Sandpaper & Salve

Fanfiction
Title:	Sandpaper & Salve
Author(s):	Elizabeth Scott
Date(s):	1989
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Sandpaper & Salve is a K/S story by Elizabeth Scott.

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

Summary

"When several crewmembers die, Spock's attempts to comfort Kirk escalate into passion."

Art

Art by SBL for "Sandpaper & Salve". Note: Marked as sexually explicit; minimized.

The story was published with fanart by SBL (left). A reviewer comments:

This is a simple line drawing of two men making love, presented from a rather, uh, unique perspective. All you see are the spread legs and the equipment ready to be, uh, inserted. Oh, heck, this isn’t a family letterzine, the fellow on the top is basically ready to lower himself on the penis of the lucky one on the bottom. No facial features anywhere to be identified, this one could be used for just about any fandom. It was a shock to turn the page and see it. And yet.... Got to admit I like it! I feel as if it must be Spock on top. The cant of the shoulders reveals my lithe Vulcan, not to mention those luscious long fingers which have come around to hold Kirk’s penis to steady it before penetration. Yes! I would be interested in hearing other folks’ opinions about extremely explicit drawings in K/S zines. Do you like them or not? This one certainly qualifies."

Reactions and Reviews

1993

Very fine poetic writing; expressive and insightful.

Comforting Kirk, Spock gets hard with Kirk in his arms and they make love, but then Kirk feels like a big shit, like he just used Spock.

Spock goes off to another ship which has a gay captain.

Kirk understands then what the whole thing is about, and goes to whisk Spock away from the new ship.

Although it felt a bit unnatural, Kirk's speech expressed really really heartfelt, beautiful things.

1996

A beautiful, tender story of Kirk who is distraught because he blames himself for McCoy getting injured. Spock goes to Kirk's cabin to comfort him. Even though Kirk's tears are slightly out of character, the scene is just beautiful with Spock's words of comfort - "You need not be captain tonight. Just my friend tonight."

Spock gives in to his sexual feelings mixed with compassion and he becomes aroused as he holds Kirk. "No. You are not alone. My strength will serve us both this night—in whatever form you require."

Lovely poetically written as Spock takes away Kirk's pain with his love, A very painful moment occurs when Kirk wakes up in the morning and is horrified by what they've done.

Spock says such gorgeous things:" With me, you need never be shamed by your needs."

So many neat moments in this story such as when Spock wants to hold onto the pain of their intercourse so that the night will always be with him. "No matter what one wishes, the body heals and forgets.- And "Spock's body had forgotten the pain. He disciplined his mind to forget the joy."

A great scene as Kirk takes a small pod shuttle and "parks" it next to a starbase.

Beautiful story from a marvelous author.

2000

Kirk is putting his crew through hell and it isn’t an act or on command of Starfleet. Spock knows that something is seriously wrong. He goes to his captain, wanting to help, and discovers that Kirk is reacting to the recent deaths of several landing party crew and the serious injury to McCoy. He blames himself for not protecting all of them better. Basically he’s wallowing in guilt and pushing away contact with the rest of his crew in a self-protective mechanism. Spock recognizes this, says the right things, and ends up in an unexpected embrace on Kirk’s bed. He holds his confused, grieving captain, and Kirk clings to him.

And of course the inevitable happens. I found this part of the story to be very emotionally-true, as I think people do reach out to others in a physical way when they are this emotionally distraught. Kirk and Spock make love. Kirk does so in a sort of passionate, unknowing frenzy, wanting only relief from the hell through which he’s been putting himself. Spock does it with wonder and glory, accepting Kirk’s penetration, “begged for it with flaming eyes.” (Oh, I like this! A great sex scene!)

But when the next morning comes.... Kirk can’t accept what he’s done, adds it to the load of guilt he’s carrying, won’t believe that Spock came to him willingly, made love with him because he wanted to. Spock, who would gladly have continued as lovers, closes up in genuine misery.

The story so far really works, and is presented in a sophisticated manner. The second half I have a harder time believing, but it is still interesting. Spock decides to transfer to another ship, and it just happens to be a ship where the captain is a pretty gross character. I got the impression of a dirty, sweaty, slimy sort of fellow, sort of a small Jabba the Hut! Anyway, this captain gloats to be stealing away the best first officer in Starfleet, but he makes it clear to Spock that the deal includes Spock sharing his bed. Spock is so miserable that he agrees. Thank goodness Kirk intervenes. He stalks onto the other ship’s bridge where Spock is observing: “Spock,” Kirk barked out, ”come on, Spock. Let’s go home.” I rather enjoyed our captain being so masterful!

Then the two of them take a pod back to the Enterprise, but “park” it to make love. Cute, just like teenagers!

Elizabeth Scott almost always comes up with a story worth remembering, and I remembered Sandpaper and Salve from my reading years ago. A nice story.