Breaking Point
Spock placed himself between the half-crazed man and the little girl.
"Step aside, Mr. Spock," Garner said tensely, waving the dart pistol.
"Your actions are quite illogical," Spock said.
"She's the reason my wife is dead."
"The death of your wife is quite regrettable, but the child is not to be blamed."
"If it weren't for her, Leana would still be alive!"
"Her death will not bring your wife back," Spock stated softly. He glanced around, as frustrated as a Vulcan could be that he no longer had his phaser. As it was, he and the little girl he was protecting were in a difficult situation. Garner was bent on killing her and Spock did not seem to be able to reason with him. The rock wall behind them prevented the girl from running in a way that would not ensure a clear target and Garner was too far away for a nerve pinch. "I request that you put down your weapon."
"If you don't move aside, I'll be forced to shoot you." The man was completely irrational. Spock could see that this stalemate would end badly. If Garner would come closer…
"You are forced to do nothing. If you lower your weapon, we can discuss this calmly and logically."
"No!"
With this outburst, Spock saw Garner impress the gun's trigger, and an instant later the dart pierced his chest. Spock's theory that the darts were poisoned was quickly confirmed. He began to feel distinctly dizzy. In a moment his legs were giving out and he could feel himself sinking to the sand, but at all costs he must protect the girl. He twisted as he fell, fighting to keep in front of her and deny Garner his target. But it would not be enough – in a very few moments he would be able to nothing for her.
He could vaguely hear Garner cursing and his footsteps on the sand as he came closer, apparently in accordance to the fact that Spock's falling body still obscured the girl enough. An idea formed in Spock's swimming mind. He listened carefully, and when he could tell that Garner was close enough, he struck out a hand and yanked at the man's leg, knocking him down. He had to move quickly, before Garner had enough time to aim at the girl. He turned and leaned forward, locating Garner's face through blurred vision.
He felt the impact of another dart before he managed to reach forward and pinch the man just above his shoulder. Relief made a light impression on Spock as Garner fell back unconscious. The Vulcan collapsed an instant later, everything turning into an incomprehensible blur to his eyesight. He felt the little girl's hand on his shoulder.
"Get… away run… get… the Captain…" he managed to say, his mind fading away from him rapidly. "Get… someone…"
The world melted and spun into blackness.