Wakening

For similar titles, see The Awakening.

Fanfiction
Title:	Wakening
Author(s):	Vivian Gates
Date(s):	1985
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Wakening is a Kirk/Spock story by Vivian Gates.

It was published in the print zine Twin Destiny #2.

Summary

"Kirk is forced to pretend to be the husband of the female ambassador while she negotiates with a new planet, disrupting his newly formed relationship as Spock's lover."

Reactions and Reviews

1991

I think this is a wonderful story — interesting, believable, and utterly loving. The whole "mood" is softly sensuous and romantic. The beginning, Spock's thoughts when he wakes after their first night and time, was beautifully done. The simple line, "Spock had said yes." was simply eloquent. One of the many little things I enjoyed was the term "other-than-truth" -- what a nice, polite way to describe a lie! And best of all, I loved Spock's appearance at the Talboran's meeting — openly loving Kirk. Just great!

1995

I love this story because of Kirk and Spock having to publicly declare their love, at a point when they have only just barely acknowledged it between themselves. (The simple, silent agreement to make love the first (and only so far) time was really wonderful, though this was told in "had" tense.)

I also found I appreciate a story without conflict in the form of ugly villains, life-threatening danger, etc. The conflict of this story, the thing that forces Kirk and Spock's love to emerge, is a nice civilized one, and I like that for a change.

There is a Federation ambassador that Kirk has to pretend to be married to, because of the mores of this society seeking Federation admission (an interesting people, where pairs truly are one). I kept expecting this Amb. Ashe to be an asshole, to make things difficult for Kirk, and it felt good that she kept being just a decent person, albeit with unrequited hots for him tor sure.

The planetary council people find out Kirk and Ashe aren't really married. Kirk's speech is marvelous — our captain at his best. He explains their reasons for what they did, and about IDIC, etc. Then, there is such a beautiful scene when in public. Kirk has to signal to Spock on the ship to beam his (Kirk's) true mate down. These moments of anxiety pass...he doesn't know if Spock will be willing to declare that that true mate is himself, but he does. He beams right down to stand beside Kirk in front of god and everyone, so to speak. pl am Kirk's, as he is mine." Oh, my heart...

1997

[a review of both this story and Homeless Hearts]:

At first glance these two stories seem an unlikely combination for a thematic review. Although both stories are about the relationship of sexual fidelity and love, they seem to be polar opposites in almost every respect. In "Homeless Hearts," Kirk leaves Spock and runs off with a woman. In "Wakening," Kirk is thrown together with a woman and remains faithful to Spock. "Wakening" is a first- time story, "Homeless Hearts" deals with an established relationship. "Wakening" is set squarely within the original series, not just in time line but in mood, attitude and spirit, while the ambiance of "Homeless Hearts" is that of the sadder-but-not-necessarily-wiser world of the movies. "Homeless Hearts" was published in 1997, "Wakening," in 1985. Both are the work of master writers, but "Wakening" is written in the lucid, concrete, and deceptively simple style typical of Vivian Gates, while Michele Arvizu’s writing in "Homeless Hearts" is more complicated and subtle. Nevertheless, I think that the two stories can be compared -- although the comparison is more dialectical than parallel.

In "Wakening," Kirk and Spock have just become lovers when Kirk is assigned to pose as the husband of Elaine Ashe, a beautiful, brilliant Federation ambassador on a week-long diplomatic mission to a planet the Federation is eagerly courting as a member. Spock remains on the Enterprise in orbit above the planet and Kirk shares quarters with the ambassador, who makes her sexual interest in him very clear.

Structurally, "Wakening" has a linear, TOS-episode style plot that is tightly integrated with the drama of Kirk's and Spock's awakening feelings for each other. The alternating sections from Spock's and Kirk's point of view heighten the momentum of the story and drive it forward -- a nice writing device in a story that otherwise might have felt static, at least in the places in which most of the action takes place within the character's heads. I found the characterizations absolutely on target. Kirk is strong, crisp, confident and every inch in command of the Enterprise and his own emotions. Spock is efficient, questioning and more emotionally hesitant than Kirk, but he is ever the capable First Officer who anticipates his Captain to death (for instance, in a delightful scene in which Spock puts his clothes back on even before Kirk has even decided to answer the buzzer at his cabin door).

Two features of this story especially impressed me. First is the confidence Kirk and Spock have in their common commitment, a refreshing change from the angst and doubt that is so common in K/S. For instance, in a scene the morning after Kirk's first night with Spock, the beautiful, charismatic ambassador flirts with him, and he does not react to her seductiveness as she expects him to:

"Unaffected by it, and filled with wonder as he realized that, Kirk wrote on. He'd never reacted to a beautiful woman's suggestiveness in that way before. It made him feel good. True to Spock. Committed. The smile on his face became enigmatic, proud."

Second is the way the story captures the sense of being newly in love: the preoccupation with the beloved, the sense of wonder, the endless possibilities created by the new relationship. While Kirk is outwardly (and capably) going through the motions of his assignment on the planet, his thoughts are constantly of Spock, of the future of their relationship. The smallest thing reminds him of Spock: "The fresh night breeze bent the red flowers in the windowboxes ... He wished Spock had been here, to comment on their biological aspects when he praised their beauty. He could almost hear the conversation in his mind."

The characters' forced physical separation for most of the story was an excellent dramatic choice that allows the real K/S drama of this story to emerge: the drama of anticipation, of each man's hopes, dreams and aspirations for their new relationship. The two men are apart, but constantly on each other's mind.

Kirk's relationship with Elaine Ashe is exquisitely handled. He's attracted to her, no doubt about it, and she cheerfully pushes his boundaries; but it's clear from the beginning that he's not seriously tempted, that as appealing as she is, she cannot even begin to overcome his commitment to Spock. Kirk’s relationship with Elaine holds up a mirror to his relationship with Spock; in watching Kirk interact with her, we understand better how he feels about Spock.

If I have a quibble with "Wakening," it's that the opening scene seems really to belong to another story, not this one. It's the kind of probing exploration of the physical experience and psychology of first-time sex from Spock's perspective that Vivian Gates does so well. However, the scene is abrupt and has a kind of impersonality I found inconsistent with the rest of the story. I did not see in it the strong emotional connection between the two men that is so abundant in the rest of “Wakening,” even in the smallest and most businesslike interaction (e.g., Kirk's handing a copy of the "marriage contract" with Ashe to Spock for his review). Spock's doubt in this scene whether Kirk really loves him seems inconsistent with the confidence both men show throughout the rest of the story. I don't think the drama of this story is really about whether Kirk wants a life- long commitment to Spock, for if it were, the drama would be over early in the story. Nor is the drama of the story about Spock’s coming to understand that Kirk loves him--it is far to much Kirk's story for that.

[comments about Homeless Hearts snipped]

What both “Wakening” and “Homeless Hearts” share in common is the conviction that fidelity is meaningless if it is not freely given. In both stories, the partners’ commitment is one made voluntarily, not forced by convention or telepathic bonding. As Spock says in “Wakening,” “no one controlled Jim Kirk. What he gave, he gave freely.” And in “Homeless Hearts,” Spock faces squarely the choice of binding Kirk to sexual fidelity to satisfy his own “deep and desperate need for emotional security,” or continuing a relationship based on trust and freedom with all its attendant risks.

To return to the question whether these two stories could exist in the same universe, I think the answer is yes. I can see how the simple romantic clarity of the partners in “Wakening” could become the much more dense and complicated relationship of “Homeless Hearts.” I know that even the strongest partnerships can go off course temporarily. But most of all, I think the stories share a common vision of a relationship based on freedom, trust, the willingness to risk, and ultimately to accept and forgive.

2008

This author knows how to keep my attention. ―Wakening‖ is an excellent Star Trek episode with a K/S element that makes it all the more special. I enjoy reading about new missions for Kirk and Spock and learning how they meet challenges both in their careers and their personal lives. This fulfills both very nicely.

The mission is a common one; make friends with the dignitaries of a planet considering Federation membership. The requisite ambassador in this case is a willowy, intelligent redhead who would normally get Kirk‘s blood boiling. If not for one factor: Spock. He and Spock have just become lovers so when it‘s learned the culture demands only husband/wife teams it creates something of a dilemma. Normally Kirk would welcome with open arms being ―married‖ to such a tempting female as the envoy. And he agrees to go along with the pretense, but that‘s all it is. He quickly and graciously explains to the ambassador that he will not respond to her advances because he is committed to someone.

Seeing the mission unfold through the eyes of both Spock and Kirk makes it doubly interesting. Spock doesn‘t exactly mistrust his new lover, but he acknowledges Kirk‘s innate sexuality and the fact that he‘s used it in the interest of more than one mission. In a bit of a surprising turn of events, the more Kirk is with the woman the more his thoughts turn to Spock. It becomes easy for him to turn away from her advances. The ambassador is not overly aggressive, but she certainly recognizes Kirk‘s charms and continues to tempt him. It‘s to no avail. The best laid plans, they say, go oft awry. This time is no exception. Wouldn‘t you know the rooms of the Federation guests were bugged? The marriage is exposed as a sham and the diplomats, offended by the lies, break off negotiations. Up until this time Kirk has taken second seat to the ambassador, keeping his mouth uncharacteristically shut for most of the discussions. Now, however, he speaks up. Deftly he explains that people across the galaxy are different, with different customs and it is the belief of the Federation that these differences should not only be accepted but also honored. Kirk tells them he is committed to another and could not be disloyal by carrying the deception to the level of intimacy.

OK, the planetary leaders say, let us speak with your ―other. Ahem. Boxed into a corner, Kirk does the only thing he can do. He calls Spock and explains the situation they‘re in, leaving it up to Spock whether or not to reveal himself as the Captain‘s ―other‖. Much to my delight and Kirk‘s, Spock beams down and immediately strides to Kirk‘s side, claiming his rightful place. Beautiful conclusion to a fine story.