Star Trek 2009/Fanfic Recs

Proof that the remaining 10% is worth dying for here.

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Star Trek (2009) fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.

If you're looking for fic featuring the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series and its subsequent movies, please click here.

An index of all Star Trek Fanfiction Recommendations pages can be found here.

Authors and Websites
Star Trek XI Kink Meme by various authors, very NSFW
 * Recommended by Ayries
 * Pairing: Various (Slash, Het, Femslash)
 * A kink meme for Star Trek XI. Not only has this somehow achieved upwards of five thousand comments in under two weeks, but it somehow has managed to have a very good excellent-to-poor fic ratio. Some of these authors are just amazing.
 * It's currently on part fourteen and growing every day, and the excellent-to-poor ratio is, if not the same, better.
 * The mod for the kinkmeme has apparently been overpowered by RL, so that one has ended. However, some lovely people have started up a new one here.
 * There is also a massive RP that started on the kinkmeme, but has developed into glorious insanity. The basic premise is: characters from pretty much every ST universe imaginable (and a couple from completely different ones) start appearing on the Enterprise. There is angst, crack, and lots of gay sex. This troper highly recommends stalking these posts, especially the plotlines for Harold (yeah, you read that right) and Cadet!Scott.

Atomicskull and Felonazcorp
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Comments: Atomicskull has been nicknamed Live Journal's "Resident Queen of AUs" for a very good reason - she writes bloody fantastic ones, including but not limited to: a fashionmag!au that is pure awesome, a highschool!au that validates every story good or bad ever written in that genre and became this troper's favorite fic in the history of everything practically overnight, a surfer!au that will melt your heart, a political!au that is just fabulous and a zombie!AU that is reportedly incredible but which this troper has not read for the sole reason that she can't stand zombies. Her partner in crime, Felonazcorp, wrote a lovely ballet!AU that anyone who enjoys dance movies should go read approximately yesterdayish, and together they created some sort of weirdly awesome mashup of an AU of Atomicskull's High School AU fic (McCoy) and Felonazcorp's ballet!AU (just about everybody else) that practically resulted in a proposal of marriage from this particular reader and an absolute Olympic-size pool of squee from everyone else.
 * Unfortunately, Felonazcorp's livejournal has been purged. Does anyone know if the ballet!au fic is still floating around the internet somewhere else?
 * And now Atomicskull's journal is gone too! Come on, those fics were good!
 * Despair not: someone apparently had saved the fics and posted them on MediaFire.

[http://www.fanfiction.net/community/Hurt_Jim_Addicts_UNITE/14993/ Hurt!Jim Addicts... UNITE!] by various authors
 * Recommended by User:Antigone Rogers
 * Pairing: Various (Slash, Het, anything)
 * Fangirl heaven. Most subscribed Star Trek XI community on Fanfiction.net. Stories involve whumping Jim Kirk in every single way possible, with every pairing possible, in every setting possible. It takes some time to weed through the ever growing archive of stories, but there are some good ones in there that have real emotional appeal instead of just aimless character whumping.

Bookdragon01
 * Recommended by Lady Of Procrastination
 * Although this author has written a lot of great fanfiction, her Tales of a Security Chief series, starring Security Chief Sam Giotto, a 50-something on a ship filled with 20-somethings, is the best. Starting with Rule Three, it includes Tales of a Security Chief, Tales of a Security Chief, Vol. II, and Tales of a Security Chief, Vol. III, which are made up of one-shots that tell an overall story but can also usually stand alone, as well as several spinoffs and stand-alone fics.
 * Comments: Besides the excellent quality of the writing, what stands out most is the OCs, especially the main character Sam Giotto. Rather than overshadowing the canon characters, he fills a niche left open in canon, and fills it very well, to the point that you will wonder where he is when you re-watch the movie or show. All characters, both existing characters and OCs, are well-crafted and portrayed extremely realistically: no risk of Mary Sues here. Although the tone is frequently humorous, the series and its spinoffs span the gamut of genres and emotions. The writing is of superior quality and generally error-free. Highly recommended for fans of the new movie and TOS alike.

General Fics
''Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.''

Stained by razzamatazz73
 * Recommended by User:Antigone Rogers
 * Genre: Hurt/Comfort, angst, friendship, family.
 * Summary: A series of short stories in which the crew of the Enterprise bonds over the fact that Jim's a walking danger magnet. Lots of friendship, and obligatory Kirk whumpage and its consequences on the crew.
 * Comments: Worth mentioning, though it hasn't been updated in quite a while. The imagery in the first story is particularly striking. Author is also the founder/manager of the "Hurt!Jim Addicts... UNITE!" community on Fanfiction.net.

How to Avoid Kicking Puppies and Other Valuable Lessons in Leadership by Q
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Summary: Chekov needs to be reprimanded. No one is happy about this, especially Kirk.
 * Comments: DO NOT be drinking anything when you read this. It is hilarious.

It's All In The Delivery by July-July-July
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Summary: "You have a bigger problem than being held at gunpoint by Ikkelian raiders?"
 * Comments: Kirk has to deliver Uhura's baby, while being held captive by rather inept pirates, with Spock and McCoy trying to help via comm. It's pretty damn funny. Obviously, this deals with the canonical Uhura/Spock ship, but I'm putting it under gen because that's mostly not the focus.

Murphy's Law of Jim Kirk Diplomacy by Seven Crows
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Summary: "Great," Kirk says. "In the end, it's not going to be punching someone in the face, or shooting something, or even in some barfight – it's going to be a goddamned diplomatic mission gone wrong that does me in."

Oh Two Hundred by Mekosuchinae
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Summary: "I'm working on it," she said, already thinking of how to explain transporter technology to someone who might not know what it was in a language she had thought dead not two hours ago.
 * Comments: Utterly fantastic Uhura fic.

And All The King's Men by mijan
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars, The Corsair 20
 * Summary: "How many times can you patch up something before you realize that it's too fucking broken to fix, Bones?" When a training simulation uncovers something that Cadet Jim Kirk was never meant to remember, it breaks him. Leonard McCoy can't sit by and watch Jim crumble. When asked what he's willing to do to get the old Jim back, Leonard has only one answer. "Anything."
 * Comments: This is all but slash, and yet it was written so wonderfully that it honestly could go either way, which is why it's getting listed under the Gen section. Practicalities aside: mijan has just gotten better and better, and this 'verse is her crown jewel - a wonderful examination of PTSD and the price of survival. Also includes a magnificent OC, Janice Toland, on whom this troper has a crush approximately the size of the universe.
 * I also quite adore this fic. Honestly, this story is a wonderful examination of Jim and Leonard's friendship as the two of them go through a horrific time together. As well, it has a prequel and a sequel, both of which can be found here.

As Sparks Fly Upward by JediButtercup
 * Recommended by User:Evil Midnight Lurker
 * Synopsis: A few months after the destruction of Vulcan, Starfleet notices that several starships worth of Vulcans went missing before the tragedy. Ambassador Spock realizes that the Hellguard Incident may be repeating itself in this timeline, and the Enterprise crew are assigned a covert mission: disguise themselves as Romulans and investigate. But these aren't just Romulans -- they're Rihannsu... and Ael t'Rllaillieu is in the area.
 * JediButtercup has done some brilliant things here, mixing canon, fanon, the works of Diane Duane, and her own interesting spin -- like, we learn in the first few paragraphs that not only did Kirk still go through the Tarsus IV genocide, in this timeline
 * Also bringing in Number One and the rest of the crew from the original pilot/"The Menagerie".

TwitterEnterprise by misfit_fandoms
 * Recommended by User:starshine
 * Synopsis: Exactly What It Says on the Tin. A silly gen story told through Twitter, as it's the only thing working when ship's systems break down.
 * Comments: The graphics are extremely well done, everyone's in fine form, and even some TOS characters get in on the action. And goddamn, it is funny - Spock and Sarek having a @ conversation is a highlight.

Not All Those Who Wander by parrotfic
 * Recommended by User:starshine
 * Synopsis: "Spock Prime has found ways to keep himself occupied; the universe doesn't know what hit it."
 * Comments: Wondering what Spock Prime's been up post-movie? Now you know. This fic is for you if you enjoy Romulan humor, old Vulcans playing table tennis, or mucking with timelines.
 * This fic is definitely for people who are familiar with the original show or references will probably be missed, but it is awesome and highly recommended to fans of TOS. - User:Um Lovely

Of Two Worlds by yahtzee63
 * Recommended by User:starshine
 * Synopsis: Spock starts Desmond-ing back and forth between the TOS and XI universes. A familiar face is at fault.
 * Comments: This is absolutely brilliant. The story is heartstring-tugging without ever threatening Narmification, is written exactly on point, and the ending is perfect. The fic very much ships Spock/Uhura, but it isn't ship-centered.

Untitled by Anon (Star Trex XI Kink Meme)
 * Recommended by User:Mipp
 * Summary: An AU in which infant James T. Kirk was captured and raised on board the Narada by Nero to become a weapon against the Federation and Spock Prime.
 * Comments: An awesome concept executed awesomely. This Kirk, or Tiberius as he's known to Nero and the other Romulans, is just as hardheaded and brave as the Jim Kirk we already know, and is working to live up to an entirely different father's legacy. Nero is simultaneously tragic, sympathetic, and frightening.

Village!Verse Series by chaletian
 * Recommended by User:starryblue
 * Genre: Comedy, with hints of heartwarming
 * Summary: A series of fics about the adventures of the Enterprise crew from the perspective of both major and minor characters. From their weekly movie night tradition, to Chekov's melodramic daydreams, to Sulu's unofficial job as the ship's bookie, this series covers various adventures from the daily lives of a crew who more of less become one big happy family (even when they're trying to kill each other).
 * Comments: The series is in progress, and the stories are definitely worth reading. The characterization is very well done and humorous. There are relationships present in the stories, but as they are not the focus, I'd consider the series to be general fanfiction.

Graduate Vulcan for Fun and Profit by Suppi-chan
 * Recommended by User:starryblue
 * Pairing: background only - Spock/Uhura
 * Summary: Secret Genius!Kirk + well written OC vulcan mentor + most awesome will-reading scene ever
 * Comments: Hidden in the depths of ff.net and needs more love :) Great combo of comedy and drama.

Dolce Et Decorum Est by igrockspock
 * Recommended by User:Blossom Morphine
 * Summary: She hears about his death from a letter hand-delivered by a boy who looks sixteen.
 * Comments: The mother of gets the news. A Tear Jerker that will leave you cringing every time you watch that scene. The title refers to the World War One poem of the same name.

Redshirt by mijan
 * Recommended by Rose And Heather
 * Summary: The burden of a leader isn't the strain of heroics or the power of command. It's the constant knowledge that the lives of your people are in your hands, and the weight of guilt and loss when those lives slip through your fingers. Jim Kirk understands this now.
 * Comments: I have nothing to say about this fic that could possibly do it justice, except that this is quite possibly the greatest Star Trek genfic ever written. Prepare to cry.

Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.

And They Won't Believe You When You Write Home About It by raphaela667
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: Hikaru Sulu knows everything, but he didn't know this. (Or: Sulu is a gossip-monger, Kirk calls Spock "sweetheart" and means it, and Spock does not kill Kirk.)
 * Comments: Hilarious. Absolutely, bloody hilarious.

Atlas by Angel Baby1
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars, User:Ainyre
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: Between what was and what will be stands James Tiberius Kirk, in all his fractured patchwork glory. Because saving the Federation was only the beginning.
 * Comments: For the first time in my half-a-decade-long fic-reading career, I am stunned. Shattered. Heartbroken. Exhilarated. Moved beyond words. This... is indescribable. Really, truly, beyond-imagining indescribable.
 * YMMV on this one, as Kirk is a very large Marty Stu, albeit a well-written one.
 * I read this one some time ago, and was similarly blown away. This is truly brilliant - excellent plotting, spot-on characterizations, great humor, and the best diction and vocabulary I have ever seen. Kirk's aforementioned Marty Stu traits do come with a plausible explanation, and he ends up needing most of them - they aren't there for show. This is seriously the best fanfiction I have ever read, and possibly the best fiction of any kind.

Observations by Anon_j_Anon
 * Recommended by Fibonacci Sequins, User:onesmallpigeon
 * Pairings: Kirk/Spock, side Scotty/Uhura
 * Synopsis: First Officer Spock comments on life aboard the Enterprise and his service under Captain James T. Kirk.
 * Comments: Pure epic. Not only is it one of the most natural-feeling slow-moving romances you will likely ever read (Anon_j_anon is a master of 'show don't tell', and with every mission that passes you can just feel how Kirk and Spock's relationship grows from awkward hostility to respectful friendship to genuine love) it is also just plain a great post-Star Trek 2009 'what happens after?' fic. Although Kirk and Spock are the focus, the whole cast gets involved, and side-plots such as Kirk's training of Uhura and Sulu to eventually become captains themselves can be just as interesting as the main storyline. It also plays with the Reboot fanfiction trope of applying TOS episodes to a reboot universe but always puts a different spin on the scenario so they always end up very different. Anon_j_anon is also an extremely intelligent person, with knowledge of logic, mathematics, physics, and linguistics that give the fic a really learned, interesting feel, and go a long way to contribute to an amazing Spock voice. (The references are usually explained in the Annotations, of course.) Finally, it is extremely long - 262 chapters and over 400k words. All of this contributes to an extremely emotional, realistic, and engrossing fic.
 * Seconded. This fic is dauntingly long, but the payoff is so worth it. It has it all: science, language, and beautiful characterizations. It gives a richly textured world told from all directions. Amazing Spock voice. This fic is the best of the best. -User:onesmallpigeon
 * Third this. It's right next to Home in it's awesomeness. It is intellectually stimulating while loving and dramatic---the characterization is so spot on it might as well be canon. This is a must read for those tired of the same cliches and useless dialogue. This story is anything but that, with every word striking a chord with the reader.
 * Tags: Slash Fic, Romance, Angst, Continuation, Character Study.

Break by Yahtzee
 * Recommended by Rose And Heather
 * Pairing: Spock/Uhura
 * Synopsis: During their final semester at Starfleet Academy, two people who have no intention of ever changing transform each other.
 * Comments: This fic does what the movie never did - it develops and explains Spock and Uhura's seemingly out-of-nowhere romance, showing that their relationship is founded on very logical mutual interests and the utterly illogical emotion called love. Heavily recommended.

Called You Friend by the_arc5
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock/McCoy
 * Summary: The Enterprise is sent to deal with a situation, and one of their own is taken. But this is not where the story begins.
 * Comments: There aren't that many well-written OT 3 fics out there. This is one of them.

Citylights by Atomicskull
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Pairings: Kirk/McCoy, Spock/Uhura, Sulu/Chekov
 * Summary: The Enterprise is actually a fashion magazine and James T. Kirk is editor in chief. "World War III (known as Almost the End of the World) occurred in 2014 during Milan Fashion Week. It was short, it was bloody, and it was absolutely spectacular to see unfold."
 * Comments: Seriously, give this a shot. This is a link to the first part of the series, and the characterization for everyone is wonderful. Also, for an added bonus, go over to Turntap2's journal once you've finished the story, and look at the absolutely fantastic fanart she did for the series.

Comforting Each Other With Apples by blcwriter
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Summary: What if an apple isn't just an apple?
 * Comments: Anything by this writer is genius.

discount shot night, diving, and denouement by Screamlet
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Pairings: Spock/Uhura, Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: The Enterprise crew's first shore leave. In which there is drinking, dancing, and some light torture.
 * Comments: These are hilarious. The first two are mostly gen.

Diamonds, a Club and a Couple of Hearts by florahart
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Summary: Jim Kirk is a hotshot new shortstop in the Constitution League. His team is young, but they have a lot of potential, and oh by the way, the team doctor? Is hot.
 * Comments: Yet another amazing K/Mc AU. This one was written for the Star Trek Big Bang fest, which basically means that a) this sucker is long and b) it has been run through the beta mill about a thousand times. This adds up to ridiculously high quality.

Establishing Rapport, A Therapeutic Relationship, and Doctor-Patient Privilege by therumjournals
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Summary: Leonard McCoy is a terrible therapist. Jim Kirk is a terrible government employee. They're absolutely perfect for each other.
 * Comments: A modern-day AU written mostly in dialogue. Be prepared for this to cause shivery stomachs and other fluttery bits, because it is just that hot. And perfect.

Home by Lanaea
 * Recommended by User:Tantopat, kph2pt0, User:Ainyre, User:onesmallpigeon
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Synopsis: The Enterprise is grounded for a while, leaving Kirk and Spock with the opportunity to get to know each other better, and slowly begin to bond.
 * Comments: A wildly popular fic in the Star Trek category on FF.Net, and for very good reason. An absolutely perfect story that can only continue to get better. The author's profile also has links to some really cute fanart for the series.
 * More comments: It's at thirty-three chapters now, and has only gotten more awesome. Unfortunately, the fic hasn't been updated for over a year, so it's likely a Dead Fic. YMMV, but fortunately the fic has been left off somewhere that is moderately satisfying, so you should still give it a read.

If Wishes Were Horses by fringedweller
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Jim Kirk/Janice Rand
 * Synopsis: All her life Janice Rand had wanted one thing - to figure out just what she was supposed to do with herself. She drifted into Starfleet on a whim, and to her surprise, found a niche to fill. But being assigned to the Enterprise brings with it a challenge to her neat and ordered way of life, and Janice is unsure as to how much she's willing to let James T. Kirk affect her. But since when has love ever been easy? And will Janice let her heart stand in the way of her career?
 * Comments: I've never been a fan of Kirk/Rand stories, but I gave this one a shot, and boy, am I glad I did! Fringedweller takes the time to develop Janice beyond a hot body and deferential attitude, and in the process makes it very clear why these versions of Jim and Janice are perfect for each other. Definitely give this a shot.

Love Is Strange by garryowen
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars, User:Ainyre
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: Spock accompanies his parents to an Earth resort where Jim Kirk is a dancer. Dirty Dancing redux.
 * Comments: Star Trek meets Dirty Dancing. Smoking hot awesome ensues.

The Most Precious Thing by soloproject
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Chekov/Sulu
 * Summary: Even if all their lives turn out to be an alternate reality, this is how Pavel Chekov grows up.
 * Comments: There were keysmashes when I finished this. And marriage proposals. That is all.

Leave No Soul Behind by whochick
 * Recommended by User:Girl In Glasses, 20thcenturyvole
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock (ensemble, OCs)
 * Summary: If you're Starfleet, you spend your whole life wishing you never see an EPAS uniform right up until the moment they become your only hope. Whether you're dying a slow, cold death in space, or a long painful one on some godforsaken planet, they're going to come for you. So count your last breaths, son, and hold on tight. They leave no soul behind.
 * Comments: An incredible AU, where the gang are EPAS in Darker and Edgier AU where the galaxy is being ripped from the inside out via Nero. This is not a happy fic, but the characters are incredibly believable,well-rounded, and its an ensemble story with complicated and nuanced friendship rather than being a pure slash story.
 * Seconded so hard. This fic redefines epic - it may be only slightly shorter than The Lord of the Rings - and it makes good use of its length, broken up as it is into various episodes of conflict, all of which are edge-of-your-seat thrilling and generally feature the amazing, genius characters we know and love dealing with intense crap by being amazing geniuses. It is tense, beautifully characterised, and has a magnificent arc; the reading equivalent of watching an entire season of a particularly excellent show. I cannot recommend it enough.

Never Know Your Story Like I Do by Atomicskull "Bones: We are one pair of codependent fuck ups.
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars, Pusspuss
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Synopsis: In which Kirk and Bones grow up together, Kirk plays baseball, and Bones looks fabulous in leather pants.
 * Comments: Atomicskull does it again - this time it's a High School AU done absolutely right. I cannot praise this fic highly enough. Atomicskull has a remarkable, deft touch with AUs, managing to keep them beautifully in character. Their love is so obviously based on friendship, so truly real and deep in the best sense of the word, it takes my breath away. From Bones and Jim helping move each other into college to nights with stolen beer on the neighborhood baseball diamond, from Jim's beat-up yellow Chucks (a staple of Atomicskull's writing) to Bones' leather pants, this is a journey of soulmates, of two halves of a whole. Best summed up in one exchange from the fic:

Jim: Yeah, but we're hot codependent fuck ups who have each other."

Ordinary Extraordinary Life by Midnightlover
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Synopsis: The lives of James Kirk and Leonard McCoy as viewed through the eyes of Joanna McCoy.
 * Comments: This deserves bonus points for making Joanna a fully realized (and completely awesome) character. Be warned, though: this fic covers the span of Kirk and McCoy's life together, and that includes their deaths. It is, however, perfectly written and utterly wrenching.

Perspectives by mijan
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Summary: McCoy normally loves to be right. This is the one time he wished he wasn't.

Secret Vulcan Mating Rituals by Chase820
 * Recommended by User:Lydia 777
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: Everyone knows the story of how James T. Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru. But only Kirk, Spock, and McCoy know the real story. Set before and after the events of the film, this fic offers a slashtastic twist on events.
 * Comments: This fic is right up there with Home in terms of characterization and great storytelling. Its an emotional rollercoaster, especially in regards to Jim's past, and not exactly for the faint of heart. But when you've got the dark machinations of Section 31 at work, would you have expected any different? There are currently 53 chapters up and they aren't short. Its mostly Jim-centric, but it also focuses on Jim's distant mother, Winona, as well as Bones and even Spock's extended family. I highly recommend this to readers with a mature taste. Not because of the sex and violence, but for mature themes that tend to border on the philosophical. A riveting read.

So Wise We Grow by captanddeastar
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: "Commander Spock, we have located your son," the Vulcan lady on the screen says, which would be great, except Jim can tell by the look on Spock's face that he's never heard of this kid before in his life. "If it is expedient, the child will be sent to join you on the Enterprise within the week."
 * Comments: Another Big Bang fic, with all the quality that implies. A wonderful look at the building of a family - and, with it, a romance.

strive seek find yield by waldorph
 * Recommended by Rose And Heather
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: Spock is heir to the Federation throne, Jim is Prince of America because his fucking brother abdicated, and the Klingons are on the verge of blowing shit up--a love story.
 * Comments: Also known as Spoctoria, this fuses Star Trek with (of all things) The Young Victoria. Kirk is Albert, Spock is Victoria. I am not kidding. It also pretty much defines Better Than It Sounds. Just... go read it, okay? Bring tissues. And ice water.

Switch by ceres_libera
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Summary: The life and times of Leonard H. McCoy MD/PhD. If Leonard McCoy's life could get any fucking weirder, it would be - Jesus, he didn't even want to think what that could possibly mean, because it's already been too fucking weird to make any kind of rational sense.
 * Comments: When the author says this romance is on slow burn, she means glacial. Doesn't stop it from being one of the best fanfics out there.

Symphony for Stars and Planets by Singingintime
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Synopsis: Kirk and Spock are members of the orchestra recording the soundtrack for the new Star Trek movie. As in, the actual Star Trek XI movie, about the adventures of... Picard and (I'm guessing) Riker. Against all odds, they fall in love.
 * Comments: This piece is... indescribable. I mean, really. They're absolutely, perfectly in character. Christopher Pike is the conductor, Uhura and Gaila are in the choir, Scotty's on drums, McCoy plays the sax, and Chekov and Sulu play I-didn't-catch-what but they're together. It also features a truly beautiful Spock/Uhura friendship. It was spawned from the kinkmeme, which tells you just how high-quality that particular meme is.

Subtracting the Stars by sidara
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/McCoy
 * Synopsis: After jettisoning the warp drive reactor cores, getting anywhere is going to be a slow process for the crew of the Enterprise.
 * Comments: Sheer brilliance. Mostly gen, but with enough K/Mc to add a layer of emotion and gut-wrenching humanity to the whole ordeal. A must-read.

The Waterpark 'Verse by ken_ichijouji
 * Recommended by violetrace
 * Pairings: Kirk/McCoy, Spock/Uhura, Sulu/Chapel
 * Synopsis: A series of dramedy-based stories primarily about Kirk and McCoy falling in love with each other. Strange things happen in the process. Oh yeah, and the Enterprise has its own water park.
 * Comments: This series is amazing, as on the surface it's sheer crack but has an incredible amount of character depth for all of the main characters. And you don't get more amazing than a water park on the Enterprise.


 * Grischa by McStories
 * Recommended by Flame Feathers
 * Pairing: Chekov/Cupcake
 * Synopsis: Five Things Everyone Knows About Greg 'Cupcake' Harris: He's big. He's violent. He's dumb. He's good at his job. He doesn't seem to like a single person in the universe. One Thing Cupcake Knows About Everyone Else: Everyone else doesn't know shit. Nobody knows anything about his momma or his dad or his brothers. Yeah, Greg's big. He's stupid, and he gets in a lot of fights, and he doesn't have friends and he isn't good at anything in the fighting and stopping smaller guys from getting hurt. But he's trying. And that's something nobody seems to give a shit about, that he's a world away from what he was raised to be, and he's trying. So Greg doesn't care what everyone thinks about him, because the one thing he knows is that people don't really know shit.
 * Comments: Very well written, you should check out the rest of Mc Stories stuff.

What Friends Are For by KianSpo
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Synopsis: The Enterprise is due for its first ever inspection. Everyone is nervous until Kirk discovers that the inspector is an old pal of his. But the man appears to have his own agenda where Kirk's first officer is concerned.
 * Warnings: Dub/Non-con
 * Comments: Genius. Beautifully written, and absolutely heartrending.

When The Game Ends, We'll Sing Again by jlh
 * Recommended by User:Across The Stars
 * Pairings: Kirk/McCoy, Spock/Uhura
 * Synopsis: Four young men meet as Harvard freshmen in 1959.
 * Comments: Yet more proof that either these characters are perfectly suited for A Us, or the fandom has some of the best AU writers on the internet. College AU.

When The Lights Go On Again by miera
 * Recommended by Rose And Heather
 * Pairings: McCoy/Chapel, Kirk/Rand
 * Synopsis: Christine Chapel is a Lieutenant in the Army Nursing Corps during World War II. While serving in Europe, she meets Dr Leonard McCoy.
 * Comments: Read this. Just... read this. It is beautiful and perfect and wonderful and yet another example of the brilliance of Star Trek AU writers.

You'll Get There in the End (It Just Takes a While) by Seperis
 * Recommended by User:Polaris
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Summary: "Spock. Just say 'I don't trust Starfleet not to mess up the only captain in the fleet who I can train up to my expectations and enjoys running into danger wearing a blindfold as much as I do'."
 * Comments: This is partly a reboot!Trek take on the whole Pon Farr thing (the plot device that spawned a thousand slash fics). It's also about why Spock decided to rejoin the Enterprise crew, and what he and Kirk are to each other. Mostly, it's just really good.
 * It now has a sequel, War Games, which is even longer and just as epically awesome.

Until It Sleeps by User:Voodoo Child 3000
 * Recommended by User:Mipp
 * Pairing: Nero/Winona Kirk
 * Summary: In this AU, Nero captures Winona Kirk and her infant son Jim shortly after destroying the Kelvin. In his grief-induced insanity, Nero decides the universe owes him a family and keeps Winona and Jim as a surrogate wife and son.
 * Comments: A dark and psychological fic about the Stockholm Syndrome slowly developing between Winona and the man who killed her husband, Nero. The author wisely puts the creepiness of this relationship front and center and the story never descends into fluffy romance. Nero's characterization is perhaps the most remarkable: he's completely delusional along with being homicidal, but he's so damaged and passionate that the reader can't help but comprehend his appeal.

Five and a Half People James T. Kirk Never Succeeded In Seducing by mercurial_wit
 * Recommended: by User:Thinks Too Much
 * Pairings:(deep breath) One-sided Kirk/Azula, One-sided Kirk/Sakura, one-sided Kirk/Miguel & Tulio (at the same time), one-sided Kirk/Kelly, one-sided Kirk/Arthur, and finally, and I don't recommend highlighting that spoiler because it's best just to read it as it comes and I for one didn't see it coming, but it does involve slash.
 * High School AU done right, again, this time with the premise that Kirk and Spock go to a Young Leadership Convention, Spock with the intention of learning about stuff, Kirk with the intention of seducing as many people as possible over the two weeks. The people from the other fandoms are also in attendance and Hilarity Ensues as Kirk tries to get laid and is repeatedly rejected. Often violently. I can't really describe it, but it's really, really freakin' funny.

Don't Stop Believing by KianSpo
 * Recommended by User:Studious Jones
 * Pairings: Eventual Kirk/Spock with some Pike/Spock and Spock/Uhura
 * Summary: Spock-centric action/romance novel within Reboot-canon. Slow-building Pike/Spock, progressing to slow-building Kirk/Spock as main pairing. From first love to the love of his life and everything in between. Ad astra per aspera.
 * One of the best fics I have ever read. Definitely one for Spock lovers if you don't mind slash. Still a WIP (as of this post), but it is an epic story. It starts before the movie and continues on after.

Keep Your Clothes On! by Cards-Slash
 * Recommended by Chirichan
 * Pairings: Kirk/Spock with reluctant Bones/Spock
 * Summary: ALIENS FORCED THEM TO DO IT SPOCK/MCCOY with one pissed off Kirk cause yknow K/S is practically canon. Basically I want spock and mmcoy planet side, doing something or other, they both get nabbed and are forced to do the dirty (ill let the writer decided how or why, but I have a major collector of endangered species kink if you get me), Kirk up on the USS is forced to watch/listen as his long time lover, is getting jiggy with his BFF. 
 * It's a lot funnier than the summary makes it sound. And jealous Kirk is always awesome.

Fighting Gravity by pantswarrior
 * Recommended by Orn
 * Pairings: Kirk/Spock, with previous mentions of Spock/Uhura and some very mild, one-sided Kirk/McCoy
 * Summary: When Spock left Starfleet after the encounter with Nero, Jim thought he'd lost his chance at their supposedly destined friendship. Upon returning to Earth after the Enterprise's first five-year mission, he discovers that Spock lost far more. Jim's willing to fight for the bright future they were promised, but the one thing standing in its way is Spock himself.
 * Comments: Essentially, it is 'Pretty Woman', only instead of a plucky human prostitute intent on earning respect, we have a conflicted Vulcan hobo intent on spitting in destiny's face. It's about as awesome as it sounds.

Amor Delirus by User:Voodoo Child 3000.
 * Recommended by User:The Fuzzinator
 * Pairings: Spock/Uhura, one-sided Nero/Uhura, one-sided Ayel/Nero.
 * Summary: The Enterprise is captured by Nero before it can destroy the Narada, and Nero decides to get revenge on Spock with Uhura. While the crew organizes an escape she manages to kill him, only to wind up with his katra inside her head in addition to all the trauma he inflicted on her. Once they have escaped they all have to learn to move on from what happened to them on the Narada, and become the crew they're meant to be.
 * Comments: This fic is intense, violent, and often very dark, but well worth it if you can handle it. Each chapter is told from the POV of a different character, and the progression of everyone's characterization is downright amazing. The author calls it a Kink Meme prompt that took on a life of its own: it's reached twenty-three chapters, though it remains unfinished.

Take Refuge in What You Know by Corpus Invictus (Warning: Adult content. NC-17)
 * Recommended by User:Ainyre
 * Pairings: Kirk/Spock friendship/pre-slash, Kirk/Spock slash, background McCoy/Jocelyn, Uhura/, Chekov/Sulu
 * Synopsis: AU - Kirk has moved into an apartment/house and wants to get to know his neighbors. He meets his neighbor Spock, a loner who suffers from extreme agoraphobia. Kirk thinks he's a beautiful enigma.
 * Comments: One of my most beloved fics of all time. What makes Take Refuge outstanding is its exceptional psychological credibility that captures the readers’ attention and makes them empathize with the characters of a brilliant hurt/comfort story. In addition, I have to admit to being completely charmed by McCoy’s four-year-old daughter Joanna who plays a vital part in the story. As a last note: although the fic is long, it’s complete, which is another incentive to read it.
 * Tags: AU, Slash Fic, hurt!Spock, H/C, Romance, Angst.

Shine Like The Sun by kyliselle
 * Recommended by Ajadea, User:Ainyre
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock
 * Synopsis: An accident leaves Spock with amnesia. His last memory is bringing a cadet up on charges for cheating on the Kobayashi Maru - a cadet who, to his disgust, is now his bondmate.
 * Comments: Heartwrenching. Kyliselle writes believable, sympathetic, versions of Kirk and Spock, and nevertheless some of the scenes incite a certain urge to reach through the screen and slap Kirk and/or Spock for being colossal Jerkasses to each other.
 * Tags: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Slash Fic.

The Native by StarTrekFanWriter
 * Recommended by User:Girl In Glasses
 * Pairing: Sarek and Amanda
 * Synopsis: The relationship that started it all - Sarek/Amanda. How a logical guy like Sarek fell for a human, and why he would defy his people to marry her. Sybock & Spock will be featured. Starts with Sarek's first Pon Farr - first two chapters are angsty.
 * Comments: Haven't finished this one yet, but so far the characterization is completely believable and Sarek is both sympathetic yet not woobified. Really, this pairing needs more love.

Home by The Physicist (completely different fic than Lanaea's. Warning:
 * Recommended by User:Girl In Glasses
 * Pairing: Kirk/Spock, mentions of Spock/Uhura
 * Synopsis: The Vulcans need a new home planet, so the Enterprise and her crew set out to find one for them. "They’d come all the way for this? Which mad astronomer had sent them out here? Whose twisted idea had it been?"
 * Comments: I was really torn whether to recommend this one under shipping or under gen. Even though it eventually ends up K/S, the ride is slow, and the focus is on the action and adventure and friendship, with the romance taking second mike. Has spot on characterization, good pacing, and Uhura, especially, is written to be awesome. The action sequences feel like they could be part of an actual episode.

''[http://archiveofourown.org/works/55476 How Many Roads? or, 27 Times Jim Kirk Hit On Nyota Uhura]'' by Deastar
 * Recommended by Goodwrench
 * Pairings: attempted Kirk/Uhura
 * Synopsis: After the bar fight, Nyota thinks to herself that if this is what being hit on by Jim Kirk leads to, she's very glad she's never going to have to see him again.
 * Comments: Starts out lighthearted, then turns into something unexpected. A very powerful piece.

Humor
Collateral Damage by mrasaki
 * Recommended by Goodwrench
 * Synopsis: At 1700 hours, the command chair tries to eat Captain James T. Kirk.
 * Comments: Very funny crackfic. Somehow, you're not surprised that Kirk gets himself into this sort of situation.
 * Tags: Slash, Multiple Pairings

Letter To The Manufacturer by Alexis Seven
 * Recommended by Zashiki-Warashi
 * Synopsis: SUBJECT: Parachute Malfunction
 * Comments: Short, yet funny. The reasoning seems obvious now that someone wrote it out.

The Quirks of Jim Kirk by Scott Winchester 22 3
 * Recommended by Not On Earth
 * Synopsis: Jim Kirk has many quirks. Here are twenty-six (currently 23) completely unrelated, random, crackish insights to his life. Emphasis on crack.
 * Pairing(s): hints of Uhura/Spock
 * Tags: Contains some mild cursing
 * Comments: Absolutely hilarious.

Crossovers
Legends of Darkover by HRT
 * Recommended by Goodwrench
 * Fandoms: Star Trek, Star Wars, Darkover.
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: The Sith lead Qui-gon and Obi-wan on a chase between galaxies. But why are the Sith so interested in the Federation planet of Darkover? The Jedi realize they need help, and the crew of the Starship Enterprise discover they have been volunteered.
 * Warnings: Has slash for the Darkover fandom, though other two fandoms are gen. NC-17.
 * Comments: It's a tricky thing to write a believable crossover, much less one with three canons, yet Legends is about as solid a piece of writing as you're going to find. The author does a very realistic job chronicling the unfolding of a disastrous situation for the Enterprise and the crew's reaction to it.