Rating: K+
Spoilers: None
Pairings: Lorne/Teyla
Disclaimer: I own none of the Stargate Characters or Bagpuss, he belongs to Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin of Smallfilms but I do own Maria
Authors Notes: Thanks for the review for the last chapter (Yes it is in the singular and here's me thinking it was the best one) here's hoping I have more success with this chapter. This is not the best chapter but it needed to be written and it will improve after this.
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Marc Lorne lay on his bed and sighed, the day had been full of surprises. He was more determined than ever not to let anyone take Maria away from him, even if it meant them living on the mainland. He'd been taken aback when he heard Maria say Daddy but convinced himself that she was only repeating the word because she'd heard others say it, Teyla had not been so sure.
"Just because you are not a blood relative does not mean you cannot be her father" she had said, "my people often take in children who have lost both parents to the Wraith, it has not stopped the children thinking any different of them"
"I know but somewhere out there she has a father" he had replied.
"And if he were any kind of man he would have come back to look for his child" she'd said
"True" he had admitted
"And do not people on your world take in unwanted children?" she had asked. He nodded "then why are you worrying?" he had laughed,
"You're right as usual" he'd replied. Teyla had placed her hands on his shoulders had touched her forehead to his, without thinking he'd slipped his arms around her and hugged her tight
"Oh my God...I'm sorry...I...I..." he had said as he let her go
"I am not offended Marc, if I were I would have let you know" she'd replied with a smile. After that she had left and Marc had tried to sleep, it hadn't been easy with too many questions and 'what ifs' had been running through his mind.
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Maria's bed creaked and her head peered up
"I'm still here sweetheart" he said, Maria smiled and scrambled onto the bed to give him a hug.
"You ready for breakfast?" he said, Maria looked puzzled "food, are you hungry?"
"More food?" she said slowly. Marc grinned
"Yeah, we eat more than once a day here" he replied
"Yes" said Maria
"Ok you wait here while I get dressed then we'll see about you," he said
"Teyla help?" she asked and Marc shook his head
"Teyla's got her own room but we'll see her later," he said wondering if she really wanted to see him after last night.
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In the mess hall, Marc collected his breakfast and Alex promised to bring Maria's over to them. Maria ran off to the table by the window, knelt on a chair to look out
"Big" she said as Marc put his tray down
"Yeah very big, the ocean's big and so is the mainland, everything is bigger than you're used to" he said ruffling her hair. Alex came up with a tray for Maria and something pink, white and furry under her arm; she put Maria's tray down and sat in the chair next to her
"This is Bagpuss and he needs you to look after him," she said handing the pink and white cat to Maria. She put her hand out and touched the furry toy cat gingerly, then she ran her fingers across it and giggled, Alex smiled "he's all yours but you have to give him a cuddle", Maria took the toy, cuddled it and giggled again.
"Say thank you Maria, it's what you say when someone gives you something" said Lorne
"Thank you" said Maria with a shy smile and Alex grinned
"Aww you're welcome sweetheart" she replied.
"Thanks" said Lorne
"My pleasure, I was going to give it to friends of mine for their daughter but Maria's need was greater," replied Alex. The head chef was a constant source of surprise to him one minute she'd be screaming abuse at the top of her voice the next, judging by the circles under her eyes, she'd be staying up late to finish a toy for a needy child,
"You got Bagpuss," said the voice of Carson Beckett and Maria nodded "you have to look after him because he's a saggy old cloth cat". Alex clamped her hand over her mouth in mock surprise and winked at Carson
"I forgot to tell Maria the magic words," she said.
"Oh aye the magic words" he said as he leaned forwards "You have to say these words"
"Every night before you go to sleep" added Alex
"Bagpuss, dear Bagpuss Old fat furry cat-puss Wake up and look at this thing that I bring Wake up, be bright Be golden and light Bagpuss, Oh hear what I sing" they said in unison, Marc looked lost but Maria was enthralled by the story. Alex went back to the kitchen and they started to eat breakfast.
"What do you have there Maria?" said Teyla as she sat down
"It's a Bagpuss apparently, Alex the chef gave it to her" explained Marc, Teyla looked confused "ask the Doc"
"I'll tell you all about it later; if you're good boys and girls" said Carson with a smirk "don't spoil it for the wee'un".
"Will you still be accompanying me to the mainland?" asked Teyla "I am going to see if I can find some clothes for Maria and I'm sure she would like to see the mainland", Marc nodded
"If you're sure you don't mind me tagging along," he replied. Teyla smiled and nodded
"I do not mind" she replied as Carson, seeing the looks between them, decided to make a strategic withdrawal
"If you'll excuse me I need to have a few words with Rodney," he said as he got up and left.
"I didn't know if you still wanted me with you after last night," he said
"I told you I was not offended, please do not worry," she said as she placed her hand over his.
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John Sheppard was waiting in the jumper bay for Teyla, he enjoyed taking her to the mainland, hell he enjoyed spending time with her full stop. He'd also been hearing gossip about the time she was spending with Major Lorne, not that it bothered him, Teyla being Teyla was probably helping him out with the kid. John could hear voices and turned to look as Teyla, Lorne and Maria entered the jumper
"Family day out" he said with a hint of bitterness in his voice
"I asked Major Lorne to accompany me, is that a problem?" Teyla asked
"No, it's none of my concern who you ask to join you" John replied. Marc couldn't help but notice the tone of his CO's voice, he knew Sheppard and Teyla were close and he really hoped he wasn't treading on anyone's toes here
"I appreciate this sir," Marc said
"Sure, fine, whatever" said Sheppard as he opened the bay door and took off, he tried desperately to quell the spark of jealousy as he noticed her sitting next to Lorne rather than opposite him.
The jumper landed on the outskirts of the settlement and a group of children rushed to greet them, Sheppard was dragged into a game by the older children and the younger ones crowded around Teyla. Halling stepped out of the meeting tent and came forward to greet them.
"I did not expect you back so soon," said Halling as they touched foreheads
"I am here because I need to borrow some clothes for this child," Teyla said indicating Maria in Lorne's arms. Maria took one look at Halling and shrunk back into Marc's arms
"Don't worry he's not going to hurt you, Halling's like Ronon scary on the outside but a pussycat underneath" he said as he put her down. Teyla spoke to an older girl
"Can you take Maria with you for a moment, be gentle with her she has been alone for much of her life and does not know how to play with other children" she explained, the girl held out her hand but Maria stood firm
"Do not be afraid, Gelna will look after you and introduce you to the other children, she will help you make friends, she is my friend and she will be yours too" said Teyla to Maria. Gelna knelt down and touched her head to Maria's
"Come with me and we will make friends" said Gelna, Maria looked at Lorne who nodded,
"Go on, you'll be ok" he said. Maria took Gelna's hand and let herself be led away
"Did the Wraith come to her home?" asked Halling
"No, Major Lorne found her in a prison cell" said Teyla as the group gasped and muttered "when Colonel Sheppard rescued him Major Lorne took Maria back to Atlantis". Marc started to look embarrassed
"I couldn't leave her behind" he said, Halling and the others nodded
"No you could not, who were these people who would imprison a child?" he asked
"They call themselves the Mygellan" replied Teyla
"If they come to trade with us we will refuse" declared Halling "and we will spread word to our partners too". Halling approached Lorne and touched his forehead to Marc's
"You are a man of honour, friend" he said.
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John Sheppard was back in the jumper waiting to leave as Teyla, Lorne and Maria approached. He saw Halling shake Lorne's hand and again a twinge of jealousy struck, the big Athosian had only ever treated him with suspicion,
"Got everything you came for?" he asked as he closed the door and took off,
"Yes thank you Colonel" Teyla replied
"Been making friends and influencing people Lorne?" he said, Lorne frowned
"Sure sir" Marc replied guardedly, he really didn't like this side of Sheppard.
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"If I'm causing trouble between you and Colonel Sheppard, tell me now" said Marc to Teyla, as he led Maria back to his room
"Trouble?" said Teyla
"Yeah, he was not happy about me joining you on this trip to the mainland" he said. Teyla nodded
"Colonel Sheppard is my friend and my team leader, nothing else and I have given him no indication to think otherwise" she replied, Marc smiled
"I have a feeling I've got some pretty tough assignments coming up, after today" he said. Teyla smirked
"If I feel Colonel Sheppard's behaviour towards you is...inappropriate I will tell him" she replied. Marc didn't know whether to feel sorry for his CO or not.
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AN: I know this isn't the best but it was necessary
I'll apologise now for not liking Sheppard and making it come out in my stories but what can I say, he gets on my tits.
I have a knitting pattern for a Bagpuss and I'm going to make him soon.
Bagpuss is a TV show about a storytelling saggy old cloth cat, baggy and a bit loose at the seams, that ensures warm fuzzy feelings to us Brits of a certain age, although Bagpuss is in his second generation of fandom in my house.