When Lightning Strikes Twice

Fanfiction
Title:	When Lightning Strikes Twice
Author(s):	Natasha Solten
Date(s):	1991
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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When Lightning Strikes Twice is a K/S story by Natasha Solten.

It was published in Charisma #13.

Summary

"Follow Kirk and Spock on their professional and private odyssey from the time just after the first five-year mission all the way through "The Final Frontier"."

Reactions and Reviews

1991

This story started out as an almost methodical listing of Kirk and Spock's life together (not a complaint, I enjoyed it), but progressed to a highly emotional tale of Spock's recovering from his death and rebirth.

I have always admired this author's style and I liked the way she showed the aftermath of Genesis to be more than just simply regaining memories or intellect. Kirk's struggles to give support and comfort to his love rang true, especially his forcing of the meld to discover for himself just what was going on in Spock's troubled mind.

I thought Ms. Solten had the characters true-to-life and found Spock's journey back from the dark to be most readable and well thought out.

Though it didn't have much going for it in the way of plot, Part One of this post-movies novella was my favorite section. There was something about the author's steady, unobtrusive tone that made me feel like I was there through the beginning of Kirk and Spock consummating their life-long friendship, despite being told primarily in narrative. In short, Part One made me fall in love with the relationship between the characters all over again. Part Two was a little more difficult to swallow. I was very glad to see the 'reality' of Spock's death brought to light -- i.e., how much it effected him deeply and emotionally, as so many stories have understandably side stepped this issue. It was good to see the effect of a 'partial death' hitting Spock so profoundly. Spock's behavior was rather bizarre, and difficult to get a handle on, but I imagine that's fairly realistic for one who had been through something so traumatic (especially considering it was an experience no one else had ever been through!) The only real flaw I found was that McCoy's dialogue sounded a bit 'off, though I'm not sure why. Perhaps he was a bit too cardboardish -- he didn't seem to have much personality. But since he was such a small part of the story, that's a minor complaint. Part Three came across as rather weak, probably because I was waiting for something 'big' to happen to set everything right again. Instead, things just quietly developed an even-keel. The detail about Sybok's katra was very clever, and the final sentence admirably appropriate. An overall observation: This story had some wonderful short, one-sentence paragraphs that carried a lot of impact. Examples are: "It had been so long." (p. 136), "Their hands met and clutched." (p. 138), etc. The well-placed bluntness of these brief statements added a lot to the story's tone and readability.

1992

This is a story you will find yourself coming back to again and again. In plot, it is not so different from innumerable other K/S stories that span the years from pre- ST II through V, but this author imbues that time with a host of new insights, filling in the gaps with marvelous scenes we didn't get to see on the screen.

I love the peek into Spock and Kirk's private lives, seeing for example, who eats what for breakfast. (Will Tang really make it into the 23rd century?)

The touches of humor, such as Spock saying, "...if I'd been blue and from the planet Levi you'd still have accepted me," and the incongruity of Spock swearing, one of my favorite bits from ST IV, were delightful. Even more so set against the pathos of Spock's ordeal. Kirk's attempts to comfort his lover and their final triumph together were very satisfying.

This author knows how to reach me, and I can only hope she continues to write K/S, as she puts it... "for 100 years, through undiscovered countries and on into the next generation.

I've been meaning to review this story for months, but I've hesitated. Not because I don't like the story. I do, but I'm not sure I understand why I like it so much. I've thought about it a great deal, and I still don't have a handle on it, but here goes anyway. First, my very favorite kind of K/S is an established relationship tale when Kirk and Spock are older, and "When Lightning..." is just that. It takes place during the time just before and after Star Trek II through V. It postulates that K and S became iovers after fifteen years of friendship. Spock moves into Kirk's apartment in San Francisco, and their relationship grows and changes, and is especially affected by Spock's death and resurrection. Pretty simple, huh? Then why have I read the darn thing about ten times, each time more entranced than the last?

There is a certain tone to this story that I find very attractive. It is far from a deep and emotional study of the characters. As a matter of fact, there are really three main characters here, Kirk. Spock, and an omniscient observer who stands above the action and provides a certain kind of eerie, poetic distance from the events of the story. And the style of writing, while occasionally poetic, is also very sparse. This author has taken the traditional advice to beginning writers. "Write with nouns and verbs, not adjectives and adverbs" to a new height. The dialogue between the two men stands starkly alone, without outside interpretation or interference. The opening 'scene.' which details how the two of them make the decision to live together, has a dreamlike quality to it. It is told from the omniscient perspective, looking back upon the event. Where other writers, including me, would be tempted to go into great detail, Ms. Solten uses broad brush strokes on a canvas that, with her skill, really needs nothing else.

[...]

I especially liked Spock's nightmares, and Kirk's first reaction to penetration. I loved just about everything about their everyday lives together. I'm the kind of reader who really does care about what they eat for breakfast. I did think that some of the obvious symbolism was overdrawn: for example. Spock wearing black after Genesis, Kirk wearing white. And it was really hard for me to imagine Kirk wearing pajama bottoms that were too long for him. The image of him schlepping around the bedroom with his pants dragging along the floor just won't come to me. I also disliked the obvious parallels between rape, Kirk's initiation of the mind meld (and how can he do this without Spock's cooperation, anyhow?) and Spock's supposed inadvertent attempt at penetration. I see the point, but it seemed much too pat for me. The section detailing the delicate changes in Spock. helped aiong by a supportive Kirk, worked perfectly, especially striking was the scene at the Academy when Kirk is almost run over by an errant air car. So, why do I like this story so much? Maybe it's because the author manages to make Kirk and Spock seem so real, through the lovely detailing of their lives together. Maybe it's because the events and emotions portrayed present a new and intriguing interpretation. Or maybe it's just because Natasha Solten is a wonderful writer and she was on top of her form. I don't know. But I sure love this story.

I think the one that I really liked was (unusual for me) one that wasn't particularly erotic, "When Lightning Strikes Twice" by Natasha Solten. (Ch 13.) I particularly liked the concept of two older people settling down to live together as a matter of convenience and companionship and letting the love grow from those seeds, not that it didn't always exist.

1993

Spanning the time from before The Wrath of Khan to after The Final Frontier, this beautiful story fills in the gaps around and between the films. It offers a plausible K/S scenario that meshes so well with the events of the movies that I found myself thinking, yeah, that's exactly how it must have been.

Is it a first-time story? Welt, sort, of. The explanation of how Kirk and Spock came to be lovers Is very simple, very quickly end matter-of-factually dealt with in the beginning, and then the story moves on. And yet, all the elements of e deeply moving first-time story are here: their physical shyness with each other, their surprise that they should feel shyness, their tentative lovemaking - in the dark, which detail seems so expressive in itself - their decision not to have anal intercourse yet: 'I don't really want to do that. At least, not right now." . . . "Good . . . I don't either." It's all here, and all the emotions are laid bare. I love their gentle humor with each other; the easy way they mesh their dairy routines; and how spit-and-polish they both are, keeping their apartment fastidiously neat. And my favorite detail: Kirk drinking Tang, the drink of astronauts!

The story, told in three parts, follows the ups and downs of their life together. It's especially poignant as it deals with the aftermath of Spock's death and resurrection. And it's the little details that catted the scenes to life, and made my heart break for Spock and Kirk as they battled Spock's terror. Spock's need to sleep with the light on was a poignant detail; their losing interest in housekeeping, picturesque. And the vivid dream sequence end the events after that - I'm not breathing a word! - are terrifying, and wonderful, and illustrate the power of their love as nothing I can recall reading has done.

This story made Kirk and Spock come alive before my eyes in a way they have never done before, and I was truly amazed that that was even possible. After all, I've been having conversations in my head with these two guys for years; they were already real to me, but now I feel like I've met them in the flesh. They've solidified in front of me as if they'd beamed into my living room.

And the author does all this with the utmost simplicity. She makes it too easy, stringing simple short words and phrases together with such skill that I'm reminded of the adage about the best writing being like a clear windowpane, calling no attention to itself, showing only the events happening on the other side. At the same time, there are memorable poetic images here: the scent of roses and cumin is one example. And how about this image: "Kirk felt the smile again, the one that only Spock could cause within him, the kind of smile that flew up from his soul, through his heart and dusted him, all over, like the wing-beat of a great, primeval bird." In sum, this is simply one of the best K/S stories I've ever read.

Ordinarily, I have a difficult time with stories that portray Kirk and Spock as having waited 15 to 20 years before being together physically. This story comes closest to making this premise realistic. Although I admit I still take it all with the proverbial grain of salt.

It's done here so sparingly and beautifully. The following quote realty says it all and sets the tone for the story: "But one night, over their thousandth chess game, after a thousand shared pots of tea and a thousand meaningful silences that ensued comfortably and lethargically between them, both realized at almost the same moment that they did not wish to part company to sleep in separate apartments, even if only for the night." That's one of the most perfectly defined and expressed passages I have ever read.

It's a fascinating journey as we follow Kirk and Spock past Genesis, past Spock's death and rebirth, past the voyage home. Each time they enter their shared San Francisco apartment it establishes the passage of time. Spock is plagued with dreams of his death and Kirk tries to mind meld so that he can share and understand what's going on. The only problem is he doesn't tell Spock of his plan and the resulting experience is truly horrific. Spock feels it was an intrusion like rape. Later, in the height of passion, Spock tries to penetrate Kirk and this, too. is a disaster. This intercourse becomes a focal point of their eventual shared love. When, and if, they finally experience it, their love is somehow complete.

A beautifully written story, no doubt about it. The author's use of simple, direct yet poetic language is effective and enthralling. However, I still have some reservations about the story. The main one is I mentioned before - their waiting alt those years to even think of establishing a relationship. Also, the idea of intercourse took on an exaggerated meaning that I found uncomfortable to accept. I'm not saying they should have just jumped into bed and fired away, but here it (penetration) became sort of a bizarre, unnatural thing that neither cared for.

Also, the beautiful sparse language works well when describing a scene or expressing an emotion. But somehow, and I'm not certain why, when it was used for dialogue, it came up short. I felt a particular coldness or aloofness between Kirk and Spock, one that I don't think was intended. The language also stopped me from becoming emotionally involved.

Here's a minor quibble: the author makes mention of them being in their late 40's — but isn't Spock much older comparatively?

But wonderful insight into Kirk as he is moody sometimes and Spock gives him space (my words). And the lovely details of their life together were just great. I enjoyed the fluid way the scenes melded with the film "history" to fill in the blanks. This was especially well done. So overall, a finely crafted story written with poetic simplicity.

1994

The whole first part and much of the rest of this story is told in a narrative style; and while it often seems desirable to avoid "telling not showing," this time I really like it. It gives the story a "once upon a time" flavor.

The writing is really fine. Unique, vivid, poetic language. And very perceptive and expressive, yet also subtle. And so much love... Beautiful to read - Kirk and Spock feel very real, the mature friends we know from the movies.

The story opens with the revelation that they live together and also sleep together. The decision had been "natural, and difficult." It had come one night from simply realizing neither wanted to part. Really a special moment - the feelings are so very there, but it certainly is not easy to cross over the line finally. They are both nervous. Kirk: "Then stay." Spock: "For how long?" Kirk: "As long as you like. It's natural, it's logical." An enormous moment. It seems rather not realistic, however, that they decide right off to share the bed also, instead of having separate bedrooms.

The first night, "only their bodies hesitated..." Beautiful: Spock is uncomfortable with touch, but not with Kirk - Kirk has always been the exception. An uneasy embrace, awkward first kiss. Funny and poignant. But Kirk is a good kisser; whereas Spock has other talents such as in his hands and "knowing just how to position his body." So it works; the awkwardness overcome. They come immediately just holding each other.

Kirk feels wonderful, realizing the pressure to "perform" is off. They have ail their lives to explore how they might be with each other. Unconfined by expectations or roles. How perfect. The "low pressure compatibility of their coexistence."

This story created a perfect lead-in to the opening scenes of ST2; then we go to. post-ST4. Really good tension, their returning to SF apartment after all that. They begin having very upsetting arguments, but they truly want to work it out. Spock is not quite himself yet - he's sloppy and sleeps late, etc., and is having metaphysical nightmare forays into death; he remembers being dead. I wonder, why choose such a dark and painful perception of death and the journey to death? No light at all about death?

All the life details were interesting, about living on Earth, Starfleet matters, etc. And Spock's cursing really amused me.

Then post-ST5. I didn't care all that much for chasing each other around the apartment before sex. I like, though, how it takes them a long time to get around to penetration, and so when they do, it is so meaningful.

The once-upon-a-time story ends with a happily-ever-after, that they explore each other for the next 100 years, through undiscovered countries, into the next generation.

2003

Satisfaction spread completely through me by the end of this story. It commences not long after the 5 year mission and is mainly narrative in nature, telling in fairly undramatic prose how Kirk and Spock came to be lovers. What didn't rivet my attention in the beginning did keep me reading and that was much to my advantage. It is an easy and relaxed relationship Ms. Solten describes and yet it tantalizes with occasional snippets of intimate conversation. This seemingly uninspired love story still holds my interest as Captain Spock prepares for Saavik's Kobayshi Maru.

What the author has managed to do with her unassuming style, is make you a part of the lives of these two men, whose every word and action, you finally realize, is not profound and life-altering. Spock delivers Jim's birthday gift to him in bed (Tale of Two Cities— what birthday present did you think?) Then he says he'll see him later at headquarters and leaves for work. A normal work week that we know will change their lives forever.

A humorous and heartwarming encounter between Kirk and two of Spock's students is a bright splash of amusement for the Admiral and the reader. In a corridor, one student is assuring the other that Saavik will get a break from the Admiral on her Kobayashi Maru because the Admiral and Spock live together. Kirk stands by and absorbs the speculative comments before coming up and asking the two for directions. Then he turns back to them and casually adds "Curiosity is an excellent trait. Even concerning commanding officers—but to my knowledge Captain Spock has never taken well to those who pry into his personal affairs. He actually threatened the life of a close personal friend of mine over just such an incident." Kirk raises his brows, then winks at the astounded pair.

Somehow little touches like the above conversation reveal so much of the indomitable personality of the Admiral—his understanding, his sense of humor and his deep and abiding love for his Vulcan. Pride, also, don't you think? Part two takes place some time after The Voyage Home, with the timespan of the three movies left to canon and the reader's imagination. Again we are privileged to see a very mature kind of love between these men. While the refusion could have resulted in much angst and misunderstanding, it did not. Were things perfect? Absolutely not. But as Kirk explains to McCoy, "...things are different. I'm different, he's different. It was so good before. We were perfect together. Now all that's changed. It's hard times, that's all." Acceptance, guided by love, is a beautiful thing. We are able to share their journey back to perfection at Ms. Solten's hands.

There is a lot of fun in part 3, and that same ease with each other, even when the most difficult and intimate problems arise. That's why I was left with such a complete sense of satisfaction at the end of When Lightning Strikes Twice. The "all's right with the world" feeling was pervasive and made this a very worthwhile read.

2007

I remember attending a Shore Leave convention (I went every year for many years, so it’s impossible to pinpoint which one) where I had several conversations about the story “When Lightning Strikes Twice” by Natasha Solten, published in Charisma 13. I kept trying to figure out what made the story so compelling, when the story line was mainly domestic. After many years of platonic friendship, an older Kirk and Spock finally agree that they don’t want to part at the end of an evening spent in Kirk’s apartment; Spock shyly joins Kirk in his bed. I think that is part of this story’s charm, the shyness that each man feels as they slowly, very slowly indeed, expand their sexual relationship.