Transfiguration, Chapter 1 (Kirk/Spock, Star Trek XI AU)
Alternative Universe (or rather, pre-incarnation) story taking place in the early 2010s on Earth in New York City. Spock is a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. Jim Kirk is the genius-level offender that drifts into his life. At 10k words and counting (although only chapter 1 posted so far), this is a love story.
Aside from our lovely beta le_culdesac, a multitude of people have aided us in conceiving this gigantic project. It would not have been possible for us to write this without them. Our acknowledgments and notes are to be found in the master post. All future chapters will also be linked there.
As always, all kinds of feedback are appreciated. ^o^
Title: Transfiguration (Chapter 1)
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Fandom: Star Trek XI
Authors: snowlight and buoy
Rating: PG-13 (so far)
Status: WIP
Disclaimer: Kirk and Spock belong to each other, the story itself belongs to us, everything else belongs to Paramount.
Transfiguration
by Renata Lord (snowlight) & Ligeia (buoy)
One kind of splendor belongs to the sun, another to the moon, and still another to the stars.
-1 Corinthians 15:41
*
Chapter I
During any given weekday afternoon, it's rare for the Church of the Immaculate Heart to have a spell of complete tranquility. The different chorus groups practice frequently, the visiting flock needs attending, and more often than not, maintenance work is under way. On top of that, the thick black gates of the aged edifice can never seem to keep out all the earthly noises from this house of God-the sirens and horns, pedestrians' laughter, the street music; all that comes hand in hand with being in the heart of Manhattan's Village.
That's why Spock is grateful for moments like these, when a hush envelopes the deep halls of the church and he feels mysteries are about to unfold before him. Even the dust is quiet here, clinging to stained-glass windows and settling on the ancient slabs of stone. The Pastor once told him God's language is silence, and he finds that to be true, because here in the small office overlooking the garden, he can hear the Scripture more clearly in his head as he reads it without moving his lips.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.
Knock. Knock.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.....
Knock. Knock. Knock. This time louder, with a certain playfulness.
"Hey Spock, open up! I can see you from the windows."
He half-sighs at that familiar voice, knowing his plan to finish studying the Galatians has been ruined for the moment. But he quickly gets up and opens the small door, if only to prevent any further ruckus.
-And in twirls Jim Kirk like a gush of wind, dressed in a yellow T-shirt and faded jeans, smelling like the sun. His hair's gotten long again, Spock finds himself making a mental note, wondering if that's because his friend's been too busy with taking class while working full time or if he's just being lazy about keeping it cut.
"You should have called," he says, looking at the man now sinking into his favorite chair, lounging about like he owned the place. "I could be out on business." Nevertheless, Spock hands the man a cup of water, because he looks like he could use it.
Kirk gulps the water down and gives him a kind of little smirk. "My cell phone's battery died, so I figured I'd just swing by and see if you're here. Anyway, about this Sunday, I can't make it. Gotta cover for somebody at work."
"Oh." Spock takes the empty cup back, looking almost relieved.
"But I'll come by when I'm done," Kirk continues absent-mindedly, flipping through the outreach pamphlets stacked neatly on his desk.
Spock swings around to the other side of his desk, hustling Jim out of his seat with a simple gesture and a pull on the back of the chair. "There will be no need," he replies, taking a seat and reaching over to properly rearrange the paper. "I will inform Father-"
His movement is interrupted as Jim plants himself on the desk right next to him only inches away from his hand, rendering in further disarray the paper and all his carefully organized work. He jerks his hand away quickly-too quickly-and he could almost feel Kirk's grin burning into the side of his head. He folds his hands slowly before glancing up to the other man with an air of resignation.
"Yes?" Spock asks, steeling himself with a patience he usually reserves for the youngest children. A grin indeed plasters Jim's face as he gazes down at Spock through half-lidded eyes, and it fades into a lazy smile.
"You know I'm moving into the new apartment this week, right? I'm having a house-warming party this Thursday, and you will be there."
There is a brief but overwhelming temptation to look away.
"I have service-"
"Friday, then."
"James. I'm sorry, but I won't be able to."
Spock waits for the huff of indignation to follow, but it doesn't come. In fact, Kirk just keeps smiling, expression not changing in the least. His experience with the man tells him it's probably not a good sign, because Jim Kirk never gives up that easily.
"Huh. Chris seemed pretty okay with it when I told him you were coming. I mean, I wouldn't have even gotten the place if it wasn't for you guys."
Spock raises an eyebrow at the mention of the the Reverend Pastor by his first name. Kirk just laughs.
"I have work that needs to be completed before then." He motions toward the ruins on his desk, turning away from Kirk to retrieve the book in what he hopes is a clear dismissal. "I will contact you."
A warm hand settles on his shoulder and Spock's head twitches as he stifles the urge to turn. A tingling sensation rushes over his skin as he feels the other man leaning over his shoulder. Jim's breath is hot against his ear and he finds his body suddenly frozen, fingers still poised in midst of re-opening to Galatians.
"Good. Thursday 8PM. You know where it is."
He hears footsteps before he realizes Jim has left his side. He doesn't look up from the words as he responds.
"Recharge your phone, or I will not hear any of your complaints the following day regarding my absence."
Kirk laughs again before the door creaks shut as silence once again settles within the stone walls of the church. Left alone, Spock traces his fingers across the smooth grain of the paper, eyes narrowing in an attempt to refocus.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
*
Dinner is late this night because Pastor Pike's pre-marital counseling service runs later than expected, but Spock has already gotten used to that. He stays in the office finishing the writing for his contribution to this month's parish newsletter, and soon there is a knock on his door again, this time gentle and firm.
"Spock?"
"Yes Father," he answers immediately and opens. To his surprise, the silver-haired man is carrying with him two plates of lasagna and boiled vegetables. "We are eating in here?"
"Why not? The dining room still smells like paint, and we have a great view of the garden here." Pike puts down the plates on the short table and gestures towards the window. Spock finds the plastic fork box from the bottom drawer and they sit down together. After Pike says Grace, they both dig into the food quickly. It's been a long day.
It's a little ritual of theirs, to try to eat dinner together as often as possible. It began in Spock's seminary days when he would report and discuss his learning progress. He regarded the man as a spiritual father, and after his graduation it turned into a kind of daily touch-base where they review the day and plan for the next. Today is no different as Pike discusses the counseling and reminds Spock to prepare for the conference in Chicago next month. But Spock, of course, has already began the paperwork to ensure he won't leave extra work for any of the other deacons when he leaves.
Party or not, going to Jim's place is not going to help with finishing the work ahead of time. It seems like a mistake agreeing to go now-not that it didn't seem like one as soon as Jim skipped out of the door.
"Father." He keeps his eyes on the food as he cuts off another piece, "James was here today. He requested that I should go to his...house-warming party." The last two words don't come out easily. It feels ridiculous even saying it.
"Oh yeah, he told me about it. You don't want to go?" The Father has always been good at hearing the things he leaves unsaid.
He tries to find the right words but fails. "Do I have a reason to go? I can't regardless, but now he's invited me to come on Friday."
"Spock, what reason do you need?" For once, the older man sounds surprised. "You two are friends, right? Go and have some fun. He's really gotten better ever since he started hanging out with you."
It's a suggestion, not an order; but Spock almost automatically nods in response, not sure what else to say. He knows that Father has a soft spot for James from personally knowing the guy's father during the pastor's days as an army chaplain. George Kirk was a great man, a Silver Star hero who sacrificed himself so his company could retreat safely from enemy fire. That's why when the Reverend Father Pike discovered the identity of the young man that had drifted into Immaculate Heart, he regarded it as nothing less than an act of God, a mission to retrieve the prodigal son.
At first Spock felt strangely displaced by this random stranger whom he picked up from a dirty alleyway corner, as everybody in the church had always regarded him as the pastor's protégé and adopted child. Yet as he soon learned, that was only the beginning of troubles when it came to James Tiberius Kirk.
*
End of Chapter I
Continues in Chapter II
Aside from our lovely beta le_culdesac, a multitude of people have aided us in conceiving this gigantic project. It would not have been possible for us to write this without them. Our acknowledgments and notes are to be found in the master post. All future chapters will also be linked there.
As always, all kinds of feedback are appreciated. ^o^
Title: Transfiguration (Chapter 1)
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Fandom: Star Trek XI
Authors: snowlight and buoy
Rating: PG-13 (so far)
Status: WIP
Disclaimer: Kirk and Spock belong to each other, the story itself belongs to us, everything else belongs to Paramount.
Transfiguration
by Renata Lord (snowlight) & Ligeia (buoy)
One kind of splendor belongs to the sun, another to the moon, and still another to the stars.
-1 Corinthians 15:41
*
Chapter I
During any given weekday afternoon, it's rare for the Church of the Immaculate Heart to have a spell of complete tranquility. The different chorus groups practice frequently, the visiting flock needs attending, and more often than not, maintenance work is under way. On top of that, the thick black gates of the aged edifice can never seem to keep out all the earthly noises from this house of God-the sirens and horns, pedestrians' laughter, the street music; all that comes hand in hand with being in the heart of Manhattan's Village.
That's why Spock is grateful for moments like these, when a hush envelopes the deep halls of the church and he feels mysteries are about to unfold before him. Even the dust is quiet here, clinging to stained-glass windows and settling on the ancient slabs of stone. The Pastor once told him God's language is silence, and he finds that to be true, because here in the small office overlooking the garden, he can hear the Scripture more clearly in his head as he reads it without moving his lips.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.
Knock. Knock.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.....
Knock. Knock. Knock. This time louder, with a certain playfulness.
"Hey Spock, open up! I can see you from the windows."
He half-sighs at that familiar voice, knowing his plan to finish studying the Galatians has been ruined for the moment. But he quickly gets up and opens the small door, if only to prevent any further ruckus.
-And in twirls Jim Kirk like a gush of wind, dressed in a yellow T-shirt and faded jeans, smelling like the sun. His hair's gotten long again, Spock finds himself making a mental note, wondering if that's because his friend's been too busy with taking class while working full time or if he's just being lazy about keeping it cut.
"You should have called," he says, looking at the man now sinking into his favorite chair, lounging about like he owned the place. "I could be out on business." Nevertheless, Spock hands the man a cup of water, because he looks like he could use it.
Kirk gulps the water down and gives him a kind of little smirk. "My cell phone's battery died, so I figured I'd just swing by and see if you're here. Anyway, about this Sunday, I can't make it. Gotta cover for somebody at work."
"Oh." Spock takes the empty cup back, looking almost relieved.
"But I'll come by when I'm done," Kirk continues absent-mindedly, flipping through the outreach pamphlets stacked neatly on his desk.
Spock swings around to the other side of his desk, hustling Jim out of his seat with a simple gesture and a pull on the back of the chair. "There will be no need," he replies, taking a seat and reaching over to properly rearrange the paper. "I will inform Father-"
His movement is interrupted as Jim plants himself on the desk right next to him only inches away from his hand, rendering in further disarray the paper and all his carefully organized work. He jerks his hand away quickly-too quickly-and he could almost feel Kirk's grin burning into the side of his head. He folds his hands slowly before glancing up to the other man with an air of resignation.
"Yes?" Spock asks, steeling himself with a patience he usually reserves for the youngest children. A grin indeed plasters Jim's face as he gazes down at Spock through half-lidded eyes, and it fades into a lazy smile.
"You know I'm moving into the new apartment this week, right? I'm having a house-warming party this Thursday, and you will be there."
There is a brief but overwhelming temptation to look away.
"I have service-"
"Friday, then."
"James. I'm sorry, but I won't be able to."
Spock waits for the huff of indignation to follow, but it doesn't come. In fact, Kirk just keeps smiling, expression not changing in the least. His experience with the man tells him it's probably not a good sign, because Jim Kirk never gives up that easily.
"Huh. Chris seemed pretty okay with it when I told him you were coming. I mean, I wouldn't have even gotten the place if it wasn't for you guys."
Spock raises an eyebrow at the mention of the the Reverend Pastor by his first name. Kirk just laughs.
"I have work that needs to be completed before then." He motions toward the ruins on his desk, turning away from Kirk to retrieve the book in what he hopes is a clear dismissal. "I will contact you."
A warm hand settles on his shoulder and Spock's head twitches as he stifles the urge to turn. A tingling sensation rushes over his skin as he feels the other man leaning over his shoulder. Jim's breath is hot against his ear and he finds his body suddenly frozen, fingers still poised in midst of re-opening to Galatians.
"Good. Thursday 8PM. You know where it is."
He hears footsteps before he realizes Jim has left his side. He doesn't look up from the words as he responds.
"Recharge your phone, or I will not hear any of your complaints the following day regarding my absence."
Kirk laughs again before the door creaks shut as silence once again settles within the stone walls of the church. Left alone, Spock traces his fingers across the smooth grain of the paper, eyes narrowing in an attempt to refocus.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
*
Dinner is late this night because Pastor Pike's pre-marital counseling service runs later than expected, but Spock has already gotten used to that. He stays in the office finishing the writing for his contribution to this month's parish newsletter, and soon there is a knock on his door again, this time gentle and firm.
"Spock?"
"Yes Father," he answers immediately and opens. To his surprise, the silver-haired man is carrying with him two plates of lasagna and boiled vegetables. "We are eating in here?"
"Why not? The dining room still smells like paint, and we have a great view of the garden here." Pike puts down the plates on the short table and gestures towards the window. Spock finds the plastic fork box from the bottom drawer and they sit down together. After Pike says Grace, they both dig into the food quickly. It's been a long day.
It's a little ritual of theirs, to try to eat dinner together as often as possible. It began in Spock's seminary days when he would report and discuss his learning progress. He regarded the man as a spiritual father, and after his graduation it turned into a kind of daily touch-base where they review the day and plan for the next. Today is no different as Pike discusses the counseling and reminds Spock to prepare for the conference in Chicago next month. But Spock, of course, has already began the paperwork to ensure he won't leave extra work for any of the other deacons when he leaves.
Party or not, going to Jim's place is not going to help with finishing the work ahead of time. It seems like a mistake agreeing to go now-not that it didn't seem like one as soon as Jim skipped out of the door.
"Father." He keeps his eyes on the food as he cuts off another piece, "James was here today. He requested that I should go to his...house-warming party." The last two words don't come out easily. It feels ridiculous even saying it.
"Oh yeah, he told me about it. You don't want to go?" The Father has always been good at hearing the things he leaves unsaid.
He tries to find the right words but fails. "Do I have a reason to go? I can't regardless, but now he's invited me to come on Friday."
"Spock, what reason do you need?" For once, the older man sounds surprised. "You two are friends, right? Go and have some fun. He's really gotten better ever since he started hanging out with you."
It's a suggestion, not an order; but Spock almost automatically nods in response, not sure what else to say. He knows that Father has a soft spot for James from personally knowing the guy's father during the pastor's days as an army chaplain. George Kirk was a great man, a Silver Star hero who sacrificed himself so his company could retreat safely from enemy fire. That's why when the Reverend Father Pike discovered the identity of the young man that had drifted into Immaculate Heart, he regarded it as nothing less than an act of God, a mission to retrieve the prodigal son.
At first Spock felt strangely displaced by this random stranger whom he picked up from a dirty alleyway corner, as everybody in the church had always regarded him as the pastor's protégé and adopted child. Yet as he soon learned, that was only the beginning of troubles when it came to James Tiberius Kirk.
*
End of Chapter I
Continues in Chapter II