Untouched (Star Trek: TOS story)
Fanfiction | |
---|---|
Title: | Untouched |
Author(s): | Shelley Butler |
Date(s): | 1997 |
Length: | |
Genre(s): | slash |
Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
External Links: | |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Untouched is a Kirk/Spock story by Shelley Butler. The art is by Chris Soto.
It was published in the print zine First Time #46.
This story was the winner of a 1997 STIFfie Award.
Heavily Revised and Posted to AO3
UNTOUCHED was published in its original form a long time ago in a print zine, but this has been completely rewritten, so please ignore the earlier version. A huge amount of thanks goes to Jenna Sinclair for the most amazing patience, her invaluable help, and most importantly, her friendship. And another thanks goes to Kathy Stanis for her expertise and obsession with grammar and commas. And thanks to 1lostone1 for making this possible on AO3 with her skill and talent. This is certainly a work of love for K/S. Enjoy. And I am so thrilled to have received the silver Philon Award for long fic at KiScon for Untouched. I am truly honored. [1]
Summary
"When Kirk and Mitchell are posted to the Enterprise, Spock realizes that Mitchell was his last client as a prostitute while at the Academy and though Mitchell now wants to resume a relationship, Spock finds himself falling in love with Kirk."
The Author Comments
“Untouched”, the story of Spock working his way through Starfleet Academy as a very high class prostitute was one of my favorite writing experiences. I mentally “saw” so many scenes before I even started writing—especially the scene of Spock with his last client up there in the penthouse suite of the deluxe hotel…. [2]
I really like that story—and I feel I was very successful in portraying Spock’s reasoning and his character. However, I felt Kirk’s immediate willingness to jump into bed with Spock was way too fast! But Jenna reminded me that this happened to be my very first story with Kirk as the aggressor and Kirk-on-top—something I had never written before... so it was quite the challenge. [3]
Reactions and Reviews
1997
I can't imagine Spock in this profession (strangely I can Kirk...), but I buy it in this story. Yes, this is our Spock: exact scientific research, everything done perfectly up to the last detail and... definitely 'untouched'! Yes, this is Spock and it IS an interesting idea. Unnecessary to mention, that the story is beautifully written. Shelley's writing is as perfect as her drawing... [4]
A myriad of feelings is expressed in that almost conversation Spock has with his father. Succinct and powerful. How logical of Sarek to cut his son completely off. How logical of Spock to take up one of the oldest, if not the oldest, professions in the world, one which would take up the least of his time and be the most profitable.I love this Spock, facing the consequences of his decision head on, dealing with the problems as they arise, finding suitable solutions.
Anticipation building to that last appointment with, ... I was sure it had to be Kirk. Wrong thinking.
The beauty of it is that you don't know for certain until that scene in the transporter room, and even then, that description when Spock sees the ones on the transporter pad is unbelievable in its duplicity. I kept thinking, he is staring straight at the man he had sex with as a prostitute and now he must deal with the consequences of having him as commanding officer, when in fact we are witness to Spock's falling in love with Kirk. A beautiful twist.
A strong story that doesn't lose its edge, stays in character. A Spock in love, over his head in emotionalism, is a sight to behold. His inner thoughts are so true. A minor thing and I hesitate to bring it up, but when did Kirk put his uniform tunic on? As far as I know he was wearing a sleeveless t-shirt, wasn't he?
One of the best stories Shelley has written. [5]
I loved the first half of this story. The author took a scenario that I don't believe for a minute and by the excellence of her writing made me believe it. Of course Spock paid his way through Starfleet Academy by working as a prostitute. It was a flawlessly logical decision once we understood the parameters set forth in this story. That he would be the best, the most sought-after, and the most expensive courtesan in town was a foregone conclusion. How could he not be? I loved how the reader is led to believe that Spock's final client is James Kirk, although that fact is never actually stated. I loved it even more when I found out the client wasn't Kirk at all, but Gary Mitchell instead. Somehow the idea of paddles and Kirk don't go together, at least for me. As for the smarmy Mr. Mitchell, well I've always thought that he deserved a good beating.The sex was quintessential Shelley, hot and vivid and definitely of the carpet-thrashing variety. This whole section was superbly written, it was fully developed and obviously well-thought-out, and perhaps that is the reason why I felt kind of let down by the second half.
The second half had a sort of rushed feel to it. As if the author, after taking such pains with the beginning, just hurried up in order to finish the story. There is no mention of KinVs having any interest in Spock beyond the purely professional one until he learns that Spock was a prostitute. And then instant erection, or a case of lust at first sight. From the moment Kirk finds out about the Vulcan's past, all he can think about is having sex with him. We are not privy to Kirk's thoughts except those which Spock picks up on. And all of them seem concerned with devices. Harnesses, cock-rings, nipple rings and leather straps. The desire that Kirk feels is evident, the love is not.
I think that in trying to rush the story to completion, the author rushed right past the love and jumped straight into the sex. This author always imbues her stories with lots of love and devotion and I miss them in this one. [6]
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Read All About It! Spock Gets To Be On The Bottom In A Shelley Butler Story!Yes, fans, it's true. I never thought to see it happen, but it actually has. And am I delighted!
Okay, okay, I'll start at the beginning. The premise is that Spock prostitutes himself for the money necessary to put himself through Starfleet Academy. All right, so I don't believe this scenario for a second, but hey, I'm easy, and willing to be led where a writer wishes me to go. Once I accepted that, and I did accept it, because the writer enabled me to by the quality of her writing, the rest was smooth sailing. Would Spock be the best damn prostitute? The most elegant? The classiest? It goes without saying. I can just see him..."his perfectly coifed, shining black hair and perfectly tailored, expensive black suit..." Ummm. And the description of the oh-so-elegant Saint Croix Hotel. All so restrained, so refined, so Spock. Delicious.
I adored the way Spock goes about preparing for his new profession. He reads books on the subject. Doesn't this sound like exactly what the man would do? And although I'm not a fan of paddles and nipple clips and other sexual paraphernalia, I can readily believe the appeal they hold for Spock's last client, again because the descriptions were vivid and dynamic and very real. The author painted a very clear and vibrant word picture. Nice mystery as to the identity of the last client as well.
Now to the scene I liked the best. Kirk finally convinces Spock to reveal that part of himself that he has carefully kept hidden for years, convinces him to open his inner core, to truly give of himself. Oh, the courage that requires on Spock's part. I just ached for him. What a beautiful passage: "He was not afraid....He was touched in the secret, vulnerable places of his body and of his heart."
I thought perhaps the second part of the story was a bit rushed. Kirk only seemed to express his sexual interest in Spock after he knew of the Vulcan's past. Lust before love. With just a bit more time spent here in the details of their daily working relationship, I think the problem could have been avoided.
This author has always imbued her stories with her passionate love for Kirk and Spock, and it shows again here. I like the new direction her writing has taken lately. Crisp and clear. I enjoyed this story. [7]
A beautiful, strong story in Shelley's ultra-dramatic style.Spock is a sophisticated Academy cadet, earning credits by whoring. Top of the line, of course. We are given Spock's fully reasoned logic as to why he would do this and how he would go about it, so that we get insight into his character along with the set-up of the events to come.
It's fascinating how cold Spock is in the beginning. We're not really even shown a reason for his having to erect his stone wall, his mental defense, to keep himself untouched. In other words, if he was truly invulnerable there would be no reason to shield himself so. But he is not truly invulnerable. However, we aren't allowed to see his vulnerability at all during the beginning - he does not even look at it himself. Then all of a sudden, these passages of his warrior-lover fantasies. These just floored me - all the more so because it was a glimpse of such heated passion following upon that cold, logical reasoning.
Even the sex, in his professional capacity, was cold. Shelley is very purposeful in her effects: she wants us to feel cold; it's frigid. She wants us to get hot; it's sizzling.
I'm not going to say the actual story, but obviously, he does meet up with Kirk eventually. And we get yet another fascinating look at our favorite love-to-hate guy, Gary Mitchell. (What is it with Shelley and Mitchell anyway? Must be because she met Gary Lockwood at Fantasticon and he swept her off her feet.) The whole scenario presents an excellent stumbling-block, to make it all the more satisfying when Kirk and Spock finally do get together.
And it's a drastic transformation once he meets the golden captain of his heart. This Spock is a mass of potential emotional overload beneath his cool exterior. So wonderful when Kirk comes aboard as new captain; and when he knows of Spock's past. For a while, I kind of suspected Kirk - didn't trust him -- when he comes on to Spock, like maybe he can't help thinking of Spock as an exotic whore, and that's what he's turned on by; can't resist wanting some.
It's wonderful how the story is about Spock being a virgin, but we end with Kirk being a virgin. (Though not for long I'm sure.)
Beautiful sex, with Kirk in the lead. We all have heard that this is the first time Shelley has written Kirk penetrating Spock, and it is so powerful, truly erotic first time magic. [8]
1998
Untouched by Shelley Butler is about 30 pages and is a very unusual first time story in First Time 46 which is set near the series start. It’s quite erotic and even kinky. (Works for me!) I do, however, think my zine copy is flawed because page 146 has a strange drawing of a brick wall at the top which doesn’t make any sense, and some text seems to be missing.The story is illoed by Butler (a clothed Kirk on p. 148a) and Chris Soto (a nude Spock and Kirk embrace on p.165a). There is text which shows through so neither can be removed and matted. Both illos are nice and fit in with the story.
If you like only conventional sweet romance stories, this is not for you. The story, besides being extremely sensual, is different as far as the plot goes. Butler has a plot twist in this that I doubt anyone guesses. I enjoyed the story, and it definitely held my interest. [9]
2001
From the first line you are under the spell of this terrific story-teller. "Even the seen-it-all woman with the vacant eyes noticed him." She has nothing to do with anything except to set the quite unbelievable scene: Spock is putting himself through the academy as a high-priced prostitute.A prostitute with one very strict and never-broken rule. He shall remain a virgin.
A fine exploration of the struggle Spock faces in speaking with his father about his Starfleet plans. This is an excellent adaptation of how the confrontation might have unfolded, regardless of the means of paying tuition.
Spock, true to his logical upbringing, does not resent his self-appointed fate. To him it is the best means to attain his goals. But on the last night of this profession you know that there are regrets. Still, there is that final customer to please—a new client. Human. No name given, of course. The client falls head over heels, begs to see this master of erotica again. But Spock silently leaves the room, never looking back.
Probably most have read this zine, but just in case you haven't, I am not revealing the climax here. There are many tense, dramatic moments and a lot of imagined background for one of the episodes that explains why Spock may have done the unexplainable. This is, as you might imagine, very skillfully written and has twists and turns that are worthy of Alfred Hitchcock. (Hitch Cock, now isn't that an interesting name? I wonder what the source might be?) Hmmm.
Read on, friends—you'll truly be missing something if you do not. [10]