Subj: DARK FRONTIER, DS/TOS Crossover, 12
Date: 4/24/01 6:41:15 PM Central Daylight Time
From: JM Lane

Fortunately for Spock, when Kirk came to check on him, the Vulcan had finally been able to put himself into a sleep-trance—-but his eyelids were puffy, even swollen, which told the Captain that something (or someone) had driven his normally unemotional friend into a "crying jag". It took a lot to make Spock cry, so Kirk knew it had to be something serious.

Also, Spock had not admitted anything to him at this point, but the Human knew the Vulcan well enough to make a pretty accurate guess as to what had prompted this emotional episode. At the same time, Kirk knew that Spock would not be up to discussing it for some time and that he had to bide his time. The Captain only hoped that he could find the patience and fortitude to allow Spock to work this out on his own as much as possible.

It was roughly 1600 hours when McCoy and Christine came by after checking on Lani Davidson once again; they asked where Spock was. The Captain thought he'd better cover for his Vulcan friend, at least for the time being, until and if he could find out from Spock whether or not to tell them anything further.

"Where's Spock, Jim?" McCoy asked, curious.

"I checked on him a little while ago; he seems to be meditating—- or at least he's in one of his favorite positions for it."

"Umm-hmm," the Doctor returned skeptically. "How long has he been at it?"

"I don't know," Kirk replied. "I got the impression that it had been at least a couple of hours, if not longer, since he went in there right after coming back from lunch and until about ten minutes ago, I hadn't seen him."

A short time later both men looked Christine up and down, hard-pressed not to wolf whistle. She wore a short-sleeved pastel blue dress with a sweetheart neckline and lace around the collar and sleeves. The hem ended just above her knees; she wore pale blue opaque hose and white shoes, along with a light jacket of a color two shades darker than the dress; her hair was up in a casual upsweep and she wore heart-shaped gold and diamond earrings in her pierced ears.

"Whoa, look at *you*!" Kirk exclaimed. "Another date with Barnabas tonight?"

Christine smiled and nodded. "He's invited me over to meet his cousin, Quentin."

"Will you need someone to bring you back?" the Captain asked. "I'm sure Spock would be willing to—-"

Christine cut him off with a raised hand. "I appreciate the offer, Captain, but if Barnabas doesn't bring me back himself, his
cousin probably will. I'll be fine."

"I hope so," Kirk sighed. "I don't want you trying to come back alone…not after what happened to Ensign Davidson."

"Don't worry; I've got my crucifix in my dress pocket."

"When are you leaving?" McCoy wondered.

"Another hour," she answered. "Barnabas just called; he's supposed to pick me up after he gets off work—-or so he said."

"What does he do?" Kirk asked.

"If I remember correctly, he's in charge of keeping financial records in the offices of his family's corporation. It's full-time
and second shift, from 1800 to 0200. He's off early tonight, though."

"Then you'll probably not get back until at least midnight," the Captain remarked.

"Possibly later, if we get to talking and lose track of time," Christine told him.

"Why are you ready so soon?" McCoy asked.

"Just felt like it. Didn't want to be rushing around at the last minute. See you later. I've got to get back to the room to wait for Barnabas. See you later." With a smile and wave, she turned for the door and left.

The two men watched her go; Kirk noted McCoy's skeptical look. "Something wrong, Bones?"

"Strange…" the Doctor mused. "Chris didn't even ask about Spock. Of course, she's not been giving him more than the time of day since she met Barnabas. Other than Spock, I've never seen her so taken with a man before. Maybe that's one reason he's been so bugged about her seeing him. She's been so busy with Barnabas that she hasn't had time for any kind of interaction with Spock other than on a professional basis.

Of course, some would say it's poetic justice for her to do what she's doing, considering how Spock's always treated her. In view of that fact, who could blame her if she was skeptical of any claims he might make as to affection for her? Even so, there's still such a thing as going too far," the Doctor opined. "If you could only have seen Spock's face in the restaurant when Christine discussed her last date with Barnabas. You could have dropped a ton of bricks on top of him and he wouldn't have felt it."

"You mean you saw him?"

"Yeah—-but he didn't see us…or at least not me," McCoy recalled.

"He seemed to be totally focused on Christine."

Kirk was now positive that he knew just what had prompted the Vulcan's uncharacteristically emotional reaction to Christine's conduct, intending to confront both her and Spock about it, if not Barnabas as well-—if only to find out his true intentions regarding her. He could understand if Christine wanted to get back at Spock, if only a little, but revenge was one thing, overkill was another… and this was overkill, big-time.

If possible (and if it didn't take too much time), the Captain intended to speak with Barnabas when the latter came to pick up Christine. He had to be cautious, however; if Spock found out, he would likely be upset with Kirk for interfering in his private life.

Christine, too, for that matter…but the Captain couldn't stand seeing his friend so down without at least trying to help. It was a risk he would have to take.

"I'm sorry he's hurting," Kirk said. "Unfortunately, he usually brings on much of his pain himself, whether he means to or not.
Classic case of someone being their own worst enemy, not simply a contender for `Great Martyr of the Galaxy'."

"When isn't he?" the Doctor tossed back with a wry chuckle. "When aren't we all?"

* * * * * * * * * *

Kirk didn't ordinarily do it, but this time kept his comm channel open so he would know just when Barnabas arrived to pick up Christine so he could talk to them together. As soon as he heard her greet him, the Captain ducked out the door of his room (he had been alone most of the day, since Spock was still "indisposed" and Bones was watching over Lani Davidson, Dickerson again standing guard) and caught up with them just as they were preparing to leave.

"Excuse me," he called. "May I speak with you a moment, Mr. Collins?"

Barnabas exchanged a questioning look with Christine, then shrugged and turned to face Kirk. "Of course, Captain. How may I help you?"

"I need you to answer a question for me," the Captain returned mildly.

"Yes? What would you like to know?"

"What are your intentions regarding Dr. Chapel? How do you feel about her?"

"That is *two* questions, Captain," Barnabas returned with a smile. "No matter. I am…very fond of Christine. She is--most special to me."

"Special enough to want to marry her?" Kirk retorted.

Barnabas smiled again. "Very direct, aren't you, Captain? Yes, she is `special enough' to me…but I have no intention of pressuring her. If matters should come to that, it will be *her* decision. Now, if that is all you have to say, we have an engagement to keep."

"No, it's not all I have to say," Kirk shot back. "I'm told that a member of your family was under a—-vampire curse, Mr. Collins."

Barnabas froze in his tracks, not moving or speaking for some time before finally turning around. "That was my…ancestor, the original Barnabas Collins, Captain."

"Indeed? Are you quite sure of that?" Kirk challenged. "I admit I don't know that much on the subject, but one thing I do know about vampires: they don't age. They remain at the age they were when they first became such. In which case, how do we know that *you* aren't the original Barnabas?"

"Captain, what are you implying?" Christine broke in, her tone dangerous.

"That if you get further involved with him, you could be in great danger-—if I'm correct," the Captain informed her.

"With all due respect, nothing has been proven yet," Christine pointed out coldly. "And if I were you, Captain, I wouldn't make an accusation like that unless I *had* that proof."

"What if it has and you just can't see it?" Kirk shot back. "Are you willing to risk your life to prove me wrong?"

"Please, Christine…Captain…don't fight because of me. Captain, I assure you that whatever I am, I could never-—and *would* never-—harm Christine. I would sooner harm myself. Also, for me to be what you claim is ludicrous. I am…somewhat eccentric, I admit, but that is mainly because I have lived abroad for many years and learned different ways of living."

"Even supernatural ways?" Kirk accused, glaring at the other man, his eyes hard and cold.

"I—-grant you, the supernatural has been a part of my family background for generations, but I cannot change what's happened in the past," Barnabas continued. "No one can."

"But that's not to say that members of your family haven't tried, from what I understand," Kirk continued. "Such as the original Quentin. It's said that he built a stairway which could go through time, and there was also supposed to be a room in the West Wing of Collinwood, your family mansion, which does roughly the same thing. It's called the Parallel Time Room. The people are the same, but lead different lives because they made different decisions in the given timeline. It's even said that you—-or your…ancestor—-have done it: or at least attempted it."

"Yes," Barnabas conceded. "But I cannot tell you all the details now. Quentin is waiting to meet Christine."

"Which reminds me: You will see to Dr. Chapel's safe return or you'll answer to me. I don't give a damn *what* your family name is, *how* rich or powerful you are. I have friends in high places myself."

"Are you threatening me, Captain?" The other man's voice took on an ominous tone.

"That's a promise," Kirk assured him. "If anything happens to Christine, you're going to be sorry you ever met me."

"Indeed? We shall see about that," Barnabas returned coolly. "Please excuse us now, Captain. Come, Christine."

The female Doctor's eyes were blue fire when they met Kirk's, and though she didn't say anything further, the hostility he saw there promised trouble. He could sense that she was going to hand him more than a few choice words (if not his head on the proverbial platter) upon her return, regarding the accusations he had made against Barnabas if and when she should get the opportunity—-so he intended to prepare himself as best he could in order to be ready for the blue vitriol which would surely be heaped upon him when that time arrived. And it *would* come; the Captain had no doubts whatsoever about that.