In Bunches, Like Bananas

Fanfiction
Title:	In Bunches, Like Bananas
Author(s):	Gena Moretti
Date(s):	1991
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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In Bunches, Like Bananas is a K/S story by Gena Moretti.

It was published in the print zine Naked Times #26.

See some comments about this story at Some Fan Comments: Gena Moretti's Star Trek Fic.

Summary

"Kirk refuses to return to his bondmateʼs bed after the death of Miramanee, afraid his thoughts of her and their unborn child will invade his and Spockʼs lovemaking. "Spock, I could swear I heard voices -- see I did hear them." Kirk trusted Spock's fidelity completely, as he did McCoy's heterosexual preference. But the sign of another man, not only in bed with, but snuggled into one of his favorite positions with his Vulcan, shot feelings of jealousy through Kirk's body with a velocity he wouldn't have believed possible…"

Reactions and Reviews

1991

This story contains some very good characterization of McCoy. The idea that Spock would be better off being comforted by McCoy over McCoy's fatal illness seems strange at first. Not wanting Kirk to perform this role could indicate mistrust of Kirk. Yet readers should consider how much closer Kirk is to McCoy. He would be grieving more intensely. If Kirk and Spock had tried to face McCoy's illness together, Spock would have felt obliged to stay strong and controlled for Kirk's sake, so that he, Spock, could perform the comforting role for Kirk. Spock would never get a chance to grieve then, and only McCoy understood that Spock needed to weep just as much as Kirk did. This was psychologically astute. The jealousy in the story did not charm me, however.

The title had me expecting a frivolous story, but this turned out to be a touching post-"The Paradise Syndrome" tale with multiple plot lines that came together well.

I'm not sure that Kirk would have been so selfless and strong enough to keep Spock out of his bed, but it did make for a greater degree of conflict than this author's stories usually have. I also question why Kirk and Spock kept their reunion from McCoy when it meant so much for the doctor to see them get back to together, but the delay did make for a nice ending.

I took it for granted that the reader was meant to assume that the events in the episode "For the World is Hollow..." would have been a sequel, so to speak, to this story; i.e., McCoy is cured.

2007

There’s a distinctive story by Gena M. in Naked Times 26, “In Bunches, Like Bananas.” Kirk comes back from his time with Miramanee on the Paradise planet, but he finds he cannot take up his sexual relationship with Spock, so they return to their own beds. But Spock finds solace from an unexpected source: McCoy. Gena has always been fond of inserting McCoy in her K/S fiction, and this story represents perhaps the closest McCoy comes to actually being part of the K/S relationship. He starts by cajoling Spock to rest after his months of exertion on Kirk’s behalf. Spock says:

“I presume this is your way of apologizing for questioning and protesting every decision I had to make, beginning with leaving Jim on the planet. Very well, Doctor. If you can possibly avoid upsetting my stomach, I would appreciate help in starting the unwinding processes.”

McCoy snorted. “You mean that hollow concave section that shows your backbone every time you breathe? This shouldn’t go near it.”

“I see you have selected your next target on my person, due for attack no doubt as soon as I have slept.”

“Look at that! Spock, you’re so damn done in you can’t even put up a decent argument.” There was a familiar hiss as McCoy gave

Spock a shot of relaxant strong enough to melt the Vulcan all over his bed.

But within a short time, and way before Kirk and Spock have been able to find their way back to one another, McCoy tells them that he has contracted Xenopolycythemia, that there is no cure, and that he is likely to die within a year. Spock finds himself strangely and strongly distraught, as McCoy had been very helpful in dealing with his emotions concerning Kirk. Unlikely as it seems to either first officer or doctor, Spock and McCoy find themselves sharing a bed, platonically, it is true, but sharing nevertheless in an intimacy that most K/S stories do not explore.