The First Christmas (Star Trek: TOS story)

Star Trek TOS Fanfiction
Title:	The First Christmas
Author(s):	Carol Briscoe
Date(s):	1988
Length:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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The First Christmas is a Star Trek: TOS story by Carol Briscoe.

It was published in the print zine Vault of Tomorrow #13.

Reactions and Reviews

Since it 'tis the season, I pulled out one of my few holiday favorites. I say few because I find it hard to believe that the multi-species crew of 300 years in the future will still be celebrating. But that doesn't detract from my enjoyment of this story today.

If your stories must have sex in order to be K/S, then you'll want to pass on this "Vault" offering. However, if K/S for you is warmth, love and developing relationships, then look up this delight.

As the title implies the story takes place on the Enterprise on the first Christmas in space. It also turns out to be Spock's first ever celebration of this Earth custom. The plot revolves around the idea of gift giving but it isn't the usual buying of presents, although that aspect is very nicely addressed. The gifts involved are of friendship and consideration as Kirk and Spock try to deal with their growing closeness.

There are real insights into both characters (who remain very much in character) and lovely interplay between them. The scenes in Kirk's quarters while he is dealing with a virus that causes him to miss the crew Christmas party are very charming. Spock's internal conflict between expressing his care for Kirk in a way acceptable and understandable to both was touching and real.

I really enjoyed this story for both the affection Kirk and Spock show for each other but also because it never falls over the sentiment line into saccharin smaltz.

It’s a gen story. If you can get your hands on it and read it, you’ll find that Kirk and Spock are still working towards the special understanding of each other that they finally achieve. But it does seems that Kirk, in particular, does have an insight into his first officer’s mind and heart, while Spock is still struggling to grasp the essence of the man who at such an early age is entrusted with the Enterprise. What happens on that first Christmas makes for very compelling reading. Spock learns the difference between childish and child-like, and he learns how important the young captain has become to him. I don’t think this story is sappy, but rather insightful, and it presents a great Kirk characterization.

This is not what you might expect from the title. You would expect sweet, loving, thoughtful, and warm - and it is all these things in some measure, but there is much, much more to this pre-K/S story. It is Christmastime on the Enterprise and Spock observes how jovial and excited Kirk has been as it approaches. He doesn‘t know that part of Kirk‘s eagerness is because he‘s found a very special gift for Spock, tickets to a long sold-out symposium on the planet they are due to orbit on Christmas Day. In fact, he has two tickets and plans to accompany his friend. Spock also notices that Kirk‘s enthusiasm seems to be waning and he is right – Kirk has fallen victim to a common virus and misses the big Christmas Dance. It‘s interesting seeing both Spock‘s concern for his illness and his curiosity about how Kirk will handle disappointment. His excitement has been childlike. Will his letdown be characterized by childlike tantrums and pouting? Spock wonders. Not the case. Kirk accepts with equanimity that the big event will go on without him.

A very tender scene takes place when Spock tends to his friend and confesses he enjoys doing so because he now understands the meaning of friendship for the first time in his life. He tucks Kirk in, expecting him to be well the next morning. But unknown to either of them, the drug Kirk has been given to counteract his fever is one which he cannot tolerate. He goes into a deep, life-threatening coma.

Christmas becomes significantly unimportant now that Kirk‘s life is in peril. If you enjoy hurt-comfort and particularly angst on the part of Spock, you will enjoy this story as much as I did. It reminded me of those years when I was first learning how much real undeniable love existed between Kirk and Spock. As McCoy points out, the true meaning of Christmas is love, and Spock‘s awareness of the importance of love is the greatest gift of all.