Burden of Shadows

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Burden of Shadows
Author(s):	Janis E. Laine
Date(s):	1987
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Burden of Shadows is a Kirk/Spock story by Janis E. Laine.

It was published in the print zine First Time #15.

Summary

"After Ekos, Spock is haunted by a childhood trauma that threatens his dawning relationship with Kirk."

Reactions and Reviews

1990

This is another case of Spock having been sexually abused as a child. It is very realistic that Spock still blames himself many years later. Many abuse survivors feel guilty throughout their lives. It is also realistic that he should have flashbacks to the abuse as a result of having been whipped in "Patterns of Force".

It is Kirk's behavior that I find unacceptable. Although Kirk didn't know about Spock's childhood trauma, he did know about Spock's recent trauma during his captivity by the Nazis, and that McCoy was very concerned about Spock's condition. His mercilessly predatory attitude toward Spock is therefore incomprehensible to me. I would find it believable if this were Mirror Kirk, but this is supposed to be mainline universe Kirk, and he would be more caring than that. I also didn't believe that Spock would be "cured" of his guilt about his sexual abuse by one K/S encounter. The fact that there was a meld with Kirk tight be helpful to Spock, but it shouldn't resolve all his problems. During this story, Kirk also tried to take Spock jealous by pretending to arrange a sexual assignation with a stable hand. Instead of being angry with Kirk over the deception, Spock said he was touched by Kirk going to so much trouble. I don't understand this idea that trying to take someone jealous is touching. I consider it repulsive manipulation.