Title: Return To Tev'Meck (Sequel to 'The Sigournate Virus')
Author: Rose (buffybot76@hotmail.com)
Rating: R
Pairing: Dr. Lazarus/Tawney Madison
Summary: The crew of the NSEA Protector are summoned back to Lazarus' homeworld of Tev'Meck. But it is a bittersweet homecoming.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Galaxy Quest characters. They belong to Dreamworks and the writers of the wonderful screenplay.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Distribution: It is on fanfiction.net right now. If you want it, let me know and you can have it.
Chapter 6
After Katelyn left the galley, she had stopped by the Medic Bay to get something to ease her nausea. Then she had retreated to her quarters for intense strategy planning. She couldn't believe she had wimped out like that back in the galley, in front of the Commander and... HER! Katie was so embarassed, but that still didn't stop her from scheming to get Commander Taggart for herself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"We're supposed to wear THAT?" Taggart could not keep the disdain from his voice, as he looked at the robes that Lazarus had handed him in horror.
Lazarus gave Peter a look that said, 'Please? It would mean a great deal to me' and the Commander gave a sigh as he grudgingly replied, "Oh, alright."
Tawney was smiling at the childish display before her. She couldn't help it, it was just so cute. She turned to look at Laredo, who had a look of awe on his face as he examined his robes.
"Wow, this is just great. I like the color, too." Laredo commented on the brown and orange material.
"It's the colors of our people." Lazarus provided, as he moved to stand beside his mate. He placed an arm securely around Tawney's waist and pulled her close.
Both of their backs were to the Commander, so they did not notice the scowl on the man's face. Unfortunately, Laredo, who was facing Taggart, did notice.
'Don't even think about it, man. It's not going to happen.' Laredo thought to himself.
Peter noticed the way Laredo was staring at him, and started slightly at the fact that he had been caught coveting Tawney. He averted his eyes guiltily from the young man's stare and cleared his throat.
"Um, maybe we should check on our progress. See how much longer we have?" He offered.
Tawney turned to Taggart and smiled. "Sure, Peter. Hang on, just let me open a link."
Tawney disengaged herself from Lazarus' arms and walked over to the comlink.
"Computer?" Tawney began.
{Yes Lieutenant Madison.} The electronic voice of the main computer answered.
"Give an estimated arrival time of the NSEA Protector in the Tev'Meck orbit."
After only a moment, the electronic voice was back. {Estimated time of arrival in the planet Tev'Meck's orbit, 3 hours and 37 minutes.}
Tawney turned back to the others, "Three hours and 37 minutes, Peter; we've got time to rest up before we get there, guys", she replied. "Sounds like a plan", replied Taggart. "OK, everybody, let's be on the Command Deck, ready to digitize, in 3 hours, 15 minutes; until then, let's hit the sack!"
Laredo waited until the Commander moved to exit the room, before falling into step behind him. Once they had left the couple's quarters, Laredo turned to Taggart. The helmsman didn't say a word, but Peter could see the disapproval in the young man's eyes as he slowly shook his head before turning and walking away. The Commander gave a haggard sigh before turning and walking in the opposite direction that Laredo had gone. He needed to talk to someone. And he figured he knew just the person.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As soon as the entrance panel had slid closed behind the Commander and Laredo, Lazarus slumped slightly against Tawney.
"Laz!" Tawney shouted in concern, as she caught her mate in her arms.
As Laz began weeping uncontrollably, Tawney again felt his grief and despair overcome her. She now realized that he'd somehow hidden his pain from her...and from himself.
'Now we both have something to discuss later!' she scolded him, over their mental bond.
She then steered Laz to their bed, where she helped him lie on his side. Feeling his pain--their pain--growing, she again began tending to the pressure spot between his shoulder blades. "Shh", she whispered.
Slowly, Laz's weeping eased, and he regained control of his senses.
"I'm sorry, love", he began...but Tawney cut him off.
"You should be", Tawney said. While firm, her voice was soft...and that cut through the Tev'Meckian like a knife. Sobs of shame now escaped him. "I should have realized that there were ways of hiding emotions...even across a bond like we share", she said. "After everything has been taken care of, I fully expect to be taught the methods. Do I make myself clear?"
Overcome by shame, Laz could barely choke out, "Yes...I promise."
He could feel her disappointment in him...and that hurt almost as much as the ebbing of his mother's life force.
The last thing Tawney wanted was to hurt her mate any more than he was already, so she smiled at him tenderly as she joined him on the bed. They snuggled down into each other's arms and after sharing a tender kiss, were soon sound asleep in each other's arms.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Katelyn had just stepped from her jaccuzi-sized tub, when she heard the sound of someone knocking on her door. "Now who could that be?" She muttered as she grabbed a skimpy bath robe and threw it on to hide her nakedness.
"Who is it?" She called, as she tried to find something she could put on.
"It's Peter, Katelyn. I was wondering if you had a little time to spare?"
'Oh my GOD!' Katelyn stiffled the urge to scream. She became frantic as she tried to locate her clothes, then, a thought struck her.
Katelyn took a second to glance into the Refleco-screen, running her fingers through her wet locks and straightening the robe. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she cleared her throat before calling out. "Sure I have time. Come in, Peter."
From inside her sleeping quarters, she heard the entrance panel slide open and the sound of the Commander entering her living quarters. Taking a deep breath, Katelyn calmed her nerves and stepped out into the main room.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Taggart was facing away from her when Katelyn came out of her sleeping quarters. She smiled as she watched him admire her collection of dance awards. She had won them while she had been on earth, before she entered the acadamy. After standing there for a moment, Katelyn thought it time to make her presence known.
"Ahem." She cleared her throat delicately.
Startled, Taggart turned around abruptly, knocking over the Illumna Lamp on the desk beside him in the process.
"Katelyn, why..."
The question Taggart was about to ask died on his lips as he took in just what the young insign was *not* wearing. Katelyn looked at Commander. She could swear the man was blushing.
"You were going to say, Peter?" She asked, trying to hide the amusement in her voice.
"W-w-what? Oh, right! Well, I was just..." Here Taggart began laughing with a bit of embarassement. "W-well, you know, I was j-just wondering. Why you decided to become an Ensign on a starship?"
When he saw the hurt look in Katie's eyes, Taggart hurried to continue. "I mean, you won all these awards here." He gestured to the awards on Katelyn's wall. "I thought you would be some famous ballarina by now."
By the time he had finished his babble, Taggart's face was in a full blush.
"Would you like to sit down, Peter?" Katelyn seductively purred.
By now, though, Taggart had recovered enough to tell the ensign what he'd originally intended.
"We'll be going down to Tev'Meck soon, for the Departure Ceremony, for Dr. Lazarus's mother."
"Yes; I feel so sorry for him...even though I don't really know him yet", Katelyn said.
Just then, Peter spotted--among the ensign's dance awards--a certificate.
"So...you led your class in helmsmanship?" he asked, now all business.
"Yes, Sir", Wingate replied, formally, pulling her robe about her a little more.
This conversation wasn't going the way either of them had intended. However, Katelyn saw a chance to make an impression on Peter...one that might lead in a more pleasant direction.
"Are you saying what I think you are?"
"Yes, Ensign", Taggart replied. "We'll be assuming orbit around Tev'Meck in a few hours. I want you to relieve the helmsman on duty when we arrive. That way, you'll have some hours under your wing, in a non-threatening situation."
Little did he know what awaited the Protector's landing party.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Tommy Laredo had never been one to cast unfair judgement on anyone, be they friend or foe. But at this particular moment, Laredo found that he was doing just that. And on the Commander of all people. Furiously stuffing various implements into his bag, Laredo could'nt help but mutter to himself all the while.
"I can't believe the nerve! And right in front of Dr. Lazarus, too. Ooh, there is gonna be a heap of trouble down on the planet if he keeps that sort of thing up." A few spare pair of boxers were thrown unceremoniously into his bag. "You'd think the man would know true love when he sees it, but nooo, just leave it up to someone like the Commander." Laredo stopped then, chastizing himself for the impudence he had just given in to.
Laredo continued stuffing what he thought he would need into the bag and, once finished, lay back on his bed for a quick rest. Lying back, ankles crossed and arms behind his head, the helmsman allowed his thoughts to drift to a more personal matter. As he lay there, his mind conjured up images of a time long past. When his grandmother had doted on him in her usual grandmotherly way. Baking him homemade chocolate chip cookies, the kind with the chunks of walnut in them. They were his favorite. He remembered all the times that, before he had left to join Acadamy, he would stay the night with his grandma and stay up late at night, listening to her read stories of far off places and people. People that he had never thought he would get the chance to meet before he had recieved his acceptance into the Acadamy. A lone teardrop made its way silently down Laredo's cheek. He allowed it, not moving to brush it away, simply letting it fall.
'I should have been there.' He thought. 'I should have made it there in time. She was my world, and she slipped away without me even getting to say goodbye.'
With a heavy sigh, Laredo turned to his side and closed his eyes. Hoping that sleep would dull the pain that was, at that moment, in his heart.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile, in their quarters, Tawney and Lazarus had managed to get some sleep. However, Laz had awakened, his weeping stronger than ever.
"Laz? What is it?" Tawney probed, gently.
Although she knew--through the bond--that Laz's mother was now close to death, she also knew that Laz had to speak his mind...and unburden his heart.
"We...don't have...much time", Laz gasped.
Tawney was again massaging the Tev'Meckian's pressure point; however, their proximity to the planet was rendering the effort useless. Tawney rolled over, and checked the timepiece next to their bed.
"We'll be there soon", she said. "We'd better get ready."
Quickly the two of them stripped, and stepped into the sonic shower in their quarters; there was no time for a dip in their Jacuzzi-style tub. After washing each other, the two dried themselves, and quickly changed into fresh uniforms, donning the ceremonial robes over them. They would give Taggart and Laredo their robes on the Command Deck.
"Don't forget the flask", Laz suddenly remembered.
"Oh, yeah!" said Tawney.
She picked up a flask of perfumed oil. The oil would be sprinkled over Laz's mother, as she ended her mortal life. Together, the couple exited their quarters, and made their sad trek to the Command Deck...and then, Tev'Meck....
*~*~*~*~*~*
tbc...
Author: Rose (buffybot76@hotmail.com)
Rating: R
Pairing: Dr. Lazarus/Tawney Madison
Summary: The crew of the NSEA Protector are summoned back to Lazarus' homeworld of Tev'Meck. But it is a bittersweet homecoming.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Galaxy Quest characters. They belong to Dreamworks and the writers of the wonderful screenplay.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Distribution: It is on fanfiction.net right now. If you want it, let me know and you can have it.
Chapter 6
After Katelyn left the galley, she had stopped by the Medic Bay to get something to ease her nausea. Then she had retreated to her quarters for intense strategy planning. She couldn't believe she had wimped out like that back in the galley, in front of the Commander and... HER! Katie was so embarassed, but that still didn't stop her from scheming to get Commander Taggart for herself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"We're supposed to wear THAT?" Taggart could not keep the disdain from his voice, as he looked at the robes that Lazarus had handed him in horror.
Lazarus gave Peter a look that said, 'Please? It would mean a great deal to me' and the Commander gave a sigh as he grudgingly replied, "Oh, alright."
Tawney was smiling at the childish display before her. She couldn't help it, it was just so cute. She turned to look at Laredo, who had a look of awe on his face as he examined his robes.
"Wow, this is just great. I like the color, too." Laredo commented on the brown and orange material.
"It's the colors of our people." Lazarus provided, as he moved to stand beside his mate. He placed an arm securely around Tawney's waist and pulled her close.
Both of their backs were to the Commander, so they did not notice the scowl on the man's face. Unfortunately, Laredo, who was facing Taggart, did notice.
'Don't even think about it, man. It's not going to happen.' Laredo thought to himself.
Peter noticed the way Laredo was staring at him, and started slightly at the fact that he had been caught coveting Tawney. He averted his eyes guiltily from the young man's stare and cleared his throat.
"Um, maybe we should check on our progress. See how much longer we have?" He offered.
Tawney turned to Taggart and smiled. "Sure, Peter. Hang on, just let me open a link."
Tawney disengaged herself from Lazarus' arms and walked over to the comlink.
"Computer?" Tawney began.
{Yes Lieutenant Madison.} The electronic voice of the main computer answered.
"Give an estimated arrival time of the NSEA Protector in the Tev'Meck orbit."
After only a moment, the electronic voice was back. {Estimated time of arrival in the planet Tev'Meck's orbit, 3 hours and 37 minutes.}
Tawney turned back to the others, "Three hours and 37 minutes, Peter; we've got time to rest up before we get there, guys", she replied. "Sounds like a plan", replied Taggart. "OK, everybody, let's be on the Command Deck, ready to digitize, in 3 hours, 15 minutes; until then, let's hit the sack!"
Laredo waited until the Commander moved to exit the room, before falling into step behind him. Once they had left the couple's quarters, Laredo turned to Taggart. The helmsman didn't say a word, but Peter could see the disapproval in the young man's eyes as he slowly shook his head before turning and walking away. The Commander gave a haggard sigh before turning and walking in the opposite direction that Laredo had gone. He needed to talk to someone. And he figured he knew just the person.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As soon as the entrance panel had slid closed behind the Commander and Laredo, Lazarus slumped slightly against Tawney.
"Laz!" Tawney shouted in concern, as she caught her mate in her arms.
As Laz began weeping uncontrollably, Tawney again felt his grief and despair overcome her. She now realized that he'd somehow hidden his pain from her...and from himself.
'Now we both have something to discuss later!' she scolded him, over their mental bond.
She then steered Laz to their bed, where she helped him lie on his side. Feeling his pain--their pain--growing, she again began tending to the pressure spot between his shoulder blades. "Shh", she whispered.
Slowly, Laz's weeping eased, and he regained control of his senses.
"I'm sorry, love", he began...but Tawney cut him off.
"You should be", Tawney said. While firm, her voice was soft...and that cut through the Tev'Meckian like a knife. Sobs of shame now escaped him. "I should have realized that there were ways of hiding emotions...even across a bond like we share", she said. "After everything has been taken care of, I fully expect to be taught the methods. Do I make myself clear?"
Overcome by shame, Laz could barely choke out, "Yes...I promise."
He could feel her disappointment in him...and that hurt almost as much as the ebbing of his mother's life force.
The last thing Tawney wanted was to hurt her mate any more than he was already, so she smiled at him tenderly as she joined him on the bed. They snuggled down into each other's arms and after sharing a tender kiss, were soon sound asleep in each other's arms.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Katelyn had just stepped from her jaccuzi-sized tub, when she heard the sound of someone knocking on her door. "Now who could that be?" She muttered as she grabbed a skimpy bath robe and threw it on to hide her nakedness.
"Who is it?" She called, as she tried to find something she could put on.
"It's Peter, Katelyn. I was wondering if you had a little time to spare?"
'Oh my GOD!' Katelyn stiffled the urge to scream. She became frantic as she tried to locate her clothes, then, a thought struck her.
Katelyn took a second to glance into the Refleco-screen, running her fingers through her wet locks and straightening the robe. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she cleared her throat before calling out. "Sure I have time. Come in, Peter."
From inside her sleeping quarters, she heard the entrance panel slide open and the sound of the Commander entering her living quarters. Taking a deep breath, Katelyn calmed her nerves and stepped out into the main room.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Taggart was facing away from her when Katelyn came out of her sleeping quarters. She smiled as she watched him admire her collection of dance awards. She had won them while she had been on earth, before she entered the acadamy. After standing there for a moment, Katelyn thought it time to make her presence known.
"Ahem." She cleared her throat delicately.
Startled, Taggart turned around abruptly, knocking over the Illumna Lamp on the desk beside him in the process.
"Katelyn, why..."
The question Taggart was about to ask died on his lips as he took in just what the young insign was *not* wearing. Katelyn looked at Commander. She could swear the man was blushing.
"You were going to say, Peter?" She asked, trying to hide the amusement in her voice.
"W-w-what? Oh, right! Well, I was just..." Here Taggart began laughing with a bit of embarassement. "W-well, you know, I was j-just wondering. Why you decided to become an Ensign on a starship?"
When he saw the hurt look in Katie's eyes, Taggart hurried to continue. "I mean, you won all these awards here." He gestured to the awards on Katelyn's wall. "I thought you would be some famous ballarina by now."
By the time he had finished his babble, Taggart's face was in a full blush.
"Would you like to sit down, Peter?" Katelyn seductively purred.
By now, though, Taggart had recovered enough to tell the ensign what he'd originally intended.
"We'll be going down to Tev'Meck soon, for the Departure Ceremony, for Dr. Lazarus's mother."
"Yes; I feel so sorry for him...even though I don't really know him yet", Katelyn said.
Just then, Peter spotted--among the ensign's dance awards--a certificate.
"So...you led your class in helmsmanship?" he asked, now all business.
"Yes, Sir", Wingate replied, formally, pulling her robe about her a little more.
This conversation wasn't going the way either of them had intended. However, Katelyn saw a chance to make an impression on Peter...one that might lead in a more pleasant direction.
"Are you saying what I think you are?"
"Yes, Ensign", Taggart replied. "We'll be assuming orbit around Tev'Meck in a few hours. I want you to relieve the helmsman on duty when we arrive. That way, you'll have some hours under your wing, in a non-threatening situation."
Little did he know what awaited the Protector's landing party.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Tommy Laredo had never been one to cast unfair judgement on anyone, be they friend or foe. But at this particular moment, Laredo found that he was doing just that. And on the Commander of all people. Furiously stuffing various implements into his bag, Laredo could'nt help but mutter to himself all the while.
"I can't believe the nerve! And right in front of Dr. Lazarus, too. Ooh, there is gonna be a heap of trouble down on the planet if he keeps that sort of thing up." A few spare pair of boxers were thrown unceremoniously into his bag. "You'd think the man would know true love when he sees it, but nooo, just leave it up to someone like the Commander." Laredo stopped then, chastizing himself for the impudence he had just given in to.
Laredo continued stuffing what he thought he would need into the bag and, once finished, lay back on his bed for a quick rest. Lying back, ankles crossed and arms behind his head, the helmsman allowed his thoughts to drift to a more personal matter. As he lay there, his mind conjured up images of a time long past. When his grandmother had doted on him in her usual grandmotherly way. Baking him homemade chocolate chip cookies, the kind with the chunks of walnut in them. They were his favorite. He remembered all the times that, before he had left to join Acadamy, he would stay the night with his grandma and stay up late at night, listening to her read stories of far off places and people. People that he had never thought he would get the chance to meet before he had recieved his acceptance into the Acadamy. A lone teardrop made its way silently down Laredo's cheek. He allowed it, not moving to brush it away, simply letting it fall.
'I should have been there.' He thought. 'I should have made it there in time. She was my world, and she slipped away without me even getting to say goodbye.'
With a heavy sigh, Laredo turned to his side and closed his eyes. Hoping that sleep would dull the pain that was, at that moment, in his heart.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile, in their quarters, Tawney and Lazarus had managed to get some sleep. However, Laz had awakened, his weeping stronger than ever.
"Laz? What is it?" Tawney probed, gently.
Although she knew--through the bond--that Laz's mother was now close to death, she also knew that Laz had to speak his mind...and unburden his heart.
"We...don't have...much time", Laz gasped.
Tawney was again massaging the Tev'Meckian's pressure point; however, their proximity to the planet was rendering the effort useless. Tawney rolled over, and checked the timepiece next to their bed.
"We'll be there soon", she said. "We'd better get ready."
Quickly the two of them stripped, and stepped into the sonic shower in their quarters; there was no time for a dip in their Jacuzzi-style tub. After washing each other, the two dried themselves, and quickly changed into fresh uniforms, donning the ceremonial robes over them. They would give Taggart and Laredo their robes on the Command Deck.
"Don't forget the flask", Laz suddenly remembered.
"Oh, yeah!" said Tawney.
She picked up a flask of perfumed oil. The oil would be sprinkled over Laz's mother, as she ended her mortal life. Together, the couple exited their quarters, and made their sad trek to the Command Deck...and then, Tev'Meck....
*~*~*~*~*~*
tbc...