Hello all! I'm sorry this has taken so long to update. RL interfered then I decided to rewrite a chapter then add to another and this influenced those so this one got delayed. Once you read it, I think you'll all forgive me. Thanks to nacimynom for beta! Enjoy!
"Don't shoot!"
The shout rang out as the creature crumpled to the floor. Teyla looked up at the gallery to see Lorne, Carson and Rodney standing there with horrified expressions on their faces.
"Major, what is wrong? What is this creature?" The looks on their faces had Teyla worried. "Where is John?"
Lorne took a deep breath. "That is a tiger, and Colonel Sheppard is …"
Teyla missed the rest of what Lorne started to say. She glanced down at the creature that Lorne called a tiger and spotted something glinting in its fur. Moving cautiously, she knelt by the tiger and grasped the silver item. As she pulled the item from the dark fur, she realized what she was seeing. It was John's dog tags. She felt Ronon kneel beside her and she tilted the metallic rectangles so he could see them too. With John's tags in her hand, Teyla stared up at the balcony, hoping for any of the gathered crowd to contradict what she saw before her.
Seeing the question in her eyes, Rodney shook his head as she watched him move down the stairs. "It's him." He looked at Ronon. "I hope that thing was set to stun."
Ronon nodded. "Yeah, it is."
Rodney breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god. Next time, don't be so quick to fire, Conan."
Ronon looked up at Rodney. "Next time it could be you I'm protecting. Sheppard will understand."
Lorne called for one of the cargo floaters and some blankets. Carson knelt to check on John.
"Well, the lad's alright, but I'd like to get him to the infirmary. The observation room will be the best place." The Scot was worried because he had no idea how the stun would affect the Colonel's changed physiology.
The floater arrived and several Marines were drafted into helping to shift John onto the pallet. Once he was secure, Lorne and his team formed up around the floater, with Gunny Walker taking charge of the controls. They moved out with Carson and Teyla riding on the pallet with John, Ronon and Rodney following along. Teyla, concerned over John's condition, decided to wait until after Carson examined him to find out what had occurred.
Along the way, Carson called Dr. Liang and asked her to meet them in the infirmary observation room. She was waiting when they arrived. Walker settled the floater to the floor, making sure to lock the controls for safety. Liang checked John over again and assured them that he would be fine. She gave Carson a list of human medicines that tigers could metabolize safely. Carson found a stronger painkiller on the list that John wasn't allergic to and injected it. He had given John Codeine earlier but he knew it had only taken the edge off the Colonel's headache. Carson also checked him over with the portable scanner, which gave back some interesting results.
Teyla stayed by John's head throughout the entire exam, running her hands through his thick fur. She stayed silent, waiting for the doctors to finish.
"Carson, what happened? Why is John a tiger?"
Carson and Rodney looked at each other then took turns telling the tale while Carson did their post-mission checks.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Waking was quite an experience. When his body didn't move quite right, John froze until memory caught up. The myriad of smells told him where he was. The combined scents of antiseptic and lemon pine-sol were enough to make his nose burn and his whiskers twitch. He felt a hand combing through his fur and recognized Teyla's scent. Using his connection to Atlantis, he thought the lights down a bit before he opened his eyes.
*"Teyla?"*
"Yes, John. How are you feeling?"
*"Like I got stunned."*
"Ronon is very sorry. Your appearance startled us and he fired in response."
He could smell the regret in Teyla's words. *"It's alright. I'd rather get stunned than him be slow and hesitate. Hesitation could get one of us killed."*
At that moment Carson came in. "Ach, I see yer awake, lad. How are ye feelin'?"
*"Pins and needles with a bit of a headache and I'm really hungry."*
Teyla relayed John's account to Carson.
"Well, lad, the tingling will wear off in a bit. I'll get ye somethin' for the headache. Dr. Liang checked you out again an' said everything is fine."
*"Thanks, Carson."*
While Carson was gone, Teyla told John of their trip to Proxima.
When the good doctor came back, he quickly injected the promised pain killer. "I checked you over with the portable scanner, Colonel. Your DNA is an interesting mix of tiger and human. Your ATA gene is intact and it seems that your digestive system is more human than cat, but Dr. Liang suggests, and I concur, that you stick with foods that are cat friendly. Now, off with ye and go get somethin' to eat. That's probably contributing to your headache. Dr. Liang said to feed you after you woke up the first time then things happened."
*"Yeah. Thanks again, Doc."*
With that John stretched and stood, and with Teyla by his side they headed for the mess hall. They met Ronon along the way and there was no question as to the big Satedan joining them. Being able to eat any time he wanted had been a big plus in his decision to stay in Atlantis.
John was glad that it was late in Atlantis' dinner time. It meant that his sharper senses weren't being assaulted by all of the smells and noise. He did stop just inside the door to sort out the myriad smells that were reaching his nose.
"John?"
Teyla's concern penetrated the cloud of smells. John shook himself and the trio strolled into the mess hall. There were not many folks around. The military personnel nodded their heads at their CO without interrupting their meals. Among the scientists, reaction was split. Some nodded while others stared. John returned the nods while ignoring the stares.
The mess hall staff had been warned of John's change and had food ready for him. Even though tigers were mainly carnivores, they would eat things other than meat. One of the staff carried the bowls to the team's usual table. A wide bench had already been placed at the table for John to use as a seat.
John looked at the contents of the dishes while Teyla and Ronon got their dinners. Rare steak was not what he would normally eat, but the tiger's instincts made him salivate at the food. There was also a bowl filled with chunks of whole grain ciabatta bread, another of mixed vegetables and a third one of water. He was famished and started eating without waiting for the others. Ronon and Teyla joined him and dug in. Ronon had questions, which John answered through Teyla. Rodney joined them when John was finishing. John cleaned his muzzle then proceeded to wash his face. After a few moments, John felt eyes on him. He stopped grooming and looked up to see Rodney watching him.
"That is fascinating. How did you know to do that, Sheppard?"
John cocked his head at him, considering the question. He shrugged, which came through even with the differences in body shape.
*"Instinct, I guess."*
While Teyla passed the comment along, John felt other eyes on him and turned his head. Some of the scientists from the biology department were seated a few tables away, taking notes and gesturing excitedly. Noticing that they were being observed made a few of them bold and they stood up, scanners in hand to approach their subject. Seeing this, John spun to face them, teeth bared, black tipped tail lashing in agitation. The biologists stopped, looking at each other for a moment before they decided that discretion was better than valor. They left in a hurry. John let out a soft growl and glared at the rest of the table's occupants. The table emptied quickly. The occupants of some of the other tables had stopped to observe the proceedings. John passed his green gaze over the rest of the tables and normal activities resumed.
Another of the mess staff came over with a cart. He set down a bowl after picking up the empties. John titled his head up and cocked an eyebrow.
"Sir, Sergeant Chavez spoke with Dr. Liang to find out what you could eat. She remembered how much trouble you had the last time you were changed. She modified a few recipes so you could eat normal food. This is her cat-friendly version of pineapple upside-down cake and the Sarge would like to know how she did."
*"Dinner was great. I'm not partial to rare meat, but it was good."*
Teyla relayed John's comments while John gave the cake a sniff. It smelled delicious. He bit into it; the flavors melted in his mouth. He didn't know how Liang and Chavez had modified the cake, but it was tasty.
"Well, I guess that answers the Sarge's question."
He stuck his muzzle back in the bowl and proceeded to clean it. The chuckle from the corporal standing at his side was echoed by his team. The corporal left for a moment and returned with a dish of milk and the rest of the cake. John lapped up some of the chilled milk, interspersing it with bites of cake until even the crumbs were gone.
The corporal chuckled again. "Anything else I can get you, sir?"
John shook his head no. The young man cleared the dishes before he headed off. John cleaned his muzzle again and waited for his team to finish eating. He lay down, shifting to a more comfortable lounging position while he waited. Rodney updated them on his progress in reversing the change.
"We can change you back. The device was another Ancient attempt at finding a shortcut to Ascension. We think they were trying to get in touch with nature by experiencing it as an animal. Normally, it seems the user would choose their desired form, activate the device and step into the emitter. This time it took the shape from my mind. It seems that Carson and I activated it during our discussion and you happened to be standing under the emitters. It does have a reverse setting. Unfortunately, there is some damage due to neglect that will take a while to repair. We also need new crystals. Several of the ones in the machine developed cracks, so Zelenka is looking through the spares. We may need to go to Praxis if we don't have them here."
*"I'm glad. This is nice, but it does make some things a bit difficult."* The image he sent Teyla made her blush slightly. *"I wonder how Torren will take this?"*
"I do not know. Do you want to come with me, or do you want me to tell him before he sees you?"
*"Tell him first. That way he can decide if he wants to stay with Aleeah or us."*
Teyla ruffled the fur behind his ears before heading off to see her son. Rodney and Ronon decided to accompany John back to the family's quarters.
Along the way, John did some thinking. The grooming he had done was okay, but he really wanted a bath. The problem was that the shower in their suite was not large enough for him to get a good one in his current form.
"I have been working on that for you, my son. I will assist in any way I can to help you change back. As to your cleanliness, I have solved that problem for you. I believe that you and your mate will like what I have done."
*"I'm sure we will. Thanks, Lantis."*
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Once they arrived on their floor, Ronon and Rodney headed to their own quarters while John proceeded to his and Teyla's. Teyla was waiting for him just inside. He could smell her excitement.
"Torren has decided to stay with us tonight." Teyla was smiling. "He is quite thrilled about this."
*"Well, I'm just glad that he's not scared of me."* John chuffed as he looked up at her, tail flicking idly. *"You know I'll be real careful with him."*
Teyla nodded and kneeled awkwardly to be at his level. "You could not be anything but. I know that you shall not let anything untoward happen to him. Come, I have something to show you."
Teyla slowly walked deeper into their quarters, John following her. She led him to a formerly blank section of wall that now opened into the rooms on the other side. It appeared that the room was originally used as a small gymnasium. As soon as he crossed the threshold, John caught the scent of water… a lot of water. Moving ahead of Teyla, he followed the scent and found himself looking at a small pool. Faucets sprouted from one end of the pool. When he leaned over the steaming, crystal clear water, he saw submerged jets— the pool could be used as a Jacuzzi. He glanced over and saw that Teyla was undressing.
*"Teyla? What… how…?"*
Without pausing, Teyla answered the question she sensed he was trying to ask. "When I returned earlier, I noticed the changes. It seems that Atlantis knows how fastidious you are and decided to assist you."
*"Ah, so this is what Lantis was referring to."*
*"Yes, my son. I told you I would assist you and this is well within my capabilities. The facility was already here, I merely opened the wall to allow you private access. I have also modified the exterior. The door, and its control panel, still exist, but are now hidden from all but the most determined seekers. I have also altered other facilities for your use during this time."*
*"Thank you, Lantis. We appreciate this."*
John stepped into the pool. The steps leading down were deep enough for his broad paws. The water was perfect for bathing and relaxing. Once fully in the tub, John took a deep breath and submerged. After he planted his paws on the bottom of the pool, he shook himself slightly; just enough to loosen the individual strands of his fur and allow the water to flow through to his skin. He surfaced next to Teyla. She held a bottle of his favorite shampoo in her hands.
"I consulted with Dr. Liang. She said this is safe to use to bathe you."
John's chuckle came out as a soft chuff. *"Glad to know that my favorite brand is pet-friendly."*
After he climbed out of the pool, Teyla proceeded to liberally pour shampoo on him. He stood patiently as she lathered the shampoo into his coat. It felt so good when she dug in, her fingers working through the thick fur to reach his skin that he arched his back and unconsciously started purring.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Teyla was a bit startled when John's back arched, a deep rumble issuing from his chest. His eyes were closed and there was a look of contentment on his feline features. The look was matched by the feelings of bliss that she sensed from him. As she continued to scrub him, she marveled at the dense muscles she could feel through the fur. She realized that the animal John now wore the shape of must be a powerful hunter, a feeling reinforced when she saw his sharp claws. Each one was the size of her smallest finger.
After she had him completely lathered, she nudged him back into the tub. She climbed in with him and rinsed the soap from his fur, the water flow carrying the suds, dirt and loose hair out of the pool.
*"Mmmm… god, Teyla, that felt incredible. I love it when you run your hands through my hair, but that felt so good that if I was in my own shape, you'd be in trouble."*
Teyla smiled coyly. "Well, once Rodney returns you to your proper form, we shall have to endeavor to find a way to duplicate that sensation."
John turned to face her, reared up slightly and placed his paws on her shoulders while keeping most of his weight off her. He bowed his head at the correct angle for the Athosian greeting. She placed her hands on his back and bowed her head in response. They stayed in that pose for a few moments then John pulled back and flicked his tongue from her chin, along her jaw to her forehead several times.
She laughed at the roughness of his tongue. "John! That tickles!"
His mind voice filled with mischief, John continued licking her even as he answered her. *"Well, I can't kiss you right now, so I get to lick you instead. I've always wanted to do this, but in my dreams, I'm licking caramel or chocolate off of you."*
Teyla smiled coyly. "Well, after Rodney changes you back, we shall also see about making that dream come true."
John's eyes grew wide in his tiger face then he nuzzled her neck. He chuffed softly as he tickled her with his whiskers.
They romped in the pool for a bit before climbing out, the water lent her an agility that she had started to lack on land due to her pregnancy. John waited for Teyla to step out of the pool room before he shook the water out of his fur. She walked back in, wrapped in a towel and gently squeezed more of the water out of his fur. She stepped back as he activated the room's drying jets. The streams of hot air removed the water from his thick fur quicker than a stack of towels, plus it fluffed his fur.
Torren met them in the main room of the suite; Aleeah had just dropped him off. John stopped several feet away in case Torren had changed his mind, but the toddler ran over and threw his arms around John's neck.
"Da! You play with me!"
John was relieved that Torren wasn't afraid of him. Making sure to keep his claws sheathed, he batted the boy around as they wrestled. When they got tired of wrestling, John allowed Torren to climb onto his back for a few laps around the room. While they were wrestling, Teyla had taken some photos. She also took a few of Torren riding John. With a last bit of mischief, John reared up to his full height then ducked his head and shoulders. The sudden movement caused Torren to flip over his head. John neatly caught his collar in his powerful jaws and lowered the boy to the floor, Torren crowed in delight. Torren sat down on the rug and, clapped his hands as John collapsed to the floor, panting.
