Title:  FLEDGLING
Author:  Ster Julie
Series:  TOS
Codes:  Sa, S; angst; character death
Rating:  PG
Part 1/1

Summary:  Sarek has just sensed Spock's death.  His reaction is not logical. 

--ooOoo--

Sarek stumbled in mid-stride.  He fumbled in his words.  His aides rushed to his side.

Sarek never stumbled.

Sarek never fumbled.

Something must be terribly wrong.

~~**~~

Sarek felt his parental bond extinguished, severed, ripped apart, obliterated!  He searched frantically as darkness threatened to overwhelm him.  Who?  Sybok?  No.  It was Spock. "No!" he gasped as he fell to his knees.  "SPOCK-KAM!!"

~~**~~

/Sa-mekh?/

/Spock-kam?/

/What is this place, sa-mekh?/

/I do not know, Spock-kam./

/It is very dark here.  I am . . . I am frightened./

/Take my hand, Little One./

/I don't understand what's going on, sa-mekh./

/I do not know what happened, my son.  What do you remember?/

/I . . .I remember being very warm and very, very hot.  Everyone was afraid.  They were struggling to escape.  I was the only one able to help, but I had to get very, very hot.  I was… frightened… because I was so alone./

/You are never alone.  I taught you that long ago.  As long as we share this bond, we are never apart.  I  know when your katra sings to me.  And I know your katra sings still to your brother./

/No one will ever hear my katra sing again, Sa-Sa, and that makes me cry./

/Oh, don't cry, Little One.  Here, let me take your tears./

/There are so many./

/I will take them all from you.  That is your sa-mekh's  job:  to ease your fears, to teach you the way of c'thia, and to keep you safe./

/I have to go away from you, Sa-Sa.  Who will keep me safe now?/

/I will hold you close always./

/But you can't.  I have to go over there, to that bright light, and I don't want to go.  Don't make me go, Sa-Sa!/

/If you must go now, then you must go./

/But I don't want to go, Sa-Sa.  Please don't push me.  I am so small and the darkness is so big./

/You will not be alone, Little One.  Your sa'mekh'al will hold you until I come for you./

/But how can I sing to you if you are not with me?  How will I learn
the answers to my questions?  There is so much more I must learn./

/The light grows impatient, Spock-kam.  You must go./

/No, Sa-Sa!/

/Go now.  Be a good boy./

/Hold me?/

/Very well.  I will hold you one last time./

/Sa-Sa?/

/Yes, Little One?/

/I have to go now./

/Not just yet, Spock-kam./

/I have to go now.  You must release me, sa'mekh./

/No./

/You must.  It is time./

/No!  Not without answers!  I cannot release you.  How can I let go of my heart?/

/. . . /

/Spock-kam?/

/ . . . /

/Spock-kam!/

/ . . . /

/NO!/

-

"S'haile?"

Sarek heard the voice calling as if from a distance.

" S'haile?"

"Is he coming around?" Sarek heard another voice say.

"It seems so," the first voice responded.  "S'haile?  What has happened?"

"Get me Starfleet Command," Sarek ordered in a raspy voice.  "I demand answers regarding the death of my son."

END