Chapter 1 – Transformation

She came to life, a tiny speck, aboard the Daedalus when it positioned itself between the Lantian Star and Atlantis to shield the coronal mass ejection. She was born from radiation, just a little piece of the life force within that great sun, and as the emission was deflected away from Atlantis and pushed back towards the star, her tiny form took hold, breathing in the stored data base from the ship, insinuating herself amongst the personnel, no form yet, just a consciousness from which a form of her choosing would grow.

She saw, she felt, she understood … and she learned. These people, the Lantian's, they would provide her with a nurturing environment, they would take her back with them on their ship, an invisible passenger. She travelled throughout that great ship, feeling the genetic imprints of those that had gone before, breathing, tasting, growing and she kept returning to one man.

He sat in the second seat beside the control, dark tousled hair and intelligent eyes. They were tired eyes now, he had flown one of the smaller ships towards the star as it began it's coronal mass ejection in an effort to save this ship, save his people from extinction. She glided seductively over him, and watched that small shiver of acknowledgement as he registered her presence in a small part of his mind. This brave human, who had given no thought to his own survival, just the burning need to ensure the survival of his people. He would become the mate of her choosing...yes, she would have this man.

Satisfied now that her consciousness had made the correct decision, she left the control room to find a secluded part of the ship to begin the transformation. It was time to take on the form of these people so that she could ensure the continuation of her species.

John Sheppard had felt that spark of consciousness pass over him and had turned sharp eyes to Colonel Cauldwell who was piloting the ship. "Did you feel that Colonel? Damn, that was creepy..." He gave himself a mental shake, thinking that hell, he was so damn tired the only thing he wanted to do right now was fall into bed, fully clothed, boots and all. And sleep. For the next three days. The city had been in turmoil these past few days, beginning with a large group of whales who had begun circling the city, possessing the genetic imprint of whales that had gone before them and attempting to warn the Lantians of the event about to take place, the coronal mass ejection from the Lantian Star. An event that had happened on the planet 15000 years ago. The whales had emitted a warning on a special frequency that had taken Rodney and his science team some time to decipher, using a special lab that they had found deep in the city. It was John Sheppard who had come up with the plan to transfer the ZPM, that did not hold enough power to sustain the shield fully over the city to withstand the force of the CME, to the Daedalus to use the power at close range as a deflection.

"You all right Sheppard?" Cauldwell looking over at him concerned. They had had their share of minor squirmishes over the past few months, but Cauldwell, ranking officer at this time and commander of the Daedalus had developed a grudging respect for the younger man. His plans, somewhat unorthodox at times and unlikely to have been sanctioned had he still been based on earth, out there... well this was uncharted territory as far as Cauldwell was concerned and different rules applied here.

"Something just walked over my grave Colonel... damn I'm tired. What's our ETA in Atlantis? My bed has a neon sign over it at the moment..."

Caudwell allowed himself one of his grim, and little used smiles. "Those spidey senses of yours kicking in again Sheppard? We'll be touching down on the south pier in around fifteen minutes and I'm sure Elizabeth will leave the debrief until after we've all had a chance to get a little rest."

"Something to be thankful for at least..." and ended his sentence on a hearty yawn that made his jaw crack slightly and brought the amused glances from others on the control bridge of the Daedalus.

Meanwhile, the glimmer of life grew. She had found a quiet room where she had attached herself to the walls of the ship and her transformation began. From of speck of nothing, simple radiation, cells too small to see with the naked eye, she slowly took on the human form for the man whom she had chosen for her mate. She had whispered inside his mind as she slid over him and seen what pleased him and she would mould herself in that form. She knew, just as she knew many things, that this is what would attract him to her in the beginning. From there she would learn mannerisms, likes and dislikes and how to be the mate he himself would choose. It was decided. It would be done.

The transformation was a consuming one and she felt some pain, as limbs were formed, elongated and moulded to make the perfect shape. Her brain, always assessing, repairing, correcting,making the necessary adjustments. Then it was done and she stood with her back against the wall in that unused room in the depths of this great ship, unclothed, but perfect of form. She opened her eyes and saw through these vessels for the first time and not through her consciousness. Looking down at herself she approved of the long shapely legs, perfectly muscled, curving upward to slim, yet slightly rounded hips, further to a flat stomach, topped with full breasts that she knew this man she had chosen would appreciate. He said his name now, and it rolled off her lips for the first time, and she smiled at her voice, which was low pitched and slightly husky. "Colonel John Sheppard."

Small, delicate hands lifted long strands of curling black hair and she felt the texture for the first time. Soft and silky and watched as it slipped through her fingers to bounce gently at her hips. Deep blue eyes, with a tinge of violet brightened as she smiled again, knowing that she would need to find clothes to cover this body. It would not be appropriate to move about the ship, nor the city of Atlantis, in this uncovered form.

The Daedalus landed and it was a tired crew who left the ship and the south pier and entered the city, pleased that this mission was over and that the city of Atlantis had been saved. John waved a hand casually at Elizabeth as he strode past the control room and she acknowledged him with a smile, knowing that it was bed he needed. Debriefing would come later. Seeing him yawn again, she smiled and thought... make that much later...

Bed has never looked this good and that was the last coherent thought he had as his eyes shut as soon as his head hit the pillow and he sunk willingly into the darkness that sleep brought. His sleep was not dreamless however. He dreamed of a woman, just out of reach, with no name... She had long long black hair and deep blue, almost violet eyes, and she looked at him as only a woman who truly loves a man can look. He sensed her desire to communicate, but she remained out of reach in his dream, always heading away from him no matter how hard he tried to catch her. It brought a restlessness to his sleep and when he awoke, it was not refreshed he felt, but edgy and a little unbalanced and sought to pull the remnants of his dream together, sure that they were somehow important.

Ronon met him in the hallway on this way to the mess for food. "You look like crap Sheppard! Hard work saving the city I guess?" Ronon was a man of few words, but loud actions and he slapped John heartily on the back, a little too heartily, causing him to stumble slightly and flick a dangerous glare in Ronon's direction.

"Hey go easy there big guy! Had a crap night's sleep, plagued by some dream that just felt...wierd, and I'm hungry. And I feel ...off..." He ran his hand through his dark unruly hair, causing a shift in the strands. They stood up in casual disarray, and with his one day old growth of beard, he had a dangerous edge that brought more than his share of interested looks as he entered the mess.

"Seems to me like you need a woman Sheppard! Been too long since you had one in your bed..."

Ronon thought in black and white, gray was a colour that did not register with him, simply put, he had an easy solution for everything. Bring this guy back to earth thought John, he'd put the pychiatrists out of business! There were no platitudes, no unnecessary sympathy, no talking about all the damn hurts in your past... just Ronon and his simple logic. That's why they had become close friends in a short time.

"Mind you own damn business Ronan! And anyway... how do you know I haven't?" John got himself a tray and started loading it up with food, stomach now causing him more than a little distress at his missed dinner last night.

Ronon chuckled now, loading up his own tray with enough food to feed an entire small African nation. The large Satedan had an appetite worthy of several men and was not ashamed to show it.

"You've got the look of a man who needs a little release.. just saying!" and ducked out of the way of a fist that was aimed at this stomach.

Laughing together now they moved to one of the free tables, sitting down to eat in companionable silence. John had just lifted his coffee cup for a long, and appreciative sip of the hot brew, when he choked slightly, putting his cup down quickly as Ronon gave him a hearty thump on the back.

"Jesus! Who the hell is that?" Ronon turned to follow the direction of John's gaze and his own widened in appreciation. She was a stunner. Masses of long dark hair and eyes that could see right into your soul on top on top of a body that was born for men to look at … and touch... And as he looked at her, John felt something move over his consciousness, a glimmer of something just out of reach, a sensation that he knew her somehow. Brushing that thought away, and thinking that he certainly would like to get to know her, he continued to watch her as she moved further into the mess.

The weren't the only two who were transfixed by her entrance. Every man in the room had locked their eyes on her, and the women... well, they did not possibly look quite as thrilled to see such a stunning woman in their midst.

"Now where did you come from sweetheart.." John murmured. "I'm sure I would have remembered seeing you before..."

"New recruit from earth?" Ronon suggested. "Was Elizabeth expecting another batch?"

"Well if she is, then I'll have to go and personally thank Elizabeth. She certainly improves the décor around here... just saying!" John picked up his coffee again, feeling able to swallow without making a fool of himself and felt his eyes widen slowly as the woman, who had gotten herself a coffee from the machine, walked straight to their table and stood looking down at John with a slightly quizzical air.

"Are you Colonel John Sheppard?" He voice was perfect, low pitched and just a little husky and he felt it shoot straight to his groin causing him to shift a little uncomfortably in his seat. Ronon grinned, fully aware of John's discomfort and ducked his head rather than intercept his dangerous look.

"That would be me sweetheart. And you are?"

"Andrea. I have just arrived... from earth." She was able to supply the name and the place without pause, her persona had been created and she would begin the human game of the man/woman relationship, the courtship, that would lead to the eventual mating. She needed to ensure the survival of her species and it had to be done soon.

"Dr Weir told me to find you and introduce myself. I am an engineer, my speciality is aerodynamics and I have been employed at NASA for the past five years. I have been recruited to assist on the hyperdrive expansion on your jumpers." The words rolled smoothly off her tongue and she reached down with an extended hand, knowing that this was the correct form of greeting.

John had trouble taking his eyes from her and reached out to grasp the hand she held out in greeting. A tingle shot through his hand, travelled up his arm and exploded somewhere inside his head and he felt the need to release her hand quickly, before he made more of a fool of himself than he already had.

"We're happy to have you here Andrea, please – join us." And food ceased to have any real interest as she gracefully sank into the chair opposite him, lowering her eyes briefly, before looking up at him from beneath long dark eyelashes.

Ronon was right thought John. It's been far too long. Maybe time to amend that little problem...