Chapter 2
"I hope your stay on Atlantis is educational, Doctor Hayden." Colonel Caldwell shook Mel's hand as she prepared to leave the Daedalus, which had docked on one of Atlantis' piers.
"I think it will be." Mel smiled at the colonel, and then turned to the party greeting the newcomers.
"Melody, welcome to Atlantis." Elizabeth Weir held a hand out to Mel.
Mel took the offered hand, squeezed it gently, and smiled back. "Thank you for asking me here."
"Would you like a tour? My staff will unload Ike."
"I am sure they'll handle Ike just fine. I would really like that tour." Mel gestured for Elizabeth to lead the way.
"Do you know many of the others stationed here?"
Mel let out the breath that she had been holding. "I have met a few since I have been with the SGC for nearly eight years. And, yes, I have meet Rodney McKay, and been judged lacking in brain power."
Elizabeth grinned wickedly. "You will find that there aren't very many egomaniacs here. Rodney has enough ego to fill the whole city."
Both women laughed as they made their way into the city.
About an hour later, they two found themselves at the laboratory of the mad scientist himself, Rodney McKay. Elizabeth made her way into the lab, with Mel coming more cautiously behind her.
"Elizabeth, it is impossible to work here." Rodney had been running his hands through his hair in frustration, causing it to stand straight up, completing the mad scientist persona.
"What's the matter now, Rodney?" Elizabeth steeled herself for the whining that would come next.
"Radek is not letting me have any time with that devise that Sheppard picked up last week on that jungle planet."
"Is that true, Radek?" Elizabeth asked the man who was coming from the back of the lab.
"Rodney wants to completely dismantle the devise before we have finished analyzing the markings on the case." Radek turned from the mission's leader to introduce himself to the newcomer beside Elizabeth.
"Oh, yes, hello Doctor Hayden. I heard that you were coming to Atlantis…." Rodney's voice trailed off when he realized that no one was listening to him.
Mel and Radek stood there, staring at each other. Rodney and Elizabeth looked at each other, bewildered.
"What are you doing here?" Radek asked, anger creeping into his voice.
"I asked Doctor Hayden to help further our understanding of the oceans on Atlantis." Elizabeth looked from one to the other, looking for a clue.
Radek raised an eyebrow. "You work for the government now?"
Mel suddenly found her voice. "I've been working for the Pentagon and Area 51 for nearly fifteen years, and I've been at Cheyenne Mountain and the SGC for almost eight. I left the cottage a few weeks after you."
At her words, Elizabeth and Rodney looked at each other, both with a look of surprise in their eyes.
"Maybe I should see you to your quarters." Elizabeth didn't want two of her most brilliant scientists at each other's throats this soon.
"Uh, okay." Mel turned to follow but found it hard to break eye contact with Radek.
Radek didn't have the same problem, and turned to walk back into the laboratory.
The interaction left Elizabeth and Rodney with the same thought – Something went on there that didn't end well.
