A/N: Thanks to "Beach chick" who inspired me (unknowingly) with her story "Confrontations of the Sparky Kind" which I chose to read a few moments ago. This is the result of what sprang to mind after reading it.
Disclaimer: I do not own SGA - only the creature that resides in this here fic.
Fluffy
Elizabeth Weir looked up in surprise as the Stargate activated. Only two teams were off world, and she was very sure the Colonel's team was in trouble once again.
"We're receiving Colonel Sheppard's IDC, ma'am," the Gate Technician replied too easily.
"Let them in," she ordered, well aware that the technician had moved his hand before her command
The shield lowered and to their surprise first Rodney, then Teyla, then Ronon appeared. They were craning around, looking anxiously back through the Stargate when suddenly John Sheppard hurled through it, screaming at the same time for them to raise the shield.
John landed with a thump, rolling to lie on his back to regain his breath.
"Colonel? Are you alright? Do you need a medical team? What happened?" Elizabeth couldn't prevent the questions from spilling forth, even though she called one of Carson's medical teams anyway.
John lifted himself up from the floor with some difficulty, scowling at Ronon who offered him a hand.
"I'm fine, thanks." John's clipped voice checked Elizabeth in mid-step.
"So, what happened?" The wry look on Rodney's face proved that perhaps they hadn't come across the wraith as she'd initially thought. It was usually a safe bet, though, considering Teyla had the wraith gene, and John had the Ancient gene.
Rodney spoke up. "The colonel here made a friend with Fluffy."
"If, by 'fluffy' you mean a rabid animal with teeth and claws, then yes, I made a friend." Sarcasm laced John's voice, but when Elizabeth turned to face him, she saw the telltale signs of scratches and bite marks. She winced.
Fortunately, the medical team arrived just then, and split up to make sure that the team's injuries weren't worse than they appeared.
"Oh Colonel, it was just a cat." Rodney replied with scorn.
The haunted look in John's eyes, however, seemed to make it an understatement.
"That…that thing was not a cat, Rodney. It was a lion-tiger kind of cat. And you weren't its object of affection." John winced as one of the nurses probed a decidedly deep gash that had begun to clot.
Elizabeth fought to keep her face passive, but it was getting harder the longer she stood here.
"So, what, exactly, was it that had you?" She finally inquired.
John met her gaze squarely. "A cat that just happened to be able to sense who had the Ancient gene and attack them the moment it could sense the unfortunate person."
Elizabeth shook her head, glancing at Teyla and Ronon, who were simply looking amused.
"I trust you two saw all this?"
"I did, Elizabeth, and while I am not familiar with your 'cat', I do believe it is a breed easily kept as pets in some cultures. They are, however, quite persistent and do not tame well."
Ronon nodded when Teyla finished. "Some of my people had them, but gave up taming them after a few weeks of bites and scratches."
"If you can call this a bite or a scratch," John muttered, eyeing one of the wounds that leaked a small trickle of blood. The nurse wrapped a strip of gauze around it, turning to Elizabeth.
"We'd best get them to the infirmary – we need to be sure the animal wasn't carrying any type of disease."
At that, John stiffened. "Aw, crap. I'm really hoping there's no such thing as a Pegasus variety of rabies."
"Don't worry Colonel, if anyone was to get it, you'd be the first, I'm sure."
"Rodney," John growled, "shut up."
Elizabeth shook her head as the team was escorted to the infirmary. She really had to hand it to them, they had the knack of finding the strangest things off world.
A/N: I hope you liked it – just a little something that a plot cougar attacked with – and I couldn't help but write it. If it's not too much to ask, feel free to Review. Thanks.
