Trying Times

Fanfiction
Title:	Trying Times
Author(s):	Elise Madrid
Date(s):	2006
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:	online here
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Trying Times is a Kirk/Spock story by Elise Madrid.

It was published in the print zine First Time #60.

Summary

"Kirk and Spock know they want to be together, itʼs the getting there seems to be their problem...and then things only get worse."

Reactions and Reviews

Oh this is good! Now this is a good example of a story that can immerse me in a characterisation not quite my own. Elise’s Kirk is very much how I see Kirk, but her Spock differs a little from mine. Essentially though I can see the series Spock here, my own fantasy Spock is less sure of himself and less certain. However I like Elise’s nature Spock very much and it rings true throughout the story. How very refreshing to see a Spock who can tease Kirk without dropping out of character. Spock’s humour is made to stay dead-pan throughout although he is fully conversant with the word play he uses to tease Kirk. This is very in character we see Spock tease in this manner in TOS and Gilda can take it to the level of sexual innuendo without losing the characters essential dignity. How nice to see a Spock who is able to handle Kirk’s women without resorting to all sorts of human insecurities, temper tantrums or tears! This Spock is sure of himself, sure that Kirk prefers him and is not going to waste time fretting about the past. When he does have a moments doubt he deals with it logically without the slightest trace of adolescence. I like the echoing scenes of Kirk and Spock masturbating in the shower, the same action but very different for each man, this was a neat way of showing their different personalities (whilst incidentally creating a pretty erotic scene), Notice how Kirk uses water, Spock uses sonics, Kirk’s fantasies are memories and all about physical feelings (Spock touching him), Spock’s fantasies are about the future they are all images of Kirk (Spock looking at Kirk). Kirk ‘grabs his cock’, Spock ‘simply held his cock for a moment’ – they are different, they take a different approach to fantasy – subtle and well written. I particularly like the image of Spock ‘savouring’ the feel of his cock in his hand – this one word tells us a lot about this Spock; here is a Spock at home in his own body, he’s not ashamed, or shy, or hesitant – but throughout the story he is utterly and totally Spock. Even though I like my Spock a little shy or hesitant Elise’s Spock is drawn with such surety and confidence that she takes me with her. I have just one complaint, the abrupt ending left me feeling about as frustrated as Kirk and Spock did earlier – Elise, you tease! Next time another page or two please!

Interesting how one author can take a plot or a series of events that are not particularly new and not only capture but hold the reader’s interest until the final word. It takes an intimate knowledge of Kirk and Spock, the way they talk, the way they walk, the way they think. It takes a mind that can imagine the depth of their love and even more important, the extent of their trust. Elise proves this to us as she shows us Kirk and Spock becoming more and more aware of their attraction to each other and the realization it goes even beyond their extraordinary friendship. She throws all sorts of roadblocks in their path, some humorous, some frustrating, some downright deadly, but through it all she allows that legendary love to shine through and dim everything it encounters. There is inventive, gentle teasing, equally gentle loving and imaginative interaction throughout “Trying Times”. It is a fine story to settle back with and enjoy to the fullest. You will come away remembering every single thing you love about Kirk and Spock!

We‘d wanted to review an Elise Madrid story for a while and found that there are many good ones to choose from! We found that we‘d all enjoyed this one for its mainly light hearted approach. An easy read, gentle and pleasant, it‘s a 'will they, won‘t they‘ story in some ways, but with a difference: These are mature men, aware of each other‘s feelings and prepared to go for it, so to speak! This is no disrespect to the author‘s power: Spock‘s emotions, especially, are well handled. Read this, and relish...

'...discovering... the deeper facets of the man, Spock‘s resolve had crumbled. He had woken one day to the realization that he loved his captain.' Aah. Isn‘t this what we read K/S for?! There are no Pon Farr, mind melds or bonds here—the story doesn‘t need them. Their long term future together is succinctly covered by Kirk revealing to Spock that he‘s purchased a dwelling for them both and has assumed that they‘d be together. Spock‘s joy is lovely to see. Prior to this, however, we witness a series of frustrating encounters between the two of them, each one interrupted before completion. And the reasons for these comprise the plot and feel appropriate, not mere device. It centres on the return of Areel Shaw, whose ship is rescued by the Enterprise. She‘s returning to Earth in her quest for an influential promotion, but encounters trouble and danger. Kirk has a good relationship with her and we felt this to be in character: He‘s seen to be on good terms with exes in the episodes. One of us, at least, found her character a little 'clingy‘ and overly girly in parts and there was maybe a touch of the plot device around her taste for liquorish, which is employed soon after in a poison attempt, but we sure had fun discussing these details! Another point that we explored, was whether Kirk deliberately let Areel believe that he was seeing a woman, and why. This becomes quite complex when, towards the end of the story, Spock possibly continues this deception, in a very Spockian way!

Finally, our heroes are well rewarded and they do manage to make love with no interruptions. We‘d have liked a little more sex at the end, perhaps, but loved the idea that Kirk is still waiting for the inevitable interruption to occur and Spock declares that he will always be with Jim, even if it never happens. You can well imagine Kirk‘s reply! All in all, a well written story from one of our finest authors, well worth rereading, we found.

Kirk and Spock finally decide to hook up, but plot keeps interfering. Yummy frustration ensues.