AN: October 31st, 2005. Happy Halloween to all of you! And here's the special I promised you:

xxxxx

Dear Diary,

What's so wrong about being nothing for Halloween? I mean Sheppard made so much of a drama out of this simple fact, it's so incredibly childish:

"Rodney", he said, building up in front of me wearing this stupid OJ Simpson football combo, "How can you possibly be nothing! You're being a real spoilsport once again."

You can imagine how much this out-of-place accusation pissed me off, can't you? But, well, I can stick up for myself, especially on Halloween. Here's what I replied:

"Listen, Sheppard", I told him boldly, "being nothing is still more imaginative than having been OJ Simpson every year since middle school."

He didn't like that I think, because he ran off looking pretty sour. I'm sure he'll be thinking of a boyish prank to pull on me tonight by now.

But that's nothing compared to the way Carson has planned for himself to get ridiculed today. Our nutty physician has really dared to dig his kilt from the depths of his messy Scottish closet, not to mention that strange wooly hat of the same pattern he is so proud of.

As I asked him what this craze was all about he told me that he was Tam O'Shanter for the day.

Now who is this guy? Another Highland super hero in a checked skirt who can toss a tree trunk from Loch Ness to the moon and back?

I really don't want to know, but what I definitely know is that Carson has absolutely no idea about how to iron decent pleats into this fancy little rag of his.

Anyway, enough of the complaints for now. I have to go, only because it's Halloween, work doesn't sleep today.

Regards, Rodney

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Pleats? Agitated Carson chewed his lip. His much-loved kilt was not supposed to have pleats! This was about the worst insult he had heard about his Halloween costume. Rodney would have to pay for it the next time he showed up somewhere near his infirmary...

xxxxx

Was that a jack-o-lantern drawn on that letter! Quickly Rodney snatched the paper and began to read:

Dear Darleen,

What is so wrong about being Tam O'Shanter for Halloween? Somehow most of my colleagues had no idea what to make of it.

Especially nice about it were Major Sheppard and Rodney: The major said I looked like some kind of big, Scottish hobbit in socks. (And that from him in his obligatory OJ Simpson outfit he already wore on the last sports night.)

And Rodney nearly choked from his coffee in a somewhat theatrical manner as he caught sight of me, it wasn't really the nicest thing to do, especially since he costumed himself as bloody nothing...

This demands vengeance! And I won't wait any longer than tonight with it; these cheeky buggers shan't think that the great Tam O'Shanter lets them get away without scolding!

I have to stop now, Dr Biro needs some help with her fairy costume.

Love, Carson

P.S.: I bet you dressed yourself as an angel today, right?

xxxxx

Dear Diary,

I can't believe Sheppard has brought to life such a nuisance! Why in hell has he taught those pesky Athosian kids how to trick-or-treat? He even equipped them with shaving foam and toothpaste!

You can imagine how the area around my door looks by now... And all that only because my name isn't Elizabeth or Teyla and I haven't made any cookies for them.

Or do they really expect me to give away the puny remnants of my strongly decimated chocolate stock? Forget it!

What's even worse is that Elizabeth has talked me into attending the stupid Halloween party tonight and Radek had the infamous idea I could go as the great Wayne Gretzky, just to tease Football Sheppard. I told him I'd do it, as long as he himself would be my personal cheerleader...

So, now I'm going as myself in a lab coat; fair enough!

I have to go to the freak show, now. Later, Rodney

P.S.: Note to myself: How about putting Carson's kilt down the toilet along with his stupid hat?

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Carson grumbled, if Rodney would dare to even touch any of it, he would decapitate him with his own hands. The bloody philistine!

xxxxx

Another Halloween letter! Greedily Rodney grabbed it, eager to read more about Carson desperately trying to justify himself being Tam O'Shanter:

Dear Mum,

Surely you're pleased to hear that I've decided to be Tam O'Shanter for Halloween this year.

But there's one thing I really miss today. Your great, delicious pumpkin soup and that homemade shortbread of yours.

I'd really love to change with the wee neighborhood bairn tonight. Firstly they get your infamous shortbread and secondly they don't need a justification to be Tam O'Shanter.

Where I am now, it even seems as if some people would be more understanding if I dressed as a bloody sheep tonight.. it's not fair!

Anyway I wish you a great night with your bridge ladies. I have to attend the party now. Tell you everything about it next time.

Lots of Love,

Carson Tam O'Shanter Beckett

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A sheep, Rodney mused, now that would do the job for the Highlander, it'd even give him something fluffy for a change...

Sighing he re-folded the letter and shoved it back into the pile.

xxxxx

AN: It's a pity none of you goes to my school. You missed this whole bunch of guys showing up this Friday wearing their kilts; that was much scarier than Halloween!