A/N: This is not how I'd like this chapter to read and I will most likely come back and change a few things once this story is completed. Don't get me wrong, it has all the pieces I wanted it to show, but the flow has some kinks in it that need smoothed out. Thanks again for all the kind notes. You kind of remind me of what my fish look like when I feed them, all bobbing to the top wanting more. This is a good thing because I really like my fish!

Chapter 12

Sheppard raced through Atlantis' hallways, the small life sign detector in his left hand and his service weapon in his right. Dodging around a security team outside the science quarters, he pushed his way into McKay's lab, abruptly coming to a halt before colliding with Dr. Zelenka. "Anything?" he panted, giving the room a quick once over.

The Czech shook his head in dismay, "No Major. Everything is as we left it earlier."

"Damnit, McKay, we need a clue here!" he shouted in frustration while shoving the detector back in a pocket. When a hand touched him on the shoulder, he spun around in edgy surprise to find Ford at his back, once more dressed in dry fatigues. He nodded to his second, "You alright?"

The lieutenant gave his superior a questioning glance, "I think it should be me asking you that, sir."

"I'm fine," Sheppard grunted, not wanting attention focused on him. "Zelenka doesn't think McKay's been here, so I'm thinking we need to check out the guest quarters. Maybe Lokii returned to his room…"

"Major Sheppard," Stackhouse's voice paged over the comm. system.

"This is Sheppard."

"Sir, we need you in the stairwell below the general crew quarters."

Motioning to Ford to come with him, he bolted back out the door. "What'd you find, Sergeant?" he demanded, racing up the stairwell.

"Not what, sir, but who. It's the ambassador's son."

"Is he alive?"

"Yes, sir, but we can't get near him. The kids scared to death. Keeps saying something about 'silly hair', and we thought you might know what that means."

Sheppard paused just a millisecond, long enough for the person behind him to plow into his back. Glancing over his shoulder he spotted Zelenka grab the railing to stop himself from falling backwards "Where do you think you're going? You need to stay out of this, doc."

"No, I go with you and Lieutenant." He shot a reaffirming look to Ford and nodded, "Remember, I'm sidekick. If Rodney can't fix, I can."

"Doc… Z, I know you want to help, but this is gonna get dangerous. I think you should stay back."

"No, Major!" The Czech snapped. "I go with you, you need me." It left no doubt that, one way or another, he was coming with them.

The major grimaced and looked to Ford. "Keep an eye on him," he instructed as he started back up the stairwell, the others following close behind. Rounding the last bend before the crew floor, he slowed his pace and held up his hand. He could see Stackhouse hunkered down one knee in the doorway above, talking quietly to the Bengi, trying to calm the terrified child. The remainder of the sergeant's team stood back in the hallway.

"Sergeant," he said quietly over the earpiece, "I'm coming up from right below you. Back off and give me some room." The soldier nod slowly and edge back towards his own waiting team. Sheppard then turned to those waiting behind him, "Stay here until I get the boy." Slipping his sidearm back in its holster, he slowly took the remaining steps up to the landing.

Bengi was plastered back against the wall, shaking like a leaf in the middle of a hurricane. His pajama top was torn and there was a large red mark encircling his throat. Green eyes filled with fear watched every step the major made and a visible hitch in the small chest nearly broke Sheppard's heart.

"Hey," he said softly, coming to a stop on the top step. "Are you looking for me?"

"Silly hair," the boy whispered, another small hiccup released as he tried to stop his tears of relief from falling.

Sheppard pasted on his friendliest smile and ran his hand over his head. "Doctor Beckett's just jealous," his tone lightly teased. Inching closer, he watched the boy shift nervously on his feet. "Bengi," he encouraged gently, holding his arms open, "come here."

The small boy hesitated for a moment before rushing to the major, wrapping his arms tightly around the officer's neck and began to sob uncontrollably.

"Shhh," the older man crooned, hugging the frail form tight to his own chest, rocking slowly side to side. "I've got you."

Bengi hiccupped several more times before pushing back to look at Sheppard. His tear stained face held a look of grief stricken determination. "He said to find you," he whispered.

Hazel eyes intently studied the small face before him, not missing the pain and fear reflected back. "Who did?"

Bengi made the scowling face of Rodney's that he'd mimicked back in the infirmary.

"Doctor McKay? You know where Rodney is?" Relief flooded throughout the major. If McKay had sent the boy to find him, then at least could still be alive.

He received a hesitant nod.

"Well, I'm glad he told you to. Can you tell me where you last saw him?"

Bengi licked his lips, his breathing picking up in pace again. "Daddy hit him and he fell down. He told me to run."

Stopping the curse on the tip of his tongue, Sheppard stared hard over boys head at Ford and Zelenka as he wrapped his arms tighter around the small figure. Once they got out of this mess, he was going to have to sit down and talk with McKay about this self-sacrificing tendency he'd been showing more and more lately, people might begin to think he was human after all. "Where was he, Bengi?"

"Our room."

The major ran his hand across the top of the blonde hair, tipping the head back to smile into the green eyes. "Thank you for coming to find me. I know you're scared but I need to go find my friend and make sure he's okay." Gesturing to the waiting team, he signaled Stackhouse to join them. "Hey kiddo, you remember the sergeant, here?"

Bengi warily nodded.

"Okay, well, I'd like him to take you to see Elizabeth. Remember the nice lady from the other night?" Another nod. "Good. She'll keep you safe, I promise."

The small arms clutched tighter about his shoulders before slowly letting go. "Daddy's sick," he whispered, trying to warn his new friend.

"I know. Maybe I can help him get him help."

This time Bengi anxiously shook his head 'no'. "His medicine makes him mean."

The major blinked, his only response to the information. Drug addiction would explain a few things right about now, but it also made their situation that much deadlier. "I'll be careful, I promise." Rising slowly to his feet, the boy still in his arms, he turned to face the sergeant. "Get him to Weir. Anyone gives you any trouble, you know what to do."

"Yes, sir."

He bumped foreheads with Bengi, "I want you to go with him, okay? He'll make sure you're safe."

The ambassador's young son swallowed while a tear slipped down his tired face.

"Hey, I'm gonna go find Rodney and then you can come join us, okay?" He received another quick hug and then the boy turned to face Stackhouse.

The sergeant smiled and held out his arms, "Come here buddy." Carefully transferring the precious burden, Stackhouse grinned at the major. "He reminds me of my nephews back home, sir. Don' worry, I'll get him to Dr. Weir." Turning to his charge, the tough no nonsense man winked, "Ready to go?"

Chewing his lower lip, the boy drooped to rest his head on the strong shoulder before they disappeared back down the empty hall.

Once the others were out of sight, Sheppard grabbed his gun and raced up the steps to the next level, Ford and Zelenka close on his heels. Cautiously peeking down the abandoned hallway, he signaled for the other two to wait while he stepped out and made his way to the ambassador's room. Spying the door open, he planted his shoulders against the wall and gestured for Ford to back him up.

One going in high and the other low, they burst into the room with weapons drawn, momentarily taken aback at the state of disarray. The room was wrecked, the smell of vomit hanging heavily in the air. Ducking to take a look in the bathroom, the lieutenant called the major to join him.

Splattered blood, shattered glass, and someone's sickness covered the sink and floor.

"This doesn't look good, sir."

"Major," Zelenka called loudly from the hallway, "you need to come, quickly!"

From the sound of the Czech's tone, Sheppard didn't know what to expect, but it couldn't be good. Bolting from the room, he glanced back and forth before spotting Zelenka at the opposite end of the corridor standing in front of the wall, his finger dabbing at a dark smear.

"It is blood," Radek said with a frown, then pointed around the corner. "Goes that way."

Sheppard reached out to touch the mark, checking to see if the stain was dry, and discovered that it was still tacky. "Whoever did this was here within the past half hour. We're not far behind." Once again picking up the pace, they now had a trail to follow, and from the looks of the smears, the injured person was getting progressively worse.

"They are heading to infirmary," Zelenka stated to no one in particular.

"Yeah, I noticed." Tapping his earpiece, he paged the control room. "Dr. Weir, has Stackhouse and the boy reached your position?"

"Affirmative, major. Where are you?" she quickly replied.

"Outside Lokii's quarters. Looks like there was a struggle and someone is in need of medical assistance. There's also a blood trail leading in the direction of the infirmary that we're going to check out."

"Bates and Teyla's teams haven't found anything below the lab levels and are working their way back up this way. Do you want me to have them head back in your direction?"

"That might not be a bad idea. I'll call you if I need them."

"Be careful."

"We will. Sheppard out." He faced his team, "Ready?"

"Yes," they replied together.

"Okay then." Gesturing to the wall, he began to follow the trail, "Let's go find McKay."

TBC