A Political Marriage

Fanfiction
Title:	A Political Marriage
Author(s):	Katherine Cook
Date(s):	1997
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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A Political Marriage is a Kirk/Spock story by Katherine Cook.

It was published in the print zine Heroes in the Wilderness.

Summary

"The Enterprise brings new life to a dying world and Kirk begins a voyage of self-discovery."

Reactions and Reviews

1997

This second of Catherine's stories in the zine gives an idea of her range. Basically, the theme of this one is a group of Vulcans who want to secede from the Federation, but there are several plotlines running throughout the entire story, at least one of which (involving a magnetic storm) I felt was redundant to this story but would have made a very good short story on its own. I can understand why it was included, it was worked in well enough, but so much happened in the course of the story that it seemed like overkill.

Let me make one thing clear here; I am not criticising Catherine's writing - I think she has a great deal of potential, and with a little more experience should move from being good to being excellent. Indeed, I quite look forward to reading more of her stories. I'm not criticising the fact that the basic plot has been used several times in fan writing - come to that, I'm not sure it hasn't been used in a pro novel. A plot doesn't have to be completely original; it's what the writer does with the plot that makes the story either un-put-downable or instantly forgettable. Most of my criticism of this story is subjective.

I am not, personally, entirely convinced by the theme, no matter who writes it and no matter how well it is written. There are two or three reasons for this but I don't think this is the place to air them. I don't say this prejudiced me against the story; it didn't. I can suspend disbelief even when I'm not convinced; it just takes a little effort, compared to a situation that does seem real to me. Where I found myself thinking, "What next?" was the range of plotlines throughout the whole. For me, there were too many of these for a story that comes in at around 44 pages, even 44 pages of somewhat reduced print; I felt that this amount of plot needed a novel-length story to do full justice to it (and given a novel, there would have been time and space to develop the redundant subplot).

Having said that, the established characters were nicely handled and Catherine's own characters were well-drawn; I particularly liked Crewman Levi, and would be happy to see him included in any other stories Catherine writes.

There’s a lot to say about this story, it’s hard to know where to begin. First and foremost, I really enjoyed reading it. I couldn’t put it down, though it was late at night when I started reading. I think the author, who is new to our fandom, has a lot of talent, and I hope that she will continue to write K/S for us all to enjoy.

There are plenty of good things about A Political Marriage to like. There are some marvelous K/S moments that fit in gently with the ongoing plot. For example, the scene where Kirk takes Spock from sickbay and up to the OD, and tells him, “I’d do anything for you,” he whispered. It’s a line that’s been used before in other stories, but here it had quite an impact. I melted.

And then the dance. Forgive me, play music and have the guys look at one another and I go berserk. You could write them dancing The Twist and I’d probably like it. I adored the sequence where they dance, and I’ve re-read it several times. Here’s a little bit of it to tantalize you:

Spock’s fingertips brushed the fine hairs on the back of his neck and he closed his eyes momentarily... but the music was finishing. He looked into Spock’s face.

If I kiss him people will definitely talk.

(Yes, I scream, who cares what people will say. Kiss him, kiss him!)

There are some interesting minor characters in this piece: in particular Agent Serena Crewe and Crewman Levi. At first I thought Crewe was a sort of Mary Sue character, and maybe she is, but what’s so bad about that, really? Capable to say the least, and gorgeous, and even perhaps a match for our captain - hey, it’s a dirty job, being perfect, but somebody’s got to do it.

Seriously, Crewe acted as a nice foil to reveal Kirk’s confusion and the choice that he really has to make in taking Spock as his lover.

Crewman Levi was well-drawn with just a few words and minimal action, and I liked the fact that the author established a character and then used him in several spots where she could have just as easily filled in with an anonymous red-shirt. This gave the story depth.

The sex scenes. Well, surely you didn’t expect me to dislike scenes where Spock is physically submissive to our captain, where Kirk had felt in the mind link the keenness of Spock’s pleasure and he’d also been sharply aware of Spock’s strength: there was submission without weakness, a choice not an abdication. Terrific!

With all of the above going for it, the story doesn’t quite succeed as it might, though, for several reasons. The first is the most important. The author really has enough material for a much longer story here, perhaps even a novel. She pretty much throws everything but the kitchen sink into the plot, including Stonn and T’Pring and even pon farr! A choice should have been made, either to fully extend the plot and characters in the story, or to cut the complexity to fit the length the author was willing to give it.

I found most of the story quite original, but when the scene shifts to Vulcan it doesn’t work nearly as well as earlier sequences on the ship. The whole business with the isolation of Kirk, his kidnapping and virtual torture, then anyone’s, including Spock’s, inability to discern that something was wrong.... I’m not sure why, but it was here that I began to see the similarities between this story and many others that I’ve read. Perhaps this section just wasn’t practical enough for me? Or perhaps not fully developed? I definitely wonder at no one noticing there was something unusual about Kirk. And I positively cringed when suddenly it was decided, without consultation between the lovers, that the political marriage was no longer necessary. The misunderstanding between Jim and Spock seemed artificially induced, simply a mechanism of the story, twisted and forced from the events of the plot rather than flowing smoothly, realistically from it.

The last section back on board the ship was the part which showed most obviously how the author was trying to cover too much ground in too little time. It’s a major move when the Enterprise is practically destroyed and the crew in such danger for so long a time, and yet the whole sequence was introduced almost casually. Ripping a pylon off the ship would be like tearing out a part of Kirk’s heart, and Scotty’s too, and I don’t believe that even Spock would be unaffected. It would have been really interesting to see in much greater detail not only the emotional ramifications of what was going on, but to get a feel for the attitude of the crew, the emergency measures they would have to take. But most of this is given us through narrative telling sections and not much shown, so we lose out on what could have been really fascinating. (And I absolutely refuse to believe that Kirk would be carrying bedpans in such an emergency, instead of brainstorming to come up with his idea to save them immediately.)

It would have helped if the theme that’s foretold in the title would have been more fully developed, to give a greater sense of unity to a somewhat sprawling tale.

Net result: I still really liked this story. The author has a great imagination and a real ability to write; I don’t think it’s unusual that in a first story she has too much plot to handle thoroughly. Better too much plot than too little! As I’ve said before, I remember K/S stories because of the moments between Jim and Spock, and the ones presented here are among the sweetest I’ve read. I’ve re- read the entire story just to get the impact of Kirk saying to McCoy, “I’d rather dance with Spock,” and McCoy thinking he was joking. Not to mention the nicely done sex scenes. Welcome to this new K/Ser. Can we have more, please?

Good Trek with plenty of K/S.

I loved the subtle affection between Kirk and Spock, when it first comes out that Spock couldn't help but be aware of Kirk's erotic dream. This Spock is very smooth and open. And all the Kirk-thoughts are rich and satisfying.

I liked the ship's business — seemingly real-life problems (as opposed to just battles). For instance, bats in the bales of plastifiber in the cargo hold. And of course I loved it when Kirk kind of distractedly brushes the gray fluff off of Spock. Can't you just see Kirk taking such a friendly liberty? And Spock's probably freaking out in his boots but bravely enduring the intimacy...

The other races were unique creations. The Scilleteans are soft, blue, tentacled, like solid fountains. And again, more real business of the ship; an ecological conference on Nor (and those people and their situation are unique and interesting also), following which the ship has to go to a big High Council meeting on Vulcan regarding a vote on secession from the UFP.

There was so much happening; but at least Kirk and Spock were always right in the middle of it. For instance, the vote on secession has Kirk worried; what would Spock do if Vulcan seceded from the Federation? And it's wonderful that it turns out their relationship is instrumental in bringing factions together.

Also some exciting jeopardy. First, regarding trading Kirk for Sarek as hostage of the Romulans. Although later, in a part about Spock being injured, it seemed that scene was to no real purpose. He gets beamed up, and recovers, that's it.

I liked the (female) intelligence agent, Crewe; an intriguing distraction for Kirk, and used well as far as Kirk and Spock coming together.

But dam, Jenna already quoted the dance scene in the Best of the Best in last month's issue. This scene just knocked me down. I won't repeat the absolutely wonderful lines. And then the frozen moments at the end of the dance...l was breathless...and Kirk kisses Spock in front of everyone. So I second the nomination as the best of the best dance scene. Besides the aforesaid heart-stopping breathlessness, this scene felt so real; I could so easily see it happening this way, see it and hear it and feel it...

I always appreciate when an author, such as here, expresses how physically odd it must feel for these two (assuming they havent been sexual with men before) when they first have intimate physical contact. I know it would feel odd to Kirk to be the shorter one in an intimate/sexual embrace, besides the "hardness" of male bodies, etc., enough so to warrant being remarked on at least.

And then the scene directly following the dance, oh god. How beautiful, what skill in writing this is, to combine passion with tenderness...for Kirk senses Spock as vulnerable in this scene. A fiery, lovely scene; and yet almost right away I got that the author was creating some kind of sexual conflict, too. Something serious for them to work out, as to Kirk being penetrated.

I didn't care for it that we were told afterwards that they had some deliciously rough sex (of the nature of Spock encouraging Kirk to not hold back in the slightest).

At some point I started feeling this story was too busy. Here's more intense jeopardy — Kirk abducted; and later his actions both expose nefarious dealings of some Vulcans, and cause a big rift and postponement of the bonding.

Not only all of this, but we have to go back to those bats in the plastifiber bales, and then major big-time jeopardy due to a lot of non-stop factors, with the ship dead in the water, and everyone seemingly breathing their last It just doesn't ever let up. Saboteurs, attacks, rescues, etc., etc. This feels unnecessarily complex, to my tastes anyway.

Kirk's major depression felt forced, more a set-up to explore his psyche, to bring things up just so he could go through them. And anyway I didnt really get why he supposedly doesn't feel anything now, has nothing to give Spock, is so closed to Spock.

But now, since they might die here, Kirk and Spock must reconcile. But then when Spock goes out on a dangerous task to save the ship, to save them all (after a long thing about Kirk thinking he ought to be the one to do it, and then feeling terrible for making Spock defy him), Kirk sleeps while Spock does his dangerous mission.

Then they quietly finally confront each other, estranged no more.

But wait, now comes pon farr! Then, in one sentence they bond and meanwhile Sarek has recovered his major ordeal of earlier and is speaking at the High Council and so all's well with the Federation.

I could hardly buy that Kirk and Spock would have to have sex publicly in the bonding ceremony, but excellent ideas were put across about Kirk's feelings about "submitting" to Spock.

Such a busy story. I liked almost everything that happened, but it was enough for a few stories, not just one, and packed all together into one, it overwhelmed. Still, I am left with lots of warm and hot K/S feelings.

The story starts out with a bang as Sarek is kidnapped by the Romulans. This act sets the stage for political intrigue, espionage and adventure, but first and foremost sets the stage for the relationship between Kirk and Spock.

On the Enterprise, Kirk wonders about his feelings for Spock and Spock's feelings for him. He's had dreams (not shown—rats!) and Spock says it's a mind-link thing. There's a lot to love in this finely detailed story, told very well, thank you, from Kirk's point-of-view. Not once did this story suffer from us not knowing how Spock felt by being privy to his thoughts also. Except for a few lines here and there of thoughts from other characters, like McCoy, the story stayed solidly with Kirk.

Many wonderfully inventive creations, like the aliens on board—the Scilleteans — with their shimmering tendrils and peaceful, serene nature. And their companion "silk-sheep" - you'll just have to read it! I adored all of it. Especially their dancing and music which came in very handy on this drought-ridden planet when they did a rain-dance. Boy, that was so neat! Kind of like a Woodstock/acid trip/love-in with some spiritual/psychic stuff mixed in. So clever!

But I must say I felt really cheated not to have seen more of the dance. It was only cursorily described and I had to use more of my imagination than I wanted to. It even culminated with the line; "It ended." Did it begin?

But my disappointment was assuaged somewhat when afterwards Kirk and Spock dance together.

Now, like Jenna, I am a complete sucker for K & S dancing together! Oh my heart! Kirk says;" 'For a long time I've wanted to hold you like this,' he whispered." And Spock says; " 'I know.' " Wow!

'They let the music take them, moved easily together, heads close, not quite touching." Then they kiss. "Let's get out of here." Sometimes a scene just comes alive. I loved the intense, urgent passion as they rush back to their apartment. They have sex—not too much—they pretty much just rub against each other, but ifs neat because Kirk's intense need is contrasted with his doubts about having sex with a man. "...Yet some part of him was also shocked as he faced the other's masculinity." And I loved "the frisson of arousal".

A minor flaw after they have more sex was that all of a sudden we're told somehow there was a "meld", but that's it When? What happened?

Afterwards, I loved Uhura's reaction to knowing what's going on between them. She's such a cool character, isnt she?

The character I didn't like, at least at first, was the agent Serena. At first I judged her to be a Mary-Sue as she was beautiful, brilliant and on top of that saved Kirk's life. But my judgment was hasty because later I was totally won over when at a meeting she reacts strongly against Sarek's suggestion of a plan to have Kirk and Spock bond for political reasons. Her voice was necessary—it helped to create a balance in the story (it's good to have a character object to something that everyone else thinks is fine—it creates good tension) and she actually becomes a sympathetic character.

She admits to McCoy that she didn't know Kirk and Spock were lovers. So I genuinely liked the way the author handled this character and the situation.

And oh boy, oh boy! There's to be a public ritual of their bonding including sex. I look forward to this with great anticipation. Show it, show it! (More on this later, too.)

I loved Spock's question to Kirk; " Your most secret dreams, Jim. Your most base desires, forbidden wishes, ugly emotions; all that you are would be laid bare. Could you stand that?'" Yes, yes!

Kirk's thoughts about his love for Spock and his fears are expertly portrayed. He says yes. That's my Kirk!

His conversation with Amanda when they're on Vulcan was beautifully done. I especially loved her words about the Vulcan people: 'This place is full of hidden surprises, secrets, passions running beneath the surface. The truth is, Vulcans are afraid of their own power; they feel they have to rein it in because they were once almost destroyed by it" And: "A culture that could produce a Surak had more in it than barbarity." So well-said. It was a really neat scene and Amanda is intelligent and compassionate without being all-knowing (as in "I know Spock's in love with you, he'd want me to tell you because he can't.") or syrupy-sweet (as in "I'm completely happy my son is in love with another man. It's totally fine. No problem.")

I just love the idea of a marriage ceremony for K & S. Lots of neat stuff such as they must be separated for five days before the ceremony and Kirk is put in a secluded apartment. There's a beautiful description of the Vulcan desert where he's staying: "... ever-changing hues of the sky from coral to gold to blood-red, flecked with silver clouds." And a lovely, haunting line: "But the deserts of Vulcan were old and held many dark secrets."

Kirk is kidnapped by Sondur, a Vulcan Isolationist, and, in what I thought was excellent realism in the writing, was forcibly marched across the desert to a secret cave. Again, many things I loved in these scenes: a very good fight scene (not easy to do) when Kirk finds out ifs Sondur; Kirk understands the Vulcan language because of his mental contact with Sondur; Kirk's punching of Sondur in the face; ancient Vulcan writings on the walls; TPring giving it to Kirk in the groin (that nasty woman!); and a great plan that TPring and Sondur have. I loved all that TPring says about the ways of Surak and the Romulans being superior and "the price of tampering with Vulcan customs". I especially loved how Kirk is so Kirk with his indomitable spirit and never-die attitude.

More terrific lines like; "He felt Sondur hungrily read his memory,,,," I enjoyed all the scene at the Koon-Ut-Kalifee, but I didnt understand why T'Pau would allow the challenge even though she was well aware that Sondur had forced Kirk's mind.

Back on the Enterprise, Kirk's thoughts on himself as captain, his worries and fears, his inability to sleep were all very nicely shown. And the emergency with the magnetic storm was clear, fast-paced and exciting besides actually being comprehensible to a severely tech no-challenged person such as myself.

Swift and exciting scenes, except I'm not sure at all about a crewman's ability, despite a broken arm, to kill a Romulan impostor by bashing him over the head with a chair.

Kirk takes command—so totally cool! "I want solutions, Mr Spock, not memorials/1 And his wonderful will to survive along with his angst about Spock.

Some terrific details in the writing that I appreciated, such as when Kirk comes up with a plan for their rescue and instead of him just telling everyone in the briefing room, artificially so that we as readers will know, McCoy comes in and they tell him. Another was Spock's observation that McCoy was snoring when he sees him and Kirk asleep.

What a great scene when Spock and McCoy confront Kirk and order him to "Stand down from command now or I will order Doctor McCoy to stun you."

However, as you probably can tell, there was a jot going on. And as Jenna said in the previous issue, easily this could have been (and should have been) a novel But if a bunch of the events had been edited, and pertiaps the focus had been just on the political marriage situation (which was such a cool idea), this story would have been a lot stronger and more in-depth. I loved all the things about the poisoning and the magnetic storm—it was so inventive—rfs just that it wasn't enough.

I also think the ending that has Spock going into pon fan" is unnecessary. The whole experience of pon fair is a whole other fifty pages, but here it's like two. But I loved Spock admonishing Kirk to "please stay by the door" and not get too close to him. And great lines like: "...our love is stronger than anything" and 'the terrible and glorious fires of the pon farr".

And except for rats, rats, rats!—hardly anything of their eventual bonding ritual, complete with one line about their having sex in front of T'Pau — a neat ending with scenes of Sarek speaking to the Vulcan council juxtaposed with K & S at their ceremony. Waahh! (That's me crying.) I wanted to see the bonding ceremony!

But boy, do I ever recommend A POLITICAL MARRIAGE—especially impressive because it's from a new author Read it.

I'm still speechless and I don't think, I'll find the adequate words to describe this story. It was just perfect! The kind of story I love: very long, very much gripping plot, good sex and the wonderful feeling of LOVE! This author knows how to captivate the reader - there was not a second to pause for breath. Not possible to lay this story aside.

It started with a lot of action on p.1 ff; bats in the cargo holds, lovely Scilletean delegates, a Romulan attack ...and Sarek as hostage. And it kept the readers' interest till the very last page. The author knows also to create "butterflies" and to write gorgeous love scenes!

Right on p.1, the scene in the lift was terrific. Kirk and Spock were so vividly shown. There was such a dry wit, which I found also throughout the story, e.g. on p.139, when Kirk was in the hands of this mad Romulan: "He had been in worse situations. Just now he couldn't remember one."

My favorite scene however was the dance!!!! Wow, they dance and kiss while all people were watching... boy, that was great! That was LOVE!!!

There were more scenes I loved, in fact I loved every sentence. Somehow this story was in the tradition of K.S.T'Lan's and The U.K.Group's stories: the reader is glued to the seat till the very last page!

Please, more!!!!

1999

Forty-three pages of pure enjoyment! So much so that I had to read the whole thing just out of love for the characters, then re-read for the purpose of this review. As the scene opens, we learn that Kirk has been having tantalizing thoughts of his First Officer, but is keeping it all well hidden. Until...he teases Spock by telling him he dreamed of him the night before. To which Spock calmly answers, “Yes, I know.” ( !! ) Kirk splutters around as Spock explains it’s a result of their dormant link (of which the human was unaware). Our brave captain, never content, inquires how much of the dream Spock saw. The picture is so vivid when the cool Vulcan innocently replies “I do not believe I missed anything.” Ms. Cook manages to make the most innocuous

little moments very special. Like Kirk brushing lint out of Spock’s hair and off his clothes in front of a crewman. I read it as “I cherish this man and I don’t care who knows it!”

One of the greatest and most memorable events took place at a dance held in celebration of the first rain on planet Nor in fifteen years. To add a little spice, there is a self-assured and attractive Special Agent in the mix -- and she has her sights set on Kirk. I’ve gotta tell you what the author arranged for me to overhear at the dance! McCoy sees the symptoms of love in Kirk’s eyes, but out of habit assumes its for the young lady.

“Well, Jim, aren’t you going to ask Agent Crewe to dance?”

“I’d rather dance with Spock.”

Ohh, God! And Spock’s standing right there! But you haven’t heard the best part yet....

“So Agent Crewe doesn’t get her dance,” McCoy asks. “Maybe you should offer, Spock...”

“Actually, I would rather dance with the Captain.”

This made me want to jump up and dance around the kitchen to shake off the sexual tension before continuing. And, while I was jumping around, they were looking into each others eyes. Yes, Agent Crewe closes in, but Kirk asks Spock to dance instead and the Vulcan predicts that “people will talk.”

“Let them. For a long time I’ve wanted...to hold you like this.”

“I know.”

Right there in the middle of the dance floor, in front of EVERYBODY, Kirk kisses the dark-robed man in his arms, takes his hand and leads him out of the hall. Past Scotty. Past Bones. Past Uhura. And, yes, it was so clearly drawn, I saw them, too. How proud I am to have been there!

Their lovemaking is from the beginning a two-way street, with no one a strong aggressor, with no one in command but the desire that consumes them. Afterward, cuddled together, Spock declares this to be “the best moment in my entire life.”

The Political Marriage is hatched by none other than Sarek, who has astutely recognized the changes in his son’s relationship with Kirk. He also sees a way to bond Vulcan and the Federation before a traditionalist faction convinces the Council to secede from the UFP. Adventure and duty replace romance for awhile, but through the very well-plotted intrigue, the love never falters.