Purgatory (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Purgatory
Author(s):	Jane Elza
Date(s):	1989
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Purgatory is a K/S story by Jane Elza.

It was published in the print zine First Time #22.

Summary

"Spock transports to an A/U where he and Kirk are not friends."

Reactions and Reviews

1993

"Our" Spock's POV. Transports to parallel universe where Kirk and Spock are strictly co-officers, not friends. Our Spock sees he is more "emotional" than Spock-2. Spock-2 is what our Spock used to think he aspired to, but then realizes he is loved in his own universe, by Kirk. Their acknowledgment of it when Spock comes back is powerful.

Strong words, passion and feeling of belonging.

2000

Our Spock suddenly finds himself transported to an alternate universe—to the bridge of the starship Enterprise. He is quickly hustled to the sickbay of the alternate ship, where he is quizzed by that Captain Kirk and that Mr. Spock. McCoy is there too. Our Spock has the impression that Kirk is holding back on asking what he really wants to know, that he is quizzical about something.

Then when they’re alone, McCoy asks the pivotal question: “Where...how did you learn to express your emotions?” That provides the clue Spock needs. This universe’s Spock doesn’t respond to Kirk because he is such a buttoned-down Vulcan, and therefore this universe’s Kirk doesn’t love his Spock!

Spock is filled with a sort of panic that doesn’t really have time to go anywhere before he is hustled to the transporter room and sent back to his own universe—and the waiting arms of his captain.

Purgatory is another short-short from the master of them, it is amazing how much this author manages to convey in so few words. I would have liked it if Spock had spent a little more time observing the other couple—much of what we know of them is told, not seen—but the story still works. My belief went out the window, though, when Spock rips off Kirk’s shirt in the transporter room.

I hope that other Spock loosens up—his Kirk will be snapped up by somebody else if he doesn’t.