After three days of almost frighteningly good behavior, John starts slowly returning to form. He cows the Marines with orders that they can't help reflexively obeying. He throws carefully timed tantrums, and the people those don't work on get big teary green eyes turned in their direction, after which they fold like towels.

Rodney knows it's just a matter of time before John goes for the big haul, so he waits.

On a random Tuesday, at 2:00 am, his earpiece chirps at him and he picks up the life-signs detector on the night table. His subject is on the move. It's obvious where John's going, and Rodney heads to the same place.

Rodney gets to the bay and lets himself into Jumper One. He takes a seat and settles in to wait. It doesn't take John long to get there. The Jumper's lights stay off, except for the panels as they glow into life. John walks up to the pilot's seat, which lowers to accommodate his smaller size.

When John gets about halfway through the pre-flight check, Rodney clears his throat. John's seat spins around, and his dismayed look would be funny, if it wasn't accompanied by such a profoundly defeated slump of his shoulders.

"Damn," John mutters, and Rodney just looks at him. John looks worn out. His eyes are red-rimmed, and his hands keep opening and closing on his lap.

"What's going on?" Rodney asks softly. He walks closer and crouches down beside the seat. When John recoils, Rodney moves back so fast he falls over. He stops with his back against the wall.

"John?" Rodney tries desperately to get his shock under control. John's afraid of him. The thought of it makes him feel sick.

"It's okay," John says. "Rodney, I didn't mean..." He looks painfully uncertain.

"I...I understand. I shouldn't have...I shouldn't have let Elizabeth make me..." He tries to catch his breath. "I'm so sorry, John. I'm so sorry I hit you."

John presses his lips together as if he's made up his mind about something. He slides out of the seat and walks toward Rodney.

"Rodney," John says, his voice cracking. "You didn't...hurt me. You just scared me."

Rodney closes his eyes. He knew it, he knew the whole thing was going to make John hate him forever. He jumps when a small hand lands on his knee. "You scared me when you jumped out of the dark."

"I cleared my throat," Rodney said. "I was trying not to scare you. Look, I'll just go back to bed and forget I was ever here. You...you just do what you need to do." Elizabeth can get mad tomorrow if she wants to. She can do her own dirty work, too. Rodney's out.

Instead, John sits down beside him, leaning his little warm body against Rodney's side. "I'm sorry," he says. "I know I'm a pain in the...butt. I just...I just feel weird all the time and nobody likes me but you. So you can't go away, Rodney, okay?"

"Everyone likes you," Rodney says. "Just like they always did."

John presses closer. "But I only like you. You're the only one who cares what I do."

"Yeah," Rodney says bitterly. "You like me? I'm the one who hit you."

The punch on the leg is so much like the adult Sheppard that Rodney's chest gets tight. "You didn't hit me - you spanked me. And I probably deserved it."

"Probably?" Rodney tries to relax, and lets his breath out when John leans back in, warm and trusting.

"Okay," John says, but he interrupts himself with a big yawn.

Rodney gathers John closer and pulls him up so he's not sitting on the cold floor. "I'm still sorry," Rodney says. "I'm more of a believer in positive reinforcement, anyway. You think you can be good for 24 hours?"

"M'by," John says, his voice low and slurred.

"24 hours," Rodney repeats. "You make it 24 hours and we'll go flying. I'll even let you drive a little."

Rodney closes his eyes when John settles fully against him, heavy with sleep. "M'kay," John says softly. "Flying."