The Ultimate Vulcan

Fanfiction
Title:	The Ultimate Vulcan
Author(s):	Kathy Stanis
Date(s):	1998
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Ultimate Vulcan is a K/S story by Kathy Stanis.

It was published in the print zine First Time #48.

Summary

"After the debacle with M5, Spock sets up a shore leave for himself and Kirk at an isolated cabin with plans to make Kirk his lover."

Reactions and Reviews

1998

Spock arranges for Kirk and he to go on a shore leave to a beautiful and peaceful forest/lake setting, following the stressful events of Dr. Daystrom and the M5. This certainly does not tell the plot of this story, which actually concerns a deep, close-up view of their inner feelings and emotions captured by simple and elegant dialogue. We hear Spock say seemingly normal things to Kirk, but underneath are all kinds of emotions and sensations. And their dialogue is so genuine—so heavy with sexual tension—yet almost delicate at the same time. And beautiful touches that are becoming trademark Stanis like details of their surroundings and especially the food that they will prepare and eat like "pastasdutta con fagioli eter odori krase L'langon!" So clever and imaginative. So much to enjoy in this story — their deciding who wants which bed. and Kirk taking his jeans off! Wow! And an unforgettable scene where they go swimming in the lake. Which leads me to an observation of the writing where the author incorporates and uses the setting and atmosphere in an extraordinary way. The environment all relates to Kirk and Spock — they don't just happen to be at a lake— like oh. by the way, they're out in this forest and they happen to swim in a lake. All of their surroundings means something to their emotional states. I don't know how else to explain it As examples: "...Jim's feelings flowed into him as easily as water../ and "...the water a medium for the flow of feelings without words down here where they could only communicate with eyes and bodies, and touch.,/ and "...Spock burned, like a volcano under the sea. and swore that moment to become his captain's lover../. And of course then when they swim to shore in unison.... Every detailed moment is just gorgeous—it's slow, but not stagnant Slow as in savoring and enjoying every nuance. Even the simplest of things: "Bedclothes rustled. Kirk turning on his side to face Spock...his body naked under those bedclothes, as Spock's was under his." And when they kiss, there's one paragraph of essentially just one sentence. This is so difficult to do, but here it works beautifully, carrying the reader along until they orgasm. A stunning story, not to be missed.

This story is a variation on the shore leave in a remote cabin plot line. It’s a very familiar story, and nothing surprising happens. This is set after the M5 incident. As usual, it’s well written and there’s a poetic quality to the story in parts. I enjoyed it—I like Kathy’s writing style. Here is a snippet to show something I like: “Jim Kirk in sunlight was an almost blinding sight. Gladly, Spock had a genetic high tolerance for blinding sights.”

2008

Idyllic.

All right, I suppose a one-word LOC isn‘t fair, but that is the word that best describes this very soothing story. K/S has so many interpretations, such a wide range of possibilities, yet this type of story is one which always leaves me with a feeling that this is what K/S is all about.

We‘re treated right away to a Spock who‘s indulging in a hot water shower, apparently something he‘s come to enjoy. The memories winding through his mind as the water sluices over him are of the just-ended M-5 mission. The words he spoke to his captain come back to him, to be replaced by words he might have said: 'A computer cannot smile at me. A computer cannot melt my defenses with those amber eyes.' This sets the scene for a brief shore leave Spock has arranged for the two of them, and what a scene it is! A cabin nestled in the woods, complete with a second story balcony off the bedroom, which gives the place the feel of a tree house, Kirk says. I can see the scene in my mind, can smell the forest, feel the breeze as it finds its way through the open doors and windows.

I simply melt when confronted with a slow, easy slide from friendship into love for these men. Ms. Stanis has provided this with perfection in their shared drinks and meals, their leisurely swim in warm lake waters, their conversations, their smiles, their anticipation. It‘s a slow awakening of feelings, showing us touches that progress from hesitant to confident and words that soon reveal their shared hopes for the future.

When they finally close the final distance that separates them, it is with an ease born of familiarity and trust, gentleness and love. Truly a first time to warm the coldest heart.