The Weakest Link, The Slowest Ship

Fanfiction
Title:	The Weakest Link, The Slowest Ship
Author(s):	Melanie Athene
Date(s):	1983
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Weakest Link, The Slowest Ship is a Kirk/Spock story by Melanie Athene.

It was published in the print zine And Another K/S Zine and was nominated for a 1984 K/Star Award.

Summary

"Kirk and Spock become lovers after Kirkʼs desires are released when he is bitten by a poisonous creature but when Spock takes leaves on Vulcan, he returns to a Kirk with no memories or control after almost dying in an accident."

Reactions and Reviews

1984

Kirk and Spock have kissed while Kirk is delirious and Spock is reluctant to tell him afterwards; still, Kirk seems to know anyway judging by what they do and how often, though there's really no satisfactory explanation other than Kirk's delirious ramblings. Kirk is then in an accident (which he sees coming) and as a result is apparently brain-damaged. However this isn't a common or garden child-reversion story and the resolution is ingenious and amusing and food for a sequel.

... an ambitious tale which brings together a number of elements in only 20 pages. It begins with a classic H/C scene in which Spock cares for a poisoned Kirk and progresses almost too quickly to a passionate encounter. Suddenly then, we see Spock on Vulcan, bidding his mother farewell as he prepares to return to the ship. It is here that the main story line begins. As Spock was making plans for their bonding, Kirk has been severely injured in an explosion, leaving him withdrawn and childlike. The author handles this situation very well, showing us the best of a loving, gentle but very determined Spock. She depicts Spock’s and McCoy’s emotions deftly and even though Kirk is not himself, he remains a person we care deeply for.

2005

“The Weakest Link, The Slowest Ship” by Melanie Athene is an ambitious tale which brings together a number of elements in only 20 pages. It begins with a classic H/C scene in which Spock cares for a poisoned Kirk and progresses almost too quickly to a passionate encounter. Suddenly then, we see Spock on Vulcan, bidding his mother farewell as he prepares to return to the ship. It is here that the main story line begins. As Spock was making plans for their bonding, Kirk has been severely injured in an explosion, leaving him withdrawn and childlike. The author handles this situation very well, showing us the best of a loving, gentle but very determined Spock. She depicts Spock’s and McCoy’s emotions deftly and even though Kirk is not himself, he remains a person we care deeply for.