Nome (Star Trek: TOS story)

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Nome
Author(s):	Katherine Cooke
Date(s):	2002
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Nome is a Kirk/Spock story by Katherine Cooke.

It was published in the print zine First Time #54.

Summary

"On a new world, Kirk and Spock are forced on a pilgrimage after the death of several natives by Kirkʼs order when he believes them hostile and fears for Spockʼs life."

Reactions and Reviews

"Nome" (11 pages) was a very interesting and exciting action story. And for a long while as I was reading the zine it was my number three choice until the final story knocked it down to fourth choice. In eleven pages it packed in a lot of events, but it never seemed cluttered. I must admit that I did think about the Horta while I was reading this story.

One of my favorite stories in this zine, it has such a marvelous series-feel to it. All the way through, I could easily visualize Kirk and Spock on the Enterprise. I felt like I was watching an episode with all the secret K/S revealed. These rock-creatures attack a landing party and Kirk and Spock must come to the rescue. All this excitement is happening while they are beginning to be aware of their feelings for each other.

In the turbolift, Kirk says Spock is important to him— they touch and kiss—it’s very beautiful. Then Spock beams down and mind melds with a rock creature. Kirk thinks he’s being killed, so he fires on them. To make up for this tragedy, the rock-creatures ask Kirk and Spock to make a pilgrimage to their sacred place. Lots of wonderful things: “Spock felt slightly dizzied by his audacity.” And Spock brushes a leaf off Kirk’s shoulder—what a perfect thing to do! Just that small gesture says so much. And Spock keeps looking at him in the sunlight. And I loved their beautiful mind meld and some really intense fellatio. I loved the writing style with direct, short sentences that create an immediacy: “Fierce sweetness of this pleasure.” And “Distillation of joy.” And “Darkness and a vast, suffocating pressure.”

A beautiful and memorable story.

OK, I have a confession: I did not fully appreciate this story until I had read it several times. I have no idea why, because it’s the sort of work I really like and admire. The emotional tone is understated, yet beautifully expressed; descriptions and characterizations are spare, but made all the more convincing by the author’s direct and economical writing style. There are also several satisfyingly hot sex scenes and an inventive sci fi plot. In fact, quite a lot happens in this story of rather modest length, which means the reader must pay attention and be actively engaged in order not to miss anything. And the rewards for that attention are well worth the effort. The characterizations of both Kirk and Spock are very much to my taste and are expressed through believable dialogue. I also loved the insight into Spock’s character as he considers the happiness he has found in Kirk’s friendship—truly lovely and moving. And this is the Kirk I really admire: romantic without apology, yet at the same time absolutely ethical, responsible, and sympathetic to all other beings. What a balanced and satisfying story!