Transposed II

Author's Note: So, just for reference, this fic is pretty much completely written. It's seven parts, and it's the beginning of the last chapter that I am still tweaking. I plan to post a new chapter every other day, that way I can double check my revisions. Enjoy.

Atlantis:

In short order, for the Travelers tended to be an efficient bunch, Larrin and her things were brought from the ship. Cauls apparently counted on the Lanteans agreeing to his request, and thus the girl's things were already in order.

Mostly, the clothes came from families who had young girls similar in size to Larrin; they had been more than willing to share with the ship's leader in her current misfortune. Lorne was sent to escort the lackey Cauls brought with to the meeting to retrieve the girl's necessary items from the ship, and to ensure that nothing dangerous was smuggled along into the city.

At the closure of the meeting, a pair of marines arrived to escort Drs. McKay and Zelenka to a joint lab, bringing along the suspicious case Cauls turned over into their care.

Bidding the two scientists farewell he imparted one final bit of information, "Inside the case is everything we managed to discover about the device, along with the ancestral instrument. Good luck finding a reversal process."

McKay, ever one to project his enormous ego, dismissed the well-wish saying, "Yes, yes I'm sure you collected a vast amount of 'helpful' data; that's why your Captain is still running around in a five year old body. If anyone can fix this, it's me."

"Us," corrected Zelenka shaking his head at his colleague's self centered personality, while muttering in Czech under his breath as to the flawed character of the man.

To the relief of all present, the two scientists left without further ado to work on their latest project. While relieved that Larrin was guaranteed to find help in this city, Cauls was also anxious to depart with his, no 'her', ship soon in order to rendezvous with the rest of his race. Still, his heart told him he had one more obligation to fulfill before departing.

Turning to Colonel Carter he asked, "May I speak to Larrin before taking my leave?"

Sam, understanding that while Cauls was still slightly aloof and extremely polite—to a fault—towards them, he truly cared for his leader's wellbeing, nodded and replied, "Of course Captain, she's this way."

Cauls followed the Colonel across the control room, over a small gangway, to a glass walled office; Sheppard and Ronon trailed behind protectively. The door whooshed open to reveal the girl's excited tones, "Uncle Artur! I have been learning the most wonderful hand game from Auntie Teyla."

Surprised, John shot Teyla a raised eyebrow, and she replied, "Yes, Larrin and I have been getting along quite well."

However Ronon casually asked the question they were all thinking, "Auntie?"

Cauls coughed politely and clarified, "It is our custom for our children to call anyone who watched over them Uncle or Aunt, unless otherwise specified."

"Oh," said Sam smiling at the endearing gesture. "Well, we will leave the two of you to say your goodbyes."

She motioned to the team, who followed her out of her office, leaving Cauls and Larrin alone. Standing just at the entrance to the gangway, she turned to the three and voiced her thoughts, "So she seems harmless enough."

Teyla nodded in agreement, "Yes, the child Larrin is most unlike her adult form. She is much more trusting and curious."

Raising an eyebrow, John asked in disbelief, "Really?"

"Yes," replied the Athosian, "She seemed hesitant initially, but most children are nervous about meeting new adults. However, after a few minutes she opened up into a rather chatty child."

Thinking for a moment Sam asked, "Does she know who she is?"

The petite woman shook her head, "No, Larrin seems to have no memories of her adult life or any knowledge of who she was. I suspect Cauls kept her unaware of what happened because she is as innocent as any other young girl."

"So she's not a threat?" grunted Ronon succinctly, remembering the strong and crafty personality the woman exuded during their last encounter, and not forgetting the time she kidnapped Sheppard.

"Nah, Big Guy," John remarked casually, "She seems to be just like any other little girl."

"Yes," commented Sam softly, "I think setting a guard would only scare or startle her. I know this isn't the most glamorous job, but since you three know the most about her, I'd like you to keep an eye on her in case she begins to exhibit any peculiar behavior."

Sighing John summed up the job sarcastically, "So we have baby-sitter duty until Rodney can fix this?"

Shifting guiltily, Sam replied, "Sorry, but she is a head of state, in a manner of speaking, and.."

"And," John interjected, cutting in to finish her faltering sentence, "She needs to be looked after; we get it."

Teyla glanced to Ronon, who obviously looked displeased with the assignment, and said, "Yes, as I am currently not on active duty, and Rodney is otherwise occupied in locating a solution, we cannot go off-world like a normal team, and this presents something we can do as a team."

"Well technically," began John only to be silenced by a glare from Teyla who stated with a clear note of finality in her voice, "We will manage just fine for the next couple of days."

"Good," concluded Sam, happy to see some resolution to the matter.

She knew neither John nor Ronon would be exactly thrilled with the task, but Teyla would make sure they at least behaved themselves. After all, she did not plan on delegating the watching of a head of state, albeit a five year old, to just anyone. Who knew what Larrin might remember once she was returned to her normal form?

Atlantis: Sam's Office

Cauls walked over and knelt down in front on the girl. "Larrin, you're going to stay here for a while with Colonel Carter and her people."

The little girl cocked her head in question, "But why Uncle Artur? I want to stay with you!"

Smiling to himself Cauls replied, "No, I must meet with some other leaders, and you would get too bored. It is best if you stay here where you will be safe and looked after."

The girl's face clouded over as she whined, "But why here? I was safe on the ship."

"No, Larrin these talks might be dangerous," a little lie might be necessary thought Cauls, "And you would only get in the way. Please be good for them."

Accepting her fate, albeit reluctantly, Larrin replied, "Alright, I'll be good. Beside Auntie Teyla was very nice."

Chuckling Cauls kissed the child on the head, "Be good for all of them, I will be back to get you when the talks are done."

"Okay," acquiesced the girl with a smile.

Standing up, Acting-Captain Cauls walked to the door and the Lanteans filed in. Bidding them farewell he said, "I must leave now. Larrin has promised to listen to you until I return."

The little girl nodded and waved to Cauls as he walked out of the office. Crossing paths in the control room with Major Lorne, Evan and several other Marines escorted the Acting-Captain to his ship.

Left in Sam's office Larrin turned to the strange adults around her and asked boldly, "Now what? And who are you?"

"Well," began Sam, "Firstly I am Colonel Carter."

"Ooooh," remarked the little girl, "Are you in charge? This is you office isn't it?"

Ignoring the chuckles from John and Ronon, Sam replied, "Yes, and what I need you to do is go with Uncle John and Uncle Ronon to go visit Dr. Keller."

"Why? I'm not sick," pouted Larrin, folding her arms across her chest for effect.

"No," replied Sam kindly, "We just want to make sure you are fine and that's what everyone who visits the city must do."

Still looking slightly rebellious, Larrin replied stiffly, "Fine."

"Great," Sam said in relief, before looking to both guys.

"Okay squirt," remarked John humorously, "Let's go visit Dr. Keller. If you're good she might just give you a lollipop."

The girl got up and began to follow both guys out of her office. When they were on the gangway, Sam heard Larrin ask, "What's a lollipop?"

Sam made eye contact with the Athosian who still sat in one of the comfy chairs, and the two dissolved into laughter as they imagined John trying to explain the concept of a sucker to the child.

Atlantis Corridors:

Walking in between the two tall men down the stairs leading from the control room, Larrin turned to John and asked curiously, "So you're Uncle Ronon?"

From the other side Ronon laughed, "He only wishes he was."

John scoffed and clarified, pointing to the Satedan, "No, that's Ronon, I'm John."

"Oh," said the girl simply, barely staying silent a minute before asking, "Uncle John, why is your hair so messy?"

Ronon snickered again, as the trio turned down another corridor and quipped, "Many people have asked that before."

"Because it just is," answered John slightly frustrated at Ronon trying to gang up on him.

The group passed more and more expedition members as they continued their walk causing Larrin to ask, "Why do you all dress the same?"

"No," John frowned, "We don't all dress the same. Sure they're similar styles, I guess, but it's sort of a uniform thing."

"Okay," replied Larrin before she turned quickly to Ronon, "Uncle Ronon why do you dress differently?"

"Because he's weird," interjected John sarcastically, smirking at the Big Guy.

"No," Ronon shrugging as he refused to be baited, "My clothes are just more comfortable."

"Well, I think they look nice," commented Larrin simply, before halting in her tracks.

The source of her distraction was, of course, an enormous stained glass window giving the small girl a beautiful view of the city through its panes.

"Wow," she exclaimed in awe, gazing out at the city. She could hardly believe that such a large and beautiful place existed. Her previous disappointment faded as she took in the magnitude of the city; deciding right there and then to take advantage of everything the city had to offer, and her two escorts.

Finally tearing herself away from the window, Larrin asked, "Are we almost there?"

Ronon chuckled, while Sheppard replied, "Almost."

The trio reached the end of the corridor and turned down another when Larrin asked again, "Are we there yet?"

John rolled his eyes, regretting not taking a transporter in favor of letting their guest experience more of the city!

Atlantis Infirmary:

Seated on an examination bed, the curly-brown haired girl sat in a state of barely controlled excitement. After spending days on that stuffy ship, she was thrilled to be in new surroundings—and such beautiful ones as these! Uncle Artur had explained that he needed to go on a little trip for a while, and was leaving her here to keep her safe. While slightly upset and being left behind, Larrin consoled herself with the fact that she was now with two new uncles who she could tell were going to be fun to stay with.

"Uncle Ronon," she whined, "Why are you so big?"

Ronon sighed, taking in the little girl, and replied, "Because I eat a lot."

"If I eat a lot too, will I get to be as big?" queried the girl innocently as she swung her legs back and forth over the side of the bed.

Ronon had been left with the task of keeping an eye on the girl as Sheppard walked away to discuss the situation with Dr. Keller, privately. He peered down at the little form of the Traveler leader, and saw Larrin's big brown eyes staring up at him.

"Tell me a story!" she demanded.

Racking his brain for something appropriate, Ronon settled on an old fable from his childhood—hopefully nobody was near enough to overhear because the Satedan was sure he'd never live this down……"A long time ago, in a small village, there lived a small boy. He was an only child, living with his grandmother, and she doted on him—giving him everything he could ever wish for."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the infirmary Dr. Jenifer Keller attempted to understand, let alone explain the phenomena of Larrin's test results.

"I assure you Colonel," she began, "all of her test results say that she is a perfectly healthy five year old girl."

Frowning slightly Sheppard asked, "So there's nothing for you to do?"

"Nope," Jen shook her head, "I guess it's up to McKay and Zelenka to find a solution. I'll just be there to consult if necessary, in regards to her overall wellbeing."

"Great," John drawled, "Well then I guess we will get out of your hair for a while. I should probably see what Ronon and little Larrin are getting up to."

Jen watched as the pilot started to walk back to the patient area, but just before he was out of sight he turned and called back, "Oh you are up for babysitting duty sometime?"

"You're kidding right?" asked the good Doctor, not wanting to believe what she heard.

"Nope," smirked the Colonel at the cringing physician, "I'm sure you've babysat sometime in your life. I'll let you know when it's your turn."

"Great," commented Jenifer to no one in particular, fully aware of the fact she would end up getting roped into watching Larrin.

John on the other hand, walked back to the bed Larrin had be left at, but as he approached he heard Ronon telling her a story of all things.

"And only then did the boy realize that even if he had everything in the world, he would not necessarily be happy. True happiness comes from the little things in life."

John stood completely still, dumbstruck at the fact he had never heard Ronon share anything neither quite so profound nor so eloquent. Hating to interrupt the moment, he peered around the curtain to see the Satedan sitting on the bed next to Larrin, shoulder to shoulder.

Looking up at him, Ronon gave him a look that dared him to mention this to anyone. Accepting the fact that he'd probably end up hurting after their next sparring session, John opted not to verbalize the sarcastic response hanging on his tongue.

Instead he turned to Larrin and asked cheerily, "How about we go get something to eat?"

The little girl lit up instantly at the thought of food, causing John to smile as he realized the food in the mess was far superior to that of Larrin's ship, if memory served him right!

Atlantis Mess:

Sometime later Teyla managed to find her two teammates seated in the mess, as they introduced Larrin to a variety of delicious Earth delicacies.

She could see the leftover paper from several cupcakes, and bowls and spoons littered the table around them containing crumbs and remnant from sampled treats. Sadly, she frowned at the thought of how hyper the child would soon become after eating so much junk food. She doubted that either guy had thought of that!

Making her way over John called out to her, "Hey Teyla guess whose love for popcorn rivals your own?"

"Yeah Auntie Teyla," called Larrin from behind the bowl of ice cream she was licking clean, "Popcorn was scrummy tasting!"

Teyla smiled as she looked down on the little girl seated in front of her, between her two teammates. She could hardly fathom how this child, so strong yet incredibly trusting, grew into the dominant leader she met during the Replicator incident.

This was a different Larrin, one who was still so full of life, but held no qualms towards trying new things. The Athosian mused to herself as to what happened to evoke such a change in the woman, but in the end chalked it up to surviving in the Pegasus Galaxy.

Shaking her head, she said coolly, "What are your plans for later this afternoon? Larrin, wouldn't you like a tour of the city?"

The little girl smiled and began to nod, but stopped suddenly as if in pain. Larrin raised her hands to her head as a plethora of images bombarded her senses. Images of growing up, images of battle, of losing her parents, of her people looking to her to lead, of having to grow up incredibly fast, the sad realization of her people's degeneration, of seeking any solution to help her people.

To the three watching over her, they noted the radical change in the young girl. Sitting between Ronon and John, Larrin began to shake uncontrollably. Ronon immediately sprang into action, by scooping up the young girl while John activated his radio saying, "Dr. Keller we have an emergency situation with Larrin."

"What's going on?" replied Jennifer calmly, a hallmark of her professionalism.

John, looking over to the form in Ronon's arms as they hurried out of the mess, tried to explain what happened, "We were just eating in the mess when she started shaking and clutching her head."

Hurriedly prepping the infirmary as she tried to understand the situation Keller replied, "Okay, she was eating….well then we cannot rule out an allergic reaction. But then why was she clutching her head?"

Meanwhile, the emotional upheaval of images stopped abruptly inside Larrin's head, while confusion set it. The last thing she remembered was touching some device back at the market. Wait where was she now? She could feel herself resting in someone's arms; moving. She was being carried. But that was absurd, what happened? She forced herself to open her eyes, even though she second guessed the idea as the pounding in her head threatened to expel the entire contents of her stomach. Yuck what had she eaten?

Larrin looked up to gaze upon her "rescuer" but couldn't place the man. He looked familiar, but she was unsure as to why?

Suddenly, another voice spoke, disrupting her exceedingly confused thoughts.

"Whoa Doc, she's stopped thrashing and seems to be awake now."

It only took a split second for Larrin to place THAT voice, after all, it belonged to a man she was unlikely to forget for a while after all of the trouble he had caused.

Larrin raised her head to confirm her suspicions, "Sheppard?" she whispered weakly.

She saw the man in question shoot her a quizzical look before the pain in her head overwhelmed her completely, and the darkness took over.

--tbc--

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