No Price Too High (Star Trek: TOS story by Khiori)

Fanfiction
Title:	No Price Too High
Author(s):	Khiori
Date(s):	2007
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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No Price Too High is a Kirk/Spock story by Khiori.

It was published in the print zine T'hy'la #27.

Summary

"While on shore leave, Spock contacts Kirk from the hospital where he was admitted, beaten up but with no memory of how he got that way."

Reactions and Reviews

Often there’s time to squeeze in a short story even when you can’t manage a few hours of reading and relaxation. In just such an interlude, I sat down and read “No Price Too High”. You can be pretty certain something written by Khiori will include at least a small measure of that phenomenon we call hurt/comfort.

This is no exception, and it serves as an example of why we enjoy reading h/c. There are times when each of is not feeling up to par even though we may never undergo the rigors that routinely befall Kirk and Spock. But I’d venture a guess we all crave someone to be there for us – someone who understands and supports us no matter what our frame of mind or how disheveled we may look. Kirk exemplifies this kind of caring from the moment he receives a startling call from Spock hesitantly revealing he’s in the Starbase hospital. The last Kirk knew, he was visiting a museum on the second day of their re-supply layover. This is a very new zine, so I won’t give any of the plot away, but there are so many ways in which Kirk says “I love you” without the words ever coming out of his mouth – or maybe they do, but either way there is no question. Quietly arranging for foods that Spock enjoys being added to ships stores, for instance. But it is the sensitive and unself-conscious way Kirk handles the situation with Spock’s condition that tells us just how much Spock is loved. Even though he’s being pulled in two directions, which you must learn by reading for yourself, the choice to remain at Spock’s side is not a difficult one.

Khiori has a very matter-of-fact, easy story-telling style. One would think she sits down at the computer and the words just roll onto the page as quickly as her fingers can type. Who knows, maybe that’s what does happen. More often than not, something that seems so uncomplicated was not nearly so easy to achieve. Whatever the means, the end is what we hope for when we read K/S – learning how much Kirk and Spock love each other by the little things as much as the monumental sacrifices. In this instance, a job well done.

First of all, I am both awed and envious of the way a K/S adventure seems to flow effortlessly from this author‘s fingertips. Surely it isn‘t as easy as it appears from the smooth way her words draw you into and through the story. Be that as it may, the pages have no wasted words, as a very clear picture of every event is drawn with surprising simplicity.

Passion for K/S and a deep understanding and love for the characters is evident and makes each action believable. In this instance, I love the thought of Kirk negotiating with the starbase quartermaster to have more Vulcan dishes available in the ship‘s food processors. He never admits it‘s because he‘s in love with a certain Vulcan, just says his First Officer is losing weight. Now what type of exercise might contribute to that, do you think? Of course, Khiori has a knack for getting Spock into trouble, and we are not surprised when Kirk receives a call from the base hospital. Spock‘s been beaten and Kirk rushes to his side. The rapport and conversation between them is so natural, and I love the way Kirk expresses his love and concern. Again, it all seems very unaffected and spontaneous. Realistic. We should all have someone care for us this much.

We see the other side of Kirk, too, when he confronts an old acquaintance who played a role in the attack and has to make a difficult decision. An excellent read.