There's Running and then There's Running
Part 1
She'd answered the ad in JAMA on a whim. The position was in Colorado, and that was somewhere she
hadn't lived yet. She'd sent in a CV. Two days later was flying out for an interview. Garrett hadn't
wanted to give her the time off, but she'd pushed. She had told him him he could give her 3 days or
she'd quit now. It wasn't like she had anything tying her to Boston at this point. And there were a
hell of a lot of reasons to leave. She'd been fighting the urge to run for months.
When she arrived in Colorado she was interviewed by the Chief Medical Officer for the military base that
had put out the ad, Dr. Carolyn Lam. One of the first things Dr. Lam asked was how she would feel such a
change in location. Jordan had responded that at the moment, the further the better. Dr. Lam had nodded
and reached into her briefcase, pulling out a stack of papers.
"Before I can discuss details of the position, I'm going to need you to sign these non-disclosure
agreements." Dr. Lam laid the paperwork out before Jordan. After a moment's consideration, Jordan
signed on each of the dotted lines.
"You know, this looks like rather a lot of promising I won't talk to anyone. Not that I would, of course.
But am I going to need a security clearance or something? Because that might be a bit of a problem. I had
a hell of a time getting the liquor license for my dad's bar renewed. And I'm going to guess that might
be just a little more discriminating."
"Your security clearance will be taken care of if you accept the position. If not, should you ever
violate your non-disclosure agreements, we have the special forces and a presidential mandate."
"Uh-huh. Right." Jordan nodded slowly. "Well, let's take a look at that position then. And we can
start with why I just signed my life away in black ink."
Dr. Lam smiled coolly. "Let's just say that our idea of 'the further, the better' is a bit different
than your average person's, Dr. Cavanaugh."
Jordan raised an eyebrow. "This I gotta hear." She settled back in her chair, crossing her legs.
"Could we review your work history?" She paused, and took Jordan's silence as assent. "You worked with
the Boston Morgue for a total of 6 years, with time assisting the LAPD in the middle. Correct?"
Jordan nodded. "Yeah, I uh wanted some time away. Garrett-Dr. Macy was kind enough to take me back on
when I wanted to return to the Boston area."
"What made you go into forensic pathology? Your initial residency was in cardiology, was it not?"
"Yeah. There were some political clashes within my department. I found that I couldn't remain in good
conscience, and Dr. Macy offered me an alternative career path."
"So would it be correct to assume that you have a strong background in trauma? Aside from your chosen
profession, of course."
"You could say that." Jordan frowned. "What's this about? I thought I was interviewing for a coroner
position."
"One more question, and then I'll explain, Dr. Cavanaugh. We've done a bit of checking into your
background, work history and the like. You've handled quite a variety of situations over your years in
the Boston Morgue. Pushed limits. Why?"
"The dead deserve to speak, Dr. Lam. And they can't do it themselves, so I do it for them. I'm not vain,
but I'm damn good at what I do."
Dr. Lam nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you. Now, as to the position. This facility houses a device known
as a Stargate. It allows travel to various locations throughout the galaxy. Some of these planets are
friendly, some are not. In addition to our galaxy, the gate can also connect with a point in the
Pegasus Galaxy. We have a base set up there, and due to a myriad number of reasons, they have requested
to have a coroner stationed there. Are you with me this far?"
Jordan smirked. "Stargate leads to other planets. Military base in another galaxy. Right. Want to
try again?"
"I'm not joking, Dr. Cavanaugh. But you said the further, the better. This is about as far as you can
get. There are dangers, the base is currently engaged in a war with a hostile alien species known as
the Wraith, but as a civilian you would receive hazard pay as well as a substantial signing bonus.
When your skills were not needed, you would assist in the city's infirmary." Jordan's eyes had been
widening as Dr. Lam spoke. A war? Maybe she wasn't joking. There was a weariness in Dr. Lam's eyes
that Jordan associated with veterans.
"You're... you're really serious about this, aren't you?"
"Deadly serious, Dr. Cavanaugh. And the next ship bound for Atlantis, our base in the Pegasus
Galaxy, leaves in two days. So I need your decision in one." Dr. Lam looked through her papers and
selected one, passing it to Jordan. "This has details on the base pay, signing bonus, and hazard
differentials. It also includes a comprehensive job description." Dr. Lam rose. "Now, I have things
I need to attend to. The airman outside can show you to sleeping quarters or the mess. You're free to
leave if you choose, but you cannot discuss anything you have seen here with anyone else."
Jordan nodded, thinking of the emotional mess she was attempting to leave behind. Between Pollack
hedging around a proposal and Woody having previously proposed (before they ever slept together,
now things were even more complicated) she just wanted to get away. She stood, cutting off Dr.
Lam's departure. "No need, Doctor. I'll take the position. This is about as far as I can go. Is
there someone who can help me wrap up a few loose ends in Boston?"
Dr. Lam relaxed, a grin lighting up her tired features. "I'm sure I can find someone. I'll just
inform the general that I've found him a coroner, then we'll see about getting you squared away."
She stepped out the door and spoke to the airman standing next to it before turning and disappearing
from Jordan's sight.
Jordan stepped over to the door and turned to the airman. "So, Atlantis, huh?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Ever been there?"
"No, ma'am."
"Right."
Take Me Elsewhere:
Part Two
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