Giving

Fanfiction
Title:	Giving
Author(s):	DVS
Date(s):	1992
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
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Giving is a Kirk/Spock story by DVS.

It was published in the print zine Lovers #2.

Summary

"What happens when a Vulcan, from a culture which does not give gifts, wants to give one?"

Author's Comments

"Giving" was the first story I did on a computer. It was done in hot summer weather, on a borrowed Apple, and I didn't like it. I didn't like the word processing program, I didn't like the printer and I didn't like having to fight the kids to get anywhere near it. I happily went back to my old Olympia manual typewriter with the sguare letters which I loved and several other people said they found distracting. What a difference a few years makes. The IBM clone and the increased options have made all the difference in the world. In fact, if I had to retype one bit more than I have to now, I probably wouldn't be doing a zine. So remember, Technology is our Friend! This story also was born out of the thoughts about gift giving which came to me after some interaction with a person who was not raised in a gift-giving household. Giving gifts is actually guite difficult, and it is very much culture-based. I can see Spock buying a gift but not being able to give it. Come to think of it, giving a gift is an emotion-based act. To give a gift is either something from the heart, or it is something from a cultural expectation. Sometimes, people just give gifts because it is expected. Some just give gifts because they want something back along the same line at a future date. Spock had to be given an opportunity to give. I know it's just a fraction too sweet, but I rather like the idea of Spock, hoarding his gifts and his love, and giving both at once. But I always was a sucker for a happy ending!

Reactions and Reviews

This tale starts out with Kirk, Spock, and most of the bridge crew visiting a local bizarre on a planet Spock has visited in the past. His memories of that visit are not all that pleasant due to the natives' penchance for criminal activity, and it doesn't take long before he, Kirk, and the rest of the landing party find themselves in the middle of a brief skirmish. They emerge victorious, with the only casualty being Kirk's command tunic, slit and torn by a knife. Spock then purchases a shirt from one of the many merchants to replace the damaged tunic. It is a purely logical gesture on his part, but it is Kirk's reaction to that gesture that stirs up feelings of love and desire for his captain that Spock has long sought to suppress. He soon comes to realize that the only way he can express those feelings is by purchasing even more gifts. But each gift presents a dilemma as Spock can find no logical reason for giving it to Kirk. Even when there is a special occasion, such as a birthday or holiday, Spock still cannot take advantage of that opportunity to present Kirk with one of his gifts as it is something they have never done since they'd know each other. So each purchase is stored in his quarters, hidden away as carefully as Spock has hidden his desire for his captain. It is only after Kirk accidentally stumbles upon him buying yet another gift that Spock realizes he needs to put an end to this fruitless and illogical behavior. It has gained him no benefit except credits spent on items destined to do nothing more than gather dust in his quarters, constant reminders of his obsession for something he will never have. But circumstances soon force him to reveal not only each one of his secret gifts, but also the secret locked in his heart. And as for the recipient of those gifts, as much as he comes to treasure each and every one of them, it is the final gift that is "the greatest gift of all - Spock himself." A wonderful, revealing tale guarantee to warm every K/Sr's heart.

"Giving" is a ten pager which I found very sweet and touching. Spock, unable to show his love for Kirk, buys a whole host of items he knows will please his captain. They range from the intricate—a lovely and finely detailed chess set, to the mundane—packets of the almonds and beer he knows Kirk would enjoy. Since giving is not a Vulcan tradition, Spock hides these presents as he hides his love, hoarding them for some nebulous future at which time the perfect opportunity will reveal itself. Naturally, when Kirk does discovers the gifts, he also discovers the greater gift waiting for him. A lovely story, and one I enjoyed very much.