"I do not want to do this!" Rodney paces the length of Elizabeth's office, red-faced, hands waving.

"Look," Elizabeth says. "You have to. Nothing else is getting through to him, and we've tried everything. We can not go on like this. He's running everyone ragged, and it has to stop. You're the only one he even remotely listens to."

"But I do not want to do this! I don't even believe in it!" Rodney flops into a chair, defeated.

"Rodney, please!" Elizabeth drops her head into her hands. "I'm at as much of a loss as you, but we've got to get him back on track."

Rodney sighs. "Fine," he says, grateful for the darkened windows so no one can see how stricken he must appear. He takes a deep breath and schools his features into a stern look. "Send him in and you go away for a while."

Rodney has to struggle to keep his face still when seven-year-old John Sheppard steps into the office, looking defiant and a little scared.

"What's wrong with you?" Rodney asks. "Are we asking too much of you? Is there a reason you can't follow a few logical rules to ensure both your safelty and that of the base?"

John's face goes mulish and he crosses his arms over his thin chest. "The rules are stupid."

"They aren't," Rodney says flatly, "and you know that. Time out doesn't work with you, loss of privileges doesn't work with you - you know what comes next."

"You wouldn't," John says, looking less defiant and more scared.

"I would," Rodney says. "Come here."

John takes his spanking stoically, but after the last swat, he flings himself into Rodney's arms, dissolving into tears. "I'm sorry," he sobs brokenly into Rodney's neck. "I'll be good, I promise."

Rodney pats his back and feels like a jerk. "I forgive you," he says. "I always will. Can we not do this again?"

John squeezes him tight and draws a shuddery breath. "I'll be good," he promises.