MGM owns SGA.

Part 4 is 425 words.

McKeller Flash Fiction:

The World's Worst Pickup Line

Part 4

The sound of a throat clearing made Rodney jump. He turned to find the blond from the bar standing beside him. She could barely suppress a grin.

"Excuse me, sir? I was hoping you could answer a question for me." She set her beer on the table. Reaching into her pocket, she produced a cocktail napkin folded in half. "Does this smell like chloroform to you?"

Rodney blinked in confusion. "What?"

"Does this...?" She placed the napkin in his palm and closed his fingers around it. "...smell like chloroform?"

He still didn't get it.

"See, if I trick you into sniffing chloroform, you'll pass out and be at my mercy." She sighed. "It's supposed to be a pickup line, but I guess maybe it only works on girls."

"Oh? Do you hit on a lot of girls?"

"No!" Color stained her cheeks. "Let's start over. Hi, I'm Jennifer."

"Rodney." When he fell silent, Sheppard kicked him beneath the table.

"Ow. Oh." Rodney extended a hand. "Sorry if I embarrassed you. It's a good line, and clever now that I think about it."

"I wish I could take credit since you're obviously so impressed, but your friend actually tried it out on me."

"My friend, eh?" He glared at Sheppard, whose shoulders shook with mirth.

"Wasn't the plan for me to send Rodney over to you, Jennifer?"

She shrugged. "I lost patience. Besides, I'm not too good at following orders, Colonel."

"On that note." Sheppard scooted his chair away from the table and offered it to Jennifer. He smirked at Rodney. "Lesson six, genius: be polite. Ask the lady to sit."

Sheppard released a low whistle. "Simply amazing."

From across the room he watched Rodney and Jennifer lean forward and share another kiss. It was fairly tame as kisses go, a simple peck and blush. Sheppard himself had shared far more intense osculations that very evening with the redhead hanging on his arm. But somehow he sensed that his friend had the better deal.

"Johnny," the redhead whined. "Pay attention to me." She thrust out her chest provocatively.

Sheppard smiled. Then again.

He spared a final glance at the scientist and his new lady friend. If Rodney fell back on old habits, he'd avoid Jennifer for months after tonight. Lucky for him, he had Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard to ride his ass until he followed up. After all, what else were friends—and team leaders—for?

END