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.

Chapter 2 – Welcome to Atlantis!

"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.

"Doctor Hayden, welcome to Atlantis." Elizabeth Weir held a hand out to Mel.

Mel took the offered hand, squeezed it firmly, and smiled back. "Thank you for asking me here. And please call me Mel or Melody. I answer to both."

"Would you like a tour? Or would you just like to get settled in?"

"Actually, I would really like a tour. I've been feeling a little claustrophobic after being on the ship for three weeks." Mel gestured for Elizabeth to lead the way.

"Do you know many of the others stationed here?"

Mel smiled before answering. "Yes, I've met a large number of Atlantis personnel. Even though I have spent a great deal of time offworld, I have been with the SGC for nearly eight years. And, to answer your unspoken question, 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 following.

"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 and I 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. In the space of a heartbeat, Radek's face broke into a huge smile, and he had opened his arms. Mel stepped into them as his arms closed into a bear hug.

"It is so good to see you, Melody," Radek kissed her on the cheek.

"I asked Doctor Hayden to help Carson run the infirmary." Elizabeth looked from one to the other, looking for a clue.

Radek raised an eyebrow as he pulled away and put an arm around Mel's shoulders. "You didn't tell me anything about this in your last letter!"

Mel laughed and punched him lightly in the ribs. "I wanted to surprise you! Besides, I couldn't let you have all the fun out here in Pegasus!"

Elizabeth and Rodney looked at each other, both with a look of surprise in their eyes.

"So I take it that the two of you know each other?" Elizabeth asked.

"Melody and I were together for many years." Radek looked Elizabeth in the eye as he answered.

"And we were married for five of those years." Mel added as she looked at both her ex and her new boss. Hm, I think there could be something there, but neither has done anything. Radek's probably too prim and proper to do anything on his own. But what about our fearless leader? What's her reasons?

Elizabeth looked surprised. "You were married?" She asked the question more of Radek than of Melody.

"Many years ago. We've been divorced nearly as long as we had been together, and we have stayed friends for the last ten years." I should have told Elizabeth about Melody, but it didn't seem important at the time.

"Oh." Elizabeth seemed distracted by that answer. She mentally shook herself. It's not like you don't have a past, too! "Doctor Hayden, I suppose that you are anxious to see the infirmary and meet Carson?"

Mel smiled. "Yes, I would like to meet the Great Carson Beckett."

Rodney snorted. "Don't tell him that he's great! He'll think he's a god!"

"No Rodney, we leave that for you." Radek escorted the women to the door.