The Sound of Rain (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	The Sound of Rain
Author(s):	Natasha Solten
Date(s):	1986
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Sound of Rain is a Kirk/Spock story by Natasha Solten.

It was published in the print zine The Sound of Rain.

Summary

"Spock has been gone almost a year on a secret mission and his absence has been harder on Kirk than Kirk could ever have imagined."

Reactions and Reviews

1986

"The Sound Of Rain" begins with Kirk, alone, in his apartment overlooking San Francisco Bay. He and Spock have been separated for about a year while Spock partakes in a secret mission. Kirk, at first not consciously aware of how much he misses Spock, expresses his secret feelings through a recurring dream where his last good-bye to the Vulcan is impossibly painful, unlike their real good-bye which was simple and painless. When the two reunite, after year of separation, Kirk learns to face his anxiety and deep emotions, and can finally put a name to them: love. What I like about this story is the character of Spock. He is not the naive, often smug character he was before he left. He has matured into a confident, observant friend, and Kirk's thoughts and feelings do not pass by him unnoticed. He gives his strength when Kirk needs it most. Throughout the story, a rain storm pound the roof and windows, giving the story an atmosphere of loneliness, and later, coziness. Very well, written, TSoR is a good read.

1996

This is my third favorite Natasha Solten story, the others being The Eagle's Perch from Daring Attempt 4 and The Cold Lands in Daring Attempt 5. In The Sound of Rain, Kirk and Spock have been separated for almost a year Kirk is on Earth, trying to be Admiral Important, and Spock is on some secret mission for Vulcan. Kirk has been shocked by how much he has missed his former first officer, and shocked by the recurring dream he has of Spock, filled with silences and longing.

The story opens on a very rainy, late night. The sound of the raindrops against the window are a perfect complement to Kirk's desolate mood. But then there's a message; Spock is coming home! His taped recording says "I will arrive in San Francisco at transport terminal 32 at oh eight hundred, October 31 Wound you care for a game of chess?" That very morning.

Trying to keep his joyous reaction under wraps. Kirk meets Spock at the terminal. The rest of the story unfolds as Spock hears Kirk diagnose himself during the day they spend together at Kirk's apartment. Kirk (here's lots ol good, strong emotional content in this story I especially liked that Spock refers to Kirk's body as "alien." Which it is, of course, to him—and I like that touch ol realism. I also really liked how Spock wanted to look at his captain's nudity, but tried not to.

Then, of course, they've just got to lie down together.

I can't say I bought it a hundred percent, because it seemed rather farfetched to me, but it turns out Kirk is afraid of lightening. So although I enjoyed the conversation about starship captains and invulnerability and Spock's reaction to Kirk's feelings, it made me a little uncomfortable.

Then, of course. Spock just has to hold Kirk so he won't be afraid...

I especially like the section where Kirk picks up Spock at the terminal That's a life experience that many of us can relate to, the hellos and good-byes with loved ones that we all make. The scene echoes with the departure of a year before as well as with the reunion we actually witness, and thus accomplishes two emotional resonances at once.

I'm not exactly sure I like the way the rain metaphor is handled in the story. It's almost too obvious, and when it surfaces its function is terribly obvious. Bui I don't know how I would have done it differently, and it always works in evoking the sad. lonely feeling for me. Makes me cold. And it's nice how the desolation of the rain pounding is turned on its head at the end by Spock, who says "It is a soothing, very warm sound." Of course, he makes it that way.

I agree with the common wisdom that says that this author has a problem with endings. This lovely story just sort of drifts away without any little pop! of satisfaction at the end. But there's still something about this unpretentious, honest story that touches me. For anyone who hasn't read it. the small zine that bears its name is well worth buying.