In honor of Rush's well deserved and long overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I give you this.

"I'm not doing it," groused Rodney as he traipsed towards the Stargate. He glanced to his right and said to Sheppard, "Tell the carnies to pack up their circus and fuc…."

"Sorry, Rodney," interrupted Sheppard with just enough sympathy in his voice to indicate he was in fact very sorry about the whole thing. "It's a new procedure apparently."

"A stupid one," retorted Rodney.

"I agree," said Sheppard, "but it's how it is and there's nothing we can do about it."

"I can quit."

John stopped and reached out to grab Rodney's arm to stop him as well. When the scientist looked at him John said, "It's just a meeting. Go in and tell them that you love Cadman and it won't affect your work or the mission."

"Just tell them the truth?" When John nodded Rodney sighed. "Is it really going to be that easy?"

"Just tell them, Rodney," John said with a reassuring pat on Rodney's shoulder. "There's not a ghost of a chance of them doing anything to either of you."

Rodney smiled and started towards the gate. "When did you become the expert in IOA politics and relationships?"

"What can I say?" responded the Colonel with a smile. "I'm a new world man."

Rodney grimaced but then said. "Seems like every other week these days we go into the twilight zone or something."

John knew exactly what Rodney was saying. Things were definitely weirder than usual lately. It seemed like half the word was against them these days and the other half couldn't care less one way or the other. Now the IOA was breathing down their necks about fraternization, like they knew what they were talking about.

"I'm just not in the mood to meet with them just because some paper pusher somewhere got bored and decided to make my life miserable."

John could sense the genuine frustration in Rodney's voice. "What does Cadman think about all of this?"

Rodney rolled his eyes and mumbled something. John couldn't pick out everything, but he was sure he heard 'losing it', 'C4', 'scars', 'witch hunt' and 'justice'.

Rodney came to a halt in front of the DHD and started pressing the symbols that would activate the gate and take them home. "You're going to be there, right?"

"You bet your life," replied Sheppard, filing the desperation in Rodney's voice away in his mind for later teasing. "No one messes with my friends and gets away with it."

Rodney nodded as the gate exploded to life. "Good." He looked up to the blazing sun and said, "Let's get out of here before we roast."

"Right behind you, Rodney," replied Sheppard with a grin as Rodney had taken off before he'd even finished speaking. "Always."

A/N: "Carnies" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 2012 Album, Clockwork Angels.

"How it is" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 2002 album, Vapor Trails.

"Mission" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1987 album, Hold Your Fire.

"Ghost of a Chance" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1991 album, Roll the Bones.

"New World Man" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1982 album, Signals.

"The Twilight Zone" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1976 album , 2112.

"Half the World" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1996 album, Test for Echo.

"In the Mood" was written by Geddy Lee and released on the band's 1974 album, Rush.

"Losing it" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1982 album, Signals.

"Scars" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1989 album, Presto.

"Witch Hunt" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1981 album, Moving Pictures.

"You Bet Your Life" was written by Neil Peart and composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. It was released on their 1991 album, Roll the Bones.