Ok, so I went from Zalenka to Zelenka. It's been made aware to me that I was mistaken before, but my other chapters were already written. If you find one with the 'a', it was one of those chapters. I've gone and looked, but I can't guarantee I'll catch them all. - This is an older chapter, thus the note. It's a 'just in case' thing.

Ok, so this one is not so much whumpy, just an annoying day for John.

Jasminesmommy - No, John never lives anything down with Rodney and Ronon around to always bug him about it. LOL.

Sparklyshimmer2010 - Thank you :) Well Elizabeth can be fairly quiet when she wants to be, like in 38 Minutes when Carson was recussitating John. I wanted to put emphasis on it.

Debbie418uk2 - Gag gifts, huh? Don't you just love everyone's sense of humor? I was thinking more along the lines of alien bees, but then decided to change it up a little.

Happy Belated Holidays everyone!

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(John's POV)

"You rang?" I watched as Zelenka jumped and spun around, the tool he was holding clattering loudly to the ground of the empty lab. He muttered loudly a moment in another language, and from the look on his face, I was pretty sure he was swearing at me.

"You know, you really gotta teach me how to do that."

"Never mind." Shaking his head, Zelenka had the sense to blush a little and look sheepish as Rodney strolled into the room. "You are here now. McKay, Sheppard is here now."

"Yes, yes, yes, I see that." Nodding, Rodney paused at the foot of a large console and looked at the screen. "Colonel, if you'd be so kind, I'd like you to go over and stand next to that black obelisk."

I looked around and noticed the said object practically in the center of the room. This was an, until recently, abandoned laboratory and we had no idea of it's function. "What's it do?"

"I don't know, yet. We can't get it to power up, but these logs say it should respond to the gene, so if you'd go stand next to it, like I asked..." Turning to me a moment, Rodney raised an eyebrow. "We might be able to find out."

With a sigh, I nodded and walked over to stand next to the said obelisk. Not knowing what it did, I wasn't sure what to make of it, and didn't feel too comfortable standing too close to it. There were also all kinds of...roots, I think, coming from the bottom of it and lacing the floor. I was trying to be careful not to step on one or trip over one.

"You need to get closer."

"I'd really rather not, if it's all the same to you."

"Sheppard, we can't finish our tests if the machine won't power up."

"Ok, so get Carson down here. Aren't you always the one complaining about my 'mutant' gene that's always activating things??"

"That's what we want here."

"Oh, right." Pausing a moment, I stared at the obelisk, not entirely sure what to make of it. "You actually want me to touch this thing?" It was black, and seemed to have all kinds of ancient, and I mean really old, not Atlantis Ancient, writing all over it. The roots climbed up over the sides of the polished stone...or metal...whatever, and stopped before converging in the center, where there was a large blue stone. "As in touch, touch it?"

"Did I say I wanted you to touch it? No, that'll definitely activate whatever it does. I just want you to stand near it and see if you can just...." Rodney shrugged. "You know, turn it on."

"Maybe you should do this. You're the one that wants it on, right?" I raised an eyebrow and folded my arm over my chest, inching the tiniest bit closer to the obelisk. "So shouldn't you be the one to be effected by whatever it does?"

"Oh, ha, ha." He rolled his eyes. "For all I know it's some kind of matter reconfiguration device, or a transporter or something. It could turn me into anything, or transport me out into the ocean, or another time, or be some sort of massive warning system that blows up all of Atlantis."

"That's not comforting." And he wants me to do this?! I shuffled a little closer. Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention to my feet at this moment, and my toe caught on an upright root. "Crap!" I called as I fell, instinctively raising my hands to break my fall. I felt my one hand connect with the side of the obelisk, and the other on the edge of the top, but nothing happened. As I straightened myself up, I frowned at it before turning to Rodney. "Ok, so that was...a waste of time."

Rodney's jaw was practically sweeping the ground and he quickly shut his mouth as he typed furiously on his computer. "I don't understand it. There was no power spike, it didn't turn on, nothing happened."

I raised my hand to shrug as I crossed my feet, and leaned on the obelisk. This time, however, I'd placed my hand in the center of it, and with a jolt, the room began to shake violently as the black stone began to hum and glow.

"What the hell?!" I jumped away from it, as the surface grew unbearably hot to the touch, and yelped as I felt my legs give out. My entire body tingled with an electrical current, and the last thing I remember before closing my eyes, was everything getting very big.

When I finally came too, I heard people talking over me and made a mental note to stop ending up in the infirmary so often. As I opened my eyes, I frowned a little, already feeling like something was wrong.

"Aww, hey there sweetie. Welcome back."

I felt my eyes widen as I looked at the nurse standing over me. She was a cute little redhead with blue eyes, and her long hair was up in a tight, high bun. She was also smiling down at me.

"Uh, hi." I smiled back. But hearing my voice, the smile was only about half formed when it faded. "What the hell?!" Instead of the usual drawl I'd long since gotten used to, it was now a higher pitched, almost child-like voice. I abruptly sat up, closing my eyes as a dizzy spell hit me and then opening them again to stare down at my body.

My much smaller body.

The nurse frowned a moment in disapproval. "Now, now. There's no need for language like that."

Staring at her with wide eyes, I looked past her to the rest of the infirmary, and spotted Carson walking into the room.

"Carson!" When he saw me sitting up, he smiled a little, albeit, uncomfortably, as he walked over. "What's going on?! What happened to me?"

"What do you remember, lad?" He asked in a softer voice then usual.

"Um, how about everything. The last thing I remember is touching that damn obelisk of Rodney's,"

Now he frowned, and he nodded. "Well, from what I can tell, you've been turned into a twelve year old version of yourself." The nurse gave him a confused look, and he sighed. "This is Colonel Sheppard, Jessica."

Her eyes went wide and she backed off quickly. "Oh! I'm sorry, sir!"

Shaking my head, I sighed, looking down at my now tiny hands. "It's, uh…. It's ok."

She turned and left with a nod, and Teyla, Ronon and Rodney chose that moment to show up.

"Oh, good. I was just about to call you." Carson sighed. "He still seems to have his memory, but now that he's in a much smaller body, someone is gonna have to look after him. He won't be able to reach the door sensors alone, for one, and I'm not sure how his ATA gene might have been effected." He paused and seemed to think about it. "He's still got his normal brain functions, so I would guess it won't be affected, but there's always a chance."

"Oh, no. I'm not doing babysitting duty!" Rodney backed up. "Besides, I gotta get the machine fixed so we can turn him back, right? I, uh, I can't do that with-"

"McKay." Glaring at him, I saw Teyla's lips twitch into a smile before she controlled herself, and I felt myself deflate a little, realizing it didn't have the same effect. "I'm not a kid."

Now Ronon openly grinned.

"Don't go there." I warned. "Doc, tell me I can go."

He sighed and looked at the others. "Well, there's really nothing physically wrong with you, besides this…new body of yours. Just be careful, and if you feel anything unusual, I want you to let me know."

I nodded and got up, ignoring the others, and all the stares as I walked out of the room. Once outside the door, I paused. I was dressed in a hospital gown, and only just realized there was nothing on Atlantis I'd be able to wear.

"John?"

Jumping a little, I turned and looked up at Teyla, feeling very uncomfortable about how big she was, compared to me now.

"I have managed to get some clothes brought in front the mainland that I believe may fit you. Once we saw what had happened, I asked Elizabeth to send a jumper to get some clothes from Jinto."

Staring at her a moment, I slowly nodded. It was finally setting in that I was in the body of a child. Despite still having my mind, everything else was different. "Thanks…"

Nodding back, she smiled and gestured for me to follow her. We made our way to her room, where a large leather sack sat on her bed. Heading over to it, she opened it up and began pulling out several leather and cloth garments.

(Later)

Dressed in Athosian leather, I slowly made my way down the halls of Atlantis, finding out pretty quickly that I couldn't reach the sensors for the transporters. I also noticed that I was quickly becoming the center of attention, everywhere I went. People stared, I even heard whispers.

"Who's that?"

"Should he be here?"

"Isn't he adorable?"

"Is he Athosian?"

"Excuse me." Blinking, I turned to find Major Lorne behind me. "Should you be wandering around here? I mean, can I help you find someone?" He'd knelt down and was smiling at me. "Like maybe your parents?"

Raising an eyebrow, I turned and folded my arms over my chest. "Nice, Evan." He leaned back a little in surprise. "It's me, John Sheppard."

"Jo… Colonel?" His eyes narrowed in confusion. For a moment, he stared at me, as if unable to understand what I'd just said. His eyes darted around, and he raised his hand to tap at his ear piece, only to pause. He stared into my eyes before tapping his ear piece. "Colonel Sheppard?"

His voice came through my ear piece, and I tapped mine. "Major Lorne."

His eyes got really wide and he tapped his ear piece again. "Dr. Weir, I'm sorry to bother you, but have you seen any sign of Colonel Sheppard? …Ma'am?" I could hear her giggling as she struggled to speak clearly and explain the situation. "Oh. I…see."

"See?" I raised an eyebrow and grinned a little. "So I don't need a body guard just yet, Major. Thanks, though. It's nice to know you care." Laughing a little, I turned and walked off, continuing on my way to my room.

The walk was long, longer than usual because of my shorter legs. It was irritating, really, but I eventually made it. As I walked up to the door, I waved my arm to where the door sensor was, and frowned when I realized I was about two inches too short to reach. I stood on my tip toes, thankful no one was around, and reached up as high as I could, but still couldn't reach. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!"

Frowning, I stared at the large, looming door and really high panel. I raised my hand to the ear piece and paused, thinking about how everyone would laugh, if they knew. Shaking my head, I looked around, and relieved that no one was coming, I turned and jumped as high as I could, with my hand up for the door. I still couldn't reach. It was like my hand was centimeters short. Jumping a few more times, I think I let out a fairly Ronon-like growl when nothing happened.

Hearing a sound, I turned and saw no one behind me. For a moment, I stared around, sure I heard someone laughing, but seeing no one, I sighed and shook my head before glaring at my door. "This is so not fair!" Stalking off, I decided to find something else to do.

(Later)

Walking into the lunch room, I was kind of glad the door was open. After several attempts to open the door to my room and realizing I couldn't reach the door controls, I'd given up, refusing to call one of the others to open the door for me. Instead, I decided I'd check out some other places.

And here I am. The door was wide open, there were a few people sitting at several of the tables, and I made my way over to the line up, to get some food.

Unfortunately, when I got there, I couldn't reach the trays.

"Oh, come on." I groaned, shaking my head and sighing. Looking up at the counter, I watched as a young female marine behind me reached up and grabbed a plate of food, before holding it down to me. "Oh, uh…thanks." Taking it carefully, I watched her give me a slightly amused smile.

"Shouldn't you be with your parents?"

I stopped and stared at her as she passed me a bottle of juice. "Lieutenant?" Her face turned to one of confusion and I raised an eyebrow. "I guess no one said anything. I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard."

Laughing, she grabbed her tray and shook her head, kneeling at my side. "Ok, sir. You better eat quick before the lunch boom hits and you're trapped here squished between everyone." She grinned openly. "Here." Taking her fruit cup, she placed it on my tray. "There you go, cutie." Brushing her hand through my hair she got up and walked off.

Cutie?! I wasn't sure whether to be embarrassed, angry, or what. Sure, I like having pretty girls paying attention to me, but this…isn't what I mean. "This is just not my day." Tapping my ear piece, I walked over to one of the tables and began to glare at the height of it, which I could barely reach. "Elizabeth, remind me to make a request for children's tables, and lower door consoles."

There was a quick burst of laughter before it subsided. "John, if you're having problems, why didn't you ask anyone for help?"

"I can take care of myself."

"Right. That's why Ronon saw you jumping outside your bedroom door? You were just doing it for your health?"

"Ronon was there? And he didn't think to…" I shrugged as I climbed into my seat, and almost fell off it. "Damn! Ugh, he didn't think to offer to help?!"

"He said you looked like you didn't want any help."

"Right. I probably didn't." Plus he was probably laughing way too hard. Looking over the food, I didn't feel any hunger, but I picked at the veggies. "Look, I called because I was wondering if Rodney made any progress."

"He'll call you when he does, and you know that." Elizabeth sounded highly amused. "Until then, tell me how your day's been going."

"The girls are treating me like a kid." I paused and looked down at myself before sighing. "Can't say I blame them. I can't reach the doors, none of the marines even pay attention to me… Hell, I can't even reach the food unless someone hands it down to me!"

"Did you get something to eat?"

"Yeah, a marine got me some. Then she proceeded to ignore the fact that I told her I was Colonel Sheppard, and called me 'cutie'."

Again Elizabeth laughed, and I felt my face heat up. Poking at my food, I ate a little, while talking to her. Then, two female marines came over. Pausing in mid sentence, I watched as they smiled at me.

"Isn't he cute!?"

"Awww, he's such a sweetie!"

"John?" Elizabeth sounded like she was choking on her laughter. "What's going on?"

"Hey sweetie, where's your parents?"

My eyes narrowed as I stared at them. Sighing loudly, I lowered my head. "Just more marines coming over to coo at me, Elizabeth. Not much." I answered out loud, my hand next to my ear piece as I stared at the girls with a raised eyebrow. Just my luck. I'm stuck in the body of a kid, and all the cute girls are paying attention to me now.

Suddenly, my ear piece beeped, and I heard Rodney's voice. "Sheppard, we managed to figure out how the machine works, and I'm about ready to turn you back."

"Finally!" I called, jumping out of my seat. Pausing a moment, I turned and nodded my head at the girls. "Ladies." Giving them my most charming smile, I turned and ran out of the lunch room, ignoring the giggles that followed me.

(Briefing Room)

"So, I hear you had a pretty…interesting day." Rodney was grinning broadly. "You know, if you want, I can always change you back."

Glaring at him, I forced a smile and raised an eyebrow. "Thanks but no thanks."

"Are you sure, John? You were pretty adorable, with your shaggy black hair and green eyes. Hey, even the Athosian leathers suited you."

"Probably why I had a number of people wondering if I got lost, and where my parents were." I threw back. "I liked longer hair, at that age."

Ronon now had to throw his two cents in, too. "You were pretty skinny as a kid, weren't you?"

"Gee, I dunno, I never thought about it." Staring at everyone, I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Rodney, tell me you got rid of that machine, please."

He nodded with a chuckle. "Don't worry, it's been powered down completely. There's no chance of using it at the moment, and we're in the process of dismantling it for spare parts." He glanced at Zelenka. "Carefully, too. We're taking every precaution to make sure no one else gets…miniaturized."

"Nice way to put it." I muttered.

"Alright everyone. Let's just leave this for now. Rodney, continue taking the machine apart. The rest of you, I want you to read over the latest mission report, you ship out early tomorrow morning. It's late now, so take it easy. Dismissed." Elizabeth stood up from the table and walked over to the wall panel. Swiping her hand, she grinned over her shoulder at me before walking through the opening door.

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Hope you like it

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Thank you

Tenshi