Memories Born of Fire
was written by Gamin Davis. It was previously published in "Something to Remember."
In the aftermath of the kal-i-fee, Spock struggles to come to grips with what happened. However, he realizes that a second issue must be addressed — his relationship with Kirk. His anxiety increases when a murder attempt on Altair VI puts Kirk's life in danger once again.
This fanfic contains examples of the following tropes:
- All Just a Dream: Part of the fanfic is Spock's nightmare about what would have happened if Kirk's death had been real.
- The Atoner: Spock stays at Kirk's side after he's poisoned, saying that he has "recently failed to carry out" his duty to ensure his captain's well-being.
- Be All My Sins Remembered: Spock doesn't think he deserves Kirk's forgiveness, but he hopes that maybe the captain will forgive him anyway.
- Comforting Comforter: Chapel comes in to find Spock asleep on Kirk's shoulder and covers him with a blanket.
- Driven to Suicide: In Spock's nightmare, he stabs himself in the face of Kirk's death and his impending trial.
- Flashback Nightmare / Recurring Dreams: Part of Spock's nightmare is the kal-i-fee all over again, and it keeps happening.
- The Grovel: A platonic version. Spock begs Kirk to forgive him for almost getting him killed. Kirk reassures him that what happened wasn't his fault.
- How Much Did You Hear?: When Kirk realizes Spock walked in on him getting scolded by Komack, he asks, "How long have you been standing there?" He had tried to keep his disobeyed orders a secret.
- Hurt/Comfort Fic: Kirk and Chapel try to help Spock recover after the ponn farr.
- Insomnia Episode: Spock develops insomnia as a result of the continual nightmares.
- Kids Are Cruel: In a mind-meld, Spock shows Kirk a memory of being taunted by other Vulcan children over his half-blood ancestry.
- Lady, He's, Like, In A Coma: Christine takes advantage of Spock being asleep to sneak a kiss on the cheek, explaining to Kirk that she may never have the chance to do it again.
- Living Emotional Crutch: Spock becomes rather dependent on Kirk's presence during this time. McCoy and Chapel's conversation partway through suggests that this is always the case:"Doctor, what is he going to do if...something ever really does happen to the Captain?" she asked hesitantly.The question hung ominously in the air between them for a moment before McCoy finally managed to answer her."I don't know, Christine. I have my theories...but I'm in no rush to check them out. It's a question Jim and I don't ask, especially after something like this happens; we're afraid to find out the answer."
- Maybe Ever After: At the end, Spock implies to Christine he might consider a romantic relationship with her.
- Not So Stoic: Spock becomes more clingy and has nightmares throughout the fic.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Chapel knows Spock is badly affected by Kirk's absence (at the Altair festivities) when he says he "[has] no objection to [her] presence."
- Pietà Plagiarism: In Spock's nightmare, Christine Chapel holds him after he commits suicide.
- Race Against the Clock: McCoy has to make an antidote to the poison Kirk consumed in 8 hours or he will die. A second race begins when Kirk has an allergic reaction to something in the first antidote.
- Security Cling: Spock leans against Kirk after a nightmare, needing to feel him to make sure it wasn't real.
- Ship Tease: Christine Chapel does everything she can to help Spock recover, and he begins to think about reciprocating her affections.
- Sleep Cute: At one point, Spock falls asleep on Kirk's shoulder.
- Talking Down the Suicidal: Chapel attempts this in Spock's nightmare after she realizes that the Vulcan plans on stabbing himself. She doesn't succeed.
- Title Drop: Spock refers to the bloody recollections which haunt him as "memories born of fire".
- Unbroken Vigil: Spock plants himself next to Kirk until the captain insists he leave to get some rest.
