Chapter 3

A few weeks later, Mel was wrapping up her analysis on several plants that were native to the Atlantis ocean floor. She had just finished logging off her computer when Elizabeth Weir strode into the laboratory.

"How is your report coming, Melody?"

Mel smiled at the timing. "I just finished the report and it should be on its way to your computer."

"So, does that kelp have any value nutritionally or chemically?"

Mel wrinkled her nose. "Definitely not on the food area because they taste like skunk cabbage, and I am still waiting on the final chemical analysis."

Elizabeth laughed. "Would you care to join me for supper in the commissary?"

"I would like to." Mel looked down for a moment, and then looked Elizabeth squarely in the eye. "I think I need to explain the exchange that Radek and I had on my first day."

Elizabeth held a hand up to stop Mel. "No, your personal business is your own."

"But you must be curious?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Rodney has been picking on me to find out what happened between you and Radek."

"He does have an insatiable curiosity." Mel laughed.

"That he does."

Mel took a deep breath and then plowed on ahead. "Radek and I were married."

Elizabeth looked shocked. "Oh, my."

"We met when we were undergrads and married the summer after I got my undergrad degree."

"How long were you together, if I may be so bold to ask?" Elizabeth realized the humility it took Mel to tell her this.

"I met Rad when I was eighteen and just starting at the university. He was twenty-three and just starting his fourth year. He was older due to fact he had compulsory military service in the Czech army for two years. He had come to the US on a foreign study program after that. We married four years later, and it all ended two years later."

Elizabeth took a moment to choose her next question. "And you haven't seen each other since?"

"He moved out of our cottage fifteen years ago last month, and I haven't seen him since. I've heard rumblings about his career over the years, but until I was being briefed on personnel here at Atlantis, I had no idea that Radek was working for the SGC. I was on a long-term mission when he came to work here, and communication was pretty sporadic."

"Where were you stationed?"

Mel smiled. "A little Gamma site, a little Tokra, a little Asgard…."

Elizabeth smiled back. "That's sounds intriguing. We have to talk about that sometime."

"Doctor Weir, I just want to assure you that I won't let my personal feelings for Radek get in the way. I know living in tight quarters can make for interesting relationships, so I will keep it strictly professional."

"That's really not necessary," Elizabeth reassured the newcomer.

Mel looked Elizabeth in the eye. "Yes, it is. I hurt a lot for a very long time after my marriage ended. It took me years to get over it. I need to keep a distance if I am to stay here."

"I understand. Shall we go get that dinner?'' The women left the lab.