Cover Up
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Cover Up |
| Author(s): | Kay Wells |
| Date(s): | 1991 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
| Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Cover Up is a Kirk/Spock story by Kay Wells.
It was published in the print zine First Time #31.
Summary
"Kirk is on a stakeout with a fellow captain for a Romulan spy when the man tries to seduce him-something he had tried years before without success."
Was a Plagiarzation of "Breaking Cover"
In early 1992, it was revealed that the ironically titled "Cover Up" was plagiarized from a Pros story by Ellis Ward called Breaking Cover.
Wells had copied the exact plot and, in fact, had lifted entire paragraphs from Ward's story.
See much more at Plagiarism: "Breaking Cover" and "Cover Up".
Reactions and Reviews to the Fiction Itself
1992
Kay's stories are always good! This is no exception. I liked the way she had a 3rd man worked into the story. He wasn't a real attraction to either of 'our' men, yet he certainly stirs things up. Her love scene was very well done, too. Enough sweetness and action to tantalize, then let the reader imagine as she will. Very pleasing. [1]
Have I ever read a scene where Kirk was seduced by another man — or where such a seduction was at least skillfully attempted? A very real possibility seldom explored. Interesting. I found it thoroughly believable that Kirk would reject advances from a male that would have had far different results when offered by a woman... and not because of revulsion or prejudice. Very refreshing was the honest, adult way Kirk and Spock both dealt with their feelings for each other: with acceptance and just the right amount of sadness (not the self-punishing variety). [2]
I liked this story altogether.
The only thing I didn't like so much was one of Kirk's sentences (on page 9) "Better is having your first officer still alive, Tom."). I don't think Kirk would use such a low sentence, even if he is very annoyed and all mixed up. But this is only an unimportant quibble of mine.
I liked the rest of the story very much. And I even liked the character of Tom Galen. One could feel sorry for him. He wanted to repress the death of his first officer and lover with illusions. It was bound to go wrong. I liked the way in which Tom Galen tried to seduce Kirk. Whenever I try to picture the faces of Chekov, Kirk, and Galen as Chekov catches Galen at one of his attempts to seduce Kirk, I have to giggle.
But the best of the story was the interplay between Kirk and Spock. First both were too careful to speak about their feelings and at the end then the confrontation. Spock takes the risk, and both discover that they want the same.
I definitely like happy endings. [3]
A very strong friendship was depicted by Kirk comforting Spock after a nightmare. Having Spock bi/gay so chat Kirk is inclined to contemplate such with regard to himself, was effective. Galen "baiting" Kirk about sex with a man, with Spock, was hot. Galen coming on to Kirk. Spock finding out and getting very possessive: I might say I could like Spock that way. but don't necessarily think it "realistic." Good sex. Lovely, perfect acknowledgement of their love. [4]
Kay Wells comes good yet again with a very good piece about a third party opening up all the possibilities -- I love jealousy stories and this one is great. [5]
1993
Kirk meets with a former acquaintance who is also a starship captain. Over a chess game the man. Tom Galen, describes to Kirk what he thinks sex would be like with Spock. Galen had recently lost his own First Officer (who had also been his lover and died from an assassin's bullet. He had literally died in Galen's arms, we learn later) and Kirk, in an attempt, I guess, to hide his own feelings about Spock says to Galen: "Better is having your first officer stay alive, Tom."
I'm sorry, but Kirk may be many things. He may be arrogant or vain, unthinking or distracted. But he is not mean. Somehow, it was not set up enough to explain why Kirk would say such a thing. Then, again, it didn't seem to bother Galen, who continued to pursue Kirk's attentions Also, the character of Galen was not developed enough to understand him.
Kirk goes on a mission to capture the Romulan spy who was responsible for the murder of Galen's first officer and lover. Which is a good idea, but again, not developed enough.
Some confusing things such as why, considering their completely unspoken feelings for each other, did Kirk come into Spock's cabin and fall asleep? And why did Spock think nothing of it?
Then it's explained that Chekov is a "newly promoted" officer, so how is it that he's completely familiar with all the rumors of Kirk and Spock? But even more importantly, why did he find it necessary to tell Spock about seeing Kirk and Galen kissing?
But then, but then, but then... there's a passionate, exciting, erotic, stimulating (what else? Let's see...) great sexy scene where Spock decides to take a stand and "stake his claim" so to speak. Spock comes to Kirk's cabin, rips his shirt off and presses him against the bulkhead and kisses him... oh boy! Was that ever good!
But then... rats! Cut to the waves crashing on the rocks. However. it was a nice, loving ending of their declaring their love for each other.
But do they have to tell Scotty? [6]
2000
One must admit, almost every contrivance known to man and Vulcan has been used to get Kirk and Spock together—really together. Yet here is something with enough difference to make it new again.
Another starship captain, teamed with Kirk on a mission, keeps making passes. They were very realistic passes, I thought. Neither Kirk nor I can figure if it’s loneliness because this guy has lost his 1st officer/lover or just lust. But it does work...makes Kirk take the final step with Spock!
On the way, though, there was a fresh approach. Kind of had a gritty realism. There was one rough spot, however. When the other captain is telling Kirk how good it can be with another man, “nothing better”, Kirk responds by saying “a live first officer is better”. That’s way below the belt and totally out of character, I felt, to show Kirk this deliberately cruel. The coming together ~PUN!~ boy, was it worth the wait! Incredibly sexy. [7]
References
- ^ from The LOC Connection #38
- ^ from The LOC Connection #38
- ^ from The LOC Connection #42
- ^ from The LOC Connection #43
- ^ from The LOC Connection #45
- ^ from The LOC Connection #59 (1993)
- ^ from The K/S Press #44