Subj: DARK FRONTIER, DS/TOS Crossover, pt 17
Date: 5/15/01 7:49:19 PM Central Daylight Time
From: JM Lane

Shortly after their unexpected yet most enjoyable interlude, Spock and Christine had the late dinner Kirk and McCoy had brought them, then went to bed…separately, of course, though it could definitely be said that they were strongly tempted to do it together. All the same, Christine still wasn't all that sure of Spock, although she was a lot more sure than she had been. If asked to choose between Spock and Barnabas, it would have been virtually impossible at this point in time. It would be necessary for one of them to do something one way or the other in order to facilitate a final decision on her part.

In the morning, the group discussed what to do regarding the disposition of Lani Davidson …who was to do it and when. Spock's remarks on the subject were so emphatic that not even Kirk could dissuade him from keeping an eye on her, starting from the morning of the third day following her death until dusk Friday, when she was likely to rise.

Spock was the strongest physically, which was ultimately the deciding factor, but the others objected for two reasons—one being that the Vulcan's psychological condition was still questionable after the trauma of the nightmare where he and Christine had become two of the Undead. Part of the information that Christine had brought back was the fact that vampires were extraordinarily strong.

Even Vulcan strength might not be enough to control or keep such a creature at bay, so Kirk also insisted that Dickerson be there as backup, with both his phaser and the crucifix, to be on the safe side. Spock wasn't fond of the idea, but knew how stubborn Jim could be where the safety of his crew was concerned, particularly if said crew were also his close friends.

Deep down, however, Spock felt safer knowing that he was not going to be alone during this dangerous assignment. Kirk, McCoy, Holloway and Christine would be within shouting distance if they should need help, but he would only call upon them if absolutely necessary. They all agreed it was best if none of them entered the room under any circumstances once it had gotten dark…and to be doubly sure of their safety, both the doors and windows would be securely locked.

But the intercom between the rooms would be left open, in order that they know when (or if) to intervene.

Now all they could do was wait—and it would be the longest wait of their lives. Not only for Spock and Dickerson, but every single one of them.

* * * * * * * * * *

Spock and Dickerson took their places in Lani's room on the morning of the third day. Sunset officially arrived at 5:45 p.m. local time, allowing for the return to Standard Time, which had begun on the previous Sunday morning. For most of the day, their vigil was uneventful; Lani Davidson remained cold, still and lifeless, even though her body had not gone into rigor mortis as it normally would…but by no stretch of the imagination could this death possibly be considered normal.

The later it got, the more apprehensive everyone became, particularly Spock and Dickerson. McCoy and Holloway were hard-pressed to keep the increasingly agitated Kirk and Christine from wearing holes in the carpet due to their incessant pacing. Both had horrific visions of Spock's nightmare coming true, albeit in a slightly different way.

Only by calling on every ounce of their self-control did the latter two manage not to run to the locked doors and open them, declaring that they would wait it out with Spock and Dickerson and Devil take the hindmost. At 5:15 the group looked at each other fearfully, all thinking the same thing…but Kirk was the one who voiced it.

"Spock, has anything happened yet? It's just half an hour until sunset, you know."

"No, sir," the Vulcan returned formally, his voice filtering through the open intercom, his cool demeanor belying the growing apprehension roiling beneath his serene surface. "But when it does, we will be ready," he assured both Kirk and everyone else with him.

"I hate this damnable waiting," the Captain groused. "I feel so helpless."

"It will be over soon, Jim," Spock returned, quiet affection in his voice, which he had lowered so only Kirk could hear. "And then Miss Davidson will be at peace."

But unknown to everyone, the night would not truly be over for hours to come, due to the occurrences which would take place within the next hour