A/N: Since it's my first Halloween since I've joined the SGA fandom, I decided to write up a quick Halloween-ey fic for the occasion :D It's gonna be a creepy ride, guys.

And no, there's no Town of Origin in Garrett County, Maryland. But if there was/is...well, that'd be awesome. Seriously.

A/N2: The beginning might be a bit confusing when it comes to Madison and how she came to be in Rodney's care, but the short version is this: Caleb died when Maddie was young, so she doesn't remember him all that much, and Jeannie died only a few months previous (of the beginning of this fic) in a car accident, so Madison has gone to Rodney. All will be explained (better) later.

A/N3: (I'll stop talking soon, promise!) With school hounding me, I don't know how fast updates will be, but I'm hoping to have this finished by Halloween (hopefully.)

STATUS: TBC

RATING: K+

SUMMARY: AU and SLASH McKayxSheppard A Halloween fic! Rodney and his niece Madison buy a new (but old and frankly falling down) house in a small town (cliché enough yet?), which the locals believe to be haunted. Which it most definitely is. Inspired by Rose Red.

SPOILERS: Since it's AU, nothing.

WARNINGS: A bit of swearing. Our boys have quite the potty mouth sometimes.

DISCLAIMER: Everything Stargate Atlantis related is property of MGM. I own nothing.

x x x

Colorado Springs, Colorado

"Are you sure you have everything, Madison?"

"Yup, all packed up," came the rather sullen reply.

Rodney McKay sighed quietly and set down his bag on the hardwood floor. He squatted down in front of his niece to look her in the eyes. The girl had her mother's eyes; a bright intelligent blue.

"Maddie, I know you're not very happy about this, but you know that Atlantis Corp. is just getting started in that backwater town we'll be calling home. They need me there." He straightened up and gave Madison a pat on the head. "Besides, think of it like a fresh start. A new home, new friends, new school. It'll be good."

"But I'm happy here!" Maddie burst out, highly tempted to stomp her foot down. "What if I don't want new friends or a new home? I like this one!"

Rodney rubbed his temples. Jeannie had been much better with the whole 'talking' thing.

"Look, Madison—"

"You just want to forget about Mom! She loved this house!" Ignoring the shocked look on her uncle's face, Madison ploughed on. "She loved this house and now we're leaving it for some strangers to take!" Grabbing up her bag, the girl flung it over her shoulder and stomped out through the front door.

Silence filled the empty house as Rodney stood in the foyer, completely at a loss. He was making the right decision, wasn't he?

'Yes, of course I am.'

It didn't seem like it now, but he knew everything would work out.

'Who the hell am I trying to convince?'

Rodney's baby blues cast their gaze around the foyer once more, the colours on the walls a harsh reminder of Jeannie's love of her house. 'No, not hers anymore.' She had spent hours pouring over those paint chips, putting thought into each and every room. It was strange to see the house so empty, so...unlived in.

With one last glance around, Rodney picked up his bag and heaved it over his shoulder. As he shut the door behind him, he could practically feel the house wilting, familiar presence gone.

x x x

Town of Origin, Garrett County, Maryland

'God, when Elizabeth said 'small town' she meant it.'

And judging by the look on Madison's face, Rodney wasn't the only one who noticed it.

"Well, think of it this way," Rodney reasoned as he came to a stop in the middle of the deserted town. "At least it won't be difficult to make friends."

"If there are any other people..."

Some days Rodney wished he didn't pass down his trademark McKay sarcasm and dry wit to the girl.

Without trying to placate her, Rodney pressed on the gas and continued through the small town. Once they made it down into the more residential part, his eyes started to flicker right and left, searching out a house number.

From what Elizabeth had told him, the house would be easy to spot and right on the corner.

'Though these people could use some street lamps...'

Admittedly, getting there nine at night wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do.

"Err, Uncle Mer...is that it?"

Rodney followed Madison's outstretched finger, nearly blanching when he caught sight of the house on the corner lot.

'Well...shit.'

The car came to a slow stop, the red brake lights casting a not-so-welcoming glow over the overgrown lawn.

Both sets of eyes were fixed on the large, white manor. Rodney leaned across Madison's lap to get a better look out the rolled down window.

The manor was one of odd design. The front façade seemed almost...busy. Large windows and a turret stuck out in the dark night, their bright but peeling trim highlighted by the car's headlights. From where he was sitting, Rodney wasn't able to tell if the white face was brick or painted board, but whatever it was seemed to be crumbling in some places, mainly around the turret and windows.

Frankly, he was amazed that the thing wasn't falling down. Even the windows were still intact. His eyes traveled up to the top most part of the roof where a small balcony jetted out. He half expected a shadowy figure to be standing there staring at them.

'Oh, for God's sake.'

Leaning back, he turned off the engine and opened the door. The dim light above them came to life.

"Well, let's get inside before we freeze to death. Though it's not like we have heating yet..."

Maddie's wide eyes were still fixed on the manor, mouth hanging open a few inches.

Rodney glanced over and did a double take, lips twitching slightly.

"You look like guppy. C'mon, grab your bag. Unless you want to spend the night in the car." A proposition that wasn't looking too bad right now. If the man didn't have a bad back, he would have actually considered it.

"W-we're sleeping in there?" came Madison's nervous question.

"No," corrected Rodney as he swivelled around to reach into the back seat. He missed the look of relief on his niece's face. "We're living there. Come on then."

Together they grabbed their few bags and got out of the car. The moving van had been scheduled to arrive the next day, so they only brought clothes and absolute necessities; one of which was Rodney's laptop which he insisted he needed despite the fact that they had no internet or phone line access yet.

They climbed the mossy stone steps and up to the front door, Madison constantly staying a few inches behind her uncle. Rodney thoroughly wished he had someone to hide behind too.

Fishing the key out of his pocket, Rodney jammed it into the lock and turned. After a few failed attempts, the door finally swung open. A musty smell drifted out; an odd mix of wet stone and cold air. It reminded him greatly of his grandmother's old basement.

The inside of the manor was just as dilapidated as the outside, but it kept out most of the Fall chill, mainly due to all the windows being intact.

"Are you sure there's no Hilton or Best Western here?"

Rodney forced a smile onto his face, despite the butterflies that had taken residence in his stomach.

"Sorry, lady. I bet there's not even one in the next town over." It was definitely a thought though. 'Argh, I'm killing Elizabeth in the morning...'

If they lived through it.

Rodney scowled and shook his head, forcing away any nerves. It was just a house. A big and admittedly creepy house. Sure, there was dust and it was cold, but there was nothing threatening. Allergies were annoying and all, but death was permanent. They would be fine.

Briefly leaving Madison's side, Rodney dumped his bag onto the ground and moved further into the foyer, searching for a light switch. Thankfully he found one without problem. The lights were dim, but when they flickered to life, it was like a beacon to the two.

"Alright, why don't we search out the kitchen? I know you squirreled away cookies in that bag of yours."

Madison grinned happily and latched onto Rodney's hand as they both made their slow way down the hall. After a wrong turn or two, they managed to find the kitchen and flip on the lights.

"Huh, that's not so bad," reasoned Rodney as he looked around. It was big, relatively clean, and the lights worked. 'Though the moth eaten curtains across the doors have to go...' But truth be told, he was glad the patio doors were covered. Braving the backyard in the night wasn't something he was ready for yet.

"Alright, let's get into those cookies now!" Grabbing Maddie by the waist, he hauled her up and sat her down on the nearest counter. He plopped her bag down next to her.

After much rummaging, Madison yanked out the baggie of cookies with a happy smile.

"Wait, wait," interrupted Rodney as the girl reached for a Chips Ahoy. "We touched a lot of dusty stuff on the way in. Who knows what kind of germs are floating around in here? I think I have hand sanitizer in my bag..."

Madison rolled her eyes. Only her uncle carried hand sanitizer with him.

"Then get it already, Uncle Mer! I'm hungry."

Rodney huffed and looked around.

"Alright, alright. I think I left it in the front hall. Stay put."

Even though he was rather reluctant to leave Madison--mainly because then he would be alone—he gave her a pat on the head and walked quickly out of the kitchen. Ah, the things he did to stay sanitary.

Somehow managing to make it back to the foyer without getting lost—'I'm a genius. I'm not going to get lost in a house...'—he caught sight of his bag in the middle of the entry way and headed over to it. Picking it up, he opened it with one hand and started to rummage through.

When a chilly breeze brushed past him, he looked up suspiciously. That was when he noticed the opened front door.

"Shit. What kind of genius leaves the front door open?"

With a huff, he went back to searching for the sanitizer, feet absently walking him slowly over to the door.

"Ah-ha-AHH!"

The bag dropped from his hands as Rodney stumbled backwards, eyes wide and mouth agape. He stared in shock at the man in front of him in the doorway, heart pounding a mile an hour.

The man blinked before chuckling and rubbing the back of his neck.

"Wow, sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I thought you knew I was here."

Rodney clutched the front of his jacket, wide eyes fixed on the guy. He looked normal enough. Tall, slender, funny looking head of hair. If Rodney hadn't been close to a panic attack, he would have even thought the man was attractive.

"What the hell is your problem?" he yelped, pulse finally starting to slow. "Are you trying to give me a hear attack?"

"Hey, I said I was sorry," the man defended with a pout. A pout, for God's sake!

Rodney scowled, finally dropping his hand before snatching up his bag.

"Who the hell are you anyways? Shouldn't you be tucked away in your bed somewhere?" Didn't small town folk go to bed at six pm or something? "Or did your square dance class run late?"

As opposed to flinching and tearing up like Rodney was used to, the man just smiled lazily and shrugged.

"What can I say? I've got a thing for promenading."

Rodney rubbed his temples, already feeling an oncoming headache.

"Alright, maybe you should just tell me who you are before I call the cops." He was already living in a creepy house with no heating and only a six year old for entertainment. He didn't need a killer stalker either.

"So I would have to arrest myself?" Before Rodney could comment, the guy smiled again and held out his hand. "Detective John Sheppard. I saw your car outside and the lights on in here, so I thought I would stop by, see what's going on."

"Oh..." Rodney blinked, watching as John Sheppard raised an eyebrow. Realizing that he was practically appraising the man, he did some damage control and took his hand to give it a firm shake. "Doctor Rodney McKay. And before you ask, no. I'm not medical. I'm a physicist."

"Cool," came the amused reply.

"Er, I suppose so..." With a shake of his head, Rodney peered past Sheppard's shoulder to spot a cop car parked behind his own.

"Making sure I'm not lying?"

Rodney scowled and heaved his bag over his shoulder.

"Can't be too careful," he answered, rolling his eyes. "Actually, I was wondering why you felt the need to 'check the place out'. It hasn't been that long since someone's lived here, has it?"

Once again, John's eyebrows rose. Apparently it was his turn to appraise Rodney.

"You don't know much about Stone Manor, do you?"

Rodney huffed, thrusting his hands into the pockets of his fleece lined coat.

"Clearly not since we just moved here."

"We?"

"Madison and I."

A peculiar look crossed John's face, almost unnoticeable.

"Wife?"

"Niece," Rodney answered with a snort, not noticing John's expression clearing up.

"Cool," came his now-obvious catchphrase. "Well, I'd tell you all about this place, but I'm sure you'd probably liked to get squared away." John's lips twitched as he waited for Rodney's reaction.

"Square...funny," Rodney responded, deadpanned. "And there's not much to...square away actually. Our stuff won't be here until tomorrow. But Madison is probably tired, so..." He trailed off, hoping Sheppard would take the hint and bugger off.

Thankfully he did.

With a nod, John backed out onto the tiny porch and started down the mossy steps.

"Wait!"

He stopped and turned when Rodney called out.

"You called this place something. Stone Manor. Why?"

John blinked, then chuckled.

"You haven't been out into the backyard yet, have you?"

With a look of apprehension, Rodney frowned and asked, "...why?"

Before John could open his mouth, the other man talked right over him, hastily waving his hands. "Never mind, never mind. I don't want to know. Don't say a word. God, I'm never going to get to sleep now..."

Without another word to Sheppard, Rodney let out a muffled groan and shut the door.

"Nope," muttered John with a chuckle as he headed over to his car. "That guy's definitely not getting to sleep tonight."

And he didn't blame him. That place was damned creepy.

x x x

11:30 pm – that night

"Alright, Maddie. Climb in."

Rodney held up a corner of their makeshift bed, though it was really just a few blankets on the dusty hardwood floor. He was already counting down the hours to when he could climb into his real bed with the memory foam mattress.

Still wearing her coat, Madison practically jumped eagerly in under the blankets, pressing herself right up against Rodney.

The two had holed themselves up in the living room for the night, choosing it rather then the kitchen or any of the unexplored bedrooms.

'God knows what kind of bugs are crawling around up there…or down here.'

But it was better then the kitchen where he would spend all night wondering what was on the other side of those moth covered drapes that blocked their view of the backyard.

'Shoot, alright. Stop thinking, no more thinking. Just sleep. Sleeep…'

Creak.

'What was that?'

Though Madison was snoring quietly away next to him, he still couldn't make his eyes close. Well, he did…but they only snapped open seconds later at any sound of movement. In all honesty, he didn't know how Maddie was able to fall asleep. It took her all of five seconds before she was out like a light, even after asking for a Hilton Hotel.

'What I wouldn't give for a hotel…or even a motel. Or a bed and breakfast. Well, maybe not a B and B. Who knows how sanitary they are when cooking their food. Or cleaning the sheets. Or—damn it, I'm supposed to be sleeping!'

But how could he sleep with everything creaking around him?

'God, why didn't we pick a corner to sleep in? We just HAD to sleep in the middle of the room where we have nothing to hide behind and something can jump out at us from any angle and it's cold and I'm hungry and tired and—Aw, COME ON, MCKAY! Shut up for once and sleep!'

He let out a quiet huff and determinedly shut his eyes, hell bent on getting to sleep.

Creak.

'What was that?'

x x x