The BLTS Archive - Gifts
by Cloudtrader (cloudtrader@gmail.com)

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"So, have you gotten Jim anything yet?" Doctor McCoy asked him.

Spock raised an eyebrow.  "Am I to understand that I should have
'gotten' the Captain something, Doctor?"

McCoy gave an exasperated sigh, the one he saved just for dealing with
frustrating Vulcans.  "Of course!  You don't know?"  At Spock's
eloquent silence, McCoy continued.  "Jim's family were a bit old
fashioned, you see, they still celebrated some of the traditional
religious holidays, including one called Christmas.  Hell, Spock,
haven't you noticed that every year around this time he gives out
gifts to his friends?"

"I do know that, Doctor.  He's told all of us not to give him anything
in return."

McCoy snorted and waved his statement away.  "That's just the spirit
of the season talking there!  You're supposed to ignore it, especially
if you're close.  I usually ship in some fine aged whiskey for him.
You should get him something, too, Spock, especially since you're
closer to him than anybody else."

"Indeed."  Spock pondered the Doctor's words and then asked, "What do
you recommend I give him then?"

"I don't reckon I would know, it's different between couples."  McCoy
shook his head.  "Didn't your mother celebrate any Earth holidays?"

"No," Spock said.

"Well, I don't know what to tell you then.  Think of something he'd
like, that's all."

"Very well, thank you Doctor."

McCoy left to "do his rounds" while Spock continued his duty shift on
the Bridge, only half his mind on the routine duties he was
fulfilling.  If McCoy was right, now that he and Jim were a couple,
Jim would expect some sort of token during this holiday.   Or perhaps
not expect, as Spock was not known for spontaneously deciding to
conform to Earth customs, but he would most likely appreciate it if
Spock did.  The question was, what would be appropriate?

Spock was still pondering the matter when his shift was over.  With
nothing immediately leaping to the fore of his well-ordered mind,
Spock decided to do what came natural, that is, consult the computer.
After sorting through a bafflingly huge database on the gift-giving
traditions at Christmas of Jim's native region, Spock still didn't
have any ideas.  One thing he was certain about was that any gift
between lovers had to be something special and meaningful, something
that showed the appreciation Spock felt for having Jim in his life.

Appreciation, yes, that was just the thing.  He knew what to give Jim
for Christmas.

---

Their day over, Jim quietly invited Spock to his quarters as he always
did and Spock accepted, just as he always did.  The only break in the
routine occurred when the door to Jim's rooms shut behind them and Jim
picked up a case.

"Ah, this is for you, Spock," Jim said as he handed the case to him.
"It's a merry Christmas gift, I hope you like it."

Spock carefully opened the case.  Inside, each stored in their
individual slots, were a complete set of exquisitely carved chess
pieces, plus a folded board.  "Thank you, Jim, I do like them."

"Good, good," Jim smiled at him.  "I know it's the old fashioned
version, but I thought you'd enjoy them anyway."

"I'm sure I will."  Spock closed the case and set it down carefully,
then picked up a small box he'd brought in earlier.  "I have brought
you a gift as well."

Jim looked mildly shocked.  "You didn't have to do that!"

"But I wanted to."  Spock handed Jim the box and watched as Jim
carefully opened it and picked up the item inside.

"It's beautiful," Jim said reverently.  He held aloft a silver IDIC
medallion on a chain.  It twirled and caught the light, throwing
reflections on to Jim's face that lit his perfect features.

"It has been in my family for several generations.  My many times
great-grandfather gave it to his wife as a token of his appreciation
for her."

Jim tore his eyes away from the medallion and locked eyes with him.
Spock could tell by the look in his lover's eyes that Jim understood
what Spock was really saying with the gift, what his Vulcan upbringing
had trained him to never actually admit.

"I will cherish it always," Jim said huskily.  Spock nodded.  Message
received, understood, and reciprocated.  He moved closer to kiss his
lover on this special, Christmas day.

---

The End