Chapter Text

“That’s a cat!”

John stared at the creature incredulously. The cat had just jumped from Major Lorne’s arms and was making its self comfortable on his infirmary bed. He winced as it started to knead his legs through the blanket.

He looked towards Lorne, watching as his face seemed to twist into an uncomfortable emotion. Neither he nor Ronon, who had walked in behind him, seemed to want to look him in the eye. He would have assumed it was because his face was still blue from being Bugified, but he could almost taste the guilt in the air.

“Why do you have a cat?” he questioned while trying to stealthily move his legs away from the cat’s sharp claws.

He looked towards Ronon when it became clear that Lorne was reluctant to answer. Ronon avoided him and was instead staring at the cat as if he wanted to pick it up and cuddle it and by the scratches on his arms, he had already attempted a few times.

He turned to the cat as it headbutted his hand and he started to scratch its head, it looked like a miniature cheetah with long ears. He had a secret fondness for cats. Not as big as Rodney’s one though.

Still, no one had answered his question. The long pause of silence was deafening and with no one wanting to say anything it made his suspicions rise to paranoia.

“I am not going to ask again” He made his voice take a demanding tone that made the newbies jump to attention. He looked from the Major to Ronon. Waiting to see who would answer him.

Lorne broke first. He fell into parade rest and started to give his report.

“We went to see the Fel-es at 0900 hours, Sir”

John interrupted quickly.

“I thought we were going to leave it until I could go through the gate.”

“Yes, we were, but… err… it was decided we couldn’t afford to wait a month to meet with them again and we needed to get an idea of what their temple contained. In case there was anything we could use against the Ori or the Wraith. We know that there was an important research facility there. One that was in operation until the Ancients left for Earth. It is under some sort of cloaking and the Fel-es are the only ones who know how to get there. It was a priority.”

John felt his irritation rise. It seemed he was deliberately left out of this decision. Especially as his team would be the one to be sent on this mission without him. Rodney would have been mission essential as he was the only one the Fel-es liked.

“Who decided this and why wasn’t I involved?” Though he already knew the answer. He just wanted confirmation.

“Colonel Caldwell, Sir, he decided to go ahead with the mission with my team and Ronon as back up. Though Dr. McKay complained, vehemently. We didn’t have a chance to confirm orders as we were debriefed 30 minutes before departure. Dr. Weir agreed and with Colonel Caldwell being the military commander while you’re err…”

“Debugged?”

“Yes Sir, that, we couldn’t refuse. I am sorry Sir!”

“Where was Teyla?” Surely, she would be able to explain what was going on without all this exposition.

“She’s allergic to cats, Sir. The Fel-es revere them. They refused to let her meet with them again.”

Ah yes, now he remembered the first meeting. How Teyla could not stop sneezing long enough to do the traditional greeting and he had to put on his diplomatic boots for the mission. Not fun. Especially when they believed Teyla to be some sort of demon or unholy creature with her watery eyes and runny nose. The only saving grace had been Rodney surprisingly. They had loved him as the cats had loved him. They had to get out the crowbar when it was time to leave last month.

“That still doesn’t explain why you have a cat?”

“I was getting to that Sir. The Fel-es are the only people we know of that have cats, the anthropologist thinks that the cats were the pets of the ancients and they were left at their ‘temple’. Where the Fel-es looked after them for generations”

“Major, why are you telling me this? I did the first contact meeting. I know it all. Did the Fel-es give you the cat as a gift? and where is Rodney? I would have thought he would be with you for his post-mission check-up.” His paranoia was growing to exponential levels. Where was his scientist?

Looking towards Ronon to see if he could give any hint as to what was going on. He was still avoiding his eyes though by looking at the cat in his lap.

“Not exactly Sir, they gave us the cat but not as a gift. It’s err Dr. McKay?”

“What’s McKay?”

“The cat, McKay is the cat’

Looking down at the cat that was licking its bottom he looked towards the Major and laughed.

“That's ridiculous Major! How can McKay be a cat?” He couldn’t believe Lorne would play a joke like this on him.

“Well, Dr. McKay went off with one of the natives.” Lorne began but John quickly interrupted him again.

“Alone! Why didn't anyone go with him!”

Ronon shifted out of the corner of his eye and he glared at both.

A throat cleared in the infirmary entrance. Looking up John saw Dr. Weir and Carson standing there.

“Gentlemen” Elizabeth spoke. “I think this discussion would be better served at a later time when there are fewer people around that could potentially overhear.”

He looked around him, the infirmary was empty, he looked at Weir with an eyebrow raised and drawled,

“Yeah wouldn’t want everyone to know that you went behind my back and sent my people off-world and one came back as a cat?”

Elizabeth’s face was blank, and he hated that he could never get a good read on her. She had been distant ever since he wouldn’t let the Doranda experiment go ahead against hers and Colonel Caldwell’s wishes and had convinced Rodney to side with him.

“Meeting at 1400 hours.”

Dr. Weir waited a moment to ensure her orders where heard then turned on her heel and walked out the door. If she had a cape the move would have been epic but as it was it made her look a bit like one of those mean plastic-type girls in that movie. Not that he had watched it.

Carson bustled over to him as soon as the door had closed behind her and checked on the machine he was hooked up to.

“Well, it looks like you're almost ready to come off the drip. You will need injections every couple of days, but I see no reason why you are not able to leave the infirmary and sleep in your bed. You two” Carson turned to look at Lorne and Ronon. “go and see Dr. Biro and get your post-mission check-up sorted. The rest of the team should be here as soon as they have finished their mission debrief with the Colonel” Carson paused and looked at John “not you Colonel.”

John nodded his head and waited until both Lorne and Ronon had left before he turned to Carson.

“Is that really Rodney?”

He nodded his head towards the cat.

Carson looked towards the cat as well and sighed

“That’s what I am planning to find out lad.”

&&&

John walked into the giant meeting room just off the gate room. He would have been pleased to have been finally released from the infirmary, if his thoughts weren’t a bit preoccupied with the cat currently locked in the isolation room. It, he wouldn’t think of it as Rodney until they got confirmation from Carson, had yowled and hissed and thrown an epic fit when it was separated from John and locked in. Now that John thought about it, the cat and Rodney had displayed very similar behaviour.

He sat down in his usual chair and waited for the rest to show up. First to arrive was Dr. Weir and Colonel Caldwell. Coming in together and both sitting at the head of the table. Both stopped talking as soon as they saw John and were stone-faced.

Radek and Teyla walked in before it could get any more awkward followed closely by Lorne and Ronon. They were only waiting on Carson.

“Shall we start” Elizabeth gestured towards Lorne as she spoke.

“As you know we were sent on a mission to the Fel-es this morning. Things were going well, and they seemed to be pleased to see Dr. McKay again. Within five minutes of being there he was crawling in cats. We mentioned the ancient facility to them and got told that only those considered worthy would be allowed to enter.”

“Let me guess” John drawled “McKay was considered worthy?”

Lorne looked him in the eye then, the first time since he became blue.

“Yes, Dr. McKay was offered to see their temple but ONLY Dr. McKay, we dialled Atlantis and it was considered a risk worth taking”

“Hang on, this wasn’t a surprise trip to the facility?” He turned to Elizabeth. “You let MY scientist go off into an unknown facility without me and didn’t even have the courtesy to tell me that it was happening?”

“It was a need to know situation. The facility was a promising research facility in ways to stop the Wraith. We need weapons John and we need them fast. The Wraith are getting closer every day and the Ori are practically on Earth’s doorstep.”

John could taste her indignation but no guilt in the air. She had forced Rodney to go by himself into the unknown with no backup. There was no way he would have done it willingly. What had happened to the ‘soft’ scientist who wanted to talk to the Wraith?

“What did you tell McKay to get him to agree to this?”

Dr. Weir looked at him straight in his eyes and stayed silent.

Radek spoke up.

“She said, the next time the Wraith come you, Colonel Sheppard, may succeed in killing yourself. This facility may have a way to keep you from doing it”

John felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. She had used him to get Rodney to go by himself. Where he could either be abandoned on the planet or been turned into a cat.

He cast his eye around the rest of the table. Radek was looking at his tablet screen, Teyla was looking confused and a bit shocked as if she couldn’t believe Dr. Weir would do such a thing. Lorne was stock-still and John knew he and Ronon felt guilty for going along with it without informing him of the situation. John finally turned his gaze onto Colonel Caldwell and there was no doubt he could taste his smug superiority at the back of his throat.

“What happened after McKay went to the facility?”

“They came back with the cat and told us he was blessed. We are welcome back and to bring Dr. McKay for any further meetings.”

Colonel Caldwell who had been silent since the meeting started stood up.

“We will have to send the cat to the SGC for further testing and decide on a new head scientist. It is a shame what happened to McKay, but we must think of the future. This ancient facility was not as helpful as we had hoped but there are more out there, and it is our duty to Earth to find anything that could help fight our enemies.”

John felt like laughing “I am the military commander of this base and I say that the cat stays here, and any missions must go through me first as it should have done.”

John glared at Caldwell and Caldwell glared back.

“Need I remind you, Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard. You are on medical leave after almost turning into a rabid animal and killing your men. I am in command of this base and until we are certain there are no lasting effects of your affliction, I will stay the commander. By sending the Cat to SGC they could take the time to investigate the creature, if McKay is the cat, he would thank us for sending him home.”

“You don't know McKay at all. He will not thank us by sending him to be dissected at some secret base on Earth. We don’t even know if the cat is McKay, they could have just kept him on the planet and given us the cat to avoid suspicions.”

“I can clear that up laddie” came a voice in the doorway breaking the tension. Carson walked in and put an image up onto the screen from his tablet.

“This is Rodney’s DNA, and this is the Cats. Here”

He pointed at a part of the screen; John had no idea what he was meant to be looking at.

“These” Carson highlighted some parts of the screen “are markers in the Cats DNA which are the same as Rodney’s. See this here is the ATA gene. and here...”

“Carson, is the cat McKay, yes or no?”

Carson seemed to snap out of the medical haze to look at Elizabeth.

“Well, yes that’s what I was explaining. I am without a doubt that the cat is Rodney. I have no idea how this has happened though, and I will need to do further research on it. I highly recommend Rodney stays here for me to study and figure out how this is possible. You see we share around 90% of our DNA with cats so this should be interesting to study what’s changed in his DNA to turn him into a cat and”

John interrupted him before he could start to ramble again.

“Can you fix it?”

“Err… no. I cannot even begin to guess how it was possible, for me to even think about reversing it…. We need to find the facility and figure out what did this.”

He looked towards Radek to see if he had a solution, but he looked just as defeated as Carson did.

“I am going to the planet” John states standing up.

“Now John” Elizabeth attempted to pacify him.

“I am going to the planet and finding who and what did this to Rodney.”

“You cannot” Teyla spoke “The Fel-es only allow people onto their planet once a moon cycle. They will not let you through and you will jeopardize the trade agreement we have with them. Rodney will not be pleased if you lose the only source of almost Coffee we have managed to find.”

“He can complain at me once he is human again” John went to leave, and Colonel Caldwell moved to stop him.

Elizabeth spoke insistently from her seat “I forbid you from going Sheppard, you have not been officially released from the infirmary and you are still covered in blue scales. They will think you are the Wraith. It will ruin any further relations we have with them”

Elizabeth stood up to join Colonel Caldwell blocking the door.

Ronon who had been quiet until now spoke up.

“Sheppard, the Fel-es said we would be welcome back in a month and that we should bring McKay to them then. They may be able to explain what happened and why”

“I agree” Lorne stood up and made his way over to John” as much as I hate to say it, they were very insistent that we only come back on their set date. Even if we go through there is no guarantee we would find them as they are nomadic and have access to the cloaking technology. We didn’t find anything when McKay scanned the area.” Lorne put a hand on his shoulder, and he twisted away.

He could feel the foreign feeling of aggression responding to his anger and helplessness. He felt rather than saw Elizabeth taking a step back and Caldwell preparing for an attack. He took a deep, calming breath steadying himself. Attacking and being irrational would not help his case. He understood where they were coming from, but he wanted to do something, now. To fix this and get his scientist back. They were right though. Barging in now may do more harm than good.

“In a month I am coming with you to the planet no matter what.”

Radek and Carson who both had looked very uncomfortable during the argument settled and nodded their heads in agreement. He assumed they would also be coming with him.

Once everyone was sitting down again at the table Colonel Caldwell turned to Carson.

“Is the creature feral? Do we need to keep it in isolation for the month”?

John saw his skin darken as his anger rose again but took another calming breath.

“No, he will be staying with me.” John gave a smirk “I’ve always wanted a pet cat.”

&&&

John entered his room and dropped Rodney onto his bed. He watched as he flicked his tail at him in irritation and settled onto what would have been his side of the bed. He had given up on his child's bed a few months ago when he and Rodney had ‘officially’ gotten together and he had gotten tired of Rodney’s pointed hints about how much better he slept when he stayed over at Rodney's room. They kept their relationship as need to know, mainly their friends but he was sure it was one of Atlantis's worst kept secrets.

He put down the box Carson had given him to be Rodney’s litter box. He doubted it would be used though. He got changed and climbed onto his side of the bed. Rodney was instantly on his chest and headbutted his chin.

“You said that you would always love me, no matter if I was blue and climbed on the wall like Spiderman. So, I am telling you I will always love you whether you have two legs or four and a tail.”

Rodney purred and rubbed his head under his chin. He could almost believe Rodney understood him.

“But no funny business till your human agai- OUCH”

Rodney had bit him on the nose.

Yeah, the bastard understood him perfectly.

Chapter Text

Rodney woke up to pain. His head felt like a massive number of students had a wild college party in there. He was sore all over. His limbs were sending sharp pain to his head every time he tried to move. He let out a whimper when he finally managed to open his eyes. He blinked rapidly and sat up slowly. The pain was ebbing away leaving only a headache.

His eyes slowly adjusted to John’s room. Even in the dim light he could see the Johnny Cash poster on the other side of the bedroom. He looked around in confusion. Last he remembered John was in the infirmary. Frowning, he searched his mind for an explanation. They went to see the Fel-es. Despite his arguments against it without John and then an ancient facility. He groaned, his head was throbbing. Then he remembers hands. Grabbing and holding him tight. And flying maybe? He couldn’t breathe and then John. Yes, John, he was safe if he was with John. He took a deep breath and with some stumbling got out of bed.

His head continued to pound; the college party must have found some drums. He grabbed some clothing and was putting them on when he noticed a gleam under the dressing table. Lying on the floor he reached underneath and found his tablet that he had misplaced weeks ago. It must have been kicked under there when he and John were… playing chess. There was a swoosh behind him as the door opened. The lights turned on and Rodney heard John call.

“Rodney, here kitty kitty?”

“What!” He squawked. Getting up from where he was laying on the ground, headache forgotten. “Why would you say that? I am not playing those types of games with you John. That may be something you played with your previous Bimbos but let me tell you now serious turn off”

Rodney dusted himself off and looked at John who was staring at him with his mouth agape. Rodney looked down at himself and didn’t see anything different. Then he blinked and blinked again. His hands were all furry and his nails had grown long and sharp. Turning his head to look in the mirror opposite the bed he yelped.

“What, what did you do John?”

“What! Me! Why are you blaming me?” John asked him, his voice incredulous.

“Cause your always touching things, you are like a five-year-old in a shop. Ooh shiny, must touch.”

Rodney watched a twitch of a smile adorned John's face and frowned. This was no laughing matter he looked like Catkind from Doctor Who. He loved cats but that didn’t mean he wanted to be one.

“Stop it, this is serious! I am part cat. Oh god! I am part cat.” Rodney could feel himself starting to hyperventilate. John put down the tray he was carrying and moved to his side.

“Hey, hey, we will figure this out. There is no need to get worked up about it. We fixed me being turned into a bug and we will get you fixed too.”

“We didn’t fix you! We just gave you your mind back. You may be blue forever. I may be furry forever and oh my god is that a tail. I have a tail!”

“Calm down Rodney, come on I will take you to Carson. Deep breaths.” Slowly Rodney calmed down. He could feel himself relaxing to John presence and words. His stomach rumbled.

“Okay, okay, I am calm... and I am hungry. I want food before we go to Carson and his Voodoo ways. What did you bring for breakfast and let me tell you about this strange dream I had of being manhandled everywhere”?

Rodney saw John shifting out of the corner of his eye. He turned to look at him but got distracted by what was on the tray John had bought.

“John, why do you have a saucer of milk? You know, I don’t think I should have milk as cow milk is bad for cats and I don’t think the weird scaley might be cow milk would be any different… John why do you have a saucer of milk?”

Rodney felt his eyes widen in realisation.

“It wasn’t a dream was it?”

&&&

“Carson, if you keep this up, I won’t have any blood left. You would have killed me, drained me dry and I will never not be a cat. Just start throwing your chicken bones in the air and fix this.”

“Rodney, I cannot fix this, as you say, as I do not even know what this is. You were a full-fledged cat yesterday and a human the day before. The more blood I have the more I can do. It’s quite interesting that your DNA hasn’t seemed to change much between each form. I don't even know how to go about explaining this.” Carson turned to walk away when he paused and turned back to him “Also I do not throw chicken bones in the air. I use sheep.”

Carson walked back to his office with another vial of his blood. Rodney watched him in disbelief and huffed.

“Always knew he was a witch doctor.” He muttered.

“Ah come on Rodney” John drawled standing by the bed “he’s doing the best he can. He tastes worried so cut him a little slack. You know, he considers you one of his best friends, so he’s going to do everything he can. Just let him do his job.”

“I consider him my best friend too… after you of course! I know he’s trying his best, but I just want him to fix this. Wait… what did you mean by…” Rodney turned to look at John and spotted Carson coming out of his office, with a needle longer than a ruler, making him lose his train of thought.

“No. Nope. Definitely not. I am done. No more needles for me.” Rodney could hear John laughing next to him, but the next word's shut him up completely.

“That’s fine Rodney, this is for John.” Carson explained as he walked over, and he heard John let out a little whimper at the size. He smirked smugly and tried to ignore the instinct that was making him want to rub up against him.

‘Stupid cat thoughts!’ He frowned and tried to figure out if there was anything else, he was feeling that he wouldn’t normally. He wanted to curl up on John’s lap but that wasn’t too unusual, but he wanted to… mark?... Carson. Rub his head against him. Watching Carson as he gave John the injection, he thought yes, he wanted to mark Carson. Show that he was his. Not in a romantic sense but in friendship or companionship. Huh that must be why his last cat had tried to trip and kill him so many times. Good to know.

“Rodney?” He jumped and snapped his eyes to John. Who by his annoyed look on his face had been trying to get his attention for a while now?

“Yes John?” Rodney gave him an innocent look as if he didn’t know that it was probably the fifth time John had said his name. Carson was looking at him as well.

“I asked what it was you remembered about the Fel-es and what happened to you?”

Rodney grimaced he had hoped this wouldn’t come up so soon. “I want food first since you didn’t get me anything this morning.”

“Hey, I got you milk and there was something like tuna” John protested, and Rodney gave him a dirty look while hiding his relief that he had distracted John.

“Come on, I haven’t had breakfast either” Carson started to put away the machines he had been using to scan Rodney earlier. “I would be interested in hearing about what you remember”

“I am quite curious as well” Came a voice in the doorway. Rodney looked up to see Elizabeth and Caldwell. They must have heard about Rodney through the grapevine as both Carson and John looked surprised to see them. Rodney also saw John’s face flicker with another emotion at the sight of the two of them, but it was gone before he could figure out what it was.

&&&

John put both his and Rodney’s tray down on the table in the corner of the cafeteria where they could claim some privacy. Not that it helped much with everyone looking and whispering at Rodney’s new look and the tail sticking out of the back of the chair. Though from what he could hear there was some confusion as to whether it was Rodney or if it was some sort of alien that they had found off-world. It appeared that Lorne's team had kept quiet about Cat Rodney.

A lot of the talk was also about his appearance since he had been confined to the infirmary no one had seen him blue and not trying to kill them. He felt Rodney relax when he sat down beside him. For some reason, Rodney had angled his body away from Caldwell and kept glancing at him. John could taste his confusion and slight fear. John wondered why but quickly got distracted when Dr. Weir arrived at the table with her tray.

Once Carson, the last of the five of them settled, Dr. Weir asked “Rodney, can you tell us everything you remember from when you got to the planet?”

John glared at her, couldn’t she see Rodney was uncomfortable it was so poignant in the air even she, with all her so-called emotional sensitivity, should have sensed it. She should have at least let him take more than a mouthful of the almost oatmeal that was being served this morning.

Rodney put down his full spoon and started to describe yesterday’s events.

“Everything was routine. We came, we did their greeting ceremony and sat down for trade discussion. I was swarmed in cats as soon as I sat down and spent most of my time with them. Didn’t listen to the boring nonsense,
I hope Lorne got my almost coffee and maybe even the mining rights? Everything was fine.” Rodney fiddled with his spoon and sighed. “Then Lorne asked about their temple and whether we could see it or not.”

“and?” Caldwell leaned forward, John could taste his eagerness “What was there?”

“They said only those who were worthy could see it and I was the only one who was. We dialled Atlantis as I would have to go alone as they refused to let anyone come with me.” Rodney glanced nervously at John.

“Elizabeth forced you to go” John stated calmly though he could feel his irritation at being used to threaten Rodney rise again.

“What. No. She just pointed out that it would be beneficial to see what was there.” Rodney protested.

“By saying that next time the Wraith attack I may die” John bluntly argued.

“John-” Elizabeth started but Rodney interrupted her with a wave of his hand.

“She didn’t say anything that I didn’t already know.” John felt the words like a slap in the face.

“Rodney-”

“No John, I know and accept this if it came down to you or Atlantis you would choose Atlantis in a heartbeat.” That made John’s stomach churn with guilt as he knew that if given the choice, he would risk his own life again if there was no other option available, but it wasn’t for the city. He opened his mouth to explain but was interrupted.

“Elizabeth shouldn’t have used it to blackmail me though, it wasn’t fair, and it was uncalled for” Here he gave Elizabeth a pointed look, but John knew she wasn’t going to apologize for her actions. Rodney sighed when Elizabeth said nothing and continued.

“I went with Fel-ine. You remember her John?” Rodney turned to him with a smirk. “The white-haired woman that was all over me?”

Oh yeah John remembered her, a small woman with a scar through her left eyebrow. She was in her early 50s, rare in the Pegasus Galaxy, like a unicorn. She looked extremely young though. He only knew how old she was as he asked one of the natives whether he should be worried. It appears that she flirts with all the young men who come through the ring. Not that he would burst Rodney’s bubble-like that though. He knew Rodney was trying to distract him but thought he better to go along with it for now.

“Yeah I remember her. She pinched your bottom again?” John gave a small laugh and Rodney’s cheeks turned pink. Carson gave a small chuff, but Caldwell and Elizabeth were staring at Rodney in his furry face as if he had all the secrets in the universe within his whiskers.

“Err… right ... where was I? Ah yes. She took me to the temple and asked-” Rodney cut himself off and John felt him stiffen next to him. He turned his head to look at him only to see him looking down at the table. He was emitting his confusion and John could see his brain firing rapidly inside his head. “She asked... whether I was willing to be blessed by the goddess?”

“What did she mean by blessed Lad?” Carson asked learning forward. All their breakfasts had been forgotten.

“I didn’t ask, I could detect a lot of power and was distracted. I walked inside and that’s it. That’s all I remember.”

There was silence. John looked around the table to see Carson had a puzzled look on his face. It was Dr. Weir and Colonel Caldwell that worried him. They were looking at Rodney hungrily. He knew that they were thinking about how this could be used to their advantage. What did Rodney detect that caused that much power and are there any benefits to Rodney’s new condition?

“I’m not hungry”

Rodney pushed away his plate next to him and got up abruptly. Turning to walk away he accidentally knocking into a marine in his haste. Rodney froze.

“Wow” The Marine yelped and the young man's eyes went wide as the cup he had been holding slipped out of his hand. John stood up and grabbed it before it could fall to the floor. However, in the chaos, one second there was Rodney eyes wide and looking relevantly human. Okay he was furry and had whiskers and a tail but still human-shaped. The next he was looking at a small blur as Rodney raced out of the cafeteria on four legs. He was a cat again.

“Was that Dr. McKay? Why does he have a cat face? Did I turn Dr. McKay into a cat?” The Marines voice was steadily getting louder and more hysterical. Everyone in the cafeteria was paying attention now.

John stared out the doors to where Rodney had vanished. Hopefully Rodney was aware enough to go to either his or John’s room otherwise he would be spending the day looking for a cat. A cat in a city the size of Manhattan, with the ATA gene no less. Not his idea of fun.

“Come on Lad” Carson said as he walked around the table to the Marine who was starting to hyperventilate. “Let’s get you some tea and we will talk about how it is impossible for you to have turned Rodney into a cat.”

John watched Carson lead the Marine away. He was new and John couldn’t remember seeing him before. He looked towards Colonel Caldwell and Dr. Weir to see that they both their gazes were fixed on where Rodney had gone, and both looked completive.

&&&

John had just left his room and still searching for Rodney when he found Ronon and Lorne. They were walking down the hallway together and seemed to be in deep discussion.

When they got close enough Lorne asked, “Is its true Rodney's not a cat anymore”.

“I wouldn't go that far.” He replied “He woke up this morning as half cat. He's got fur, whiskers and a tail. Claws and fangs as well but he's on two legs and talking. The grapevine works fast. We were only in the cafeteria maybe 30 minutes.”

Lorne shook his head. “Everyone’s talking about the Marine who somehow turned McKay into a cat.”

“Yeah not too sure how that happened. A Marine knocked into Rodney as he was going to leave. Can you investigate the Marine for me he seemed a bit suspicious and I have not seen the man before? I overheard one of our men call him Lieutenant Brennan”. Lorne nodded his head in agreement.

“Caldwell has a lot of new faces from the Daedalus and he has been putting them to work within Atlantis while you are recovering.”

“Doing what?”

“I don’t actually know. I have been trying to find out, but they are keeping it to those Caldwell trusts. I will look into it more though and see if anyone knows anything.”

“So, McKay’s really not a cat anymore” John glances at Ronon suspiciously was that disappointment he could taste. John gave a mental note to try and get Ronon his own cat in case he got it into his head to steal John’s.

“I wouldn't say that, he turned himself fully cat before he ran out of the cafeteria.”

“Colonel Sheppard” Came a voice behind him. “Are you looking for Rodney?” John turned around to find Radek coming towards him.

“Yeah have you seen him? He ran out of the Cafeteria and he was a cat again.” John asked and then waved goodbye when Lorne and Ronon walked off.

“I have seen him. He turned part human in front of me, scaring me witless. He has gone to his room.”

“Right thanks” John turned to leave but before he could Radek spoke again.

“Colonel Sheppard, I am worried about Rodney. He does not deal with change well. This is a very big change and with him unable to work in the science lab-”

“What? Why wouldn’t he be able to work? I get being unable to go off world, but his situation shouldn’t affect his work here on Atlantis.”

“I thought you knew. Colonel Caldwell has told everyone that due to Rodney being compromised he is not allowed access to sensitive work and all science departments are classified as sensitive. Meaning, Rodney cannot work on anything currently in progress.” Radek gave him a significant look as if what he said was meant to mean something.

“Does Rodney know?” John asked as dread rose in his chest.

“Yes, I told him when he came to see me. You see why I am worried” John could taste Radek’s concern and worry for his friend. John was still confused.

“How did you hear about this so fast? I was just with both Dr. Weir and Colonel Caldwell and they didn’t mention anything.”

“I was told this last night after meeting when you went to get Rodney. They said he would get his access back once he was fully human and in control of his facilities. Rodney is not fully human, and Colonel Caldwell called me on the coms earlier to remind me of that.”

“Oh of course he did” John sighed. Colonel Caldwell was getting to be a real problem and it didn’t help that Dr. Weir seemed to be taking his side often.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

&&&

John found Rodney in his room. He was sitting on his bed looking into a handheld mirror examining his face.

“Where did you get a handheld mirror?” John wondered knowing Rodney didn’t own one.

“Radek, you know his hair takes him forever in the mornings.”

“That’s a style? What does he call it Mad Scientist? Never mind.” He said when Rodney opened his mouth to answer him.

He moved to sit on the bed next to Rodney.

“Do you remember what I said to you last night when you were a cat?” He asked.

“About the no funny business till I am human again?” Rodney answered not looking away from his reflection. He moved his head left and then right looking at himself from all angles.

“At least I am not furry all over.” He looked towards John. “I checked.”

“Well, yes, that, but I was talking about me saying I love you no matter if you have four legs and a tail or two legs and a tail.”

“You didn’t know yesterday that I was going to have two legs and a tail.” Rodney answered looking back to the mirror. He was now examining his nose.

“Well no but it is the same sentiment. I will love you no matter what and we will find a way to fix this.” John could almost taste Rodney’s disbelief.

“Like we fixed you? I have noticed John?” Rodney said using a finger to push his nose in.

“Noticed what?” John asked in confusion not entirely sure what Rodney was talking about.

“The emotions thing.” Rodney answered. “You keep sniffing and have mentioned tasting emotions. That’s not a human thing John!”

“I... I… I didn’t really notice I was doing it?” John was shocked. He had always been perceptive about how other people were feeling but now that Rodney had mentioned it, he realised he had been somehow tasting and maybe even smelling emotions. This was something he would have to think about. Will it disappear once he has received the last of Carson’s injections or will he forever be knowing the emotions of those around them. At least he wasn’t feeling other emotions. He had watched Charmed and would not enjoy that experience.

He put this thought on the back burner as Rodney needed him more now.

“I am going to have to stay like this for a month aren’t I. There is a promising amount of Naquadah on the Fel-es planet, the first we have found in the Pegasus Galaxy and Elizabeth is not going to want to jeopardise that.” Rodney sounded so defeated and John could feel his heart ache. At least he knew that eventually he will be humanish again due to the treatments Carson has been giving him. There was no guarantee for Rodney.

“Hey, think of it this way we have superpowers. I am like a blue Spiderman.”

“Yeah BugBoy should be your hero name, fits you perfectly” Rodney snorted but didn’t sound that into it. He was now investigating his ears. Making them flick on the top of his head like a cat would.

“Yeah if I am BugBoy what would that make you. Copycat?” That got Rodney’s attention.

“What! I am not a Copycat”

John gave him a disbelieving look “Sure you’re not. I get myself superpowers and the next thing I know you’ve gone and turned yourself into a cat. Jealous much.”

“I had no control over this change and anyway I can’t be Copycat that title is already taken by Vanessa Carlysle.” Rodney gave him a smug look, but John was not going to let Rodney win this.

“That fine I think your name should be KitKat anyway” Rodney had put down the mirror now and gave John his full attention.

“Why would you think that? It’s even worse than Copycat.”

“Cause I am always telling you to take a break” John bit his lip trying to stop from laughing at Rodney’s face. He looked so horrified. He laid down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. If he looked at Rodney any longer, he would burst out laughing.

“That is atrocious, I am breaking up with you. I cannot be with someone who… who… I cannot even think of a word to describe you. Anyway, the name should be KitCat, curly c to avoid copyright claims.”

“Alright, BugBoy and KitCat together against the world. Destroying Wraith and living happily ever after together.”

“That does sound good.” Rodney lay down beside him, “Though I think it would sound better as KitCat and BugBoy don’t you think,”

“Nah alphabetical all the way.”

“Sure, that’s why you want BugBoy first, the alphabet” Rodney laughed disbelievingly.

“Yep”

They lay there in silence until John broke it with “I wouldn’t though.”

“Wouldn’t what?” Rodney asked

“Risk my life for Atlantis” John turned onto his side, so he was looking at Rodney.

“Of course, you would, you did it before” Rodney continued to stare at the ceiling.

“No Rodney I didn’t. I risked my life for you and the people of Atlantis. This place would be nothing without you. I would always risk my life for you. I do not know what I would do without you.”

Rodney turned onto his side as well then “John, I do not want you to die for me. I want you to live for me”

“And I will” John assured “but if it came down to you or me, I would do everything in my power to make sure you lived. There is nothing you could do to stop me. It’s in my hero DNA.” John tried to joke.

Rodney didn’t smile “No John, I don’t know what I would do without you. It’s you and me. Us against the world. BugBoy and KitCat forever and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Chapter Text

Rodney was bored. It had only been two days without work and there was nothing left for him to do. He had cleaned his room, he had cleaned John’s room, he moved beds and swept, with an actual brush! He was going stir crazy. He would even welcome paperwork, but he wasn’t even allowed to do that. Stupid Colonel Caldwell. Dr. Weir didn’t even budge when he went to complain to her.

He even used the ‘if I don’t exercise my brain power daily it could lose its fitness and then we would all be dead, is that what you want Elizabeth the whole of Atlantis dead?’ She had then the nerve to suggest he should do Sudoku puzzles. Sudoku! She seemed to have less patients with him lately which hurt as he had thought they were friends.

Radek had been by earlier to complain that Kavanagh was being abnormally smug. Rodney was upset he couldn’t knock him down a few pegs by ripping his substandard work to itty bitty pieces and then make him watch as his theories went down in flames. Rodney smiled as he imagined Kavanagh’s face and the anime tears that would stream from his eyes in the wake of the devastation. He spent 25 minutes rehearsing what he would say and practiced his disappointed look in the mirror. He was bored!

He flopped down onto John’s bed and stared at the ceiling. Hoping for inspiration to hit him on what he could do. He needed something to keep the ever-growing panic away. The thought that he would never be completely human again itched in his mind and he wanted something, anything, to distract him. John on the other hand seemed to be dealing with his affliction well enough if you discounted the excessive gym use.

That’s where John was now for the third time today probably trying to stave off his own boredom. Rodney had wondered up there just after lunch to see John and Ronon playing with the Marines and had left quickly before John could drag him in. He felt himself shudder. He was not at that point yet, thankfully. Plus, Ronon was starting to freak him out. He kept staring at him and his hand kept twitching as if he wanted to reach out and pet his ears. It was creepy.

He couldn’t even bother Teyla as she had gone to see her people and dance round a fire or something. She had told him, but he was too distracted popping his claws in and out again to pay attention. John would tell him if it was important. Before she left, she had looked at him with red watery eyes and smiled her most sympathetic smile asking him if he wanted her to stay. If he didn’t already know she was allergic to cats, he would have thought he was dying. When he had gone to agree, knowing it would allay his boredom, John had kicked him. Hard. So, he let one source of entertainment go.

The door swooshes open and he jumped up from the bed to see John walking in.

“Still bored?” John asked and Rodney glared.

“No, I am having mountains of fun. Of course, I am still bored. I have nothing to do, and everyone is busy doing jobs that I should be doing. Kavanagh is being smug, and I am not there to crush his worthless spirit into nothingness.”

“Okay, okay sorry I asked.” John walked further into the room.

“And don’t tell me you’re not going stir crazy. How was the gym?”

“It was good, I am not as fast or as strong as I was when I was a bug but a bit more than when I was fully human. I could go around all the marines again and still not be out of breath. I even gave Ronon a run for his money. I think he has gone for a lie down and I have just realised what you meant.” Rodney gave him a smug look “Yes I know I am using the gym to keep me busy, but I have been cooped up in the infirmary for days and have all this unspent energy.”

“John there are other things you could be doing that would spend energy. Come lie down and tell me about all the Marines that you made cry today. Let me live through you until I can make my minions cry again. Entertain me!” Rodney demanded getting back into bed and into his previous position looking up at the ceiling.

“Only two cried” John said as he slipped out of his shoes and crawled in next to Rodney “a third’s eyes watered but had no actual tears.” John lay down beside Rodney and by the time Rodney turned onto his side to face him John was asleep.

Rodney sighed. There went his entertainment. It was annoying how quickly John could sleep. He guessed it was something to do with the Air Force and maybe it was a good thing as he had been getting worried. John hadn’t been sleeping well and he had wondered whether John would just keep going and then crash on a balcony or something.

Rodney stroked a hand down John’s arm and the blue scales that had adjourned them flecked away. John would look more human soon if the change kept reversing at the rate it had been. Rodney wondered if his agility and strength would ebb away soon, as well as the strange empathy John was demonstrating. The Wraith had telepathy and it was no small leap to assume that this ability came from the Iractus bug’s DNA.

John still hadn’t told Carson about it. Rodney kept insisting that he should so they could scan his brain and make sure it wasn’t going to turn into mush or something. John had answered that he had enough of being a science experiment but after much nagging he agreed he would tell Carson the next time he saw him. Which would have been the end of it, but Rodney knew John and suspected that he was going out of his way to duck Carson. Anytime Rodney had to go in for his morning scan he would make up some excuse about being busy.

He got off the bed and then nodded to himself. He would make John see Carson today or he would kidnap him and drag him to the infirmary like last time, but he would let John sleep for now and find something to do for a few hours.

Well, if no one was going to entertain him he decided he would create his own fun and he knew which scientist to start with!

&&&

John woke up to a banging on the door. He stumbled out of bed. Tripped over some shoes and stumbled some more until he reached the door. It opened and he blinked rapidly at the invading light. Then once his eyes got used to the light, he blinked a few more times at the strange sight. There was Lieutenant Miller. Dripping wet and holding a dry Cat McKay who seemed to have a put-upon air about him. Looking from the cat to the Lieutenant he decided he was too tired to deal with this.

He rubbed his hand over his forehead “What happened?” he sighed.

“Sir, I thought it best to take McKay to you before Colonel Caldwell could get a hold of him or worse Major Lorne.” The Lieutenant then dropped the cat into his arms and marched away his boots sloppily hitting the floor with every step.

Rodney jumped from his arms and sat on the bed looking up at him with his eyes wide. John knew his innocent face, no matter the form.

“What did you do?” Rodney seemed to shrug and then started to clean his ears. John watched as Rodney seemed to come back to himself and realise what he was doing he quickly transformed back into human shape. John watched fascinated as he had never seen the process properly before.

It was strange though as there wasn’t much to see. One minute there was cat Rodney and before he could even blink there was Catkind Rodney, as he had taken to calling him, standing by the bed.

“Stupid cat instincts” Rodney muttered and then looked at John “isn't it weird that my clothes transform as well. The change in mass alone should be impossible an-”

“Yes, it is” John interrupted him “and don’t change the subject. What happened?”

“Okay, okay, let's just say that cats do land on their feet.” Rodney shifted from one foot to the other.

“Let's say more.” John urged he could feel his temper starting to surface and pushed it down. He took a deep breath and tasted the room. Rodney was nervous, a little worried and guilty. He sat down on the bed and took Rodney’s hand pulling him to follow.

“Rodney explain. Why should you be worried about Major Lorne? Colonel Caldwell, I get but Lorne?”

“I may have accidentally caused him to fall off the pier into the ocean.”

“Okay. Explain.”

“Well, I was following Kavanagh and maybe slightly trying to freak him out. He was acting all superior and being suspicious.”

“How were you trying to freak him out?” John asked curious despite himself.

“You know making noises, opening, and closing doors, trying to hiss his name, I got close too. How was I to know he was going to have a full-on meltdown and try and kill me?”

“Maybe because you were following him, making noises, open and closing door and hissing his name?” John said dryly.

“Err... yeah, okay maybe I didn’t think it through, but I was bored.”

“Rodney one of these days he’s going to build a death ray in one of the labs to kill you?”

“Of course not, he would just try and poison me with citrus. He’s too stupid to build a death ray and he would probably kill himself and everyone else in the process. You don’t think he’s going to poison me with citrus, do you?”

“No! and I would kill him if he tried but you are going to apologise to him.”

“What? Why?” Rodney’s eyes widened and his voice took on a higher pitch.

“Because what you did was not nice.” John gave Rodney one of his patented glares.

“I am not nice!” Rodney complained.

“It doesn’t matter, you are going to apologise and that is the end of it. If you rip apart his work that acceptable as it’s your job but you went out of you way to terrorise him and that’s not part of your job. So, you need to apologise. I know he’s a pain, but he is part of this expedition, and you need to treat him fairly. So, explain to me how he tried to kill you and how does this is related to Lorne falling into the ocean?”

“Ah yes after Kavanagh threw me off a balcony, I landed in front of Lorne who was walking with Ronon. They were close and when I landed Lorne jumped back and fell into the ocean dragging Ronon with him. So really it was all Kavanagh's fault.”

“Wait, he threw you? From what floor!”

“Only the second. Maybe he didn’t mean to try and kill me. Looking back on it that was maybe sort of accident. At the time I was scratching and biting him, and he threw me.” John saw Rodney glance at him out of the corner of the eye “But he picked me up without warning!”

“Only the second he says. I will be having words with Kavanagh. That could have killed you!” John took a deep breath now was not the time. “So how did Lieutenant Miller get wet?”

“Look John” Rodney opened his arms “I am fine! Landed on four feet and everything” Rodney looked inordinately pleased with himself as if this was an accomplishment. “Lieutenant Miller was after, when Lorne went ballistic for some strange reason and after he was pulled out of the water, he started to chase me. We may have knocked some other people off the pier before Lieutenant Miller grabbed me and ran. So that wasn’t my fault either.”

“You still must apologise. To all of them.” John emphasised.

“Even Kavanagh?” Rodney let out a pitiful whine, but John didn’t budge.

“Yes, even Kavanagh. He should not have thrown you off the second floor” John nearly growled the words “but you were following him, and it will come back on you if he complains. And you know he will!”

Rodney groaned. Then again even louder when John continued “Also you need to get checkout by Carson. Just in case.”

&&&

Rodney stomped into the infirmary. John was by his side as if he would wander off and cause more trouble if he wasn’t supervised. There was Kavanagh lying in the bed, his arms were covered in deep scratches and bite marks.

“It’s infected isn’t it. The filthy creature viciously attacked me. I don’t believe that it is Dr. McKay it should be in a cell for what it did to me. Euthanised like the animal it is!”

Rodney looked at John with his best pleading eyes. Rodney saw John look conflicted and felt hope rise in his chest then as quickly as it came it was deflated.

“Dr. Kavanagh, Dr. McKay has something he would like to say” John shoved him in the back and Rodney took a slight step forward. As soon as Kavanagh saw Rodney a vicious scowl crossed his face and he opened his mouth probably to spew more rubbish, so Rodney quickly said his apologies before either he or maybe even John killed him.

“Kavanagh, I am really sorry that that I bit you and scratched you when you picked me up” Kavanagh gained a pleased and smug look though it strangely disappeared when Rodney continued with “and sorry I was following you.”

His face adorned a shocked look and maybe even slightly scared “You were following me? You didn’t happen on me by chance?”

Rodney looked to John to see whether he was picking up anything strange. His face was unreadable, but Rodney could see him breathing through his mouth probably to gage Kavanagh emotions.

“Why did you pick me up?” Here Kavanagh looks shifty and glanced side to side probably to see if there was anyone who could help. The nurse who was beside him had bustled off to check on Lorne further down the row of beds who had a slight cut on the head and was glaring at Rodney. Who reflexively looked down to see whether he had burst into flames?

“No reason.” Kavanagh muttered “I am really tired, so you need to leave. I have had a trying day being mauled by a” here he looked Rodney in the face and spat “a creature and all.”

Rodney couldn’t stop the flinch that took over his body. It was what he had been thinking about. That he was no longer human. This was the first person who said it to his face though, he knew he made others uncomfortable. There was a flash beside him, and Kavanagh went down with a fist to the face.

“John!” Rodney yelped a long with Carson who had just entered the room.

“Sir!” Came from Lorne in his own bed.

Carson came over to check on Kavanagh and frowned.

“You didn’t hit him?” Carson said shocked “I would have, I heard what he said!”

“No, I didn’t, stopped myself in time. Gave him a fright though.”

“I should think so! He fainted.”

“I really wanted to for what he said to you Rodney, but I wouldn’t give him or Colonel Caldwell the satisfaction. I know the only reason Rodney and I are not in matching cells is because we haven’t proved we are dangerous yet.”

Carson looked shifty and John placated “I know Carson, we know you have been fighting for us against Weir and Caldwell”

“He has? Why?” Rodney was really confused at the conversation John and Carson where having.

“Colonel Caldwell wants us in quarantine until it can be proven we are no threat. As long as we behave, he has no leg to stand on… That’s why I was so insistent that you apologise to...” John looked disgustedly at Kavanagh “Now go and apologise to Lorne”

“I will as soon as you tell Carson about the problem you've been having with your taste buds” Rodney gave John his best do as I say glare

“That’s not subtle at all” Rodney glared harder when John rolled his eyes.

“After you have finished Rodney, I want you to let Carson give you a check over. Make sure there was no lasting damage from being thrown from a balcony.”

Rodney huffed, rolled his eyes and gave him one final look before he walked over to Lorne.

John watched him leave then turned to look at Carson.

“Can we talk somewhere private?”

Carson looked confused but nodded his head in agreement. John looked over at Rodney waving his hands around frantically and pointing a Kavanagh with a furious finger. Lorne seemed to have calmed down and had a bemused smile on his face. Good, one less thing to worry about.

John followed Carson into his office and sat down on one of the chairs provided.

“What’s wrong laddie, Rodney said something about taste?” Carson moved the other chair around, so it was facing John and leaned forward on it.

“Yeah, look, lately I’ve been able to taste things. Things that I shouldn’t. Emotion type things.”

Carson looked befuddled but didn’t say anything. Most likely just waiting for him to make sense.

John finally blurted “I have been sensing emotions though taste.”

Carson blinked and then leaned back in his chair.

“Huh, that wasn’t what I thought you were going to say. You are sure it is emotions you are tasting and not maybe pheromones?”

“I don’t know, I’ve always been in tune with how others are feeling but now I actually know what they are feeling. It’s like a tang at the back of my throat with a different taste reflecting a different emotion.”

Carson gave gone a considering look.

“What am I feeling now?”

John took a deep breath with his head down. He tasted “surprised, intrigue and” John frowned “satisfaction?” John looked up at Carson.

“Well, that was scarily accurate, and I do not believe you would be able to get that accuracy with just pheromones.” Carson frowned “Let me do some scans before I give you my theories.”

“Did you know something like this was going to happen?”

“No.” Carson was firm then sighed “I suspected though. I looked extensively into the Iractus bug and have recently found a few previous cases of Iractus infection in the Ancient’s Database. Nothing like yours but I do have one theory that I am fairly confident in. Come on” Carson stood up “Let get you scanned and make sure you are not in any danger. I need to check to make sure Rodney has no lasting damage.”

&&&

As John suspected they were called to a meeting shortly after they left the infirmary. They both stood before Dr. Weir’s desk. Elizabeth was trying to give off an air of authority like a headmistress and her unruly students. John was determined not to give her the satisfaction that she craved. At least Colonel Caldwell wasn’t there. John turned around as the door opened and suppresses a groan as Colonel Caldwell slipped inside and moved to stand beside Elizabeth’s chair.

“Gentleman” John was beginning to hate that word. She said it so sardonically that John wanted to roll his eyes. This was a power play to the extreme.

“I heard there was commotion today by the North Pier?”

“Yes” John stated. There was no use in denying it as according to Rodney there were plenty of witnesses. “Dr. Kavanagh threw Dr. McKay off the balcony two floors up. He is very lucky that Dr. McKay wasn’t killed or injured in any way. We will not be pressing charges at this time but in the future, this is a possibility, especially if he comes near either one of us again without our expressed permission.”

John watched in satisfaction as Elizabeth blinked in what he hoped was a shock. Those diplomatic lessons with Teyla were really paying off.

Caldwell slammed a hand onto the desk making everyone but John jump. “Let’s not play games, Lieutenant Colonel. We all know that Dr. McKay was the instigator of the incident. Dr. Kavanagh is in the infirmary unconscious and in a great deal of pain while Dr. McKay does not a scratch on him. I additionally have two military assets on medical leave after being thrown in the ocean and injured. We are already short staffed as it is. This is unacceptable!”

“Well, whose fault is that?” John wanted to groan as he heard Rodney’s voice. He told him to let him handle this.” You won’t let me, or John do our jobs when we are perfectly able to!”

“Yes, let's talk about that. We have the human bug who barely a week ago was attacking his own men and acting like a monster out of the blue lagoon. Who is still mostly blue by the way and you?” Here Caldwell paused and took a deep breath. “You who inconsiderately and without thought of the consequences walked into an ancient temple without clearing it first and ensuring it was safe”

Rodney interrupted Caldwell with “You and Dr. Weir told me to go in!”

“Yes, but we didn’t think you would be incapable of proper precautions. Did you or did you not say that you ignored the native and walk into an unknown situation following information on your tablet rather than what is in front of your eyes?” Caldwell raised an eyebrow and Rodney flushed.

“Which is exactly why I didn’t want McKay going off world without me there!” John explained. Trying to move the attention away from Rodney.

“So, you believe Dr. McKay should not go off world without you there to watch out for him?”

John relaxed as Caldwell attention shifted back onto him.

“Yes, that’s why I wanted the mission postponed.”

“So, you agree that Dr. McKay should not be trusted off world?”

“Yes” John brain kicked in “No! I mean scientists are more concentrated on their own skills. It is the military’s job to look after them and protect them in the field”

So much for the diplomatic lessons with Teyla. Caldwell was watching him carefully and John hated him in that moment. This got out of hand so quickly.

“This is exactly what I mean Dr. Weir” Caldwell turned his head to her and continued “The scientists are incapable of looking after themselves off world and have no business in being put into harm's way. Just look at what happened to Dr. McKay. He was one of our brightest minds” Rodney spluttered at the word ‘was’. Caldwell carried on as if he couldn’t hear him “Scientists need to stay on Atlantis where they are safe and are able to use their abilities without worry. How many scientists have you lost in the last few years?”

John blinked. He couldn’t believe the twist in conversation; how did this go from a discussion about Rodney’s actions at the Pier to a discussion about whether scientists should be in the field.

“Hang on-.” John started but was interrupted by Elizabeth.

“No John, we have lost enough people and what has happened to Rodney has cemented it. Scientists will no longer go off world unless there are extenuating circumstances.” Rodney opened his mouth “Yes Rodney, you will be able to go and see the Fel-es, but you are no longer apart of SGA-1.”

Rodney looked as shocked as John felt.

“You can’t-” Rodney started.

“I can and I just did.” Rodney glared and went to leave when Caldwell spoke up.

“Dr. McKay, you are confined to your quarters for the next two weeks due to your unprofessional behaviour with Dr. Kavanagh and your display on the Pier.”

&&&

Rodney doesn’t think he had ever felt this furious. His claws kept popping out even though he kept willing them in. Rodney had gone to John’s room in protest and refused to set foot in his own. If he was being confined to quarters he’s staying with John. They will not be able to stop John from coming into his own room though Rodney wouldn’t put it past them.

“You okay Rodney?” Rodney whirled around and waved his hand.

“No, no I am not okay.” Rodney started to pace. “He has her under a spell or something?”

“Who?” John questioned and cautiously walked into the room the door closing behind him.

“Colonel Caldwell! He has Dr. Weir under a spell or alien influence or something!”

“Rodney” Rodney could hear the sigh in John’s voice. He knew they didn’t always see eye to eye.

“No John, don’t Rodney me. Elizabeth is my friend. She has been my friend for years and she just, she just took his side and didn’t even listen to me. Why John? Why?”

“I don’t know. All I could feel from Dr. Weir was sympathy and regret.”

“That she is taking away my team John. Yeah.” Rodney rolled his eyes and muttered “I don’t even know why she likes him he stinks!”

“Oh yeah what does he smell like? Something rotten?”

“No actually it’s sickly sweet and oily. What am I going to do John? How can we change her mind?”

“I don’t know Rodney. But we will think of something, okay? Let’s just get you through the next three week and then when you are human again, I am off medical leave and Caldwell is back on Earth we can change her mind. Let’s just try and make it till then, okay?”

“Okay, okay” Rodney felt so dejected. He’s lost work and now he may never be a part of his team again. “I am going to be so bored over the next few weeks! Not only am I confined to quarters for two weeks. I cannot even do work as distraction. I am stuck in here with nothing to do!”

“Yeah, I know Rodney. It sucks, Radek told me you cannot work on anything that is classified as sensitive information.”

“What?” Rodney’s head snapped to look at John and his fingers clicked at him “What did you say?”. Rodney could feel a burst of hope and excitement fill his chest.

“That you can’t work on anything classified?”

“No no, after that, yes!” Rodney jumped up “Yes, that’s it! I am only banned from looking at work that is considered sensitive. There are a whole load of projects that have been abandoned or thought to be unimportant! That aren’t sensitive information” Rodney gave a disbelieving huff. “I cannot believe I didn’t think of it.” Rodney started to mutter to himself “What to work on first, I’ve been meaning to look at the potential swimming pool in sector 53 and there was that weird buzzing sound by the North pier. Oh, there is so much to do!”

Rodney felt the bubble that had been building in his chest suddenly burst. His tablet and anything he could use to access sensitive stuff had all been taken away on his first day as a part cat.

Then just as quickly the bubble was back. He grinned at John who was watching him in befuddlement. Then lay flat on the floor on his stomach grabbing the tablet he had spotted there days before. That he couldn’t be bothered to pick up and make his detainment more difficult with it’s temptation.

“AH HA” Rodney yelled in triumph waving his prize around.

“Rodney?” Rodney settled himself onto the bed and opened it up. He quickly got sucked into work. He wouldn’t be able to touch anything in progress as he would be noticed but anything else was free game.

“Rodney?” John singsong.

“Shhh, working!”

Chapter Text

John was at his wit's end with Rodney. His confinement had ended two days ago, and he still would only leave his room for his mandatory morning scans and psych evals. No matter what John did Rodney always had an excuse or reason he could not leave. He reached for a tray in the cafeteria, seeing his pink hand, he finally looked human again and there was only a slight tinge of blue over the initial wound.  

He slumped into a seat next to Lorne who was whispering to Ronon sitting across from him. He ignored the glare Lorne was giving him, it was probably because he had ignored the last fifteen emails about his overdue paperwork back from before the bugification. Caldwell was in charge now and he could deal with the backlog.

He wanted to get some advice on how to convince Rodney to leave his room. He couldn’t ask Teyla as she had yet again gone to see her people. If he didn’t know any better, he would think she was seeing someone. She always came back absurdly happy, and it was getting to be a bit creepy. She had even grinned the other day, showing her teeth in a terrifying manner, Teyla should never grin. 

Carson was no good as he kept telling him to give Rodney space and that he would tell him what was wrong when he is ready. He couldn’t wait that long. Rodney had already spent two weeks confined to his bedroom, any longer and John would worry about his health and sanity.

“So, have you managed to find out anything about what Colonel Caldwell’s people are up to? Specifically, Lieutenant Brennen?”

“No Sir, there has been no news about any of them. Additionally, nothing new since the last time, you asked me. Which was two hours ago, Sir! Everyone is being extremely tight-lipped and refusing to talk to anyone on the original expectation. A couple of scientists are involved, I think, as I have seen a few talking to each other. They go quiet when one of our people goes near them.”

“Do we know who?”

“Not 100% but I am pretty sure Kavanagh is getting cosy with them. It could be he just wants attention, or he could be involved in whatever is going on. I told you all of this a couple of hours ago, Sir” John winced at Lorne’s pointed look.  

Maybe he didn’t listen properly the first time he got the report, but he was to upset about Rodney and their argument. He needed to get his head on straight though. This plot couldn’t be too serious as Colonel Caldwell loved rules, his country, and more rules. It just aggravated him that there were things going on in his city that he didn’t know about. 

“Sir, what do you really want to talk about?” Lorne stared at him with such intensity that John wondered if he was trying to catch him alight. 

“I don’t know what to do?” John burst out “Last time I asked Rodney to leave the room with me he looked at me completely incredulous as if suggesting we go to the gym was the most absurd thing he had ever heard!” at another one of Lorne’s look John continued “Okay, I know. It was a ridiculous idea, but I didn’t know what else to say and he shot down all my other suggestions!”

“Have you tried asking him why he doesn’t want to leave the room?” Ronon talked around a mouth full of pink mashed almost potato. 

John frowned “I’m sure I, I must of?” John thought back over the last two days “Huh maybe I didn’t! Right, I should go do that!” John nodded his head and stood up and saw a hand reach towards him “Yes Ronon, you can eat my lunch!” 

For some weird reason, they both seemed relieved that he was leaving them in peace. John shrugged and strolled towards his room. Rodney was leaving his room today whether he liked it or not. 

&&&

Rodney was staring blankly at the tablet screen. For the last two weeks, he had been working on backburner projects. He had solved several of the small problems they had been having such as the city’s sewage problem that had been leaking into sector 12 of the south city and the flickering lights in the corridor of the main tower. Not that he could implement any of the solutions until- 

“Nope not thinking about it” Rodney muttered to himself and shook his head. 

Rodney looked around the room that had been his sanctuary for the past two weeks. He had been keeping the room dark as he found it easier to look at the screen when there wasn’t too much input. He could still see perfectly though as if the room was filled with light. Again, he shook his head and pushed the thought to the back of his mind he didn’t want to think about another thing that demonstrated his inhumanness. 

The door opened behind him, and he bit back a sigh. He felt his shoulder slump. Now another round of ‘No John I do not want to leave your room.’ When no sound came though he frowned and turned around. 

John was standing there alight in the doorway. He flinched away from the brightness of it.

“Sorry, sorry” John closed the door quickly with a wave of his hand. “That’s what I mean Rodney you have not seen light in two weeks.”

“I’ve seen light” Rodney protested.

“The infirmary doesn't count!” John sighed, “I don’t want another argument with you about this. Why don’t you want to leave?”

Rodney looked down at his fingers and tangled them together and then pulled them apart. His nails lengthening and shortening with his nerves. 

“Rodney?” John softly spoke and Rodney felt him sit beside him. 

His perfectly human-looking hand grabbed his and Rodney could feel a hysterical laugh in his throat. It looked humorous. John’s hand in his monster shape of a hand covered in fur and with long black nails. He was a freak show

“Talk to me” John crooned, and Rodney couldn’t take it. 

He snatched his hand away and waved it in John’s face. “This, therefore, I don’t want to leave. I am a monster John, a creature” He spat the word “I can’t go out like this, I can’t!” 

“Why not? You went out before.” Rodney winced at John’s hurt look. “Help me understand!”

“Before… Before was different, before I was not alone. You were different too but now you look human and I don’t, and everyone will be looking and staring and laughing and I can’t John. Don’t make me go out there alone.”

Rodney saw John look down at his own hands. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“It’s not your fault John but it was easier to walk around Atlantis when I wasn’t the only one who looked different. Now I am alone and all I can hear is Kavanagh calling me a creature and everyone else will be too and I can’t John I am not strong enough when I don’t even look human.”

“Rodney, I won’t make you leave if you’re that uncomfortable. I just thought it was just work, you know. That you didn’t want to leave because you were wrapped up in it. I didn’t think it would be how you look. I’m sorry I didn’t think about it and that I have been pushing you but why didn't you tell me?”

“I was embarrassed, still am. You did it John. You left the room not looking human and you were fine. It just reminds me of school when everyone knew you were the odd one out, the one smarter than the teachers and the one everyone stares at. I could deal with it when it was both of us but it’s just me John. They would all be looking and talking about me. I don’t want to deal with it. I just want to stay here till the Fel-es meeting, and I can become human again. I just want to be human again!”

Rodney felt John put his arms around him into a loose hug. 

“Rodney, it doesn’t matter what you look like. You will always be you and nothing will change that. I was horrified about my appearance initially, but I got used to it once my mind was back and you will too. It doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside if you are happy with who you are on the inside. You cannot let your appearance stop you from going out and being who you are!”

“But I’m not who I am. When I turn fully into a cat, I can feel myself slipping away into cat thoughts and instincts are overpowering my logical thought. You’ve seen it. I start acting more catlike and it’s taking me longer and longer to come back to myself.”

He could feel John’s arms tighten around him “I know you are worried but there’s only one more week to go until we can get some answers. Why don’t we go to the mainland? Soak up some sun, and maybe spend the night. There will be no one around to gawk at you. Just you and me.”

“Colonel Caldwell will never allow it.” Rodney looked down in disappointment. 

“I’ll make him. He’s only in charge for one more week as well. The day of the Fel-es is the day of my final medical check and hopefully, I will be cleared for duty. I will get clearance and come get you in an hour.” 

Rodney watched as John left the room. Looking back down at his hands or maybe he should be calling them paws now. Suddenly there was a flash on the tablet screen he had placed on the bed. Picking it up he murmured, “Huh, well that’s not good.”

&&&

John set the Jumper down carefully. He was confused. It had been surprisingly easy to get Colonel Caldwell to sign off on the trip to the mainland. Scarily easy. He asked and then Caldwell said yes. No negotiating, no subtle threats, and no excuse about resources. Just ‘Yes, I assume you want to drive the Jumper yourself?”

It was great that there was no undercurrent to it but for some reason, it made him uneasy. He had tasted the room but all he got was relief and satisfaction. John frowned and wondered why he and Rodney off city would make Caldwell feel such things. Now that John thought about it two weeks in his room was a weird punishment to give Rodney. He had thought it strange but had pushed it to the back of his mind but now that this was the second attempt to keep Rodney out of the way he was getting a sinking feeling in his stomach that it was part of a bigger plan. 

He shook himself. There is no use in worrying about things he couldn’t do anything about. He glanced back at Rodney, who had looked particularly guilty when he had walked into his room to get him. He had thought it was because Rodney got distracted by work and hadn’t gotten ready. He had jumped and clutched the tablet to his chest when he saw John which was strange. The same tablet he had smuggled onto the Jumper when he thought John wasn't looking. 

John landed the jumper in a clearing in the middle of the forest about a 10-minute walk from the beach. They were on an isolated Island split off from the mainland by a sea of water no bigger than the English Channel. 

John opened his mouth and subtly tasted Rodney’s emotions. Surprise, excitement, and nerves. All normal. 

“Don’t do that John?” John jumped and turned around in surprise to see Rodney standing behind him.

“What?”

“Don’t taste my emotions. If I want, you to know something I would tell you. Don’t take that autonomy away from me.” Rodney crossed his arms in front of his chest and John felt a wave of guilt. That wasn’t what he wanted to do at all. He just wanted to get the lay of the land before he waved in. 

“Sorry, I didn’t think. I won’t, I promise.” John felt like an absolute bastard. He didn’t mean to take away Rodney’s privacy, but he could see how it was a potential issue for them. It was the first time he had done it since he acknowledged his abilities. Rodney must have been thinking about this for a while. 

“Only if I tell you to, okay?” Rodney sounded painfully insecure, and John wanted to assure him that he would never do it again without permission. It had been a stupid idea and he had done it before he had thought it through. 

“Yeah, sorry! I am still getting used to it and sometimes I get carried away. I wouldn’t want to do anything you are uncomfortable with. I will limit it to people I don’t trust. I just, you seemed upset about something, and I wanted to know what you were feeling before I made you feel any worse. I have made so many mistakes lately, not even asking you why you didn’t want to leave your room just thinking of ways to force you. It took Ronon to remind me that I should have asked you why.”

“I know John. I know you are stressed, and your hormones are still out of whack. Carson mentioned you will be having mood swings and behaviour changes until your body has settled back into normal. I don’t mind if you accidentally get what I am feeling. I just don’t want you to use it on purpose unless I tell you too.”

“I won’t, I am sorry Rodney. I promise I won’t use it against your wishes on purpose.” 

“Thank you and stop apologising. If you wanted to know what I was upset about you should have just asked”

“What were you upset about Rodney?” John looked Rodney in the face and made sure to breathe through his nose just in case

“Someone has accessed the Doranda files,” Rodney spoke quietly and it felt a bit like he was confessing something.

“What? Who?” John felt like he had been suckered punched, he had thought they had put this behind them. It had caused an argument between him and Rodney until he finally convinced him that it wasn’t a good idea, and no one should go back there until a definite answer was found about what went wrong the first time. It was what caused Elizabeth to become Dr Weir in his mind. She and Colonel Caldwell had been extremely eager to find a weapon capable of defeating the Wraith.

“I don’t know” Rodney looked down at the tablet in his hands “they backed out quickly once they realised I was in there.”

“Wait! Why were you there?” John didn’t need his new abilities to see the guilt on Rodney’s face. 

“Err… I was, you see. Well” The whiskers on his face twitched and his tail flicked behind him. 

“Rodney?” John could feel fear welling up inside him. That place felt wrong and he did not want Rodney or anyone to go back there.

“I wanted to see if I could fix it. Find out why it didn’t work the first time” Rodney blurted out. Stumbling over his words.

“Rodney, we agreed it would be too dangerous to go back there and test anything.”

“I know and I agree. I just wanted to play around. I want to understand why it didn’t work. I don’t think it could ever work.” Rodney admitted, “There seem to be other particles at play that I am unable to explain it like they aren’t even a part of our dimension and-”

“Rodney focus!” John snapped trying to keep his fear from influencing his temper. 

“Right, Well, it was suspicious, so I tracked the logs, and it seems someone has been accessing the files a lot and I think someone is working on it on the sly”

“Could it be dangerous?” John needed to know if he needed to start investigating people and open the can of worms called Colonel Caldwell. The Colonel would love for this discussion to be back on the table again.

“I don't think so. It's all theoretical and you have banned the address from dialling so it is not like anyone can go there.” 

“So, any need for us to worry about it now?” John watched Rodney who looked thoughtful.

“No, I guess not. I will find out who has been subverting my orders when I go back to work. I don’t like the thought of my minions going behind my back.”

“Right then. Let's have a relaxing time I will set up the camp and then we can go to the beach.”

“I’m not going to like water any more than I did now than when I was a human. Cats hate water”

“Tigers love it.”

“Well, I am not a tiger John!” John opened his mouth “John don’t you dare call me Tiger!” John closed his mouth and then went to set up the camp while Rodney ‘supervised’ from inside the Jumper. 

An hour later Rodney’s hand was in his as they walked towards the beach. John could feel that Rodney was uncomfortable in his new body. He kept flexing his hands and looking down at the differences between them. A sudden thought struck him, and he grabbed the tablet Rodney was holding and ran on ahead. 

“Catch me if you can!” He called back behind him.

“John, no, that is very expensive equipment. Give it back. John” John didn’t turn around but kept running

He ran between trees and jumped over roots. Behind him, there was a sound like a Jaguar and Rodney leapt at him just missing as John twirled around carrying the table like an American Football. He was easily keeping up at John’s human speed, so he ramped it up using his new abilities. Still, Rodney was kept close behind him. Dodging and jumping. Between one glance and the next Rodney disappeared. He kept running.

Rodney sat in a tree and looked down at the distance he had just jumped. He was in a tree. He had jumped from the ground into a tree and it wasn’t even difficult. One second running after John, the next in a tree. He was completely astounded. He could hear John running off below him. 

He looked at his feet. He had kicked off his shoes sometime when running as they were getting in his way, and he had felt so free running bare feet. He had jumped 10 feet off the ground and used his hands and feet to climb the other 10 to the nearest branch. 

He laughed. He wasn’t out of breath at all and he hadn’t let himself notice his physical changes. He stood up on his branch and used his tail to keep balance. He looked at the next tree and took a running jump. Landing squarely on the next branch he didn’t even wobble. With a grin, he took off at a run and used his nose to find out where John was. 

He slowed and spotted him standing in a small clearing and looking around. Probably trying to see him. He didn’t look up though and Rodney gave an evil grin. He crouched down and pounced at John. 

Rodney laughed as John gave an oomph at the sudden weight on his back. 

“Caught you!” He singsong.

“How? Where? What?” John spluttered and Rodney laughed again. 

“That was amazing!” He grabbed the tablet out of John’s hand. “I see you’ve kept a lot of your speed and strength from your time as a bug?”

“And I see you have gained a lot of speed as a cat. Did you jump from those branches?” Rodney could see John squinting up at the branches above. 

“Yeah I jumped and climbed the rest of the way. It was amazing! I cannot believe it. It was incredible John!” He felt like a child about to meet Mickey Mouse. 

“Glad we came?” Rodney couldn’t stop grinning.

“Immensely glad. Let’s play again, you’re It!” Rodney turned and ran into the trees. 

&&&

Rodney was laying on the ground and panting. He and John had been playing tag for hours judging by the position of the sun. They haven’t even made it to the beach yet. Zigzagging all over the place. He wasn’t quite sure where they were, but it wasn’t a big island. About the size of Malta so worst come worst they wonder around until they can follow their scent back to the jumper. 

Rodney was taking a quick breather before he would have to escape John again. He never knew physical activity could be so much fun. He knew it was playing with his feline instincts, but he didn’t care. He was having too much fun and it felt amazing to be able to do things he would never have been able to do as a human. Maybe being in this form wasn’t so bad if he could run and jump and experience the freedom he had never even dreamed of. 

There was a rustling in the brush to his right and he quickly stood up expecting it to be John and getting ready to run. What came out of the bushes wasn’t John. Rodney froze and couldn’t get his legs to move. He had no weapons. What they had was in the Jumper. The mainland was meant to be safe and he didn’t even know where John was. He wished he could see him one last time. There was nothing he could do except run. 

“Food!” The Wraith in front of him was on him before he could even move his body to turn. He saw John pale face over the Wraith shoulder as its hand slammed down on his chest. There was a look of confusion on the Wraiths face before John launched himself at the Wraiths back and pulled it off Rodney.

Rodney hand went to his chest and then looked towards John who was now on the floor with the Wraith leaning over him. He felt his body react before he even knew what was happening and in a second, he was cat shaped and sliced the Wraiths neck open with his claws. It was dead before it hit the ground. 

He quickly turned back into his half cat form “John, John are you okay?”

“Am I okay? I am fine what about you? I saw the Wraith-” John’s eyes widened in what Rodney knew to be horror. “Rodney? Are you okay? How much did it take?” John got off the floor and pulled Rodney into a hug. Patting him down. 

“It didn’t John”

“Huh?” John pulled back and looked at him

“What do you mean?” 

“It didn’t take anything. It tried and nothing happened” Rodney looked down at the Wraith in confusion “Maybe it was defective?” He murmured to himself. No, it looked hungry but not injured.

“What?” Rodney looked up to see John looking at him. 

“Just what I said John, the hand went down, and nothing happened. It looked just as confused as I was. So, I don’t think it was performance anxiety. Where did it come from?”

“I don’t know and what do you mean nothing happened.” 

Rodney rolled his eyes. “Just as I said John, nothing happened.”

“Huh?” Rodney watched as John examined him and seemed to finally believe him that he was fine “Do you think you could backtrack it with your nose?”

“I don’t know I can try.” Rodney shrugged his shoulders then lifted his head trying to catch the Wraiths sent. It was an easy scent to find once he knew what to look for. The stench of death had him gagging. He quickly got a hold of himself and gestured for John to follow him. 

They walked in silence for a few minutes. Rodney sniffed the air every few seconds and changed their course accordingly. 

“You sure you are okay?” John spoke up and Rodney gave a huff.

“Yes John, I am fine.”

“If you weren’t part cat you would be dead” John spoke quietly almost to himself. Rodney felt his heart tighten. 

“Yes John, I am aware.”

“I am glad you are part cat.” Rodney looked at John to see he was staring straight ahead. “I don’t know what I would do without you. When I saw that Wraith, my heart froze. I thought I was too late, and I would lose you.”

“You didn't John. I am still here and am now apparently immune to being fed on by the Wraith.” Rodney tried to comfort him and placed his hand on John’s arm.

“We cannot tell anyone!” John suddenly stopped and turned to face Rodney.

“What why!” Rodney spluttered “we could find a way to stop the Wraith from feeding.”

“Yes, and you will be their science experiment, or they will make others go through the same process as you did,” John explained. “I don’t want that for you. Plus remember the Hoff. Just because Wraith cannot feed on you doesn’t mean they won’t kill you.” 

“Oh, Yeah of course.” They started to walk again “Can we tell Carson?”

“Yeah, we’ll tell Carson and he can look into it more. We should also mention it to the Fel-es. I am thinking it’s no coincidence that they keep to themselves so much. With them only having one day a month to meet outsiders.”

Rodney considered John’s request to keep quiet. As much as he would love to sound it from the rooftops or well treetops that he didn’t have to fear being eaten, he would have to fear being locked in a lab somewhere. Who’s to say he would keep the immunity when he became human again? Rodney frowned at that thought. Did he want to become human again? That’s something to consider. This morning he would have jumped at the chance but now. 

“What are you thinking so hard about, Rodney?”

Rodney took a deep breath and blurted “What if I am never human again?” 

“I would love you anyway!” John was quick to answer, and Rodney relaxed “Why are you thinking about it?”

“I have not had so much fun in ages. It was exhilarating being able to chase and be chased without the worry of dying if caught and I am now immune to Wraith. It’s just, I am thinking about whether I want to be human again.” Rodney admitted. 

“Rodney, we don’t know if you are immune to Wraith.” John grabbed his hand to hold as they continued to follow Rodney’s nose.

“What? Why not? It didn’t work you saw that?” Rodney felt indignation rising in him “I am not lying”

“I know! I believe he went to feed off you and it didn’t work but we don’t know it is because of you. If you decided, you want to stay part cat then I will support you but don’t do it just because you want to be immune to the Wraith. Think about it seriously first. You would never be able to go back to Earth. Consider all options!”

“I will” Rodney promised as they walked into another clearing in the dense forest. This one was not naturally made though. This was a crash site. The Dart was in ruins and looked like it had been scavenged and ripped apart. 

“Looks like he was trying to fix it?” John noticed and frowned at the side. “Do those look like-”

“Railgun fire. From the siege. It must have been hit and crash-landed here. And John” Rodney looked at the wreckage and felt panic.

“Yeah?” 

“He wasn’t trying to fix it; he was trying to send a distress signal”

&&&

As soon as they got back on the Jumper Rodney watched as John informed both Dr Weir and Colonel Caldwell about the situation. He gave a small sigh in relief when there was no debate on the outcome. Jumpers were being sent out to scan the surrounding area while Zelenka was ordered to look to see whether a signal had been sent. Rodney was fuming as that should have been his job, but he had been ordered home like an errant schoolboy.

“As soon as we get back, we are getting you checked out by Carson!” John told him in his best ‘do as I say’ voice. Rodney had heard that voice a lot over the years. 

“Do we have to?” Rodney whined. He knew they did but he was tired of scans and scans and oh look more scans. He just wanted to go back to John’s room and sleep. 

“No arguments Rodney.” His tone told Rodney that he would not be able to argue.

They sat in silence as John guided the Jumper back towards the city. As soon as they had docked John had them out and on the way to the infirmary. Colonel Caldwell met them and began to follow.

“I insist that we have a meeting to debrief what happened now”

“No” John replied for the third time Caldwell tried to insist on this. “We are both going to get checked out by medical and then we are going to sleep. I gave you all the information we had in the Jumper. We saw the Wraith. We killed the Wraith. We found the Dart. We then called you. End of.”

“No, not the end of. How did you kill the Wraith? How did you find the Dart? What were you even doing in that part of the Island? It was 15 miles away from the jumper.”

“No comment. Look Colonel Caldwell you don’t need to know. It had nothing to do with the situation” Rodney heard John’s temper fraying in his voice.

“It does if it threatens my people, Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard.”

“Well, it doesn’t!” John stated.

“There is something you are hiding, and I will find out about it” Rodney could feel himself wilting when Caldwell looked towards him. He forced himself to keep quiet. He did not want a repeat of the last time. He knew that Caldwell thought the reason they were keeping quiet was to do with him. He was right of course but he doesn’t want Caldwell to know that. 

They stopped outside the infirmary doors and Caldwell turned to them “Very well. I will leave you to it but if I find out you have been hiding dangerous information from me, I will have you discharged from the military. Is that understood Sheppard.” Caldwell looked John in the eye and then turned to look Rodney in the eye. He looked down quickly to avoid his gaze. 

“Yes, it is” John looked so calm, and Rodney felt a glimmer of envy at John's ability to keep his emotions contained. With a nod, Caldwell turned on his heels and walked away. 

They walked through and John called out “Carson?”

“I’m here” Carson walked out of his office. “Everything okay?”

“I was almost eaten by a Wraith” Rodney blurted out before he could stop himself. 

“WHAT?” Carson yelped and rushed towards him. 

“Don’t worry while his hand was on my chest there was no suckage.” Rodney tried to pacify but it didn’t work on the Scotsman.

“I’ll determine that. Sit on the bed Lad. You too” He turned to John who Rodney noticed had been trying to slip out. “I wanted to talk to you about some things too”

Carson talked while getting out his scanner and starting to examine Rodney.

“Any changes since I last saw you?”

“No, apart from I am now maybe immune to the Wraith, and I did spontaneously turn into a cat again but managed to quickly turn back.”

“I don’t have any idea about the immunity, but I do have a theory about why you spontaneously turn into a cat” Carson moved the scanner from one side of Rodney to the other.

“Oh” John looked over from his bed. 

“Yes, I think you turn into a cat when you feel threatened.” Carson moved behind Rodney to scan his back.

“But I wasn’t being threatened John was! The Wraith was standing over him and I just reacted.” Rodney tried to turn around, but Carson moved him back to face the front. He was surprisingly strong. 

“Yes, but you still felt fear. I think turning into a cat is instinctual and a defence mechanism”

“Why didn’t I turn into a cat when it first attacked me?”

“I don’t know Lad. Could be you instinctively knew it couldn’t do anything or you thought you stood a better chance human-shaped. It’s just a theory lad. Right there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual but I want you here first thing in the morning for some more scans just in case.” Rodney groaned “Now, now Lad, I am not making you spend the night here under observation, but I could change my mind” Rodney zipped his mouth shut. 

Carson nodded at him and then turned to John. Rodney watched as Carson lifted the Ancient scanned again. 

“Everything seems clear with you. Hmm, you still seemed to have some Iratus DNA.”

“Is it dangerous?” Rodney asked

“No, I don’t think so. Are you still tasting emotions?”

Rodney saw John glance at him, but he didn’t give a response. He still felt betrayed that John had tried to gain a taste of his emotions without consulting him, but he was willing to give John a pass just this once as it was the first time, he had knowingly done it. They would have serious words if he did it again though. Rodney knew John wouldn’t unless the situation was dire though. He trusted John. 

“Yeah, have you figured out why? Is it the Iractus DNA?” Rodney knew John was nervous about the Iractus DNA infecting him again. 

“Are you comfortable for Rodney to be here John?” Rodney looked at John and watched as he nodded.

“Yeah, I would tell him afterwards anyway and you would be able to explain it better”

“Okay then no John. It is not the Iractus-”

“What?” Rodney yelped “How can it not be the Iractus DNA?”

“I was just about to explain Rodney if you would let me finish” Rodney sheepishly nodded “Right as I was saying it’s not the Iratus DNA or at least not completely. I would think a Wraith that can taste emotions would be a dead Wraith. So, I investigated other cases in Atlantis's medical files. There were a couple where Ancients had been fed on by the Iratus bug and in each of them they gained what they called a ‘gift of touch’.”

“What? Touch? but John tastes?”

 “Rodney, I will ask you to leave in a minute whether John wants you here or not. Let me speak” Rodney zipped his mouth again “Now as I was saying they said the people gained the gift of touch. What I was able to discover is that it was like a defence mechanism of some kind. All those who were bitten got it in one form or another. Now my THEORY” he stressed the word while looking at Rodney “is that John not only got bitten by the Iractus bug but got implanted with retrovirus which gave him a second dose of DNA. Now I don’t know what the gift of touch is, but I am guessing something to do with touching others' inner emotions. With John he can taste them, he can’t physically taste them it is just how his mind is processing the information he is receiving. So, it is more likely his ATA gene is reacting to the Iractus DNA that is causing the tasting of emotions, not one or the other. Make sense?”

Rodney gave him a blank look and noticed that John was doing the same. Carson sighed. 

“The ATA gene is giving John the ability to taste emotions in response to the Iratus DNA he has been infected with. We have theorised that the Wraith came from Human and Iractus mixing so it is not a surprise that the Ancients messed with their genetics to ensure they would not become a Wraith.”

“I'm still confused” Said John. 

“Okay let me put it this way, I think the ancients messed with their genetics so if they or their decedents got infected with enough Iractus DNA to potentially become a Wraith they would unlock the ‘Gift of Touch’ which is like empathy and be unable to feed. Could you eat a cow if it were looking at you and you could feel everything it was feeling, the terror, fear and pain? Could you do it?”

Rodney looked at John who was pale, he expected he looked similar. He couldn’t imagine being able to kill something when he had the knowledge of what they were feeling as they died.

After a moment of silence, John spoke “But you said a wraith knowing what their victim is feeling would be a dead wraith, I don’t think a wraith would care. I wouldn’t be able to eat the cow, but I think the wraith would be able to eat the person they were feeling.”

“Maybe” Carson agreed “A wraith could kill someone while knowing what they are feeling, and I am sure there are some humans out there that could do the same. It’s not a perfect theory and we may never know why they put this sort of backdoor into the ATA gene for knowing others' emotions if enough Iractus DNA is there to unlock it. If someone like Dr Weir got the amount of wraith DNA you did Colonel Sheppard. I don’t believe we would have gotten her back or a least fully back. I think this ability is what allowed you to be brought back to humanity. It allowed you to understand what others where feeling and brought out those feelings in yourself and did not completely lose yourself to your instincts. Do you both understand?”

“Kinda” Rodney shrugs when John turns to him. Medicine is just Voodoo anyway not a real science and Carson’s explanation hasn’t filled him with confidence with the amount of ‘thinks’ and 'believes' but he’ll believe Carson when he says it’s not completely the Iractus DNA. 

Carson throws his hands in the air. “Never mind. Go on out. There is nothing more I can do for you and I want to look at Rodney’s blood work to find out why he wasn’t affected by the Wraith. See you tomorrow bright and early for further tests.” Carson turned around heading back towards his office.

Rodney stared at Carson’s back horrified. More tests. 

“That is a relief, I guess. That the empathy isn’t from the Iractus bug” John got up and came to stand next to Rodney on the bed “and just think Rodney” John put an arm around his shoulder. “One more week and then we can finally get some answers.”

Rodney gave a small sigh “Yes, one more week.”

Chapter Text

Rodney had been anticipating this day since he woke up half cat. They were finally going back to the Fel-es. It was a small team just John, Lorne, Ronon and Lieutenant Brennen. Colonel Caldwell insisted on him joining the team even though both John and Rodney had protested. He had told John that the Lieutenant gave him the creeps. He smelt funny like Colonel Caldwell did and his fur bristled every time the man got close. It was no wonder he freaked the first time Lieutenant Brennen bumped into him.

The debrief meeting was torture. It was all ‘don’t upset the Fel-es, Rodney we want them to like us’. Like he would do anything to risk getting answers about what has happened to him. Also, they had almost coffee which was great, and he knew Elizabeth and Colonel Caldwell wanted the Naquadah. He wished he had been able to go weeks ago, back when all he wanted was to be human again. Now he wasn’t one hundred percent sure he wanted to change back. The last week had been amazing. Once he got over the self-consciousness of walking outside of John’s room. He had never felt better, healthier and with more energy. 

He leant on the balcony and looked towards the mainland. Once they had the all clear, not finding anymore Wraith, he and John had gone back and tried to find the limits to his new abilities. Reporting back to Carson on the differences they had noticed. He even went into his full cat form to test his limits but couldn’t stay in that form for long as he would wander off chasing after any bird or small mammal, he could get his paws on. Luckily, he hadn’t caught one yet, but he didn’t know if that was because he was a bad hunter, or he was fighting against his instincts. 

He felt John walk up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. “You ready for this?”

“Is it okay if I say no?” Rodney lent back against John. 

“No, you are entitled to how you feel.” Rodney felt John's head move behind him.

“Everyone knows we are together John. It was no secret I spent my punishment in your room rather than my own. No need to look around.” Rodney rolled his eyes at John’s worry.

“I know but I would rather not flaunt it in Colonel Caldwell’s face before he gives me my command back. I am sure he is itching to have a reason to disallow me that” John placed his hands around Rodney’s waist.

“I am so glad DADT is gone though I am rather interested to know why he hasn’t mentioned our relationship as I am on your team, and I am sure there are some fraternizing rules we are breaking.”

“I don’t know, maybe because you are no longer on my team. All scientists have been disallowed on gate teams, remember” John tightened his arms and Rodney winced slightly.

“Right, I had blocked that out of my memory. We will need to sort that out once you get command back and I am head scientist again. I know Radek is desperate for me back. He yelled at me in Czech for 5 minutes yesterday before stomping off. Have no idea what he said. Anyway, has Carson cleared you yet? You are coming right?” Rodney let more of his weight lean against John. 

“Yep, I’ll be coming with you to see the Fel-es. Which we should be on our way too. I was coming to find you so that we can get ready. I had your uniform adjusted for your tail.”

“Great, when I am human again, I am going to have to buy all new clothes, all mine have holes in the back for my tail. Such fun!” Rodney straightened up and turned around in John’s arms to look at him.

“So, you decided?” Rodney gave a huff at the question.

“Yeah, I want to be me again and as fun as all this has been, I want to be in my own body with all its aches and pains and humanness.”

John gave his waist a last squeeze then stepped back “I’ll support you whichever you chose. Come on, let's get ready.”

&&&

The Fel-es planet hadn’t changed since the last time Rodney was there. They walked out of the gate into a jungle with large trees and a humid atmosphere. Rodney was itching to jump and climb the trees. It looked like these ones would be a lot more fun than the mainland’s one. Just like last time there was Fel-ine waiting for them to come through. Her hair was pure white, and her eyes were an icy blue. She reminded Rodney of the Snow Queen in a book he read as a child. She walked towards them and bowed her head.

“Welcome, welcome honoured guests.” She turned to Rodney who was standing next to John and came forward taking his hand in hers “It is great to see you again. Come, come let’s go.” She turned and walked away before either of them could open their mouths. 

They walked with Fel-ine leading with John and Rodney behind. Lieutenant Brennen followed with Ronon and Lorne taking the rear. Fel-ine took them to a clearing with a fire in the centre that were surrounded by tents. There were many women doing work or sitting on the logs which doubled as tables and chairs. As well as women there were cats and kittens everywhere. Running and playing. One was pawing at Rodney’s leg as soon as he was spotted. Fel-ine made a hissing sort of sound and they were left alone. She sat down on a log by the fire and gestures for the others to sit. 

“We are to continue our discussions on trade, yes, yes?” Rodney felt himself vibrating and knew the trade agreement would have to wait. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. He hadn’t seen his human face for a month now. 

As he opened his mouth to blurt out something about his current state, probably in an accusatory and offensive way John spoke first.

“Yes, we would like to continue trade discussions but first we would like to discuss what happened to Dr. McKay the last time he was here.” Rodney watched Fel-ine but could only see confusion on her face. 

Rodney tried to explain further “I am part cat!”

This caused Fel-ine to frown “I do not understand the word ‘cat’” It sounded more like ‘cut’ when she spoke. “Dr. McKay was blessed. Was that not the purpose of your visit to the Temple?” Fel-ine looked towards Rodney. 

“What do you mean by blessed, Ma’am” Lorne asked from beside Rodney. 

“He has been gifted with two forms from our goddess. She only gifts those worthy. The last was forty years ago. I explained this to Dr. McKay before he entered the Temple”. Rodney could feel his cheeks get hot at the confirmation that he had probably missed a lot when looking at his tablet and the whole thing could have been avoided if he had paid more attention to his surroundings. 

She continued to look at them, confusion written all over her face and Rodney could feel his frustration grow. He tried to think of a way to make her understand what they were asking. How and why did he turn into a cat? A decent explanation with none of this Mumbo Jumbo nonsense. Real answers, with science! 

“Can we see the temple?” Rodney blurted.

Fel-ine blinked “Of course, you are welcome in our temple any time”.

Lieutenant Brennan spoke up “I insist we see it then.”

“I’m sorry, I believe there is a misunderstanding. Dr. McKay may see the temple any time as he has been proven worthy. No others may go.”

“Wait!” Rodney leant forward. “you said the last chosen was forty years ago. Who were they? Can I speak to them?” Maybe they would be able to give him an answer. Someone else who was changed.

“The last to be blessed is my mate, Tomi. He was an outsider who was given the choice of the blessing through me.”

“Wait so your mate could go with you to the Temple? Didn’t you say he was worthy?

“Yes, but he was worthy because I was worthy. You are unique because you are worthy on your own.”

“What decides if someone is worthy?” Rodney hated that it was Lieutenant Brennen that asked this and not himself. 

Fel-ine looked toward the Lieutenant “The Fel-es do. All those who come are scented and those who are worthy are allowed onwards. Many come but tiny amount is worthy. You are the furthest removed so far.” She spoke the last part at Rodney.

Rodney shook his head at the riddles and nonsense speak “So because I am worthy my mate could go with me?” Rodney watched Fel-ine intently.

“Yes” she watched him in turn.

Rodney turned to John and saw him swallow. Everyone knew about them, but this would be the first time John would confirm it in front of someone who was not one of their friends. Rodney waited as John looked at Lieutenant Brennan. He could see John’s mind working and felt himself get nervous as to whether John would keep quiet, and he would have to go alone. He felt himself relax at John’s words.

“I am Rodney’s mate. I will go with him to the Temple” John spoke in an even tone and Rodney leaned into his side showing his support. John was comfortable with their relationship behind closed doors and with friends, but this was the first time it was told to people other than those they trusted. 

“Oh” Fel-ine sounded delighted “I did not know you two were mated. I would not have been so forward last time” She winked and continued “Normally mates would go to the Temple together for the blessing. Yes, yes, you must come. I will take you to the temple myself it is only right” She turned to one of the girls behind her. “Fel-ete, my daughter will take over negotiations. She needs to gain more experience. Come, come I’ll take you there now.” She was surprisingly spry as she jumped up and walked into the jungle. Not looking back. Rodney and John stumble up to follow her.

&&&

They had been walking for a few minutes when Rodney spoke up “Where are all your men?” It had been bothering him since the first meeting with the Fel-es. They had not treated them any different for not being women, but Rodney had not seen a man among them.

“They stay close to the young” She replied simply as if this was an obvious answer.

“Oh?” Rodney stated, unsure what to say.

“Men stay home and protect the young and the weak. Women go out and deal with the outsiders.” She elaborated. 

“Why?” Rodney blurted before he could stop himself.

“It has always been that way. Men are the protector they deal with threats; women are more of the mind and deal with negotiations. Is that not the way of your people? I noticed only the cursed one was female.”

“Err…. No women can be protectors and men can be negotiators. It’s a little complicated” Rodney wasn’t sure if he wanted to go into further details with her. His stomach was twisting into knots as they walked.

“Huh, odd” Fel-ine replied.

For the rest of the walk to the temple they walked in silence. Rodney deep in thought as to what they were going to find at the temple. He could feel nerves clawing at his throat with each step he took. He felt his breath catch in his throat as the ancient facility seemed to appear out of nowhere. 

All you could see was the slight shape of a doorway hidden within a rock face and covered in vines. 

“I will wait here” Fel-ine spoke softly “A blessing is private.”

They nodded at her then walked towards the entrance. Stepping inside they could see two consoles one on the left and one of the right sides of the room there was also what looked like a alter or stone bed in the middle. The rest of the room was empty. It was the smallest facility they had seen.

“Do you remember what you did when you entered?” John queried turning towards Rodney.

Rodney shrugged at John’s comment and looked around the room. John followed his gaze. 

“I think I walked over to that console and touched it.” Rodney pointed to the console on the right.

“Right. Maybe we should stay away from that one and start with the left first. Before we risk further changes? I just got over being a bug and as much as a cat is an improvement, I want to be human a little longer than a week before I change into something else.”

Rodney nodded “So you would consider becoming a cat person?” He walked over to the left and plugged in his tablet into the consol. He started to download the data and flicked through it. 

“Maybe” John admitted “find anything interesting?”

“Hmmmm….” Rodney replied and continued to flick through pages on the tablet. 

“Okay, this facility definitely has a ZPM. That’s what is giving off all that power. I am currently in the facility history and research. I’m thinking the console over there was for the actual experiments” Rodney waved his hand in the other direction. 

“What where they are working on?” Rodney felt John lean forward and try to read over his shoulder.

“Huh, this is interesting.” Rodney quietly read what was on the screen in front of him.

“What?” Rodney snapped out of the data and answered John.

“It is as we suspected they were trying to make people immune to the Wraith. They were trying to introduce other DNA’s to their own to ensure the Wraith would not be able to feed on them.”

“Looks like they figured it out” John waved his hand in Rodney’s direction. 

“No, they abandoned the project” Rodney said quietly “The people who were a part of the experiments were made immune to the Wraith but look” Rodney turned the screen to show John. “Those who went through the process found the loss to great and others didn’t want to repeat the process.” Rodney looked up at John “They were unable to change themselves back into Ancients. Those who had already been through the process left stayed here and died or left with the others in the retreat to Earth.”

“What did they do?”

“They took a cat's DNA and basically mixed it with the subjects and then merged it together creating a whole new species that was Wraith proof.” 

“So, the cats that the Fel-es worship?” John asked.

“Probably the leftover experiments that escaped. The people came and adopted them as their own I guess.” Rodney shrugged and looked despondently down at his tablet. 

“Can you turn yourself back?” Rodney could hear the caution in John’s voice. He closed his eyes and sighed. 

“No” he admitted “I cannot turn myself human again. I wish Carson was here to make sense of all this Voodoo. Stupid Caldwell and Weir” He muttered the last part.

“Come on Rodney. Don’t give up!” Rodney tried not to get angry at John.

He failed “What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand. Whatever the machine did, it changed my DNA at the basics. It intermingled the cat DNA so deeply that I would never be able to get it all out. I may be able to put in my own DNA and go through the machine again but no matter what we do I will always have cat DNA and I don’t even know if I could do the process again.”

“Rodney” John’s voice took on the pleading tone he hated. 

“John it's over.” Rodney sighed defeatedly “I am going to have to accept it. I am going to be part cat for the rest of my life. I am never going to look in a mirror and see me looking back. I can never go back to Earth without worrying I will be locked up in a lab somewhere. I will never be able to have my old position back as Chief Scientist of Atlantis. It’s all gone John.” He felt numb. He just wanted to go back to Atlantis and curl up on John’s bed. He wanted to mourn the loss. 

“I want to go home”.

John wrapped an arm around Rodney and pulled him into a hug. It was too tight, and Rodney couldn’t breathe but he didn’t care. He was barely holding it together. For the past four weeks there had been hope. All of it was swept away. There was nothing left for him to do but try and find a place for himself on Atlantis. 

&&&

Rodney let John lead him outside to Fel-ine. He heard them talking, she was asking about whether he rejected the blessing, he tried to listen to John’s answer, but it felt like he was underwater. Everything was muffled and distorted. He didn’t care though he just wanted to sleep.

They began the slow trek from the temple back to camp. 

“What do you call the creatures at your camp?” Rodney heard John ask. 

“Creatures?” Fel-ine tone was confused “What creatures?”

“The four-legged furry creatures that wander around” John was holding onto Rodney’s elbow keeping him upright. Rodney was looking down at the ground where he was finding his feet fascinating. It had been a struggle finding shoes to fit. He looked up when John stopped. 

Fel-ine had stopped and was staring at them “They are not creatures” she spoke the word as if it was unbelievable to have suggested such a thing. “They are Fel-es!”

“So Fel-es means cat? A type of animal? I thought that was the name of your people” Rodney tried to clarify tuning into the conversation they were having. 

“No, no they are Fel-es. We are all Fel-es. Some Fel-es prefer having four legs to two. Though not many prefer to be half like you.” She nodded at Rodney and Rodney nodded back and then blinked.

“Wait what? I thought there were only two forms?”

“There are, the form you call ‘cat’ and” she gestured to herself “and this form. Then few like yourself chose to become half.”

“You mean I can look human again?”

“I do not under-”

“Yes, yes” Rodney waved his hand “I can look like I did before?”

“Of course!” She exclaimed looking shocked. “Have you not become your two-legged form since you were blessed?”

“No, I haven’t!”

“Oh, the instincts must be difficult to control. We change two legged at least once every quarter moon cycle to ensure we are not overcome. You must be four legged at least once a week otherwise the change becomes painful. Though some prefer the simpler life as four legged and give themselves over to the instincts.”

“You are telling me I could have changed back anytime I wanted?” Rodney didn’t try to keep the hysterics out of his voice.

“Yes.” Fel-ine looked confused.

Rodney’s mind went into overload at the simple answer. He couldn’t believe it. He could. not. believe. it. All this drama and worry could have been avoided. He felt like screaming. He could have been human looking the whole time. Okay he would still turn into a cat occasionally, but he didn’t find it so bad if he was able to switch forms. 

“How do I change?” Rodney demanded.

 “You just do, I do not know how to explain. How do you change from four legged to half?”

 “I don’t know?” Rodney had never actually thought about it before. It had always been an instinctual thing. He just thought cat and there he was on four legs. 

 “Try becoming a cat first then do it the opposite way?” Rodney glared at John’s contribution but decided to try it anyway. He closed his eyes and thought about how he felt as a cat. When he opened them, he was looking up at John and Fel-ine. Okay now opposite way. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in his nose. Wait what was that smell? He could feel his kitty face frown and he ran off on four legs like a shot. 

He could hear John running behind him. Fel-ine was surprisingly keeping up. He ran until he came to a cave and began sniffing around. 

“What is this place?” He heard John ask behind him. 

“It is just a cave.” Fel-ine answered, “I do not understand,” She sniffed the air “There is no difference in smell. All that is here is rock. Rock your people seem to like a lot.”

His eyes widened as everything clicked into place. He turned to John and transformed.

He noticed John’s eyes had gone wide and he was looking at Rodney in amazement. A quick glance down saw that he was fully human after four weeks. That didn’t matter though. They had a big problem. 

“Rod-”

Rodney waved a hand and cut him off. 

“Caldwell is Goa’uld!”

&&& 

They walked calmly back towards camp. Rodney had confirmed that as well as Caldwell there were a few others that have the same sickly-sweet smell, the Naquadah in their blood. The main one John was concerned with was Lieutenant Brennan. 

Rodney still looked human which John felt was a plus. If they could manage to convince everyone that Rodney was pure human again then hopefully that would be one issue sorted and they could keep the cat part a secret from those other than friends. It would give them an advantage in case they need to take the city back by force. They don’t know how far the Goa’uld infestation went.

Mainly he was thinking about whether this was the reason Elizabeth had gotten so cold with Rodney and him after Doranda. He hoped so as he had once considered her a good friend. He couldn’t believe she would be working with the Goa’uld willingly. 

They didn’t want to give the game up quickly, but he knew they would have to apprehend Lieutenant Brennan as soon as possible. He didn’t need to taste the air to know both Rodney and Fel-ine were nervous. He could tell Fel-ine wanted to run ahead. To protect her people.

They advised her against it as its intentions were unknown. They need to know what they were possible walking back into. They also were hoping to calmly apprehend him without any bloodshed. On both sides. That was still one of his people in there. Trapped inside his own body. Fel-ine had been horrified at the knowledge, so she was willing to let them take the lead. 

The idea of this going well went out of the window as soon as they they walked into camp. Lieutenant Brennan had taken one look at them and grabbed Fel-ete. Placing his gun at her head. 

The entire camp froze from the humans to the cats. All staring at the man before them. His eyes glowed gold and when he spoke it was the Goa’uld. 

“Bow before your God and take me to your Temple.”

There was silence and no one moved. John glanced towards Lorne and Ronon. They were standing frozen to the right having gotten up when they had appeared.

He shook the women in his arms. She let out a slight whimper. John could feel Fel-ine tensing beside him. 

He cautiously stepped forward. “Lieutenant, there is no need for anyone to get hurt. Lower your weapon and we will take you to the temple.”

He closed his eyes briefly when he felt Fel-ine step up beside him. 

“No one worthy may go to the temple”.

John glanced at her “I am sure exceptions can be made for situations such as these?”

“I think you misunderstand. Even if I take him to the temple, he would not be able to go in. You must go in with someone worthy or you die”.

“Now now let's not be too haste. I am sure there is some way around that.” He gave Fel-ine a pointed look, but she just frowned at him. 

“ENOUGH! If someone doesn’t take me to the temple, I will show you my disappointment. I think I will start with the creatures you so lovingly care for” He moved his gun and before John could blink, he pointed his gun at a little white kitten sitting on the log between Ronon and Lorne and fired. 

There was a cry from Fel-ine and a roar from behind Lieutenant Brennan. The biggest cat John had even seen jumps down from the trees. It was pure black and landed squarely on the Lieutenant back. Fel-ete yanked herself out his grip as he went down and ran to the right. A quick glance showed that the lieutenant was unconscious but looked to still be breathing. John was soon distracted by the large cats that had surrounded the camp. Huge Jaguars if he was not mistaken.

“Tomi” Fel-ine sighed in relief and John looked at her. That was her husband. He had a stray thought as to whether Rodney would be able to go that big. Fel-ines head whirled around, and she ran in the direction of the kitten. John jogged after her and Rodney followed. John quickly glanced at him. He was white and his eyes were wide. 

It only took a few seconds to get to where Felete was cradling the kitten. Ronon was on the ground next to her. Bullet in his arm that Lorne was treating. He turned to John when he got close. 

“He jumped in front of the kitten.” He got a slightly dopey expression on his face “Brave man” He then looked at Ronon “Don’t you dare do that again!” 

Ronon shrugged “Couldn’t let him shoot a kid”.

“Wait what?” John turned to look at Felete and sure enough there was a little girl in her arms where the kitten used to be. Fel-ine had her arms wrapped around Fel-ete. 

“Thank you, thank you” Felete whispered rocking the girl back and forth. “Thank you for saving my daughter.”

Ronon reached over and ruffled the girl’s white hair “Couldn’t let a cute girl like you get hurt, could I?” The girl lifted her head and smiled at Ronon showing her pointed canines.

John looked towards Lorne and then Rodney noticing their matching bewildering looks. He gazed around the camp and noticed that there were a lot more people now than cats.

“The men and children stay in their four-legged form when there are outsiders in camp.” Fel-ine answered his unspoken question. 

“Can all of you turn in to big err four-legged form?”

 “Yes, known so far, we have small four legged, large four legged, half form and two-legged form”

“Do you not have names for them? instead of calling them legged and forms, is it not confusing?” Rodney spoke next to him. 

“Why would we need names. We are all the Fel-es and those are our forms. What would the purpose of separate names be?” Fel-ine frowned at Rodney.

Rodney muttered “It would make it easier for me.”

Fel-ine gave Fel-ete one last hug and then stood up and walked over to the black Jaguar which John had guessed was Tomi. He was sitting on Lieutenant Brennen who was spitting profanities. Explaining how he was God and they would be punished for this disobedience. 

“There is only the goddess no other.” Fel-ine stated. 

John looked down at the lieutenant and winced at the nasty looking scratches on his back. They would need to get them looked at and get that snake out of him. Maybe not in that order. 

“I hate to ask this, but would it be possible for us to leave him here until we sort out whether there are others on our world that are infected. We don’t want him to tip them off that we know.”

Fel-ine gave him a considering look. 

“Yes, he may stay as well as the one called Ronon. He is now an honorary member of the Fel-es for saving my only Granddaughter.”

“Would he be considered worthy?” Rodney asked.

“No” Fel-ine answered simply.

“So, what makes one worthy?” Rodney demanded in his normal way. John gave a slight twitch of the lips. Rodney’s going to be fine. 

Fel-ine made a noise almost like a sigh and glanced at Tomi. “You are worthy if you are worthy, and you may share that worth with your mated in blood. I know you chose to forego the blessing this time Colonel Sheppard, but I hope you will reconsider”.

John opened his mouth and it clicked. 

“Rodney didn’t you say some of the original people stayed and some left?”

“Yes?” Rodney looked at him and frowned. 

“Rodney it is not worth as in deeds it’s worth as in blood. One of your ancestors must have come from here. I can become worthy because he can share his blood with mine?” He turned to Fel-ine for an answer.

She smiled “Yes sharing blood is our most sacred rituals and must only be done between mates. Some of our people chose to leave but we always let the worthy come back.”

Glad to have gotten one mystery solved. He turned to Rodney “come on let’s make a game plan for defeating the Goa’uld.”

Chapter Text

Chapter Six

John walked through the gate into the control room. Colonel Caldwell was waiting for them with armed guards. There was not one of his people in the room. John felt unease stir in his stomach. 

“I see you are human again Dr. McKay. This is excellent news.”

“Colonel Caldwell” John nodded “I think Rodney needs to go to the infirmary before any debrief happens to ensure there were no complications.”

Caldwell continued talking as if he had not heard John “Where are Lieutenant Brennan and Ronon?” 

“They stayed behind to finalise the agreement with the Fel-es. We decided to come back and give an update. Rodney should really go and get checked out in the Infirmary.”

Again, Caldwell ignored the part about Rodney “Now why didn’t you just call on the radio? There was no need for all of you to come back.”

“The Fel-es are friendly there was no need for all of us to stay behind. Besides Rodney needs to be checked by Carson.”

“Do you believe us to be unfriendly then? To warrant two people to guard our Dr. McKay here?”

“Of course, not” John could feel his heart thud in his chest. This was not going according to plan.

“You see I knew I shouldn’t have sent Lieutenant Brennan. He was always so impatient.”

“I’m sorry?” John knew they were made. He reached for his gun. Caldwell was quicker though and lifted his own. He froze. 

“Now, now Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard. There is no need for violence. If you all come with us quietly no one will get hurt.”

“Colonel Caldwell-” 

“All of you put your weapons on the floor and kick them away.”

They did as they were told. There were four men as well as Colonel Caldwell. Not bad odds but not great. They would have to wait for now. 

Caldwell turned to the man on his right. “Take these two down to the cells.” He waved his hand at Lorne and John “I will deal with them later. For now,” He turned to Rodney “We need to have a little chat.”

John started to struggle. Caldwell lifted his firearm and pointed it at Rodney with a raised eyebrow. Looking directly at John he turned off the safety. John stopped instantly.

“Do you want to risk losing your boyfriend. I can kill him now or” he smiled wickedly “I can keep him alive slightly longer. So, you have the hope of rescuing him of course. Your choice.”

Rodney watched as John gave in. He and Lorne were led away by the four men. Two on either side of them. Leaving him alone with Colonel Caldwell. Rodney felt his stomach churn at the look he was getting. It was a mix of hunger and greed. 

“You know the plan was to blow this place up, to ensure the Wraith couldn’t get to our Galaxy. Sheppard turning into a blue thing gave me access to the command structure for my initial plan to commence. But you turning into a... creature gave me an unexpected opportunity.”

“Oh?” Rodney wondered why villains felt the need to monologue. Especially the Goa’uld ones. He was subtly trying to look around the room for anything to help him while keeping one ear on Caldwell villain speech. 

“Yes, you see with you out of the way I had access to the science team. With two of the biggest opposition to the Doranda project out of the way we could do research on how to adapt it for our own use. You may have made it impossible for us to use the original weapon but there is enough information to create our own. Why destroy Atlantis when we could wipe out the Wraith and take the galaxy as our own.”

Rodney’s mind was working overtime. The person who was accessing the Doranda files. John and he had dismissed it as dangerous as there were no way to get back to the planet. They didn’t even fathom that someone would take the information they had and try to, what, recreate it. It was lunacy! Who would be arrogant and stupid enough too...?

“Kavanagh was your man?”

“Yes, he was very willing to work for me on a side project. However, he hit a snag and though he was very unwilling to admit it we need you to finish it.”

“No” Rodney spoke before he could stop himself. 

“I don’t think you understand you will finish it, or I will kill Sheppard.”

&&&

Rodney slowly walked down to the lab where the so called miniature Doranda project was waiting. His mind was whirling trying to figure out a way to find John. Caldwell had a tight grip on his shoulder ensuring he couldn’t break free. They passed a couple of people on their walk down and Caldwell nodded at each one with a pleasant smile. Rodney couldn’t even give them a hint that something was wrong. Caldwell had told him he would kill anyone that got in his way. 

Finally, they got to a door and Caldwell leaned passed him to swipe it open. Rodney looked around and gaped. The room was an atrocity. Wires, crystals and bits of mental were all over the place. Rodney couldn’t even begin to figure out what it all was and what did what.

Caldwell gave Rodney a shove and he stumbled forward.

“There is a computer on the desk. You have two hours to catch up and give me a progress report. I want to know how long it will take to get it working and make it mobile”

There was a swoosh behind him, and he was alone. He walked over to the table and looked at the computer. He tried to figure out what Kavanagh was up to. After five minutes he gave up. It seems that there was no rhyme or reason to Kavanagh thought process. He seemed to just be slapping things together in the hopes they made something. While Rodney was willing to admit Kavanagh was an okay theoretical scientist, he was not a good engineer. 

Rodney let out a groan and leaned back. There was no way he was going to be able to fix this or even adapt it. He rubbed his forehead with his fingers. He looked towards the door and walked over. There was no panel on this side, and he had no way of manually opening it. He narrowed his eyes and checked to see whether it was locked. He did not believe Caldwell to be that stupid, but one could hope. He groaned again. He was never that lucky. He turned around and swept his eyes over the room. Trying to spot anything that could help him. Then his eyes widened, and he clicked his fingers. 

The idea was so simple. Rodney did not hold out much hope that it would all work to plan though. The last one failed horribly. He took the time to make it look he had been working and then got into position and waited for Caldwell to come back. 

What seemed like many, many hours later there was finally some movement outside. His ears pricked up when he heard the door swoosh from his hiding place under the desk. He smelt the air and could only smell one sickly sweet scent. That meant that Caldwell did not bring any friends with him. He crouched down. Tail flicking behind him. He ran. Between Caldwell’s legs and out into the hallway. Freedom. He heard yelling behind him, and a bullet hit the floor beside his head. He zigzagged his running and spotted a balcony just ahead to the right. He put on a burst of speed and jumped. It was the same balcony Kavanagh had thrown him off so hopefully he had enough lives to survive again. 

He hit the ground hard and with a bit of a stumble he was up and running again. He dodged as another bullet hit beside his paw and then yelped. He could feel pain in his hind leg but didn’t stop running. If he stopped, he was dead. 

Once he got back inside Atlantis, he kept the shadows and crept along the hallways. Each step sent pain threw him, but he kept walking. Eventually he got to the control room. It was empty. Caldwell must be keeping everyone not Goa’uld away. From what Rodney could remember there were five other sickly smelling people other than Caldwell. The four Caldwell had ordered to take John and Lorne away and Lieutenant Brennan. It did not mean there are not more but why else would Caldwell not have at least one guarding the control room. Unless it was a trap. He limped slowly up the stairs and agonisingly transformed back into his human shape. His leg almost crumbled but he held onto the console and determinedly did not look down. 

He got up the cameras and projected them onto the screen in front of him. Looking at the brig it seemed Caldwell had beaten him there. He must have gone straight there as soon as he had lost Rodney. He had the four men with him guns pointed at the doors to the room. Caldwell must have thought he would go straight there and try and rescue John and Lorne. 

He got audio and heard Caldwell speaking “I know you are there Dr. McKay. If you do not come out now there will be one less person in this room. Whether it is Major Lorne or Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard will be up to you.”

He closed his eyes and thought. He opened them decision made and looked at John. He was standing at parade rest in the middle of his cell. Through the camera he could see that he was ready. Sometimes, he thought John knew him better than he knew himself. 

He moved his leg and slipped slightly. Still not looking down he started to type. First, seal all the doors to the brig. John would have to get out of that room manually. Secondly, he turned off the forcefield in the cells. He watched as John tilted his head. Excellent, he had hopefully heard the hum disappearing. Three, Two, One. Rodney pushed a button and watched as the cell doors open. 

He turned away from the camera into the barrel of the gun. 

Rodney made a surprised noise. Turns out Caldwell did place guards. The world went dark. 

&&&

Rodney woke up in the infirmary, which was brilliant as he was not a hundred percent sure he would wake up. He looked to the side to see Colonel Caldwell in the bed next to him. His heart leaped into this throat, and he struggled to get up. 

“Rodney! Rodney! Calm down lad!” Carson rushed towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Calm, calm. Sorry, we had to place him there. There were no other beds free. Sorry Sorry.”

“He’s Goa’uld!”

“Not anymore. The Daedalus arrived a few days ago and Hermiod took out the snakes of everyone that was infected. He is clean. We’ve triple checked.”

“Days? What happened?” Rodney spluttered. His head felt foggy, and his thoughts were muddled. “John, is John okay?”

“John’s fine lad. He was released pretty much straight afterwards. He has been by your side the whole time. I just sent him back to his room for a shower, he was starting to stink up the place. He won’t be happy to know you woke up while he wasn’t here.”

“What happened?” Rodney was glad John was safe, but he was so confused.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Carson walked around Rodney shining a light in his eyes. 

“I... I....err….” Rodney frowned, searching his memories “I freed John and Lorne from their cell and then a gun?”

“Yes, you freed John and he and Lorne managed to take the others by surprise and knock them unconscious. After placing them in the cells they then went to find you. There were seven Goa’uld in total. The last two had you hostage. You were out of it so I would be surprised if you did remember. You had a nasty knock to your head from the butt of a gun and had lost a lot of blood from your leg wound.” Rodney went to feel for his leg. “It’s fine. Bullet went through and through. You just need rest and you’ll be up and about in no time.”

“What happened after John found me?” 

“The Daedalus showed up. They sent a transmission through; the noise distracted the Goa’uld so John could knock them out while Lorne grabbed you and called a medical emergence. Now I need to go and check on Lieutenant Brennan’s stitches. Will you be,okay? John should be back soon.”

Rodney rolled his eyes “I’m sure I will be fine lying here in this bed.”

Carson rolled his eyes back and walked off. 

Rodney stared at the ceiling trying to put all his thoughts in order. He heard a groan from beside him and turned his head to see Caldwell waking up. He sat up slowly and blinked around. Stopping to stare at Rodney. 

“You’re up?” Caldwell spoke after the silence got awkward. 

“Yeah. You know after you shot me” Rodney snarked back and then winced “Sorry, I didn’t mean th-”

“Yeah, you did. I’m sorry for shooting you, even though I wasn’t in control at the time.”

“It’s fine, I shouldn’t have said that to you. It wasn’t fair.”

“No, it wasn’t but I already knew you were a bastard. I won’t say anything?”

“About what?” Rodney blinked

“About you still being able to turn into a cat. I will keep it out of all reports as well.” 

“Oh yeah” Rodney had forgotten about that. “Yeah, thanks.” 

That was the end of the conversation and eventually Caldwell fell back to sleep. 

Radek had come in a few minutes later. Apologising or some such nonsense about not being him and noticing Kavanagh was being shiftier than normal. The man almost wept in relief when he was told Rodney should be taking back the chief scientist position soon. He jabbered on for a while longer, but Rodney couldn’t be bothered to listen as food came. He would catch up later when he wasn’t starving to death. 

Rodney had just finished his lunch and was putting the tray to the side when John came in. Radek having left after he realised; he was being ignored. He watched as a smile lit up on John’s face and he smiled in return before his eyes widened. He looked down at what John was carrying. 

“Why do you have a cat?”

“It’s not a cat” John dropped the cat onto his bed and looking at it closer he recognised it as the kitten Ronon had saved. 

“Turns out this kitten wouldn’t let Ronon go when it was time for him to come back to Atlantis, so they brought her with them.” 

“What why?” His hand started to scratch the kitten on its tiny head “Don’t they know Atlantis isn’t a place for a child.”

“Well, Ronon needed medical attention and they couldn’t pry the kid off.” Rodney’s hand moved to scratch the kitten’s tiny stomach as it wiggled about getting comfortable. “Fel-ine was okay with it as long as we bring her back at night. Then Lorne goes and gets her in the morning.”

“I would have thought they wouldn’t allow her out of their sight.”

“I think she normally wouldn’t have but Fel-tere wanted to go” Rodney looked at him confused “That the girls name, and Fel-ine and Fel-ete trusts Ronon and us to keep her safe and get her back to them in one piece.” 

“That don’t explain why you have her and why do they all the women start with ‘Fel’?” Fel-tere started to gnaw on his finger. Rodney winced as her canine caught skin. 

“I don’t know Rodney why don’t you ask next time? Ronon asked me to cat sit as he had just been released from the infirmary and wanted to shower. Did you know Lorne and Ronon where together?”

“Yes, you didn’t?” Rodney tried not to look too smug and knowing something John didn’t.

“No, wait how do you know?” Rodney glared at John incredulous tone. 

“Because I am just that smart”

“No really”

Rodney sighed knowing John knew him too well “Lorne told me in the infirmary when I accidently pushed him off the pier. Turns out that was their first date.”

“Ah so that’s why he tried to kill you”

Rodney huffed then changed the subject.

“Bet Elizabeth's not happy with this little lady here, wait Elizabeth?” Rodney questioned.

John shook his head “She didn’t know Caldwell was Goa’uld. She was horrified when she found out. The SGC are recalling her for questioning. She was going along with Caldwell plans believing he was acting as military commander, even knew about the Doranda project, but she is not a traitor. She thought it was all for Earth. I’ve given in my report, and they will want yours too. She had not given any reports to the SGC about your situation or how you got to be that way. So that is why there has been radio silent there. Nor had she mentioned that she ignored my recommendations and forced you to go into an unknown situation by yourself. We shall see whether she comes back or not. As for the little lady” John gave Fel-tere an affectionate tickle. “She is no longer in charge of the base, so she has no say”

Rodney closed his eyes in pain. He had hoped Elizabeth was Goa’uld and that was the reason for her strange and cold behaviour towards him. To get confirmation that she was acting of her own free will filled him with grief at the loss of a friend. 

“Wait who’s in charge?”

“You are” 

Rodney’s eyes widened “w… w… what!” 

“Rodney you’re the next ranking civilian. You are next in line until they bring out someone else”

“I am not cleared for duty; I can’t be in charge. I don’t want to be in charge. Can’t you be in charge.” Rodney widened his eyes pleadingly. 

“Rodney it will only be a couple of weeks until either Elizabeth comes back or, and I really hoping for this option, we get someone new.”

“Right, right. Only a few weeks. Then I can go back to the lab.” He winced. “Radek’s not going to be happy. So, what's happening with Kavanagh?”

“Nothing, sadly. He was technically following a superior’s orders about a new line of research. He is going back to Earth no matter what but there is no legal action being taken against him. Again, he did not know that he was being manipulated by the Goa’uld.” Rodney made a disgusted sound. Of course, the worm had managed to wiggle out of trouble. 

“Also, with no paperwork being submitted you are still apart of SGA-1 and
I have talked to the other scientist on gate teams asking if they would like to keep their position and all of them said yes. So that is sorted. Teyla can stop avoiding you now you can control the change. She’ll just have to stock up on allergy tablets if you do decide to go furry”

“Wait! Teyla was avoiding me, I thought she was dancing round the fire in celebration of the sun rising or something”

“Errr… yeah she just had a lot of celebrations this month and I think she has a bea on the mainland.” John looked around shifty.

“John!” Rodney gave him a hard look

“Okay, don’t tell Teyla I told you. She is seriously allergic to your cat self, full and half, and she did not want to make you feel bad about your situation, so she went to the mainland for a while giving celebrations as an excuse. She’s didn’t want to make it any worse for you”

Rodney sighed “Yeah okay I get it. I would have felt awful for her to be sneezing all over me every time we tried to have a conversation.”

He felt Fel-tere licking his finger he looked down at her and smiled and changed the subject. “Everything sorted with the Fel-es?”

“Yes, we are entering into a trade agreement with them. They want to find out if more of our population are worthy of the blessing. I told them it would have to go through you whether those worthy are told about the change or not.”

“Oh” Rodney looked down.

“You okay?”

“Yeah it’s just hitting me. I am no longer human. I may look it, but I will never be normal again.” Rodney could feel the grief of it in his chest. 

“Hey, I can taste emotions. Teyla has Wraith DNA and Ronon is… well... Ronon. None of us are normal. We live on Atlantis for crying out loud.” John took Rodney’s hand “and I will love you either way.”

“Yeah?” Rodney could feel the grief subside and he gave John a smile.

“Yeah.” John smiled back

“I love you too!”

The End!