Halloween Myths

by Julie

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asj/julie/hmyths.php
Summary: McKay and Sheppard explore Atlantis Halloween night

Area 51, October 2001

"It's all rubbish, you know."

The voice pulled him out of his reverie. He had been listening to the conversation of the MPs ahead of him in the hall. He couldn't help it. They were talking so loudly and their voices just rang off the corridor walls. Plans for what Halloween party to attend, what costume to wear, which girl to ask out or hit on. He knew his plans for the evening in question. The Sci-Fi channel was holding a marathon of "The Outer Limits."

Dr. Rodney McKay stopped and turned towards the voice. An older man, nicely dressed - was that a silk shirt? - was sitting in the lounge area off the main hall.

"Excuse me. Are you supposed to be here?"

Rodney did not recall ever seeing this man before. He certainly didn't work here. The clothes alone made that clear. Then there was his attitude. You could just tell the only thing he gave a damn about was himself. The scientists and military personnel at Area 51 were focused more on what they were doing than themselves. Of course, they also had their fair share of self-centered egotists, but this man was different. Rodney couldn't place his finger on how or why, but he knew.

"Now that is a leading question. I say no, the military types say yes. They've won so far."

Rodney did not like the way this man was looking at him. All very appraising and wicked and pleasurable. Not that Rodney had anything against sex with a man. When social skills weren't your strengths, you played to what was. Which, when it came to people, Rodney was still unsure where his strengths lay, but sometimes just having the right equipment was enough.

"I see. Shouldn't you be somewhere where they are? This is the science area. Only scientists and securitypersonnel are allowed. I'm calling security to collect you."

"But I do."

"What?" Rodney held the receiver in his left hand, right poised to dial.

"Have business here. Seems some colonel or general or the other is curious about magic."

"Why would a general be interested in disappearing coins and pulling a rabbit out of a hat?"

The laughter that greeted Rodney's remark did nothing to improve his mood.

"Not that kind of magic, silly boy."

"What other kind of magic is there?"

"The real kind."

Atlantis, Present Day Tomorrow was Halloween and Rodney was having trouble focusing on work. He kept recalling the conversation he had with that strange man at Area 51. Halloween myths - what was true and what wasn't. Barriers between dimensions did become thinner, easier to pass through, but there wasn't normally a great deal of supernatural activity.

*This is ridiculous.* It stands to reason that there is no increase in supernatural activity since there is no such thing as supernatural activity.

"I'm going to the mess," Rodney said to Zelenka on his way out the door.

He would never admit it to anyone, but there was a part of Rodney that felt like a little kid in a candy store at being here in Atlantis. A different galaxy in a city ten thousand years old and surrounded by technology that it was his job to figure out. What could be better than that?

Not having to replay that stupid conversation over and over and over again. That would definitely be better.

"Hey, Doctor McKay. Care to join us?" Lieutenant Aiden Ford was sitting with Major John Sheppard. Mugs filled with the stout tea of Teyla's people sat before them. Rodney dearly missed having a pot of coffee all to himself. Several pots actually. Rodney grabbed some food and joined them.

Moving over a little, John said, "What are your plans for tomorrow night?"

"What do you mean plans? Just because there is some archaic "holiday" being celebrated back on Earth does not mean that we have to continue the foolishness here."

"So in other words, nothing. Good. You can join us."

"Join you in what?" Rodney didn't trust Ford and John together. They had been nice enough, but something about the way they interacted off duty reminded him of the cool kids from school. Especially when they wanted something. Like now.

"Exploring Atlantis, Doctor McKay. We could take one of the sections that we haven't been in yet and while everyone else is at the party, we can look around to our hearts' content." Ford was nearly bouncing in his seat with excitement.

Rodney looked at John, who half-smiled and shrugged. Far be it from him to influence Rodney's decision.

"Lieutenant, why would you be more interested in exploring deserted areas of Atlantis as opposed to going to a party where one would presume a young man such as yourself would have a more enjoyable time?"

"It's Halloween. Ghosts and goblins, witches and magic. Atlantis was completely deserted before we got here. A ghost town, if you will. Maybe they want some company. Think of it as a challenge, sir."

"Are you planning on exploring or holding a seance? Why do it at night without any back up, or presumably anyone knowing where we are since we've never been there before."

"It's an adventure," said Ford, as though that explained everything.

"And you think this is a good idea?"

John took a sip of his tea before answering. "Well, it would be nice to be able to poke around without the jarheads looking over our shoulder. Have they ever come in handy?"

"Well, no, but that isn't the point."

"Do you have anything better to do?"

"What does that have to do... ?"

"Rodney, just think - all that technology just waiting to be discovered and played... examined. I have the gene. You have the brain. Ford provides the back up if there's any trouble. Which there won't be."

"With your track record? I would think taking you along would be a guarantee of trouble."

"And doesn't it make life more interesting?" If Rodney didn't know better, he would have sworn the look John was giving him was more than a little flirtatious. He definitely needed something to eat.

"Why don't you go start the pre-flight check on Jumper One?"

"Yes, sir." Ford took his cup of tea and ever present hat and headed out to the jumper bay.

"Look, Rodney, would it kill you to go along with this?"

"Why is it so important to you?"

"Couple of reasons. First, I *really* don't want to go to that party tomorrow night. Second, if Ford goes to the party, he'll spend the evening mooning over Teyla. I don't want to have to deal with that on my team. A boys' night out, exploring all the cool toys to be found in this city, might help him figure out what he wants to do."

"What he wants to do? Fraternization is strictly prohibited between team members."

"Screw strictly prohibited. Him just mooning over her is not good for my team. It makes him distracted. If they hook up, he'll be hyper aware, but it will bleed over to the whole team."

"How do you figure that?"

"Two reasons. One, Ford is professional enough that he would not play favorites and I would know how to pair us off if need be. Two, Teyla is very strong and commanding. If they hook up and something happens to either of us, Ford wouldn't be able to handle Teyla's disappointment in him. Resolution is best for all sides."

"But I thought you and Teyla...."

John choked on his tea.

"Where...? What...? Why...? Who...? When...? How...?" John stopped trying to speak, took a deep breath, shook his head and tried again. "Where did you get that idea?"

"Well, you two get along very well, you seem close and she is attractive. It just seemed the most likely hypothesis."

"People could say the same about us."

It was Rodney's turn to choke.

Luckily for John, Rodney could not see the light dancing in his eyes as Rodney caught his breath.

"We get along. I'm closer to you than to Teyla and I have a weakness for intelligent smart asses. Teyla's a sweet girl, but you definitely have her beat in the smart ass category."

"Major, are you trying to give me a heart attack or a stroke? There are faster ways of killing me, you know."

"They're not nearly as fun. C'mon, Rodney. You know what they say about "assuming" things."

"I didn't "assume" anything, Major. I simply looked at the available data...."

"And came to the wrong conclusion. Even in a lab, "hypotheses" can be wrong. It'll be fun. C'mon. You know you want to." John smiled at him and Rodney felt his stomach turn cartwheels. It was reminiscent of the same gleeful expression he wore when they tried out the personal defense shield. He looked as though there was nothing in the world, *since we're in a different galaxy make that the universe,* that he would rather be doing than playing with Rodney.

"Okay, but just remember, any trouble we get into is your fault."

"Isn't it always? I was thinking that we'd hit the party for a little while, then get "lost in the crowd," explore for a couple of hours and return to the party to say good night. What could go wrong?" Again with the smile. Did he have to do that?

"Oh, I don't know. Everything?"

"Rodney, relax. I promise I'll protect you from any ghosts and goblins hiding in the city."

"Great, Major, but who's going to protect you?"

Why anyone had thought to bring "Monster Mash" with them from Earth was beyond Rodney's ability to comprehend. Which was, of course, considerable. But some things just weren't worth puzzling out. Of which this was one.

Rodney jumped about a foot when he felt a hand on the small of his back and turned to yell at who ever it was.

"Rodney, you have to do something about how uptight you are," said John, smiling at his friend's discomfort. "Someone might think you have a reason to be jumpy."

"Why would I possibly be jumpy? We're just about to sneak off and go exploring in a vast, technologically advanced city that has been abandoned for ten thousand years without anyone being aware of it? How long do we have to stay here anyway?"

"I'd say about another fifteen minutes or so. Ford's playing poker with some of the jarheads and is about to lose his shirt. Once he's out of the game, we can take off." John handed Rodney a cup of punch which he managed to secure before it got spiked. He'd never seen Rodney drunk or even tipsy and didn't think tonight would be the best time to start.

"Literally or figuratively?"

"Literally or figuratively what?"

"Lose his shirt. I'm not sure what else there is to play for around here."

"Figuratively. At least I hope so."

"Don't tell me the Great John Sheppard is a prude."

"All right, I won't, but you have to admit there are some things better left unknown."

"I'm a scientist. I admit no such thing."

"Kavanagh naked."

"I stand corrected."

Trying very hard not to picture the image John had called up, they fell into a companionable silence, drinking their punch and watching the assembled crowd. Some of the Athosians had come over from the mainland. They had been quite interested in learning more about Earth customs. The children, of course, had their Wraith masks. Ford had not had an easy time trying to explain the importance of a costume to the Athosians. What the new inhabitants of Atlantis had devised as costumes defied description in most cases. Only a few truly brave, or stupid, souls had bothered with costumes.

"What's Corrigan supposed to be?" asked John, leaning closer to make himself heard without shouting. His knowledge of American pop culture could be considered extensive but he was at a lose to identify the young Canadian's outfit. Her short hair was spiked up in about thirty different directions and a rather striking shade of goldish blonde with darker roots. There was a name tag pinned to her shirt, but John was too far away to make it out.

"That's Newbie from Twitch City." Rodney mimicked John's movement as he answered.

"Newbie? Is that a name?"

"Nickname. I think his real name is Craig or something like that."

"Is this like real?"

"No, just a character on a TV show."

"What's with the hair?"

"That's the way the character wears it, all spiky and stuff. I don't see the attraction."

"Does this mean I need to find my comb?"

"I said I didn't find it attractive. I'm sure there's some perfectly lovely girl out there who will be thrilled with your personal grooming habits. Besides, your hair is more tousled than spiky. Girls want to fix it, which I presume is your reason for wearing it that way."

"How do you know what girls want to do with my hair?"

"Sirs, are we ready to go?" Ford came bounding up, saving Rodney from having to come up with an answer for John. He couldn't very well tell him that he was the one who wanted to touch it, experiment and see what it would take to get it to behave. Of course, it was probably like the man himself - going to do exactly what it wanted to do without regard for how it was supposed to behave. It had its own rules and all the others could go hang.

"Just waiting on you, Lieutenant. I presume you know where we're going?'

"The Major thought we should just pick a direction and see what happens."

"That's well thought out."

"It's supposed to be an adventure, Rodney. Too much planning spoils it."

"Have you done any?"

"Yeah, I was looking over the display and I thought the tower in the northeast section."

John looked at Rodney as though daring him to argue.

"We know the transports go there, so great. Let's go."

Rodney turned and headed off to the transporter. Ford and Sheppard just smiled at each other and followed quietly.

###

They'd only been in the tower about fifteen minutes when Major Sheppard's talent for getting into trouble showed itself. There was a recessed area along the wall that looked like a transporter; Sheppard and McKay stepped in thinking Ford would follow. The recess did take them somewhere , but Ford was left behind. When he attempted to take the transporter to follow them, it wouldn't work.

"Major Sheppard," Ford tried his radio.

"Sheppard here. Where are you, Lieutenant?"

"By the transporter you took. It won't work for me."

"How's that possible? You don't need the ATA gene to work the transporter."

"I know that, Doctor McKay. I'm just relaying the situation as I know it."

"Stay there. We'll come back to you."

John and Rodney stepped back into the recess... and nothing happened. Casting a puzzled look at Rodney, John placed his hand on what looked to be a control panel. Still nothing.

"Ford, we're getting nothing on our side as well. Have a discreet word with Doctor Beckett. If it is gene related, he's the best person to ask for help. McKay and I'll look around and see if we can find another exit. Sheppard out."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, we might as well make the most of it. How about that corridor?"

"Since it's the only corridor leading out of this room, it's just fine. Is this some kind of record for you?"

"Record for what?"

"It hadn't been thirty minutes since we left the party and we're in trouble. It usually takes you longer than that, doesn't it?"

"First of all, I'm not the only one who gets in trouble at the drop of a hat. Hell, I'm not the only one here who does that and second...."

"Are you trying to say that I have anywhere near your talent for finding trouble?"

"Yes, I am. I'm just surprised you're not claiming yours is bigger."

"While that is true for many things, chiefly intellect and charisma, I defer to you as the bigger troublemaker."

"I do not make trouble, it just finds me. Or I find it. My point is...."

"Shhh." McKay stood stock still and listened intently. "Do you hear music?"

It was John's turn to listen carefully. "It's coming from up ahead, but that shouldn't be where the party is."

"Who knows where the transporter took us? Come on."

John blocked Rodney's attempt to barrel down the corridor.

"I think I should go first. We don't know that that is the party."

"What else could it be?"

"I don't know, Rodney. All the more reason to let me go first."

Rodney's stomach dropped about six inches when he saw the concern in John's eyes. Surely it was not for him, Rodney, personally, but for Doctor McKay, chief scientist on an exploratory expedition to another galaxy, a member of Major Sheppard's team. But damn it felt good seeing that he cared even a little.

"The city's deserted except for us. What? You think it might be ghosts?"

"It is Halloween. Besides, we found an energy creature that looked like a shadow. There's no telling what else could be stored or hidden around here."

"What do you plan on doing if something is there? Charm it into submission?"

"It's worked with you. I have point. End of discussion."

Rodney opened his mouth, but thought better of it after seeing the look in John's eyes. The music seemed a little louder anyway. They slowly moved down the all, John in the lead. They reached a door and could hear the music grow in volume. John made sure Rodney was behind him before he opened the door.

The door swooshed open, revealing a brightly lit room. The music greeted them as they stepped into the room.

"Wow. It looks like they just left. Even the plants are alive. How can that be? The city's been deserted for ten thousand years."

"I told you, it's Halloween. Strange things happen on Halloween."

"That's a myth."

John looked at him. "What?"

"It's a myth. A guy I met at Area 51 swore increased demonic activity on Halloween was a myth."

"Increased demonic activity? What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I don't think the guy was entirely sane, all right?"

"And yet you're quoting him."

"I can't help having an excellent memory."

"You can help what you share, so stop sharing."

"Fine, then I won't share how attractive I find you."

Rodney was looking straight at John as he said this. His eyes appeared to glaze over just a bit, as though he wasn't entirely in control of himself. Yet, it was easy to see that he was speaking the truth. It almost felt like any inhibitions had been removed. No fear of rejection because it wasn't an emotional statement. It was just a statement of fact as known by Doctor Rodney McKay.

John smiled as he watched Rodney begin looking around the room. "Really? Are you attracted to me?"

"That's what I just said, isn't it?"

"No. You said you find me attractive. I find Teyla attractive, but I'm not attracted to her."

"Why is that?"

John shrugged. "Just how it goes. You haven't answered my question. Are you attracted to me?"

"Isn't everyone?"

"I'm not asking everyone. I"m asking you."

"Okay, fine, yes, all right. Fine. I'm attracted to you. Are you happy now? Is your ego considerably bolstered now that you have one more poor soul at your mercy?"

"Happier and my ego is fine with or without having any 'poor souls' at my mercy. So, what do you think this room was used for?"

"How should I know? You know what I really want to do?"

"Can't imagine."

"I want to kiss you. Like that guy talked about in that baseball movie."

"You watched a baseball movie?"

"Susan Sarandon's hot. Getting back to the kisses - long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days. Obviously you can't actually kiss someone for three days, but in the interest of science it might be interesting to see how long, you, I, we, someone could kiss."

"Just kiss?"

"Well, that would be the point of the experiment."

"No, I mean, all you want to do is kiss me?"

"No, there would definitely be touching involved. And nakedness. I bet you have the most amazing dick. Probably not much in the way of girth, but long. Oddly enough, most of my fantasies have you sucking my dick, not the other way around."

Whatever was effecting Rodney, seemed to extend to his powers of observation. The room was steadily getting darker and the music was fading. In Rodney's defense, it was happening gradually. John noticed though, and realized it would be in their best interest to get out of there soon.

"Okay, Rodney, I appreciate what you're saying, a lot, but could we table this discussion to a more appropriate time? We need to find a way out of here. Ford could be here at any minute."

"If he could be here any minute, why do we need to find a way out? My favorite fantasy is giving you a massage with almond oil back and front and then tying you to the four poster bed...."

John was trying not to react to the images Rodney was calling up, but it was hard. Along with a rather vocal yet non-verbal part of his anatomy, but he just couldn't let that go by unchallenged. "Where are we going to find a four poster bed in Atlantis?"

"It's a fantasy; it doesn't matter. Once you're securely bound, I'll taste every square inch of you I can reach, taking a good deal of time on your dick, of course."

"Of course."

"Once you come and are all relaxed, that's when I'll start fucking you. I can never decide if I want to go slow and enjoy being inside you or if I want to take you hard and fast. Usually depends on how much you've pissed me off during the day."

Just as John thought he couldn't take any more of Rodney's fantasy without doing something about it, the faint strains of the music faded away.

"Rodney!"

"What?"

"Do you plan on doing any of this right now?"

"No, of course not. It's just a fantasy."

"Then shut up. Help me find a way back and maybe we'll see what we can do about making that fantasy of yours come true."

"Fantasies don't come true. That's why they're fantasies."

"You know, for a guy with a genius level IQ, you can be really stupid. Rodney, listen, look around. What do you see?"

"Nothing."

"Okay, Rodney. You need to snap out of whatever is going on with you right now. I don't know if it's this room or what, but I need you back to full McKay mode, all right."

"What makes you think I'm not in 'full McKay mode,' whatever the hell that is?"

"You just recounted a fairly explicit sexual fantasy involving me, almond oil and bondage. Would you really tell me all that without something going on?"

Rodney's watch beeped midnight. He went slack jawed with horror as he returned to "full McKay mode." He sat down in the closest chair.

"No. No. No."

"Rodney?" John hunched down in front of him, but Rodney wouldn't meet his eyes. "What happened?"

"I just made an ass out of myself, that's what happened. We should go back to the transporter. I might be able to figure something out and if not, Ford won't have to go so far looking for us. I'm sure he's got Beckett by now." Rodney moved the chair back, got up and headed down the corridor.

"McKay, wait." John caught up with him, grabbed his arm and turned him around to face him. "Would you please tell me what was going on with you just now? You...."

"Said things I shouldn't have, Major. You needn't worry though. I'll stay out of your way. Kavanagh's an asshole, but he'd do better going through the gate than Zelenka would I think."

"I don't give a damn about Kavanagh and how he handles going through the gate. I care about you and what just happened."

"Okay, fine, you want to know what just happened? I'll tell you. Mister Tact and Sensitivity pissed off the wrong person yet again. Only this crazy bastard turned out not to be so crazy apparently." Rodney pulled out of John's grasp and headed down the corridor again. "That guy I mentioned earlier, the one from Area 51? He claimed to be able to do magic. Not rabbit out of a hat type tricks, but real magic. A witch. Or a warlock, I guess, since he was male. Anyway, scientist that I am, cynic that I am, I didn't bother hiding my skepticism." They had reached the recess and Rodney slid down the wall. "He promised to prove me wrong. He said that one Halloween I'd be with someone and ... I'd be compelled to tell them my feelings for them. It was years ago, so I didn't think about it, forgot about it really." Rodney looked up at John with such sadness on his face. "I value your company, your patience with me. I love that you're the one person who not only can keep up with me verbally, but wants to. You have to understand that I would never intentionally do anything to disrupt our working relationship. I never meant for you to know."

John sat on the floor in front of Rodney. "You didn't do anything wrong. Rodney, I'm glad you told me." He put his hand on McKay's, but before he could continue, the transport slid open and out stepped Ford and Beckett.

"Sir, I don't know what was going on before, but the transporter seems to be working fine now. Find anything interesting while I was gone?"

Rodney stood up quickly. "A room that plays music which turns itself on and off. Can we just go now?"

"I thought you were all gung ho about exploring," said Beckett as he gave John a hand up.

"That was then, this is now. It's just.... I'm tired and I need a snack. Is that too much to ask?"

"Course not, lad. Let's head back. The Athosians brought some baked goods with them. They even have something very similar to pumpkin pie."

"Really? Pie? Do you think there's any left?" Beckett and McKay exited the transporter and headed back towards the party.

"Sir, did you find anything?"

"Just the room McKay was talking about. It might be a good idea to have one of the anthropology people take a look at it, see what they can find out. Does Weir know?"

"No. Halling was teaching her some harvest rituals among the Athosians. I don't think she knows much of anything at the moment."

"Good. I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible."

Just as they reached the party, Ford stopped the Major. "Sir, is everything all right? You seem quiet."

"Everything is fine or at least it will be soon. It's been a long day."

"Yes, sir."

They joined the party and it seemed no one had noticed their absence. John spent the next hour watching Rodney. He didn't appear to be suffering any ill effects of what happened although he pointedly refused to look where John was. Well, the refusal was pointed if you were John Sheppard. Knowing now was not the time to say anything, he decided to have a quick word with one of the anthropologists about that room.

Several days later, John went to Rodney's quarters. Odds were Rodney wasn't going to let him in, much less talk to him, but John had a secret weapon. Doctor Hulsey, the anthropologist, had taken a look at the room and found something. John prayed it would make a difference.

Rodney answered the door and John moved forward just enough to keep him from closing it on him.

"We need to talk."

"I'm through talking to you, Major."

"Good, because I've got a lot I want to say to you and you are going to listen." John invaded Rodney's personal space causing him to step back. John closed the door and kept moving forward.

"I'm not interested in anything you have to say."

"You will be. Sit."

Rodney did as he was told, sitting on the bed and moving till his back was against the headboard.

"John, please."

John's heart broke at the sadness and desolation in his friend's voice. He suddenly wondered if there really was anything he could do to make it better.

"Rodney."

Rodney just hung his head lower at the tenderness in John's voice. How could John be nice to him after what he did the other night? "I don't think sitting on my bed is the best place for this conversation."

"I think it's the perfect place. I had Hulsey check out that room. He thinks it was used for courting rituals. He hasn't gotten much further than that, but there's no hurry. I'd say that room, plus the suggestions your friend from Area 51 made played a part in your behavior." John paused, took a deep breath and said, "Did you mean what you said? About being attracted to me?"

Rodney just nodded. He didn't trust his voice. He didn't want John's forgiveness and he especially didn't want to feel that tiny glimmer of hope in his chest.

"Good, 'cause I'm attracted to you too."

Rodney lifted his head. Surely he hadn't heard correctly, but John was just sitting there, smiling at him.

"I'm sorry. What?"

"I said I'm attracted to you too."

"Why?"

"Fishing for compliments?"

"No, it's just... I know I'm pushy and overbearing and arrogant."

"And those are just your good qualities. Listen, Rodney, I don't know why I'm attracted to you, I just am. You keep me interested and I meant what I said before about smart asses. You want to know a secret? I thought you had a thing for Weir."

"Elizabeth's an attractive woman and smart, but she just isn't someone I can play with."

"Exactly. We can play and work and fight and it's good, but maybe it can be better."

"Better?"

"Yeah. I was thinking it might be a good idea to learn more about science."

"Science?"

"Specifically that experiment you mentioned. Long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days."

"...Slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days." They finished together.

John smiled expectantly as Rodney moved towards him.

"It's good you're showing such an interest in the sciences. Should make team work go much more smoothly."

"Gotta have smooth team work."

John and Rodney leaned in slowly, lips finally touching in just the barest of kisses. Eyes met, twinkled and laughed and then closed as they got down to the serious business of experimentation.

Rodney decided he had a new favorite holiday.