Night Lessons

Fanfiction
Title:	Night Lessons
Author(s):	Elizabeth Scott
Date(s):	1999
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
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Night Lessons is a Kirk/Spock story by Elizabeth Scott.

It was published in the print zine Encore.

Summary

"Although Kirk and Spock are lovers, Spock’s assignments as a teacher take him away from Earth for months at a time, and Kirk is growing increasingly frustrated with the relationship. Then Spock is called away during one of their few times together, and Kirk reaches the breaking point."

Reactions and Reviews

"Night Lessons" by Elizabeth Scott explored a period in the Kirk/Spock relationship which is not touched upon very often. It also explored the conflicts and compromises inherent in the joining of two such strong-willed and stubborn men. She created a very thought-provoking and fascinating story. I loved the scene in which Kirk goes to Spock's cabin: Spock's controlled despair and his wary response to Kirk's unexpected arrival created the setting for a very powerful scene.

Although I like deferred gratification, I also like a story like this that starts out with a bang. Explicit sex right up front. And ES has always written really hot sex.

I also like that this is about the older characters— Kirk in San Francisco, Spock on a brief leave visiting him. The lack of time they have, and three years of only infrequent visits, makes Kirk crazy, impatient for sex, not wanting nice slow love...and they're interrupted by someone at the door, a former Academy student who cleans Kirk's place. I liked this character, but even as I read this part I wondered if the imaginative details about him—a unique character with connections to episodic Trek— were going to be put to use later. It seems they were not. So they get rid of him; and have more sex, and more interruption, and then Spock must leave. Now we get to the crux of the matter, and this is a great, intense scene. Kirk is pissed. Why doesn't Spock want to stay on Earth with him, take the job as his adjutant? He pushes and pushes, pushes Spock too far, and finally Spock shoves him against the wall and jerks him off—great scene! Kirk responds in spite of himself, of course. But they part in anger, and in later talks, basically call it quits. Then, a concise and vivid scene where Kirk goes to a gay bar. Each man who comes on to him is like a little parable, with Kirk learning what he really wants: Spock, of course.

I love how, in his Kirk-ness, he zips up to the Enterprise and marches right into Spock's cabin. Quick sex, vows of love, more sex. Great story.

A great slam bang (pun intended) beginning opening right in the middle of Kirk and Spock having sex! They are interrupted by a young Halkan (with some good detail on his background) and he leaves and they get back to their activity.

The central conflict is that Kirk wants Spock to come back to Earth with him, but Spock wants to continue training cadets on the Enterprise. They remain at an impasse until right when Spock is leaving and Kirk angers him, so Spock takes him brutally. Kirk says he never wants to see Spock again. But later they talk and try to deal with their unstable relationship. Spock says maybe Kirk should see other people which angers Kirk even more. Kirk really wants to bond, but Spock refuses and so Kirk goes to a gay bar— “Two-Man-One”— I love that name! Neat scene as various men try to pick him up and Kirk becomes more and more angry and agitated. He finally understands just how much he loves Spock, so he goes to the Enterprise to confront him. They make love (very sexy: “When we are apart, you will dream of me within you. You will awaken wet from the memory of my hands upon you, of my mouth sucking you, of my penis inside you.”

But the ending holds on to an edge of sadness. They’re not going to be together—they have to lead separate lives. I can’t say I like the ending this way, but the story overall is really fine.