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 8
The young Tev'Meckian girl sat stoicly at her dying mother's side. Every now and then she would dab at the woman's sweat drenched forehead with a damp cloth. The pain that racked her mother's frail body was transmitted to the girl through the parental bond, thus causing the girl to utter a gasping sob every now and again. But mostly she held back. Lethe knew she must be strong for her mother. The end was growing near and she feared that her eldest brother would not make it in time to see his mother before she faded from this life. In her mind, Lethe issued up a prayer to Ipthar that her mother just hang on for a bit more. As her older brother and twin drew closer, Lethe felt the sibling bond grow stronger. They would not be too much longer in getting there.
"Hang on, mother. Lazarus shall be here soon." Lethe said softly as she stroked her mother's fevered cheek. "Very soon."
The elder woman, who was much to weak to speak, simply squeezed her daughter's hand, which held her own in a comforting grip. Lethe wanted to sob at how weak her mother's grip was. She was slipping further away by the second, she could feel it, as she was sure her brothers could feel it as well. Lethe closed her eyes and issued an urgent plea out across the bond.
*Laz... Lareth, please hurry.*
While she waited on her brothers, Lethe took a deep breath. It was then that she realized something: Her eldest brother had taken a lifemate!! She felt her heart leap at the thought, for--even through his despair--Laz had also communicated to his sister the love he felt for Tawney.
*A human as a lifemate?* she pondered...just hard enough for her mother to receive the thought.
*Is it true, daughter?* her mother asked, through the parental bond.
Realizing, from the silent--not spoken--question, that her mother was nearing the end, Lethe could not hide the truth.
*Yes, Mother, I believe he has...one of the humans with whom he works*
*Listen to me, daughter*, the elderly Tev'Meckian implored, *Do not allow your father or twin to destroy that which Ipthar has decreed.*
The woman knew that her firstborn's actions would not be well-received by the other males in her family...or by the Village Elders. *I will let my wishes be known at the proper time....*
*It will be as you wish, Mother*, Lethe replied. Just then, the sound of approaching Eshors was heard.....
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Laz felt a smile come over his features at his little sisters mental reaction to his love for Tawney. She was shocked, yes, but not disappointed. He should have known that a kindhearted girl such as Lethe would not hold judgement on his mating with one not of their species. She was like their mother in that respect. He only hoped his father was as understanding. They were only now reaching the outskirts, and he could already see the group of elders that massed in the clearing that served as a sort of town square for the villiage.
In front, Laz made out the towering form of his father, who stood, hands on hips and watched the approaching group. The Eshors came to a stop and knelt down to allow their riders to dismount. Taggart tried to dismount a bit too quickly, causing him to fall off the Eshor and land in an undignified heap. Laz dismounted next, followed by Tawney and Laredo. Laz dismounted next, followed by Tawney and Laredo; the younger man rushed over to his commanding officer.
"Sir, are you all right?" Taggart arose silently, looking daggers at his helmsman.
Once they were all on the ground again, the three humans turned to see Laz approaching one of the elder Tev'Meckians. Luchien of Tev'Meck, head of the Mak'Tar clan and father of Lazarus, Lareth and Lethe, stepped forward to embrace his eldest son.
"My son, it is a great gift indeed to be able to lay eyes on you once more." Luchien managed to say in a somewhat steady voice.
The stress of his mate's waning lifeforce was becoming too much to bear, but he needed to greet his wayward son properly before they went to the Departure Hut, where his mate was being kept.
"It is good to be back, Father. I only wish it could have been sooner, before..." Laz's voice took on a strangled sound as it trailed off. He took a moment to collect himself, then looked to his father and saw that he too had felt the particularly harsh pain which had just engulfed them. "Let us go to mother." Lazarus finished when he was able to speak again.
Laz's father nodded, then motioned in the direction of the Departure Hut. "This way."
The crowd of elders parted, allowing their leader to pass through, followed closely by Laz, Tawney, Lareth, Taggart and Laredo.
As they neared the hut, the flap covering the entrance was suddenly flung open.
"Laz!"
A feminine version of Lareth flew out of the hut and threw herself into Laz's outstretched arms.
"Lethe!"
Lazarus embraced his younger sister, first warmly, then desperately, as he felt himself losing control of his emotions. A sound of shuffling feet brought him back to another set of duties. When he spoke, it was formally, but with a shaky voice.
"Father...Lareth...Lethe, may I introduce my friends from the Protector: Commander Taggart, Lieutenant Madison, and Helmsman Laredo."
As each crew member stepped forward, Laz reveresed the introductions, naming his father--who formally thanked each of them for coming--then his brother and sister. Tawney no longer needed any bond to realize that her mate's father and brother didn't like her...at all. However, as Lethe embraced her, Tawney distinctly felt the young Tev'Meckian woman's mind reaching out for hers.
*Welcome, Sister! My mother will be so pleased!*
*Sister?* Tawney couldn't help but ask.
*Of course. You are my brother's lifemate, and in turn are now mine and Lareth's sister in bond.* Lethe's response soothed Tawney's anxiety.
At least one of Laz's family members was willing to accept thier bond. And according to Lethe, so was her and Laz's mother. Tawney felt a wave of relief wash over her. A feeling that reached Laz through the bond, causing him to look at her and smile supportively. She reached out and took his hand in her's, squeezing it tightly for a moment, then released it so that he could enter the hut to bid his fastly fading mother one last farewell.
Dr. Lazarus ducked inside the entrance of the Departure Hut and paused, taking in the still form of his mother lying amidst the furs piled about her frail body. She seemed so small, not even beginning to resemble the stout woman who had held him and cared for him during his youth, and later, taught him the values of being a true Mak'Tar. He closed his eyes briefly at the sight, wanting to retain the images of a healthy, vibrant woman with enough love in her heart to fill the vastness of space.
"Lazarus."
Laz's eyes snapped open as his mother's voice drifted faintly to his ears from across the hut. In an instant, he was across the room and kneeling beside the bed, taking up his mother's fragile hand in his much larger ones.
"I am here, mother. Don't speak, you'll only exhaust yourself more." Laz pleaded, his voice husky with emotion and unshed tears.
*Let me see her* came the silent request...a request which momentarily surprised Lazienne's firstborn.
*Yes, Mother*, Laz replied. Reaching for Tawney, then realizing she had remained outside with the others, he passed on his mother's wishes mentally. *Please come inside* he requested. Tawney was surprised at the summons.
"Excuse me", she said to the assembled humans and Tev'Meckians.
Since Laz's father had not specified what the problem was, that needed to be dealt with, the Village Elders were surprised to see the human woman go into the Departure Hut: This was a privilege reserved only for the dying person's mate, offspring...and their mates. Laz's father and brother felt the burn of humiliation, as the secret was now revealed. Their humiliation was multiplied tenfold as they realized that Lethe apparently approved of the union...and that, most likely -Lazienne would, as well.
Tawney entered the darkened hut timidly, not really knowing what to expect. The sight of her mate kneeling beside the deathly pale form on a bed of furs, made Tawney's heart go out to the woman lying there. Tawney could feel every tinge of pain that the other woman was experiencing, and realized that this was where Laz had inherited his strength and courage. From this fading soul that lay before her. Laz turned slightly and beckoned her forward. Tawney complied and went over to kneel beside her mate and looked into the face of Lazienne of Tev'Meck.
*Welcome, Daughter.* Came the soft voice through the link and into Tawney's mind.
*Thank you*, Tawney tried to respond mentally.
She glanced at Laz first, desperate to know if her efforts had been successful. Her bond with Laz was strong...but would it extend to his family?
*You are most welcome, my dear. I can see that my son has been blessed with a beautiful lifemate that loves him very much. This knowledge makes me very happy. What is your name?* The elder woman emplored.
*Tawney Madison.* Came Tawney's reply.
*Tawney, I only ask one thing of you. And I beg that you heed the dying wish of an old woman.*
*Of course... anything.* Tawney assured her.
*Whatever you do, whatever happens from this moment forth. Do not let anything come between you and your mate. You were placed together by Ipthar himself, and it is no one's place to set you apart. Keep the sanctity of your bond safe. Hold onto your love...both of you.*
At that moment, knowing that they had the support of at least two family members, both Laz and Tawney gave in to the tremendous pressure they'd been feeling. Each one took one of Lazienne's hands, and began weeping openly.
*Thank you*, each one "said".
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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 8
The young Tev'Meckian girl sat stoicly at her dying mother's side. Every now and then she would dab at the woman's sweat drenched forehead with a damp cloth. The pain that racked her mother's frail body was transmitted to the girl through the parental bond, thus causing the girl to utter a gasping sob every now and again. But mostly she held back. Lethe knew she must be strong for her mother. The end was growing near and she feared that her eldest brother would not make it in time to see his mother before she faded from this life. In her mind, Lethe issued up a prayer to Ipthar that her mother just hang on for a bit more. As her older brother and twin drew closer, Lethe felt the sibling bond grow stronger. They would not be too much longer in getting there.
"Hang on, mother. Lazarus shall be here soon." Lethe said softly as she stroked her mother's fevered cheek. "Very soon."
The elder woman, who was much to weak to speak, simply squeezed her daughter's hand, which held her own in a comforting grip. Lethe wanted to sob at how weak her mother's grip was. She was slipping further away by the second, she could feel it, as she was sure her brothers could feel it as well. Lethe closed her eyes and issued an urgent plea out across the bond.
*Laz... Lareth, please hurry.*
While she waited on her brothers, Lethe took a deep breath. It was then that she realized something: Her eldest brother had taken a lifemate!! She felt her heart leap at the thought, for--even through his despair--Laz had also communicated to his sister the love he felt for Tawney.
*A human as a lifemate?* she pondered...just hard enough for her mother to receive the thought.
*Is it true, daughter?* her mother asked, through the parental bond.
Realizing, from the silent--not spoken--question, that her mother was nearing the end, Lethe could not hide the truth.
*Yes, Mother, I believe he has...one of the humans with whom he works*
*Listen to me, daughter*, the elderly Tev'Meckian implored, *Do not allow your father or twin to destroy that which Ipthar has decreed.*
The woman knew that her firstborn's actions would not be well-received by the other males in her family...or by the Village Elders. *I will let my wishes be known at the proper time....*
*It will be as you wish, Mother*, Lethe replied. Just then, the sound of approaching Eshors was heard.....
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Laz felt a smile come over his features at his little sisters mental reaction to his love for Tawney. She was shocked, yes, but not disappointed. He should have known that a kindhearted girl such as Lethe would not hold judgement on his mating with one not of their species. She was like their mother in that respect. He only hoped his father was as understanding. They were only now reaching the outskirts, and he could already see the group of elders that massed in the clearing that served as a sort of town square for the villiage.
In front, Laz made out the towering form of his father, who stood, hands on hips and watched the approaching group. The Eshors came to a stop and knelt down to allow their riders to dismount. Taggart tried to dismount a bit too quickly, causing him to fall off the Eshor and land in an undignified heap. Laz dismounted next, followed by Tawney and Laredo. Laz dismounted next, followed by Tawney and Laredo; the younger man rushed over to his commanding officer.
"Sir, are you all right?" Taggart arose silently, looking daggers at his helmsman.
Once they were all on the ground again, the three humans turned to see Laz approaching one of the elder Tev'Meckians. Luchien of Tev'Meck, head of the Mak'Tar clan and father of Lazarus, Lareth and Lethe, stepped forward to embrace his eldest son.
"My son, it is a great gift indeed to be able to lay eyes on you once more." Luchien managed to say in a somewhat steady voice.
The stress of his mate's waning lifeforce was becoming too much to bear, but he needed to greet his wayward son properly before they went to the Departure Hut, where his mate was being kept.
"It is good to be back, Father. I only wish it could have been sooner, before..." Laz's voice took on a strangled sound as it trailed off. He took a moment to collect himself, then looked to his father and saw that he too had felt the particularly harsh pain which had just engulfed them. "Let us go to mother." Lazarus finished when he was able to speak again.
Laz's father nodded, then motioned in the direction of the Departure Hut. "This way."
The crowd of elders parted, allowing their leader to pass through, followed closely by Laz, Tawney, Lareth, Taggart and Laredo.
As they neared the hut, the flap covering the entrance was suddenly flung open.
"Laz!"
A feminine version of Lareth flew out of the hut and threw herself into Laz's outstretched arms.
"Lethe!"
Lazarus embraced his younger sister, first warmly, then desperately, as he felt himself losing control of his emotions. A sound of shuffling feet brought him back to another set of duties. When he spoke, it was formally, but with a shaky voice.
"Father...Lareth...Lethe, may I introduce my friends from the Protector: Commander Taggart, Lieutenant Madison, and Helmsman Laredo."
As each crew member stepped forward, Laz reveresed the introductions, naming his father--who formally thanked each of them for coming--then his brother and sister. Tawney no longer needed any bond to realize that her mate's father and brother didn't like her...at all. However, as Lethe embraced her, Tawney distinctly felt the young Tev'Meckian woman's mind reaching out for hers.
*Welcome, Sister! My mother will be so pleased!*
*Sister?* Tawney couldn't help but ask.
*Of course. You are my brother's lifemate, and in turn are now mine and Lareth's sister in bond.* Lethe's response soothed Tawney's anxiety.
At least one of Laz's family members was willing to accept thier bond. And according to Lethe, so was her and Laz's mother. Tawney felt a wave of relief wash over her. A feeling that reached Laz through the bond, causing him to look at her and smile supportively. She reached out and took his hand in her's, squeezing it tightly for a moment, then released it so that he could enter the hut to bid his fastly fading mother one last farewell.
Dr. Lazarus ducked inside the entrance of the Departure Hut and paused, taking in the still form of his mother lying amidst the furs piled about her frail body. She seemed so small, not even beginning to resemble the stout woman who had held him and cared for him during his youth, and later, taught him the values of being a true Mak'Tar. He closed his eyes briefly at the sight, wanting to retain the images of a healthy, vibrant woman with enough love in her heart to fill the vastness of space.
"Lazarus."
Laz's eyes snapped open as his mother's voice drifted faintly to his ears from across the hut. In an instant, he was across the room and kneeling beside the bed, taking up his mother's fragile hand in his much larger ones.
"I am here, mother. Don't speak, you'll only exhaust yourself more." Laz pleaded, his voice husky with emotion and unshed tears.
*Let me see her* came the silent request...a request which momentarily surprised Lazienne's firstborn.
*Yes, Mother*, Laz replied. Reaching for Tawney, then realizing she had remained outside with the others, he passed on his mother's wishes mentally. *Please come inside* he requested. Tawney was surprised at the summons.
"Excuse me", she said to the assembled humans and Tev'Meckians.
Since Laz's father had not specified what the problem was, that needed to be dealt with, the Village Elders were surprised to see the human woman go into the Departure Hut: This was a privilege reserved only for the dying person's mate, offspring...and their mates. Laz's father and brother felt the burn of humiliation, as the secret was now revealed. Their humiliation was multiplied tenfold as they realized that Lethe apparently approved of the union...and that, most likely -Lazienne would, as well.
Tawney entered the darkened hut timidly, not really knowing what to expect. The sight of her mate kneeling beside the deathly pale form on a bed of furs, made Tawney's heart go out to the woman lying there. Tawney could feel every tinge of pain that the other woman was experiencing, and realized that this was where Laz had inherited his strength and courage. From this fading soul that lay before her. Laz turned slightly and beckoned her forward. Tawney complied and went over to kneel beside her mate and looked into the face of Lazienne of Tev'Meck.
*Welcome, Daughter.* Came the soft voice through the link and into Tawney's mind.
*Thank you*, Tawney tried to respond mentally.
She glanced at Laz first, desperate to know if her efforts had been successful. Her bond with Laz was strong...but would it extend to his family?
*You are most welcome, my dear. I can see that my son has been blessed with a beautiful lifemate that loves him very much. This knowledge makes me very happy. What is your name?* The elder woman emplored.
*Tawney Madison.* Came Tawney's reply.
*Tawney, I only ask one thing of you. And I beg that you heed the dying wish of an old woman.*
*Of course... anything.* Tawney assured her.
*Whatever you do, whatever happens from this moment forth. Do not let anything come between you and your mate. You were placed together by Ipthar himself, and it is no one's place to set you apart. Keep the sanctity of your bond safe. Hold onto your love...both of you.*
At that moment, knowing that they had the support of at least two family members, both Laz and Tawney gave in to the tremendous pressure they'd been feeling. Each one took one of Lazienne's hands, and began weeping openly.
*Thank you*, each one "said".
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
tbc...