Family Secrets (Star Trek: TOS story by Ida Vega)

You may be looking for Family Secrets, a 2005 K/S story.

Fanfiction
Title:	Family Secrets
Author(s):	Ida Vega
Date(s):	1992
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Family Secrets is a K/S story by Ida Vega.

It was published in the print zine As I Do Thee #19.

Summary

From the print zine: "Peter Kirk is graduating from Starfleet Academy and his uncle tries desperately to conceal a long-hidden truth... or is it such a secret after all?"

Reactions and Reviews

1993

Even if had not wanted AIDT 19 to add to my collection, I would have purchased this zine just to read this story. The advertising flyer hooked me immediately, as the problem of just how Kirk and Spock would break the news of their love affair to Peter is an intriguing story idea to me.

Unfortunately, I was really disappointed with "Family Secrets" and for some very specific reasons. Hy reaction is frustration, because the seeds of a really terrific tale told by a talented writer were clearly there.

I had two major problems with this story, overstatement and homophobia.

Small details of character are taken and overdrawn to the point where they are unbelievable. For example, Kirk's belief that his nephew is still a child, Sulu and Chekov's playfulness so that they actually arm-wrestle during a Starfleet graduation exercise, members of the graduating class falling asleep during the ceremony, McCoy trying to protect a (presumably) 22-year-old Peter from an earthy story, Spock insisting he be restrained from indulgence in "spirituous liquors." All cute ideas in very small quantities, but vastly unrealistic when carried too far and in such overwhelming quantity. Needless to say, this problem distorts characterization, especially Kirk, who comes across as an indecisive whiner.

My second problem is more serious. This story is rife with homophobia of the most distasteful sort. First is the whole issue that although Kirk and Spock are apparently legally bonded on Vulcan, their relationship has been kept secret on Earth and in Starfleet, despite frequent references throughout the story about "rumors" concerning the two of them. The deception seems illogical to me, and it doesn't say much for the state of their relationship, or Kirk's commitment to his bonded lover. All the sneaking around that they do is undignified in the extreme: Spock hiding in the shower, leaving Kirk's apartment only to sneak back in later when Peter is asleep, the deception, in which they are constantly engaged, of being "only friends."

Then there's a scene with an openly homosexual Commissioner Ferris, whom we learn has been involved in a scandal with a younger cadet at the Academy. He makes a few nasty cracks about K and S, and Peter too. The subtle implication is that Kirk is not open about his relationship with Spock because that would make him like the heavily made- up Ferris, someone who attacks young boys, and that's a bigoted, narrow-minded view of homosexuality that I feel sure the author did not intend to convey. Nevertheless, that's what I read, with my mouth open, too.

And I really didn't like the sly way that Nogura speculated about K and S, and wondered how many of their crew knew of their "illicit" relationship. Especially since the implication in this story was that their union was one of long-standing, and that it was legitimized on Vulcan, this was very distasteful.

I didn't understand the paragraph on page 15 about how a union between a "human" and a race not considered "human" was not lawful, could not be recognized officially as a a marriage, while none of the children born of those unions were considered lawful either. Huh? Among thousands of others, what about Sarek and Amanda, not to mention Spock? Vulcans certainly aren't human.

Although this LOC is full of criticism, this story is so close to being good that I felt like gnashing my teeth as I read it. Whoever Ida Vega is, she has loads of talent. I just wish someone had given this story a "reality check" before it was published.

1998

Can you imagine Spock having to hide in the shower because Kirk can't find the courage to tell his nephew Peter about their relationship? Ida did and splendidly so. I had the greatest fun reading about their antics. Actually trying to envision it had me in stitches, especially as Peter knew about them all along."

2008

Family Secret is one of those rare, mature relationship stories devoid of derring-do, danger and the doltish behavior of superiors. It‘s just the boys wangling with nonlethal, marital issues, but from a slightly twisted, very entertaining perspective. This story is reminiscent of the Legacy series, in which each author takes a popular story idea and turns it on its head.

The Enterprise is making a brief visit to Earth so Kirk and company can attend nephew Peter Kirk‘s graduation from Starfleet Academy. After his parents‘ death, Peter was raised by his Grandmother Kirk in Iowa but Jim and Spock have managed to maintain a strong, positive presence in Peter‘s life even though they‘ve been assigned to starship duty much of the time.

Peter‘s graduation brings a quandary. Peter will be assigned to a ship. He‘ll hear all kinds of rumors and Jim is agonizing over whether or not it‘s finally time to tell Peter that he and Spock are happily, monogamously bonded, and have been ... for the last 9 years. Oh yeah, Starfleet‘s finest has a bad, bad case of cold, cold feet for reasons that are neither explained nor apparent. Spock has gone along with it against his better judgment because his sweetie has been so steadfastly determined to shelter his nephew. But Peter, in true Kirk fashion, has a few surprises of his own. Along the way, Commissioner Ferris makes a wonderfully, catty cameo appearance.

Family Secret is a gentle story as interesting for its basic premise and the unanswered questions it raises about Jim Kirk‘s background and family relationships, as it is for the principle story line. Most of us have stories about our spouse‘s knee-jerk reaction to particular situations that make us sit back, roll our eyes, keep our mouths shut and go with the flow. Spock does, too. I‘d love to read a prequel.