Title: Shadow Play
Author: Cindy Ryan
Category: Xover SG1/SGA
Notes and summary: See part one

Sheppard looked over at Daniel. "You're convinced this is the only way to end this?"

Jackson nodded. "Yes. We weren't able to find anything else in the database."

John glanced at Sam. "And you expect me to perform this spell….."

Sam moved toward Sheppard. "You're the only one I trust to do it. I know it's asking a lot."

John shook his head. "You've no idea, kid. I've seen a lot since I've been on Atlantis, but to do this... to stand by while we're practically condemning you to death."

"I think Carson has a good chance at saving Sam," Elizabeth stated quietly. "If we time this right he won't be in the stasis chamber for long."

John let out a long sigh as he rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. After a moment, he met Sam's gaze. "If this insane plan works, Sam, your brother is going to be furious when he realizes…."

Sam nodded solemnly. "I know and I'll deal with it. Wouldn't be the first time Dean's been angry with me."

"Alright," John agreed reluctantly. "Tell me what to do."

Sam smiled. "Thank you."

Elizabeth glanced at Sam as she said, "do you mind if I call two more members of our team and bring them into this? We'd have to explain your…..background to them."

Sam nodded. "It doesn't matter at this point who knows if it helps bring Dean home."

John chuckled as Elizabeth met his gaze. "This will really blow Rodney's mind."

Samantha Carter met Cameron as he was coming down the stairs from Landry's office. "I was just looking for you."

Cameron grinned. "You found me. How'd it go with Daniel?"

"Interesting. I met Sam Winchester."

"What's he like?"

"Would definitely fit more on a college campus than fighting vampires," Sam replied as they reached the bottom of the stairs and headed back to her lab. "He's made an impression on Daniel though."

"Jackson trusts him?" Cameron asked in surprise.

Sam nodded. "He said Weir and Sheppard do as well."

Cameron shook his head in amazement. "Wish I had a hidden camera to catch those three talking about ghosts and demons."

Sam laughed. "I would've loved to hear Rodney's reaction."

Cameron stopped dead in the hallway. "Oh now that would be priceless."

"Did Landry give us a go?" Sam asked as she started walking once more.

Cameron nodded. "Yeah, but he only gave us a day."

Sam glanced at her watch. "Let's get going."

Rodney looked from Sheppard to Weir and back again. He glanced at Ronon leaning against the wall who shrugged.

Rodney slowly set his tablet on one of the chairs as he met Weir's gaze. He'd never seen her more serious about anything.
That was the only reason he knew this wasn't a practical joke.

"You've all lost your minds," Rodney muttered. "Or maybe I have."

"Nobody's crazy," Sheppard stated quietly.

"That's debatable," McKay replied with a quick look back at Sam Winchester.

"Dr. McKay…." Sam began.

Rodney whirled around to face the younger man. "So you not only get visions but you hunt vampires for a living?"

Sam tried not to wince at the sarcasm. "I know it….."

Rodney whipped back around to face Sheppard. "Did he give you any actual proof that he's seen Elvis?"

"Rodney," Elizabeth stated gently. "Dean's condition is unexplainable to Carson. That's proof enough to us."

Sam moved back into Rodney's line of sight. "Doctor, I'm not asking you to believe... I've had an entire lifetime to wrap my head around it. I'm just asking you to help..." Sam paused and looked back at Ronon. "Both of you."

Ronon looked over at Sheppard.

"It's your call, Ronon," John replied quietly. "For what it's worth, I trust him. If you don't do it I'd have to find somebody else to shoot your gun... and I really don't trust McKay with it."

"Funny," Rodney muttered.

Ronon studied Sam for a long moment before his gaze rested back on Sheppard. "I'll do it... but I still don't trust them."

John nodded. "Good enough. Rodney?"

McKay ignored him and met Elizabeth's gaze. If she believed that all this supernatural stuff was real, that should be good enough for him.
But it wasn't.
Not by a long shot.
He was too tethered to science to even begin to consider the possibility that there were things in the shadows... that there was a hell.
Though with all he'd been through since coming to Atlantis, it might not be that much of a stretch.

"Okay," McKay agreed reluctantly. "But I'm not staking anything and I'm not going anywhere near blood."

John smiled as he walked around Rodney to Sam. "That's as good as you're gonna get with McKay."

"It's more than I hoped for," Sam replied.
John looked warily at Sam as an idea occurred to him. "This spell isn't in English is it?"

Sam grinned. "No."

John sighed. "Should've seen that one coming."