Subj: DARK FRONTIER, DS/TOS Crossover, pt 13
Date: 4/30/01 4:20:13 PM Central Daylight Time
From: JM Lane

When Spock came out of the bedroom, roughly half an hour after Christine's departure with Barnabas, Kirk was horrified at his appearance. He looked haggard and there were dark circles under his eyes, as if he had neither slept nor meditated for at least a week.

Kirk rushed to his friend's side to help him to the couch when he seemed about to collapse.

"Spock, you look terrible! What's wrong? What's happened?"

"I…have experienced a nightmare," the Vulcan whispered hoarsely, visibly trembling from the trauma of it.

"Must have been a real whopper-—that is, a really bad one," the Captain amended at his alien friend's raised eyebrows. "You don't terrify easily." Kirk was quiet for a while, sensing that Spock needed medical help, then said, "I think I should call Bones." It frightened him even more when the Vulcan didn't argue with him. A moment later, the Captain reached for his communicator on the coffee table before them and flipped it open. "Bones, you need to come back. It's Spock."

"Why? What's happened?" the Doctor asked, both curious and concerned when he answered.

"Spock's had a nightmare…a really bad one. I think he's in shock. He's pale and trembling; his skin's clammy…" Kirk's voice trailed off.

"Has he told you about it yet?" McCoy asked.

"No, he just came out of the bedroom, looking like he was ready to collapse. I had to help him to the couch."

"I suppose it's safe enough to leave Lani for now. Her condition hasn't changed. As soon as I've given Dickerson orders to call me if anything happens, I'll be right there. McCoy out."

"Thanks, Bones. Kirk out." The Captain returned his attention to his other friend. "McCoy's on his way. Can you tell me anything about the nightmare?"

The Vulcan seemed not to hear him for a moment, then suddenly threw himself into his Human friend's arms. Kirk held his friend protectively, comfortingly, like he would a frightened child, stroking the Vulcan's silky dark head soothingly as it rested on his shoulder. Spock held his Human companion in a tight hug, as if his life depended on it. Kirk took short, shallow breaths because of this to keep from passing out.

"Jim, Jim… It was terrible…horrible…" The voice was babbling, almost incoherent, so unlike the Vulcan's ordinary strong, deep baritone.

"What happened?" Kirk asked in his gentlest voice.

Just then, before Spock had a chance to formulate a reply, McCoy approached them, scanner in hand and running it over the Vulcan's body. "You're right, Jim. It's shock," the CMO confirmed. "But what the devil could have caused this? Spock's not easily frightened or intimidated."

"I…don't know, Bones. I was hoping that together, we would—-be able to get it all…out of him."

"Good idea, Jim-—but he needs a tranquilizer first. He's holding onto you so tight that it's a wonder you can still breathe…not to mention the fact you're going to have bruises on your shoulders and arms for weeks to come."

A moment later the Doctor gave the Vulcan a shot to calm him; Spock released Kirk and allowed his friends to lay him down on the couch. Both of the large, thick cushions there were placed under his head and knees respectively. McCoy sent Kirk for the comforter off Spock's bed and again checked the latter's vital signs for any change.

While the Captain tucked the comforter around Spock, McCoy pulled up two chairs and placed them near him before seating himself in one and gesturing to Kirk to seat himself in the other. "Spock? It's McCoy," the Doctor crooned gently. "I've given you a mild tranquilizer. You should feel calmer by now, but don't try to get up. Just lie quiet and rest; Jim and I will stay with you. Can you tell us about the nightmare?"

The Vulcan smiled tiredly but gratefully. "I—-shall attempt to do so, Doctor."

"Who was in it?" Kirk asked softly.

"Myself, Christine and Barnabas Collins," Spock revealed quietly.

"What were the three of you doing?" McCoy asked.

"I…was searching for Christine, but—-could not find her. It was… dark, cold and desolate; I-–had no idea where I was. Then suddenly, Barnabas Collins appeared…seemingly out of nowhere. I asked him if he had-—seen her. He smiled and nodded. `Come, I will take you to her,' he said. He… led me to an old, seemingly deserted mansion…then downstairs-—into the basement, where I saw… two coffins, one of them… open and empty, the other closed. I asked again—-where was Christine? He…gestured to the closed coffin. I—-gave him a…strange look. What would she be doing here, in a coffin? `Ask her and find out,' Barnabas tells me—-again smiling enigmatically.

I stepped up to the…closed coffin and opened it. I-—found Christine lying in it, her…hands folded on her abdomen, seemingly asleep. Then as I looked at her, she—-awakened and…spoke to me. `Spock-—I need to tell you something,' she said…then sat up and touched my hand as it rested on the side of the coffin. Her touch was-—as cold as ice. I looked up at Barnabas accusingly.

`What have you done to her?' I demanded to know. `She belongs to me now,' Barnabas said. `She will…be my bride
for all eternity.'

`What do you mean?' I asked, frightened in spite of myself.

`Can you not guess, my love?' Christine asked. `Barnabas has made me into what he is. I will be eternally young and beautiful…and best of all, never be alone again. He will always be with me. I--directed him to bring you to me so that I could…tell you goodbye and that I'll never forget you. In fact, I'll even give you—-a kiss to remember me by.' With that, she…reached for me, attempting to—-put her arms around my neck. Her…mouth opened, revealing—-animal-like fangs. I… paled and backed away.

`I am sorry, Christine. I cannot allow you to do so,' I told her. Tears filled her eyes, but I just could not do it. However, just when I-—least expected it, I felt a strong push from behind…and went -—directly into her arms. The…next thing I knew, she had—-sunk her fangs into my throat and sucked my blood. I…screamed in spite of myself but could not stop her. She took enough of my blood so that I— collapsed beside the coffin. Then she was…cradling me in her arms as
Barnabas looked on.

She smiled apologetically. `I'm-—sorry, beloved, but I find that I just can't leave you behind. Within three days, you shall become… as we are—-then we will roam the night, all of us…together for all eternity.'

`No…no!…*No*!!' I cried out, seeing in my mind's eye what I would become, growing long, sharp and hideous teeth and feeling a growing—- hunger for blood, knowing I would…never see the sun again. The prospect was too much-—I…passed out. Then not long afterward, I woke up—- and came out here."

"Oh, my dear God," the Captain whispered, every bit as pale as Spock.

"No wonder he's in shock," McCoy put in. "To find Christine as one of those…things, then be turned into one himself—-that could horrify even a Vulcan," the Doctor finished.

"Bones, will he be all right?" Kirk asked. There was no reply. "Damn it, tell me! Will he or won't he?" the Captain cried impatiently.

"Oh, sorry, Jim. I didn't hear you at first. Yes, I believe he'll be all right," the Doctor assured him. "For now, he just needs rest, quiet and good companionship. Which reminds me—-where's Christine? Still with Barnabas?"

Kirk nodded. "She went with him to meet his cousin…said she would probably not be back until at least midnight—-and that either he or his cousin would bring her home."

"Too bad. She could help Spock by proving that nothing's happened to her," the Doctor opined.

"Yet," Kirk finished. "Until she gets back, we have to fill in as best we can. He'll need all the friendship and support we-—"

Just then McCoy's communicator sounded off. "Doctor McCoy!" Dickerson called, alarmed, after the Doctor opened it.
"McCoy here. What's happened?" the CMO spoke into his communicator.

"Lani's dead. She went into cardiac arrest five minutes ago. I couldn't stop it."

Both men's eyes closed in pain; Spock seemed to be dozing. "It's all right, Andy. You did all you could. I'll be there in a few minutes. McCoy out." After closing the communicator, he turned back to Kirk. "Oh my God, Jim. Do you know what this means?" McCoy's voice trailed off, each man seeing stark fear in the other's face. How would they ever tell Spock or Christine, much less deal with what they would likely have to do to spare Ensign Davidson the Hell of vampirism?