DPSG1/N: I realized that I can't really call this an "author's note" because my friend wrote this and I didn't. Here it is; the much-anticipated chapter three! I got emotional in this one, too. I like little Rodney best, but the one writing this story has a thing for Carson, so…have fun reading! Hope you like it. Any grammatical/spelling errors (which I hope are nonexistent) are probably my fault because I proofread it.
Chapter Three
Dr. Biro leaned back against her desk as Ronon and Elizabeth walked into her office. They both wore serious expressions and looked hopefully at her.
Ronon spoke first, "So, can you change 'em back?"
Dr. Biro sighed and said, "Well, we were just working on figuring out exactly which gene in Drs. McKay and Beckett caused all of this hullabaloo."
Ronon frowned at the word but didn't speak, so Biro faltered, "This … mess, I suppose." Ronon nodded and she continued, "It would have been cleared up a lot faster if Dr. Beckett could help, because this is truly his field. I mean, I just cut open dead people."
Elizabeth suppressed a groan, but Ronon grinned. "Anyway," Biro said, smiling in Elizabeth's direction, "We've found it. Surprisingly, Colonel Shepard's guess was accurate. We already knew that the Wraith could give back life; I'm guessing by giving some of their own life. This gene reacts in such a way that when a Wraith tries to take life away, it causes a reverse suction, similar to when a Wraith gives their life-force, if you will, voluntarily."
Ronon stared blankly for a moment, "So, can you change 'em back?"
Biro stared back and then looked to Elizabeth, "Given some time I might be able to come up with something, but this isn't just a change-'em-back-type problem.'" She added for Ronon's benefit. "I'm truly not certain I can do anything for them. Fortunately, they seem quite happy."
Ronon growled, "Until they get taken away from us."
"Yes," Elizabeth said, "We want our men back so that we don't have to send them back to Earth."
Biro's face crumbled slightly. In a much softer voce she said, "I understand your concerns. I miss Carson. He makes a cute toddler, but an even better boss. He would never let the infirmary look like this," she pointed to the piles of supplies that lay scattered around. "Believe me, I will do everything I can."
Elizabeth smiled and patted Biro's arm, "I know you will."
With that she left the infirmary with Ronon close behind her.
SGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGA
Rodney hid behind a tree, trying to imitate military hand signals. Unfortunately, not only did he not understand what they meant, but neither did Carson.
Rodney's hand made the shape of a person walking then did the "shh" sign as Carson bellowed, "Ah don't unersatahnd!"
Carson's brow wrinkled in confusion, but for only a minute. Then he darted from behind the tree with a loud, "CHAAAAARGE!" in the opposite direction Rodney had wanted to go.
Groaning, Rodney chased after him, yelling, "Carson , you bonehead, I'm the hero! You do what I tell you to! I'm telling you to stop!"
Unfortunately the three-year-old was very fast and he quickly out-distanced Rodney.
Rodney growled in frustration and stopped. He didn't have to run after the kid if he didn't feel like it. He turned his back toward the running toddler and started to walk back to the village with a pouty, "I'm not playing!" when he heard a squeal of terror. Turning around, his heart stopped.
The Athosian's had told him once that great cats lived in the woods, attacking villagers when they crossed into the creature's territory. He had scoffed about them until he had encountered a couple of these cats. It seemed to be a recurring theme in his trips to see the Athosians… they don't believe there are cats, cats take them by surprise, they get injured, go home; then they don't believe there are cats, cats take them by surprise, and so on.
And there before him, a giant mountain lion-like creature had jumped upon Carson and raised a large clawed paw to strike him.
Carson screamed, his high little voice cracking in terror. Rodney didn't even hesitate before running towards him, shouting, "Carson!"
With a speed that Rodney didn't know he had, he jumped on the lion, his pointy stick hitting the cat in the eye right as its paw scratched Carson.
The lion let out its own yell, and spat on the ground as it jumped back and fled from the two boys.
Carson lay on the ground sobbing, a long gash on his left arm. Rodney knelt down and drew the younger boy into a hug, stroking the soft, brown hair.
"Shh, Carson, it's okay. I'm here, buddy."
Caron leaned into the embrace and sobbed into Rodney's shoulder, "Ah gotted weally scared!"
"I know, but you'll be okay. I won't leave you," Rodney said, "I won't ever leave you."
SGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGASGA
John and Teyla were in the Athosian village walking and watching the two boys run off.
"You think they'll be alright by themselves?" John asked, warily. "I mean, even as adults they can't stay out of trouble."
"They'll be fine, John. The young boys of my people play in the forest all the time and remain safe," Teyla assured with a smile. Who knew John would become a mother hen?
John smiled satisfied for the time being. "So, where are we going?"
"To the house of my dear friend Shanta. She is a seamstress and has many young ladies working under her. They will finish the clothes quickly."
After dropping off instructions to Shanta and her ladies, Teyla suggested, "Why don't we go to Halling and ask if he has heard of adults becoming children in this manner. He knows many of the old stories."
Shepard shrugged, "Well, I'm game for that."
Shepard and Teyla approached a fire in the middle of the village where Halling sat telling stories to the villagers. As they approached, Halling stood and greeted them, "Good day, Teyla, Colonel Shepard. Please sit."
As they sat down on two rocks near the fire, he asked, "Is there a story which I can tell you?"
"As a matter of fact," Shepard drawled, "There is. After a run-in with the wraith Rodney and Carson turned into children. Any stories about occurrences like that?"
"As a matter of fact," Halling said, repeating John's phrase, "There is. It is known as the story of the children. The story goes that once during a great culling the village was reduced to only a handful of villagers. They repaired and managed to restart life almost as they had known it before. One day the …" he paused, trying to remember the correct word, "Stargate, opened and through it came fourteen children between ages two and nine. Upon questioning the children the villagers realized that they were much smaller versions of their own kin. Though they had been fed upon, they had lived, and become tiny children. Those children grew and became adults in the usual amount of time and lived contented lives ever after."
Sensing he was finished Shepard asked, "That's it? They didn't suddenly become adults again?"
Halling shrugged, "I am sorry, but that is how the story goes."
Suddenly a scream emitted from the forest … it was Carson.
John and Teyla jumped up and ran as fast as they could towards the sound as another scream came. Teyla was slowly gaining a lead on John when the screams stopped. They looked at each other and continued breaking through the branches to find Rodney hugging Carson tight in his arms, and whispering to him.
Teyla walked over to them and knelt down. "Boys, what happened?"
Rodney looked up with his crisp blue eyes, "Carson got attacked, and he's sort of hurt."
Teyla tried to peer into Carson's face, "Carson, can I see where you are hurt?"
Carson gripped tighter to Rodney and shook his head.
John crouched beside them now, "Hey, Carson, I'm gonna take you from Rodney now so you don't have to walk back to the jumper. Rodney will walk right next to me, so you can see him, and Teyla's gonna grab your new clothes. 'Kay, buddy?"
With another little sniffle, Carson nodded and John swung him up into his arms. Once there, Carson snuggled closer and buried his teary eyes in John's jacket.
Rodney hopped up, too, his own shirt wet with Carson's tears, and tugged John's sleeve whispering, "Is he gonna be okay?"
Looking down at the worried face, John smiled, "'Course he is, Rodney. This is Carson we're talking about."
Rodney nodded, but stood nearby Carson all the way to the jumper.
Gosh, I love 'em. Let us know what you think, please! Oh, and thanks to Deana for the suggestion! ;) Please review! Thanks!
--DPSG1 and friend