Star Trek: Enterprise Recommendations (Mature)
This show is one of my all time favorites (though I know fans of the general franchise dismiss it usually). It was one of the first Trek!shows that I was able to watch from start to finish, which is presumably why its my favorite. If I'm showing my age, I apologize...
As with all my fandoms, I "ship" a certain couple from the show and that's whom these recommendations are based around. For this show it was Commander Charles "Trip" Tucker and Commander (nee Subcommander) T'Pol, generally two of my favorite characters but together an unstoppable force of fangirly obsession.
This is not a complete listing of my recommendations. This is, however, the ones that I was able to find and bookmark for your reading pleasure. Most are rated "Mature", or if you rather, rated "R" to "NC-17". This is not a reflection of my reading habits (though I do love me some smut), but instead of the mood I was in during that cycle of my reading.
Living Among the Thorns
By Triplover
Rated: PG
Summary: Enterprise is still trying to find that Xindi weapon, by whatever means necessary.
Why I Love It: Not only is this set in the best timeframe for a Trip/T'Pol fan, it's also set in an emotionally rich time for both. Trip is unsettled by the events of the Expanse and T'Pol is beginning to be affected by her emotions. The author manages to harden Trip as the canon dictated but also to keep him the same Trip that fans came to know and love. At the same time, the author embraced the fragility of T'Pol's psyche yet still kept her inner strength. It's a tricky line to walk but Triplover managed to beautifully. I love the progression of the two characters in this fanfiction and the way the author used a new situation to illuminate the relationship between them and the changes that they'd undergone (especially Trip). This is definitely one of my favorite fanfictions set in the third season, and I'm sure you'll see why.
Only You
By Athena
Rated: R
Summary: As Pon Farr approaches for T’Pol she has to make some choices regarding her relationship with Trip. Of course nothing goes as expected and Trip and T’Pol must decide how to proceed with their relationship.
Why I Love It: Come on, "T'Pol-in-Ponn-Farr" stories are a dime a dozen and usually little better than PWP. Would I be so low-class as to direct you to a PWP? (Yes, I would, but not in this instance.) This, however, is a story that deals with the emotional ramifications of Ponn Farr as it happens to these two characters and not in the usual shallow manner. It's an emotionally tense, enjoyable romp through the halls of "What If..."and I know any who read it will love it.
Repairs
By Nikitee
Rated: PG-13 into R (mature material is seperated and can be "skipped over")
Summary: T'Pol is in a delicate situation and Trip helps her out...though Archer doesn't realize that. (Summarized by cold_queen_5)
Why I Love It: Again, it's not PWP, but this one slides close to the line (partly why I adore it). This fic is...unintentionally hilarious. It deftly shows Trip's caring side and need for T'Pol, and vice versa, and plays Archer for the punch line he was (at least in the first couple of seasons). I love many of the scenes and dialogue in this piece, but it's the actions that make it so hilarious and addictive.
Your Mom 'n' Me
By John O.
Rated: PG-13 into R (alternate versions of chapters are provided)
Summary: When T'Pol is grievously injured Trip is forced to move past his own hurt feelings and be there for her. (Summary by cold_queen_5)
Why I Love It: This is one of the best written "their-bond-saves-one-another's-life" stories out there. Yeah, you read that right. Stories where the bond between T'Pol and Trip somehow saves the other and the universe became very popular post-Bound (and even recieved some canon play in the Trek novels), and this is one of the best written. Trip really shines in this fic, each chapter explores another aspect of him deeply and intricately, almost making T'Pol a plot device (which isn't unheard of, LOL), at least in the first half of the story. As the story continues it becomes more intricate , and introduces one of my favorite OC's Professor Solkar. After delving so deeply into Trip's emotions the story turns to Vulcan history and culture and takes you for an exciting and suspenseful ride you won't soon forget.
Generational
By TLR
Rated: PG into R
Summary: Set in the E(squared) universe, just how did T'Pol and Trip get together? (Summarized by cold_queen_5)
Why I Love It: Despite the rich opportunities, this is actually an AU that isn't explored that often in the fandom. Maybe because the end of the story, Trip's early demise, is so concrete many can't find it in them to write the tragedy of it, but be very glad that author TLR did. This is a wonderful story. It's a deliciously light concoction of romance and drama, with some jealous Trip thrown in to tantalize the senses. T'Pol's addiction isn't a major point in this story (as it often is in Season Three fanfiction), which only makes the fic better in my opinion. There's only so many times one can read about that until it loses some of its shock factor and becomes tedious. Still, this story has a great sense of balance between humor and drama, a sign of an excellently written story. You quickly move from amused as Trip's predicaments to in awe of the emotional bond between the two characters and the extents either will go to for the other (not to mention the hawtness of the love scenes...). This scene also boasts one of my favorite fanfic scenes of all time, one in which T'Pol "accepts" Trip's emotions into her mind in a very creative/interesting manner (all I gotta say is...puppies.). The ending is light on the sadness, which I can appreciate, but resolves the storyline satisfyingly (since we all know how it ends canonly).
The Long and Winding Road
By Kevin
Rated: R
Summary: T'Pol tries to inform Trip of the bond and fails. He finds out for himself.
Why I Love It: Though, clearly, one of the best T'Pol/Trip bond stories out there, this one is also slightly uncomfortable to read. It delves deeply into the toll the bond could take on Trip and many of the scenes in which he's dealing with its repurcussions skate on the edge of discomfort. It's well written enough that you can almost FEEL that knot forming in your stomach. The emotions of all characters ring very true throughout this story and that's perhaps why it instigates such an emotional response in the reader. Even if not a T'Pol/Trip fan, I highly recommend this story just for its brilliance in the interpretation of the bond.
Shouldknowbetter's Series
Rated: PG-R
Summary: Begun before season two was aired, this is an alternate universe series made up of eight stories, with two alternate endings. Comprehensive and varied, each story is furthers the relationship of Trip and T'Pol to its eventual fated end.
Why I Love It: This. Is. Absolutely. One. Of. The. Best. Series. Out. There. Not only is each story well-written and involved, but they're all so intricately detailed that you almost feel like you're watching an episode of the show. The plots change and the character focus shifts, and you're always left wanting more. (On a side note, I'm not a fan of Soval's characterization in this series, but the sheer brilliance of the entire series forces me to move past my dislike of that one small fact). For me, though, the story that really made this series for me is the alternate ending titled "The Rainbow's Foot". It is, in truth, my favorite Trip and T'Pol story out there. You can't really get the story without reading the entire series, but its truly worth it. Though it takes several days to reread the entire thing, every few months I find myself drawn back to it just so I can get to that ending. I don't want to go into detail, as that would spoil it, but out of all these stories, if you read any of them, read these.
Stories:
A Logical Proposal
Illicit Trade
Someone to Watch Over Me
Deception
So'Ke'Fe
Repercussions
Cry Havoc
Remember
Alternate Endings:
The Rainbow's Foot
Golden Lads and Girls
_____
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my first recommendation post. I hope you all enjoy these stories and make time to review them.
I send much love to House of Tucker, on whom all of these are hosted but has since ceased accepting new admissions. It's successor, Triaxian Silk, is where you should go to seek newer fanfiction and I highly recommend you do.
As with all my fandoms, I "ship" a certain couple from the show and that's whom these recommendations are based around. For this show it was Commander Charles "Trip" Tucker and Commander (nee Subcommander) T'Pol, generally two of my favorite characters but together an unstoppable force of fangirly obsession.
This is not a complete listing of my recommendations. This is, however, the ones that I was able to find and bookmark for your reading pleasure. Most are rated "Mature", or if you rather, rated "R" to "NC-17". This is not a reflection of my reading habits (though I do love me some smut), but instead of the mood I was in during that cycle of my reading.
Living Among the Thorns
By Triplover
Rated: PG
Summary: Enterprise is still trying to find that Xindi weapon, by whatever means necessary.
Why I Love It: Not only is this set in the best timeframe for a Trip/T'Pol fan, it's also set in an emotionally rich time for both. Trip is unsettled by the events of the Expanse and T'Pol is beginning to be affected by her emotions. The author manages to harden Trip as the canon dictated but also to keep him the same Trip that fans came to know and love. At the same time, the author embraced the fragility of T'Pol's psyche yet still kept her inner strength. It's a tricky line to walk but Triplover managed to beautifully. I love the progression of the two characters in this fanfiction and the way the author used a new situation to illuminate the relationship between them and the changes that they'd undergone (especially Trip). This is definitely one of my favorite fanfictions set in the third season, and I'm sure you'll see why.
Only You
By Athena
Rated: R
Summary: As Pon Farr approaches for T’Pol she has to make some choices regarding her relationship with Trip. Of course nothing goes as expected and Trip and T’Pol must decide how to proceed with their relationship.
Why I Love It: Come on, "T'Pol-in-Ponn-Farr" stories are a dime a dozen and usually little better than PWP. Would I be so low-class as to direct you to a PWP? (Yes, I would, but not in this instance.) This, however, is a story that deals with the emotional ramifications of Ponn Farr as it happens to these two characters and not in the usual shallow manner. It's an emotionally tense, enjoyable romp through the halls of "What If..."and I know any who read it will love it.
Repairs
By Nikitee
Rated: PG-13 into R (mature material is seperated and can be "skipped over")
Summary: T'Pol is in a delicate situation and Trip helps her out...though Archer doesn't realize that. (Summarized by cold_queen_5)
Why I Love It: Again, it's not PWP, but this one slides close to the line (partly why I adore it). This fic is...unintentionally hilarious. It deftly shows Trip's caring side and need for T'Pol, and vice versa, and plays Archer for the punch line he was (at least in the first couple of seasons). I love many of the scenes and dialogue in this piece, but it's the actions that make it so hilarious and addictive.
Your Mom 'n' Me
By John O.
Rated: PG-13 into R (alternate versions of chapters are provided)
Summary: When T'Pol is grievously injured Trip is forced to move past his own hurt feelings and be there for her. (Summary by cold_queen_5)
Why I Love It: This is one of the best written "their-bond-saves-one-another's-life" stories out there. Yeah, you read that right. Stories where the bond between T'Pol and Trip somehow saves the other and the universe became very popular post-Bound (and even recieved some canon play in the Trek novels), and this is one of the best written. Trip really shines in this fic, each chapter explores another aspect of him deeply and intricately, almost making T'Pol a plot device (which isn't unheard of, LOL), at least in the first half of the story. As the story continues it becomes more intricate , and introduces one of my favorite OC's Professor Solkar. After delving so deeply into Trip's emotions the story turns to Vulcan history and culture and takes you for an exciting and suspenseful ride you won't soon forget.
Generational
By TLR
Rated: PG into R
Summary: Set in the E(squared) universe, just how did T'Pol and Trip get together? (Summarized by cold_queen_5)
Why I Love It: Despite the rich opportunities, this is actually an AU that isn't explored that often in the fandom. Maybe because the end of the story, Trip's early demise, is so concrete many can't find it in them to write the tragedy of it, but be very glad that author TLR did. This is a wonderful story. It's a deliciously light concoction of romance and drama, with some jealous Trip thrown in to tantalize the senses. T'Pol's addiction isn't a major point in this story (as it often is in Season Three fanfiction), which only makes the fic better in my opinion. There's only so many times one can read about that until it loses some of its shock factor and becomes tedious. Still, this story has a great sense of balance between humor and drama, a sign of an excellently written story. You quickly move from amused as Trip's predicaments to in awe of the emotional bond between the two characters and the extents either will go to for the other (not to mention the hawtness of the love scenes...). This scene also boasts one of my favorite fanfic scenes of all time, one in which T'Pol "accepts" Trip's emotions into her mind in a very creative/interesting manner (all I gotta say is...puppies.). The ending is light on the sadness, which I can appreciate, but resolves the storyline satisfyingly (since we all know how it ends canonly).
The Long and Winding Road
By Kevin
Rated: R
Summary: T'Pol tries to inform Trip of the bond and fails. He finds out for himself.
Why I Love It: Though, clearly, one of the best T'Pol/Trip bond stories out there, this one is also slightly uncomfortable to read. It delves deeply into the toll the bond could take on Trip and many of the scenes in which he's dealing with its repurcussions skate on the edge of discomfort. It's well written enough that you can almost FEEL that knot forming in your stomach. The emotions of all characters ring very true throughout this story and that's perhaps why it instigates such an emotional response in the reader. Even if not a T'Pol/Trip fan, I highly recommend this story just for its brilliance in the interpretation of the bond.
Shouldknowbetter's Series
Rated: PG-R
Summary: Begun before season two was aired, this is an alternate universe series made up of eight stories, with two alternate endings. Comprehensive and varied, each story is furthers the relationship of Trip and T'Pol to its eventual fated end.
Why I Love It: This. Is. Absolutely. One. Of. The. Best. Series. Out. There. Not only is each story well-written and involved, but they're all so intricately detailed that you almost feel like you're watching an episode of the show. The plots change and the character focus shifts, and you're always left wanting more. (On a side note, I'm not a fan of Soval's characterization in this series, but the sheer brilliance of the entire series forces me to move past my dislike of that one small fact). For me, though, the story that really made this series for me is the alternate ending titled "The Rainbow's Foot". It is, in truth, my favorite Trip and T'Pol story out there. You can't really get the story without reading the entire series, but its truly worth it. Though it takes several days to reread the entire thing, every few months I find myself drawn back to it just so I can get to that ending. I don't want to go into detail, as that would spoil it, but out of all these stories, if you read any of them, read these.
Stories:
A Logical Proposal
Illicit Trade
Someone to Watch Over Me
Deception
So'Ke'Fe
Repercussions
Cry Havoc
Remember
Alternate Endings:
The Rainbow's Foot
Golden Lads and Girls
_____
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my first recommendation post. I hope you all enjoy these stories and make time to review them.
I send much love to House of Tucker, on whom all of these are hosted but has since ceased accepting new admissions. It's successor, Triaxian Silk, is where you should go to seek newer fanfiction and I highly recommend you do.