Deep Water (Star Trek: TOS story)

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Deep Water
Author(s):	Jenna Hilary Sinclair
Date(s):	1999
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:	online here
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Deep Water is a K/S story by Jenna Hilary Sinclair. The art is by Shelley Butler.

It was published in the print zine First Time #50.

This story tied with Tirizandi for a STIFfie Award.

Summary

"While going through Starfleetʼs new medical process to combat the Klingon mindsifter, Kirk begins to realize that he and Spock have been under mental control for the last weeks. 'But whoever or whatever he is, Hanek'kan has been messing with my mind and the mind of my first officer.' A [pure]water filter shot of anger squeezed his chest at the thought of anyone invading the sanctuary of Spock's mind, or witnessing his own private desires for his first officer."

Author's Comments

[regarding another fan's comments]: You very perceptively noticed that there was a sense of freedom in the writing of Deep Water, and I wanted to tell you how right you were! I wrote that story at breakneck speed last summer, and I had absolutely no idea where it was going or what it was about, I just sort of threw my head back and wrote, letting the words fall where they would. It wasn’t until Kirk walked onto the bridge after his “therapy,” for example, that I realized he was jealous of Hanek’kan. I’ve never written like this before, as I’ve always had at least some idea of where my plot would take me. Though I’ve never been one of those authors who completely outlines my plot, as I find I almost always diverge from what my ideas are! That doesn’t bother me, but writing Deep Water was a little bit like walking off a cliff. Close your eyes and trust that there’s a mattress at the bottom! You also commented that the “water” symbolism didn’t work that much for you, and I can certainly understand that. But what I tried to do was create two layers of symbolism in the story. The water symbolism is overt. Where there isn’t water, though, I tried to inject the opposite: the arid, barren plain through which Kirk and Spock are pursued in both the beginning and the ending of the story, the drying wind that whips Hanek’kans robes at the end. Perhaps that is why you found that the water symbols weren’t pervasive through the whole story, it’s because they were replaced by opposite symbolism in certain scenes. But I obviously didn’t make the second symbolic system as coherent as it should have been, or you would have noticed it.

Reactions and Reviews

Alert! Alert! Plot points revealed, but in a subtle, refined, not a gratuitous manner (like this: Kirk dies in this story! No, only kidding. But plot points are revealed.)

This wonderful story from one of our most accomplished authors starts with a riveting action sequence in which Spock is seriously wounded. Kirk, Spock and a host of crewmen and natives are fleeing some unseen terrible alien, who is causing exaggerated fear among his victims, especially Kirk. There’s an expertly done eerie undertone permeating the scene, but the reader doesn’t know why. Suddenly, Kirk wakes up in sickbay and it’s all explained that the events weren’t real and instead were a drug-induced hallucination under the auspices of Starfleet in order to combat the Klingon mind sifter. McCoy and Kirk discuss the dream and interwoven are some strange and mysterious elements that leave Kirk feeling uneasy. One of these feelings is an intense jealousy and dislike of a scientist who’s working closely with Spock on an important project. Evidently, this scientist, Hanek’kan, has been monopolizing Spock’s time and Kirk believes he’s not what he seems. All this is written so well that it was a pleasure to read. Kirk is not only plagued by all these negative feelings, but becomes increasingly obsessed with his sexual desire for Spock. This renewed desire, after a period of lack of interest, is extremely disturbing to Kirk, who tries to justify in his mind all that’s going on. This dilemma is again expertly shown and so up- close and personal to Kirk who finally suspects outside forces are affecting him and Spock. He believes it has to do with Hanek’kan and the man’s constant influence on Spock. So Kirk, with McCoy’s help, set up a trap for Spock. Speaking of McCoy, I believe that Jenna writes one of the best McCoys I’ve ever read. I loved the scene where Kirk participates in an aerobics class! And a terrific, tense scene with Kirk trying to dominate the weights in the gym. I love scenes of life on board the ship and these are beautifully done without slowing down the story. Instead, they are integrated into the story and really add to the reality. Anyway, I’d better not recount the entire plot, so after Kirk tells McCoy about his love for Spock and his suspicions, there’s a marvelous scene where Kirk attempts to seduce Spock—for the purposes of discovering the truth, of course! Spock comes in to Kirk’s quarters and he’s confused and disoriented as Kirk seduces him. I just loved this scene as Kirk whispers seductively and moves in on poor, hapless Spock who becomes a lot less hapless as the scene progresses. Kirk’s beautifully poetic inner dialogue (using water as the metaphor) is mixed in very effectively with the real world. And what a gorgeous moment when Kirk gives in to his long pent-up desires and kisses Spock. Spock is swept up in the desire (who wouldn’t be? Goodness!) and their passion is wonderfully shown. Kirk makes Spock mind meld with him and finally Spock remembers. “...Spock’s hands resting lightly on his hips, with the echoes of Spock’s orgasm still drifting colorfully in the water around them.” What a great image! They talk about what has happened and how they are going to fight Hanek’kan. Kirk explains that he had to force the meld with Spock in order to reach him and that he had known something was wrong because he had stopped being attracted to Spock. He suggests a link between them to protect them from Hanek’kan, who they believe is telepathic. They are about to link when Kirk wakes up and finds Spock unconscious beside him. Hanek’kan comes in and stuns Kirk with a phaser which is very effectively shown as Kirk is paralyzed and can’t speak and later feels the after-effects. Then a very exciting scene as suddenly he and Spock are back in the same dream place as they’d been during the mind sifter treatment and the fearful entity is after them again. Such a beautiful, heartrending moment when Kirk asks Spock never to leave him and Spock says he won’t. Then what happens next is even more heartrending! Spock dies in Kirk’s arms. But this is still so enjoyable for me, as the reader, because I got to appreciate and get all sad because I knew it’d be okay and that Jenna would never not have Spock live! This was great! The conclusion is just terrific. The alien in essence, teaches Kirk and Spock a lesson, but all ends happily. There was a bittersweet element that I really liked and that was Kirk realizing that Spock’s and his death would happen eventually and then he’d really have to face it, but that’s life. I loved: “It was only when I made love to my first officer on the floor of my cabin that I was able to confirm the truth of my suspicions.” Isn’t that great?

So—a wonderful story by Jenna that I know I’ll always remember.

This is a story rich in detail and innovative ideas; and I love the writing–there is a sense of freedom in it. I can’t exactly describe that, except to say it’s a nice example of the way K/S sparks each and every one of us, expanding imagination and taking us places no one has gone before....

The whole beginning is an intense action sequence on a planet, that we find out later is Kirk’s “dream” under a Klingon mind-sifter (or a Starfleet prototype of the same?) that’s being used to test the antidote/therapy being developed. Actually, I never got what the “therapy” was--a chemical substance or a device? It was only referred to as “therapy.” The “dream” was filled with significance as to what’s going on in Kirk’s life. So much so that its obviousness seems clichéd to Kirk. Then we find out what’s going on that prompted the symbolic things in the dream, such as the inordinate fear/evil psychic force; the death of one of the security guys; a metal shard penetrating Kirk’s flesh; and having to resuscitate Spock--the kiss of life. Obvious, indeed. Something he knows he wants. There is an interesting character, Hannek'kan (some kind of “alien,” with webbed fingers; also long, red hair). He’s a visiting scientist assisting Spock in his very important AI experiments. There is a race for a patent involved, a potential Nobel Prize. Kirk feels he and Spock were almost acknowledging their mutual feelings until this Hannek'kan came aboard. I certainly do like it when there’s competition over Spock, when Kirk gets to feel jealous of someone else who conceivably has designs on Spock. The whole plot is inventive, with subtle mind- control going on that we aren’t really sure about until later; and neither are Kirk and Spock aware of it. And people not being who they seem to be. I loved Kirk kind of tripping out, having really strong feelings and perceptions after the mind-sifter session, and feeling he can’t read Spock. All of this Kirk's questioning himself is quietly dramatic and wonderful, very close-up. Such as his perception of the intimacy he has had and wants to have with Spock, even when they’re talking about something like fuel consumption. Indeed. We know that the episodes are full of that kind of intimacy. But even better, there’s a little out-of-control scene. A quiet one, but one which would of course shake up someone like Kirk, a very tense thing overheard by the bridge crew. Kirk and Hannek’kan are “fighting” over Spock, who gets to spend time with him this evening. This was so great. He even says such an embarrassing thing (for being said in public, that is): “You don't care for my company any more?” All of the stuff deep inside Kirk's head is really good. And these interesting dynamics of this interloper acting as if he's an equal. It’s a memorable scene. (If something like this had been in the episodes, we’d certainly snatch it up as a K/S moment just shouting to be recognized as such.) I just chuckled over this: in the annals of K/S, not only is Spock’s ripping Parmen’s head off a memorable scene, or Kirk and Spock reaffirming their vows in front of the TV in Hoboken, NJ; but such a quiet and subtle scene as the above is also so powerful as to be memorable. Jenna’s writing has many, many such as this. All the moments in Kirk’s head are really expanded upon, as metaphor for his feelings. Such as when he’s working out in the gym. The “mystery” aspects--what mind-control was being perpetrated by whom and why--were done quite well as far as I’m concerned. It wasn’t a mystery in the overt or classic sense, but still, Jenna had to give a lot of thought to how much to say and when, what the characters know or don’t know and what the reader knows or doesn’t know. At a certain point then, Kirk has his speculations and passes them on via a confidential communiqué; but we don’t know yet what he thinks, and what’s his plan of action. Because of course he’s got one. And then finally the scene of Kirk and Spock as they manage to get past the wedges that have been tried to be driven between them. It’s cool that at first, there is still some mind-control going on, so their coupling is hot and desperate and rushed. Also some meld/link stuff, to join their strengths and overcome the nasty interloper. I can’t say the “water” symbolism worked that much for me. It wasn’t pervasive enough through the whole story, perhaps is why. It was only during this scene, in the mental landscape, and some at the end. Or, it might be just fine, but because of the title, I then would expect the water thing be more of an underlying theme. And it was odd, too, coming in the zine right after very much a water story. An unusual and profound ending as to Hannek’kan, his reasons for doing what he’s done. No simple good/bad here, which I like. Yet of course in the end it’s a strongly happy ending for Kirk and Spock.

This is quite a story.

This entry should have come with the following instructions: “Some Concentration Required”, because it would be an utter shame to skim its involved and intricate plot. Truly, it deserves an immediate second read to get the full effect of the (1) real events (2) hallucinated events (3) allegory to moving water. The opening plot line exists only in Kirk’s mind, but we aren’t aware of this at the beginning. Pursued across an unfamiliar terrain by an unseen entity, Kirk feels fear, and receives comfort from his Vulcan second in command. The good feelings this engenders are interrupted by the unexpected intrusion of reality. Reality that brings with it concerns that another is monopolizing Spock’s time and attention. The new scientist on the Enterprise has cost Kirk his quiet evenings, the camaraderie of his chess games with his favorite partner, the undivided attention on the bridge to which he is accustomed.

Finally, when Kirk pushes the issue, an interesting scene takes place. In . full view and hearing of the command crew, Kirk allows his jealousy to surface, challenging Spock to relinquish some of the time he’s spending with the newcomer. When Spock hesitates to accept an invitation for chess, Kirk can’t hold back the response that instantly comes to his lips, “Or have you decided you just don’t care for my company any more?” Ow. Spock offers words meant to reassure, but there is something lacking in the sincerity. The author does a tremendous job of conveying both Kirk’s confusion and Spock’s own. What has happened is that the “scientist” is not who he purports to be. He has invaded Spock’s mind leaving him bereft of his feelings for his Captain. While the two struggle with the entity on several levels, the allegory of waters rising and falling, rushing inexorably to a waterfall of uncertainty are expressed eloquently.

My favorite part of this complicated story was the realistic accounting of Kirk’s terrible sense of loss when, back in the dream world, Spock’s body is pierced by a spear meant for Kirk. As he collapses silently into the arms of death, Kirk accepts all that this special being means to him. I found it difficult to forgive the alien responsible for all that happened at his hands, but the end result was more than acceptable!