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.

I had written Complications, but thought of a new version of the story.

Chapter 7 - Interludes

Melody had been on Atlantis for nearly a month before her first major medical emergency, which, as chance should have it, involved AG-1 getting on the bad side of a potential trading partner AGAIN. They came back hot at the beginning of Mel's shift, and everyone was patched up and resting in the infirmary before she left for the night. After bringing Zach Martinez up to date on his new charges, Mel headed towards her quarters.

"May I join you?" Elizabeth Weir met Melody going out the infirmary door.

"Certainly." Mel fell into step with her boss.

"How is everyone?"

Mel sighed. "They'll live, but I think Zack will probably knock Sheppard and McKay's heads together before the night is through. They were picking on each other about this mission like they were little boys."

"That sounds like par for the course. I have been wanting to speak to you on another matter." Elizabeth thought for a moment before resuming." I just wanted to tell you again of how sorry I am of the way I acted during your first day."

"I am sure that everyone was thrown for a loop when it came out that Radek and I had been married."

Elizabeth stopped walking for a moment and turned toward Melody. "I acted like a complete bitch. And I am truly sorry."

Mel shrugged her shoulders. "Have you done anything about Radek?"

Elizabeth turned an interesting shade of pink. "There hasn't been an opportunity since we spoke."

Mel snapped her fingers. "That's right! Radek's been back and forth to the mainland almost everyday for the last couple of weeks working on that desalination plant." Mel batted her eyelashes. "He was supposed to be done with that this morning."

Elizabeth blushed even more. "I know he is. I believe he is working in his lab since Rodney is indisposed at the moment."

Mel winked at the other woman. "No time like the present?"

Elizabeth looked excited, worried, and sick at the same time. "Do you think he...?"

Mel laughed. "I wouldn't be pushing BOTH of you if you both hadn't admitted to me that you like each other! Now go and stake your claim on the man!" Mel gently pushed the other woman in the direction of the science labs.

After watching Elizabeth's retreating back, Mel turned down the corridor to the mess hall. She only walked a couple of steps before she heard the chuckle. Turning her head slightly, she saw Carson hiding on the other side of a liquid conduit, leaning a shoulder on the blue-reflected glass with his arms crossed.

"Are you eavesdropping? Hm?" Mel moved in front of him and poked an accusatory finger into his shoulder.

"It's just funny how ye are trying to matchmake your former husband." Carson's eyes were twinkling with glee.

Mel shrugged. "He's a great guy who deserves a good woman to share his life."

"And you've figured out that this is Elizabeth?"

Melody's jaw dropped in mock horror. "Haven't you seen how they look at each other? I've caught them wistfully glancing each other's way every time they've been in the same room. And it's gotten worse since I suggested to each separately that the other is interested."

"And ye have taken in upon yourself to play matchmaker?"

Mel lowered her head slightly, looked up at Carson over her glasses, and raised her right eyebrow. "Like any of you were helping the situation?"

"Okay, I admit that we're all a little bit daft about Elizabeth and Radek as a couple. What about yourself?" Carson's face looked serious, but his eyes were still twinkling.

"What about me?" Mel was wondering where this conversation was heading.

"Do ye see yourself with anyone here on Atlantis?" Carson moved closer and leaned over Melody.

Mel's brain kicked in enough to realize that if Carson raised his left hand to the conduit, she would be trapped in his arms. She raised her eyes to his, entranced by how the blue had darkened to midnight. "Are you offering?"

He moved his face so close that their lips were separated by only a whisper. "Do ye want me to?"