Mirrored Passion Redux

Fanfiction
Title:	Mirrored Passion Redux
Author(s):	Shelley Butler
Date(s):	1993
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Mirrored Passion Redux is a Kirk/Spock story by Shelley Butler.

It was published in the print zine Otherwhere/Otherwhen #3.

Summary

"A/U: The transfer to the M/U lasts 3 days and in that time both Spock and Kirk believe that they have fallen in love with each otherʼs counterparts."

First a Short Story, Then a Longer One

This story is an expansion of a story that was originally printed in Naked Times #26.

In August 1993, Alexis Fegan Black wrote:

There are definite differences between novels and short stories — differences writers most definitely need to be aware of. My personal rule of thumb is that any short story can be turned into a novel. But not any novel can be turned into a short story.

For example, when Shelley Butler first sent me her short story, Mirrored Passion [for my zine Naked Times #26], my first response was, "This can be a wonderful novel." Ah, but it was also a wonderful short story. Shelley was able to do what many writers can't — which is that she was able to condense down the core idea and compress it into short story form. But, to my delight, when I asked her if she'd write the novel and she agreed, the novel, Mirrored Passion Redux turned out to be all I had hoped for. In the short story, Shelley showed us what happened.

In the novel, she expanded on the idea to show us more of how it happened, the background on the characters and their reaction to the events, and how it would ultimately not only change their lives, but would even change Empires and Federations. The idea was such that it could be both, which is my point about short stories.

Reactions and Reviews

1993

After I finished this story, my feeling was that this is my new personal view of the Mirror universe. Besides lots of inspired and/or gorgeous images - too many to mention - and much poetic vividness, there is also some beautiful simplicity, crystal clear images. Being succinct making them very powerful. A wonderful sense of immediacy, drama or tension that draws the reader in, right now. I don't know that the prologue really enhanced the story. This is not a well-founded opinion, just a feeling. I guess some authors like to give us a hint beforehand that we should expect something major later on, and I don't have any problem with this. But in this case, I'm not sure that the character who was introduced in the prologue was actually major to the story. He was an interesting character and I liked him for the part he played in bringing Kirk and Spock together, but I don't know that he rated being the star of the preview.

In the Mirror universe, M-Spock pondering the irresistible aura of vulnerability in our Kirk; and Kirk feels sizzling-somethings just meeting M-Spock's eyes. Ah... Kirk goes to his cabin and finds the Captain's Lover; a man in his bed-Mars Morrow. I love that name, Mars! Kirk does not succumb; realizes the only man who he could love is Spock...

I would have liked to have been shown more the depth of feeling Mars has for Kirk and the point... it comes up how much he wants Kirk, the to point of war to kill the counterpart Kirk.

Switch to our universe: Mirror Kirk thinks his Spock arranged all these subtle changes to drive him mad — great idea! He does not yet realize he himself is in an alternate universe and is treating this Spock as if he is the Spock he knows but yet does not have a good fix on: he is taunting Spock. seducing.

Back to M-universe. Kirk wants to give in to M-Spock. M-Spock wants Kirk, as he cant have his own Kirk. They meld: finally succumb to desire. Good sex scene! (Did M-Spock learn who Kirk really is in that meld?) Kirk thinks of actually staying in M-universe with M-Spock The switching back and both was absolutely necessary, integral to the story, I know; but because of this I felt some impact was lost in the natural confusion of parallels. Rather than the impact being doubled by two sets of Kirk-and-Spock, it seems it was lessened. Otherwise. I love how it's mirrored. All four want it, each two in their own ways; and the other universe is appealing to each landing party in different ways.

A wonderful, tense action scene: Sulu tries to kill Kirk and Spock - Chekov kills Sulu - Chekov fucks Kirk - Mars saves them - Mars kills Chekov Kirk and Spock naked, trying to fight or reason. I loved Mars' part in it. and also was glad Chekov and Sulu got killed off.

Back in our universe. M-Kirk and Spock fuck - nice, nice, nice. (How did Spock get his hands on Kirk's face in the position they were in?) Spock seems suddenly different here, but without us having his thoughts so we would understand why.

And then M-Kirk is leaving our universe. Beautiful passage, what they each got from the other. Very fine mind-meld. The arousal of passion unequaled in the physical world. Yesl Kirk comes back home changed, haunted by his experience with M-Spock. I love this scenario, that Kirk and Spock each had loved the other Spock and Kirk, and now have to deal with each other here at home.

I liked very much the italicized wildly erotic scenes underneath the polite greetings and ship's business!!

And the plot thickens... The singer Erik Joachim, straying in an old ship too close to Neutral Zone, comes on board. Exquisite words) Wonderful music description! He gives a concert; his voice is enslaving.

This author often has things that stretch our concepts of consciousness, that have the characters outside of 'normal' mental realms. I like that.

Of course I wondered who Erik really was, knowing he's up to no good, but not knowing just what he wants. This was a good mystery but not one of those unnecessary ones. Just the right amount of wondering, until it is revealed to us.

He's from the Mirror Universal He killed his counterpart here so he could stay here. Excellent explanation of his voice, its power, how he has learned to use it.

His monologue-tale is a little too linear or coherently told. Or, I wondered why he was telling Kirk and Spock the whole story so willingly. But an excellent story!

Spock despises M-Spock, because he has both Kirks. And Kirk ends up despising Spock for protecting him from Erik's music, because Kirk wants the seduction of it. Very intense here, especially Spock's guilt and passion. Sometimes Kirk feels not totally convincing in his hatred of Spock; but then, he is not in his right mind.

I never exactly knew what Erik really wanted from Kirk and Spock, although it was good the way they were all playing against each other (everyone starts wanting their counterparts killed or trying to convince everyone else they should kill their counterparts so everyone can have who they want) up until the satisfying conclusion...

I felt it somewhat a stretch to believe when Mars kills himself.

I like 'bi-universal."

Nit-picking: "The world" pierced by a sword. "The" world implies there's only one. Should be a world.

This was a satisfying reading experience - language I loved and intensity I savored.

1994

I have to preface this review by saying I'm not a big fan of Mirror stories. Although I can see the appeal for some of these characters-after all Spock is VERY sexy with a beard- the Spock that would inflict an agonizer on a fellow being is not the Spock I have admired, and well...loved for all these years. Yet this story has some very interesting elements. First, this author writes extremely vividly. Her characters, Eric Joachim, the singer who captivates and enslaves audiences for one, are well-drawn and fascinating people. (He reminds me of the main character in Orson Scott Card's excellent science-fiction novel THE SONG BIRD.) Secondly, Shelley will never be accused of writing bland sex scenes. They positively sizzle!! One problem I had: Kirk falls so in love with the Mirror Spock he regrets returning to "our universe. This doesn't quite ring true to me. To quote Paul Newman, on his relationship with his wife and whether he was ever tempted to infidelity: "Why go out for hamburger when you can have steak at home?" OUR Spock is definitely "steak at home".

This is a repeat of a story in NT 20 with a third character thrown in to extend it. It's somewhat choppy as a result. I would rather have read the third character story as a separate story because I lost some motivation of the characters in the transition. Erick's mind control through his singing and, apparently, telepathy should have been explained a little more, especially the long lasting effects, In the au, someone like Erick would already be ruling somewhere.