Come With Me (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Come With Me
Author(s):	Natasha Barry
Date(s):	1990
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Come With Me is a Kirk/Spock story by Natasha Barry.

It was published in the print zine T'hy'la #9.

Summary

"While Spock frantically searches for the missing Kirk, Kang, per Klingon custom, takes to sword-bond an intriguing, golden-haired, mind-wiped human."

Reactions and Reviews

1991

Now this plot had much in it that was original. I liked the slavers taking good care of something they expected to make a profit on. I liked Kang's attitude toward Kirk and their parting. I liked everything except the abrupt ending. That I would have enjoyed detailed and extended more. But a refreshing read all the same.

1993

Intriguing beginning as we meet Gress who is "sword-bonded" (a wonderful phrase and inventive concept) with the Klingon Kang, whom we know from "Day of the Dove' episode. Gress has had his memory wiped and knows it and there are some clever moments as he recalls Terran sayings, but not what they refer to.

Kang's and Gress' relationship is described quite realistically, in that they enjoy sex with each other, but mostly companionship. At one point Kang thinks: "Having a Terran for a sword-bond was not an experience he had thought he would enjoy, and he had resisted the temptations offered by this particular Human for a far longer than he would have considered possible before surrendering to desire and curiosity." Excellent use of those two words to describe Kang's motivations. Throughout the story, a believable set up of a Human trying to be part of Klingon society. Plus, lovely descriptions such as: 'All tied to that same conspicuous face with the changeable eyes."

I loved how the story unfolded as we get to know the Klingon and his world. Including little gems of moments like when Kirk says to Kang: "Say you love me." and Kang answers: "Do not tease me. Between Klingon and Terran it is dangerous to have this emotion." So intriguing - - just enough said that one knows this must be true, both for Kang personalty and for Kirk, as well. Then Kang tells him they will go aboard a flagship and Mara. Kang's wife will be there. Of course now we find out Kang gets to have a wife and a "sword-bond" (lucky guy) and things begin to fall into place.

Fully realized characterization of the Klingon Kang as a warrior, yet with deep loving feelings for Kirk (Gress). Speaking of that name given to Kirk, I was a little confused. I thought I'd read that it had something to do with the color gray. If this is so, how did this Latin based word get into Klingon language?

During a scene back on the Enterprise, we listen in on Chekov's ruminations about Kirk's absence and Uhura's mood and Sulu's incomprehensible thoughts of ambition. This part was particularly confusing and had a sort of "stuck in" quality, as in: stuck in just for the heck of it. What did it mean: "Sulu was exaggerating his territory"?? For a second I thought this might be the mirror universe. Also an uncomfortable use of parentheses and italics — whether or not they are grammatically correct is beside the point.

Upon Kirk' return to Spock and the Enterprise, the story sort of fell apart. It was wrapped up rather swiftly and neatly as Spock blurts out his feelings for his Captain and Kirk literally pulls down his pants. There could have been some good moments there, but the dialogue was rather stilted and both thought and talked a lot like the narrator.

This was really a shame because the first part was so nicely done and explored so many facets of a relationship between two dissimilar characters.

1997

Unusual story of Kirk who has lost his memory and is a bond mate/slave (sword-bond in Klingon-ese) to Kang, the Klingon from "Day Of The Dove."

We find out later that Kirk had been captured while on Argellius by Orion slave traders. He was injected with "obedience serum" which caused memory loss. Lots of fine detail such as the serum's "main ingredient is found only on the Orion homeworld."

Even Kang doesn't know who Kirk really is and he calls him "Gress" and is willing to risk disfavor and worse to be sword-bonded with Kirk, Kang is due to go back to the Klingon homeworld, commanding a vessel with his wife, Mara, and he wants Kirk to be by his side. I love it! He wants his wife and his mistress!

Anyway, after I recovered from the shock of finding two pages missing right at that point in the story, there's a flashback to how Kirk was captured.

Kang's growing love for Gress is poignantly shown— we really like this Klingon—he's not of the nasty variety; he's an honorable warrior. This is a wonderful way to portray this character instead of making him the typical villain.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch.. .err.. .the Enterprise...Spock is linked with Kirk and misses him like crazy as he searches all over the place, I love this: "His captain. His human (as his father often spoke of his mother)"

Lovely little glimpses of Sulu, Chekov and Uhura on the bridge and nicely integrated into the story.

So Gress gets terrible headaches as the ship nears Federation territory. He doesn't know why, but we know it's because of his link with Spock. Kang is deeply concerned and really cares for his sword-bond mate.

Then Gress by chance activates a screen that shows himself as Kirk. It's very poignant when Kang realizes he has to let his beloved sword-bond go. He says they'll meet again as Klingon and Terran and it'll never be the same.

The whole story was so beautifully built and so richly detailed that the rushed ending was incredibly disappointing. If this isn't a lesson to us about ending our stories, I don't know what is. The exploration of the ramifications of Kirk's return to Spock and the Enterprise could have made this story extraordinary. The ending has wonderful dialogue such as when Spock says; "The study of you has been more pleasurable than science", but it's two pages instead of twenty of gorgeous moments and feelings. Then you can't believe the last paragraph that ends just as Kirk bares himself to Spock, Still worth reading, and maybe being forewarned about the ending will make it more bearable.

1999

In its own way, as intriguing as “Best of Innocence”. Kirk’s absence brings disharmony to the Enterprise. Abduction, slavery, memory blocking drugs, Klingon sword-bond and Spock’s dream all woven into one. Compact, no excess baggage. Very good.