A/N: Turns out there was an insistent plot bunny for a further chapter so here it is...

"'bout time you showed up." John said as Ronon entered the gym. "Did you watch those videos I gave you?"

"No." Ronon shrugged.

"Then what have you been doing?" John asked, missing the small smile that crossed Ronon's lips. "Never mind. I'll just start with the basics. This is the ball." John started holding the basketball out to Ronon. "The aim is to get it through the hoop. If you want to travel with the ball you have to bounce it on the ground like so." With that he demonstrated simple dribbling. "Rodney you can pay attention too."

"Thought he wasn't playing." Ronon said.

"I wasn't." Rodney grumbled. "He's making me."

"This is a team thing." John said. "You should all want to play and prove our team is better than all the others."

"Teyla's not playing." Rodney pointed out.

"Teyla is pregnant." John said. "And that is the only excuse that will get you out of playing. So if you have something you want to tell me, now's the time. No? Good."

"Don't we need five?" Rodney asked.

"We do."

"There are only three of us." Rodney pointed out.

"Carter will be here in a moment and Higgs will join us in twenty."

"Higgs?"

"One of the new recruits. Excellent player apparently." John said as the gym doors opened.

"How'd he end up on our team?"

"One of the benefits of being in charge is I have access to all the files, allowing me to identify the college players and get them before anyone else."

"Sorry I'm late." Sam apologised.

"No problem. We were just about to start. So first drill, Ronon, I want to you dribble the ball past Rodney then pass it on to Carter. Rodney, try to get the ball off him." With that he threw the ball to Ronon who bounced it on the ground a couple of times before looking at John who called. "Let's go."

Ronon looked round the court, then at McKay. He then started to bounce the ball and walk it up to Rodney.

"That's it. Remember you want to get past him." John said.

Shrugging Ronon increased his speed and went right through Rodney who bounced off him and skidded along the floor. Ignoring the complaints Ronon threw the ball to Sam before looking back at an irate John who said.

"You are meant to go round him, not through him."

"You said get past him." Ronon shrugged.

"Let me clarify, you are not allowed to touch the other player. Let's try again." John said as Sam threw the ball to Ronon. This time Ronon set off at a run heading towards McKay. When he was a few steps away he growled.

"Move."

Obediently Rodney jumped out of the way and Ronon threw the ball to Sam.

"Rodney what was that?" John demanded. "You are meant to hold your ground."

"In case you haven't noticed I'm a genius. That means I'm not going to do something really stupid, like stand in Ronon's way."

"Fine. This time try to get past me." John said looking at Ronon. "And by past I mean round, with no touching."

-00-

"Should you be working?" Ronon asked when he entered the infirmary an hour later.

"I'm fine." Jennifer said turning. Noticing Rodney holding an ice pack to his face Jennifer took hold of Rodney's arm and escorted him to a gurney asking. "What happened?"

"He got in the way of a basketball." Ronon said. Before adding. "I didn't throw it, it was Sheppard."

"You left out the deliberate part." McKay said.

"Okay, let's have a look." Jennifer said prying the ice pack away from Rodney revealing a slightly swollen cheek.

"Does this hurt?" She asked gently touching the cheek.

"Of course it hurts, it's just been hit with a basketball." Rodney shot back. "I thought you were meant to be a doctor." His last comment causing Ronon to growl at him. "What's your problem?" Rodney questioned. "You're an even worse patient than I am."

Before anyone could respond John entered the infirmary causing Jennifer to immediately ask.

"Don't you cause me enough work sparring? Perhaps I should ban you from the gym."

"Sorry doc. Didn't realise his reactions were so slow." John apologised. "How is he?"

"Bad." McKay said. "She said I shouldn't play again."

"No she didn't." Ronon chipped in.

"So nothing broken?" John probed.

"No. There may be some minor bruising. But nothing serious." Jennifer said before looking at Rodney and adding. "You're already stocked up on painkillers so I won't give you anymore. But use what I gave you last week if it gets tender."

"I don't think I can play again." Rodney said looking at John.

"Is he pregnant?" John asked Jennifer, causing the doctor to wonder if she had got a nasty concussion after all.

"What?" She eventually asked.

"Is he pregnant?"

"Colonel have you hit your head?" She asked.

"No. But I have a deal with Rodney so I need to know if he's pregnant."

"Of course I'm not pregnant." Rodney said.

"Good, then stop complaining. We meet again in an hour."

"An hour? That barely leaves me time to eat." Rodney complained.

"Then get moving. Same goes for you Ronon." John said leaving the gym, followed by a complaining Rodney.

"He's taking it seriously." Ronon shrugged.

"So I can see."

"I think it's stupid."

"I picture you more of a hockey guy. Lot's of fights in that." Jennifer smiled.

"Sounds fun." Ronon grinned back before tenderly touching her jaw.

"How is it?"

"Sore. But I'll live. So you have extra practice tonight?"

"Yeah sorry."

"Breakfast tomorrow?" Jennifer suggested.

"Wouldn't miss it." He smiled before leaving the infirmary.

-00-

"Remember no fouling." John warned Ronon the following day as the match was about to start. "Do not touch Smith." He added noticing the glare Ronon was giving the Captain. "There will be plenty of time to teach him manners during training. Right now we need to win the game and the way to do that is not to foul."

"No promises." Ronon said walking out onto the court.

"Why do I think I'm going to regret listening to Lorne about this whole basketball idea?" Sam asked walking up to John.

"Relax, he's more bark than bite….normally." John said casting a worried glance at Ronon who had decided to ignore team orders and mark Smith. "If it gets out of hand I'll bench him."

As the game started John was surprised with how much support his team was getting from the large crowd and was pleased that his star player, Higgs, seemed to be thriving off it. When the ball finally made its way to Smith's hands John was taken aback with the ferocity of the booing from the crowd. Glancing over he saw Ronon was also surprised and apparently appeased, albeit temporarily.

As the first quarter neared its end John started to relax and worry less about Ronon. But as he stopped watching the former runner Smith seized his chance to goad the Satedan.

"Oh yeah, she wants me." He said glancing at Jennifer who sat cheering John's team. "Has done from day one. The shy thing's just an act." He said before running off to collect a pass. When Ronon reached him he continued. "She spent the whole game coming onto me." This time, growling, Ronon broke free and caught the ball. As Smith approached he said. "She wants me. In fact tonight I'm-"

Before Smith could finish Ronon had had enough and instead of passing the ball to John he hurled it straight at Smith's head, catching the Captain off-guard.

As Smith went down clutching his head Jennifer ran onto the court. As she passed Sam the Colonel looked at Jennifer to ensure she was happy with treating the Captain. Subtly nodding Jennifer knelt next to Smith and said.

"Let me look"

Placing her hands on his face she started to examine the area and ask him which movements hurt.

"I'm fine. That inbred barbarian isn't going to stop me." Smith said clambering to his feet.

Standing to meet him she said. "Until I clear you you're not playing so answer my questions." As she did so Ronon took a step closer ready to pounce if Smith did anything out of line.

She then shone a torch in his eyes with one hand and held his cheek with her other as she looked at his eye.

"Are you experiencing any dizziness?" She asked. When she couldn't hear his response over the crowd she leaned in. As she did so Ronon took another step forward. When Ronon saw Jennifer's eyes widen in shock he was about to step in, but before he had a chance Jennifer quickly brought her knee up and connected with the Captain's groin. As he crumbled the crowd cheered and Ronon stepped up to her grinning.

"You okay?"

"I am now." She smiled back.

"I'm thinking." John said to Sam, who had surprise written all over her face. "That maybe this tournament would run smoother if we banned the doc."