jam_pony_fic

“Tricks andTreats, Heavy on the Trick”
Fandom: Dark Angel
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.
Word Count: 871
Characters: Mole, Max, Alec, Joshua
Notes: For the Tricks and Treats comment meme for the prompt: transgenics with feline DNA + sweets with catnip. I hope this pleases.

The only problem, Mole decided, was that he hadn’t thought of it first. He wasn’t sure who had yet, but when he found out, he’d shake their hand and give them a cigar. This was far too entertaining and probably the best prank he’d ever seen, Halloween or otherwise.

In the spirit of Halloween, someone had left a big bowl of candy in the center of Command. Mole had to clean guns, and so he shared the table with the sweets. Such an offering could hardly be ignored, and every single transgenic who wandered through the room took a piece or two. As soon as the wrappers came off, it became clear that the candy was rather special.

It started slowly. Dalton was one of the first to pass by that Mole saw. The kid popped the candy in his mouth, paused and then darted back for a handful. An idiotic pleased grin was slapped across his face as he shoved two more sweets into his mouth. Mole didn’t think much of it; kids like candy and it wasn’t like it was Halloween often.

Several hours passed and the older, possibly more mature transgenics rolled in. Some bypassed the candy entirely, just having no interest. A few others pocketed the treats for later. All the X-5s and most of the X-6’s seemed to really like the candy and either walked out grinning like idiots or scrambled back for another piece. When Max appeared, she helped herself to piece as she headed up to the computer bank, chatting with Luke. There were several times when she seemed to lose focus on the conversation and was very interested in the empty candy wrapper. It wasn’t until Alec showed up that Mole was certain there was something going on.

“All right, candy!” Alec crowed as he swung past the bowl and grabbed a handful. “I never quite got all the hype about the holidays of any sort, but I do love that food is always a big part.”

“That’s cuz you think with your stomach,” Max called over her shoulder at him, all focus and business once again.

“At least I think,” Alec replied. He trotted up the stairs and gravitated towards Max with rather more enthusiasm than usual. He popped two pieces of candy into his mouth and crunched them between his teeth. And almost purred. Mole frowned and chomped on his cigar.

Max tapped a finger on a schematic, some plan in motion. “Alec, tell me what you think of this.” She half turned to where he stood behind her, and almost ran into his nose. “Whoa, personal space, buddy.” She pushed him back.

Alec’s nostrils flared and he leaned into her hand, ignoring her.

“Knock it off,” she growled and turned back to the papers.

Alec followed her, chest pressing into her back, head dipping down as if to look at the information displayed under Max’s finger; instead he turned to rub his nose in her hair.

“Alec! What the hell!” This time Max meant it when she pushed him away, and he staggered to the other end of the platform, past the very confused Luke. “Is it a full moon or something that set you off? Paws off, or lose ‘em.”

Mole reached for the candy and sniffed it cautiously. There was nothing wrong with it that he could tell, but Manticore hadn’t given him an enhanced nose.

“Jeezus, Max, relax,” Alec drawled, but his eyes began to lose the rather dreamy look they’d had just a moment ago. “You just smell real nice today.”

“Whatever. When you can get your brain in gear, I need your opinion on this.” Max turned back to the papers, grumbling about needing the advice of an idiot, what had she’d been reduced to.

A few minutes passed and Alec blinked and managed to be productive and stay out of Max’s bubble. Mole went back to his guns, lost in the rhythm and focus of the task.

“Everybody crazy cuz of Halloween?” Joshua’s voice sounded at Mole’s elbow.

“Huh? When aren’t those X-series all crazy?”

“More crazy that usual,” Joshua conceded, nodding and pointing.

Mole looked. Now Max was well into Alec’s personal space, standing behind him with her arms around his waist, nose pressed into his shoulder. Alec certainly didn’t seem to mind, his eyes clear but very happy. The craziest was Gem, sitting on Luke’s lap, petting his smooth head with light fingers and her eyes fuzzy and contented. A pile of empty candy wrappers sat next to Luke’s chair.

“The hell?” Mole wondered. “Don’t touch the candy, Joshua, I think it’s drugged.”

“That’s bad. Tricks and treats and bad tricks.” The big transhuman pulled the candy bowl across the table and carefully picked up a piece. He sniffed it and sneezed. “Catnip,” he declared. And sneezed again. “Who left the candy?”

“No idea,” Mole replied, a grin spreading as he watched Max blink and suddenly realized where she was. Gem’s face was slowly gaining comprehension again. “But honestly, the results are hilarious. They are never gonna live this down.”

“Tricks and treats and tricks” Joshua agreed.

Fin.