T'PAU: T'Pring, you have chosen the kal-if-fee. The challenge. Are you prepared to become the property of the winner?

T'PRING: I am prepared.

Amok Time

If there is one thing that makes no sense in TOS regarding Vulcan culture, it's its incredible sexism. According to Amok Time, it's to the point where a woman is essentially the property of her husband. You couldn't be crappier than that. … Well yes, if we add Journey to Babel where we learn that wives must obey the orders of their husbands, it becomes crappier.

No, wait, there's worse. We have Naked Time, which highlights the rumors circulating about the mistreatment Vulcan women suffer at the hands of males.

CHAPEL: Mister Spock, people say that Vulcan men treat their women strangely. At least, that's what they say, but you, you're part human. I know you couldn't, you wouldn't hurt me, would you?

But of course, in this specific case, it's just rumors.

Still, canon is very clear. On Vulcan, males dominate.

But is it logical?

We know from experience that male dominance means only considering men's contributions in our society. The result is that half of the geniuses in all fields are lost. What would our world look like without Socrates, Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci, Newton, Einstein, and all the others? Well, that's exactly what happened. We've almost lost the equivalent of all the great men in history, quite literally. The result is that without women's genius, our world has likely only traveled halfway. It's hard to imagine a species harming itself more effectively. So, it's a completely illogical path—and therefore an implausible strategy for a society as enlightened as the Vulcans.

Of course, some women like T'Pol, Saavik, or Valeris have interesting careers and are respected. Let's also point out that the vast majority of important religious figures are female, but for the average Vulcan, we can guess that wives are most often homemakers. As example, the authoritative way Sarek addresses his wife in Journey to Babel seems straight out of the Middle Ages. In fact, when asked where Amanda was in the film, Marc Lenard replied: "In the kitchen! Where else would a good Vulcan wife be?"

TOS was created in the mid-60s, but one wonders how, in the 20th century, we can stay true to a canon that depicts Vulcans as incorrigible misogynists. The only mental gymnastics that seem possible to explain this situation is that, in terms of gender relations, the Vulcans have not yet managed to transcend their barbaric past. The old stereotypes have persisted and are still relevant.

And Vulcans would not be the first. Other civilizations have had just as much trouble getting out of this crap. Just look at the 2009 Star Trek movie, where there are even fewer women in the crew than in the original series. A rather unexpected choice. The only improvement in this regard is that Uhura has a more significant role but considering that her importance is mostly tied to Kirk wanting to bang her and her eventually ending up with Spock, I'm not sure it's much of a promotion. It's worth noting that in 1969, after three full seasons, Uhura owed her fame to nothing but herself, but by 2009, it was exclusively because one or the other of the two dominant males in the series wanted her. A reversal that speaks for itself.

If, in some aspects, the visionary Star Trek has managed to be just as, if not more, sexist fifty years later, we can assume that it's not impossible that Vulcans have fallen into the same foolish trap.

From this perspective, the illogical male domination becomes logical, and this is why I will write Vulcans in perfect alignment with canon in this story.

On the red, sandy ground of the villa's yard, two figures materialized.

"Damn! It's a hundred and forty thousand degrees on your godforsaken planet," the young woman in a red engineer's jumpsuit said.

"I suggest you avoid using the popular expressions you are fond of as long as we are here. Such language will be frowned upon on Vulcan," Spock advised.

"Yeah, well, but…, it's hard to even breathe."

Spock sighed imperceptibly, and Jo glanced at the pretty white, circular house with its round windows.

"This your place?"

"It belongs to my parents."

The door opened, and an impeccably coiffed and dressed woman of a certain age stepped onto the porch.

"Spock? Is that you?" she said, squinting her eyes.

"Yes, mother."

The woman smiled radiantly and approached them calmly.

"I'm happy to see you, my son," she said, standing in front of them.

"This is Johann Stone."

"Mrs. Sarek."

Amanda looked at her curiously. Jo forced a smile, trying to put on a good face, but it was clear Spock had never brought a mechanic like her home before.

"Johann, I'm delighted to meet you. Please, call me Amanda."

"The pleasure is mine," Jo responded politely.

"Come in, come in!" Amanda said, leading them inside.

Spock followed her, and they entered the house, which thankfully was a few degrees cooler than outside.

"What a lovely surprise! Make yourselves comfortable in the living room. I'll be right back."

Spock indicated a door, and Jo walked ahead of him. They entered the lovely white living room.

She chose a cream-colored sofa, and Spock cleared his throat, indicating a chair with a look. Jo got up and moved without really understanding why.

"There we go, there we go," Amanda said cheerfully as she arrived with a tray. She set it down on the small, circular stone table.

Amanda served the drinks and sat on a straight-backed chair with a smile as Spock settled into one of the comfortable sofas.

"How come we weren't notified of your arrival?" Amanda asked.

"This detour was unplanned."

"And on what grounds?"

"I wished for you to meet Miss Stone," he said bluntly.

Amanda gave the young woman a surprised look, while Jo, embarrassed, took a sip to compose herself.

"I have asked Miss Stone to marry me, and she wants proof that I could be a good husband."

Amanda froze in her seat, and Jo looked down at the floor, unsure of where to put herself. Damn, Vulcans sure knew how to introduce a subject.

"You are the best person to enlighten her," he explained.

Amanda smiled oddly, staring at Jo, who, uncomfortable, kept her eyes down.

"Well… I must admit, I'm surprised," she finally said. "I would have thought… well, that you'd choose a Vulcan wife."

"Yes, logically. But circumstances designate Miss Stone."

"What circumstances?" Amanda asked.

"I have impregnated her," he declared calmly.

Amanda put her hand on her heart, looking at her son in disbelief. Jo thought poor Amanda was going to have a heart attack. She composed herself and cast a look at the young woman as if to confirm the shocking news. Jo nodded, pressing her lips together to acknowledge it, once again impressed by the Vulcans' lack of tact.

Amanda cleared her throat and looked at her son.

"Well… for a new…," she said in shock.

"I understand. I felt a bit the same way when I found out," Jo said with a sympathetic smile.

"But, um, I don't quite understand…," Amanda said, astonished.

At that moment, Jo realized just how messed up coming to this planet was. What was she supposed to say? That she came just to brag about having set foot on Vulcan but didn't give a damn about his son and even less about his grandchild? It was really dumb because this woman was lovely, and it was so crappy to pull such a stunt on her. Fuck it, she really had a talent for getting into shitty situations.

"Miss Stone has agreed to consider my marriage proposal provided that I can prove to her that I would make a good husband."

"Oh," said Amanda as if she found all this quite strange.

"Well, I think you'd understand better if I told you that the commander chose me for a mission and that—"

"Miss Stone, that mission falls under Starfleet regulations, and it's not permitted to mention it."

"Well, how are you supposed to make your mother grasp it if we don't tell her."

"If I understand correctly, it was an 'emergency' situation, and you ended up pregnant, hence the marriage proposal," Amanda supposed.

"Yeah, that's it," Jo confirmed. "But it's also because the kid is a kircan."

"A what?"

"A sacred child or something…"

Spock cleared his throat.

"I would appreciate it if you did not bring up that detail."

Jo's eyes widened as she thought they were in for a rough ride if they couldn't talk about anything.

"Spock, I'd still like to know what a… kircan is," his mother insisted.

"Kir'kan," Spock corrected.

"Yeah, and I'd like to know too," Jo insisted.

Spock lifted his head.

"It is pointless to insist," he said sharply.

Amanda sighed, and Jo gave a strained smile.

"You see, ma'am, it's for stuff like this that I'm not too sure this marriage is a good idea."

Amanda looked at them with an expression that clearly indicated she wasn't so sure it was the best idea either.

"Yes… well," she began.

"Amanda!"

Amanda's expression shifted to concern, but she quickly composed herself.

"Here Sarek!"

A brisk, hurried step crossed the foyer, and the Vulcan entered majestically into the room. He stopped abruptly upon seeing his son and eyed the young woman with a critical gaze. Spock stood up, and although Jo felt a strong urge to sink into her chair, she stood as well.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"The Enterprise made a stop without warning," Amanda said with a smile. "Spock is visiting us with Miss Johann Stone, a crew member," she explained.

Jo suddenly realized that they were bound by Koon-ut-so'lik. It was likely that Sarek had sensed his wife's strong emotions, which was why he showed up so abruptly.

"Father," Spock greeted him.

Sarek looked at both, suspicious.

"What is the reason for this visit?"

"Miss Stone was impregnated by me," Spock stated matter-of-factly.

He frowned and observed the young woman with no visible emotion. Jo swallowed hard, barely daring to lift her head because of how intimidating this haughty Vulcan seemed.

"It's excellent news. We're going to be grandparents," Amanda said, trying to see the positive side.

Sarek looked down at his son.

"So, you've come to get married," he said coldly.

"I wanted Miss Stone to speak with Mother first."

Sarek scrutinized him.

"For what reason?"

"She does not know what it means to be married to a Vulcan. Mother is able to inform her," Spock said calmly.

Sarek frowned.

"She hasn't accepted your proposal," he deduced.

"No. Not yet."

"She has no other choice."

"Excuse me?" Jo interjected, suddenly losing her restraint.

"You have no choice," Sarek said, leveling a harsh gaze at her.

Jo adopted a stubborn expression and prepared to voice her thoughts, but Amanda's intense warning look made it clear that it was a very bad idea, and she barely managed to hold back.

"Miss Stone is human and thus not subject to Vulcan rules," Spock specified.

"She is expecting a child. Therefore, you are engaged. She is subject to our laws, and your marriage is inevitable."

Jo had enough.

"Sir, with all due respect, I believe I have a say in this."

He looked at her as if she had just uttered the stupidest thing ever.

"You are the property of my son," he said as if that settled the matter.

"I beg your pardon, sir. 'Property of' whom?" she asked, unable to believe what she had just heard.

"She does not belong to me yet," Spock insisted.

"In her condition, marriage is just a formality."

Amanda moved towards Jo with a pointed look and lightly grasped her arm.

"Don't say anything," she whispered, "you'll only make things worse."

Amanda gazed back with a compassionate smile.

"Trust me."

Sarek and Spock appraised each other for a moment, ignoring the two women.

"Why this Terran?" Sarek asked.

"I chose her as part of a mission."

"A 'mission.' I conclude that the child is a…," Sarek said, clearly reluctant to use the term.

"Yes."

"So you shared the Koon-ut-so'lik with her outside of our rites."

"This information is part of a classified mission and falls under Starfleet regulations."

"Of course. You don't have to confirm it. It's pointless. Why this mission?"

"It was the most logical action considering the interests of the Enterprise."

"Did you intend to marry this female?"

"No."

"Could you have returned to Vulcan?"

"Yes."

"This action is therefore illegal and constitutes treachery."

Spock seem surprised.

"I was unaware."

"You should have anticipated and informed yourself beforehand."

Given that the only Vulcan he could have consulted would have been his father, and it would have been even more inappropriate than asking anyone else, this information was in fact, completely inaccessible.

Sarek scrutinized his son.

"Nevertheless, if this regrettable action is followed by a marriage, there will be no fault. Otherwise, you will have to be judged by the council. If this female is not bound to you, she could speak of what she has seen, and that is a risk the elders will take seriously."

"I won't say anything," Jo assured, while Sarek ignored her completely.

"Your duty is to marry this female," he insisted. "If you were to appear before the council for this reason, especially following the resounding failure of your first marriage, the scandal would tarnish our family."

"She is human. I cannot marry her without her consent."

"She is now subject to our laws. Her consent is not necessary."

Jo gritted her teeth, struggling to hold back her anger. She was fed up with their barbaric nonsense.

"This is impossible. I'm regret, Father."

Sarek looked at him sternly.

"In that case, know that your female will be judged with you. She is untrustworthy and will be considered a threat. She will likely be condemned."

"What did you just say?"

"Johann, be quiet," Amanda whispered urgently.

Sarek shot her a cold glance and turned back to his son.

"Your female is uncontrollable."

"I selected her for her resilience and combative skills. She is very spontaneous."

"That will hurt her before the council. She has no chance of escaping."

"No. Not a chance," Spock agreed.

"Can you stop talking about me like I'm not here? And I'm not his 'female'!"

Sarek looked at her as if she were rather an insect.

"Be silent."

"You know what? I'm out of here. Enjoy yourselves," Jo spat, fed up with these lunatics.

She stormed out, thinking that Vulcans were the worst scum any planet had ever produced.

"Catch her," Sarek ordered.

Spock ran after her and, fortunately, managed to grab her before she could reach the front door and start shouting in front of the neighbors. She shot him a murderous glance.

"You can't leave," Spock informed her.

"I have nothing to do here."

"You're making things worse."

"That's not my fucking problem, sir. I haven't done anything wrong, and I'm leaving. Ciao."

Spock grabbed her by the arm.

"You are in serious danger. Can you understand that?" he said, staring into her eyes.

"Then why did you bring me here, exactly?" she said, wrenching herself free from his grasp.

"I didn't know I had committed a crime."

"Listen, I don't have anything to do with this. These are your Vulcan issues, and I don't give a shit."

"If you leave, you will be immediately arrested."

"Who will call security? You?"

"Yes."

She narrowed her eyes and gave him a hateful look.

"You're just a FUCKING ASSHOLE!" she screamed. "And you know what?!"

But he never found out because he placed his hand on her shoulder, she collapsed and he laid her down on the ground. He stood up, assessing the disaster with a grave expression.

The shadow of Sarek loomed behind him. He cast a disdainful glance at the indecent creature sprawled on the floor.

"In this matter, your lack of judgment is exceptional, my son. We will all pay the price," he said sternly.

Spock turned to face him and met his gaze, and Sarek looked down his nose.

"I will make the necessary arrangements tomorrow morning. You must inform me whether it is to marry or to judge you."

Spock nodded. Sarek took out a small white circular monitor from his pocket.

"Father," Spock said in Vulcan.

Sarek looked at him.

"Regulation 34b01, is that you?"

The moment Spock saw the creation date of the regulation, he had doubted. It had been adopted barely a month after his departure from Vulcan and ensured that no human/Vulcan hybrids would be born on that planet anymore.

Sarek fixed him with a long stare.

"Yes. I proposed this regulation to the council, and it was accepted."

The father and son stared at each other in silence.

"Why?" Spock asked.

"The challenges an hybrid like you faces are unnecessarily complex. We concluded that when a genetic mix fails, it is not without reason. If forced, it is not surprising that the child must overcome severe adaptation difficulties afterward. For everyone's sake, it is better not to force such crossbreeds."

Spock stared at his father, realizing that in his eyes, he was a failure that should not be repeated. And of course, Sarek of Vulcan had nothing to do with this disappointment or anything to reproach himself with. Everything was the fault of an unfortunate inter-species crossing.

"It is unfortunate that you cannot use such excuses to explain the banishment of my brother," Spock remarked.

Sarek looked up. His first son, a renegade Vulcan who had defied Surak's principles to live a depraved emotional life, was one of his few weak points.

"You lack control; hence this absurd comment," he said coldly. "That is what I mean by 'adaptation difficulties. It was logic alone that drove me to create this regulation. You remain my son."

"Of course," Spock said just as coldly.

Sarek raised the monitor, said a few words in Vulcan, and vanished in a shimmering light. Amanda approached him with a concerned look.

"Spock, are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

He nodded and then bent down to lift the unconscious young woman into his arms.

"Take her downstairs," Amanda said. "I'll talk to her."

"It's a bad idea; in her current state, she might attack you," Spock warned.

"I'm sure she won't. Women understand each other," she said with a reassuring smile. "Take her downstairs."

Without waiting for his response, she went to the kitchen. Spock went downstairs and opened the door to his mother's quarters. It was cooler there than on the Enterprise, almost uncomfortably so for his Vulcan taste. He laid the young woman on the soft couch. He had always been ashamed that his mother owned such a piece of furniture. Only males could maintain their dignity in a seat that invited ease, but his mother had always insisted that in her private room, it was Earth traditions that applied.

A minute later, she arrived with a tray that she set on the small table.

"I'm not sure you'll be safe with her," he said, joined his hands behind his back.

"Spock, I don't think you'll be able to explain anything to her. She was very emotional, and in this situation, logic won't be useful. Go out and let me handle it."

He gave a brief nod

"I'll be right behind the door."

"Go on, out."

Amanda took a tiny bottle from the tray, opened it, and held it under the young woman's nose, who recoiled sharply.

"Where the hell am I?" she growled.

"This is my little corner, unique on Vulcan," Amanda said, sitting on the couch next to her. "It's what you might call a human room," she added, placing the bottle back on the tray.

Jo sat up.

"He really knocked me out, the bastard… um. Sorry."

Amanda smiled as if she understood.

"He had no choice," she said with a regretful air. "It was for your own good. You were putting yourself in danger."

Jo stood up.

"Listen, thanks for your hospitality, but I need to leave."

"Do you remember what Spock told you? Unfortunately, that's impossible. Johann, sit down. We need to talk. It's very important," she said, patting the couch.

Jo sighed. It was hard to refuse anything to this woman who not only seemed to have some common sense but miraculously was warm and humane. She sat back down on the couch, and Amanda offered her a cold drink, which she accepted.

"You don't know Vulcan customs, so it's understandable that this all seems like a darn nightmare."

Jo's eyes widened at the swear word, and Amanda gave a mischievous smile.

"I admit, I miss swearing from time to time."

Jo smiled back and took a sip of fruit juice. Amanda grew serious again.

"You need to understand that you are in danger right now, Johann. You must not face the council. It would be your undoing."

"But I haven't done anything. I just wanted to help your son. I felt sorry for him. That's my only crime, I assure you."

"I don't doubt it for a second. But sometimes what is trivial in one culture is a crime in another. That's what's happening here. Vulcan rituals are considered very private, and pon farr is a particularly delicate subject."

"Pon farr?"

"That's the reason you're expecting a child, if I'm not mistaken."

"It has a name? I didn't know."

"It's hardly surprising that Spock didn't tell you," she explained. "Vulcan never talk about it and are incredibly embarrassed if they have to. Even the word is taboo. Probably because it's the only aspect of themselves they can't control. And that's why anything related to pon farr, directly or indirectly, is extremely sensitive."

Jo remembered how he always seemed to want to disappear into the floor every time he had to talk about it.

"Spock made a serious mistake. You should never have learned about pon farr, let alone the Koon-ut-so'lik."

"But how could he ignore something so important?"

Amanda looked helplessly at her.

"His father isn't very… communicative with him, and Spock has never had much social interaction. I'm not surprised that some details might have escaped him since no one ever talks about it."

"But Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy know about it too, and no one wants to lock them up."

"They only have a vague understanding of the concept. They know nothing about the koon-ut-so'lik and the details surrounding pon farr, while you know far too much."

"But what does it matter?"

"For Vulcans, Spock has gravely neglected his duties and shown disloyalty by introducing a human to this highly secret knowledge, which is why you are seen as a threat. They will find you far too emotional and will not agree to let you leave for fear that you might talk. Unless, of course, you are married, in which case, you are expected to know your duties as a wife, and they will assume you will be loyal to your husband."

"So… either I marry the Commander, or I stay here forever. Is that it?"

Amanda smiled regretfully.

"You know, being married to a Vulcan isn't so terrible."

Jo raised an incredulous eyebrow. Just looking at her full-blooded Vulcan, it was surely preferable to commit suicide repeatedly for eternity rather than be at the mercy of this monster.

"Moreover, if you wish, in a few years, you can break your vows without any problem. It's just a short period to get through."

"Even for a few years… The Commander and I don't get along. I'm not his type at all. I have nothing suitable, as you've seen. I'm nothing like a lady. Not even remotely. He chose me for that because I was tough enough to handle his porn thing, but we have nothing else in common."

Jo shrugged.

"I'm comfortable in a barracks with drunken idiots. He's high-class and deals with important people. I'll embarrass him constantly, and he'll drive me crazy. It's already all written out."

Amanda gave a sad smile.

"I understand your reservations but think about it. It's better for you to deal with one Vulcan, half-human to boot, than to be alone in a Vulcan city. Especially since, from what I've seen, you will be seen as a threat to public safety and isolated."

"A threat to public safety? But I haven't done anything!"

Amanda looked at her with compassion.

"Here, showing any emotion is considered worse than rude. It's like stripping off all your clothes and walking around naked in public. You're very expressive, and for Vulcans, your behavior is unacceptable. To them, the anger you displayed earlier is like having a sadomasochistic orgy in a chidren's park on Christmas morning. They'll be horrified."

Jo raised her eyebrows, still troubled by the example.

"Given that…," she said thoughtfully.

"Trust me, marry my son and get out of here quickly."

Jo lowered her head with a grimace that clearly showed how much it pained her to come to this decision. Amanda took her hand and held it in hers.

"Johann, I'm asking you for your own safety but also as a family mother. If you refuse, my son will be reducated. My husband will lose his reputation, and our family will likely be rejected by the community."

Jo looked at her in astonishment.

"I thought Vulcans were peaceful, but they're actually quite heartless."

"They'll be harsher on us because I'm human, and this scandal will prove they were right all along to disapprove of Sarek for marrying me. Because of me, their judgment will be unyielding."

Tears welled up in the young woman's eyes as she realized with painful clarity the incredible mess she was in. She had only one choice: to be stuck with this utter fool who would drive her completely mad.

"But we hate each other!" she exclaimed, bursting into tears.

Amanda offered her a tissue, wrapping her arm around her shoulders.

"There, there, it's nothing…"

Amanda let her cry for a moment, gently stroking her back in a motherly gesture.

"Spock doesn't hate you. He would never feel such an emotion. He's merely irritated by you."

"Well, I hate him," she said through her tears. "Sorry, he's your son, but… he really gets on my nerves."

"Johann, don't forget that he has every right to force you, but he refuses to. He's willing to risk everything, including our future and his own, rather than go against your will."

"He's probably doing it because it's logical, nothing else," she said, sniffling.

"Logic dictates that you submit to Vulcan laws since you're engaged to a Vulcan and expecting his child. But Spock has taken your humanity into account. He respects who you are. Few Vulcans would allow a Terran woman to decide their future and that of their family. Especially since, in practice, you don't even have that right. Moreover, you'll have noticed that his father finds his consideration for you unacceptable."

Jo lifted her red eyes to Amanda and sniffled. Viewed from that perspective, it was certain that it was quite fair of him, especially since his father seemed to be very irritated.

"You can see this marriage as a mere formality. And if it worries you, know that among Vulcans, marriage doesn't include 'conjugal duties' as it does for humans. At least, outside of pon farr. Spock won't insist on that sort of thing."

Jo grimaced a smile.

"Well, in the grand scheme of things, it might be the only advantage of being stuck with him," she said to herself.

Amanda gave a knowing smile.

"I'd be surprised if he's more talented than his father."

The two Earth women exchanged a conspiratorial look, and Jo laughed. She sniffled and nodded.

"I don't have much choice then… What else can I do? I'll… I'll marry him," she said, feeling doomed.

Amanda closed her eyes in relief. She placed her hands on Jo's and looked into her eyes.

"Thank you, Johann. I won't forget this."

"For that, you're out of luck since I'll be your daughter-in-law," she said with a tragic air.

"Yes, and I'm delighted."

Jo looked at her as if she had difficulty believing it.

"Seriously, you deserve better than me."

"No. I don't think all daughters-in-law save their new families," she said with sincere gratitude.

"I'd say your husband won't see it that way."

"He'll get used to it," she assured. "Don't worry. He's much less terrible than he seems."

Jo made a face as if she seriously doubted it.

"Do you want me to call Spock? You can tell him yourself," Amanda said, standing up.

"I guess so," she said, wishing she'd rather be covered in malignant boils.

Amanda gave her an encouraging smile and left. Spock arrived immediately.

"From the look of my mother, I deduce you said yes."

There was no denying it, it was a very touching way to tell her.

"Yeah…," she said wearily.

"Very well. We'll be married tomorrow."

She looked at him with a glint of hatred in her eyes.

"You must be really pleased. Marrying me is exactly what you wanted, isn't it?"

Spock watched her, unsure of what to make of her words.

"You knew this was going to happen, didn't you? That I would be forced to marry you. Admit that you've been lying to me again!"

"Under no circumstances. I was unaware that I had broken the law," he assured her.

"And now, you might still be lying."

"No. I am not lying."

"So if you had known that I would be forced to marry you, you would never have brought me here, right?"

Spock regarded her with an enigmatic look.

"I had not anticipated that possibility."

"Okay, so you're saying you probably would have done it anyway. After all, you had no choice, right? Didn't you?"

"It is uncertain to provide an answer on what I might have done or not done if I had had that information. Moral considerations come into play. I should have consulted interpretations of some Surak texts before deciding on a course of action."

"I don't give a damn about your fucking Surak," Jo spat.

Spock held her gaze.

"Would you like to read my mind?"

She sighed sharply and shook her head to refuse his offer.

"You know what? This would be a good time for you to apologize."

"If you want. I apologize," he said indifferently.

Jo looked at him, clearly dissatisfied.

"Get out of my sight."

"Before that, we need to be connected, you and I."

"No. Not happening."

"It's unavoidable," he argued.

"I don't give a shit."

"We must be connected in order to marry."

"Well, you'll do it tomorrow!" she yelled. "For tonight, leave me the hell alone with your fucking Vulcan shit."

"There is no logical reason to delay the Koon-ut-so'lik bond. Once you've accepted, we're engaged and to be engaged, we must be connected."

"I don't give a damn! Shove your logic up your ass and deal with it."

"The most likely consequence of such an illogical decision is that the officiant will refuse to proceed with the marriage."

"And why would he do that?"

"A couple cannot marry under illogical circumstances. It's basic."

Jo gave him a look of deep disgust. She stayed silent for a long moment.

"Fuck..."

"May I?"

She shrugged, as if she couldn't really oppose it.

"According to Earth laws, your consent is essential for us to be engaged."

"... Don't make me say it."

"I regret having to insist."

"Look, consider you have it. Is that good enough for you?"

"Yes. It is."

Immediately, the koon-ut-so'lik bond was reestablished, and she had a fleeting thought that it was much stronger than before. In fact, not stronger, but more "present," as if it had more substance. It must have been because this time it existed to seal her misfortune. Worse than anything, she felt the damn ovum inside her, the main culprit of this never-ending nightmare. The goddamn reason she was now in his power. Why hadn't she aborted? Why?! The worst fucking mistake of her entire fucking life...

"Commander, leave me," she said in a faint voice.

"It is inappropriate to address each other formally now."

"I forbid you to address me by my name," she spat. "Get out!"

"It is inappropriate," he insisted.

"FUCKING HELL! Do you have shit in your ears!? Get out!"

He gave her an inscrutable look and left, closing the door behind him. The young woman remained still on the couch for a moment, then, devastated, she burst into tears and sobbed as she had rarely done in her adult life.