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: If you want it, just ask.
Chapter 15
It was late that evening when the entire village, including the human visitors, gathered for the final ceremony. Lazienne's body had been wrapped in ceremonial cloth that had been soaked in sacred oil from a cactus-like plant that none of the human crewmembers recognized. Lazarus had informed his friends that the oil was highly flammable and therefore perfect for the funeral pyre. The location chosen for the resting grounds of Lazienne's ashes was well away from the outskirts of the village and the crowd of Tev'Meckians were gathered round the altar that had been fashioned from branches and tethers.
Lieutenant Tawney Madison could feel the ever-increasing emotions around her...not only from her Lifemate, Lazarus, but also his sister, Lethe. Even as she shared Laz's pain--and tried to help him endure it--she noticed that Laredo had moved a little closer to the Tev'Meckian woman. Commander Taggart and Ensign Wingate brought up the rear. Unnoticed by all, they had also moved a little closer together than necessary. Each member of Lazienne's family poured some oil on the shroud. Everyone else in the village had, according to custom, placed dried flowers on the edges of the shroud, further preparing it for the torches her Lifemate and offspring bore. As the members of her village remembered Lazienne, and her grieving family, Luchien, voice breaking, stepped forward to speak.
"Ipthar, we commit the spirit of Lazienne to your loving embrace. Grabthar, we commit the ashes of her body to your strong arms. May memories of her never die."
With that, Luchien touched his torch to the corpse's head, Lazarus to the feet, and Lareth and Lethe to one side each. As the corpse caught fire each Tev'Meckian lowered his or her torch. Taggart and the others stepped forward--as Tawney had earlier instructed them--and each human took the torch of a Mak'Tar. Finally, the ceremony had ended and the crowd began to disperse and head back to their own huts. Tawney held onto Laz as they went, communicating with her mate through the bond as they walked.
*I don't wish to part from you while you are in such pain, Laz.*
Lazarus' response startled Tawney somewhat. *You will not have to, my beloved.*
*W-what do you mean?*
*I mean that my beautiful sister has offered to give us her hut for tonight so that we may be alone.*
Lazarus could feel Tawney's excitement through the bond and couldn't help but smile. He had been overwhelmed with his sadness and loss and was looking forward to the happiness that was sure to come with being in his mate's arms tonight.
*I hate to put her out*, Tawney hedged, trying to be polite, in spite of her growing hopes. *Where will she stay...and what about Ensign Wingate?*
*She has said she will stay with father tonight, and Ensign Wingate will most assuredly stay where Lethe stays.*
Tawney smiled brightly and hugged Laz tighter as they made their way back to the village.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lethe caught Katelyn just as she was about to enter the hut.
"Ensign Wingate." She called out, causing Katie to turn to face the young Tev'Meckian and smile.
"Please, call me Katelyn, or Katie if you prefer."
Lethe smiled at the Human. She liked her brother's friends almost as much as she liked Tawney. Katelyn was very nice while Commander Taggart seemed to be a very resourcful man, and Laredo.... Well, she liked her brother's friends very much.
"Katelyn, if you do not mind, I have told my brother that he could use my hut to spend some bonding time with his mate. You and I shall be residing in my father's hut for the duration. I hope you are not inconvenienced?" Lethe explained.
"Oh, I don't want to inconvenience him", Katelyn insisted...however, Lethe was able to intrepret the unspoken words: *...especially since he seems to hate humans*.
"I am sure that my father will not object. And he is not so bad once you get to know him. It is just the strangeness of the situation, and the stress of the circumstances that has him acting this way. He is normally a very gentle man." Lethe assured the hesitant woman.
"I know this must be a very stressful time for him, as well", Katelyn said, hoping that that was main cause for Luchien's treatment of the humans. However, she knew in her heart that she was lying to herself: Luchien hated them all...especially Tawney.
"Now, let us go to my father's hut before Tawney and Lazarus return. I am sure that my brother will need quite a bit of comforting tonight." Lethe smiled.
Despite her apprehension, Katelyn actually laughed out loud, as she gathered the things that had been sent down from The Protector, then followed Lethe to Luchien's hut.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Katelyn and Lethe made their way to the head Tev'Meckian's hut. Lethe knocked once, then stood back to wait for her father to bid them enter.
Lethe heard neither her father's voice nor his thoughts. She was about to knock again, when the door sprang open. Luchien barely spared a passing glance at Katelyn before fixing his daughter with a piercing look.
"Yes, what may I do for you, daughter?"
"I have offered my hut to Lazarus and Tawney for the night, Father, and Katelyn and I...."
*NO!* The mental response cut Lethe off before she had the chance to voice her request fully.
*But, Father....*
*NO.* The finality in that one word said that Luchien would not be swayed.
"Now, what?" Katelyn asked, after the door had been slammed in their faces. "That was more than just a little stress...wasn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Ensign...."
"Call me Katelyn."
"...Katelyn." Lethe sighed, not wanting to face the truth. Finally, as she led the way back to Lareth's hut, she admitted, "You're right: Father is...well...he's very upset at the way things have turned out for Lazarus...."
"...and your brother isn't any happier, is he?" Katelyn pressed.
"Nay, he isn't", Lethe was forced to admit; however, her sad eyes suddenly took on an evil gleam. "...but I can handle him!" she vowed.
Katelyn and Lethe walked away from Luchien's hut and were making their way to Lareth's hut, when they encountered Taggart and Laredo. Lareth was reluctantly following them, having been informed by Lazarus that he was to spend the night alone with the two humans.
"Good evening, Lethe. I understand you're letting Laz and Tawney use your hut tonight?" Commander Taggart said.
"Yes, Commander; this has been a difficult time for both of them. They need this time to begin their recovery."
*And where do you and the other human expect to sleep tonight, sister dear?* Lethe heard her brother ask, the contempt coming through the bond was tangible.
*Where we can do the most good, Brother Dear...in your hut!* After the episode with their father, Lethe couldn't help the smugness that was conveyed to her twin...but feeding her brother his Humble Pie felt so good!!
Lareth snorted. *And just why would I put you up for the night? I already have these two to contend with.*
*Because if you don't, I'll go to the Village Elders, and tell them what you did to Tawney, when she forgot the Departure Ceremony oils. Yes, Lareth: I know what you did to our sister...and you know that is in violation of one of our highest laws!* Lethe had him there, and she knew it.
*I do not think it will make much difference after the duel, sister.*
By this time, the Protector crew were looking between the two siblings. "Um, Laredo, why don't you, me and Katie here just...take a walk over there, hmm?"
"Good idea, Sir", Ensign Wingate quietly replied. She could tell that Lethe was mad...and had a pretty good idea why....
With that, the three moved a distance away to give Lethe and Lareth some privacy for this particular conversation.
"Why do some people have to *be* that way?" The young ensign was rapidly facing the ugly reality that bigotry was universal.
"Well," Taggart began. "Sometimes it's hard to accept new things."
"I know, Sir, but...Well, Dr. Lazarus is so open-minded about these things. I suppose I expected his family to be that way, too. I guess I've got a lot to learn about Tev'Meck, and its customs...." Little did Katelyn know that there were plans in store--revolving around age-old "customs"--in which she had a major role.
"Well, Lethe has been pretty good at making us feel welcome." Laredo interjected, then blushed as Taggart gave him a smug look.
Katelyn, for her part, shot Laredo a curious glance. "...and, don't forget: Lazienne blessed their union", she added.
Laredo and Taggart both nodded in agreement and then glanced over to where the two Tev'Meckians were still mentally 'slugging it out'.
*Lareth, why do you and Father insist on a duel? Ipthar has already decreed that our older brother and Tawney were destined to be Lifemates! Are you really going to be so foolish as to allow this?* Lethe had no idea that the duel was, in fact, her twin's idea.
*It is not my place to interfere, nor is it your's, Lethe.* Was Lareth's only reply, as he crossed his arms across his chest.
*Yet, that's exactly what you and Father are doing, by your refusal to accept this Union!* was Lethe's final shot. She turned, and realized that Katelyn had left her side.
The Protector trio noticed Lethe turn away from her brother and, taking that as meaning their discussion was over, walked back over. Katelyn, afraid to speak, let an uplift of her eyebrows ask the question, *Is everything all right?* A weak smile from Lethe answered her, as did the Tev'Meckian's "This way, Katelyn...", as she again headed toward her brother's hut. She couldn't help but notice that Laredo was looking at her with a mixture of apprehension, sympathy...and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.....
*~*~*~*~*
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: If you want it, just ask.
Chapter 15
It was late that evening when the entire village, including the human visitors, gathered for the final ceremony. Lazienne's body had been wrapped in ceremonial cloth that had been soaked in sacred oil from a cactus-like plant that none of the human crewmembers recognized. Lazarus had informed his friends that the oil was highly flammable and therefore perfect for the funeral pyre. The location chosen for the resting grounds of Lazienne's ashes was well away from the outskirts of the village and the crowd of Tev'Meckians were gathered round the altar that had been fashioned from branches and tethers.
Lieutenant Tawney Madison could feel the ever-increasing emotions around her...not only from her Lifemate, Lazarus, but also his sister, Lethe. Even as she shared Laz's pain--and tried to help him endure it--she noticed that Laredo had moved a little closer to the Tev'Meckian woman. Commander Taggart and Ensign Wingate brought up the rear. Unnoticed by all, they had also moved a little closer together than necessary. Each member of Lazienne's family poured some oil on the shroud. Everyone else in the village had, according to custom, placed dried flowers on the edges of the shroud, further preparing it for the torches her Lifemate and offspring bore. As the members of her village remembered Lazienne, and her grieving family, Luchien, voice breaking, stepped forward to speak.
"Ipthar, we commit the spirit of Lazienne to your loving embrace. Grabthar, we commit the ashes of her body to your strong arms. May memories of her never die."
With that, Luchien touched his torch to the corpse's head, Lazarus to the feet, and Lareth and Lethe to one side each. As the corpse caught fire each Tev'Meckian lowered his or her torch. Taggart and the others stepped forward--as Tawney had earlier instructed them--and each human took the torch of a Mak'Tar. Finally, the ceremony had ended and the crowd began to disperse and head back to their own huts. Tawney held onto Laz as they went, communicating with her mate through the bond as they walked.
*I don't wish to part from you while you are in such pain, Laz.*
Lazarus' response startled Tawney somewhat. *You will not have to, my beloved.*
*W-what do you mean?*
*I mean that my beautiful sister has offered to give us her hut for tonight so that we may be alone.*
Lazarus could feel Tawney's excitement through the bond and couldn't help but smile. He had been overwhelmed with his sadness and loss and was looking forward to the happiness that was sure to come with being in his mate's arms tonight.
*I hate to put her out*, Tawney hedged, trying to be polite, in spite of her growing hopes. *Where will she stay...and what about Ensign Wingate?*
*She has said she will stay with father tonight, and Ensign Wingate will most assuredly stay where Lethe stays.*
Tawney smiled brightly and hugged Laz tighter as they made their way back to the village.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lethe caught Katelyn just as she was about to enter the hut.
"Ensign Wingate." She called out, causing Katie to turn to face the young Tev'Meckian and smile.
"Please, call me Katelyn, or Katie if you prefer."
Lethe smiled at the Human. She liked her brother's friends almost as much as she liked Tawney. Katelyn was very nice while Commander Taggart seemed to be a very resourcful man, and Laredo.... Well, she liked her brother's friends very much.
"Katelyn, if you do not mind, I have told my brother that he could use my hut to spend some bonding time with his mate. You and I shall be residing in my father's hut for the duration. I hope you are not inconvenienced?" Lethe explained.
"Oh, I don't want to inconvenience him", Katelyn insisted...however, Lethe was able to intrepret the unspoken words: *...especially since he seems to hate humans*.
"I am sure that my father will not object. And he is not so bad once you get to know him. It is just the strangeness of the situation, and the stress of the circumstances that has him acting this way. He is normally a very gentle man." Lethe assured the hesitant woman.
"I know this must be a very stressful time for him, as well", Katelyn said, hoping that that was main cause for Luchien's treatment of the humans. However, she knew in her heart that she was lying to herself: Luchien hated them all...especially Tawney.
"Now, let us go to my father's hut before Tawney and Lazarus return. I am sure that my brother will need quite a bit of comforting tonight." Lethe smiled.
Despite her apprehension, Katelyn actually laughed out loud, as she gathered the things that had been sent down from The Protector, then followed Lethe to Luchien's hut.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Katelyn and Lethe made their way to the head Tev'Meckian's hut. Lethe knocked once, then stood back to wait for her father to bid them enter.
Lethe heard neither her father's voice nor his thoughts. She was about to knock again, when the door sprang open. Luchien barely spared a passing glance at Katelyn before fixing his daughter with a piercing look.
"Yes, what may I do for you, daughter?"
"I have offered my hut to Lazarus and Tawney for the night, Father, and Katelyn and I...."
*NO!* The mental response cut Lethe off before she had the chance to voice her request fully.
*But, Father....*
*NO.* The finality in that one word said that Luchien would not be swayed.
"Now, what?" Katelyn asked, after the door had been slammed in their faces. "That was more than just a little stress...wasn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Ensign...."
"Call me Katelyn."
"...Katelyn." Lethe sighed, not wanting to face the truth. Finally, as she led the way back to Lareth's hut, she admitted, "You're right: Father is...well...he's very upset at the way things have turned out for Lazarus...."
"...and your brother isn't any happier, is he?" Katelyn pressed.
"Nay, he isn't", Lethe was forced to admit; however, her sad eyes suddenly took on an evil gleam. "...but I can handle him!" she vowed.
Katelyn and Lethe walked away from Luchien's hut and were making their way to Lareth's hut, when they encountered Taggart and Laredo. Lareth was reluctantly following them, having been informed by Lazarus that he was to spend the night alone with the two humans.
"Good evening, Lethe. I understand you're letting Laz and Tawney use your hut tonight?" Commander Taggart said.
"Yes, Commander; this has been a difficult time for both of them. They need this time to begin their recovery."
*And where do you and the other human expect to sleep tonight, sister dear?* Lethe heard her brother ask, the contempt coming through the bond was tangible.
*Where we can do the most good, Brother Dear...in your hut!* After the episode with their father, Lethe couldn't help the smugness that was conveyed to her twin...but feeding her brother his Humble Pie felt so good!!
Lareth snorted. *And just why would I put you up for the night? I already have these two to contend with.*
*Because if you don't, I'll go to the Village Elders, and tell them what you did to Tawney, when she forgot the Departure Ceremony oils. Yes, Lareth: I know what you did to our sister...and you know that is in violation of one of our highest laws!* Lethe had him there, and she knew it.
*I do not think it will make much difference after the duel, sister.*
By this time, the Protector crew were looking between the two siblings. "Um, Laredo, why don't you, me and Katie here just...take a walk over there, hmm?"
"Good idea, Sir", Ensign Wingate quietly replied. She could tell that Lethe was mad...and had a pretty good idea why....
With that, the three moved a distance away to give Lethe and Lareth some privacy for this particular conversation.
"Why do some people have to *be* that way?" The young ensign was rapidly facing the ugly reality that bigotry was universal.
"Well," Taggart began. "Sometimes it's hard to accept new things."
"I know, Sir, but...Well, Dr. Lazarus is so open-minded about these things. I suppose I expected his family to be that way, too. I guess I've got a lot to learn about Tev'Meck, and its customs...." Little did Katelyn know that there were plans in store--revolving around age-old "customs"--in which she had a major role.
"Well, Lethe has been pretty good at making us feel welcome." Laredo interjected, then blushed as Taggart gave him a smug look.
Katelyn, for her part, shot Laredo a curious glance. "...and, don't forget: Lazienne blessed their union", she added.
Laredo and Taggart both nodded in agreement and then glanced over to where the two Tev'Meckians were still mentally 'slugging it out'.
*Lareth, why do you and Father insist on a duel? Ipthar has already decreed that our older brother and Tawney were destined to be Lifemates! Are you really going to be so foolish as to allow this?* Lethe had no idea that the duel was, in fact, her twin's idea.
*It is not my place to interfere, nor is it your's, Lethe.* Was Lareth's only reply, as he crossed his arms across his chest.
*Yet, that's exactly what you and Father are doing, by your refusal to accept this Union!* was Lethe's final shot. She turned, and realized that Katelyn had left her side.
The Protector trio noticed Lethe turn away from her brother and, taking that as meaning their discussion was over, walked back over. Katelyn, afraid to speak, let an uplift of her eyebrows ask the question, *Is everything all right?* A weak smile from Lethe answered her, as did the Tev'Meckian's "This way, Katelyn...", as she again headed toward her brother's hut. She couldn't help but notice that Laredo was looking at her with a mixture of apprehension, sympathy...and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.....
*~*~*~*~*
tbc...