snowlight: (st - otp)
[personal profile] snowlight
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 [livejournal.com profile] 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: [livejournal.com profile] snowlight and [livejournal.com profile] 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 ([livejournal.com profile] snowlight) & Ligeia ([livejournal.com profile] 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

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 12:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alasse.livejournal.com
Oh, WOW! This was SUCH a great, great beginning! I looooooved how you portrayed Spock, his POV was perfect! And, man, Kirk was awesome - funny and brazen and caring. I also really loved how you set up the alternate George Kirk and Pike connection, that was great.

I cannot wait for more!

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 01:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Kirk was awesome - funny and brazen and caring

We wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Hopefully we will be able to show you the parts where the Spanish comes in.....

JAMES! omg he calls him James.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 01:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] onihime-sama.livejournal.com
I love that, the name had me rolling on the floor squealing.
And the tension betweent them is really kind of beautiful.

MOAR!!! XD

Re: JAMES! omg he calls him James.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 01:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Yeah, in this fic Spock calling Kirk "James" is the equivalent of calling him "Captain" in Starfleet.

But yeah, I do think Spock should call him "James" more often. It's ridiculously hot.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 01:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ayslin.livejournal.com
Why were none of my deacons ever as hot as Spock? I might've kept with the whole church thing if they were...What's that? Hell, you say? Hmm.

Absolutely fantastic. I can't wait for more.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 01:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Hahaha, your icon is perfect for your comment. :D

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 01:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] karadin.livejournal.com
Exciting! Looking forward to more. :D

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 07:30 am (UTC)

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 03:07 am (UTC)
ext_97775: (And hopefully before you get attacked.)
From: [identity profile] renuki.livejournal.com
Very interesting! :D

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 03:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] no-detective.livejournal.com
*bounces*

Alas, I don't read WiPs (been in fandom too long, got my heart broken too many times by unfinished stories) but please know that I am CHEERING THIS FIC ON LIKE IT'S STARDATE 2999!!!!!!!



Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 03:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Hahaha, I totally understand. Actually, I don't read WIPs myself. It's shaping up to be a really, really long story but, oh slash gods willing, we will see the end to it. I haven't been writing with this much discipline in years.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 07:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] no-detective.livejournal.com
Thank you for understanding! For what it's worth, I did rec your story in my freshly posted *GIGANTIC* CATHOLIC AU PICSPAM OF DOOM (seriously, there's like 37 large images here - proceed at own risk) so I'm sure several of my friends will taunt me with IM-ed snippets from your work in the near future.

And yay for discipline atop of inspiration! I shake pompoms in your general direction. GO YOU!!!

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 07:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
(naturally, T is for temptation; or possibly tease, Spock can't always decide).

ROFL!!!!!

Oh, that is worth its weight in gold.

And that whole post. Dear Lord. It's so much win!!! Transfiguration certainly shares some common elements with that, although it's more...church-y and detailed. I mean, it's over 10k already and the boys STILL HAVEN'T even kissed. How I despair. (But there WILL be sex and love and guilt and all that....I promise. Oh and a happy end too.)

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 08:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] no-detective.livejournal.com
If you like that line and might have some use for it, please feel free to snag! No "credit" necessary. ;)

It's clear that you and your co-author are writing this AU the way it's supposed to be done, which is just another reason I'm so excited about it - as I'm a sucker for well-researched and thorough world/culture building in fiction. Of course, the Catholic church is fascinating!

Er, my picspam is really an appeal to anyone with an inkling of a religious fetish - or sense of irreverent humor because that often works too - or just some love for the plain old cliches (confessionals, priests in gay bars, you name it) - who might turn out to get inspired and write a snippet or two, exploring the canonical K/S dynamic and tension in this fantastically parallel AU 'verse. The tropes mirror each other in such a beautiful way!

Anyway. It takes a lot of words to get a priest to kiss another guy, so I have full confidence in your work. :D

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 08:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
'm a sucker for well-researched and thorough world/culture building in fiction.

Personally, that's why I haven't written AUs in a long time. When it's being done it needs to be done right, and I'm just too lazy. But this time around I actually went as far as ordering The Catholic Priest Today DVD for writing this—was not really helpful, btw. Taking notes (and crying all the while) in libraries, visiting churches...basically, this fic has gobbled up a big part of my life.

I might use that quote about the T, with credits and all! Spock in this fic is probably too proper to think that way, but I'm sure I can fit it in somewhere without it being odd.

*goes back to stare at the pics some more....Jim Kirk in a church...hmmm.....*
Edited Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 08:27 am (UTC)

Date: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 06:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] no-detective.livejournal.com
Oh, my dear. Crying? *hugs* Maybe you should have rented The Priest as well, to lift your, ah, writerly spirits in a manner of speaking. :)

You've probably seen this, but just in case you haven't and might find it useful - or hey, perhaps just encouraging in your work - here's a rather lovely quote from ZQ about his character in Laying on of Hands:

"I play Jesse, a gay priest, which from my experience has always been sort of a contradiction in terms but what I've come to realize from working on this play is that sometimes the people who go against the dictates of the Catholic Church are often the most strongly spiritual people around. And so you're dealing with the actual religion and the sort of political structure of the Catholic Church as well as you are dealing with the spiritual life of these people who are sort of questioning who they are."

And if you need a quick pick-me-up, there's always the Outtakes clip from Confessions - including Chris Pine's improvised, uh, attempt at gay seduction at the seminary (it's here, 3 minutes in).

Hey, I may be useless when it comes to knowledge of the Catholic Church, but I sure have a full arsenal of other research. :D
Edited Date: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 06:48 am (UTC)

Date: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 07:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Eh, my whole deal with crying in situation such as this is weird. It's a way to express emotion and does not leave me depressed. So I assure you my spirit is in a fine state, ESPECIALLY AFTER that Outtakes clip. I mean, OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!! And did I say OH MY GOD??? Because, OMGCHRISPINE!!!!! It's clearly illegal, how hot/cute that boy is.

And ZQ as a gay Catholic priest.../sob Dammit, why do I always miss out on stuff like that??

PS: Writing is at 12k now. Still no light at the end of the tunnel.

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 05:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] no-detective.livejournal.com
Gotcha - makes sense, actually. And OMG YES, Chris Pine is entirely too awesome for this PLANET. (So is ZQ, whose performance really should have been taped for posterity and, uh, research. Darnit!)

Also, here's hoping that this is just the darkest-before-dawn lack of light, as opposed to "did the slash muse forget to pay the electric bill?" kind. I mean, even the Vatican thinks priests are sexy. :D

Date: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 11:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] buoy.livejournal.com
And if you need a quick pick-me-up, there's always the Outtakes clip from Confessions - including Chris Pine's improvised, uh, attempt at gay seduction at the seminary (it's here, 3 minutes in).

This video just killed me, btw.

KILLED ME

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 05:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] no-detective.livejournal.com
*resuscitates you*

*is out of smelling salts, so uses a few priest!Spock manips instead*

Um. Better? Or... did I just make things worse?

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 05:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Great job killing off BOTH authors.

This thing will never get finished now, I tell you. Never.

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 07:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] no-detective.livejournal.com
*cries FOREVER*

Hey, not my fault that people liked the idea and started making relevant artwork!

But yes, it's best that I leave you two to your work and stop with these distractions. (Speaking of, your icon... *sigh*) And if you ever feel like getting distracted for a bit, you know where to find me. :)

Good luck with the story!

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 07:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rendolent.livejournal.com
This is so exciting. I love how you describe Kirk, with sunshine . Sometimes I think it is hard to get the characterization right in an AU as different as this one, but everyone is perfect.
And the tension between Spock and Kirk! Gah I love already.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 07:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Thank you! Characterization always tends to be a big issue with AUs because we lose a lot of the grounding details that exist in the canon (pointy ears, Vulcan pinch, Jim's chair...). If we can make the readers go "Ha, that is SO Spock (or Kirk)!!!", I think that's a great thing.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 07:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maggie2mw.livejournal.com
I love AUs, and this sounds like a start to an amazing story!

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 09:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ninety6tears.livejournal.com
this is gonna be awesome.

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 12:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Heh. I hope so, certainly.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 09:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] illariy.livejournal.com
Read and enjoyed so far. :-) I like Pike as Spock's mentor and the one who routinely adopts "stray kids" &ndash maps well on his role in the film. ;-) I'm curious to see where you're going with this.

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 10:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Thanks! I've always wanted to write Pike but never got the chance to for some reason, so I'm having a good time exploring his characterization here. (I'm thinking about the TOS Pike/Spock relationship and, of course, the XI Pike/Kirk relationship.)

I'm curious to see where you're going with this.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire! :P

Date: Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 03:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kataren.livejournal.com
Intriguing, looking forward to more. :)

Date: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 11:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] captanddeastar.livejournal.com
DO WANT.

Seriously, this is the best. I love your research, I love your characterization, I do not think I can go on with my life until this story is finished! Good for you for taking on so much research, and such a daunting task - I can already tell it's going to pay off so beautifully!

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 12:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Thank you. ^_^ I hope the result is something both us the writers and the readers will enjoy. Just posted Chapter II actually. Happy reading!
Edited Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 12:08 am (UTC)

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 05:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jeanquirieplus.livejournal.com
I'm really digging this AU! It works well within the structure of the characters. I guess the military and the church really aren't that far from each other.

One thing, though. While the terms "reverend" and "pastor" are technically okay to use for catholic priests, the are never used together. We never say "the reverend pastor" for a parish priest. That's a protestant thing. Unless your parish does, in which case my apologies. But I've never heard a Catholic priest called a pastor. That's like...southern baptist. We'll say rector instead of priest to switch it up.

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 05:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
I guess the military and the church really aren't that far from each other.

Oh I didn't even think of it like that, but now that you mentioned it....

Regarding Pastor vs. Rector:

1. [livejournal.com profile] buoy and I aren't actually, um, Catholic. Or Christian for that matter. Basically we are replying on research, our classical education and the good will of people like you to debug this whole setup.

2. I had actually referred to Pike as Rector (and yes, I did think Pastor sounded Southern Baptist, lol) previously. But when I mentioned that, everybody replied that the head Catholic priest is referred to as the Pastor, and they'd never heard of the term rector. So I figured "rector" is like one of those terms that exists but you never see outside of official documents. I mean personally I actually prefer the term Rector, because of the term rectory. But yeah...I'm kinda confused now. Maybe it's a soda vs. pop thing, depending on where you live?

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback very much. Thank you for taking the time to point that out.
Edited Date: Friday, July 24th, 2009 04:31 am (UTC)

Date: Friday, July 24th, 2009 05:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jeanquirieplus.livejournal.com
1. Lol, well welcome to the craziness, if only for the purpose of research...

2. That's quite possible. While I've never, ever heard a Catholic priest referred to as a pastor, I'm not an American Catholic and American Catholics are very old fashioned. So it's possible they use different appellations. In France, a "pasteur" is a purely protestant thing unless you're talking about germ theory.

I noticed that you asked about living accommodations- it's very common for priests to live onsite, in an apartment adjoining the church. Usually with a very severe older woman, who cooks/terrorizes the children. But I don't know about New York. I'm available, along with the rest of your Roman Catholic faq posse, to answer any other questions. We've got loads of priests in the immediate family, and a few nuns too (Breton family, don't ask, bit like French Irish people). I'll Catholic-pick if you need someone to do it. ambeatley AT gmail DOT com

Date: Saturday, July 25th, 2009 04:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snowlight.livejournal.com
Oh thank you! That's very very kind of you. I'll shoot you an email if things come up (and I'm pretty sure they will). :D

Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 06:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tininess.livejournal.com
The premise is so interesting. And yeah the opening scene is A+.

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