This sequel to the fic Pon farr A Logical Approach, is both a work of fiction and a sort of psychological study of Vulcans.

In the first story, we followed the adventures of Spock and Jo, a rather foul-mouthed mechanic whom Spock chose as his mate due to her exceptional resilience. I find the dynamic between a rough-around-the-edges human and our stoic alien highly entertaining, but once the pon farr was over, it seemed to me that this relationship's untapped potential warranted further exploration. Additionally, I find it an interesting approach to revisit Spock's psychology and the details of Vulcan culture through a character who is so blunt and unrefined.

So, I'm writing a story that, on one hand, focuses on this challenging relationship, and on the other hand examines Star Trek's portrayal of Vulcans. In this regard, I will mainly draw from the classic canonical corpus, the one I know best. This includes the films up to The Undiscovered Country and the broadcast series, from TOS to Enterprise.

But before diving into this fun study, let's jump into this new story. We left off when, after a rather scientific mating, Spock tried to extricate himself from the mess he'd gotten into by being nice to Jo, who, insulted, punched him in the nose.

Trying to end things on a positive note, he shows her a secret window in the rotunda, and the chapter ends as he leaves her alone. Under normal circumstances, their paths wouldn't cross again, but of course, it will turn out otherwise.

English is not my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes I may have made.

For the second time in her life, Jo took the elevator to the officers' deck. The commander had called for her, probably to sign forms or something like that. Still, this time she had done everything by the book. She had showered and changed. Her uniform was spotless, her hair neatly tied back, and to her knowledge, she had no grease stains anywhere. Nevertheless, as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, the officers roaming the corridors cast curious glances at her. Damn, it was as if they'd never seen a mechanic before. Clearly, she didn't have the look for walking around the bosses' deck.

She did her best to ignore the intrigued crew, walking briskly to the commander's quarters and pressed the visitor's button. After a few second, the door opened to reveal Spock, who stared at her with his usual blank expression.

"Miss Stone," he said, stepping aside to let her in.

"Commander."

She entered, and the door closed behind her. He stood in the center of the room with an oddly serious look. Seeing him all stiff and haughty, she suddenly remembered why she had often felt the urge to slap him a couple time. True to form, he did little to make her feel at ease, and since he didn't seem in a hurry to say anything, she forced a smile.

"So? Why did you call me?"

He fixed her with his deathly gaze again.

"Miss Stone, I have good reason to believe that I have impregnated you," he said impassively.

Jo looked as horrified as she was incredulous.

"What? Are you out of your mind?"

"May I confirm?"

She nodded, and he moved closer, placing his hand on her belly. He agreed and pulled his hand back.

"You're pregnant."

"Doctor McCoy gave me an injection for that. It's impossible."

"Apparently, it is not," he said like a logical detective.

"Are you sure?"

"It is certain."

"Do your thing again," she ordered.

"It is unnecessary,»

"Do it again," she insisted, making it clear that he had better do it.

He stepped closer and placed his hand on her stomach for a second.

"You are pregnant," he repeated as he stepped back.

"Tell me there's still a chance you're mistaken," she said almost pleadingly.

"None," he assured, placing his hands behind his back.

She knew enough about his capabilities not to doubt his diagnosis further, and she took the blow.

"Fuck it. This sucks."

"Your language," he disapproved.

"Sorry, it's just … It's not exactly good news," she said with a sad look.

"Could someone else have impregnated you?" he inquired.

Jo looked at him insulted.

"Seriously, it's only been two days since your mission. Do you think I have the time to sleep with the whole crew?"

"You have the right to," he said as if he didn't see the problem.

The young woman stared at him, caught off guard by the idea.

"It's you. Obviously."

"Very well. Please sit down," he invited, pointing to the chair where she had sat when he presented her with the mission.

She hesitated as if she didn't see the point, then sat heavily with a sigh. Spock moved around the desk and took his usual place.

"Listen, I don't understand how this could have happened, but it will be resolved quickly."

Spock looked up.

"Are you suggesting an abortion?"

"Well, yes," she said as if it were obvious.

"There are other possibilities."

She shrugged.

"No. I'd prefer that. As if nothing happened, you see."

He looked at her with the utmost seriousness.

"Miss Stone, children conceived during the… during the events you experienced are sacred."

"Sacred?" she repeated.

"Sacred or Kir'kan in Vulcan."

She widened her eyes.

"Commander, what are you trying to tell me? That I can't have an abortion?"

"It would be inconceivable," he assured.

"No kidding," she said, crossing her arms defiantly.

Spock understood that things were going to be complicated. It was logical. With humans, there were always complications.

"Okay. Since you're Vulcan and sometimes things elude you, I'll give you a chance. So, listen to me very carefully. This…," she said, indicating all of herself, "is my body, and everything in this body belongs to me. This includes the eggs, whether fertilized or not. So, in the end, it's up to me to decide and me alone. Understand?"

She was right according to the Terran laws, and Spock nodded in agreement. Jo looked at him and sighed sadly.

"Listen, I'm sorry. Sincerely. If you want to keep it, that's unfortunate, but I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want it."

"Why don't you want it?"

"I don't want it, that's all. I'm not going to raise a child alone. And a Vulcan one, too… Pffft."

"I assure you that you will not be alone."

"Do you want to talk about yourself?" she said, leaning forward in her seat to look at him with what he estimated to be irony. "Will you be there to deal with the mess and vomit? Will you be the one to get up at night? Will you leave the Enterprise to clean up snot?"

"No matter the conditions, I assure you that you will have all the necessary assistance."

She gave a sad smile and looked at him with compassion, or perhaps pity.

"I don't doubt it, Commander. But if I have children someday, I'd like it to be with someone who at least cares about me a little, you know?"

"In that case, would you like me to marry you?" he proposed, his tone very serious.

Jo stared at him with wide eyes and blinked.

"Are you joking?"

"No," he assured.

"We've talked about this before," she reminded him incredulously. "We'd both rather die than end up together. Do you remember?"

"This redefines my priorities."

"Maybe yours, but not mine. I'd still rather die. Sorry."

"You're mistaken about me. Vulcans make very good spouses."

"What the hell is wrong with you? Are you losing it?! Commander, let's be serious. We don't get along at all. You annoy me, and I annoy you even more. I can't talk to you for more than five minutes before my nerves get frayed."

"It would be illogical to get rid of a child over a matter that does not concern it."

Jo rolled her eyes.

"But it does concern it! Imagine if the kid takes after me. It's going to drive you crazy… Not to mention, if it takes after you, I'll go insane. One of us will have a shitty life because of it. Just for that, it's a very bad idea."

"These are baseless speculations. He or she will be their own unique self."

"It will never be a he or a she. It will be nothing at all! Get used to the idea."

"The fetus is sexed from conception; it is currently male or female."

"Damn it! Are you doing this on purpose or what?!"

"Your language, Miss Stone," he said, frowning.

"You see, that's it! It's exactly for stupid crap like this that I can't stand you. And admit it, it's for the same stupid crap that you can't stand me either, so having a kid together is out of the question."

"This situation transcends us, Miss Stone. It's not about you or me. It's about a sacred child. A Kir'kan."

"I think you're going to fall off your chair, but guess what? I don't give a shit."

Spock raised his head, tired of reprimanding her for her language. Jo watched him in silence, then smiled.

"Something tells me that if you didn't want something from me, you would have already filed three reports for insubordination. I would have thought you were more incorruptible," she added with a mock-sympathetic look. "You're disappointing me, Commander."

"In this situation, my partiality is appropriate since you are the mother of my child."

"No. Get that out of your head. My decision is made."

"I'll take full responsibility," he assured. "You won't have to deal with it. Not even see it if you don't want to."

"Sir, try to understand," she said firmly. "There is no way I'm carrying a child, marrying you, be provided for, or anything at all. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to pay because you have bionic sperm. My decision is made, and there's nothing more to say."

Faced with such obstinacy, it became logical to change for a more tangible approach. Spock allowed his interest in her to revive, and the Koon-ut-so'lik bond reestablished itself between them. Jo froze for a few seconds, taken by surprise. She looked at him with distrust or anger.

"What exactly are you trying to do, sir?"

He looked at her patiently.

"If you're trying to convince me by using the bond, you're wasting your time, let me tell you."

Suddenly, she jumped back in her chair. She could feel the fertilized egg inside her.

"You feel it, don't you?"

"Stop it," she said in a pale voice.

"That's what I sense whenever you sleep," he explained gravely.

"Stop that!" she shouted, standing up.

"I cannot be more blind to it than you are at this moment," he said, rising to his feet as well.

"End this now! DAMMIT!" she screamed furiously.

The tricorder flew inches from his face and exploded against the wall.

"Shut it down or I'll kill you!" she shouted, throwing the chair at him, which struck him on the shoulder.

He realized he needed to change his strategy quickly. He attempted to sever the bond but failed, and all available heavy munitions started flying towards him. Trapped behind the desk, he braced himself to ignore the pain.

"STOP THAT! Goddamn bastard! Cut it!"

"This is beyond my will," he informed her while shielding himself with his forearm.

"Beyond your will? Let's see about that!"

Stone rushed into the room and ripped the largest axe off the wall. She turned it around by the handle and swung it at him with the clear intention of knocking him out. He narrowly avoided the blow and prepared for another one. He determined that her intervention was primarily aimed at stopping her perception of the egg.

"I can render you unconscious while I address this."

She halted her swing midway, pausing briefly.

"It will be immediate," he said, extending his hand.

She dropped her weapon and moved within reach. A second later, he had her unconscious in his arms. He lifted her and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently.

He watched her for a moment, then sat slowly beside her. Raising his hand, Spock placed it lightly on her abdomen. He felt the presence of his son under his hand and closed his eyes to make a connection.

The door slid open. Jim had been summoned after hearing alarming noises and screams.

"Spock!" he called out, realizing that a real disaster had occurred in the room.

"All is well, Captain," the Vulcan said, rising.

Jim glanced into the room and saw Stone unconscious on the bed. He looked at his friend in disbelief.

"What's going on?" Leonard exclaimed, rushing into the room. He froze, eyes wide at the sight of the young woman. "What the hell did you do to her?"

The doctor hurried to her side, and Spock moved aside to let him through.

"I only put her to sleep, Miss Stone suffered no physical harm," Spock assured him, though a bloodstain spread across his sleeve and a bruise darkened his cheek.

Leonard looked up from the tricorder and stared at Jim.

"She's pregnant."

Spock raised his eyebrows as if to say that this explained everything.

"I gave Miss Stone every precaution to prevent this," Bones said, his voice firm.

"There's no doubt, Doctor. But they say that the… phenomenon is uncontrollable in every aspect. I imagine that includes fertilization," Spock speculated.

Bones passed the tricorder in front of the Vulcan.

"You've only got superficial injuries, but… quite a few," Bones noted.

"Did she do this?" Jim asked, pointing at the massive destruction of his quarter.

"Obviously."

"And what did you say to make her react like this, Spock?" Bones asked accusingly.

"I was trying to negotiate so she wouldn't have an abortion."

His two friends shared a look of sympathy. When that happens, it's safe to say it's a bad situation. Especially when your friend is a Vulcan, emotionally obtuse as he is.

"So, if I understand correctly, the negotiations failed," Jim summarized.

"Yes. She's turned down marriage, adoption, and any support."

"Yeah, it's looking pretty bleak," Jim confirmed.

"Any idea why she's refusing?"

"I'm not sure. It seems several conflicting factors are involved."

"Maybe she's holding a grudge? Could something has gone wrong during the mission?" Jim asked.

"No."

"And how can you be sure?" Bones interjected, seriously doubting his judgment on this matter.

"Miss Stone experienced several orgasms during intercourse," he assured.

Jim and McCoy exchanged incredulous glances, both because they hadn't expected to hear such details and even more because of the unexpectedly successful outcome.

"Well, congratulations, but she still seems to harbor some resentment toward you," Bones observed, gesturing toward the demolished room.

"We did not reach a compromise during the negotiations," Spock evaded.

"She's refusing the extrauterine option too?" McCoy said, surprised.

Spock looked at him. Not only were Vulcans leaders in these techniques, but his own parents had used this technology.

"You didn't think of that?" Leonard said, incredulously. "Were you too emotional to consider it?"

"Of course not. I don't have time to inform her before she become … brutal. Now, if you would leave us, I wish to speak with her privately."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Bones asked, considering his bruises.

"Thanks, Doctor. I can manage," Spock said, a hint of condescension in his tone.

"Suit yourself," Jim said. "But don't forget we're here for you, Spock. If you have any questions about … anything."

"Thank you, Captain," the Vulcan responded stoically.

"Very well, then. We'll leave you to it."

They left, and Spock sat back down on the bed next to Jo, contemplating the best way to present his plan. A short time later, the young woman regained consciousness. She immediately felt the link still tethered to her. She sat up abruptly and found herself face-to-face with Spock, still seated on the edge of the bed.

She looked up at her persecutor.

"I can't sever the Kon-ut-so-lik bond," he said gravely.

"Why can't you?"

"I have developed an interest in you. I can no longer control it."

"You have no interest in me, Sir. You have an interest in that ovum."

"I have interest in you," he assured.

"You told me, and I quote, that you were never attracted to me."

"Attraction and interest are two different things."

Jo shrugged.

"Well, it just speeds things up," she said indifferently. "The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I'll be rid of you, so…"

"May I propose one last alternative?"

Jo sighed and crossed her legs while rubbing her forehead.

"What now?"

"Vulcans have advanced fertility technology. The child could grow outside your body, in an artificial womb."

Jo closed her eyes.

"This proposal meets all your wishes and mine. You would have an abortion, and I would keep the child."

She swallowed and stared at him for a long moment. She ran her hands over her face in a discouraged manner, then burst into tears. She cried for a while before sniffling and wiping her nose on her sleeve.

"I'm listening."

"Listening to what?"

"The grievances you have against me."

Jo looked at him with red eyes.

"Grievances?"

"Yes. I must take the blame and apologize."

Jo smiled, mocking his out-of-touch, insincere apology.

"By the way, if you don't know why you're apologizing this time, it's normal. You're not responsible for any of this, so as far as I'm concerned, you haven't done anything wrong."

He nodded as if he'd never doubted it.

"Do you want to be embraced?" he asked.

Jo looked at him as if he were seriously delusional.

"Thanks for the offer, but I think you're already tormented enough without adding to it."

"Vulcain cannot be tormented. We control our pain and emotions."

"Good for you, but I'm human and I don't control any of that."

"That's why I was offering an embrace."

Jo felt more like punching him. She took a deep breath and managed to stay calm.

"Thank you, Commander, I'll be fine."

He nodded, indicating it was her business.

"Look. I think I'll need some time to think about it," she said as she got up.

Spock stood up as well.

"We will be passing sufficiently close to Vulcan to allow for a detour in fifteen hours."

"That's all the time I have to think?"

"You have less. Between thirteen hours and forty minutes, and fourteen hours, if all goes as planned."

"Yeah ... On your side, if you could rein in that fucking link, I'd really appreciate it."

"I will do what I can."

"So… I'll get back to you. Commander."

"Miss Stone."

She hurried out, and Spock sat back down thoughtfully on the edge of the bed. He had studied Stone's file and psychological profile thoroughly before selecting her. She was an impulsive, combative, and stubborn human. The most likely scenario was that she would demand an abortion as soon as she left the room. She wouldn't even consider his proposal. A perfectly illogical decision since this strategy would allow each party to achieve exactly the desired outcome. There was only one thing that might encourage her to take the time to think about this alternative. A single hope.

When he had earlier tried to sever the link, he had truly failed, but now, the problem was the reverse. He closed his eyes, focusing on keeping his interest in her alive. As faint as it was, it couldn't fade, or the Koon-ut-so'lik bond—and with it, his son—would vanish.

The notion that children conceived during pon farr are called Kir'kans ("child" and "sacred" in the Vulcan language) is entirely fabricated. However, considering the extreme state into which pon farr plunges Vulcans, I think it would be logical for conceptions occurring at that time to be perceived, in one way or another, as somewhat distinct compared to others.

In many human cultures, conceptions that occur during moments perceived as powerful can directly influence the child's standing. For instance, if conception takes place during an equinox's full moon, an eclipse, a religious celebrations, a sacred rituals, a specific constellations, or even a royal wedding, the child is often granted a special status.

Pon farr undoubtedly qualifies as a powerful moment, and the conception of child is linked to it. I believe logic dictates that a special status would be associated with the kid, if only through ancient traditions.

On a different subject, I came up with the idea that Spock could know a female is pregnant simply by touching her, and even sense the pregnancy from a distance.

Let's state it outright: technically, this possibility is not canon.

In Voyage Home, after performing a mind meld with the humpback whale Gracie, Spock announces that she is pregnant.

Gillian: How did you know Gracie's pregnant? Nobody knows that.

Spock: Gracie does.

In other words, Spock knows because Gracie "told" him, not because he "see" it. To the best of my knowledge, none of the Vulcan mind melds we see in Star Trek have a physical dimension. They involve thought alone.

However, in my opinion, the bond between spouses could be different.

Mind melds associated with the formation of couples have unique attributes. They create a permanent link between two individuals, through which information or impressions can be transmitted. Considering this aspect, other abilities could potentially exist. Since physical closeness within the couple is inevitable, a telepathic connection at this level would obviously be relevant. Not to mention, during barbaric time, the ways Vulcans might have used this ability fire up the imagination. So logic suggests that such a potential could have been cultivated—though followers of Surak, of course, would use it only for logical purpose.

Furthermore, we know Vulcans can regenerate their organs through autohypnosis (A Private Little War). This demonstrates that the Vulcan mind can have a direct physical impact on the body and its organs.

Taking all these aspects into account, I would argue that the logic of Star Trek allows for the possibility that Vulcan mental abilities could theoretically be used to read or influence a spouse's body—provided the couple is connected through the koon-ut-so'lik bond or in special circumstances. For instance, in this case, where the bond had recently been active, was strengthened by the Pon farr, and culminated in a fertilization during this powerful moment.