The Sleep Over

Fanfiction
Title:	The Sleep Over
Author(s):	RAC
Date(s):	2003
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Sleep Over is a Kirk/Spock story by RAC.

It was published in the print zine First Time #57.

Summary

"After Spock is psychically attacked, his descent into pon farr brings to the surface his attraction to Kirk."

Reactions and Reviews

In all the years that K/S has been in existence, I think it's pretty safe to say that the most-used plot device to get Kirk and Spock in bed together for the first time has been (and still continues to be) Pon Farr. We're all familliar with the scenarios—either another seven years have gone by, years during which Spock, for whatever reason, hasn't bonded with anyone else, or because of he's half-human, his cycle is erratic and sneaks up on him, or—one of the most popular themes—Pon Farr never really went away that first time. But whatever the cause in these stories, the result is

invariably the same—Spock needs to mate or die, they're too far away from Vulcan and Kirk, usually willingly, decides he's going to "do the deed" to save Spock's life, and then they bond, either during or after the cycle, and live happily ever after.

This particular tale, however, offers a refreshing change from that genre. While this is a Pon Farr story and while in this case, the cycle is brought on by a meld forced upon Spock by two aliens, the resolution is far different than one would expect in a typical Pon Farr story, yet the author makes it work and work well. Her sensitive touch and knowledge of these characters combine to create a story that is both riveting and very moving. Moments of tenderness and suspense, combined with just enough angst, make this a story that is difficult to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The story is about 67 pages long. I must admit that looking at the title and then the two pictures in the story interior of Kirk-like and Spock-like small boys filled me with terror. I am definitely not into stories of our heroes as kids or of our heroes as fathers with small children (that of course always look like them). If I hadn't been drinking, I probably would have skipped the story. But the rum gave me courage. And it's probably also the reason I am hazy on the details. Anyway, I read the story which is divided into parts. It's a variation of several K/S conventions and has absolutely nothing at all to do with the pictures of the kids. I kept trying to figure out how the pictures would fit in—and they never did, as far as I could tell. Maybe that's the fault of the rum? Sheesh. I think this false expectation about the kids truly marred my appreciation of the story. The story is okay, but it is nothing truly super that I would ever read a second time. And I tend to reread stories that I really like over and over again.

This was one of those stories that I thought I‘d read, but when starting it properly, it became very clear that I had not—I wouldn‘t have forgotten this one! It‘s a good, long story of over 60 pages, with, as Robin succinctly writes in the zine editorial, ̳plot and everything‘. In fact, I‘m not sure that the title really does it justice, although I think I see why Rac chose to call her story by this name...

Kirk and Spock are on shore leave and Spock waits for his friend in a bar. He is aware of the ̳sexual energy‘ of the place, but does his best to ignore it: There‘s an amusing passage, as Spock muses on how both he and Jim are approached by others far less when they are together than when alone, and yet he‘s unable to fully understand that this is because of the possessive signals both exude!

Spock is then approached and drugged by aliens who, we learn, feed on the pain and humiliation of others. Ugh. I know we have seen plots where unknown drugs cause a pon farr-type reaction in the Vulcan before, but, well, I quite enjoy this device, and the descriptions of Spock‘s perceptions are vivid. Kirk, who has been distracted, then feels a sudden imperative to get to his friend and finds him, still in the bar, but being touched by his attackers and only partially aware. Every protective gene in Kirk‘s body exploded, we are told! I love that phrase... Well, they fight off the aliens together, at least one of them is killed and the Captain has them beamed to the Ship, where poor Spock haltingly explains what the drug has done and why he is responding to Kirk. Jim, characteristically, offers to bond but Spock both refuses and has McCoy isolate him from the Captain. It‘s left to the Doctor to piece together what‘s happened to Spock, try to treat him, and keep Jim away, as he promised. McCoy is well written in this story, by turn angry with events, gentle with his patient and always honest with Kirk, helping him to think things through. His part in the story is vital and I like that. A friend to both. Things don‘t go well for Spock, alas: he survives the fever and is eventually discharged to his quarters to try to rebuild his shields and come to terms with what has happened to him, not least of which is his discovery that ̳he had wanted Kirk‘s mind for a while. Every meld had cemented the need.‘ He will not see Jim at all and exists in pain and despair, unable to rest or meditate with both he and the Doctor convinced he‘ll need help from a Healer, and Jim terrified that each day will bring Spock‘s request for medical leave. The story takes an unexpected turn, then, when the surviving telepathic alien boards the Enterprise and attacks Spock again. But this, finally, brings them together: The Captain helps to finally dispatch the intruder in Spock‘s quarters and the next scene is the one I found the most powerful of all. It‘s pure hurt/comfort. He finds Spock ̳beyond overwhelmed‘ and simply wraps his arms around him, pulling him close and offering loving thoughts. This whole section, where Spock accepts the comfort he craves to heal and Jim understands that he needs to be near Spock, too, is beautifully written and worth rereading.

The actual Sleep Over which follows is touching, as well: small truths are whispered in the dark and they gradually admit their fears and their need to bond and make love. Both experience horrific flashbacks to the attack. The sex, when it comes, is lovely—unrushed and yet joyful. I reread this, too, and the final, amusing scenes with McCoy. But, in the end, it‘s the beauty of the h/c aspect that stayed with me. Well done, Rac! I know I haven‘t done your story justice, but I loved it and hope others do, too.