Chapter 30

The sound was just as Kiki remembered it, one that was familiar and one that froze everything in her body. Involuntarily she huddled closer to Carson Beckett in the hopes of seeking some comfort from the man that was if he had any comfort to offer her. "What the hell is going on?" Sheppard muttered from his position just ahead and looked to Teyla who had an unsettled look.

"We must seek shelter," she said firmly.

Sheppard wasn't about to argue with her and looked over to Ford, "The only place that comes anywhere near close to shelter is that temple. Do you remember where it is?" Teyla grabbed Sheppard's arm; "I will guide us Major." He paused a moment, the sounds growing nearer and nearer by the second and nodded, Teyla knew what she was doing and had a brilliant sense of direction. "Lead the way," he ordered before looking back to McKay, Beckett and Kiki. "Let's move out!"

McKay didn't need much prompting, got his weapon out and ran after Teyla and Ford. Sheppard looked to Beckett and Kiki. "Come on guys," he said with urgency. "Move it."

"Come on love," Beckett said quietly to Kiki as he put both arms around her. If he had to physically drag her, he would make sure that the young girl was out of harm's way. "We need to get out of here."

"There is no use in running," Kiki said, quiet at first and growing louder with each word. "The Wraith have returned for me. They will find me and take me too!" Beckett pulled her tighter to him, while also glancing to Sheppard with a look that clearly said 'Well help me out here lad.' Sheppard was more concerned with incoming ships or whatever the Hell they were. Definitely Wraith related.

"No Kiki," Beckett said, stroking her hair and trying to keep a hold of her. "I won't let anyone hurt you sweet heart." Sheppard couldn't wait any longer, he moved towards the two of them and took a firm hold of Kiki's arm, motioning for Beckett to do the same but he was reluctant. Kiki struggled against Sheppard, "Let me go!"

"It's for your own good," he shouted in return and could see that Beckett was unwilling to do what was required as he let go of Kiki's free arm. "Get running doctor," he said as he took Kiki's other arm and lifted her over his shoulder. Fortunately she was a lightweight and he could easily run with her. The Wraith dart passed overhead. "Now!"

--

Teyla and Ford ran ahead, the temple was in sight and she had never been so relieved to see a building so much in her entire life. She glanced to Ford, who kept looking back over his shoulder. "Is there something wrong?" she asked skidding to a halt, kicking up various leaves and twigs. Ford made a show of looking back the way they came. "Major Sheppard should be right behind us," he replied dread filling his voice.

Teyla was not as concerned, she knew that Sheppard could handle himself and whatever was thrown his way. Instead of comforting him, she took a hold of Ford's arm. "We must get to the safety of the temple, I am sure he will not be far behind." Ford hesitated a moment which prompted Teyla to give him another firm tug and he looked back at her with a nod, running towards the temple's entrance.

--

Beckett was sure that running this fast was not healthy for the human body, he tried to stay close to Sheppard but the man was a lot fitter than himself and he was crying additional weight in the form of Kiki. Kiki complained and thumped her hands against Sheppard's lower back; she did not want to endanger her friends any further. She finally gave up and all she could see was black, and a faint light glow in the sky immediately to their right.

The top of the temple came into sight once more; Sheppard glanced back at Beckett to see if the man had managed to keep up with him. "Just another hundred yards or so," he yelled back and groaned slightly at the pain in his lower back. Kiki could certainly cause injury when she wasn't to and he was sure that he was gonna bruise.

"A hundred?" Beckett said slightly unconvinced, the distance before them seemed to look far more than that but he put that down to exhaustion of sorts and they were running through near darkness.

--

Ford squinted into the darkness but remained within the temple entrance; he looked into the sky to see a faint outline of a Wraith dart fly by. This was unbelievable, they'd only just arrived and already the place was filling fast with Wraith ships. In other words, the situation looked extremely bleak. "Anything?" Teyla asked anxiously, looking over his shoulder causing him to look back into the forest.

"Not yet."

There was a rustling sound; they both tore their gazes from one side to the other to see Sheppard emerge from the trees with Kiki over his shoulder. Teyla ran out in order to help him and Beckett who emerged just shortly after. "I am pleased to see you are safe," she said quickly.

"Save it till we're inside," Sheppard said trying to get his breath back and moving past Ford into the entrance, placing Kiki down gently and promised himself that if he were a parent he would surely have disciplined her for her behaviour but as he looked at her face. All he could see was the fear. Beckett sat down next to her and offered his arms, she quickly let him hug her tightly and could feel his heart beating at an incredibly fast pace.

"Okay, someone wanna tell me what the Hell the Wraith are doing here?" Sheppard asked still trying to regulate his breathing and pointing back to the entrance.

"It does seem strange that they wish to visit a planet that is unpopulated," Teyla answered calmly, more calmly than she was feeling.

"Why do I have the feeling that they already knew we were here," Sheppard said with an accusing look, which soon turned into a frown as he looked round and counted in his head. Lieutenant Ford was there, Teyla, Beckett and Kiki were all accounted for and someone was missing.

"Where's McKay?" he asked quietly.