Bridges to Cross

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Bridges to Cross
Author(s):	T'Hera
Date(s):	1995
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Bridges to Cross is a Kirk/Spock story by T'Hera.

It was published in the print zine KaleidoScope #3.

Summary

"Spock becomes ill while he and Kirk are on shoreleave at the place they first became lovers, and must journey to the future for the cure."

Reactions and Reviews

[art by Rudas]: This drawing goes with "Bridges to Cross" by T'hera. All of the art by Rudas in this story made me curious. I almost got the feeling the story could have been written around the drawings, as opposed to the drawings being done to illustrate the story. In any event, a very nice job. The drawing on P. 106 in particular I loved. A beautiful moment in the story; a beautiful capturing of it in the drawing. Kirk is lying with his head on Spock's leg, his eyes closed. Spock is staring down at Kirk's face and fingering his hair.... This is before any overt expression of love between them, so it is an especially precious moment. Spock's gaze is...indescribable. And I love their clothes—Spock's casual tunic, sleeveless, wraparound, flowing. Kirk's top is really nice too; I like the "feminine" lines. And a nice swell between Spock's legs, which of course Kirk is well aware of....

This appeared to be three separate stories linked only by a 'getting to know you' theme. I found the transitions a little choppy. The author, however, managed to create a warm, loving atmosphere, especially in the hurt/comfort segment.

Kirk and Spock are on shore leave and Spock comes down with a rare genetic disease that has no cure. It causes hypersensitivity that results in death unless a drug is taken that has lots of bad side effects. Kirk takes Spock to a local hospital where they meet Doctor Sam. Kirk immediately opens up and without hesitation, tells the doctor everything about himself and Spock, ostensibly because the doctor's name is Sam.

At first I thought I was mistaken, but when I reread a section, I discovered that Kirk and the doctor blithely decide not to tell Spock about the side-effects of the drug. They think it's fine if he doesn't know how dangerous it really is. As if that's not enough, Spock makes no mention about this information being kept from him and it seems like the author just forgot about it.

Kirk tells Doc Sam that he will probably resign from Starfleet and perhaps buy a "little farm" because Spock would like "growing things". But there's no farm in our boys' future as they spontaneously come up with a plan to literally go into the future at a time when there should be a cure for the disease. This would be a totally acceptable scenario except that this time travel is easily accomplished and no mention whatsoever is made of any possible consequences. They might as well be traveling to Hoboken for the afternoon.

Doctor Sam also seems to think time travel is pretty ordinary and suggests they enjoy themselves while they're there. And later, "...since their uneventful return from the future.." Yes, I guess time travel can be tedious.

Kirk and Spock are infinitely polite with each other. Even after Spock backhands Kirk in a jealous fit, they are quite civilized. Of course, Kirk's excuse for accidentally sleeping with someone else is that number one, all-time best excuse: "She reminded me of you."

Suddenly, out of nowhere, we find out Spock is haunted by a deep, dark secret from his past. This should have been saved for another story.

They have a picnic in their hotel suite. This gastronomic tour of Vulcan delicacies was clever and inventive. I loved that Spock used a "scented tailed" after the meal....

Despite the need to be more focused and to have more attention on exactly what is happening in the story, this author has many good ideas and many interesting things to say.

I had some problems with this story, such as scenarios being brought up that didn't seem to tie in with the story as a whole; or bringing a situation up at great length but giving the resolution much less weight. But for the most part I liked all the scenes themselves. I liked the atmosphere the author created. I think probably she was wanting to fit too many ideas into one story. There were interesting ideas enough here for a few stories, not just one.

One thing I really liked a lot was the detailed description of Vulcan food. I want it.

I very much loved the first intimate scene between Kirk and Spock. (All the scenes accompanied by Rudas' drawings were really enhanced by them.) Neither seems confident about making the first move. I loved their sweetly tentative physical advances. And I loved being with them in their heads—agonizing along with Kirk from moment to moment if he should go any further; following Spock's surmises to their natural conclusion. I adore a Spock who would be so brave as to offer his lap as a pillow, so bold as to touch Kirk's hair. Their physical reactions to these overtures are proof enough for both of them and it doesn't take long to act on their desires.

This is an excellent story that I stumbled upon after being directed to this zine by Carolyn Spencer’s LOC in the last issue. Evidently I had read part of the stories in the zine, but not all. What a nice surprise! “Bridges to Cross” is fairly lengthy, and encompasses a wide range of experiences for Kirk and Spock. It begins with their first intimate encounter, which takes place during a very pleasant shore leave. I love the easy way they find their way down the sometimes tricky path of physical love. However, the trick in this instance comes in the form of a genetic disorder which unexpectedly causes difficulty for Spock. Kirk is ever supportive, understanding and loving, but the measures the two must use to find a cure are risky. It makes for a suspenseful ride for awhile. T’hera is talented in her descriptive phrasing and her creation of secondary characters, keeping the reader’s attention from beginning to end. I enjoyed very much the strength of spirit displayed by both men, and their complete and unquestioning devotion to each other. As in most relationships there are a number of bridges they must cross together, but the destination is well worth the trip.