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McKeller Flash Fiction:

Thirsty?

After awhile it became something of a game—Jennifer, sitting alone at the end of the bar, sipping a tall mug of Guinness and rejecting every attempt to buy her another. Rodney could tell she was annoyed at first, but after the fifth suitor, her demeanor changed. She began to smile and flirt back as she let each man down easy.

The stool beside her seldom stayed vacant, as a steady stream of men vied for a chance to probe the mystery of the evening. Who was Jennifer Keller waiting for? A few girls even joined in. Rodney recognized Alicia Vega and Dusty Mehra. Jennifer pretended to think over Alicia's offer the longest. At least Rodney assumed it was a pretense. For all he knew, Jennifer might prefer women.

No one was hitting on Jennifer anymore as the rules had become apparent. Each suitor would be allowed one question after his inevitable brush-off.

"Buy you a drink?" asked Chuck, the gate technician.

"No thanks," Jennifer replied. "I'm waiting for someone."

Chuck scratched his chin. "Your mystery man, is he tall?"

"Taller than me."

"Is he...?"

She wagged a finger and spoke no further until the tech was replaced.

"Is he handsome?" That was Dusty back for seconds.

Jennifer winked. "You know it."

Dusty pressed, "Is he a soldier?"

Protests over Dusty's rule-breaking were silenced by Jennifer's raised hand. Rodney had anticipated this question with dread. A yes would take him out of the running.

Jennifer raised her glass for a slow sip, milking the moment for all its worth. "Not exactly," she said.

Rodney was puzzled until the door opened and in walked Ronon Dex—Ronon, who had no military commission but was easily the match of any soldier on base. Not exactly, indeed.

Rodney wished he'd left when the game started, but having stayed for its entirety, he might as well go for the win. Taking the stool beside Jennifer, he said, "Is it—?"

"There you are, Rodney," Jennifer said. "Can I buy you a drink?"

End

The word count is 335. If Dusty can break a rule for the sake of Rodney and Jennifer, so can I.