A/N: I hope I don't confuse you all with this chapter, but I will try and explain it so you won't be too confused. Alright, basically what this is, is a version of the last chapter, but from the commander's perspective, because during the conversation in the dreamscape between Lazarus and Tawney, their bodies are actually speaking in the physical plane. So Taggart is hearing what is being said...

Anyway, whatever is between are Taggart's thoughts on what is being said, and what is in between ' ' are what was said in the dreamscape. Hope this helps instead of making you all the more confused. Feedback is a necessity on this chapter because I am a little apprehensive of how it come out. And I don't think I portrayed the Commander too good. But I kinda wanted to give him a sinister feel for purposes involving the future sequel of this fic. Oh, and I lied, there is gonna be one more chapter to this story. :) Enjoy.

Rose

The Sigournate Virus

- Chapter 8 -

Commander Taggart's face was awash with mixed emotions as he watched the scene being played out before him. Lazarus stood over Tawney's prone form, eyes closed and holding her left hand in his. His right hand lay alongside her face as if he were caressing it. Taggart heard Tawney's melodious voice call out.

'Laz?'

And for an instant he thought she might have awakened. But one glance at her face proved her eyes to still be closed. Then Lazarus answered.

'Yes Tawney, it's me.'

The Commander watched silently as a smile slowly slid across Tawney's face and her body lurched up from the med slab and projected itself into Lazarus' arms with a whispered, 'You found me'. Taggart's jaw clenched when he noticed Lazarus nuzzle Tawney's neck then utter a tender, 'I will always find you.'

Commander Peter Quincy Taggart felt an emotion rise up in him at that remark. Bitter jealousy. He couldn't allow this to happen. He couldn't let some Mok'Tar take the only woman he had ever seriously allowed himself to have feelings for. But if he didn't allow it, then she would be lost to him, to all of them, forever. And if he did allow it... well, then she would still be lost to him. Because then she would be Bonded to Lazarus. Either way, he would lose.

Tawney's next unconsiously spoken words brought him back to the situation at hand.

'I'm dying, aren't I?'

'No!' Taggart's mind screamed, even as Lazarus spoke from within his trance.

'No love, you're not. You're not dying, because I have a way to cure you.'

Taggart couldn't stop his hands from clenching at his sides at the endearment that Lazarus lavished upon Tawney. 'No, she's not your love. She is mine. Not yours.' He raged from within.

He listened as Lazarus explained about the scientists and the antibody. It was all quite wierd to watch the conversation occur knowing that both of the participants' where not awake. And then...

'...the same chemical make-up of-'

'The pheremones excreted during the Mok'Tar Bonding Ritual.'

'How did she know that?' Taggart couldn't help but wonder. Better yet, why? Why would she know something like that? Taggart was quite sure her next comment was a diversionary tactic.

'I-I read it somewhere.'

'Yeah, I bet you did.' Taggart couldn't stop the vicious little thought from worming it's way to the forefront of his mind. Then Tawney began to babble. 'But, that's so unlike her. Tawney never babbles.'

And then came the confession. It shocked Taggart probably as much as it did Tawney, because she started to protest.

'I'm not Mok'Tar.'

'Aha! That's right, she's not. There's no way she can be your life mate, Laz ol' boy.'

'Is there?'

Taggart watched then as if in slow motion, as Lazarus leaned down and brought his lips to Tawney's. And it felt as if his guts were being wrenched from his stomach. And it got worse when she began to respond. He felt sick, but he did not know whether it was due to an oncoming illness or the heartache of seeing the woman of his affections slip through his fingers.

He was so distraught over thinking about the woman he had lost before he had ever had the chance to have her, that he nearly missed the soft glow that began to emanate from the two entwined figures.

'What the fuck?'

Right as the glow began to brighten even more, Tawney broke the kiss with a gasp.

'Wh-wh-what was that?'

'Yeah, Romeo, what the fuck was that?'

'You know so much about the Mok'Tar. Why don't you tell me.'

'Oh, this is ridiculous! Just say what the hell is going on!'

'It... was that the... but I thought that only happened when...'

'Only happened when I kissed my life mate?'

'Aww, hell!'

And that's when Tawney launched herself at Lazarus again, meeting his mouth with hers, and the Commander's restraint snapped. He turned abruptly from the passionately kissing couple and stalked out of the infirmary, leaving Tawney and Lazarus alone. Because if he stayed in there one more second, he was afraid he would have to hit something. Or preferably someone.

The kiss lasted what felt like forever. They couldn't get enough it seemed and neither wanted to be the first to pull away. But finally it became necessary as air became an issue. Lazarus pulled away reluctantly and looked into Tawney's eyes while he tried to catch his breath. Finally, when he had composed himself, he sighed.

"Tawney, are you sure that you want this? That you want me?"

When she started to reply, he cut her off.

"Because this is not something that you can go into blindly. This will be forever. There is no turning ba-"

He was cut off when she placed a finger lightly to his lips. Smiling behind it, Lazarus gently kissed the digit and nodded. Assuring her that he would not interrupt again.

"Laz, I...I have been wanting this for some time now. I don't know if it is possible for a human to feel the bonding urge, but I know I feel something whenever I'm around you. But even if I didn't feel it, I know that I would want this. Because, God help me, I want you Dr. Lazarus of Tev'Meck." Tawney smiled as she let her finger drop from his lips.

Lazarus felt as if a great burden had been lifted from his heart. She wanted this, she wanted him. And she would have him, for truth be told he, or at least his heart, had belonged to her for a good while now.

"Then love, I must leave you. But only for a short time. I have to end the mind link so that I can initiate the Bonding ritual. Once it is initiated, then you should feel the effects and wake up. Then, together we can finish the ritual, and be together." He smiled.

"Then go, my love. I will be waiting for you." She said, finally releasing her hold on him and allowed him to walk away. Leaving her beneath the large oak tree. But she had a feeling that she wouldn't be there for very long.

tbc...