Title: Amends 1/7
Characters: Radek Zelenka/Katie Brown, Dr. Lynara Alexston (OFC), Dr. Rodney McKay, Richard Woolsey, Lieutenant James McPhearson (OMC), and Dr. Jennifer Keller
Warnings: minor foul language
Author's notes: These characters do not belong to me: they are property of MGM. In this story, I mention a scene from the episode "Quarantine," and the plot idea was partly due to some brainstorming help from a friend. Also, this is my first time posting fanfiction in six years. Any constructive criticism and/or comments would be helpful! :) Enjoy!
Summary: After the quarantine on Atlantis, Rodney and Katie break up. However, Katie starts to take notice of another scientist.
Chapter 1
It was a rainy day in Atlantis. The sort of day most people would love to cuddle up by the fireplace and read a novel. However, like many days in the city, conflict had decided to erupt.
"Dr. Brown," Richard Woolsey radioed over his ear piece.
"Yes, Mr. Woolsey. Go ahead," Katie Brown replied.
"Could I see you within five minutes in my office, please?"
"Sure! I'll be right there."
Katie always tried to be punctual, but no matter how hard she attempted to be on time, it always seemed like she was at least one minute late for some obscure reason. Katie finally made it to Richard's office six minutes after getting off the radio with him.
"What can I do for you," Katie asked Richard.
"Drs. Rodney McKay, Radek Zelenka, and Jennifer Keller and Lieutenant James McPearson are going to the planet Ser Universita to investigate some Ancient technology there. They requested you to accompany them because they have also discovered some strange plant life on the planet. I would like you to bring back a sample of a plant for examination," Richard answered.
"Okay! Sure! I would be honored to go!" Katie grinned with excitement at the notion of going off world. It was rare for her to get the opportunity to travel out of the Pegasus galaxy because, in most scenarios, her expertise was not needed outside the botany lab. Today was obviously not one of those usual days, however. "Any guesses as to how long this mission is expected to be," Katie continued.
"I had told Rodney to attempt to return 8 hours from now," Richard replied to Katie. "Yet, I can't hold you guys to that time. With Rodney in charge of the mission, it will be difficult to be certain of when you and the rest will return. So, I will give you all the benefit of the doubt until the 10 hours instead."
Katie replied, "Alright. Well, this mission appears easy enough! I will see you later."
"Bye, and good luck," Richard answered.
"Thanks," Katie had gleefully said.
Katie quickly dressed in the appropriate attire for off-world travel, and then rushed to the botany lab to pack some odds and ends she guessed would be necessary to take on the mission trip. Yet again, by the time she was finished, she did not catch up with the others until five minutes later… and that was running all the way from the botany lab to the main control area where the stargate is.
"Where the hell have you been," Rodney barked at Katie.
"I was packing some necessary items for the mission, Rodney. Where else would I be," she barked back.
"Just don't pack the entire universe while you're at it," Rodney harshly replied.
Rodney had been awkward toward Katie ever since the day they were confined in the botany lab together during the accidental quarantine lockdown in Atlantis. That was the day their romantic relationship ended, but Katie assumed they could at least remain friends. Now, however, it was as if even that sort of relationship between them was diminishing. It hurt Katie to think about it because while she had been dating Rodney she had been shown a rare side of him that very few people notice, and she knew those good traits were still in him… somewhere. Katie chose not to think too much about it though because she inferred the mission would go a lot smoother if she would put aside personal emotions.
One by one they stepped through the stargate.