Moving On (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Moving On
Author(s):	Anne Elliot
Date(s):	1999
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Moving On is a Kirk/Spock story by Anne Elliot.

It was published in the print zine Singing in the Wilderness.

This story was nominated for a 1999 STIFfie Award.

Excerpt

"Spock you are incorrigible. The campus is bursting with attractive, healthy young people and here you are climbing all over me with wicked thoughts in your head." Spock raised his head momentarily. "So?" Kirk tutted and pushed him gently, "So, I find it hard to believe that you find me attractive in the face of all that youthful beauty." He winced inwardly. Did you really have to say that J.T?"

Reactions and Reviews

This is a short but lovely story about an older Kirk and Spock who have been together 25 years. So it’s almost guaranteed to please me, as I adore an examination of a long term relationship.

They’re attending a Starfleet Graduation ceremony, housed in guest quarters, and the story opens as they are making love there. But Kirk’s mind isn’t really on what he’s doing, or is being done to him. He’s awash with insecurity (“Being surrounded by hundreds of virile youths tended to depress him and make him feel awkward at times.”), with sadness that his career is more than half over, even with doubts about his relationship with his long-term lover, and his mind constantly wanders even as he approaches a skillfully-induced orgasm. (Spock says later about their lovemaking: “...a routine exercise we undergo at sensible intervals?” Gee, even I wince at that one!) I couldn’t believe how effectively, in what a true-to-life manner this sequence was written. Kudos to the author! I adored the little part about Lori Ciani coming on to Kirk several years in the past, but didn’t care too much for the artificiality of what she does in the present time of the story. Still, it serves to show Spock’s commitment and concern. And the ultimate resolution, if you can call it that, was written almost off-handedly, but I don’t think a more dramatic presentation would have suited the tone or the intent of this small examination of a small crisis in the lives of larger-than-life beings.

An excellent offering from a new author that left me satisfied and with one request: More, please?

What a wonderful first story from a new author! It is fresh and exciting in a lovely introspective way.

We meet Admiral Kirk in front of a Starfleet Academy graduating class. With this backdrop, Kirk reflects on his long-term relationship with Spock. Their relationship, specifically their sex life, has grown stale. Their status is shown in a terrific scene (terrific for its clarity and focus) when they have sex and Kirk’s mind wanders during the activity, to the point where Spock announces he’ll never make love with him again.

I found this scene to be poignant and heart- wrenching as Kirk realizes most of what is going on, but has no answers, no solutions. Spock also understands, but doesn’t offer any alternatives. I really enjoyed much of the fine writing— especially some wonderful ends and beginnings of scenes—such as when Kirk starts his speech before the graduating class and then the next scene begins with his thoughts on how much he wants to get away.

And there’s a permeating sense of sadness—they love each other, but after twenty-five years they need something more. Many times when I’ve read stories with this type of scenario, I’m left with a bad taste in my mouth because the hopelessness of their situation is awful. Not awful in a wonderful way, just awful. But not here. This author created rich and full characters involved in a difficult situation and I loved being involved in it.

Kirk talks to a newly graduated cadet who has been assigned to a lowly post. Nevertheless, she’s thrilled about it and tells Kirk that she will be the best at what she does.

This encounter changes Kirk’s perspective and later he shares his newfound realization with Spock.

It’s here that some problems occur with the story. I would have wished for a much longer story— the complex situation they were in demanded a complex solution instead of a simple, brief answer. I kept imagining what was going to happen—they’d go away to some exotic place and pursue their lovemaking or maybe Kirk would have an affair or something as equally dramatic as their problem was. And Spock was involved in this, too—his sending Lori Ciana to Kirk was nothing special and didn’t seem to be enough of an impact to change Kirk’s feelings.

But I want to make it very clear that despite these problems, I found this story to be absolutely wonderful and the writing was excellent.

The editor tells us that this is a new author, and what an auspicious beginning she has made with this story. Kirk and Spock have come to Starfleet Academy so that Kirk can give his annual commencement speech to the newly minted graduates. His speech is perfunctory, as is the sex he and Spock indulge in during the previous night, at least on Kirk’s part. They know each other perhaps too well. Bondmates for twenty-five years, there is no doubt of their commitment to, their love for each other, but while not old, they no longer have the stamina nor the desire to participate in some of the sexual antics they previously took for granted. (There is one incident referred to regarding a crystal chandelier that sounded fascinating.) Spock rebels at the cavalier treatment. It takes a meeting with an almost lover (here Lori Ciani, of all people), but especially an encounter with a new graduate to

remind Kirk what’s important in his life. While I usually don’t favor stories about the guys at this stage of their lives—I prefer them young and gorgeous and incurably heroic—I found this one to be moving, realistic and very well written. Lovely characterizations and a nice light touch of humor. I also enjoyed this author’s second story in the zine, "The Name of the Game" for the same reasons.

A sweet story. I’ll be looking for more of this author’s work in the future.