Chapter One: You Want to be Who for Halloween?

Author note: This story is part of the Magical Flashpoint Side Story series. It follows "At the Intersection of Magic and Technology" and comes before "Nobody Said Anything About Magic". This story is set before "Scorpio" (Flashpoint Pilot).

Please, enjoy my fun little romp through an absolutely wicked idea for a Flashpoint Halloween. My inner geek gets free rein in this story and she's cackling even as I write this. Sorry, Sam fans, but this is set before Sam joins the team, so no Sam.

Although all original characters belong to me, I do not own Flashpoint, Harry Potter, Narnia, or Merlin. I also do not own the Avengers or Justice League International.

There were days that Greg Parker bitterly regretted letting Spike introduce his nipotes to modern technology and modern entertainment. This was rapidly becoming one of those days as niece and nephew loudly debated – squabbled over – the merits of Marvel and DC Comics superheroes. Each was firmly convinced that 'their' heroes were better in every way, shape, and form…and they were determined to convince the other. The argument was getting ever more heated as the month of October progressed – and Halloween drew closer; Greg was sick and tired of it.

"Okay, enough you two," he finally broke in as their voices rose. "Each of you pick someone to go as for Halloween…and not another word about who the other person picks or I'll introduce you to the concept of being grounded for Halloween."

Greg blithely ignored the twin pouts he received from the pair; if pouting meant they weren't arguing anymore…well, it meant he didn't have to listen to said arguing. Of course, ignoring them meant he missed the silent consultation between the siblings as they 'decided' on a way to get back at their uncle – without being punished.

"Uncle Greg?" Alanna asked as sweetly as she could. The suspicious look she got was everything the two could have wished for; their uncle was on guard and wary. "Are you going to dress up for Halloween?"

Parker almost dropped his coffee cup; he'd last dressed up for Halloween when his son, Dean, was six – over eight years earlier. To cover himself, he replied hastily, "I wasn't planning on it, mia nipote; Halloween's more of a kid's holiday…" He trailed off at the twin pleading looks he got from both children; Alanna even managing to produce wide, tearful eyes, along with a tiny sniffle. Greg rolled his eyes skyward, praying for deliverance…or failing that, patience. With a heavy sigh, he offered up a response known to parents world-wide when they have no real intention of doing something, but don't want to admit that out loud. "I'll think about it, mia nipote."

Arriving at work was a relief, especially with the idea both kids seemed to have seized upon when he wasn't looking: namely that their uncle should dress up for Halloween. Though he'd been looking forward to having a day off, now he was hoping Team One had work on Halloween; it would be an easy excuse and he could drop the kids off at the Wordsworths the day of, thus avoiding the issue neatly.

Greg changed into his uniform and left the locker room for the briefing room, planning to tackle the ever-constant paperwork, when Sally waved him over. "Yes, Sally?" he queried, detouring to her desk.

"Sorry, sir, but Commander Holleran asked to speak with you as soon as possible."

"Copy that," Greg acknowledged, changing his direction to Commander Holleran's office. He knocked at the door and, at the "Enter" from within, walked into his commander's office. "Sir? Sally said you asked to speak with me?"

Behind his desk, the older man looked up, giving his sergeant a smile. "Yes, actually. Have a seat, Greg." Once Greg slid into the offering seat, Holleran continued, "I have good news and I have bad news."

"Okay?"

"The good news is that your team is going to be off-duty for Halloween." Greg stiffened; he had a bad feeling about where this was going. "The bad news is that your team might as well be on-duty: I've been requested to send my top team and their families to the Mayor's Halloween party."

"In our uniforms?" Greg asked, hopeful.

That hope died as Holleran shook his head regretfully. "Halloween party, Sergeant; costumes, no uniforms." As Greg's shoulders slumped, Holleran added, "Also, I've been…encouraged…to tell you to have everyone in similar costumes; a common theme, if you will."

Grasping at one last straw, Greg questioned, "So, the kids in one theme…" He stopped at Holleran's headshake.

"Same theme for everyone, Sergeant Parker. Your team, any spouses, any kids…all the same theme."

Oh, joy…

Team One was rather unnerved by their Sergeant's long face before the day had even really started. They settled into their seats in the briefing room with wary, taut expressions, but their Sergeant waited until everyone was present before speaking.

"We've been invited to a Halloween party being thrown by our local elected officials."

Ed arched a brow. "Nice of them," he drawled. "I think I have other plans that day."

The rest of the team had agreeing expressions on their faces, but Parker just sighed. "Sorry, Ed, but I'm afraid this is one invitation we can't refuse…Holleran's orders." He made a face at the groans. "I'm with you guys…I'm not any more interested than you are. To top it off, we've also been ordered to A) Be in costume, not uniform and B) Our costumes have to have a common theme. Not just us, but any guests – wives, children, and so on – have to be in common theme costumes too."

Now he was getting dismayed looks, especially from Ed and Wordy. "How the heck are we supposed to come up with a theme that everyone agrees on?" Wordy questioned, already dreading telling Shelley and their girls the news.

"I don't think we can, Wordy," Parker replied glumly. "No matter which theme we pick, someone's going to be unhappy." He tapped his pen against his notebook, thinking a moment, then huffed a sigh and 'fessed up. "Mio nipotes are going to be happy though; they asked me this morning if I was going to dress up with them for Halloween." The snickers from his team were worth the momentary embarrassment.

"What do they want to go as?" Jules inquired.

A brief laugh. "Last I heard, they were squabbling over DC and Marvel superheroes: Lance wants to go as Booster Gold, a second-string minor hero in DC, and 'Lanna wants to go as Hawkeye, another minor hero in Marvel." He tossed a mock glare at Spike. "I blame you for that, Mr. Scarlatti – and for showing them The Avengers."

Laughter rose again as Spike ducked his head and attempted to look innocent. Jules, though, had a thoughtful look on her face. When the laughter died down, she asked Ed and Wordy, "Would Sophie and Shelley go for a superhero theme? I'm sure there are some lady heroes who aren't too bad to dress up as."

"Jules?" Lou questioned, looking surprised. "You'd go for a superhero theme?"

Jules shrugged. "Why not, Lou? Like Sarge said, no one's going to be completely happy with whatever we pick, so one theme's as good as any other. If the kids are already planning their costumes out, maybe we can at least keep them happy." She looked over at Ed. "Unless Clark has already planned something else?"

"Not sure," Ed admitted, considering. "Soph might know, though. Have to call her anyway."

"Go, both of you," Greg decided, nodding to Wordy and Ed. "If they're game for a superhero theme, maybe the kids and I can contribute some costume ideas and props…the least they can do for getting me in costume on Halloween."

Snickers rose from Team One as they contemplated what the kids might come up with. One thing was for sure…Halloween was going to be interesting this year…