Truth Or Dare

by boilerbmw

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asb/boilerbmw/truthord.php
Summary: Halloween Fun and Games

Rodney McKay was afraid of a lot of things and he was man enough to admit it ..well at least to himself. He was afraid of the wraith, he was afraid of letting his teammates down on a mission and he was afraid of losing an argument to that smug bastard Kavanaugh. He was even afraid that one day he'd be caught humming out loud that damn Scooby-Doo song that had been running through his head. Most of all though he was afraid that he'd fall asleep in a staff meeting and wake up with everyone staring at him because he'd been calling out 'Oh God yes John, harder -faster!!' He always drank a huge cup of whatever crap was being passed off as coffee right before each briefing.

He was not nor had he ever been, however, afraid of the dark. And really he wasn't /scared/ right now per say..just concerned. Concerned in a 'I might run out of power bars, fall into shock, hit my head, die, and who would save the team now' kind of way. Not the 'psycho wraith ghost with life sucking hands stalking after me ' kind of way.

"Damn that Major John Pain in the ass, anyway" grumbled Rodney. "This is all his fault. Not that I was even remotely scared by his ridiculous stories. I mean even the smallest Athosian child didn't believe that there might be wraith ghosts from the past lurking around. Ha! And the very idea of Steve haunting the place is ludicrous."

Despite his current situation, Rodney had to admit the Majors idea of celebrating Halloween had been a good one. The reality of their situation had recently settled on the shoulders of the Atlantis team members; morale was low. The senior members had discussed ways to improve the attitude of the community as a whole. The suggestions had ranged from mandatory journal entries to counseling sessions to a drink until you puke party. As a sign of the problem, even the discussion on how to improve morale had almost turned into a free for all. Ideas were mocked and opinions jeered. Kavanaugh had announced that they were all being ridiculous and should spend more time working and less time babying the inferior minded whiners. When he had complained that no one listened to his opinions, Rodney couldn't resist a sincerely spoken "We respect your opinion Calvin, we just think you're an idiot!"

Before things could get worse, Major Sheppard looked up from his papers and said, "Hey, if we were back home it'd be Halloween next week. Let's have a party to celebrate. I mean, it's a fun holiday and so many cultures are represented here I'm sure people would enjoy sharing their traditions. We could all learn a little bit about each other. We could invite the Athosians and let the kids have a party. It'd be fun!! I'll even be in charge of ghost stories and games!!" He'd smiled in that charming 'let me have my way or I'll pout and drive you crazy' way of his and suddenly everyone was agreeing.

In an amazingly short time, community spirit was improved. People were working and playing together again. The idea of celebrating a holiday together gave everyone something to look forward to. The day of the celebration came and there were activities planned for all day. Everyone contributed and participated and had a hell of a time.

In addition to his ghost stories John had planned a version of Truth or Dare. Which was why Rodney was alone, in the dark and ..concerned. He had been talked into participating by Johns silver tongue and his own smug bravado had challenged him to accept a dare: a dare that had him skulking in the security area where their wraith prisoner had stayed. Of course the rule also dictated that he actually sit in the cell, in the dark no less.

"No cheating Dr. McKay," grinned John as all the children giggled. "The lights and locks actually don't seem to work down there half the time anyway but no lights of any kind and you have to stay in the cell for 15 min. Unless you want to change your answer to truth??" His gaze seemed to look into Rodneys very soul and Rodney gulped almost audibly.

"He knows, shit, damn, hell," thought Rodney. He'd been attracted to John from the start and getting to know the man just had made the fall from lust to love inevitable. He had no fear that John would hurt him or kick him off the team. But Rodney was not ready to let his dreams die quite yet and he really did not want to see pity in those gorgeous eyes. So he'd been avoiding the Major during off hours and John had become curious. His curiosity had turned to suspicion and now his eyes were a bit too knowing for Rodneys liking. In fact, Rodney wouldn't put it past the wily Major to have come up with this game in order to get answers.

"No, no dare it is" and Rodney hurried off to the cell. It was funny how the lights actually didn't work. Of course he only tried for security purposes he really wasn't scared. "I mean really a wraith ghost, puh-lease. Of course John did seem serious when he told the story about his last visit down here..cold, lights not working, strange noises. It was really not so much a story as a warning to the children he said. Damn it's cold in here now. Oh my God, maybe the wraith have an energy force that doesn't dissipate at death. I uh probably should go mention it to Carson. Yes, my time would be much better spent working than playing some silly game. The Major doesn't even have to know!" Rodney went to the door of the cell and stopped dead in his tracks.

The cell door was closed.. closed and locked!!

~~~

As horrifying as a wraith ghost would be, Rodney knew that the truth was even worse. "All right Major, very funny, you win, I'm terrified. Now let me out; enclosed spaces give me hives." Rodney walked to the edge of the cage and peered out uselessly into the darkness.

He jumped back with a shriek as a light suddenly illuminated the horrific face of a wraith. Had he not heard a muffled snort he might have let out the scream he felt building inside. As it was he leaned heavily on the side of the cage he had jumped to and groaned. "Jesus, John what the hell kind of military genius kills off the smartest scientist on the planet just for kicks?"

John Sheppard removed the wraith mask just as the lights came up enough to reveal his most annoying grin. "Gee Rodney, how'd you know it was me?"

"Well, let me think..ah yes..It was the most juvenile, ridiculous, and annoying joke possible. Mmmmm I wonder who leapt to mind. Now get me the hell out of here."

"No, I think not. We still have a game to play. Here is a slightly different set of rules: Truth or Truth. I ask a question, you answer it with a minimum of snark. Sound good? Let's begin. Have you been avoiding me, lately?"

Rodney seriously considered trying to bluff his way through this. Normally he was very good at deflecting. However, he had a feeling that his tenacious team leader would not be swayed. He said a mental good-bye to his dreams and prepared for abject humiliation. What the hell it wouldn't be the first time..just the most painful.

"Yes" he said slumping to the floor.

"Is.. is it something I did or said?" asked Sheppard almost hesitantly.

"No," responded Rodney shortly. Well, he didn't have to make it easy.

"All right McKay just tell me what the hell is wrong," snapped the Major, apparently at the end of his patience.

" Fine, I fell in love, didn't mean to, didn't want to. Couldn't help it!! Go ahead and laugh you bastard, and then please let me out." Rodney was horrified to realize he voice broke on the last word." Ridiculous," he thought to himself. "I've had plenty of successes and certainly my share of failures in romance. Why the hell does this one man affect me so?"

"One last question, Rodney," stated John softly. "The right answer will make it your turn. Who did you fall in love with and why is it making you so sad and withdrawn?" It almost looked like John was holding his breath.

"With you, all right, does it make you happy to hear it out loud? Any other painful things you'd like to rip from my scarred psyche? Maybe you have some lemon juice you'd like to pour on this paper cut I have. And Mister math genius, that was two questions, not one."

"Why does loving me make you sad?" John was now sitting on the floor by Rodney and he tentatively placed his hand on Rodney's shoulder, squeezing gently. "Don't tell me that my little genius can't tell when someone loves him back?"

"Not so much of the 'little' if you please, Sheppard" answered Rodney. But the snark was mostly out of habit as he thought his answer through. "Well, I know my strengths. I'm smart..and there you go. You on the other hand are beautiful and nice and brave and popular and did I mention beautiful?" At Johns raised eyebrow he rolled his eyes and said. "And smart too, you bastard. If I didn't love you I'd really hate you."

"Rodney, first of all: you are smart, the kind of smart that saves our asses on a regular basis. You are also one of the bravest people I know. You may be scared but you do what you have to do..that's real bravery. You can be pretty much of an ass but hey, your job description never called for you to be a freakin' people person. And Rodney, you are a very attractive and sexy man. Really Rodney use your brains..how could I not be in love with you?" John ran his hand down Rodney's arm to firmly grasp his hand and leaned forward.

Rodney looked into eyes both beautiful and sincere and said thoughtfully, "Well, when you state the facts like that I guess you're right. It would be damn foolish of you to not be in love with me!" Rodney leaned into the kiss and it didn't even seem strange that their first kiss would be between the bars of a detention cell.

Panting lightly from the passionate kiss, Rodney smiled wickedly. "New game John: Dare or Dare. It's my turn and I dare you to unlock the cell, get your oh-so hot ass in here and remove all your clothes."

John 'thought' open the cell and was yanking on his shirt before Rodney was done speaking. "I think that's more than one turn but what the hell. Love you, Dr. McKay. Now come here and we'll play another new game: Trick or treat!!"

Rodney looked at John's exposed body and whistled. "Treat or treat is more like it! Love you too, Major Sheppard." He cupped Johns face with one large hand and added softly, "I do love you, John."

And the Athosian children, who only got as far as the outer doors before running away, decided that the myth of the haunted cell must have been true for the locks stayed locked, the lights stayed off and there /were/ many strange noises coming from the room.