Disclaimer: As mentioned in the summary below, this is a combination of "Stark Trek," "Blade," and "Mercy Thompson" – none of which I own. No money or other profits are being made from this attempt at entertainment.

From what I could find, M'Umbha is actually Nyota's mother's name.

This is the first chapter of the help_chile story I am writing for ficchica . She asked for a extreme AU Spock/Kirk. What I came up with is "Star Trek" meets "Blade" meets "Mercy Thompson" (a series of Urban Fantasy by Patricia Briggs which I would highly recommend). While the story was only supposed to be 2,500 words, we're now looking at approaching 10,000. Thankfully, ficchica has been most understanding :-)

The Council Chamber was nearly silent as the Council itself returned from their deliberations. The full Clan was in attendance, filling the benches that lined the walls to capacity; none had wanted – or dared – to be absent from a situation of such importance. The only sounds were the shifting of nervous bodies and the screech of wood-on-wood as the Council members retook their seats, the elevated thrones from which they ruled over the vampiric Clan Vulcan.

Sarek stared up at the Council as they settled, his face an impassive mask in spite of the silver, crucifix-studded chains that encircled his body and tied him to the floor. Just days ago he had his own seat amongst them; now his chair was covered with a black cloth of mourning, and would remain so until a worthy successor was chosen.

T'Pau spoke from her center seat, gazing down at her kinsman with disdain. "Sarek S'chn T'gai, you have been found guilty of treason against the Clan Vulcan. You willingly and without apparent remorse mated a human. You produced an offspring with said human and, rather than eliminate the abomination, you instead have been training it in our ways.

"Adding to your offense, you aided the escape of these vermin and have refused to aid the Clan in locating them.

"As punishment for your crimes, you have been sentenced to death by fire, to be execute immediately. Guards, remove this filth."

At T'Pau's words three vampires, dressed in the crimson robes of the Council Guard, exited the shadows that clung to the wall of the audience chamber. Each wore thick leather gloves, stiff with the spilled blood of humans, to protect themselves from the chains. They warily approached Sarek, though he did not struggle. He knew exactly how hopeless his situation was – trapped in the heart of the Clan's catacombs, without any allies. It was not in his nature to illogically fight against the inevitable.

And he was able to take heart in the knowledge that his wife and child were safe. He had been able to get them away in time, much to the ire of the Council. They had ripped through his mind - his shields no match for their combined might - searching for the location of his family, all for naught. He had anticipated their desire to eliminate his mate and son, and had instructed Amanda accordingly. He himself had no idea as to where she had fled. And what he did not know, he could not betray.

As he was escorted to the execution chamber and secured to a solid metal pole that stood in its center, he still could not bring himself to regret the actions that had led him to this fate. He had enjoyed nearly ten years with his mate, the woman who made him feel alive in a way he had never before known. He had had seven years with his son, spent out of necessity in secret, but no less treasured. His beautiful son – the perfect combination of Amanda's heart and his own mind. He could never regret the events that led to his child's birth.

The flames around him grew higher, but his mind was miles away, spending a peaceful morning with his beloved family. He focused the entirety of his being on this memory, using it to hold back the pain as long as he could.

Finally, after nearly fifteen minutes even his formidable mind could no longer shield himself from the torment. Screams were torn from his throat as his flesh melted from his bones, the curse of his existence keeping him alive where mortals would have already fallen into darkness.

Finally, blessedly, life fled from what was left of his body. As his spirit departed his remains turned to ash - all that remained of the one of the greatest of the Clan.

It was night on the grounds of Gaia's Temple. Amanda Grayson sat at a table in the kitchen of the main house, a steaming cup of chamomile tea in front of her folded hands. Her head was bowed as she stared unseeing at the table, fighting with all her spirit to remain calm… Sarek…

Forcefully pushing her despair down, she turned shimmering eyes to her hostess, M'Umbha Uhura, swallowing to loosen the lump in her throat before speaking. "Thank… thank you for letting us stay with the Coven. I was desperate to find someplace safe that Sarek didn't… wouldn't have known about. I know it must be hard for you to allow Spock…"

"Amanda," the dark skinned, exotically beautiful woman sitting across from Amanda interrupted and reached across the table to enfold Amanda's hands in her own. Fathomless brown eyes, filled with patience, strength and compassion met Amanda's own. "You owe us no thanks. We should have been there for you… we should have listened to your defense of Sarek rather than turning our backs on you."

"No, I understand now," Amanda refuted, shaking her head and turning her hands to squeeze those of her long time friend. "I've seen what the vast majority of vampires are like. Sarek is… was… fantastically unique."

"Indeed. From what you have said, he was a man worth knowing. It is to our shame that we never took the opportunity given to us."

"It turned out for the best. At least Spock and I have somewhere to stay where the Clan will hopefully not know to look."

"How is the child? This all must be incredibly difficult for him."

"Spock hasn't spoken more than ten words since we had to run. Sarek was never able to be a continuous part of Spock's life, it was too risky. But when he was with us, it was so obvious how much he cared for Spock… I can only hope that Spock allows himself to heal.

"Sarek demanded a lot of Spock – he was the first to realize just how difficult it was for Spock to keep his more primal side in check. They spent so much time together, meditating and working on Spock's control…

"My fear is that Spock will choose to reject that training, either out of anger or grief. If he does that, it won't be long until he is completely uncontrollable. He'll be little more than a mindless monster… I just don't know what I'll do. I just lost my mate, I can't lose Spock as well. I just can't!"

Rising from her chair, M'Umbha rounded the table, coming up behind the sobbing Amanda and wrapping her in her arms. "Be at peace, my sister. From what you have told me, Spock is a strong, intelligent boy. I do not think he will make worthless his Father's sacrifice by allowing himself to descend into madness. If for no other reason than because to do so would leave you alone."

Amanda turned in her chair, attempting to ensconce herself in her friend's strength. Not able to achieve the closeness she desired, she hastily stood, wrapping her own arms around M'Umbha and burying her face in the other woman's neck as she cried out her fears and frustrations.

The two women stood there for a long time as Amanda released the emotions she had kept pent up so as to appear strong for her son. M'Umbha continued to hold her tightly, her hands gently stroking the smaller woman's back. She did not offer any false platitudes, merely provided her unwavering support.

Eventually the tears stopped, though Amanda remained swaddled in her friend's embrace as she gathered herself. Finally, with one last deep breath, she pulled away, looking up at M'Umbha with grateful eyes.

"Thank you."

"Please, as I told you before – no thanks are needed. I am glad that I can be here for you."

Amanda tightened her hold on M'Umbha at that. Her heart and mind still ached – she felt so terribly empty now without Sarek's presence in the back of her head providing strength and love – but she would survive. She would continue on for Spock, and ensure that he would have the best childhood possible. She would provide him with all the support and love she could. Sarek would live on, through her memories and their son.

Several moments later M'Umbha uncomfortably cleared her throat, preparing to ask what she knew would be a difficult question. She ached, as she didn't want to cause her friend any more pain, but it was her duty to ensure the safety of the Coven, and that meant there were certain inquiries that had to be made.

"Had you had any plans as to how to control his Pon Farr?"

"Not anymore," Amanda sighed, shaking her head and pulling away. "As a full-blooded vampire, Sarek would have been able to control Spock's… urges. I don't know what we'll do now. There's time yet, though. Based on Spock's development, Sarek estimated he'd enter his time around his eighteenth birthday."

"How old is Spock now?"

"He recently turned seven."

"We still have eleven years, then," M'Umbha pointed out, determined not to allow any more weight to fall on her friend's weary shoulders at the moment if she could help it. "We'll come up with something. Between your science and our magic, there's sure to be an answer."

A tentative, watery smile crossed Amanda's face. "It'll be just like the old days."

"Indeed."