T'hy'la #26
OMEGA AND ALPHA by K'Chaps
He yanked off his boots and lay back flat. "Computer, lights off." The dark was soothing, but the Enterprise was missing, and Gary. He'd lost other people, but this loss had hit him harder. He rolled to his side and took a deep breath. Things were going well with Spock-very well. Spock was not Gary. There was no comparison. None. It had been a relief, after the shock had worn off.
Kirk shut his eyes again. Spock. Spock liked him. He knew it. They liked each other. He swallowed hard. He'd never considered more with anyone on the Enterprise, until this moment.
///It is early in the mission. Kirk is getting to know the complex interactions and personalities of his new crew. He is intrigued by his Vulcan first officer, particularly when Spock provides him with an insight that gives him an opportunity to solve a mystery from his own past. This leads to a daring mission - and personal revelations as well.
LOST IN TRANSLATION by Anne Elliot
"Well now," McCoy said again, this time in calm tones so horribly familiar that they sent a gentle shiver down Spock's spine. McCoy was about to drop some sort of bombshell.
"I just wanted to say", McCoy went on, "that this has all gone on long enough, don't you think?"
/// Spock is fully aware of the nature of his feelings for Kirk. Kirk, however, seems to be oblivious to the signals that Spock is sending him. But when Kirk publicly reprimands a crewmember for negligence, only backing off when Spock subtly indicates that it's time to close the discussion, Spock quickly discovers many of the crew already assume that he and Kirk are more than friends. After a conversation with McCoy, Spock decides it's finally time to act...
SACRAMENTAL WINE by J S Cavalcante
Spock suspected he must be drunk on the sacramental wine. That had to be the explanation, because Starfleet officers simply did not lie around naked in the forest contemplating a velvety black sky filled with stars-at least, not while they were supposed to be on duty, and attending an important diplomatic reception, at that.
///A challenge response to a unique and provocative photomanip by the talented T'Guess.
A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE by Daisy Moore
Spock stopped to stare at a drawing of him and Kirk. In profile-the star-filled viewscreen as a backdrop. Kirk was obviously sitting in the command chair, his face tilted upward to him, an expectant expression on the mobile features. And he was bent down, very close to-Spock brought the slate up, squinting at the fine details. Their positions were shockingly suggestive! At least to him. If he possessed an imagination, he could picture himself completing the movement, leaning down to touch his mouth to Kirk's!
///Uhura has quite a talent for drawing - and her drawings reveal quite a bit more than perhaps she intended.
GIVING THANKS by Khiori
He was very much aware Kirk's dinner sat untouched as the captain's attention remained centered on him. No doubt he was still concerned about his first officer's rather precarious health, despite McCoy's assurance that said officer was finally "on the mend".
Spock paused, fork halfway to his mouth, as a thought occurred. With some careful planning on his part, it was possible he could prove such was indeed the case. Also, given the significance of this day, it was mandatory he do so within the next five hours, 42 minutes, and 17 seconds. He resumed his meal, eating almost by rote as he began formulating details to achieve a successful outcome.
///A sequel to "All Our Yesterdays". After Sarpeidon's ice age takes a toll on Spock's health, upon recovery, he becomes impatient about resuming all aspects of his life.
MEAT DREAMS by J S Cavalcante
From somewhere deep in his mind, a stray thought registered, an image of firelight flickering on reddish cave walls. Where there were no sensors, no scholarly papers, no bridge humming with the sounds of humans at work. Especially no captain whose eyes were a peculiarly disturbing shade of golden brown, lit with accusing green fire. As though he knew.
But the accusation was in Spock's mind, not in the actual features of the man who sat with his legs crossed comfortably in the command chair, nodding to his yeoman as she brought him a datapadd. The actual Kirk hadn't offered so much as a frown of disapproval when briefed on the events in ice-age Sarpeidon. He had merely rested a hand on Spock's shoulder, squeezing gently to communicate his relief that his friend was all right. In making his report, Spock had not omitted the fact of his encounter with Zarabeth. He had, however, omitted to mention that while he had made love to her, he had fantasized about putting Kirk in Zarabeth's place...
//A sequel to "All Our Yesterdays". Despite his return to the Enterprise, the past is still very much with Spock, in the form of some highly disturbing dreams...
...AND ITS BUSINESS IS JOY by Elise Madrid
"All things comes to an end. That is the way of the universe."
Kirk slowly turned around to stare at his lover. "What are you trying to say?"
Spock took a breath, the motion seeming to give him the time he needed to marshall his thoughts. "Only that for you to mourn the passing of a certain...phase of your life is not logical."
"I'm going to miss the ship, Spock, and our lives on it. Aren't you?"
///Mission's end... and a time for important decisions. But as they approach Earth, their dilemma unresolved and their future in question, the Enterprise is swept into the past where they meet two extraordinary men. (A crossover with the British TV series "The Professionals".)
THE ONLY CHOICE by Farfalla Caquí
Lounging around a large marble fountain with a statue of a nude Apollo at its center were four... five.... seven facsimiles of Captain James T. Kirk. Only they were clearly, somehow, not Kirk at all. Several were older than the Kirk that Spock had just left behind on the ship, at least two by many decades. Others seemed to be the same age, but were vastly different in deportment and dress.
"What do you think, Spock?" Trelane was beaming. "Have you ever seen such a collection of beauty in one place?"
"One James Kirk is all I require," said Spock through clenched teeth.
///Trelane has claimed his prize: Captain James T. Kirk. But he offers Spock a 'consolation prize' - his choice between Denny Crane, TJ Hooker, and other familiar faces.
STARDATE: MONDAY by Farfalla Caquí
On the bridge, Spock could not mistake the warning flags that Kirk was unintentionally broadcasting through their bond. He frowned. Kirk was feeling emotions Spock did not even have names for, and that was quite unsettling. The undefinable required further examination, and besides, he was concerned for his bondmate.
///A mysterious affliction befalls Captain Kirk after returning from shore leave. This story takes place during the third five year mission.
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS by Deborah Cummins
Spock felt a sob escape his throat. Kirk's grip on his pants tightened. He looked up to meet the Vulcan's wild eyes, but could not ask his question aloud.
Spock raised his head, drew a deep breath. The smoke was strong, concentrated. "It is not far," he said, his voice tight. "A half a mile, perhaps."
A half a mile. It was possible. The blood flow was not that heavy and the captain was still able to breathe. Possible. Reaching out, he slid an arm under Kirk's back and rose unsteadily to his feet, cradling the captain against his chest. Kirk's head fell back on to his arm but the captain's eyes remained open. "We will make it," Spock said. "I will not let you die. We'll make it."
///Caught in a horrific forest fire on a distant planet, Kirk and Spock struggle to stay alive, to keep each other alive as the fire consumes everything around them. Yet escaping the approaching flames takes them toward a new, unexpected confrontation.
ART:
Marianne Mueller - Cover, Back Cover, End Piece
T'Guess - Frontispiece, "Story Challenge" piece, Portfolio, and Story Frontispiece for "A Light in the Darkness"
Diegina - "The Daredevil" and Gamin Davis - "Reunion of Soulmates"
Poetry: Farfalla Caquí ("To Calm A Storm"), Catalenamara ("Denial"), Diegina ("The Daredevil"), Kelly Reiger ("Miramanee", "The Trust", "Equal Partners", "Do Not Grieve" and "Colorful Kite").