Sheppard continued to walk and wait for the inevitable.

Something was about to happen, he just didn't know what.

He tried to go through all of the different scenarios in his head as to what Ford could possible be signalling to. His ruminations were interrupted by Beckett's sudden foray into conversation with the guards.

"Aye it's a lovely day to just lie down in the grass, close you eyes-" there was a pause before he said, "Don't you think Major? Wouldn't you just love to get down on the grass and close your eyes?"

One of the guards eyed him up and down and gave him a curt nod.

Sheppard finally understood and nodded, "Sounds like a good idea."

For another agonising minute they continued to walk and Sheppard kept his body in a continual state of tenseness. The adrenaline was beginning to flow and he felt mildly dizzy.

The ensuing explosion that rocked the ground behind him sent him twisting awkwardly to the soil. He could feel the mud and assorted debris hit his back as he covered his ears and eyes.

Ford dropped down beside him covering his eyes and keeping his P90 poised forward. "Flashbang!" he said into his ear.

Sheppard nodded and spoke in a low tone, "Good choice."

"I figured it would cause minimal damage," he said.

After a second Sheppard reopened his eyes and could see that the confusion of Raynu's guards had just spiralled into outright pandemonium.

Some of the men had managed to avoid looking at the blast so their eyesight's were intact, but they probably hadn't avoided the noise and like Sheppard could hear a muted ringing in the back of their skulls.

"Call for reinforcements," shouted Raynu. He was sitting on the ground, his hands over his eyes.

Sheppard felt a hand at his elbow and somebody was urging him to move, "Sir, get moving" Ford was saying close to his ear.

Sheppard scrambled up onto his feet, "What about you?" he asked feeling into the back of his waistband and pulling out the 9mil Elizabeth had stashed there. He noted that his radio was wrapped around the trigger and he smiled, "I think I'm in love," he digressed and found time to smile.

"We'll keep the diversion going for as long as necessary, just get out of here."

"I hope you have a plan Lt?" said Sheppard.

Ford smiled at him and held up his P90, "Of course, just move it." He grabbed Sheppard and saw that Raynu was looking at him, "Sir?"

Sheppard gave him a quick look, "What now?"

"I need you to hit me," he said sliding his eyes over to Raynu again.

"What?" asked Sheppard. He could see that Ford was looking past him, "Raynu right?"

He sighed and then gave Ford an apologetic look before punching him in the chin.

Ford made a show of going to the ground and Sheppard patted the young man on the shoulders before staring off as fast as he could. Ford couldn't let it appear he had just let him go.

The diversion was working and Sheppard managed to make a break for the tree line.

Sheppard could hear people firing at him, bullets in his direction, and it wasn't until he sank to his knees feeling the impact of one ripping through his arm that he knew what had happened.

The pain radiated down into his joints and he flexed his hand in response to the stabbing in his tricep. He could already feel the blood begin to run down his forearm and he cursed.

He was surprised when strong arms gripped him and pulled him up. He least expected to see Beckett stood over him, "Come on Major, no time to dawdle."

"Get back there Doc," he said fighting a wave of dizziness as he got to his feet.

"I don't think so," he said and pushed him on amidst another spray of fire.

Sheppard gritted his teeth against the pain, nodded, and shoved Beckett forward and into the cover of the trees.

He didn't have time to argue about this.

Especially not in the line of fire.

"Keep running until I say so," he said risking a glance over his shoulder.

They ran for some time and Sheppard found himself surprised at Beckett's ability to keep up with him. He figured all that time in the infirmary would have made him totally unfit.

There was a cave up ahead and they scrambled into it.

They ran until they reached an open chamber and both men simultaneously leant against the wall and took a moment to breathe.

"What's going on Doc?" asked Sheppard sliding down to his knees and checking the weapon that Elizabeth had given him.

Beckett was panting hard, "Elizabeth wanted to give you more time."

"I knew she'd come through," said Sheppard.

"She thinks Raynu will execute you without trial," said Beckett.

Sheppard found himself agreeing, The farther he had walked earlier, the more he felt convinced that he was walking straight to his death.

Beckett's face was grim and he didn't answer him, "Let me take a look at that arm."

Sheppard had completely forgotten about his injury and he guessed that that was the danger of adrenaline. It masked any serious injury.

He offered his arm out to Beckett.

Beckett proceeded to pull off his jacket and take a look at his blood stained arm.

"How's it looking?" he asked wincing as Beckett prodded it.

"Bullets gone clean through, no arterial damage. For the moment a field dressing should be sufficient, although I would like to give you a shot of antibiotics," he said reaching into his backpack.'

"I guess you didn't bring any?" asked Sheppard hopefully.

Beckett shook his head, "I was here to examine a dead man, remember?"

"Bullet," said Sheppard suddenly with a scowl, "One of my men hit me."

Beckett nodded, "In the confusion I should imagine."

"I'd hope not deliberately," said Sheppard as he scanned the cave, "Not unless Kavanagh was down there with a gun." He saw the smile flash across Beckett's features and enjoyed the brief moment of levity before continuing, "What else you got in the knapsack?"

Beckett reached in and pulled out a flashlight. Sheppard took it off him and switched it on to examine the room whilst Beckett tended to his wound.

"So what's the plan?" asked Beckett looking at Sheppard as he dressed the wound.

"It was your plan?" he said with raised eyebrows, "I didn't even know about it until a few minutes ago. You tell me."

Beckett was a silent for a moment before saying, "Well I wasn't part of the bloody plan. I was supposed to go to the complex and look at the body."

"Then why did you come with me?" asked Sheppard as he watched Beckett pull off a pair if latex gloves and throw them to the floor.

"You got shot," he said, "I couldn't just leave you."

Sheppard got to his feet and started to walk around the chamber, inspecting the cold walls, and searching for anything which seemed out of the ordinary.

It proved to simply be a cave.

A cold, miserable, slimy, musty cave.

"We should be okay in here for a while. At least until night fall," he said looking over to the Doctor.

He was sitting up against the wall, his bag hugged to his chest, and his eyes focused forward, "Lovely," he said looking around the place. "Remind me why I agreed to come through the gate again?"

"I appreciate it Doc," said Sheppard.

Beckett closed his eyes, "Aye I know you do."

Sheppard walked over to the entrance and peered out towards the light, "I can't hear anything?" he said, "So…… what was the plan?" asked Sheppard rubbing at the grime on his arms.

He sat down by Beckett again and stretched his aching legs out.

"To provide a distraction for all intense purposes," said Beckett shifting beside him, "Ford was going to fallback to the gate and I was to go ahead and look at the body."

"And blame it on me?" said Sheppard.

"Well hopefully I would find something to show it wasn't you and then it would negate this action. Nobody was to get hurt."

Sheppard tilted his head to his arm.

"So I guess we'll be here for a while then." Said Beckett to himself.

There was a crack of thunder outside which echoed into the Cave and had Beckett clambering the walls as he jumped in surprise at the noise.

"Looks that way," said Sheppard.

Another crack of thunder.

"You don't think there are any creatures in this cave do you?" asked Beckett his hold on his bag tightening.

"No," said Sheppard.

Rain followed and they watched as water started to roll down the incline they had come from, pool in the floor and promptly soak their backsides.

"My day just officially got worse," said Sheppard closing his eyes.

Beckett nodded.

-----------------------

Sheppard stood at the exit to the cave and watched as the rain fell in sheets.

He was feeling hot and bothered and the air was making him clammy.

He wiped a hand across his forehead and could feel that he was working up quite a sweat.

He figured it had something to do with his arm, and closer inspection showed that the dressing was now soaked through with blood.

"Probably got gangrene," he muttered as he poked at the bandage with disgust.

He looked back out to the rain and finally turned back to Beckett, "Its time to go."

"Where?" he asked picking up his bag and putting it on.

"We're going into the city."

"What are you crazy?" he said taking a step towards him, "They'll be looking for you."

Sheppard nodded, "I know, but you have to look at that body. Look Doc, I do this for a living. I can get us in and out in no time."

"You're a pilot," said Beckett.

"Ever hear of Basic training," said Sheppard and he sighed, "I don't just…..fly stuff."

"We don't even know where the body is being kept." He said looking out at the cave.

"Well find it," said Sheppard bringing a hand up to his weary eyes and swiping at another bead of sweat.

"Are you okay?" asked Beckett.

Sheppard swayed and reached out a hand to the wall, "I'm fine," he forced out.

Beckett put his hand up to Sheppard's head and tutted, ""You've got a fever."

"I'm a little hot, I'll get over it. If we're going to do this, we need to go now."

"If you have an infection setting in, you'll only feel worse."

"I'll feel worse even sooner, because Raynu will kill me." Sheppard took his 9mil Beretta out of his calf holster and cocked it, "Let's go."

---------------------

The city was dark. There were a few street lamps to mark out a path but they were equally ineffective against the consuming black sky.

Sheppard and Beckett tried to blend in like the shadows.

Occasionally, somebody would walk towards them and they would dive into the nearest alleyway in an attempt to evade capture.

"This is ridiculous," said Beckett as Sheppard pulled him into a side street.

Sheppard put a finger up to his lips to shush the Scotsman and they both waited with deferred breath until the figure had passed.

"We're never going to find this bloody complex," said Beckett with a hint of exasperation in his voice.

Sheppard nodded and looked out into the street, "Somebody else is coming," he said and ducked his head back into the alley.

--------------------

Gelith walked down the street. His hands were firmly pushed into his coat pockets to protect them from the cold and said coat was wrapped around him in an attempt to keep out the groaning wind.

He near jumped in surprise when a figure stepped out from the shadows and stood in front of him.

The man was rather plump, short and had a strange accent when he spoke, "Hello there," he said with a little wave.

Gelith started to side step the man but he pursed his lips together and followed his movement, "I need your help with something."

Gelith sighed and wondered what time it was. He had to get back to his wife before she started to send out the search parties, "What is it?" he mumbled into his coat collar.

"I was wondering if you could tell me where you keep your bodies?"

"I'm sorry?" asked Gelith, his interest suddenly peaked but somewhat disturbed at the same time.

The man held his hands up, "Your dead. Do you have a morgue?"

"Why would you want to look for dead bodies?" asked Gelith, the urge to run suddenly becoming a strong possibility.

The man seemed to look into alley beside him for an answer and then he took a step forward, "I'm a Doctor. I'm somewhat lost," he said laughing nervously, "I'm supposed to be helping with preparations for…….Ambassador Raynu's sons funeral." He paused and Gelith felt sorry for the man.

"Why would he need a Doctor? He's dead." He stated and looked up at the foreboding sky.

The man in front of him was shuffling from side to side now, "They just do, and I'm late. Most likely in trouble." He paused and looked up at Gelith with wide eyes.

"Your accent?"

"Aye, you noticed," he said looking slightly proud.

"You're not from around here?"

"Exactly. That's why I'm lost. New in town."

Gelith gave in and gestured to a large sky scraper which dominated the sky, "Ambassador Raynu's," he said pointing, "He tends to keep family affairs pretty private so I'd assume they would be keeping Aron up there."

The man in front of him visibly relaxed, "Oh thank you."

Gelith nodded and started to walk.

His pace increasing with every step.

------------

Beckett turned to Sheppard who had been hiding in the alleyway and put his hands on his hips, "Are you happy now? He thinks I'm crazy."

Sheppard smiled and stepped out into the street, "That seems to be going around at the moment."

Beckett nodded, realising his mistake, and pointed up to the skyscraper, "Over there."

Sheppard started to walk off, "Come on," he said and Beckett scurried after him.

------------------------

Raynu was pacing back and forth and would periodically go over to the window and look out at his city.

"He's been gone for hours," he said unhappily. "This only proves he's guilty," he said turning away from the window and over to the figures who were stood before him.

"It proves nothing," said Elizabeth.

Raynu looked her up and down and promptly shook his head, "We must find him."

"I came here without delay once you had informed me of Sheppard's escape," said Elizabeth with a smile she kept concealed within, "We will do everything in our power to ensure his return to you."

"It was your men who made it possible. They should be held to blame."

Elizabeth turned to Ford who was standing beside her, his hands resting lazily over his P90, "I'm sure that's not true. Is it Lt?" she asked.

Ford was fighting not to smile himself and he tried to give his face as serious an expression as he could muster, "Of course not ma'am."

"Yes, well, I did see him hit you," said Raynu resuming his pacing.

Ford rubbed at his chin to emphasise the point and Elizabeth seemed surprised at the statement.

"Sheppard was injured, he couldn't have gone far." He paused.

"He was?" asked Elizabeth stepping forward, "Badly?"

Raynu narrowed his eyes and tried to read her expression. "And that Doctor? He disappeared with him."

"If he was injured perhaps Doctor Beckett felt it inappropriate to allow him to go off on his own," suggested Elizabeth and she glanced at Ford. He hadn't informed her that Sheppard may have been injured in his escape, "Doctor Beckett has understandably forged strong friendships with his patients. I'm sure he acted on instinct with no thought for the implications."

Raynu licked his lips and was about to speak when the lights suddenly went out.

"What is the nature of this?"

Beside her Elizabeth could feel Fords tension seep through to her and undoubtedly he would be tightening his grip on his weapon in readiness.

"Please if you will excuse me." Said Raynu, "I must tend to this problem."

"Of course." Said Elizabeth.

-----------------------

Beckett had just watched Sheppard use his elbow to pound the fuse box to within an inch of its life. It had sparked, made a fizzle noise and then everything had gone black.

Even in the darkness he knew Sheppard was smiling and was secretly proud of that little piece of vandalism.

That had been about five minutes ago, and now he was following the pilot down a dark corridor, feeling with his hands and watching his feet.

"How do you know we're going the right way?" he whispered.

Sheppard's shoulders tensed but he didn't turn around; instead he chose to ignore the question and continued cautiously down the corridor.

"What if somebody finds us?"

"They wont if we're quiet," said Sheppard in a hushed tone.

Beckett realised his error and clamped a hand over his mouth to stop anymore questions spilling out. He was feeling panicky and his hand was shaking, making his grip on his 9mil questionable.

Sheppard suddenly stopped and turned to him, "I hear something up ahead."

Beckett swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to still his breathing.

Sheppard walked forward ahead of him and moved to the edge of the corridor, his back flat against the wall, and he peeked around the corner.

After a second he ran back over to Beckett and in the dark whispered, "I need to create a diversion," as he looked up and down the corridor. "Something to throw."

Beckett passed him a power bar he had in his pocket and Sheppard stared at it for a second before saying, "It'll do." He walked to the end of the corridor and peered around it again.

There were two men stood close together and standing around a lighter. He guessed they were waiting for the lights to come on.

Sheppard hurled the power bar as hard as he could and it flew over their heads unnoticed only to hit the wall behind them.

Both men turned at once, raising weapons and pointing them into the dark.

Sheppard ran down the corridor and smacked the first man across the back of the head.

He went down easily.

The second guy spun around and struck Sheppard square in the jaw, he stumbled backwards momentarily before regaining his footing and rushing the man.

He slammed into the wall and Sheppard put his arm across his windpipe and pressed slowly, "I don't want to hurt you," he said as he sensed Beckett walking down the corridor to him and aiming shakily at them, "I wont hurt you, if you tell me where they are keeping Aron."

The man was gasping for breath and Sheppard released his hold to allow him to take in a lungful of air.

"Where are they keeping him?" repeated Sheppard.

The man was rasping for breath again so Sheppard released his hold. The man sank to the ground in a heap and immediately put his hand up to his throat to stop the throbbing pain.

Sheppard chewed his lip thoughtfully and then grimacing held out his gun and pointed at the man, "Where?"

The man looked up at the gun and over to Beckett and then forced a swallow, "Down the corridor. The door on the right," hr said rubbing at his neck.

Sheppard nodded and punched the man in the face.

--------------------

Elizabeth and Ford had been left in the room by themselves and she watched as Ford scanned the room with his P90 light.

"You didn't tell me he was injured," she said wrapping her arms around herself.

Ford was silent.

"I shouldn't have agreed to this plan. It was dangerous from the start."

"You did the right thing."

"I hope he's okay."

"The Major will be fine," said Ford, "He's got nine lives."

"How many has he used?" asked Elizabeth and she walked over to the door.

---------------------

The body was laid out in a cool room on a slab.

Aron had already been made up to look as though he were alive and was wearing some kind of ceremonial robe.

Sheppard, who was leaning up against the doorframe and peering out into the corridor, took a minute when he first saw the body to make sure he engraved that mans face into his memory. He felt sorry for the guy and realised that at his last encounter with him he had punched him in the stomach.

He gripped the doorframe with white knuckles as another wave of nausea assaulted him and threatened to send him to the ground. He was feeling hot and dizzy and all he wanted to do was lie down.

"Come on," he said over his shoulder to Beckett who was looking over the body with a keen eye.

"You know, I'm not sure I feel entirely comfortable with this Major," he muttered, "Stop hurrying me."

"We don't have much time," said Sheppard.

He couldn't help but think that in more ways than one. If he was stood up any longer he would loose his lunch, or much worse keel over and never get up.

Beckett was pointing the flashlight and Sheppard could see the bodies features clearly in the dark. The pale skin was in stark contrast to the black that enveloped him.

"The bullets in his chest," he heard Beckett say.

"Which means?" asked Sheppard looking out into the corridor again.

He leant more heavily and continued to swallow against the watery feeling in his mouth.

Beckett took out a long plastic stick and pushed it into the wound. Sheppard's stomach lurched at the squealchy noise it made and he put a hand up to his mouth. "The trail of the bullet is at slight downward angle, the shooter was standing from above," he said. "Come here, I'll show you."

"No I'm okay from here," said Sheppard.

"I never had you down as squeamish," muttered Beckett.

"I'm not," countered Sheppard and he walked slowly over to him, near tripping over Beckett's knapsack and reluctantly looked down at the body, "How can you tell?"

Beckett demonstrated, "If you were to kneel and I was to aim at you the bullet would go downwards, as it is this bullet trail veers very slightly to the right which indicates-"

"The shooter was left handed," said Sheppard grimacing. He put a hand on the slab to steady himself.

Beckett looked down at the weapon in Sheppard's right hand.

"Aye," he said, "It's a fairly simple way of determining some key facts, of course I would have liked to have taken powder residue off your and Leenas clothes. Detectable amounts of nitrites can often be found on shooters' hands after firing, but unless there were significant powder burns to the skin that would all be undetectable now."

Sheppard swallowed again.

"Also the height of the killer can be determined. In this case they were short. If you were to have fired this you would have been bent at an awkward angle."

Sheppard nodded and set his jaw, "Right."

"Are you okay?" asked Beckett, suddenly noticing Sheppard's distress.

"I'm not feeling too well," said Sheppard putting his other hand on the slab and closing his eyes.

"Just breathe in deep," said Beckett rubbing at his back.

Sheppard opened one of his eyes and shook his head, "I don't want to breathe in deep. There's a decaying body under my nose."

At that remark he turned away and started to dry retch. He stopped after a minute but stayed bent over, "Talk to me Doc," he rasped.

"I'm not sure this is enough proof, we need to find out if Leena is left handed and match up her height exactly"

"But its convincing," said Sheppard spitting out bile onto the floor.

The lights flicked overhead and Sheppard not only stood up straight but his finger tightened around the trigger of his 9mil, "We need to get out of here," he said and walked over to the door unsteadily.

Beckett noticed he was weaving uncertainly.

Sheppard turned around and was about to hurry on Beckett when something caught him in the stomach and he sank to his knees. He found himself retching again and fought to keep upright as his vision greyed.

Beckett put his hands up as another guard walked in with a weapon pointed at him.

Sheppard jumped up, but he was too slow and he felt himself being thrust against a wall and held there.

He sucked in a breath when the guard knocked his arm but it only served to invite him to give it a squeeze, "That hurt?" the guy rasped.

Sheppard could feel the wound throb when he let it go and equally he could feel the renewed blood it bought to the surface.

"Call Raynu," the guard said to his friend.

Sheppard desperately tried to hold onto consciousness for as long as he could, but the infection was making him feel lousy and when he finally got a foothold into darkness he guiltily accepted it.

TBC

Hope you all like it.

Leena should reappear soon, I haven't forgotten about her.