Righthand Man

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Right-Hand Man
Author(s):	Barbara Taylor
Date(s):	1991
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Right-Hand Man is a Kirk/Spock story by Barbara Taylor.

It was published in the print zine First Time #31.

Summary

"After Kirk is slightly injured on a landing party, Spock seems to withdraw from him, just as he is beginning to confront his own feelings for Spock."

Reactions and Reviews

If I hadn't seen the byline, I never would have guessed this was a new author. While the storyline was a typical first-timer, this was a very smooth read and had a comfortable feel to it, as though its simplicity was a welcoming rather than a turn-off. There wasn't anything that didn't ring true, and all the characters sounded real. I liked the image, on page 82, of Kirk "taking his courage by the throat."

I’ve always liked it when McCoy plans matchmaker—or at least catalyst—to the inevitable discovery between Captain and First. This is a great example, with McCoy both accepting and clever. “Talk to him, Jim” is familiar and so are Kirk’s vacillations before accepting the challenge. But this author sees things a bit atypically from here on out, exploring Spock’s feelings about Kirk’s continual risk- taking. She knows her Vulcan well and chooses his words convincingly, but bestows upon him mood swings which occur almost too suddenly. Spock’s anger at Kirk’s restlessness I can understand, and I also comprehend his lighthearted manner; his almost hidden smiles. The trouble is, there’s no transition time between them. I did enjoy the results, however!