be following this VERY closely, I probably won’t be writing for a while, very busy trying to set up my business. But I will be posting a Christmas story, just like an advent calendar starting on 1 Dec – and look out for a Christmas challenge too!!

You’re The One That I Want

‘What on earth possessed me to chose this dress? It seemed such a good idea at the time, but I’ve got no idea how on earth I’m going to walk in it!’ Lucy lamented as she shuffled across Sue’s bedroom to demonstrate, her tiny steps making progress almost painfully slow.

‘Yeh, well, I can’t quite believe what I’m wearing either – how on earth did you talk me into this! Though, I’ve got to admit, it is kind of fun!’ Sue grinned at her friend before turning to consider the vaguely familiar reflection in the mirror. ‘I’ve just got to finish my hair, then I’m all set. I am really looking forward to this evening!’

They’d been sitting drinking hot chocolate one wet October evening, commenting on how fall had well and truly fallen, bringing with it cold, damp weather and long, dark nights which chased away all memories of the beautiful hot summer they’d enjoyed. They’d decided they needed something to look forward to, and so the idea of the Halloween Party had been borne. Lucy had arranged everything, even invites, and had gathered everyone into the centre of the bullpen with great glee the day she handed them out.

‘OK, everyone, get your party heads on! Sue and I are having a Halloween party at our apartment, and you are all invited. Oh yes, and it’s fancy dress too, the theme is great lovers from the movies, so you’d best get your thinking caps on as well as your party heads! Here are your invites.’ Handing them out one by one, she’d enjoyed every second of the process. ‘D, here is one for you and Donna, hope you can get a babysitter OK on Halloween. Tara, this one is for you and Stanley and this seems to have yours and Darcy’s names on it, Bobby. Jack, Sue, as our office sweethearts, here’s yours, so, Myles, it looks like you are stuck with me! Enjoy, everyone!’ With that she’d walked back to her desk, a broad smile on her face as she waited for the inevitable.

Sure enough, Myles had shot straight over to her desk, demanding to know what she was playing at. It hadn’t taken much to calm him down, she just pointed out that the theme of the party dictated they go in couples, which for the most part was taken care of. As Jack and Sue seemed to need a nudge in the right direction, indeed that was her whole reason behind choosing this theme, it was obvious they should be paired together, and that had left only the two of them. As cynical as he was, Myles had looked at Jack and Sue, deep in conversation, and had felt compelled to agree. ‘Well, I suppose you are right about that.’ he conceded, trying to ignore the smug look on Lucy’s face. ‘So, which great couple did you have in mind, and in what costume are you planning on humiliating me?’

Across the room, Jack and Sue were also discussing their invite. ‘Did you know about this, Sue?’ Jack couldn’t help but wonder if she’d known they were about to get paired up again. Since their recent kiss in the Callahan and Merced case, the team had been teasing them mercilessly, and he was surprised she’d let Lucy go ahead with this particular plan.

‘No I didn’t know anything about it, Jack, if I had then I’d have said something. If it’s going to be difficult for you to go with me, then we can swap and I’ll partner Myles. I … I didn’t realise that this would be a problem for you.’ Sue’s couldn’t help but feel a little wounded by Jack’s comments.

Realising he’d hurt her feelings, Jack was quick to reassure her, ‘No it’s most definitely not a problem, there’s no one I’d rather go with, honestly, I just wondered why you hadn’t said anything earlier, that’s all. So, great lovers from the movies, huh. Got any bright ideas about who are we going to go as?’

His last comment echoed the thoughts of the other team members, setting the tone for the following few days as each member of the team desperately tried to pry for information about what characters the others were going as, while keeping his or her own costume a secret. Finally, the day arrived, Halloween falling fortuitously on a Friday at the end of a reasonably quiet week. Lucy had taken the day off, hyper-excited about decorating the house and getting everything ready, and Sue had arranged to leave early, to help with the last minute preparations.

Returning home from the office a little later than she’d planned, Sue had been stunned when she’d opened the door. Their normally warm and welcoming apartment had been turned into a spooky haunted house, with cobwebs and spiders, skeletons and bats, and ghostly figures everywhere. Lucy had done an amazing job, and Sue took every opportunity to compliment her on her fantastic efforts as they finished up checking the lighting together. Lucy had strung row after row of fairy lights all around the apartment, and there were lots of pumpkin lanterns and candles dotted around too, but she’d wanted to check that there was enough light in every area for Sue to follow conversations easily. As they’d wandered from one place to another, Sue had discovered more and more little Halloween goodies scattered about, and was touched at the effort her friend had put into this evening. Most of the work had been done before she’d got home, with only a few last minute jobs to be done, she really could take no credit for anything. Lucy had made the magic happen, no one else. The two flatmates worked side by side as they finished the last chores, their excitement about the coming evening growing as they laid out the gruesome looking buffet Lucy had prepared, before tipping the jelly snakes and insects into the huge bowl of punch. Taking a final look around, satisfied that everything was done, they high-fived each other before heading to get ready.

Shuffling back across the floor, Lucy ducked her head down so Sue could see her face in the mirror, catching her attention so she swivelled round to face her. ‘That’s the doorbell, looks like we’re going to start partying right on time! Don’t forget, Levi is mine for this evening!’ Shouting to whoever was at the door that she was on her way, she gave Sue a final grin, arranged Levi’s costume and shuffled towards the door to welcome the first of their guests, flicking the long hair of her wig over her shoulder as she went.

She wasn’t surprised to open the door and see Myles standing there, fastidious about punctuality as he was. She was, however, surprised at just how good he looked in his costume, he’d obviously thrown himself into the spirit of the evening with a lot more enthusiasm than she’d given him credit for!

‘Good evening, Mrs Addams. May I say, you look ravishing this evening.’

‘And good evening to you, too, Mr Addams. And I have to say, you also look very handsome!’

Nothing compared to how beautiful she was, Myles though to himself as she beckoned him into the apartment. Lucy made a stunning Morticia. He realised that, as part of his character, he should be regularly running a trail of kisses from her bright red lacquered nails up to her neck, and he couldn’t in all honesty say that the idea didn’t appeal to him greatly. What did concern him, however, was opening up old hurts, the awkwardness he’d felt at being paired with her returning briefly as he remembered their shared history. Making a conscious effort to relax and enjoy the evening, he pushed the memories to the back of his mind and looked around the spookily decorated apartment, noticing Levi patiently sitting in the hallway wearing a pair of joke glasses.

‘What’s with Levi,’ he asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief, ‘surely the wonder dog isn’t optically challenged?’

‘Ahh,’ Lucy replied with a smile, ‘I’d like to introduce you to one of our family. Gomez, this is Cousin Itt.’

Shaking his head in disbelief, he followed Lucy into the kitchen, wondering how she was managing to walk in the figure-hugging dress she was wearing. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a stunning woman approach them, before swivelling his head in an almost cartoon-like double take. Good grief! He’d never seen Sue looking anything like that before! Seeing shyness in her eyes, he swallowed back the comment he’d been about to make, instead merely mentioning how beautiful she looked, then letting her fix him a drink while Lucy shuffled off in the direction of the door again. Here he was, a Harvard-educated Boston blue-blood, playing dress up with a spectacle wearing dog, surrounded by stunning women dressed totally out of character from the people he thought he knew so well. This, he thought wryly to himself, was going to be one interesting evening!

D and Donna looked like a newlywed couple as they snuggled together waiting for the door to open. In matching his and hers leopard-print loincloths, they made a fetching Tarzan and Jane, right down to the stuffed chimpanzee D carried in his arms. Since the sadness of losing their baby, they had made a real effort at working to keep the romance alive in their relationship, making a point of getting a sitter and going out as a couple more often. Judging by the way they pulled apart, blushing, when Lucy finally opened the door, it looked like their regular date nights seemed to be working some magic.

‘Well, don’t let me stop you two lovebirds!’ Lucy joked, as she pretended to shut the door on them.

‘Hey, me Tarzan, me need beer!’ D replied, chuckling as he held the door open, allowing his wife to enter the haunted house before him.

Lucy was just about to shut the door when Tara and Stanley appeared. Poor Stanley, he really had it bad. Still in the early stages of their relationship, it was obvious that Stanley was besotted with Tara, even going so far as to dress up as Mickey to her Minnie. He had fallen for her quirky, fun side as much as her intellect, and he would do anything to make her happy. If that meant painting his nose black and wearing a silly costume, then so be it.

Lucy had just shuffled as far as the kitchen when the doorbell rung again. Leaving Sue to look after their guests, she sighed deeply before turning round and shuffling back to the door again, her legs already starting to complain at her enforced gait. Still, it was worth it for the sight waiting for her. While Darcy hadn’t had to go to a huge amount of effort to become Lois Lane, Bobby’s costume was sensational! With his hair gelled back he made the perfect Superman, swooping past her as he pretended to fly into the room. Grinning at the rest of the team, he could see Myles preparing to say something, and raised his hand to stop him.

‘It’s OK, Myles, don’t let it get to you. It takes a certain type of man to look good in tights, and I think I’m the only one here who could pull it off. Please, don’t let your masculinity be threatened on my account. You’ve either got it or you haven’t, and it just so happens I have!’

For once in his life, the usually eloquent and quick-witted Myles was rendered speechless, much to the delight of the others. The mood set, and all but one of the guest there, the party started livening up as the banter between the team escalated from Bobby’s comment into a free for all, with no-one’s costume escaping mention.

Jack, meanwhile, was driving back to his apartment, anxious eyes flicking to the clock every few seconds, annoyed at how late he was going to be. The last one left in the bullpen, he’d been just about to head home and get ready when Garrett had pulled him into the office and launched into a lengthy brief on a case White Collar were currently dealing with. Their investigations were starting to uncover evidence of links with a well-known Neo-Nazi extremist group in the DC area. While the group had not been active recently, indications were that that situation might be changing. White Collar were still following leads, but there was every chance that the case would be reassigned to Jack and the team on Monday, and Garrett wanted Jack fully briefed and ready to hit the ground running if that was the situation. Finally, the two men had finished their review of the current information on the case, and Jack had thought he could get away. Unfortunately, Garrett had had other ideas, instead taking the opportunity to quiz Jack about the performance of each member of the team, as well as wanting his opinions on the group as a whole. Something about his line of questioning unsettled Jack, but it seemed Garrett wasn’t willing to part with any information, so he’d just have to hope this was just an impromptu catch up on the staff within his department, and that there wasn’t anything more sinister to it than that.

He’d ended up in Garrett’s office a lot longer than he’d anticipated and, seeing how late he was going to be, made a mental note to phone the girls when he got home, wishing he’d taken his costume to work with him for the sake of speed. Driving towards his apartment, he realised just how much he was looking forward to the evening ahead, how anxious he was to be there, and tried, unsuccessfully, to convince himself it had nothing to do with who was his partner for the evening. He wondered what Sue would look like in her costume, smiling at the mental picture his imagination was so quick to provide. He smiled even further as he thought about the couple he’d really wanted to go as. A childhood fantasy of being Han Solo had developed into a teenage fantasy of being Han Solo with Princess Leia in her Jabba’s slave girl costume! He hadn’t dared mention it to Sue, knowing there was no way she’d even consider wearing something that revealing, and the thought of her wearing the robes and bun hair-do just didn’t have the same appeal. Still, his imagination could see her in that dancer’s costume, and a very nice sight it was too!

In the end it was Sue who had chosen who they’d go dressed as. With Jack’s dark looks, and her own long blonde hair, Danny and Sandy were a natural choice. Grease was one of those films everyone loved, and Jack had no problem dressing up as John Travolta. The tight black t-shirt and pants had been easy enough, and he'd been delighted to find a T-Birds leather jacket in the costume shop, though wasn’t quite as enamoured with the quiff hair-piece the shop assistant had told him was a must. Still, it was all in the name of fun he supposed. He could picture Sue already, wearing a full skirt and bobby socks, with a ribbon in her hair, the picture of innocence, just like Olivia Newton John.

Come to think of it, Sandy and Danny really were an inspired choice. Not only did they physically look like their characters, there were other similarities too. Danny, the popular boy about town, never short of girlfriends, and Sandy, the quiet, shy, naive girl who had stolen his heart, coming together from different lives to find a common ground. As for driving off into the sunset together, well he couldn’t deny the thought had crossed his mind more than once, especially since that one, amazing kiss they’d shared, but he guessed that part of the story line would just have to remain in his dreams for the time being.

Back at the girl’s apartment, the party was in full swing, and Sue was joining in the fun, all the while keeping one eye on the clock. She was starting to really worry about Jack, he was seriously late and that was very unlike him. Trying to quash the vague sense of unease that something had happened to him, she was about to try ringing him when Lucy came over to tell her he’d just called, explaining the reason for his delay. Relief flooded through her, followed swiftly by an attack of butterflies. She’d tried very hard not to think about the moment when he actually arrived but, suddenly, she was hit by nerves as she realised that, somewhere along the line, what he thought of her costume had come to matter a whole lot more than it should. It was silly to feel like this, she thought to herself, after all, this was Jack she was talking about, Jack whom had been her good friend for a couple of years, and who’d seen her in all sorts of situations and hadn’t once judged her. Still, she couldn’t stop the ripples of excitement in her stomach, no matter how hard she tried.

Finally, Lucy indicated that there was someone at the door, motioning for Sue to go and answer it. Checking her hair one last time, she self-consciously opened the door to see Jack standing there, way cuter than Travolta had ever been.

‘Tell me about it, stud!’ Sue breathed in her sexiest voice, watching Jack’s mouth dropp open as he stood there speechless, delighted that he’d reacted exactly the same as Danny in the film. Now it was his turn to follow his part, but he simply stood there in silence, dark eyes smouldering as they swept over her from top to toe.

She’d styled her hair into a mass of unruly curls and was wearing more make-up than normal, her eyes dark and sultry. She looked stunning. Her transformation didn’t stop there though. The close fitting, off-the-shoulder black top she wore was far more revealing than anything he’d ever seen her in before, and her black satin pants were almost indecently tight, causing him to take a sharp intake of breath as his eyes devoured the gentle curves of her body. Right down to the painted toenails peeping out from her high-heeled mules, she was absolutely breathtaking.

‘Jack?’ her gentle questioning brought him swiftly back to focus, as he realised she was still waiting for him to say something.

Incapable of stringing together a coherent sentence, let alone remembering what the oh-so-cool Danny had done in the film, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. ‘Well a wop-bam-a-loomba-a-wop-bam-boo!’

Sue instantly fell into fits of laughter, all her nerves chased away by his comment, replaced instead by a warm glow at his appraisal, and his reaction.

‘Come on in, Jack, it’s about time you got here. The party just wasn’t the same without you!’ With a smile in her eyes, she turned and led the way into the apartment.

Unable to take his eyes off the exaggerated swing of her pert behind as she walked in the high heels, Jack shook his head. He was in trouble. Big trouble. Using every ounce of willpower he had, he finally managed to tear his gaze away from her, hoping he’d managed to hide his feelings, though judging by Bobby’s face he wasn’t so sure he’d been successful. Ignoring his friend’s knowing grin, he threw himself into the rowdy group of friends, laughing off the teasing he’d been expecting, both for being late and for his amazing quiff.

‘Right then,’ Lucy said loudly, waiting until everyone quietened down and was paying attention before continuing, ‘Now that we are all here, I think it’s time the games began!’

Here we are, folks, the categories for the first ever Levi's, your very own challenge competition awards!

We've decided to run 5 categories for the Halloween Challenge and they are as follows (imaginary drum roll please!)

1) Best warm, fuzzy moment
2) Best funny moment
3) Best scary moment
4) Best short story/scene
5) Best entry by a new writer *

* to be classed as a new writer you must have posted no more than 2 stories or short scenes on this board

At the end of the challenge a short list will be compiled for each category, and as the first 3 categories relate to 'moment's, several scenes from the same story may be nominated. Then its over to you, the reader, to vote for your favourite in each section and decide who the Levi's will be awarded to! The voting will be set up as soon after the close of the challenge as possible, and remember that you can only vote once!

Hope the category headers inspire you to write lots of wonderful entries - everyone is in with the same chance, so just go for it and have fun!!

(A final note: When posting these stories elsewhere - first and foremost, your story always belongs to you the writer. We at no time have purchased nor request any proprietary rights over your work. Since the introduction to this challenge, hence the premise, was written here... please credit the author, as you yourself would want to be credited for your work, with their name and a link to this site http://www.romancefanfiction.net . Thank you.)

Just a very, very quick one, before you all get to writing the end of your wonderful stories, to remind you that they need to contain the words of the title 'You're the one that I want' in them somewhere!

Well everyone, that's our first ever challenge completed, and I gotta say - you guys were wonderful!!!! I was so excited when I first started this thread a month ago, and I just knew you would come up with some spectacular stories, but you have far surpassed my expectations in every way! WELL DONE!

There are some truly wonderful entries here, and you should all be very proud of yourselves! I'm particularly thrilled to see so many new writers having a go, I am very proud of you all - you've done a great job and made me, and many others, incredibly happy.

The nominations list for the LEVIs is being worked on as I 'speak' and details of the voting will be announced soon. Please bare with us though, setting it up takes a fair bit of work - we'll get it to you as soon as we can! In the meantime, perhaps you could mosey on over to have a look at the newly opened Christmas Challenge (to be posted later today!) and think about perhaps writing an entry for it!!

I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you, writers and readers alike, for all your support and enthusiasm through this challenge, you have no idea just how much I appreciate and value it! You are a wonderful bunch of people, please consider yourselves hugged!!! :group hug:

I look forward to seeing you again in the next challenge!

It's voting time folks!!! Figured this was an appropriate day to open the polls - since some of you will have recently exercised your right to vote in other ways!!

I've finally managed to confirm the shortlists for each voting category and they follow after this post. Deciding which moments to include has been a very difficult job, and has cost me several days worth of sleep, not to mention most of my hair, but I think we've come up with a list which covers most of the scenes people would like to see. My original list was much longer, but with the help of several of the other moderators (thanks, you guys, you are stars!) we've managed to narrow it down. Everyone had slightly different ideas, and I hope I've managed to come up with a compromise which suits everyone to some degree!

I am very sorry if your favourite moment isn't featured in the shortlists. There are many, many more moments I would loved to have included, but practical reasons meant that we had to select only what you see below. Every single story had a scene worthy of mention - and I think that is a great tribute to the talents of our writers, and the success of their stories - so well done to each and every one of you, you are all winners to me, regardless of the votes!!

OK, the nitty gritty now - you are each allowed one vote in each category and the polls close at midnight on Friday 12th November. In best moment categories, I've also included the page in the story in which the moment occurs, to make it easier for you to find them. Please be aware that the nature of the polls is that if you view the results before placing your vote, you will then be unable to vote in that category - please vote first!!!

Think that's it - any questions then you know where I am!!!

Let voting commence ...........

We're into the final straight now, as we enter the last few days of voting. Can I just encourage those of you who haven't voted yet to please do so, as currently we have only between 23 and 30 votes, out of 567 members of the site, and your vote could be the one which makes the difference!!!

Show your appreciation and give our writers your support!!

Just over 2 days to go now until voting closes, and it's getting exciting! I probably won't manage to make it back online before then, so can I just take this last opportunity to remind everyone that they can vote in every category, and to encourage them to do so. And I'd like to say another huge big thank you to the writers too - you guys are amazing!

Will see you back here for the results!!!!!