Jennifer stormed into the gym desperate to take her anger and frustration out on something that wasn't going to get her sacked. As she entered though she nearly groaned as she saw the sole occupant was Ronon.

"Doc." He greeted coolly.

"Ronon." Jennifer replied. "Sorry, I didn't realise you were in here. I'll go."

"Wait." He called before she could turn. Obediently Jennifer remained in position and waited for Ronon to say what was on his mind. She continued to wait as the Satedan searched for the right words. When none came she continued to wait until she was overwhelmed by the awkwardness. She was just devising a polite escape strategy when Ronon offered.

"You want to spar?"

"With you?" Jennifer blurted out.

"It's been a while since you've trained. You can practice against me." Ronon offered before adding. "You look like you need it."

"You have no idea." Jennifer said, glad she was managing to have a conversation with Ronon again.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Seeing what I want to do is murder him I don't think talking will cut it." Jennifer said, forcing a smile.

"Murder who?"

"Hamilton."

"The IOA guy?" Ronon asked, throwing Jennifer a stick.

"The IOA guy." Jennifer confirmed.

"What's he done?" Ronon questioned, curious at what had got Jennifer so riled.

"Imagine Rodney, without the good points. Increase his arrogance and decrease his self awareness –"

"Not sure that's possible doc." Ronon said.

"Trust me, it is. Hamilton is the living proof."

"I thought he didn't talk to you." Ronon said as he fended off some swings from Jennifer.

"That was yesterday. Apparently he grew bored of not talking about himself so today he has told me all about himself and how he would be doing things differently. If I hear the phrase 'back when I was in' one more time I think I'm going to lose it. It wouldn't be so bad if every so often something he said was medically relevant, but so far not one piece of useful information has crossed his lips."

"He'll be gone soon." Ronon said as he started to carefully launch his own slow blows, all of which Jennifer defended.

"Soon isn't soon enough." Jennifer complained as she countered. This time as she put all of her frustrations into the blow she overbalanced and ended up in a heap on the floor.

"Don't over stretch yourself." Ronon chastised.

"Wasn't deliberate." Jennifer mumbled as she clambered to her feet again, starting to feel the tiredness take over.

"Concentrate on what's happening here. Not the IOA guy." Ronon said causing Jennifer to say.

"Easier said than done."

"Try." Ronon said firmly as he started another sequence of strikes, this time quicker. As he made his moves he was concerned with how slow Jennifer's reactions were and at one point nearly struck her head when she failed to defend herself.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Just tired. I should call it a night. I'll leave you to it." Jennifer said backing away.

"I've got to go anyway. I'm due on the Daedalus soon."

"You are?" Jennifer asked surprised.

"Yeah. McKay is showing his IOA guy some event in another system. Whole team has to go." Ronon shrugged.

"Enjoy."

"Doubt I will. It's going to be dull."

"Dull is better than a Wraith attack." Jennifer pointed out.

"If you say so."

"Ronon." Jennifer called as the Satedan reached the door. "I know things have been weird, but thanks for tonight. I needed it."

"Anytime doc." Ronon said leaving Jennifer alone in the gym.

-00-

"You have a minute?" John asked as he entered Woolsey's office.

"Of course. But I thought you were about to leave."

"Not for fifteen minutes, this shouldn't take that long." John explained as he shut the door.

"Take a seat." Woolsey suggested as he closed his folder.

"Where's your IOA shadow?" John questioned, wanting to make sure they weren't about to get interrupted.

"Getting some food. She won't be back for some time." Woolsey assured him.

"Good. I jump straight to it. This IOA visit is having negative effects on everyone."

"You mean Dr McKay?"

"As an example, but it is not just Rodney. Keller as well is getting wound up. Lorne was not complimentary about Hamilton's behaviour towards her on the mission. We've been pushing her too had recently as it is. The last thing she needs is this."

"What would you have me do?"

"Get rid of them." John suggested only half joking.

"Colonel, regular appraisals of performance is a key part of the IOA's role. They will not just scrap it as you don't approve."

"It's not that I don't approve, it is just that I don't think we need all the regulations. If you say McKay does a good job, that should be enough. Too many regs don't help anyone."

"Regulations are there for a reason." Woolsey said. "We need rules and regulations to function safely and effectively."

"True, but not every aspect of life needs them. A child lives quite happily without them." John countered.

"Although it does feel at times like I am overseeing several arguing children, you are all in fact adults. Besides any child who has been read the three little pigs has some appreciation for the need for regulations." Woolsey said.

"The three little pigs?" John asked, convinced that one of them had lost their mind.

"Yes, it is a story about th-"

"I know the story, I just don't see the link."

"It's simple. The first two pigs showed no regard for hard work and ended up with substandard houses. The third, built a real house, adhering to proper regulations, unafraid of the extra work. As a result, he was safe. The message is clear, if you don't follow regulations you risk getting eaten by a monster, in the pigs' case a wolf. Follow regulations and you will remain safe."

"So the IOA is a monster?" John asked, glad that Woolsey hadn't been around to read him bedtime stories as a child.

"That's not what I said." Woolsey replied. "The point is, the visit may be taxing and drain resources and cause some turbulence, but at the end of the day these reviews are for all of our protection and will ultimately result in a city operating in a more efficient way."

"I hope you're right, I really do. But if there isn't a change of attitude we are going to have some very disgruntled scientists on our hands." John warned.

"I understand and I'll do all I can." Woolsey assured him.