Spapel

Spapel is the het ship between Christine Chapel and Spock from the Star Trek fandom.

The Original Series
Throughout the series, Christine Chapel has unrequited feelings for Spock. She openly proclaims her love to him whilst under intoxication of a contagion that removes human inhibition.

Season 1
FIRST MEETING

On the USS Enterprise, Nurse Chapel first appears on civilian exchange from the Stanford Morehouse Epigenetic Project. Spock, already an established officer, meets Christine Chapel for the first time in Sickbay in preparation for the upcoming mission. Chapel administers a temporary genome change to the landing party, immediately looks to Spock and somewhat flirtatiously says “you first”.

CHILDREN OF THE COMET

Prior to a new mission, Chapel injects the crew with a slightly painful but essential treatment for landing. She saves Spock for last and asks him if he’s ready, a question she didn’t ask anyone else.

Side-eyeing Chapel and Spock, the exchange garners Lieutenant Uhura's attention as she recognizes Chapel’s obvious flirtations.

SPOCK AMOK In the lounge, Christine ditches her date at the sight of Spock and uses the excuse she needs to "check on her friend". Further developing their friendship, Spock and Chapel chat together for a while. Spock confides in Chapel regarding his troubles with fiancée T’Pring and Chapel gives him some much needed relationship advice. Spock struggles to get the point and Chapel cheekily smacks him on the head. He states the slap is “not a human gesture I am familiar with” and Chapel responds, “It’s designed to break old habits.” They continue to bond and share anecdotes about their life. Spock tells Chapel about his nightmares. At the end of their conversation, Spock thanks her for the advice and says she does not need to hesitate to ask him anything in return. Chapel says:

Taking Chapel’s advice, Spock suggests a ritual to bring himself and T'Pring closer. However, Spock and T’Pring accidentally swap bodies in the process. Outside of the Enterprise, Spock seeks Chapel’s help once again but this time for a medical solution to his predicament. Chapel advises Spock to continue as T’Pring and do her job while T’Pring does his, as it's a great opportunity for them to better understand one another and strengthen their relationship. Spock agrees and spends the day as T'Pring.

Attending a meeting with wanted Vulcan criminal, Barjan, Chapel acts as T’Pring/Spock's representative human ally and colleague. Barjan continually insults T’Pring, Spock and Chapel as he is clearly prejudiced against humans. Chapel defends Spock, ''“I work with Spock. He’s twice the Vulcan you are” and T’Pring/Spock warns Barjan, “I would caution you to stop insulting my companion”''. Spock, fed up with Barjan’s insults toward Christine, punches Barjan to the ground.

By the end of the day, M’Benga and Chapel return T’Pring and Spock to their respective bodies. Nurse Chapel and Spock are alone together in Sickbay.

THE SERENE SQUALL

Spock and Chapel walk the corridors together but Spock’s mind is elsewhere. Chapel exclaims, “Earth to Spock!” and Spock apologizes, admitting he’s distracted. He explains he's in need of a friend to discuss a current challenge he is facing in his relationship with T’Pring – T’Prings desire to explore Spock's human sexuality.

Later, Enterprise is taken over by pirates, led by Captain Angel who is attempting to blackmail T’Pring into handing over a prisoner in exchange for Spock’s life. However, T’Pring wishes to not engage in negotiations and denies her request and Angel shoots Spock. Chapel runs to him immediately, shouting “Spock!”. Spock is seemingly fine as Chapel briefly looks him over. Spock, reacting quickly, quietly tells Christine, “I apologize in advance for any liberties I take… Please follow my lead.” Spock, in front of the crew, proclaims to T’Pring, ''“I have been giving in to my human side. More so than I wish to admit. I cannot deny the emotions within me any longer… Nurse Chapel and I…” Nurse Chapel realizes what he's doing and interjects, “He’s trying to tell you that we’re having an affair… We’re in love. I’m sorry.” ''Spock grabs Chapel and turns her towards him. They embrace and kiss rather convincingly, briefly looking at one another afterward. T’Pring immediately calls off the engagement and leaves, thwarting Capt. Angel’s plans.

Thereafter, T’Pring visits Spock, understanding the ruse and says, “I never actually believed you could have feelings for Nurse Chapel.”Spock sighs, ''“of course not.” '' Spock meets with Chapel in Sickbay to discuss earlier events:

ALL THOSE WHO WANDER

On a rather dangerous mission, Chapel and Spock converse alone:

After defeating the enemy but losing a special colleague, Hemmer, Spock and Chapel share a glance during the funeral. Spock appears to be holding back anger and clenches his fists. Overcome, Spock leaves the room and Chapel follows him. Spock is seen punching a wall and Chapel calls to him. He tells her not to follow him but she does anyway. Chapel tries to approach and get Spock to talk. He yells, “I’m warning you, back off!”. As Chapel grabs for him, he lashes out and grips her wrist. He stops and Chapel pleads for Spock to explain what’s going on with him. Spock expresses he’s feeling out of control - he’s let out his rage and pain. Spock believes it’s made him weak.

Nurse Chapel places both hands on Spock’s neck and sincerely tells him, ''“It doesn’t make you weak, Spock. It makes you human.”'' Christine hugs Spock and he embraces her back. In this moment, he’s relieved of his anger. Then, they look up at each other closely but Spock quickly turns and walks away.

Moments
Children of the Comet
 * Whilst the crew is together and exchanging embarrassing stories, Spock says “I’ve never understood the human inclination to laugh at others’ misfortune. It feels… impolite.” Chapel Looks at Spock and laughs “That’s why it’s funny.” and he replies “Because it breaks a social expectation?” 

Spock Amok
 * Chapel assists M’Benga in returning Spock and T’Pring to their own bodies.

The Serene Squall
 * Spock and Chapel sit next to each other during a dinner briefing.
 * Chapel is alone, hiding in Engineering when Spock appears with Capt. Angel. They see each other as they raise their weapons. In relief, Chapel exclaims she’s “happy to see you, too.” They are both taken by Capt. Angel after they realize she has infiltrated the ship.

A Quality of Mercy
 * A peak into an alternate future, Christine is seen tending to a critically injured Spock. She is emotional and unsure if he will survive.

Backstage
"When Chapel first comes across Spock, she's just a flirty person, that's how she interacts with people and I think she's interested in him as a science subject as well, you know, he's a hybrid and that's really interesting... and he's also kind of a hot snack. So she's like, "Bingo, this is awesome". She doesn't really see beyond that. It's just kind of like, "I know how to get under this guy's skin. This is fun. He's hot, let's talk." But I think it kind of catches her off guard when this beautiful friendship develops between them. I think that one thing about Chapel is that she’s been through a bit in the way of human relationships in the past and so, she’s a bit bruised in that respect and she finds it hard to trust people, really. She keeps people at a distance. She has one-night stands. She plays around like that but doesn’t really get involved. I think Spock’s candor and his honesty really disarm her and make her feel really safe. Spock is coming to terms with his humanness, his humanity and she really revels in that, in her humanity. So, she can kind of offer guidance in that respect. So, this beautiful symbiotic friendship that’s really precious and really earnest develops. I think it kind of, from Chapel’s point of view, starts to kind of get confusing in that respect, where she’s like, “Oh no, I don’t want anything to do with this guy, but oh, he’s actually making me feel really safe. But also he’s engaged and, oh, this is weird. How does this work professionally?” She's got a really strong moral compass as well. She knows he’s in a relationship. She's like, “we’re not doing this. Don’t make this hard. Don’t make it messy. Let’s just, you know…” I think she just kind of keeps herself, her feelings, under control and tells Spock to keep his under control because it’s just not gonna work."
 * Ethan Peck, who plays Spock on Strange New Worlds posted a photo of himself and Jess Bush (Chapel) with a caption including the hashtags #Chock and #Spapel. Jess also posted the photo.
 * Jess Bush posted a photo of herself, Ethan Peck and Celia Rose Gooding on Instagram with the caption “That’s a wrap on season 2... love always from a sleepy Spappura”

- Jess Bush

"He finds that human inspiration and permission, I think firstly, in Captain Pike and then in Season 2 of Discovery in Michael Burnham. And now, at a different angle, a romantic one, with Nurse Chapel…I think Jess brings this sort of sparkling and electric impulsiveness to Nurse Chapel that makes her so wonderful and fun to watch and I think makes Spock so curious and fascinated."

- Ethan Peck on Spock's humanity

Fanon
On AO3, Chapel/Spock is the most written ship for Christine Chapel and the sixth for Spock. However, due to the expanding story in Strange New Worlds, new interest in Spapel is increasing and has become the second most written ship in the Strange New Worlds (TV) tag.

Fandom
FANFICTION
 * Spock/Chapel stories on FanFiction.Net
 * Spock/Chapel stories on FanFiction.Net

WIKIS

Gallery

 * the original series