The Heat

Fanfiction
Title:	The Heat
Author(s):	Dovya Blacque
Date(s):	1994
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Heat is a K/S story by Dovya Blacque.

It was published in the print zines As I Do Thee #21 and Splendor.

Summary

"Spock's re-education following his death and the fal tor pan isn't going as the healers and Sarek would prefer. Spock has many unanswered, not to mention unaskable, questions -- questions only Jim Kirk can help him answer."

Reactions and Reviews

1994

This story is written after the poem "After Genesis" by Ida Vega; a lovely poem. Really a wonderful story, just the level of feeling I love; and so well written. An absolutely perfect story of the time between ST1 and ST2, then between ST3 and ST4. I could always really see the scenes happening, in the home on Vulcan, in the garden, in SF, all of it. And really satisfying dialogue throughout. Early in the story I realized it was one I really wanted to savor the reading, and I did. Most enjoyable, heart-throb stuff.

After the refusion, Spock has been dreaming. He dreams of holding and kissing Jim—he does not know if the dreams are memories or wishes. I love all the odd feelings Spock is going through. He is dissatisfied with his Vulcan retraining. He is irritable, even quarrelsome with the computerl He doesn't quite understand the beautiful affectionate expressions on Kirk's face. I dearly love his uncharacteristic expressions of frustration, his anger at his inability to understand all these emotions.

A beautiful scene in the garden at Spock's home, Spock telling Kirk about the dreams. Kirk doesn't know how closely to approach Spock, but he touches his hair—the first hint (to Spock and to us) of past intimacy. Such a small thing; so powerful. Wonderful, slow, tentative, tender conversation. Kirk says, you wonder if we've been sexually intimate? We have—once. Oh god, I love it! Spock's memory begins to surface as Kirk tells him the story. After V'ger, at his apartment in SF...it's a marvelous story; and what a delightful way for us to hear a beautiful first-time story, Kirk and Spock recalling it together. A beautiful scene—deep affection creatively expressed.

I love Spock's quiet physical affection for Amanda. This is a fine gift to give us, seeing Spock being close to his mother, the lovely women basically deprived of expressions of his love all these years. And it feels likely that Spock in his un-retrained self would do these odd little things, in small ways being physically affectionate toward his mother. A wonderful talk with her, and expressed very vividly.

Spock asks Kirk, Why only that once? It seems they had recognized something so perfect, so much bigger than both of them, strong like FOREVER. They thought they might be able to deny it then; now, though, they know they absolutely belong together. Beautiful words. Beautiful sex! And a lovely scene of Kirk and Spock announcing their commitment to each other.

A very satisfying story

Apres fal-tor-pan and Spock is recuperating on Vulcan while Kirk and McCoy stay with him. Kirk tells Spock that they had been lovers and Spock has dreams and memories and learns to love Kirk again.

Nicely detailed, good insights into Spock's thoughts, this gentle story explores a lot of interesting aspects as Spock regains his memories.

Not much angst here — everyone tells Spock that it will just take time, no problem, everything's okay. So the focus is the concern that Spock will remember Kirk, but that's not too troubling, either. Most everyone is open and accepting. Amanda is warm and understanding. Sarek is not as warm, but still understanding. McCoy is understanding and so are the Vulcan healers. Kirk, of course, is totally understanding and knows everything will be fine.

This kind of story can be refreshing to read, but sometimes when all the conflict is taken away, not much drama is left which can make for a dull story. What saves this one is the author's skill with language.

Here's a lovely passage as Spock tells Kirk about his decision to leave with him: " 'It seems our love for one another is stronger than all the forces that have gathered against us. We, together, are stronger than V'ger, stronger than Vulcan tradition, stronger than Khan ... stronger than death itself. How can we continue to deny that we belong together after everything that has transpired?'"

Now indeed? Neat.

2000

Recently, I made a comment to Helen, one that we both generally agreed on. It seems as though sometimes the science fiction aspects of K/S stories overshadows the focus on the actual relationship of Kirk and Spock. Happily, the zine Splendor is a collection of slash stories that focus on just that...the relationship. To some readers the action may be slow...however the dialogues are in- depth and on the verge of sheer poetry.

Case in point, 'The Heat" by Faris Vincent. This story takes place on Vulcan, immediately after STIII. Spock is being 'reeducated.' He has a reoccurring 'golden dream' that has made him restless and irritable. The Vulcan Healers readily assure Spock that as his mind become more organized he will eventually quit having the dream...but does he want the dream to end?...is it just a dream?

Of course the dream is of Jim and one glorious night. "Jim. The single syllable had become the most pleasant sound in all existence to him. It tickled his lips when he spoke it, caressed his heart when he heard it, soothed his over-taxed mind when he thought it. Jim. The entire universe summed up in one small word."....sigh!

After a beautiful conversation with Amanda...so sad, yet loving...Spock is confronted by Kirk. He asks Kirk if the dream was a reality. Kirk points out that Spock had become mellow before his death...more open. Thus, when the Enterprise had been taken away from Kirk for the second time, Spock tried to comfort his friend, which led to their one night of passion.

As the story progresses Spock goes AWOL (from the Healers) and evaluates his relationship with Kirk. Spock asks questions about their relationship in the past and the future...their uncertainties. Kirk responds, "How could you know what you want when you barely know who you are?"

Of course, the conclusion is self-evident to any K/S fan. However, I think this one passage sums it up beautifully...

"It seems our love for one another is stronger than all the forces that have gathered against us. We, together, are stronger than Vger, stronger than Vulcan tradition, stronger than Khan...stronger than death itself. How can we continue to deny that we belong together after everything that has transpired?"

"The Heat" is a wonderful, romantic story. It is well worth a slow read with it's wonderful dialogue and engaging interaction between characters. Who could resist such a beautiful relationship?