Imagine (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Imagine
Author(s):	Kathy Stanis
Date(s):	2004
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:	on AO3
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Imagine is a Kirk/Spock story by Kathy Stanis.

It was published in the con zine KiScon 2004.

Summary

"Spock is instantly taken with the image of his new captain when notified of the change in command by Pike."

Reactions and Reviews

I find the title of this story most interesting as it is the imagining of the character from whose point of view this tale is told which is the focal point of the plot. What makes it interesting is the fact that the person doing the imagining is one we would expect to deny he even has an imagination, that person being Spock.

This story starts out in those early days on the Enterprise when Pike is still in command, but is soon to be reassigned. Spock, considered nothing more than an "invaluable commodity" by both captain and crew, is feeling the weight of the loneliness that isolation has brought, with his scientific duties the one constant that brings him some measure of peace and contentment. He convinces himself it is enough until Pike asks him to the captain's quarters to discuss Pike's replacement—one Captain James T. Kirk. And from that first moment Spock lays eyes on his soon- to-be captain's image, he is lost. It is at this point where the title of this story rings true, for Spock's supposedly non-existent imagination comes alive as he envisions what his life is to become with "the idea of James Kirk being the captain of the Enterprise. Being his captain". Even before Kirk steps aboard, Spock finds his entire existence has changed and cannot help but note how life around him has become much more colorful, all due to that imaginary presence which is soon to become a reality. A reality that in the end, turns out to be 1,000 times better than anything Spock could have imagined.

Another wonderful, well-written, captivating story by a longtime K/S author who has that enviable talent of drawing the reader immediately into her stories from the very first word and keeping them there until the very end. This story is no exception.

I thought this was an unusual story, and it was one of my favorites in the zine. Spock falls madly in love with James T. Kirk when Captain Pike shows him a picture of his successor. ―He would return to that image again, in the privacy of his quarters. Soon. James T. Kirk. How could a Starfleet captain look like that?― Spock becomes obsessed with Kirk, wanting to find out everything about him, and wanting to find a full length image of him to look at. Before he saw the picture of Kirk, Spock had seemed like the perfect Vulcan who held himself apart from the others on the ship, but Kathy shows us a poignant picture of how desperately lonely and empty Spock felt. After seeing Kirk‘s image, Spock becomes energized, interacts more with the crew, and imagines what life will be like with James T. Kirk as his commander, friend, and then perhaps lover. I loved reading about Kirk through Spock‘s eyes, and loved this story.

I truly loved this story! Spock has a case of love- at-first-sight, and we are treated to his luscious imaginings about Jim Kirk. The ending is sweet and satisfying. I want to read it again. Kathy has a unique writing style I love, after reading this story you will see what I mean. It's K/S for the soul.

This just might be the finest accounting of how Spock falls in love with his Captain that I have ever read. I can't imagine where this idea came from but I am so glad that Kathy contrived such an absolutely captivating storyline! I've read it twice and am on my way to reading it again, but took time out to tell you a bit about how it affected me. I have never seen a more poignant, lonely Spock. Many believe it is incorrect to see Spock as weak and I agree, however I do see him as vulnerable in many ways. In this case I don't see his loneliness or isolation as a weakness, it is simply something he has grown up with and learned to live with.

The story begins during a ship's dance - a festive occasion that Spock is observing in his usual apparently aloof manner. It twists my heart into a pretzel when, as he watches how the couples hold each other through a slow dance to a heartbreaking tune, he presses his body to the wall, folds his arms across his chest trying to simulate the feeling of being held—something he has never experienced except with I-Chaya. I could have gone into a bawling fit and never finished the story. My God, what a wrenching way to exist. Of course he is most logical and realizes how impractical his action is and quickly straightens to attention. The reason for the celebration is a farewell for Captain Pike, with whom Spock has found a satisfactory working relationship free from any pretense of friendship or encumbrance. There is some trepidation on the Science Officer's part, because now he must once again adjust to a new human in the ranks. As the dancers move in a world of their own, Spock accompanies Pike to his cabin to view an incoming message about the Enterprise's new commander. Here is where the tightening around my heart gets very serious. A still image of the indescribable James T. Kirk appears on the viewer—and Spock falls head over heels, madly in love. Right there on the spot. Pounding heart, rushing blood, flushed skin. Far beyond enthralled, he attempts to commit to memory every line of the human's face, every impossible shade of gold and green in the smiling eyes, every golden lock of hair. I am impossibly lost, as is he. Rushing to his cabin, he begins to research his new Captain (ostensibly) for he is really seeking a picture of Kirk's entire body. Can it possibly be as glorious as the man's face? Suddenly Spock's cold grey world is filled with warmth and color! The color of hope. Logical? Not at all, but it makes the most delightful, heartwarming reading imaginable. This is a Spock we've never seen before. One who throws caution to the wind and sails into his future on the wings of his own quite impressive imagination! His imaginings from this point on are wonderful and I love every one of them. But it is those initial couple of pages, where we can see inside this very lonely, but very accepting young man, that I will never forget. At one point he is thinking of himself as too young, because he has so much of his life ahead of him and knows it will be filled only with cold science.

Do not, do NOT, miss this story!!! I've intentionally left out much because you must get it directly from this most talented and remarkable author. The ending will melt you into a smooth warm puddle of joy.

"Imagine" by Kathy Stanis is about five and a half pages long. The zine is a contest zine for a con naturally called KiSCON, and three winners were picked. This is the only story in my personal top three that actually was in the voted top three. The voters who attended the con picked this as number two out of fifteen stories. I rank it number three. So at least my tastes are not totally off the wall. I was beginning to worry! The other two stories I picked as best were "Shore Leave Epilogue" by Brianna Falken and "Touch" by Carolyn Spencer.

Many if not almost all of Kathy's stories are highly poetical. This story is no exception. It's extremely well written and completely original. This is written from Spock's viewpoint. And for some reason all three stories I liked best in this zine were written from Spock's viewpoint. And I am not a Spock fan, I am a Kirk fan so I find it strange that I was attracted to three stories all from Spock's viewpoint. I especially like writing that is poetical and "Touch" is also poetical.

The story starts with Spock and Captain Pike. For a while I almost thought this might be a Spock/Pike story. Much of the story takes place in Spock's imagination, which only makes sense since the story is called "Imagine." And I can tell you that Spock has a very active imagination. This story is good. And I really liked the ending.