No Laughing Matter
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | No Laughing Matter |
| Author(s): | Dana Austin Marsh |
| Date(s): | 1990 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
| Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | |
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No Laughing Matter is a Kirk/Spock story by Dana Austin Marsh.
It was published in the print zine Matter/Antimatter #8 where it has art by Chris Soto.
"Chris Soto's illos were wonderful, especially the hug on page 142. It takes me back to the good old days of all the innocent hurt/comfort stories."[2]
Summary
"What starts out as a series of practical jokes becomes deadly serious when it becomes evident that someone is trying to kill Kirk."
Reactions and Reviews
1990
This contains the most 'romantic' description that I've read in a long time. It occurs when Kirk awakes and Spock leans down to kiss him. The description of that simple act was more erotic than a detailed review of the entire physical performance. [3]
I liked this mystery/romance. Only two gripes: calling an ensign a crewman threw me off the scent and I was confused about the coffee cup exchange. I didn't understand at first that the ensign had exchanged the used coffee cup for an undrugged one. And really, I wonder why he bothered; he didn't want to hide what he'd done, after all. But it was a well-written story, with everyone in character. It seemed believable that Kirk would be terrified by having one of his crew out to get him, and reasonable that he would despise himself for that terror. I especially liked the bit where Spock pinned Kirk in the gym. Also a bit of characterization at the end: "I can compromise, I've done it, but sometimes I need a good swift kick in the butt to make me see it." [4]
I liked this story a lot. The gradual change of the incidents from silly to serious to scary, and the reactions to them by Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, were all believable and all in-character. I really loved how Spock understood Kirk's need for physical comfort, and so joined him in the bed. Also Kirk's refusal to go any further until the situation was resolved so he could be sure of what he was feeling. Great story! [5]
This is yet another well-plotted, thorough story by one of fandom's best authors. It has excellent dialogue and good suspense. The relationship between Kirk and Spock was more subtle than in many stories; yet, it didn't lack for warmth and intensity, and I particularly appreciated the aspect that the love far over-powered the lust — a point made by the characters' actions (or lack of such), rather than, as in many stories, false-sounding speeches.
Chris Soto's illos were wonderful, especially the hug on page 142. It takes me back to the good old days of all the innocent hurt/comfort stories.
At times when I've read a group of mundane stories, and start to question if I'm getting burned out on K/S, it's a story like this that reminds me why I continue to read so faithfully. [6]
Another good story from this author. I liked their magical kiss on page 136 and their subsequent confusion over that impulsive moment was quite understandable.
The gradual building of the tension in the story was good and I thought that the part at the end with Kirk saying he 'wants' to spend his life with Spock but was trying to be realistic to be definitely keeping in character with the James Kirk we know. [7]
1992
Good writing. Characterizations felt genuine, and sometimes charmingly amusing.
Kirk's and Spock's awareness of their feelings toward each other seemed a little too pat, but quite sweet. A good mystery. Credible scenarios, both regarding the perpetrator and regarding Kirk's rationale for acting or not acting on his responses to Spock's kiss. The kiss was superbly erotic, and the moments afterwards intense. Lovely, romantic, sensual, poetic, evocative. I can enjoy a no-explicit sex story but only if it doesn't leave me feeling deprived of a sex scene. This one was satisfying enough. A good McCoy part. Spock/KcCoy scene was touching. [8]
1995
I am always happy to find one of Ms. Marsh's stories in a zine and this piece is an example of why I eagerly flip to her work first."No Laughing Matter" is a good story on two levels. The first is as a mystery. Someone is harassing Kirk. There are accidents that escalate in seriousness and danger to Kirk. Since no one but a crewperson could be responsible. Kirk is doubly concerned. The part of the story I relly enjoyed was Spock's reaction to Kirk's jeopardy. His protectiveness increases as the danger dose until he moves into Kirk's cabin. Once there, the inevitable happens between them but I loved how she got them to that point. The mystery is also resolved in a way that showed why Kirk is such a great commander and truely decent person.
I hope there is more to come from this favorite author. [9]
References
- ^ from The LOC Connection #18 (1990)
- ^ from The LOC Connection #18 (1990)
- ^ from The LOC Connection #18
- ^ from The LOC Connection #18
- ^ from The LOC Connection #20
- ^ from The LOC Connection #20
- ^ from The LOC Connection #20
- ^ from The LOC Connection #43
- ^ from Come Together #24