Just a Simple Word

Fanfiction
Title:	Just a Simple Word
Author(s):	Anne Elliot
Date(s):	2004
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Just a Simple Word is a Kirk/Spock story by Anne Elliot.

It was published in the print zine First Time #58.

Summary

"A chance encounter in a Jeffries tube brings drastic changes to Kirk and Spockʼs relationship."

Reactions and Reviews

"Just a Simple Word" by Anne Elliott is 28 pages long. The title on page 90 is adorned with some silly graphics. This is not Anne's fault, by any means. It's just a comment that, in my opinion, I would have preferred a plain simple title. Whoever did the graphics was trying to be cute, and it didn't work for me. There were also some other graphics spread throughout First Time 58's 189 pages, some of which were okay and others I simply found distracting.

I liked "Just a Simple Word" a lot. I read the story last night and my memory is really bad so I'm not exactly clear on when the story was set, but it is sometime toward the end of the three year mission, I'm guessing. This is a simple story plot wise. There is a problem with the Jeffries tube, and this is something Scotty, Spock, and Kirk are checking out. However, something happens in the Jeffries tube that vastly complicates Kirk's and Spock's lives. This being a K/S zine, the complication is expected. But Anne deals with their sexual attraction/emotional attachment in a fresh way by showing Kirk as having some hang-up that is totally unexpected for Spock. I liked reading how Anne sets the situation up and then resolves it.

I did think the actual ending lines were a little weak, probably the only real weak spot in the story.

But otherwise I enjoyed the story and thought it fit in well with the other good stories in the zine which I liked such as Ariadne's "If You Could Read My Mind," Deanna Gray's "Truth in Lies" and Brianna Falken's "The Road Not Taken." (My LOC for Brianna's story is in another KSP.) This zine First Time 58 for me overall is a mixed bag, and these four stories that I really like a lot which make up about half the zine make this zine worth buying.

This is another wonderful story by Anne, told in her delightful and unique style. Spock and Kirk are pressed close together in a Jeffries tube when Spock sees his captain in an entirely new way. Suddenly, he and Kirk are passionately kissing, before they realize where they are, stop, and go their separate ways. Spock meditates, and we learn that Spock has been feeling increasingly isolated and is very aware of his unbonded state. He’d been contemplating Gol, but now, perhaps another option is open to him, depending on what Kirk wants.

A discussion of their recent impulsive behavior reveals each wants the same thing—a permanent commitment with the other. Spock’s joy is dimmed a bit when he hears Kirk say he doesn’t love him; that every adult relationship in his life had ended badly, and he’d decided never to fall in love again. Spock decides to risk it all, accepts Kirk on his terms, and bonds them. After a rapturous love making session, Spock realizes he has made the right decision, saying : “Jim, if this is not love, I don’t know what is.” Kirk has learned his own truths as well, telling Spock he’s been foolish and why: “Oh, for not being able to see the obvious, even when it is right under my nose. For some of the things I have said to you tonight, and some of the things I have left unsaid. And right now and most of all, for the one simple word I ought to say and can’t.”

This story is told completely from Spock’s POV, and Anne does an excellent job. Everything Spock thought or said rang true to me. I loved Anne’s characterizations of both Spock and Kirk, loved the entire scene in the Jeffries tube, loved the dialogue, loved the writing. In fact, I loved everything about this story.

What is it about tight spaces with these two? I should have expected just the right amount of levity from Ms. Elliot, who conveniently places Kirk and Spock in an even more conveniently narrow Jeffries Tube. It makes you wonder why they never found themselves in this situation before. I truly loved the fact that both were rendered speechless, even more entertained by Spock becoming completely befuddled. This is a wonderful way to see love between them – right between the eyes!

I was so afraid the story was going to end abruptly as they exited the tube and very relieved when I turned the page and found more. Lots more, as it turned out. The seriousness of Spock’s struggles with his emotions in the aftermath of their brief encounter was in sharp contrast to the happiness I felt at the beginning. I think most of us see him as a lonely being before Kirk, and his introspection brings this sharply and painfully into focus. When they confront “what the hell happened”, Spock’s honesty is refreshing and indicative of both the import of his feelings and his complete trust in James Kirk. I am transfixed whenever I see them in tune with one another as they appear to be here.

Having often been frustrated by Kirk and Spock’s inability to verbally express their feelings for each other, the exchange between them appeared as a nice variation—until I realized how cold it actually was. Directly opposite of their non-verbal expressiveness in the Jeffries tube. The result made what should have been a joyous exchange almost a sad one.

But I retained my optimism that this talented author would get it right between them, and she did so in spectacular fashion. Hers was a love scene in the truest sense of the word, whether or not the word was ever spoken aloud. A stunning example of actions speaking louder than words.