Takes place in 2012, when Aiden is six.

Prompt #46 - Ghost

"You idiot, how could you possibly think that?" Rodney scoffed.

John immediately looked up from his laptop. He didn't approve of his friend insulting his wife, but before he could open his mouth, Evie zinged Rodney back.

"Well, excuuuse me, Mr. Smartypants," Evie retorted, offended. "Not all of us went to college for eight years."

"Well, maybe more of you should have."

"So then we'd have more condescending buttheads? I think I'll pass."

John, who had now decided to stay out of it, snickered.

"Why are you even here?" Rodney snapped at her; he'd just gotten a horrible tongue-lashing from Weir about something that wasn't even his fault, and he wasn't in the mood for Evie's ever-curious and slightly annoying "What ya doin'?" routine.

"I came to ask if you could help out at the carnival tomorrow night," she answered.

"Why?"

"Because you have kids and we could use volunteers, but if you've got a full schedule of people to insult, I understand."

He sighed in frustration. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just help out at one of the stations. Help the kids decorate the pumpkins or something."

"Fine. Is that all?"

"Yes. Be in Meeting Room Two by 6:30 tomorrow; that's where we're setting up."

Rodney turned back to his work, thought for a moment, and looked back up at her. "Why doesn't he have to help?" He nodded at John.

"I already volunteered to take Aiden around the carnival and trick-or-treating since Evie's working at the face-painting station," John answered with a smile.

Evie smiled back. "'Cause he's awesome like that. And Aiden's super-excited; he's been talking about it all week. Now don't forget, we'd like both of you to come in costume if you can."

"Already covered," John replied.

"What is it? What is it?" she asked, bouncing.

"I told you," he answered with a grin, "it's a surprise. You'll find out tomorrow night. But I promise you're going to like it."

"I'll tell you mine," she bribed, batting her eyelashes.

He made a motion with his hand of sealing his lips.

"Oh, fine. McKay, you got something to wear?"

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, you have to. Don't be such a party pooper. Wear a bloodied lab coat and come as a mad scientist. Wear a freaking bed sheet and be a ghost. Surely you can use your ginormous brain to come up with something creative?" she taunted.

"What are you dressing up as?" he sneered back. "One of the seven dwarves?"

"Oh, I get it," Evie said with a wry smile. "Because I'm short. So then are you going as the Michelin Man?"

Rodney turned to John. "She went there."

John shrugged, not looking up. "You started it."

Evie threw her hands up. "You know what? I don't even care. Dress up. Don't dress up. Whatever." She bent down to kiss John. "We'll see you tomorrow night," she smiled.

"I can't wait."

XXXXXX

When Evie heard the knock at her door, she quickly grabbed her face-painting supplies. "Honey, Uncle John's here. Hurry and get your bag."

"I forgot where I put it," he said, looking around his mother's quarters.

"Well, hurry up and find it," she said, waving her hand to open the door, "'cause we have to…go." Evie lost all focus when she saw John standing in her doorway.

She knew immediately who he was supposed to be when she saw the tan trousers, the whip at his side, the worn leather jacket, the faded fedora. She'd thought he'd looked good last year, when he'd dressed as Clark Kent, but this… She bit her lip.

Evie wasn't the only one staring. John's eyes were glued to the light green mini-dress his wife was wearing. The bottom hem was cut in a large zigzag pattern above her knee. The dress was made of a shimmery material and the bodice hugged her figure. She was wearing a pair of sheer, white fairy wings and had painted her face with sparkly green and white designs on her cheeks beside her eyes. She probably even had pixie dust hidden somewhere.

He was so never going to be able to watch Peter Pan again.

"Oh, here it is, Mommy," Aiden said, grabbing his pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat bag from her bathroom. "I'm ready." When he got no response, he walked over to stand by his mother. "Mom, I'm ready to go."

Evie and John still didn't register the small voice. They couldn't take their eyes off each other's not-intentionally provocative costumes, their minds were lost in what were probably very similar fantasies.

"Mom." Aiden poked Evie.

"Oh! Right. You're ready to go." She blushed a little beneath her face paint. "Uncle John's going to take you around while I stay in one spot and paint faces, okay?"

"I know, mom, you already told me." He sounded impatient.

"Alright, then let's go."

"Your costume looks awesome, buddy," John said with a smile.

Aiden grinned. "I know." Then he dashed out the door, crying, "To infinity and beyond!"

XXXXXX

"Alright, Aiden, I think this is the last door," John said as Zelenka put a piece of candy in Aiden's bag.

"Now we can go watch the movie?" Aiden asked.

"Yeah, it's in the rec room. I'll drop you off there."

"Where are you going?" Aiden asked, pulling a lollipop out of his bag and unwrapping it.

"The grown-ups are having a party in the Great Hall in a little while."

"Oh." He thought for a minute. "Can I come to your party with you, Uncle John?"

Sheppard laughed. "I don't think so, buddy. But your party sounds like more fun, anyway. The kitchen staff made you guys lots of cookies and you're going to watch Hocus Pocus!"

"Oh, I like that movie," Aiden smiled around the lollipop in his mouth.

"Awesome."

When they got to the rec room, they saw a table covered with cookies and other goodies. All the bean bags were in front of the TV and the oldest two Murphy children were running around the room, obviously on a sugar high. There was some glitter sparkling on the ground, but they didn't think anything of it.

John saw Summer standing by the snack table. She was wearing a light pink princess gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves that reached down to her wrists. A small gold crown sat on top of her hair, which she had obviously curled.

"Enjoying your evening, Sleeping Beauty?" he asked.

Summer snickered.

"What?"

"I just think it's funny that you knew I was Sleeping Beauty and not just a generic princess, sir."

"Hey, I end up watching a lot of Disney movies when I babysit," he defended himself.

"If you say so, sir." She looked across the room at where Aiden had joined in chasing Aaron and Skylar. "Oh, his costume is too adorable."

"Well, so are your two. Pebbles and Bambam? Classic. So where's your Prince Charming tonight, Princess?"

"He's putting Kyle to bed. Mary's going to help me tonight when she gets here with her girls. There will only be six kids, so we'll be fine."

"Am I free to leave then?"

"Yes, sir."

John laughed as he watched Aiden tackle Aaron. "I know he's full of sugar, but don't let him get too crazy or hurt anyone."

"I'm sure we can handle them, sir," she smiled.

"Alright then, Princess. I bid you goodnight." He made an exaggerated bow.

She laughed. "Oh, Colonel, wait!" she said when he turned to leave. She picked up an envelope off the table and handed it to him.

"What is this?"

She shrugged innocently. "A fairy gave it to me."

John pulled a small note from the envelope. When he unfolded it, gold glitter fluttered out. "What the…" He recognized Evie's handwriting. How about a little treat before the party, Dr. Jones? Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning. Just follow the pixie dust…

He looked back at where he'd seen the glitter earlier and now saw that it formed a little trail that lead out the door. He grinned up at Summer.

"Let me guess. You have the best wife ever, sir?" She winked.

"Uh-huh." He looked over to Aiden and called, "Bye, Aiden. Have fun!"

"Where you going?"

John grinned. "Neverland."