Sensate Focus

Fanfiction
Title:	Sensate Focus
Author(s):	Lyrastar
Date(s):	2004
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:	Sensate Focus, Side by Side Collection on AO3
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Sensate Focus is a Kirk/Spock story by Lyrastar.

It was first published online in Side by Side Special Edition #5 as part of the KSOF 2004 Frottage Challenge and then in the print zine Cyberdreams #2.

Summary

"Things are not as they seem on Altair, nor between Kirk and Spock after the events on Vulcan and Spock's pon farr."

Reactions and Reviews

This is another well written follow-up to Amok Time which takes place during the mission to Altair 6 where once again the Enterprise gets caught up in the events at the presidential inauguration ceremony on that particular planet. It was also quite a nice touch that this particular story while dealing with the events resulting from Spock’s pon farr, is also an adventure in itself, and does not focus solely on their relationship after events on Vulcan, although that is of course a key factor as in all good K/S fiction.

Arriving late after their unscheduled trip to Vulcan, Kirk discovers that one of the other two starships that should have been there, has been diverted to deal with an emergency elsewhere. When he receives disturbing information about what is actually happening on the planet he tries to report it and is amazed when it is brushed aside as not being important. Of course, Kirk’s sense of duty and obligation insists that he pursues the matter on his own anyway, and he asks Spock to make an few unofficial enquiries which initially reveal nothing. After the ceremony is interrupted by an unanticipated attack from a completely unexpected direction, Kirk and Spock both realise that they have some kind of mental link which enabled them to work perfectly in synch with each other during this attack and ultimately contributes to their being able to overcome the attackers. I liked the way in which this particular author was able to perfectly convey the way in which Kirk and Spock are able to work perfectly in synch with each other as the deal with preventing the attack down the planet, another demonstration of just how attuned to each other they are, even if they are experiencing a few problems in their relationship at that particular time this does not in any way affect their ability to work with each other and protect each other as they always have.

As a result of this Kirk, in typical fashion insists on taking over the investigation in the face of Starfleet’s apparent lethargy, which then leads to Spock making an absolutely horrific discovery about what is really taking place in this system. The characterisation of both Kirk and Spock here is excellent with Kirk as usual ignoring the complacency of Starfleet and once again being proven correct in doing so. All this is set against a nicely set out background of both Kirk and Spock trying to simply ignore their growing feelings for each other (which unsurprisingly, seem to have come to the fore since events on Vulcan not long before) to get the job done as efficiently as possible even in the face of opposition from the powers that be. It was poetic justice that once again Kirk was proven right in the face of Starfleet’s stubborn refusal to see what is right under their noses! which makes up in some measure for their late arrival in the first place, after events on Vulcan.

Just like an Star Trek episode should be! Plot holes and all this is one of the best!

I've been wondering recently if this story was inspired by the ending of "The Price" or even the beginning of Courts of Honor, when McCoy diagnoses (~_^) Spock as being "frigid...and...impotent". McCoy makes no real attempt to, er, treat those conditions, but what would the doctor really do about it? :)

Always liked this story--it's like an episode. Kirk finds a solution and saves the day (A+B plot)! ::Dean scream:: Adding to favorites.

Ha ha, reading reviews, too funny that someone just skipped to the sex scenes. I skip over most of them these days (not yours). Most K/S sex scenes SUCK (and NOT in a good way!). I am so sick of that smarmy crap about Kirk tracing the line of Spock's sensuous lips and quivering in anticipation--well, you get the idea....

This story is for everyone who wondered what the hell happened when they finally made it to Altair. *picturing Spock's super-Vulcan facade in place*

Take a deep breath ...

And long exhales ...

Wow

It was the most remarkable.

I confess: I have not read the whole plot but only the sections that took place between Spock and Kirk, I have no patience for long and detailed action plots

But reading how their relationship little by little changes was very moving and even amusing, and the end was far beyond.

That, my friend

Was a piece of adventure I was glad to participate.

Thank you.

This first story in Cyberdreams 2 was a delightful surprise to me. I was immediately and convincingly caught up in the drama on Altair where Kirk and Spock show Starfleet they are worth their weight in gold! This is the kind of story that shows what a great team this captain and first officer is. Here is a Kirk who is very strong, direct, businesslike but not insensitive to something he notices between himself and Spock. Actually, I was beginning to think he was treating this unexpected link with Spock too lightly, but in his own time Kirk comes to the most logical conclusion what to do about it, and this led to the perfect ending of the story.

After my torrid tour of the art of the zine, I had time to read only the first story. I found it fine, a unique slant on the Amok Time episode. It takes place afterward on Altair VI and is interesting, with just enough drama and intensity to keep me reading avidly along. Then came the love and I—guess what?— loved it. Fine writing, a great choice for this zine, made for people like me who'd never have read these stories unless they were presented here.

I really like this story. I really like this Jim Kirk. He seems so very genuine—every word out of his mouth is something I would expect to hear him say. There’s an excellent plot revolving around the Enterprise’s trip to Altair 5 after the infamous diversion to Vulcan. Spock’s character seems right on target, too. He is more decisive than often portrayed, but that’s ok with me. I like him both ways.

I will try not to give away the plot here, while letting you know just how enjoyable I found this fare. There are so many small things that add up to the enormous love that exists between Kirk and Spock. We are witness to their incredible working relationship, the way they act as one to solve seemingly insurmountable problems. But we also see the small things. We see the way Spock reacts when Kirk reaches for something and accidentally brushes against him, and our pulse quickens—as does his. We see the sensitivity they have to each other’s every thought and action. Very appealing to me is the matter-of-fact way they both come to terms with changing feelings and needs. Kirk might be called flippant, but I see him only as so very comfortable with his familiar companion that he simply takes every surprise in stride. They have an absolutely delightful relationship in this story. As much as it changes, it stays the same: steadfast and without comparison. There is an absolutely incredible “dream sharing” experience that you must read! As Kirk asks in an unbelievably calm manner, “What the hell was that?” I’ll let you guess. But even in this they are extremely comfortable with each other. What an ideal! If you like erotic explorations, you won’t be disappointed on that front, either.

Lovely story!

I am so glad this marvelous author has decided to share her work with zine readers as well as writing for the net. I never would have read “Sensate Focus” if it weren’t sent to me by a friend. (Thanks, T. Jonesy!) Now because of CyberDreams 2 her story will have an even wider audience.

“Sensate Focus” has so many of the elements I enjoy in a K/S story. First, it is a rollicking good adventure tale. Kirk and Spock, et al. arrive at Altair IV almost a whole day late after their diversion to Vulcan, and find the Republic already there and waiting. Because of conditions imposed from the planet, communications, ship’s weapons, and transporters are inoperative; Kirk’s command intuition snaps into place. It quickly becomes apparent that there are parts of Altair’s diverse cultures that are not in agreement about joining the Federation. The relationship that Kirk and Spock have developed, both personally and professionally, plus their unique separate skills enable them to turn tragedy to triumph. This is an adventure story that could have been the 80th episode of the series. Second, the characterizations are right on target. This is the Kirk and Spock we know and relate to. They look the way our heroes look. They sound the way our heroes sound, although try as I might, it’s hard for me to imagine Kirk referring to Spock as his “husband.” (I just can’t hear that coming out of Kirk’s mouth.) Other than that, the dialog snaps, crackles and pops its way through the story. But above all, they act the way our heroes act. It takes no effort on the reader’s part to imagine them in this situation. I also like the author’s use of Kelowitz and Leslie as very incidental characters. Because I already knew what these men looked like, it was even easier for me to picture this scene. Clever! And wait until you meet Tchaar—a Klingon who speaks French! Next, Lyrastar is an excellent visual writer. Action is clearly defined and presented with just the right amount of detail: not so much as to be drowned under an outpouring of it, nor so little as to be confusing. Her description of an alien society (actually two alien societies) is very, very nicely done and difficult to do as anyone who has tried it can attest. Now we get to the really good stuff: the love story. Of this I’m actually going to say very little. You simply must read it for yourself. Suffice it to say that it is as tender and loving as you could wish. The scene involving McCoy and the records officer is worth the read all by itself.

CyberDreams 2 has many very good stories in it, but you could buy it for this one alone and not be disappointed.