Remember Me (Star Trek: TOS story by Ida Vega)

You may be looking for The Remember Me Affair.

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Remember Me
Author(s):	Ida Vega
Date(s):	2000
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Remember Me is a Kirk/Spock story by Ida Vega.

It was published in the print zine T'hy'la #21.

Summary

"In an AU, two starship captains must fight the Klingons - and come to terms with their attraction to each other."

Reactions and Reviews

I really enjoyed this story— it appealed to the incurable romantic in me, for we are treated to not one romance, but three! (Warning and apologies—I do reveal a good deal of the plot!) Despite being A/U, Remember Me captures beautifully for me the flavour of the aired episodes; in fact, the little-known words to the original Star Trek theme are used as a prologue to the story. The dialogue is firmly in diaracter in every case—I could "hear" each voice clearly and "see" the story unfoldas if it were an episode.

In an A/U where the Federation is young and first contact with the Vulcans only happened 38.5 years before, Vulcan is currently in negotiations to decide whether to join the Federation. Kirk and his landing party beam to a mineral-rich planet (so lushly described—I instantly thought of "The Apple'), within minutes of Captain Spock and his party from the Vulcan Science Vessel Intrepid. Each crew is ordered to survey the planet. Initial preconceptions and wariness between Vulcans and humans—most of whom have never even seen the other race before— gradually disappear as they work together. In these idyllic surroundings, romance blossoms!

In Spock's crew are two nicely drawn new characters. McCoy is immediately attracted to the mature and compassionate Healer, T'Carre. He is at first bewildered at his tomboy romance with the 105 year-old Vulcan who, he is daunted to find, is not only a mother and grandmother but also a great grandmother! Lots of scope here for nicely used humour. But due to Vulcan life span, she is, of course, physically the same age as him, and the author paints a delightfully accurate McCoy as he sets about courting his lady with characteristic Southern chamn.

Chekov is also smitten, this time with the very young ensign T'Amatt. It was nice seeing Chekov featured as well as the big three, and the author captures perfectly his irrepressible enthusiasm and distinctive way of speaking. T'Amatt is skillfully drawn as a shy, pretty young girl in an appealing way, without being too mawkish and cutesy. But she's not entirely helpless despite her youthful inexperience, and she holds her own in a fight with a party of Klingons, (the series breed for added authenticity!) who briefly try to claim the planet for the Empire. We are treated to the information that it was a woman warrior who developed the neck pinch. Vulcan girl power rules OK! Way to go!

I never felt that these additional romances were there simply as padding for a K/S story—they are very much a part of the story as a whole and I cared very much how they fared on the rocky road of true love. All three are given almost equal weight, which gives added depths and insights into the other characters as they commiserate with each other. Spock's betrothed, T'Pring, is also there as the Intrepid's communications officer, out of necessity due to their forthcoming pon fan. (Interesting detail, that they both go into pon farr, not just the male) There is no love lost between them, and Spock knows that T'Pring prefers his second in command, Stonn.

Spock gives T'Pring as good as he gets inthe way of sarcasm, particularly in a nice little acid exchange when they both discover the other has 'lain with another': "I am glad to see we understand each other so well. It should prove most beneficial to our life together. I look forward to it as much as you do." Nice one, Spock!

Kirk is portrayed as a confident, compassionate and charismatic man, a natural leader who is on easy terms with his crew but very much in command. Spock has a warmth and gentleness about him, but he is a strong leader and has his crew's respect. True to cannon, his early ambitions were to become the best scientist he could be', so we know he would probably give up the captaincy he has earned to willingly follow Kirk if circumstances permit.

Kirk and Spock's attraction is slightly more gradual than the other couples' and the first hint of realization on their part is beautifully described as they are about to beam up to their respective ships early in the story: "Kirk and Spock locked eyes and stared at each other, as if each had suddenly noticed something about the other man he had overlooked before." Thereafter Kirk begins fantasizing big time, and Spock meditates on the merits of T'Pring vs. Kirk, wisely deciding no contest). Their eventual coming together (well, they do!) is precipitated not only by this mutual attraction and T'Pring's preference for Stonn but also the onset of pon farr. There is a beautiful long description of the pon fan- that Spock shares with Kirk; its unexpected combination of tenderness and a burning compulsion that stops short of violence, coupled with the element of fear and uncertainty Kirk feels, which is soon dispelled by Spock's consideration and tlc, even while he is in the throes of almost uncontrollable passion.

Each romance becomes very serious, but their happiness is bittersweet, marred by the pain of separation at the end of the survey—possibly forever, if Vulcan decides not to join the Federation. One by one in three lovely scenes, Spock, T'Carre and T'Ammatt whisper a ritual phrase to their lovers: Thou art my Chosen One. I would bond with thee And not other" which triggers the creation of a bond, and they promise to wait for each other. Spock gives Kirk a bonding bracelet and says: "Remember always that I would rather be with you, the one I have chosen, than with her, who was chosen for me." Sob.

I found myself easily drawn into this 'feel good' story. There is very little misunderstanding between the lovers and delicious angst abounds in the uncertainty that all the lovers feel as to whether their new-found happiness is short-lived. But as Spock say on the last page: 'the long night of waiting is finally over for us". And McCoy's recounting of a remark his daughter makes is a bit of a giveaway to any of you who haven't read this story. I couldn't resist including it anyway, ifs so funny! "My step mother is an alien..."

As Scotty says at the end. "Ain't love grand!" Indeed! Read this story if you haven't already done so—I think you'll love it!

This is a fun A/U story, and with so many characters and so much going on, it wasn't ever confusing. It's fun that besides Kirk and Spock, we have a new female Vulcan doctor paired up with McCoy, and Chekov with a young Vulcan officer (female); and also T'Pring and Stonn (up to no good), and also minor parts for Mitchell and Stiles, and some Vulcan security officers, and a gaggle of Klingons, etc. Vulcans are not part of Federation yet, though in negotiations to be; and Terrans and Vulcans end up on the same planet, with mining potential.

So, there's a whole lot going on among a lot of people—not just action, but learning some cultural history, exploring some prejudices, and of course, lots of love and sex. Including pon farr, put across with some inventive Vulcan ways. I liked how at least one of the episodes (Babel) is fit into this scenario, too.

With multiple POVs, we may not get the intensity of an intimate Kirk or Spock perception, but I guess thafs not exactly the kind of story this is.

I've come to realize that one reason A/U isn't my favorite is if the story involves Kirk and Spock only just — meeting and getting extreme hots for each other. I have no objection to "hots" or even "hots at first sight," and I certainly see these two men falling for each other from the start. But that's not the kind of love that I love in K/S: die- for-each-other love that develops over time and living intensely side-by-side.

Even just friendship takes a bit of time to develop, and here we have Spock thinking of Kirk as his friend already...and soon enough after, as t'hy'la. But I know it's a challenge in writing an A/U story to make us feel they care enough about each other to warrant whatever dramatic things ultimately bring them together.

A number of details I liked: For one, as has been commented on before, I liked of course that it was a woman warrior who developed the Vulcan neck-pinch. I had to chuckle at being told, "Kirk and Spock got on swimmingly." In a scene with McCoy and T'Carre, we get a lesson about Vulcan women not feeling the need to dye their gray hair, that theirs is a culture that honors elders. Well, is this saying that Earth still does not honor elders, and that human women still must work at being "attractive" by some artificial standards?

It's a funny thing when we write about the future. If we remark upon something as an oddity, it reflects mostly on the times of whoever is writing. In this case, though, you have two cultures who are just getting to know each other, so all this discussion of society and history would come naturally. McCoy and T'Carre also talk about no longer experimenting on animals, etc. (Though Terrans apparently still eat them.) Anyway, about these two, it was a truly cute moment when McCoy kisses her.

An in-depth story line regarding how all these people, Kirk and Spock foremost, are going to be able to end up together...and end up together they do, with a sweepingly happy ending.

"Remember Me" by Ida Vega is a 53 page story. I am not overly fond of Ida Vega's stories, so I probably shouldn't comment. In general, I think Ida writes very interesting alternate universe stories with some nice highly romanticized sex. But I have trouble relating to the people she calls Kirk and Spock in many of her stories. They are far too different from "my" Spock and Kirk for me to identify with. I feel the characterizations are sacrificed to make the plot work.

BUT, as long as you are not expecting a recognizable Kirk or Spock , then you probably won't have too much trouble with this story. Basically put, this is an alternate universe story before a conference at Babel to determine several things, one being if Earth and Vulcan can be friends. Kirk is captain of the earth ship U.S.S. Enterprise, and Spock is captain of the Vulcan ship Intrepid. This happens before Spock's marriage to rPring. The story actually has three human/Vulcan romance stories. Chekov gets involved with Ensign T'Amatt, and McCoy gets involved with Healer T'Carre (who at 105 is still very sexy), both Vulcan women being members of Spock's crew. It doesn't take long for Kirk and Spock to fall in love. All three affairs happen really quickly, and soon the problems are all solved. Everything ends happily every after.

The story ends with Scotty saying, "Och, ain't love grand?' I'm not personally recommending this story unless you have a glass of wine or two or three before you read it. (Or if you dont imbibe, then have some chocolates to put you in a mellow mood.) That will probably greatly enhance your enjoyment of the story. Ifs not a bad story, just not one I personally really like. Of course, your mileage will vary.

I admit to a shameless fascination with some stories written a while ago by this author—especially memorable was one involvingthe Enterprise going to a sheep ranch to find out who or what was killing the sheep.

However, I enjoyed this story in a very different way— I found it fun reading, an involving plot, interesting u s e of some side characters and some pretty dam good K/S— not bad at all. Ifs an alternate universe story with Kirkcommanding the Enterprise and meeting Spock, who commands the Intrepid, for the first time on a mining planet that they both covet.

Lots of characters are here—Gary Mitchell (poor, misunderstood Gary) is the first officer; Stiles is with Kirk's landing party; Stonn is second-in-command with Spock; TPring is there because "...she and Spock were both due to go into pon farr very soon" (not really explained, but whatever); a Vucan woman doctor, TCarre who eventually hooks up with McCoy; a young Vulcan girl, TAmatt (love these Vulcan names!) who eventually hooks up with Chekov; and a host of others.

There's lots of story to enjoy. They all go to a formal banquet (vegetarian and non-alcoholic!) on the Enterprise and Kirk and Spock totally hit it off with Spock telling Kirkthey are 'twin souls" because of their similar birthdays.

I loved the little touches that always add to a story when they're integrated this well like McCoy implanting "interdental translator chips" behind everyone's ears.

Afterdinner, Kirk and his group discuss the evening (I love that!) and many are prejudiced against Vulcans. Everyone says goodnight and Kirk finds himself fantasizing about a sexual encounter with Spock. Another little touch I liked was Kirk's past relationship with Garrovick.

The planet they're on, called Paradise, is nicely shown.

I really liked the relationship between Chekov and T'Amatt. Chekov kisses her and this Vulcan guy, Stafon, gets all upset and throws him against a tree. Then Stafon goes away to report them for bad behavior because, as TAmatt tells Chekov, kissing is disrespectful mainly

because ifs done on the face like a mind meld. I also liked what Spock says about TAmatt being able to defend herself without any help from a man.

"Remember that it was a woman warrior who developed the neck pinch so that her civilian (!)sisters could defend themselves from rape."

Lots of neat information about pon farr and Spock's relationship with T'Pring, which of course is a sore subject between him and Kirk.

Then a delightful scene with McCoy and TCarre in a lab as they first discuss medical stuff. They have a very cool conversation about animal experimentation and vegetarianism. Not bad! I liked how animal cells are needed to make "hydroponic meat" and that McCoy loves yogurt.

Itturns out that TCarre is way older than she looks- she's 105 and McCoy wants to be her "boyfriend"! She does a mind meld and shows him her past which was really interesting—all about Klingons attacking a Vulcan colony and how she was married twice and other neat details of life on the planet.

They kiss and she holds him up in an embrace which is so cute. Chapel walks in on them—"He's busy doing some operating of his own"!

I really liked all the angst that Spock goes through about his relationship with TPring. One very cute moment was Kirkaccidentally on purpose tripping over a tree root to see if Spock cares! Then lots of action concerning Klingons, Chekov and T'Amatt and Kirk and Spock to the rescue. Also, a great image of thirty Klingons, fully armed, marching forward in line. And lots of good information about Vulcans and neck pinches and more imaginative details.

Later, a romantic dinner for two in Kirk's cabin, except Spock is irritable and out-of-sorts. I would say he's suffering from PMS, but I won't. It's more like PPFS— pre-pon far syndrome. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Anyway, this is a cool scene with some good dialogue like when Kirkdares Spock to: "look me in the eye and tell me you don't want me, that I mean nothing to you except as a friend. Make me believe it and I'll let you walk out of here right now."

Then, the always-desirable "desperate need" hot sex—I liked it.

Cut to a really nice scene with McCoy and T'Carre where they make love and have a wonderful conversation about Vulcan birth rate, retardation and mating. I enjoyed this a lot. I especially liked that later, everyone gets married!

In conclusion, read The Enterprise Goes To The Sheep Ranch" for a hoot, and read this story for excellent detail, good plot and lots of fun.

In this universe, Spock is captain of the Intrepid, and T'Pring is serving on the ship in order to be with her betrothed when his time comes - but she is actually carrying on with Stonn. Vulcan is still debating whether to join the Federation. Both ships arrive to survey a planet with mineral riches, and despite some early tensions and suspicion, agree to work together on the project and divide the spoils appropriately. Then along come the Klingons. But the story is really a set of three parallel romances: 1. Chekov and the young Vulcan ensign T'Amatt; 2. McCoy and the Intrepid's healer T'Carre, and of course, 3. Kirk and Spock. Some fun stuff here, as all three couples try to sort out their futures together, but none of the romances is terribly convincing - all 6 of them are essentially swearing eternal love from their first meeting.