The Waking (Star Trek: TOS story)

For similar titles, see The Awakening.

Fanfiction
Title:	The Waking
Author(s):	Charlotte Frost
Date(s):	1987
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Waking is a K/S story by Charlotte Frost.

It was published in the print zine Daring Attempt #9.

Reactions and Reviews

1988

This story is set post STIV when Kirk and Spock have been lovers for 4 years, although a good deal of it is told in flashback as the author traces their relationship from the time of Spock's meld with Vger and the resultant trauma. The crisis in their lives 4 years later precipitates revelations that both must deal with. An engrossing story.

1989

I wanted very much to like this story because the concept has so much potential. The idea that Spock is incapable of melding is so fraught with dramatic impact. The story went relatively well until Spock regained his melding ability. There were a couple of minor problems before that point. 1) It was implied that McCoy diagnosed Spock's inability to meld. I would truly like to know how he did this since he is not a telepath. b) I think the fact that there was no scene with Sarek was a failure and an evasion. Neither of these problems really spoiled the story for me. It just made me think that it could have been better. However, after Spock was again capable of melding there were half a dozen errors that revealed that the author should do some research about the mind and telepathy before she tackles the subject again.

I very much enjoyed this story. The idea that someone who is as in touch with his own mind as Spock could fool himself so thoroughly over such a long period of time, not to mention a trained Vulcan healer, both frightened and intrigued me. One thing that bothered me, as it is a personal reaction, was Kirk's fairly easy acceptance of the situation at the end. Had it been me, my first reaction would have been to put Spock in orbit without aid of a shuttle, whether it was his 'fault' or not. Accepting it all in the end, yes; but not quite so easily.

1999

There are so many delightful moments in this story even Spock would have difficulty cataloging them. Spock is having just such difficulty as a result of the V- ger meld and is experiencing much confusion in coming to terms with his feelings.

Kirk is so understanding and supportive. Never has he been portrayed in a more warm and loving manner.

Much to their distress, they learn that there is much more at work than re-acquaintance with oneself. Spock’s ability to meld is gone. Worse, a Vulcan healer assures him that when Pon Farr strikes, the inability to bond will drive him to permanent insanity.

In spite of this obstacle, their companionship and gentle caring leads to all expressions of love. Spock even declares that the absence of much of what made him Vulcan has set him free to love.

Never does this author leave any doubt that what came first in their relationship, what truly binds them together, is love. The tender joy they feel when touching fairly drips from the pages of this novella.

One of the defining moments for me is when the couple and Dr. McCoy, still seeking a cure for the mind- blindness, visits Sarek and Amanda. The customary greetings are exchanged and Amanda says she will show each of them to their rooms:

“Jim and I will both be sharing my room,” Spock announced abruptly. Four pairs of eyes turned on him in surprise."

We must become accustomed to a much more human Spock throughout the 4-year span of this story. There’s no secondary plot, just a love story, though one realistically speckled with difficulty. The two eventually marry in the human fashion, but this is simply a quick statement of fact, as if it carries little meaning. I would have enjoyed attending the ceremony. And since every moment Kirk and Spock shared seemed important to them, surely a public avowal of their love would have been a memorable event.

The inevitable of course occurs. Pon Farr. Four years after V-ger and while the two are on an extended leave working together on an academy textbook. Spock is terrified and introspective. Kirk is determined they’ll get through it without the predicted insanity. The Fever is dealt with mainly as a “fade to black”, with little glimpses of the agony Spock endures as his fingers strain uselessly to make contact through the meld points. Both are almost exhausted, Kirk at the limits of his physical endurance and Spock at the edge of insanity, when Kirk feels himself “flooded with mental sensations of fire, passion...and Spock.”

They are bonded. But it isn’t the blissful end you might expect, because Spock has discovered his brain was never damaged, he had deliberately, if not on a conscious level, suppressed his Vulcan half. Ashamed of it and weary of its strangle-hold on him, he mentally declared it dead.

Once more the author shares with us the healing process and the deep and abiding love that makes it possible. May not be realistic, but who wants reality anyway?