Hard Times
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Hard Times |
| Author(s): | Anne Elliot |
| Date(s): | 2006 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
| Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | |
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Hard Times is a Kirk/Spock story by Anne Elliot.
It was published in Beyond Dreams #9.
Summary
"Kirkʼs sexual impotence is a frustrating irritation that becomes a frighteningly serious problem when Kirk thinks it might be interfering with his ability to command."
Reactions and Reviews
Oh, this was a good story. I’m a big fan of this author, and I’m thrilled beyond words that not only is she an excellent writer, but she’s also prolific enough to satisfy my craving for her work.Because this zine is recently out, I’m going to add a spoiler warning here. Read on at your own peril. I will say if you haven’t read this story as yet, you might be wise to forego the rest of this review. This story is too good to spoil. “Hard Times” begins on the planet Velara where Kirk and crew are celebrating the end of a week of diplomacy culminating in a new trade and defense treaty. The Lady Amaree is beautiful and obviously crazy about the captain. Turning away from the hurt look on Spock’s face, Kirk leads the very willing lady into the gardens. It is only later that we learn that nothing happened between the two. Nothing happened because Kirk didn’t want it to happen. Kirk has been impotent for weeks, unable to make love with his partner, Spock, and was hopeful that the lady would restore to him the sexual feelings he so desperately misses. Now, granted, it’s hard to imagine our captain having difficulty obtaining and maintaining an erection, but suspend your disbelief, for Anne presents enough evidence to make that pill easy to swallow. Spock is understanding and patient, but the situation is beginning to wear heavily on them both. And then it begins to affect Kirk’s command. There are some excellently described action scenes in this story that had me on the edge of my seat. I also love it when McCoy is portrayed as the proficient doctor and friend he is instead of a caricature of himself. Here he does just the right thing to help his friend...both his friends. And for those of us who enjoy a competent captain, here he is. I enjoy seeing Kirk do what he does best—captain a starship with courage, experience, and a shining intelligence. I often find myself watching how an author creates a story as I read—her pacing, word usage, structure, etc. Not so with Anne’s work. She has the ability to let the story tell itself, evolving seemingly organically, and naturally. She remains in the background so the reader can lose herself in the story without being reminded that someone is telling the tale. It’s only afterward that the reader realizes how skillfully all aspects of the story were included.
Anne has quite a reputation for comedic stories. She can do “serious” equally well. You’ll enjoy “Hard Times.” Don’t miss it. [1]
A very readable and typically original story from Anne. Kirk can’t get it up and it starts to affect him in more ways than one! This is not a humorous story, it’s a gritty and realistic take on a serious problem. Spock is typically understanding and I like how he can (though he’d rather not) live with the sexless relationship. Kirk is typically angry about something he cannot control. The opening of the story is excellent. Kirk is seen methodically ‘seducing’ a girl and you’d never guess he was in a relationship with Spock. Kirk is cruel, looking at Spock across the room and seeing him embroiled in a difficult conversation and recognising his plea for help he thinks ‘Spock was a grown man and a trained Starfleet officer: he could take care of himself’ and turns back to his conquest. Of course these things are true, Spock is a grown man etc so the scene underlines Kirk’s callousness without making him do anything truly stupid. When Kirk and Spock next meet and you realise they ARE in a relationship, you may expect a fight, but again Anne knows her characters well enough not to give us one. Oh yes Spock is angry and Kirk wants a confrontation but Anne’s Spock is strong enough to stay calm and insist ‘this is not about me’. Though angry and hurt Spock is logical and compassionate – now that’s a Spock I can really see. Very convincing and true to the character as I think I know him. If I have any problems with this story which I think is excellent, well crafted and utterly original, it is with Kirk’s characterisation. Just occasionally I think Anne lets him get a bit too over the top, a bit too melodramatic. There is a moment when Kirk looses all self confidence which at first reading I though was overdrawn with doubts crashing through barriers etc, but on a second reading – looking for a quote – I found it more solid. As others have already written long reviews of this story I’ll end there. I’ll just say that I liked this story and that as usual I found Anne’s Spock more in character than her Kirk, who I felt was sometimes a bit excessively overwrought. [2]
Jim has a personal problem and he seems more het up about it than is natural for him. I understand. I really do. But I don't like seeing him like this. He is *really* worried about his lack but Spock is supportive and has the patience of Job. However, Spock wants Jim to see McCoy, a suggestion that horrifies Kirk. Finally, though, Spock is forced to insist due to a teensy drop in Kirk's command performance during a catastrophe that nearly impacts the outcome. Safety of the ship and all that. Based on that logic Kirk consents to consult with McCoy, reluctantly. Of course the crusty old doctor applies his down-to-earth psychology and his solution, though excrutiating, saves the day, Kirk's pride and their relationship. He once again feels that old adrenalin rush with his bondmate. Abstinence really *does* make the heart grow fonder! Great writing, fun idea. Have a ball, or maybe two, as Spock does. LOL! [3]
This is another established relationship story, which I also enjoyed, although the subject matter was a little unusual to say the least. Just a few months after they have finally bonded, Kirk’s relationship with Spock runs into problems when he begins to suffer from a very embarrassing and humiliating problem which only Spock is aware of. I must admit I never considered this as something Kirk would ever suffer from before, but this is a very sympathetically told story and I was able to accept this idea as being possible as I was reading. Of course, Spock is as supportive and loving as I would expect and at one point he tells Kirk that even if he never recovers Spock will not even consider ending their relationship.Unfortunately things get even worse for Kirk when his problem starts to sap his self confidence and this begins to affect his command ability, which results in Spock having to more or less force him to consult McCoy, something which he as been resisting till now. I liked this particular author’s view of Kirk, his stubborn refusal to talk to McCoy partly at least because he is afraid of what the doctor may discover.
Of course, McCoy is actually very supportive and after his first solution fails to work, he proposes a more old fashioned remedy which although it does not solve the problem, does help Kirk to feel better about things – until he has to cope with an unexpected crisis as Spock and several other crewmembers disappear without trace from the ship. Now he has to cope with and solve a very puzzling mystery – not where they have gone (which is obvious), but how to get them back from a race of beings with whom he cannot even communicate let alone trying to persuade them to release their hostages! I loved this particular author’s account of how Kirk eventually does manage to get his crew back, with some very unorthodox thinking indeed and what happens afterwards while they are on shore leave – but you’ll have to read that bit for yourself! Enough to say that this was a very enjoyable read with some excellent characterisation – any more would ruin the pleasure of reading this for yourself. [4]
Reviews of the Art
This is the last illo in Beyond Dreams 9, and leaves the reader sighing with happiness. It is illustrating Hard Times, that wonderful story by Anne Elliot that ends the zine. A great choice! Kirk and Spock are shown embracing heads to groins against a background of stars obviously replete with satisfaction after a session of lovemaking. Kirk‘s eyes are closed: Spock‘s are open. Perhaps he is contemplating how miraculous it is that Kirk has come into his very lonely life. I love Spock‘s passion-mussed hair. I also love that Liz always remembers that Spock‘s skin tone is different from that of his captain. So beautiful! Thank you, Liz."[5]