That Darkness, That Light

Fanfiction
Title:	That Darkness, That Light
Author(s):	Patricia Laurie Stephens
Date(s):	1989
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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That Darkness, That Light is a Kirk/Spock story by Patricia Laurie Stephens.

It was published in the print zine Way of the Warrior #2.

Summary

"An ultimate hurt-comfort story by the mistress of the genre, A/U Spock takes leave on Vulcan after a quarrel with Kirk but during his stay his parents are killed and heʼs taken prisoner by Vulcan terrorists, creating more problems between him and Kirk after his rescue."

Discussed in "Fan Fiction and Fan Communities in the Age of the Internet: New Essays"

... contrary to popular belief, intimacy, not explicit sexual union, is the defining feature of at least one important subgenre of slash fiction. Often, as the stories progress, the characters come to realize, as Kirk does in Patricia Laurie Stephen's fanfic "That Darkness, That Light" (1989, 160). This emphasis is as common in amateur intimatopic slash fiction as it is in mainstream intimatopias. In a similar moment of revelation to be found in the professionally published The Catch Trap, Zimmer Bradley's hero Tommy realizes that, "sex was only a part of it" (1979, 483). The pattern can be seen in Keegan's professionally published textes, too, for as their relationship developed," it was not Robin's body Channon wanted.... it was his heart" (1995), 71).

Reactions and Reviews

1989

This is excellent, a compelling study of Vulcan society as well as a moving story of Spock's surviving and recovering from devastating experiences. The story avoids the trap of having the whole emotional trauma solved by one sex scene. More than that, the story delves into the intricacies of Vulcan family life and customs. It neither "prettifies" them nor shows them as all bad; like any society; Vulcan consists of shades of gray.

1990

This is one of the best K/S stories I have ever read. I loved its complex plot and excellent characterization, as well as the author's sensitive treatment of sexual trauma. I normally couldn't see Spock as Patricia portrayed him, but she did create a consistent and believable portrait of a badly damaged Spock. I also liked the Vulcan political intrigue in this tale. It makes Vulcans far more interesting than they are in stories that portray their society as bland and perfect. My only complaint is that I would have liked to have seen the meeting between T'Pau and Miranda Grayson (Amanda's mother) described. In fact, I would like to have seen much more of Miranda. Nevertheless, I was truly impressed by this story. I am looking forward to reading the rest of Patricia's work.

A/U characterization to this extent for the purpose of furthering the plot intrigue was not what I expected. Kirk was a bit too insensitive in the beginning, and I have a problem believing that I was reading about Spock. in particular. We are told that his background and his history of childhood sex abuse led to mental disorder, that he was a child by Vulcan standards. Fine. But altering his behavior, physical appearance, and giving him a trauma to overcome would hopefully mean that they'd be more introspection on his part, and more involvement by Kirk and McCoy to help him become a whole person. But the story really didn't concern itself with that aspect. Rather, Spock remained a victimised innocent. Although he seemed normal enough by the end of the story, I couldn't quite understand why he should be just because the immediate danger was over. And Kirk's and McCoy's only function seemed to be to constantly protect him from one threat after another, from strangers to family members alike. I did enjoy the part where Kirk defended Spock against the subtle and overt bigotry he'd always received from his Vulcan side of the family, and the sense that he and HcCoy would stand by Spock no matter what. However, all the plot complications tended to obscure the "bonding" conflict and resolution between them, and seemed almost an incidental addition to the main story emphasis.

1992

I usually find the subject matter of this author's stories not my first choice for pleasure reading. Although the plot line of this story is again along those lines, I found this particular one more readable, perhaps because of the skill of the writing. I found Spock's terror so real, it made me feel ill, while Kirk's helpless frustration also unsettled me. The characterization I found most appealing, however, was McCoy's, with Salon running a close second. I did find the ending, especially T'Pau's almost gushing attitude, somewhat "off" as if the author was reaching for a happy ending for a story which might have done better ending on a somber note. Perhaps she was also concerned that, with the exception of Salon, she had maligned the poor Vulcans too much.

1996

I haven’t read Worlds Apart yet, but the description of the scene (Spock being sexually abused) reminds me of a short story with a similar theme I read a good while back. The abuser manages to kill off a lot of Spock’s Vulcan relatives, while his human relatives on Earth hide him. But I can’t remember its name, the zine or who wrote it, and considering the number of K/S zines I have, it may take a while to read through the lot in the hope of finding it. My memory of it, however, is that the writer handled Spock’s reactions and fear of his abuser very well. Can anyone identify it for me?

The story you are thinking of is "That Darkness, That Light" by Patricia Laurie Stephens, printed in Way of the Warrior 2. I love Spock’s Uncle Tony in this story, and the way Kirk says to Spock when he unexpectedly comes upon his Vulcan about to take a shower, “Why, you shameless animal. You’re walking around naked.”

2009

This is the longest story in the zine and the most emotionally complex as well. It is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It starts with Spock who is visiting his parents, leaving their home after another disagreement with his father. Just minutes later the entire house is destroyed in an explosion, killing both his parents, and injuring Spock who is plunged into an old nightmare, when he finds himself being kidnapped by an old enemy who has far reaching plans for him and they do not involve his returning to the Enterprise and Jim.

The plot effortlessly switches back and forth between what is happening to Spock and what is happening on the Enterprise, where Kirk and McCoy are ordered by Starfleet to assist the Federation's representative to investigate the incident which is believed to have political implications for Vulcan. Although at this point, Kirk and Spock are lovers, they're not bonded, in fact Kirk is not at all sure this is something he wants, he is quite happy with a more casual relationship he finds Spock's emotional dependence upon him a little wearying. Although Spock would prefer a more committed relationship Kirk wants to keep things simple between them and this has been causing problems. In spite of this, Kirk rushes to Vulcan and it is not long before Spock is located and rescued, having been through a terrible ordeal, Kirk is very shocked by what he finds but this is by no means the end of the story. He and McCoy take the Vulcan to a remote beach house to recover, accompanied by his uncle, who, unlike Sarek, seems sympathetic towards his nephew and to have his best interests at heart. Unfortunately it soon becomes clear that Spock is at the centre of a wide ranging conspiracy and the perpetrators are determined to have their way - which results in Kirk and McCoy and other assorted members of Spock's long lost human family having to unite to protect him from an extremely ruthless and determined enemy as he gradually recovers from the previous attempt.

The pace never flags and there is just the right mixture of action and emotion with some interesting new characters to meet as well - Amanda's relations on Earth who Spock vaguely remembers but has not seen since his childhood and some of Sarek's family too -although their motives are not at all clear as the story progresses. All in all this was an exciting and well written story which could have made a very good episode as well as being a very satisfying emotional journey for all concerned.