Subj: DARK FRONTIER, DS/TOS Crossover, pt 8
Date: 4/17/01 6:22:17 PM Central Daylight Time
From: JM Lane

To her delighted surprise, Christine found Barnabas waiting for her outside the Hall of Records when she emerged at 1830 hours. They shared a hug and brief kiss, then she spoke.

"Barnabas, it's great to see you, but how did you know where to find me?" she wondered.

He returned her smile. "I called the Inn and learned from your ... friend Mr. Spock that you were here. He had planned to come for you, but I--convinced him to allow me to escort you home." Barnabas frowned. "I had considerable difficulty doing so, getting the distinct impression that he...distrusted me for some reason."

"Well, we still don't know that much about you, and trust has never come easily to Spock. He also tends to be protective of those he works with or feels close to, particularly women."

"I cannot fault him there, but do not understand why he is so distrustful of me where you're concerned. It is almost as though he were--jealous of me."

"I doubt that very much," Christine returned, although deep down she hoped it was indeed true. "Spock's not generally the jealous type, especially where I'm concerned."

She then explained her ill-fated love for Spock from its beginning, shortly before they had found Roger Korby (or his simulacrum) on Exo III to the present, even including the bittersweet encounters with Spock...particularly the encounter in his quarters during his pon farr, the time she and the Vulcan had shared consciousness together and the forced kiss between them on Platonius.

Barnabas understood why she became so unusually quiet when speaking of these things, sensing that she still harbored deep
feelings for Spock despite his treatment of her.

"How have you been able to endure it all these years?" he asked, incredulous in spite of his own centuries-old obsession with his first love, Josette.

"Well, stubbornness helps," Christine sighed. "And when that runs out, there's always hope. Not to mention several short-term affairs-- but despite it all, Spock has always remained very much in my heart."

"Am I a 'short-term affair' to you?" Barnabas asked pointedly. "You certainly aren't a short-term affair to me," he finished vehemently.

"Barnabas, I'm very fond of you and I hope we can keep in touch even after this mission is over, but..." Her voice trailed off. "I don't want to hurt you or make you feel used, because you're the most wonderful person--man--I've ever known. You've made me feel like more of a woman in just these last few days than I have in years." They stopped briefly about halfway to the Inn so she could touch his cheek, then stroke his lips with a finger. He kissed it, then smiled at her.

"By necessity, however, our relationship would have to be a temporary one, because of my assignment to the *Enterprise*. Much of the time, we're light-years from Earth on urgent missions for Starfleet. It's also rare that we actually get leave on Earth. It's more likely to be on a Starbase or someplace like that."

"If we remain in touch, I could arrange to come see you during at least one of those leave times if you're able to give me enough advance notice," Barnabas pointed out. "You would definitely be worth the trip, I can promise you that."

"Thank you, Barnabas. I'm glad you think so." A short time later, Christine looked up to notice that they had reached the Inn. "Here's the Inn. Thank you for your most pleasant company."

"The pleasure is all mine," he assured her. "Take care, Christine. Give my best wishes to your friend Lani and all your other
shipmates--and good luck in your investigation. I hope my suggestion about the Hall of Records was helpful to you."

"Definitely," his companion confirmed with a smile. "I think we've taken a big step ahead in our investigation, thanks to you,
although it'll simply be my opinion until everyone else's thoughts on it are heard."

"May I see you tomorrow night? I have told my cousin Quentin about you and he is most anxious to meet you."

"I'd have to check my schedule and see if the Captain needs me for anything before I can let you know one way or the other."

"Well, you know my number. If you're available, please let me know and I will come fetch you."

"Will do," Christine assured him just as she and Barnabas stepped into the Inn's lobby to see Lt. Holloway standing to one side near the elevators with Spock, seemingly engaged in a most animated discussion. She was too far away to hear just what it was they were discussing, but even as they neared the other pair, Holloway broke off her discussion with Spock to greet Christine.

"Christine, you won't believe what I found at the newspaper offices," the other woman declared. "I even brought back some copies of the original issues and articles relating to our investigation. Did you have any luck?"

"Oh, yes. I brought back several copies of relevant family records myself," the female Doctor answered.

"In which case, we'd best get back to the others so we can tell them about it," Holloway suggested.

"Yeah, we'd better," Christine conceded. "I'll see you later, Barnabas," she stage-whispered in his direction.

"Later," he returned quietly after kissing her hand again, then seemingly vanishing into thin air.

The three officers went up in the elevator together; Chris was unable to help catching Spock's sidelong glance at her shortly before they reached their floor. It was a cross between a frown and an outright glare, seemingly at the knowledge that Barnabas had walked her home...and worst of all, denied him the same opportunity. The Vulcan was now convinced that the other man was turning into a serious rival for Christine's attention, so he had to do something soon or else there was a very good chance that he would lose her.

But this was not the proper time; they should be alone for such a private discussion. Perhaps there would be an opportunity after the discussion of the information she and Holloway had found.