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FANTASY'S FIRE - Judith Coventry

The wide grin lit up Kirk's face. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Mister Spock, but that sounds like a roundabout way of saying you love me, too."

The only sign of Vulcan nervousness was an almost imperceptible hard swallow, but as usual, Kirk didn't miss it. "I . . . . " Spock cleared his throat.

THE PUZZLE - Karla Kelly

Spock sighed as the Argar stepped off the transporter platform. The look she had given the captain on first seeing him was unmistakable. Unable to see Kirk's answering glance, Spock could only assume history would repeat itself and that a physical joining between the two were inevitable. Hiding the pain that situation always caused behind his Vulcan demeanor, Spock politely followed the captain and Argar Gui from the room.

HUMBUG - Elizabeth Kay, Lynn Thomas

James Kirk pressed his face against the bark of a rough-hewn tree limb, gasping for breath.

His copper- brown hair in a tangle, falling into his eyes. He fought to banish the nightmare. It had plagued him for weeks on end, and now it seemed to grow and haunt his waking hours as well.

MEASURE OF FRIENDSHIP - Penny Wise

"It's amazing how much we take for granted in friendships," McCoy drawled as they chatted comfortably in his quarters. "Expectations and assumptions we would never think to make of strangers of even just acquaintances. Take you and your assumptions about Spock, Jim."

THE OLDEST STORY - Anne McClean

"Would you care to order another refreshment, gentlemen?" With perfect obsequiousness, the most experienced waiter employed by the Andor Palace hovered nervously over the table at which the two Starfleet officers were seated, attempting to disguise his profound wish that he had not been the one to draw this task.

CATNIP - Telana Wells

The tall Vulcan picked up his tray from the serving line and turned, relieved that no one seemed to notice his hesitation. His usual seat was unoccupied and available, and his usual dinner companions were already seated. Therein lay the reason for his indecision.

ANIMAL PASSION - Ellen O'Neil

"Of course," McCoy mischievously added, pitching his voice low, "even the stud I used to be was never the stud some people are now." He poked Kirk in the ribs with a friendly elbow.

Kirk smiled at the teasing, then darted an uncomfortable look at Spock.

THE SUMMONS - Emily Adams

Standing just beyond the door's sensors, Kirk scanned the room. Nostalgia washed over him as he took in the large lecture hall, empty now except for a slim figure bent over a table at the front gathering papers. How often had he entered this same room, arms filled with books and papers, mind overflowing with the now trivial facts of his schooling? He put the bittersweet memories aside and stepped further into the room.

POETRY

COVERS

ART

September 1991