Intermezzo

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Intermezzo
Author(s):	Mary Suskind Lansing
Date(s):	1986
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:	at AO3
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Intermezzo is a Kirk/Spock story by Mary Suskind Lansing. It has art by Pat Cash and Caren Parnes.

It was published in Nome #9.

Summary

"AU. After Spockʼs death and the destruction of the Genesis planet, Kirk takes McCoy to Vulcan to release Spockʼs katra."

"Alternate sequel to ST:TWOK. Kirk stands vigil over McCoy as they prepare for the Fal Tor Pan ceremony which will inter Spock's katra on Vulcan. The katra will remain there until Kirk lives out his life and his spirit joins with Spock's"

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  art by Caren Parnes

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  art by Pat Cash

Reactions and Reviews

INTERMEZZO by Mary [Suskind Lansing] is the lead-off story, and if it doesn't rend your heart you're an android. A beautiful story, well-written.

"Intermezzo" — Perhaps the problem is that I simply didn't care for the subject matter, but I found this story very-bland. Nothing really happened.

"Intermezzo"-Mary [Suskind Lansing] is a fine writer. Knowing there was to be a menage a trois story in NOME 9, I at first thought it was going to be this one. It's an interesting "what if" story, but I disagree with how it progressed; i.e., that Kirk would stay there on Vulcan. I don't think Spock would have allowed that, especially since he had just earlier pointed out that commanding a starship was Kirk's "first, best destiny." Other than that, everyone was "in character."

I'm sitting here before the typewriter with a light glaze of tears in my eyes, touched by the mark of an effective story. Said story: INTERMEZZO by Mary [Suskind Lansing].

This is a story that's been told numerous times and still manages to be refreshing, different, extremely well written and, most important, forms a warm, soft spot in the middle of your chest that makes you want a cup of hot chocolate and your old teddy bear. I suppose that after the previous sentence I really could say that this review is finished, but I feel like reiterating. INTERMEZZO is an instance where a story doesn't make me want to take a red pencil to it and change awkward words, rearrange paragraphs and scratch my head "in puzzlement as to how in the hell so-in-so got there, while such and such went there. All ends are tied up, questions answered at just the right moment when you were beginning to panic. It was a real treat to simply read and enjoy the flow of the well-plotted plot. There are memorable lines as well, which doesn't always happen. For instance, "A game of dominance played on a field where each player wins". "I came to you empty of feelings and alone. I came away with the ability to love someone." Each sentence in the context of the story, while not flowery, paints a vision in my mind, and as it races ahead of the story, my stomach muscles tightened in anticipation of the possibility of — gasp! — the story that would give me the sweet cry. INTERMEZZO is a success, whether or not anyone likes it or even reads it. The reason? Because I enjoyed it. That's not ego. I am the reader in this point in time. Alone when I read my K/S, no one present but Kirk and Spock and a flurry of emotions that tingle through me. Not even the author is visible. It's a present for me! And believe me, I appreciate it. INTERMEZZO was offered to me, for me. Above all else, INTERMEZZO left me with the proverbial ray of hope and the sweet, loving, end of Kirk's long, long wait and then just as I was searching for the elusive teddy, smiling and teary-eyed, I re-read the last line: intrigued and blinded by the final colorful vision that Ms. [Suskind Lansing] oh, so gently strokes across the last page — a reconsideration, new dimensions, and, knowing our boy Kirk, a totally happy ending.

INTERMEZZO is well worth the effort of lifting the unreduced zine. I've not read any of Ms. [Suskind Lansing]'s stories, but if this is the norm, then I shall begin taking note.