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 18
As Lareth entered his hut, a sense of morbid fear setted over him,
his prayer to Ipthar turning into a mantra in his mind. *Please, not
the Human. Please, not the Human.*
It wasn't long before his sister and the dreaded Humans entered the
hut as well. Sighing in disgruntlement, Lareth ignored his guests and
walked to the opposite side of the hut and began to prepare the Blood
Ticks he had gathered earlier.
*I have some plants that you can use for a salad*, Lareth "told" his
sister. The malice he'd previously shown had been replaced by
resignation, and--Lethe thought--a little bit of depression.
*Are they in the greenhouse, brother?"
Lareth simply nodded, and Lethe turned to leave the hut. Taggart
and Katelyn both watched in amusement as Laredo followed Lethe out
of the hut.
Lareth, who was deep in thought, did not notice this however.
*If it is to be, then Ipthar has apparently chosen a woman who can
defend herself.* He pondered. He was unaware that he was soon to
have visitors.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Salad...that means green things...", Laredo was muttering to
himself, as he looked over the plants, and tried to remember
what he and Commander Taggart had eaten previously. He was also
trying, unsuccessfully, to ignore the tingle that raced up his
spine, whenever Lethe neared him.
"So.... need any help?" Laredo asked, wondering why his voice
held a hint of a tremble.
"Uh...yes...thank you, Laredo", Lethe's voice was no more stable
than his. Taking a deep breath, she managed to steady it...a
little bit. "Could you...hand me that basket?" She indicated a
basket near the entrance to the greenhouse.
"Sure thing." Laredo stated and moved to retrieve the basket--an
old hand-made woven one--and turned to follow Lethe inside of the
make-shift structure. As Laredo started to touch a large
cabbage-like plant, Lethe stopped him.
"Not that one", she said. "Don't let the size of the leaves fool
you: That's actually used to make poultices for large wounds, like
sunburns." She guided Laredo to the next aisle of plants.
Laredo looked at the plant he had just reached for, making
comparisons between it and the other leafy plants. As he looked,
he noticed a strange looking plant set off to the side. The
leaves were a shade of green Laredo had never seen before, and
there were bright purple blossoms with bright red centers.
"What about that one?" He asked, getting Lethe's attention as he
pointed out the subject of his interest. "What is that one used
for?"
"That one's used for ailments of the stomach", Lethe explained.
"When it's boiled, the broth can be very soothing."
Spying the plants she knew the Humans would enjoy, Lethe blindly
reached for the basket. Likewise, Laredo was still studying the
medicinal plants; therefore, he wasn't paying attention to his
hands, either. Whether by design or by accident, neither one
knew...but, as Laredo handed the basket to Lethe, their hands
touched.
The tingle that ran up both thier arms was shocking to say the
least. Lethe gasped and they both jerked back their hands at the
same time, causing the basket to fall to the ground unheeded.
Both human and Tev'Meckian looked at each other in confused
wonder. Being the first to find his voice, Laredo said the first
thing that came to his mind.
"Okay, what the hell was that?!?"
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Father, hurry up, I wish to speak with Laz before the next
Harvest Festival." L'Tisha hissed to her father, who was taking
his time approaching the hut.
T'Heseen finally came to stand beside his daughter in front of
the entrance to Lareth's hut. Motioning for L'Tisha to knock,
the elder Tev'Meckian crossed his arms over his chest and waited
for them to be invited inside.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The knock startled the inhabitats of the hut. Lareth puzzled over
who would be visiting this late as he bade whoever was at his door
enter.
As the door opened, Lareth's heartbeat quickened, and--as much as
his species would allow--he became sweaty. He could see the Human
female beside his sister...so what was causing this???
For her part, L'Tisha was experiencing mixed emotions. The
feelings she'd experienced earlier had, in fact, intensified...
but Lazarus was nowhere to be seen. Despite the adrenaline rush
which accompanied the Mak'Tar Mating Urge, L'Tisha felt a pang of disappointment that the feelings had apparently been caused, not
by Luchien's firstborn, but by his younger brother...the very one
she used to "bully".
L'Tisha and Lareth stared at each other in shocked silence before
the former turned and bolted from the hut. She had't gone twenty
meters when she ran headlong into Luchien. The Elder had felt his
son's mixed emotions, and had rushed, unbidden, to his younger son's
hut. Grabbing her by the shoulders to steady her, Luchien could see
the tears streaming down the young female's face. Becoming slightly
alarmed, Luchien spoke gently as he asked, "L'Tisha, tell me what
is wrong?"
"It was supposed to be Lazarus!" L'Tisha wailed.
A flash of confusion passed over Luchien's face as he tried to piece
together what that statement meant. Then it hit him. L'Tisha was
leaving Lareth's hut, but Luchien knew that Lazarus was in Lethe's
hut with his.... human. Luchien knew of L'Tisha's obsession over his
eldest son, and in truth had hoped that the two would bond. But his
hopes had been dashed when his wayward son had returned with an
"alien" Life Mate.
*So, she had found her Life Mate, then, but who...*
Luchien's eyes widened as the final piece of the puzzle fell into
place. L'Tisha... with Lareth?
Luchien...must it be so?" L'Tisha asked, desparingly, as she saw
the Elder's gentle smile.
"Yes, L'Tisha, it must. You know that we are not ones to change the
decree of Ipthar."
As he said this, Luchien felt a pang of guilt. Was this not exactly
what he and Lareth were trying to do to Lazarus? *No it is not. That
is entirely different.* He thought, trying to placate himself.
Unaware that her cries had carried to the greenhouse, L'Tisha gave a
final sniffle. "Well, if you are certain...."
Head bowed in resignation, the young Tev'Meckian woman turned, and
walked back toward Lareth's hut. Neither she nor Luchien saw Lethe
and Laredo, who were both very confused--for several reasons--heading
in the same direction. The four arrived at the entrance simultaneously.
Lareth was waiting; Peter and Katelyn were behind him, in the dining
area.
Lethe, still confused about the incident in the greenhouse, slipped
past her brother and into the hut to stand beside Katelyn. Laredo
hurried in as well, but moved to the opposite side of the hut,
putting as much distance between himself and Lethe as possible.
"L'Tisha, for what reason have you and your father come calling so
late?" Lareth asked, glancing curiously at his father as he spoke.
"I...we...didn't you...?" L'Tisha, as she approached Lareth again
found herself under the effects of the Mating Urge...and totally
unable to speak coherently. *Mother was right*, she reflected. *The
males always deny what they know to be true....*
As Katelyn quietly passed by Lareth--a little closer than she would
have desired--L'Tisha made her decision: She reached out, and took
one of Lareth's hands. The reaction was immediate.
Lareth's eyes widened and his jaw dropped dramatically as he felt
the Mating Urge surge through him; beginning at the point of where
his and L'Tisha's hands were joined, and spreading throughout his
body. It is she and not the female human? Lareth did not know
whether he wanted to laugh or cry. Laugh because he was jubilant
that he was not to Mate with the Human. Cry because... this was
L'Tisha! The bane of his existence. He had hated her and her
bullying ways since they were but small children... and now she
was to be his Life Mate?!?
Lareth's eyes sought out his father's, silently beseeching him,
needing him to say that this was not true. Luchien's eyes twinkled,
as they had not since Lazienne had died.
*At least it is not the Human, my son*, he "said", wryly.
*I'm not certain which is worse*, Lareth "moaned". Giving a silent
sigh, he felt everyone else's eyes upon him. Looking up, he spied
his twin...and the look of triumph in her eyes.
*Serves you right!* Lethe "gloated".
*I would not be so quick to judge, sister.* Lareth "spat" back,
narrowing his eyes threateningly at his twin.
*You had better hope she has mellowed since we were playmates,
Lareth.* Lethe, proud of herself for getting in the final blow,
turned to the table. Katelyn and Peter had been watching the
silent drama unfold; now, Lethe asked, "Katelyn, would you like
to help me prepare the salad?"
"Umm, actually, Peter and I were about to go for a walk. Weren't
we, Peter? Laredo, why don't you help Lethe with the salad?"
Katelyn said, all the while grabbing the Commander by the hand
and dragging him out of the hut before either Lethe or Laredo
could respond.
Laredo was considering "pulling rank", and making the Ensign
stay...until he saw the same thought cross the Commander's face.
Sighing, he turned to his reluctant host.
"Excuse me, Lareth", he said quietly. "Where do you keep your
salad bowls? Lareth...? Uh, Lareth...?" Laredo saw a "look" in
Lareth's eyes that sent chills down his spine...because Lethe
had the same "look" in HER eyes. *What is going on here?* he
wondered.
Oblivious to the emotional fireworks around them--and blind to
the extra sources...namely, Lethe and Laredo--L'Tisha and Lareth's
fathers stepped outside, to tend to the matters at hand.
L'Tisha, still holding Lareth's hands in her own, urged her
new-found Life Mate to follow her from the hut, so that they
could discuss this situation in private. Thus, Laredo found
himself alone with Lethe in the hut. Gulping, he turned to face
the female Tev'Meckian--who was eyeing him warily--and said,
"So... how does Take-Out sound?"
"Excuse me...?" a confused Lethe replied.
"Uh, never mind." Laredo muttered, shaking his head.
Walking over to the pantry, Laredo shifted through the various
contents until he found a suitable bowl and brought it over to
the small table in the dining area.
Lethe and Laredo washed the salad greens, and prepared the meal
in silence, partly because they were both afraid to speak, and
partly because each one was lost in thought, wondering at the
events this evening...and the repercussions of these events....
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Is what just happened in there, really what I think just
happened?" Katelyn asked the Commander after they had walked
a good distance away from the hut that held their friends.
Commaner Peter Quincy Taggart just laughed. "Very good, Katelyn!"
he joked. "It WAS pretty obvious...to everyone but the two of
them...and Lethe's family", he remarked.
"I can't believe it!" Katie scoffed. "Man, are the two stuck ups
really gonna lose it when they find out."
Taggart became serious. "Yeah, well...Maybe they can keep it quiet
until after this 'duel' of Luchien's." Mentally, he added, *...or
else we're liable to have some VERY serious bloodshed...soon.*
Katelyn also became serious. "You are worried about this duel,
aren't you? You're afraid Tawney may lose." She stated.
Katelyn also became serious. "You ARE worried about this duel,
aren't you? You're afraid Tawney may lose", she stated. Katelyn
couldn't help the hint of jealousy rearing its head at this thought.
She knew it was petty. Tawney could really get hurt, she only wished
the Commander would worry about *her* that way....
Unbeknownst to Katelyn, Commander Taggart WAS worried about Ensign Wingate...because his mind had flashed back to something that had
happened earlier: Katelyn's prowess with the Tev'Meckian "bola".
*Surely Luchien wouldn't stoop THAT low...would he?* Taggart
worried. His eyebrows furrowed at this thought, causing Katelyn
to put a hand on his shoulder. Unthinkingly, Peter reached up and
placed his own hand over Katie's.
The cover of night prevented Taggart's blush from being visible,
but nothing could quiet the trembling in his heart, or his voice.
Bringing their hands down, he stammered, "We'd better...get back.
Uh, I'm sure...that salad's ready...by now...." As they started
walking back towards Lareth's hut, Peter unconsciously sqeezed
Katelyn's hand...and nearly passed out when she sqeezed back....
Glancing over at Peter, Katelyn smiled secretly. Maybe there was
still a chance for her and the Commander yet.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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 18
As Lareth entered his hut, a sense of morbid fear setted over him,
his prayer to Ipthar turning into a mantra in his mind. *Please, not
the Human. Please, not the Human.*
It wasn't long before his sister and the dreaded Humans entered the
hut as well. Sighing in disgruntlement, Lareth ignored his guests and
walked to the opposite side of the hut and began to prepare the Blood
Ticks he had gathered earlier.
*I have some plants that you can use for a salad*, Lareth "told" his
sister. The malice he'd previously shown had been replaced by
resignation, and--Lethe thought--a little bit of depression.
*Are they in the greenhouse, brother?"
Lareth simply nodded, and Lethe turned to leave the hut. Taggart
and Katelyn both watched in amusement as Laredo followed Lethe out
of the hut.
Lareth, who was deep in thought, did not notice this however.
*If it is to be, then Ipthar has apparently chosen a woman who can
defend herself.* He pondered. He was unaware that he was soon to
have visitors.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Salad...that means green things...", Laredo was muttering to
himself, as he looked over the plants, and tried to remember
what he and Commander Taggart had eaten previously. He was also
trying, unsuccessfully, to ignore the tingle that raced up his
spine, whenever Lethe neared him.
"So.... need any help?" Laredo asked, wondering why his voice
held a hint of a tremble.
"Uh...yes...thank you, Laredo", Lethe's voice was no more stable
than his. Taking a deep breath, she managed to steady it...a
little bit. "Could you...hand me that basket?" She indicated a
basket near the entrance to the greenhouse.
"Sure thing." Laredo stated and moved to retrieve the basket--an
old hand-made woven one--and turned to follow Lethe inside of the
make-shift structure. As Laredo started to touch a large
cabbage-like plant, Lethe stopped him.
"Not that one", she said. "Don't let the size of the leaves fool
you: That's actually used to make poultices for large wounds, like
sunburns." She guided Laredo to the next aisle of plants.
Laredo looked at the plant he had just reached for, making
comparisons between it and the other leafy plants. As he looked,
he noticed a strange looking plant set off to the side. The
leaves were a shade of green Laredo had never seen before, and
there were bright purple blossoms with bright red centers.
"What about that one?" He asked, getting Lethe's attention as he
pointed out the subject of his interest. "What is that one used
for?"
"That one's used for ailments of the stomach", Lethe explained.
"When it's boiled, the broth can be very soothing."
Spying the plants she knew the Humans would enjoy, Lethe blindly
reached for the basket. Likewise, Laredo was still studying the
medicinal plants; therefore, he wasn't paying attention to his
hands, either. Whether by design or by accident, neither one
knew...but, as Laredo handed the basket to Lethe, their hands
touched.
The tingle that ran up both thier arms was shocking to say the
least. Lethe gasped and they both jerked back their hands at the
same time, causing the basket to fall to the ground unheeded.
Both human and Tev'Meckian looked at each other in confused
wonder. Being the first to find his voice, Laredo said the first
thing that came to his mind.
"Okay, what the hell was that?!?"
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Father, hurry up, I wish to speak with Laz before the next
Harvest Festival." L'Tisha hissed to her father, who was taking
his time approaching the hut.
T'Heseen finally came to stand beside his daughter in front of
the entrance to Lareth's hut. Motioning for L'Tisha to knock,
the elder Tev'Meckian crossed his arms over his chest and waited
for them to be invited inside.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The knock startled the inhabitats of the hut. Lareth puzzled over
who would be visiting this late as he bade whoever was at his door
enter.
As the door opened, Lareth's heartbeat quickened, and--as much as
his species would allow--he became sweaty. He could see the Human
female beside his sister...so what was causing this???
For her part, L'Tisha was experiencing mixed emotions. The
feelings she'd experienced earlier had, in fact, intensified...
but Lazarus was nowhere to be seen. Despite the adrenaline rush
which accompanied the Mak'Tar Mating Urge, L'Tisha felt a pang of disappointment that the feelings had apparently been caused, not
by Luchien's firstborn, but by his younger brother...the very one
she used to "bully".
L'Tisha and Lareth stared at each other in shocked silence before
the former turned and bolted from the hut. She had't gone twenty
meters when she ran headlong into Luchien. The Elder had felt his
son's mixed emotions, and had rushed, unbidden, to his younger son's
hut. Grabbing her by the shoulders to steady her, Luchien could see
the tears streaming down the young female's face. Becoming slightly
alarmed, Luchien spoke gently as he asked, "L'Tisha, tell me what
is wrong?"
"It was supposed to be Lazarus!" L'Tisha wailed.
A flash of confusion passed over Luchien's face as he tried to piece
together what that statement meant. Then it hit him. L'Tisha was
leaving Lareth's hut, but Luchien knew that Lazarus was in Lethe's
hut with his.... human. Luchien knew of L'Tisha's obsession over his
eldest son, and in truth had hoped that the two would bond. But his
hopes had been dashed when his wayward son had returned with an
"alien" Life Mate.
*So, she had found her Life Mate, then, but who...*
Luchien's eyes widened as the final piece of the puzzle fell into
place. L'Tisha... with Lareth?
Luchien...must it be so?" L'Tisha asked, desparingly, as she saw
the Elder's gentle smile.
"Yes, L'Tisha, it must. You know that we are not ones to change the
decree of Ipthar."
As he said this, Luchien felt a pang of guilt. Was this not exactly
what he and Lareth were trying to do to Lazarus? *No it is not. That
is entirely different.* He thought, trying to placate himself.
Unaware that her cries had carried to the greenhouse, L'Tisha gave a
final sniffle. "Well, if you are certain...."
Head bowed in resignation, the young Tev'Meckian woman turned, and
walked back toward Lareth's hut. Neither she nor Luchien saw Lethe
and Laredo, who were both very confused--for several reasons--heading
in the same direction. The four arrived at the entrance simultaneously.
Lareth was waiting; Peter and Katelyn were behind him, in the dining
area.
Lethe, still confused about the incident in the greenhouse, slipped
past her brother and into the hut to stand beside Katelyn. Laredo
hurried in as well, but moved to the opposite side of the hut,
putting as much distance between himself and Lethe as possible.
"L'Tisha, for what reason have you and your father come calling so
late?" Lareth asked, glancing curiously at his father as he spoke.
"I...we...didn't you...?" L'Tisha, as she approached Lareth again
found herself under the effects of the Mating Urge...and totally
unable to speak coherently. *Mother was right*, she reflected. *The
males always deny what they know to be true....*
As Katelyn quietly passed by Lareth--a little closer than she would
have desired--L'Tisha made her decision: She reached out, and took
one of Lareth's hands. The reaction was immediate.
Lareth's eyes widened and his jaw dropped dramatically as he felt
the Mating Urge surge through him; beginning at the point of where
his and L'Tisha's hands were joined, and spreading throughout his
body. It is she and not the female human? Lareth did not know
whether he wanted to laugh or cry. Laugh because he was jubilant
that he was not to Mate with the Human. Cry because... this was
L'Tisha! The bane of his existence. He had hated her and her
bullying ways since they were but small children... and now she
was to be his Life Mate?!?
Lareth's eyes sought out his father's, silently beseeching him,
needing him to say that this was not true. Luchien's eyes twinkled,
as they had not since Lazienne had died.
*At least it is not the Human, my son*, he "said", wryly.
*I'm not certain which is worse*, Lareth "moaned". Giving a silent
sigh, he felt everyone else's eyes upon him. Looking up, he spied
his twin...and the look of triumph in her eyes.
*Serves you right!* Lethe "gloated".
*I would not be so quick to judge, sister.* Lareth "spat" back,
narrowing his eyes threateningly at his twin.
*You had better hope she has mellowed since we were playmates,
Lareth.* Lethe, proud of herself for getting in the final blow,
turned to the table. Katelyn and Peter had been watching the
silent drama unfold; now, Lethe asked, "Katelyn, would you like
to help me prepare the salad?"
"Umm, actually, Peter and I were about to go for a walk. Weren't
we, Peter? Laredo, why don't you help Lethe with the salad?"
Katelyn said, all the while grabbing the Commander by the hand
and dragging him out of the hut before either Lethe or Laredo
could respond.
Laredo was considering "pulling rank", and making the Ensign
stay...until he saw the same thought cross the Commander's face.
Sighing, he turned to his reluctant host.
"Excuse me, Lareth", he said quietly. "Where do you keep your
salad bowls? Lareth...? Uh, Lareth...?" Laredo saw a "look" in
Lareth's eyes that sent chills down his spine...because Lethe
had the same "look" in HER eyes. *What is going on here?* he
wondered.
Oblivious to the emotional fireworks around them--and blind to
the extra sources...namely, Lethe and Laredo--L'Tisha and Lareth's
fathers stepped outside, to tend to the matters at hand.
L'Tisha, still holding Lareth's hands in her own, urged her
new-found Life Mate to follow her from the hut, so that they
could discuss this situation in private. Thus, Laredo found
himself alone with Lethe in the hut. Gulping, he turned to face
the female Tev'Meckian--who was eyeing him warily--and said,
"So... how does Take-Out sound?"
"Excuse me...?" a confused Lethe replied.
"Uh, never mind." Laredo muttered, shaking his head.
Walking over to the pantry, Laredo shifted through the various
contents until he found a suitable bowl and brought it over to
the small table in the dining area.
Lethe and Laredo washed the salad greens, and prepared the meal
in silence, partly because they were both afraid to speak, and
partly because each one was lost in thought, wondering at the
events this evening...and the repercussions of these events....
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Is what just happened in there, really what I think just
happened?" Katelyn asked the Commander after they had walked
a good distance away from the hut that held their friends.
Commaner Peter Quincy Taggart just laughed. "Very good, Katelyn!"
he joked. "It WAS pretty obvious...to everyone but the two of
them...and Lethe's family", he remarked.
"I can't believe it!" Katie scoffed. "Man, are the two stuck ups
really gonna lose it when they find out."
Taggart became serious. "Yeah, well...Maybe they can keep it quiet
until after this 'duel' of Luchien's." Mentally, he added, *...or
else we're liable to have some VERY serious bloodshed...soon.*
Katelyn also became serious. "You are worried about this duel,
aren't you? You're afraid Tawney may lose." She stated.
Katelyn also became serious. "You ARE worried about this duel,
aren't you? You're afraid Tawney may lose", she stated. Katelyn
couldn't help the hint of jealousy rearing its head at this thought.
She knew it was petty. Tawney could really get hurt, she only wished
the Commander would worry about *her* that way....
Unbeknownst to Katelyn, Commander Taggart WAS worried about Ensign Wingate...because his mind had flashed back to something that had
happened earlier: Katelyn's prowess with the Tev'Meckian "bola".
*Surely Luchien wouldn't stoop THAT low...would he?* Taggart
worried. His eyebrows furrowed at this thought, causing Katelyn
to put a hand on his shoulder. Unthinkingly, Peter reached up and
placed his own hand over Katie's.
The cover of night prevented Taggart's blush from being visible,
but nothing could quiet the trembling in his heart, or his voice.
Bringing their hands down, he stammered, "We'd better...get back.
Uh, I'm sure...that salad's ready...by now...." As they started
walking back towards Lareth's hut, Peter unconsciously sqeezed
Katelyn's hand...and nearly passed out when she sqeezed back....
Glancing over at Peter, Katelyn smiled secretly. Maybe there was
still a chance for her and the Commander yet.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*