Disclaimer – I have no claim on Stargate: SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis other than the chance to live out a few fantasies. Dr. Melody Hayden is my own creation and alter ego in this story.
Complications – Chapter 1
"Doctor Hayden, are you leaving the SGC?" Teal'c asked as he was escorting Melody Hayden down the hall on Level 18.
Mel stopped mid-stride. Wow, news sure travels faster around here than I thought. But I knew that! She took shook her head and thought a moment before answering the Jaffa. "I'm not exactly leaving. I've been asked to Atlantis."
"This is a great opportunity for you." Teal'c continued on their journey to a briefing.
Mel let out a big, loud breath. "I guess you could call it that. I have a feeling that General O'Neill would think I was being spanked."
"Jack would think what?" Daniel Jackson joined the party moving closer to the conference room on the level above the Gate Room.
"That by sending me to Atlantis, I am being punished."
"For what?" Sam Carter entered the room just behind the other three.
"I am completely clueless. I guess Elizabeth Weir asked for me to be reassigned to Atlantis." Mel took a place at the large table.
"Doctor Weir has a need for your expertise." General Landry entered the room and motioned for everyone to sit at the table.
"She already has experts in almost every single field including oceanography. Why would she need me?" Mel asked as Walter passed folders to each of the SG-1 team and her.
"She asked you because you are one of the best in your field. You've been offworld more than any other oceanographer currently attached to the SGC." General Landry looked at Mel with a worried look in his eye. "I guess they are having a few issues on Atlantis that are right up your alley. Especially after Doctor McKay nearly died when his puddle jumper sank to the ocean floor."
"That means they must need to go a bit deeper into the Atlantis ocean environment." Mel rolled her eyes. "With my little play toy Ike."
"Yes."
"General, sir, why are we here?" Sam asked the question for Teal'c, Daniel, and herself.
"To help Doctor Hayden acquaint herself with some of the Atlantis personnel. Because of her time offworld, there may be some of the senior staff she hasn't met before that you may be able to give her pointers on." General Landry got up from his chair and walked over to Mel. "I have enjoyed having you here, Doctor Hayden."
Mel was getting a bit choked up. "It has been a pleasure, sir." They shook hands for a moment, and then the general left the room so Mel and SG-1 could get to work.
Mel chuckled after a moment. "There is one person assigned to Atlantis who you don't have to warn me about."
Sam laughed as she answered. "Rodney?"
"Yep. I worked with him at Area 51 a couple of times before he went to Atlantis. I'm even an imbecile according to him." Mel opened the folder in front of her and began to scan the list. "Let's see. I've met Sheppard, Beckett, Lorne, oh shit."
Daniel and Sam looked up from their lists, looked at Mel, and then looked at each other. Teal'c slowly looked from Mel to Daniel, one eyebrow raised.
Mel plunked the folder down and pushed the chair away from the table. "There is slight complication. Aw, hell, make it a huge complication."
"Someone you know, Doctor Hayden?" Teal'c asked for the three of them.
"Sam, remember that time I told you about the thing?"
"You mean your…Oh." Sam had the conversation slam back into her mind. "That could be interesting." Sam looked concerned for her colleague.
"Which one?" Daniel was curious.
"Not from the US contingent. Czech Republic. Doctor Radek Zelenka."
"Very smart, able to deal with Rodney on a daily basis. Should be a candidate for sainthood." Sam smiled at Mel.
Mel hid her face in her hands for a moment. "It didn't end very well."
"Lots of screaming and throwing things?" Daniel asked.
"Actually the opposite. One day I realized we were just not together."
"Why?" Sam asked.
Mel looked down at her hands for a moment. When her gaze met Sam's, there were tears in her eyes. "A couple of huge complications. That just got bigger and bigger."
Daniel reached across the table and took Mel's hand. "If you don't think you can do this, I am sure Elizabeth and the General will understand."
Mel squeezed back and smiled tearily. "I need to deal with him and this huge shadow. But thanks for the support." Mel cleared her throat. "Now, is there anyone else I should look out for?"
