The Lover Within (Star Trek: TOS story by Brigitte Whelan)

Also see The Lover Within for similar titles.

Fanfiction
Title:	The Lover Within
Author(s):	Brigitte Whelan
Date(s):	2001
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Lover Within is a K/S story by Brigitte Whelan in the zine Within the Mirror #14.

Summary

"While split by the transporter, both Kirkʼs reveal their love for Spock in very different ways."

Reactions and Reviews

I'm not usually a fan of Mirror stories. Generally I find them too violent for my taste. It is difficult to portray what I see as the essence of the Mirror universe, i.e. a place where one must be strong and ruthless enough to survive, yet gentle enough to be capable of love and tenderness, for without love what is the purpose of survival in any universe?It seems to me that the Mirror universe, by itself, offers the duality found in The Enemy Within on a daily basis.

This forty-page story finds just that place of balance between the two extremes. I dont think I've ever read a Mirror story exploring this theme where the characterizations have struck me as being so very right before. Though told strictly from Spock's POV, Kirk's "wolf and "lamb" as well as his fully integrated self emerge as distinct, and fully realized. This is tricky stuff. The Mirror "wolf" Kirk must be harsher than the usually harsh Mirror Kirk to distinguish between them. Ms. Whelan accomplishes this by showing us a Kirk that is so far out of control, so far beyond even minimally rational actions that the reader is never in doubt as to which character is being portrayed. While the "lamb" Kirk is too weak to survive, the "wolf" Kirk is equally too irrational to survive.

Although Spock is drawn to different aspects of both the "wolf and "lamb" Kirk, he is very much "a man of integrity" in this universe as well; he wants his captain back, whole and integrated once more. This Spock is more wary, certainly. Less vulnerable, definitely. Equally careful about what he permits himself to feel.

The sex scenes are particularly well done. Spock is seduced by both Kirks, penetrating one and being penetrated by the other, but what he really desires is a Kirk that can be both strong and loving at the same time. And boy, are these scenes hot! I definitely give this story the Shelley Butler Thrash on the Carpet Award.

I understand this is a new author. If this is an example of what she can do first time out, I anticipate her next story with great pleasure. I will surely be on the lookout for her name.

A wonderful Miriror version of "The Enemy Within" episode of the wolf and the lamb Kirk.

I'm not sure if I've ever read a mirror-version of the wolf/lamb before, but this is certainly a definitive version.

Basically, similar circumstances as in the episode precipitate Kirk's personality split—but here, the Wolf Kirk is really, really bad and the lamb Kirk is really good but only in contrast to how really bad the universe is anyway. So the Lamb Kirk really stands out.

Spock has always been secretly attracted to Kirk anyway, and he completely caves in when faced with a sweet, needy Kirk pleading for sex. Who wouldn't cave in? Except in a lesser author's hands, this might be a tad abrupt and uncalled for. But this author makes the quick-to-happen sex very plausible.

And boy! Does it ever happen. When the Lamb Kirk begs: Take me" and "Spock, now, please", I dare you not to thrash on the carpet.

But wait there's more!

Our busy Vulcan gets all seduced by the Wolf Kirk next. And obviously this is more violent, but when Wolf Kirk says: "Only I can touch you. You can only come when I let you." I double-dog-dare you not to thrash on the carpet.

I really enjoyed Spock's continuing dilemma of dealing withthese two sides of Kirk—warring with his attraction to them and his need to be with the "real" Kirk.

Another terrific story in this Mirror zine.