AN) Hey all! Thanks for reviewing, sorry its taken so long to update. Well, here's the next chapter so read on!

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis.

McKay had long ago slipped out of his small room and headed for the lab. Finding it impossible, however, to get any work done on the stupid artifact he was supposed to be working on. Visions of Pooky flooded his mind so very often, during these tragic hours. And that Tel'Nash...thing, small stomach, how convenient.

-

McKay's Quarters:

The small creature stretched out its six legs and yawned. "Meep!" The creature looked around the empty room, "...Meep?" It widened its eyes, shiny object! It ambled over to the Rodney's pillow, scrambled to the top of the nightstand and stretched as far as its legs could go trying to reach the shiny toggle switch of the intercom. Success!

The Tel'Nash, with an air of triumph wrapped its tiny little raccoon hands around the toggle switch and stretched just a little further.

-

Control Room:

An odd sound gurgled from the intercom: Gsh tloof foof tloooooooo...

"Did you hear that Lieutenant Ford?" Asked Weir, leaning closer to the intercom controls.

"Yeah, sounded like some sort of, animal trill or something."

Sheppard walked in as the speaker emitted another chorus of strange syllables: Floof tlooooo...

A thoughtful expression crossed Sheppard's face, "I knew it! There are Ewoks on Atlantis."

"If Ewoks had shrill trilling voices I'd be inclined to agree with you, sir," He paused. "Looks like its coming from McKay's quarters, must be that...creature Tel'narr thing"

Sheppard fell into the swivel chair and spun himself around, ignoring the looks from Weir as he slowed down the chair. "Teyla said the thing wasn't harmful, right? Better tell McKay the thing is awake though." A grin spread across John's features, "Before it eats Pooky or something."

"Didn't you hear sir? Beckett say's McKay went and saw him about it this morning, wanted some type of X-ray done on it to see if had eaten his...Teddy bear."

"Teddy bear!" Shouted John, doubling over.

"The humor really is getting sour John." Weir informed him. "...Hallucinogenic gases on the other hand..."

"Now that was funny," Ford cleared his throat uneasily, "...Sir."

-

McKay was abruptly interrupted from his thought's of Pooky when Sheppard's voice came over the intercom informing him the, "-Thing is awake and its making weird annoying sounds, go take care of it because I can't concentrate on any of my important work." McKay grumbled incoherently and strode out of his lab.

When McKay got to his door he opened it cautiously as though he expected the Tel'Nash to come hurtling at him without warning and collapse on his head...or something to that effect, anyways. He peered inside, seeing no sign of the creature he stepped inside and the door whooshed shut behind him. It was as he heard the odd gurgling that he spotted the creature...playing with the intercom toggle.

-

Control room:

Beckett had now joined Ford Weir and Sheppard in the control room. At Weirs prompting he had begun to explain exactly how the gas had acted out in Johns brain only a week before, remarkably interesting, that. Or at least, that's what Weir and Ford had assured the good doctor, much to John's apparent chagrin.

Sheppard was about to interrupt when a voice came over the intercom: Ploooof, foooo.... WOOOH!

"Aw that is just great! Let go of that switch right now! Don't make me..." There were a few sounds of a struggle, the Tel'Nash obviously was not going to give up the shiny switch without a fight.

"Meeeeeeeep! WOOooh!"

"Oh, thank you So Much for slobbering all over the intercom!"

Taking advantage of a good distraction Sheppard leaned over the intercom, "Problem, McKay?"

"Ugh, not unless you count extremely sticky impossible-to-wipe off, alien spit. Oh ho, don't give me that innocent look- wha- my hand! My hand, I think I'm losing feeling in my hand! Its, its spreading! I can't feel..." Rodney's voice faded to a whisper, "My chest...can't, feel..." There was an audible, thump, over the intercom in the control room.

Weir was instantly at the comm, "Rodney! Rodney answer me!" The speakers were silent, save the gentle perplexed trilling of the Tel'Nash. "Beckett go," The man was already out the door.

"Tlooo....?"

---

And again, deep in the bowels of the city, a sinister laughter echoed...