The chapters are coming a little far apart for me. I just had mid-term tests so I hope to do better, but that might not come until the semester has ended. I don't own Stargate: Atlantis, but I wish I did. I would run it for the sixth season.

----

Sheppard turned to see what Rodney was screaming at. A banner had come to fall open. It read, "You are next, Meredith!"

Rodney moaned something about an iron on in his room and ran out. Sheppard called for Major Lorne to check it out and followed McKay. When he caught up to him, Rodney was pale.

"Rodney, everything will be all right."

Rodney stopped and turned. He was pale. "What do you mean everything will be all right. He was sweating. "I need to eat. I will be right back."

Sheppard shook his head and followed slowly. Just before Sheppard made it into the mess hall, he saw Weir. She seemed to be waiting for him.

"How are you doing John? Made any head way yet?" She seemed to be enjoying the whole thing.

"No," he responded. "Not yet, but I will and it will be soon."

Elizabeth smiled. "Don't forget the rules. Happy hunting."

----

Sheppard walked swiftly down the hall. He was angry. He was ready to join Ronon and Teyla. He didn't know who was involved, who was next or how to stop the Prankster. He turned down the hall towards the gym to burn off a little steam when he heard his name called.

"Sheppard! Wait for me!" It was Rodney McKay.

He was running, something Sheppard didn't know he could do outside a life threatening situation or food was involved.

"Yes Rodney," he snapped, John could feel his patience slipping.

John stopped mid-stride. He could feel the hurt radiate off Rodney. He turned. The scientist was standing in the hall. Rodney was standing behind him, arms folded, trying not to look took a deep breath. He liked Rodney, but sometimes he was a little hard to take. "Sorry I yelled at you. What do you want?" Rodney looked at him for a minute before responding.

"Just wondering if you had eaten." Rodney looked at John. "Is it that bad?"

John didn't respond. The unspoken yes hung in the air between them. John turned and started walking again. Rodney started jogging after him.

"Well," Rodney puffed. "Could you atleast slow down?"

John took a deep breath and concentrated on slowing his pace. Rodney moved to walk next to him. "So, how are things going?"

John stopped and glared at Rodney. Rodney pretended to not see. He seemed to be about to say something, when Sheppard's earpiece went off.

"Lorne to Sheppard." The Major sounded nervous.

Sheppard tapped his earpiece. "What is it Major?" He could hear the sounds of a fight in the background, and it sounded like someone was on the loosing end.

"I'm in the mess hall. I think you should get down here."

Sheppard swore under his breath and started running.

----

When he made it there, having left Rodney far behind, he could see what was disturbing the major. The entire mess hall was in an uproar! It seemed like most of the military personal were in the room trying to break up a massive fight. About a dozen were standing in a corner and seemed to be protecting someone laying on the floor. Ronon and Teyla seemed to be fighting to reach the person inside.

Sheppard wadded through the crowd to the group of soldiers, pulled his stunner out and shot Ronon. Ronon turned, a surprised look on his face before he slid unconscious to the ground. Teyla whipped around, eyes narrowed. "Do you plan on doing that to me?" she asked, giving a quick glance at Ronon.

Sheppard shrugged, ready in case her answer wasn't the one he was hoping for. "Do I need to? Or will you stop on your own?"

Weapon in hand, she glared. "You will defend him? After what he did?" She was livid.

Sheppard put his weapon away. "You know the rules. We can't go after the people involved. It will only make it worse."

Her face softened. She tossed her weapon at him. "Then, I am not coming out until this is all over." She stalked out of the mess hall, and down the corridor.

Even though the fight was waning, Sheppard walked through the mess hall and pulled people off of each other. Military personnel were put on report and given the most unpleasant duty he could think of. Rodney had come in just after Teyla left, he was put to work punishing the scientists that had been involved. He set them to work cleaning the mess hall. He stood over them while they did it.

The soldiers who had been standing guard duty in the far end of the room were carrying someone out. It was Kavanaugh. He had been badly beaten. As they walked past Sheppard, Kavanaugh reached out and grabbed his arm. "Are you going to punish them?" The look on Kavanaugh's face said he didn't think Sheppard would.

"When I know who did what, yes. " He took a step closer to the prone man. "Did you see who attacked you?"

The scientist let go of Sheppard. He seemed to be thinking. Finally, he looked at Sheppard. "I don't remember. It all happened so fast." Kavanaugh looked defeated. "So I guess no one is getting punished."

Sheppard felt sorry for him. "They are all getting punished. When you remember, someone will get more." He looked at the soldiers. "Get him to the infirmary. Stay with him and let me know if he remembers anything."

"Yes sir!" the soldier replied and they carried him out.

"Lorne, report."

Major Lorne came to attention. "I was headed to the mess to get some lunch and came upon the fight. I attempted to stop it on my own. When I realized that I couldn't do anything, I got some of the men in to break it up and to guard Dr. Kavanaugh. Then I called you."

Sheppard walked around Lorne. "At ease, Major."

Lorne shifted and waited for orders.

Sheppard sighed. He thought for a moment, and then clapped Lorne on the shoulder. "You did good major. Let's see if we can figure out who started the whole thing."

Evan blinked and smiled. "Yes sir!"

----

As they walked down the corridor, Sheppard noticed that he hadn't seen anyone walk past in a little while. Just as they turned a corner, Sheppard saw Dr. Beckett sitting on th florr at the end of the corridor. He was smiling, broadly. As Sheppard and Lorne walked closer, Beckett stood and spoke.

"Gentlemen, I am the next person for you, according to the rules. I have set several traps in the corridor ahead of me. If you can get past them all and reach me, I will go quietly." Still smiling, he sat back down on the floor.

"I don't feel like this stupid little game." He tapped his earpiece. "Sheppard to Ronon. I have someone for you to beat up."

It only took a minute for Ronon to show up and for Sheppard to explain to him. Carson Beckett went pale and started running as Ronon charged down the corridor in his direction.

Sorry it took so long to get it out. I hope you find it worth the wait! Thank you!