Unacceptable Risk

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Unacceptable Risk
Author(s):	Addison Reed
Date(s):	1990?, 1991?
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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Unacceptable Risk is a K/S story by Addison Reed.

It was published in the print zine As I Do Thee #14.

Summary

"Kirk's near-disastrous climb up El Capitain spurs feelings within Spock he is not quite ready to handle -- feelings associated with the fact that the healers told him he and Kirk were bonded, a fact he does not remember."

Reactions and Reviews

This story is one of many in K/S about Spock trying to find himself after 'dying,' and it is better written and more original than most. "Unacceptable Risk" takes place between the scenes in STV:TFF concerning Kirk's fall and McCoy summoning K & S for dinner. What I liked most was the buildup occurred so gradually that it contained a mysterious aura that left me unsure as to the direction it was headed. Then, once I was sure where it was going, it up and pleasantly surprised me, anyway. This story required some careful reading. There were too many "he" and "his" pronouns, which made the narration wordy and which occasionally caused confusion when one had to read another sentence or two to be certain whether it was Kirk or Spock the pronoun was referring to. My only other problem was the same one I had with the movie: just why was Spock distracting Kirk while the captain was doing something as dangerous as mountain climbing? While this story very nicely filled a few gaps left by the movie, it didn't offer any explanations for that one inconsistency. What makes "Unacceptable Risk" more original than most with its same plotline is that it doesn't use sex as the answer the Spock's dilemma, and, despite a very heart-warming ending, it doesn't leave the reader with the impression that everything is fine and dandy. It's subtle open-endedness made it all the more realistic and satisfying. In addition, the author's usual grace with words made this short story simply a joy to read, and left me with a nice, warm feeling. If some of the excess words could have been trimmed, it would have been just about perfect.

It's interesting (at last) to see something based on ST 5. I have admired this author's writing for some time, and this story is no exception. The title is perfect, and the emotional tone feels right. I love the line "And he began his courtship with Death." It still gives me a chill it's such an understandable human reaction, and quite in character for Kirk under the circumstances outlined. I also like the fact that no easy solution to the problem is offered, yet, because both men agree to 'try', the story ends on a very positive, hopeful note.

Since this author has recently begun publishing her stories again, I thought I‘d take the time to review one of her earlier works. It serves as a refreshing reminder of why, then and now, when I see a story with her name beneath it, I know I am in for a special treat.

This particular tale takes place during the opening of ST V, right after Kirk unwittingly takes a dive off of El Capitan, only to be rescued, once again, by Spock. But unlike the movie, here Kirk is suffering from wounds no one can see, not even the person who should be able to see them clearest of all. For the bond that had entwined their souls together before Spock died is now gone, leaving him with a Vulcan companion who now serves as a painful reminder of what has been lost. Spock, too, is torn, for the only reason he knows that Kirk is his bondmate is because he has been told this is the case. And while he tries to live up to that role, every effort he makes to do so fails miserably, leaving both men distraught and unhappy. It is only after Spock realizes that had he not been there when Kirk fell, he could have lost every opportunity to make everything that was wrong between them right again, and that thought gives him the impetus to try once again to allow both of them to rediscover what they once meant to each other.

As with all her stories, this author has produced a tale with just enough angst to tug at the reader‘s heartstrings. Her ability to show us a vulnerable, yet believable Spock shines through in this story and gives not only Kirk and Spock, but the reader as well, hope that these two souls will heal and be as one again.