Thy Brother's Keeper

For articles with a similar title, see Brother's Keeper.

Fanfiction
Title:	Thy Brother's Keeper
Author(s):	Kay Wells
Date(s):	1991
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Thy Brother's Keeper is a K/S story by Kay Wells.

left, art by DEW

It was published in the print zine As I Do Thee #17.

Summary

"Guilt haunts Kirk after Spock is brutally attacked while on shore leave. For some reason, the captain feels he should have been able to protect his friends."

Reactions and Reviews

1991

The personalities of both Kirk and Spock positively shine in this touching story of discovery. While it bears resemblance to the hurt/comfort themes I can never resist. Spocks being injured isn't just a tool to allow Kirk expression of his feelings.

Those feelings have already been acknowledged by the captain—just not to his Vulcan. Seeing Spock injured on shore leave causes Kirk real guilt "I should have been with him." Confessing his guilt to Bones, he spills that he wants to be with Spock in all ways: that he's in love. It's a bit more difficult to reveal those feelings to Spock—and Spock has some revelations of his own.

Their "coming to terms" exchange is very nicely done. Neither man is contrived to alter his personality in any way in order to bring about a change in their relationship.

Kay Wells has done a splendid job of creating yet another memorable K/S moment Just the way I love to see them.

This reminds me a lot of the early K/S stones -- the hurt/comfort situation, all the innocent dialogue, and McCoy's ever-observant eye. Nothing really new here, but it was a pleasant read all the way around and left me wanting to go, "Aaaah."

As always, Kay presents a beautifully written story. It's a hurt-comfort, and not especially original, but always interesting, never draggy. A pleasure to read.