Random Factors (Star Trek: TOS story)

Fanfiction
Title:	Random Factors
Author(s):	J S Cavalcante
Date(s):	2004
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
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Random Factors is a Kirk/Spock story by J S Cavalcante.

It was published in the print zine T'hy'la #24.

Summary

"After a particulary harrowing mission, Kirk and Spock confess, and act on, long-felt affections."

Reactions and Reviews

"Random Factors" by J.S. Cavalcante is an eleven page story. I would call this a PWP first encounter type of story. There is some interesting and also some strange dialogue during the encounter. I took a lot of the dialogue to be ironic or tongue in cheek, but it might not have been intended to be so. Even though the author is a familiar one, I really don't know what her basic view of K/S is to know if she is being serious or funny. (I don't remember anything about her other stories except that for the most part I like them. I have the world's worst memory which is one reason I write LOCs almost as soon as I read the story. ) But it doesn't matter, you can read the story and figure out your own view of it. Whether it is serious or funny, I think it's an entertaining story.

If the intent of Ms. Cavalcante’s opening scene was to reduce her readers to a romantic puddle, then she has surely succeeded. At least with me. Kirk and Spock consoling one another after a mission in which some of their crew have perished is understandable and expected. This time, however, Spock acknowledges his fears that he might have lost Kirk this time, and he does something unexpectedly human. He reaches out and physically touches his friend. Both his feelings and Kirk’s are palpable and utterly heartwarming. Finally Kirk says those magic words, “Oh, come here, Spock.” Spock is lost. And so am I.

What follows is predictable, I suppose. It is everything we expect from K/S: loving warmth, heated passion, contentment. Lovemaking is at its most considerate and satisfying as the encounter unfolds. We have the privilege of feeling every suggestive touch, every bold discovery, every fulfilling moment.

During the course of their lovemaking and intermittent conversation, Kirk unexpectedly announces “I’m not gay.” Spock agrees that neither is he. I have to admit I’m not sure what this has to do with anything and it startled me out of my comfortable euphoria. It indicates a degree of homophobia on Kirk’s part, I think, and this is not something I believe he would harbor. He is much too astute and genuine in his understanding and acceptance of alien races and cultures to resort to this twentieth- century form of bigotry. I would have preferred those comments be left out. However, the remainder of the story easily makes up for this small foible. It is clear that Kirk and Spock love each other in a way that transcends race, customs and gender. That’s what’s important in the end.