Disclaimer: MGM owns SGA; KOI does NOT.

Spoilers: Before I Sleep, Shrine, The Lost Tribe

Note: An answer to the downtime challenge by Shadows-of-Realm and theicemenace, 300 words about two Atlantis characters during their off time. This entry comes in at 299.

Downtime:

Beer on the Pier

"I haven't watched the film in twenty years, John."

John popped the top on his third beer. "The parallels are there. You both have a Doc Brown."

"Had," Rodney snapped.

"You both wanted to be musicians."

"I regret telling you that."

"And," John concluded, "while Marty McFly dates Jennifer Parker, Merry McKay pines after Jennifer Keller."

"Call me 'Merry' again, and I'll push you off the pier."

Beer on the pier had become a bi-weekly event for John and Rodney. The only rules: no bitching about work, and no bragging about women. Rodney broke the first rule; John, the second.

John was surprised he hadn't been chided for his dig about Keller. He snapped his fingers. "You and Marty have nicknames you hate!"

Rodney looked incredulous.

" 'Nobody calls me chicken!' The sequels?"

"Yes, John, I watched sequels to a movie I despised."

John snorted. "You know who likes part three? Keller. We watched it together at movie night."

"You and Jennifer?" Betrayal was painted across Rodney's face.

"It wasn't a date. She was ducking that geologist who hits on her."

"Oh."

John said, "You should be the one protecting her from those guys."

"I know that."

"Ronon will if you won't."

"I know."

"Anyway, Jennifer mentioned she likes the movie's love story. I thought she was flirting until she said Doc Brown reminds her of you."

Rodney frowned. "The old guy?"

"The old-er guy," John corrected, "with 'puppy dog eyes'."

He could see the gears turning in Rodney's head. "Do you think she'd watch it with me?"

John checked his watch. "The night is young."

"We could claim one of the big screens."

"On the couch in your quarters. Trust me."

As Rodney scurried away, John tapped his earwig. "Ronon, it's done. You're sure Keller's interested in McKay?"

The End