A Matter of Biology

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	A Matter of Biology
Author(s):	M.E. Carter
Date(s):	2002
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
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A Matter of Biology is a Kirk/Spock story by M.E. Carter.

It was published in the print zine First Time #56.

Summary

"Spockʼs pon farr returns while the ship is orbitting Altair 4, and Kirk is unwilling to contemplate Spock turning to a stranger."

Reactions and Reviews

A good old fashioned Pon Farr story, and excellently done. After ‘Amok Time’, Spock is still in trouble. Spock is suffering in a true-to-character way and Kirk begins in a very different place from where he ends up. I liked this gradual surfacing of Kirk’s real feelings for his friend, the welling-up from the unconscious. Kirk doesn’t always know what he feels but is honest enough to let himself discover. This reminded me of Rae Trail’s ‘net story ‘Another Country Beckons’. I’ve noticed that many fan stories depict Spock as more in-touch with his inner state and Kirk as the one who is slow to catch on. M.E. uses the image of a volcano for both men’s feelings. For Kirk, “emotions he could barely name had been percolating below the level of conscious thought. Now they were rising, eroding carefully maintained preconceptions as they seeped at last into the light.”

M.E. builds the tension slowly and carefully, the well-observed detail drawing the reader in, making her believe in this particular Kirk and Spock. The slow build-up is sexy. We know what will happen, but not exactly how. The how is satisfyingly original and I won’t spoil your suspense by revealing fascinating new facts of Vulcan biology. The love scene is fourteen pages long and wonderful throughout. It is forceful enough to please me, tender, erotic and in character. What more could we ask for?

I don’t really care how many Pon Farr stories I read if they are as good as this. Thank you, M.E.

Ms. Carter has outdone herself with this story. Her writing is superb. I constantly found myself murmuring, “Great English!” Yes! She used the right word there. I know you're thinking, how can she be so picky, such a know-it-all, about that when Kirk and Spock's hot love affair is going on?? Can't help it, I'm a stickler for correct grammar usage and it makes the story so much more comfortable for me if it's written as wonderfully as this story is.

Anyway, the tale is entrancing from the first word; a deceptively simple theme that's been done many times but is made vital and exciting by special twists and the author's imaginative talent. The men were so in character, the sex—whew!—amazing and hot. I was stopping every page or so, shaking my head and fanning myself. No kidding, this deliciously long love scene had me in a dither; but it wasn't long enough for me! I didn't want Spock to ever come out of his Time.

The Vulcan tidbits about Spock's physiology, and about his background, were interesting, actually fascinating. And Jim was his adorable, hunky self. It was simply thrilling when he stepped in so decisively and took his rightful place beside his treasured friend. Then there was all the tenderness and respect Kirk and Spock had for each other, there wasn't a misspoken word between them, which always warms my heart. Just sweet, sweet satisfaction—for them and for the reader. I really loved the whole thing!

When it comes to writing K/S stories, there are many words that one can use to describe ME Carter, but prolific is definitely not one of them. This author has garnered the reputation of publishing her stories few and far between and as much as I would like to read more of her work more often, I will never begrudge the fact that she takes her time when it comes to her writing because invariably, the end result is a K/S story that for me is simply unforgettable. Such is the case, once again, with "A Matter of Biology."

This story starts out with a glimpse of a younger Spock enrolled as a cadet in Starfleet undergoing the human equivalent of puberty. Although he has been taught as a youngster to expect this, all the steps that Vulcan youth would take to deal with this issue are closed off to him since he is not only on Earth, but also estranged from his parents. The one option still available to him, that of going to the Vulcan embassy to seek the aid of a healer, he quickly dismisses for fear the possibility his father might be there. Instead, he finds himself wandering the streets of San Francisco while trying to work out a solution to his problem. In his travels, he comes across a building where several humans are leaving a party and after observing two young human males sharing an embrace and a kiss, Spock makes a rather disturbing discovery about his own sexual orientation.

The story then flashes forward to the events immediately following "Amok Time." At one of the many receptions he is forced to attend at Altair, Kirk finds himself conversing with another starship captain, who appears to know more than he should about the Enterprise's sudden trip to Vulcan. Concerned that word may have gotten out about those events, Kirk seeks out McCoy, only to find out that the doctor has discovered Spock is still in Pon Farr. Kirk sets out to confront Spock about this and the Vulcan verifies that his condition is still the same as it was before they beamed down to Vulcan. Kirk, fearing Spock will die, tries to offer alternative suggestions in order for Spock to survive, but can't quite offer Spock the one option he thinks they both may want—himself. Spock, however, assures Kirk that he has taken steps to ensure his survival by hiring a native Altarian prostitute with whom he plans to meet with after the banquet that evening. Well, being that this is a K/S story and Kirk being Kirk, it will come as no surprise to the reader that our captain decides to take matters into his own hands, so to speak. What follows is your typical Kirk-has-sex-with-Spock-to-save-him-from-dying Pon Farr story, except in the hands of this skilled K/S author, the story is anything BUT typical.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was how the author portrayed Spock while he was in the throes of Pon Farr. Recently, I had a discussion with a number of my K/S sisters about this very subject. My position was that while Spock would not necessarily be violent towards his partner during mating, he certainly would not be the rational, calm, logical Vulcan either. Rather, his animal instincts would take over and he would be driven by the overwhelming need to physically join with his partner. This is, after all, basically how Spock explained Pon Farr to Kirk in "Amok Time" and in this story, the author has taken this idea to heart. The way she portrayed his behavior before, during, and after the cycle rings true to form with TOS canon and all the "facts" as we know them when it comes to Pon Farr. And her Kirk in this story is taken right out of TOS, in command of the situation, yet able to show the caring and compassion that Spock needs in order to come to terms with all that happens between them.

Once again, ME Carter has produced a work that is simply a "must read" for every K/S fan.

I remember the day I first picked up T’hy’la 16 and started to read this author’s first published story, Certainties of Being. I got through the first page and thought to myself “Who is this author?” Because she wrote with certainty indeed, with assurance and skill and great knowledge of her characters. It’s a great story.

And A Matter of Biology is just as enjoyable. I just love it when I can trust an author so much that I will gladly succumb to her vision, and that’s certainly what happened to me with this story. “Biology” has been reviewed before, so I won’t repeat the plotline but make a few random comments instead. The opening sequence when Spock is at the Academy is just wonderful: very atmospheric and compelling. I can see him sitting on that bench and being struck as if with a thunderbolt and understanding for the first time exactly what his sexuality is. And that scene ties in so beautifully with his desperate conversation with Kirk in the hotel room, when he so needs release but is too frightened for it to be with Kirk. The agony of denying his sexuality for so long really rings through this part of the scene and also in these words he utters to Kirk: “Even if I do, how can I make you understand? For so long I thought could never have this. I thought I would spend my whole life never knowing the touch of another male, and now that I am finally free to choose, my body has betrayed me. What happens here tonight will be beyond my control. There will be no time for tenderness, nor even for mutual gratification. I will be driven to repeated sexual intercourse, and if this is to be my only experience of physical intimacy, then...yes, I would rather inflict it on a stranger.” He lifted his head and looked straight at his captain. “Never on you.” I am always in favor of writers trying out new versions of Spock’s sexual equipment or actions, and so I applaud M.E.’s attempt here. Spock doesn’t thrust when he achieves penetration and then orgasm, but rather remains still while his penis moves. Very innovative, really imaginative. But, unfortunately, not terribly satisfying. That’s the problem with inventing these things for Spock, why, for example, frals never really took off as a popular way of writing Spock. We are humans, most of us women, and I do believe when we read K/S we’re looking for at least a little bit of a turn on. But it’s hard to be turned on by something so unlike what we are unused to ourselves. So, I don’t think this particular experiment worked in the long run, although for the purposes of this story, it fits just fine. I just wouldn’t want to read every K/S story with Spock being more or less still during sex! Thrusting.... Yeah, I’m an old-fashioned girl and I like thrusting.

I’ve read A Matter of Biology three times now, and I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly each time. I do believe it’s one of those stories that will stand the test of time, that, ten years from now, when I survey the zines on my shelves, I’ll want to read again. Great novella, M.E.!

I've had several interesting conversations with people lately about how "everything in K/S has already been done". I don't agree with that—I think there are tons of new ideas out there—but my other point was, just because something has been done before, is no reason not to tackle it again.

M.E. Carter takes on a familiar theme and she does this brilliantly. It's post "Amok Time". The Enterprise has arrived at Altair; the festivities for the Presidential inauguration are in full swing, and Kirk is becoming increasingly aware that there is something very wrong with Spock. This story begins with a very interesting prologue. Cadet Spock, at Starfleet Academy, is undergoing a change in "Vulcan biology" which leaves him restless and prone to lapses in logic. Spock is absolutely in character, and yet seems appropriately younger. The author makes his isolation, pain and confusion at his predicament very immediate and vivid. M.E. Carter is master of the telling detail. It's Academy tradition for cadets to be referred to by their last name. No one can pronounce Spock's clan name, and so they have settled on a deliberate mispronunciation. This misuse of his name, and how he reacts to it, at once shows who he is at that moment in time, and foreshadows choices he will make in the future. One of the things I enjoy the most about M.E. Carter's stories is how complete they are. The details she chooses in setting her scenes convey so much. The Altair section starts with one simple paragraph, which is a description of the decorations in the inaugural hall, from Kirk's POV. In just a few words, we get an understanding of the complex politics of this world, why this is such an auspicious occasion, as well as a bit of realpolitik on the difficulties of reconciling opposing views. These sorts of details "extend the canvas", as it were. Some K/S stories focus so tightly on Kirk and Spock (and yes, that can be a very good thing), that it's difficult to remember these are men who have professions, status and standing, acquaintances and colleagues. In this story, we are very aware of the busy backdrop of people and events around them. Though none of her original characters are "onscreen" for very long, they all feel real, weighty, present, and three dimensional, which adds to the reality of the entire piece. Kirk has to ward off questions from the Captain of the Potemkin, who pries for information about the Enterprise's unexpected diversion to Vulcan. It's a conversation that's less than two pages long, but she conveys Kirk's long-standing acquaintance with Captain Rennard, their familiarity with various Starfleet officers, Kirk's protectiveness of Spock's privacy, and his mixed emotions about what just happened on Vulcan. As Kirk becomes aware of Spock's distress, a carefully calculated comment from McCoy forces Kirk to acknowledge something that has been percolating in his subconscious for some time: his own desire for Spock. During an emotionally intense confrontation with Spock, he learns that Spock is taking care of matters by hiring a prostitute. Kirk's emotions are complex: worry, jealousy, self- realization of his own desire. The author does a great job of depicting his reactions, particularly in exploring the threads of anger that can intertwine with love and caring. He wants something better for Spock than impersonal sex with a stranger. (Though Spock, quite rightly, points out that, had he mated with T'Pring, that wouldn't have been much different from his proposed solution.) He won't admit his disappointment that he can't be there for Spock. He certainly can't bring himself to make the offer. And then Kirk sees the prostitute Spock has hired—a man—and that changes everything. Of course he goes to Spock. Of course Spock accepts him. And then we get to a very intriguing and original exploration of "Vulcan biology". I don't think I've ever seen this particular "take" on pon farr before, but it is very well-thought-out examination of what the sexuality of a species with a rut cycle might entail, with vivid descriptions of the physical effects Spock is experiencing. The entire pon farr sequence was an absolute tour de force. M.E. Carter has some wonderfully poetic lines. One of my favorites: Once Kirk realizes what pon farr entails, he considers that "every creature in the galaxy bought survival with its own inscrutable coin."

Her theme is survival, and strength, and love. Beautifully done. Highly recommended.

A delicious pon farr fic. Set during that ceremony on Altair VI, which is a nice bit of continuity. I love the way Kirk tries to be unobtrusively supportive despite the rising tide of jealousy.