When Logic Fails

Fanfiction
Title:	When Logic Fails
Author(s):	Marilyn Lansford
Date(s):	1990?, 1991?
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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When Logic Fails is a K/S story by Marilyn Lansford.

It was published in the print zine As I Do Thee #14.

Summary

"During a battle, Kirk is seriously injured. It takes all McCoy's skills and the love of his Vulcan friend to help him recover completely."

Reactions and Reviews

1990

The basic premise of this story is the rather common, "Kirk almost dies and Spock realizes how much he loves him." What makes this story rise above the commonplace is Marilyn's writing. When it comes to description, she's truly gifted. The story opens with a battle scene between Romulan vessels and the Enterprise. (Well, Kirk had to get hurt somehow! ) The scene is so detailed that it's easy to visualize, yet it moves at a swift pace. I found myself right in the heart of things, going with the momentum. If I have any criticism, it would be that I'd like even more adventure (there's so little of it in most K/S), but the story settles into an attempt to save Kirk, then his rehabilitation period on the Starbase, with a confused and worried Spock as his attendant.

There's a very nice massage scene (I'm always a sucker for them); and, of course, introspection between our two heroes as they come to terms with their feelings. The pool scene where Kirk seduces Spock is nicely written and quite tranquil - although I would have liked to see it a little more mutual, Spock bringing Kirk into good old ecstasy at the same time. However, the ending of the scene is effective and sweet.

One of my favorite lines: "For the first time in weeks, Spock slept as deeply and peacefully as a baby, a small, satisfied smile on his lips." Now, that's very visual and delicately written. All in all, a very good read.

I was most impressed and drawn into the set-up of this story: the Enterprise involved in battle with Romulan warships, which was very intricately told in a fast-moving manner. The atmosphere was so real that I felt I was right there in the midst of it all. In fact, once the plot settled into centering around Kirk's injuries, the medical details got a little too real, and I was sorry to have read it on a full stomach (which is meant as a compliment).

As an 'action', hurt/comfort, and friendship tale, this story worked very well. However, on a K/S level, it seemed a bit forced, and I was disappointed that after such an exciting beginning and middle, the ending tapered off to be little more than a common first-timer. At least, the author did attempt — successfully — to slow things down by having Kirk and Spock show the maturity to wait a little bit once their feelings were acknowledged, and [ liked the climatic sex scene very much. As for the feelings themselves, they were just suddenly there, with very little buildup, particularly on Kirk's part. We are told, in retrospect, that the feelings had built over time. I would liked to have seen Kirk's viewpoint more clearly depicted. Spock's side of things was more thoroughly and sensitively handled.

Overall, a very well-written story. I just wish the feeling of having been 'reached out and grabbed' could have been maintained to the very end.