Shipper Manifesto: Nyota Uhura/Spock (reboot Star Trek)
Fandom: Star Trek XI
Pairing: Nyota Uhura/Spock
Blurb: The two brief scenes they had in the film were a surprise, but also felt right. Uhura is the only strong recurring woman in the canon - sorry, Chapel! - and even on the surface I could see that Uhura wouldn't put up with a man who didn't respect her - too bad, Jim Kirk! - nor with a man who couldn't show her how he felt, however discreetly and in character. I'm quite pleased that Spock is gaining dimensionality in this film - he shows emotion not because he's drugged or insane, but because he's evolving. And Uhura is his safe haven to retreat to when he does. Whether you ship them in TOS or not is a discussion for another place.
Fic Rec #1: Descartes Error
Author: startrekwriter
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: It's not only a believable, in-character, slow buildup to what came before the movie. It's also a superb illustration of Descartes' Error, which argues against Descartes' philosophy of dualism, i.e. that the immaterial mind and the material body are separate and not parts of a whole. Spock finds that his cadet aide can give him insight into human nature and perception, and in turn she learns that a logical mind does not rule out an emotional body.
Fic Rec #2 Once and Future
Author: teaoli
Link: LiveJournal
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: TeaOli has formed a wonderfully sound backstory about both Uhura's and Spock's family and heritage, and all her stuff is well done and plotted. This one deals with what happens after the events of the film, when Spock and Uhura part ways and Uhura's the one who ends up on New Vulcan, working on a project with Sarek and Spock Prime.
Fic Rec #3: How To Get The Vulcan You Want In Six Easy Steps
Author: outtabreath / dracutgrl
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13 for adult concepts; only hits graphic nooky in later chapters
Why This Must Be Read: This one is like popcorn, yummy, low-cal, you could eat it all day and go back for more. Spock is taking a maverick team of students (the "Idiot Squad") to the Oxford Linguistics Invitational competition; Uhura's roommate schemes (and hacks) to throw Uhura and Spock together, in more ways than one. Funny, snappy dialogue and inner Uhura, oddly in character for the Vulcan. Followed by "What Would Doctor Flenderson Do?"
Fic Rec #4: Another Path
Author: dr spleenmeister
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): M/R
Why This Must Be Read: The Doc is known for sexy action tales; this one is no exception. Starting with Spock's second encounter with T'Pring at the age of 17, it follows him to Enterprise, and an agreement with Lt. Uhura for, um, mutual relief, then an unintentional bonding and a clueless pissing off of the Lt. Provocative and eloquent, as always.
Fic Rec #5: Strong and Sweet
Author: ejectingthecore
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: The language in this one is lyrical and evocative; there's minimal interaction between the two protagonists, but great depth in terms of thought and perception. What goes through Spock's and Nyota's heads as they don't quite cross paths at Starfleet Academy.
Fic Rec #6: You Had Me From Hello
Author: nerdielady
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): R/M
Why This Must Be Read: Exquisitely detailed lead-up to the movie, set in Academy days. The writer has a keen eye and pen for detail and her take is completely in character. And very sexy. Preceded by "Getting to know you" and "A new day coming", followed by many other faithfully updated fics.
Fic Rec #7: The Hunt
Author: hopefuladdict
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): R/M
Why This Must Be Read: The writer covers both married S/U and first-meeting S/U, blending POVs beautifully between memory sequences and a game of sexy hide and seek. Remarkable for the portrayal of Spock as alpha male.
Fic Rec #8: Truth and Lies
Author: Classroomnotes
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This one takes Spock's statement "I will be back" and shows how three different characters interpret it, and how Spock deals with his promise after he does come back. A thoughtful treatment of the power of words.
Fic Rec #9: Conversational Vulcan
Author: bluemoon3
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/R
Why This Must Be Read: Uses a fascinating and original structural metaphor of how Spock deals with emotions as he gets to know and figure out Uhura, and vice versa.
Fic Rec #10: A Simple Girl
Author: the night was moist
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: Well-written dialogue as Uhura demands that Spock dissolve their mental/emotional bond, as she's broken up with him. Spock clarifies for her that she will no longer be bonded to him, but that he will never bond with another. Even during the time of pon farr. "Though it defies all logic, I have come to the realization that, bond or no, I refuse to live without you." A good clean emotional fight between people who have their own values and needs.
Pairing: Nyota Uhura/Spock
Blurb: The two brief scenes they had in the film were a surprise, but also felt right. Uhura is the only strong recurring woman in the canon - sorry, Chapel! - and even on the surface I could see that Uhura wouldn't put up with a man who didn't respect her - too bad, Jim Kirk! - nor with a man who couldn't show her how he felt, however discreetly and in character. I'm quite pleased that Spock is gaining dimensionality in this film - he shows emotion not because he's drugged or insane, but because he's evolving. And Uhura is his safe haven to retreat to when he does. Whether you ship them in TOS or not is a discussion for another place.
Fic Rec #1: Descartes Error
Author: startrekwriter
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: It's not only a believable, in-character, slow buildup to what came before the movie. It's also a superb illustration of Descartes' Error, which argues against Descartes' philosophy of dualism, i.e. that the immaterial mind and the material body are separate and not parts of a whole. Spock finds that his cadet aide can give him insight into human nature and perception, and in turn she learns that a logical mind does not rule out an emotional body.
Fic Rec #2 Once and Future
Author: teaoli
Link: LiveJournal
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: TeaOli has formed a wonderfully sound backstory about both Uhura's and Spock's family and heritage, and all her stuff is well done and plotted. This one deals with what happens after the events of the film, when Spock and Uhura part ways and Uhura's the one who ends up on New Vulcan, working on a project with Sarek and Spock Prime.
Fic Rec #3: How To Get The Vulcan You Want In Six Easy Steps
Author: outtabreath / dracutgrl
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13 for adult concepts; only hits graphic nooky in later chapters
Why This Must Be Read: This one is like popcorn, yummy, low-cal, you could eat it all day and go back for more. Spock is taking a maverick team of students (the "Idiot Squad") to the Oxford Linguistics Invitational competition; Uhura's roommate schemes (and hacks) to throw Uhura and Spock together, in more ways than one. Funny, snappy dialogue and inner Uhura, oddly in character for the Vulcan. Followed by "What Would Doctor Flenderson Do?"
Fic Rec #4: Another Path
Author: dr spleenmeister
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): M/R
Why This Must Be Read: The Doc is known for sexy action tales; this one is no exception. Starting with Spock's second encounter with T'Pring at the age of 17, it follows him to Enterprise, and an agreement with Lt. Uhura for, um, mutual relief, then an unintentional bonding and a clueless pissing off of the Lt. Provocative and eloquent, as always.
Fic Rec #5: Strong and Sweet
Author: ejectingthecore
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: The language in this one is lyrical and evocative; there's minimal interaction between the two protagonists, but great depth in terms of thought and perception. What goes through Spock's and Nyota's heads as they don't quite cross paths at Starfleet Academy.
Fic Rec #6: You Had Me From Hello
Author: nerdielady
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): R/M
Why This Must Be Read: Exquisitely detailed lead-up to the movie, set in Academy days. The writer has a keen eye and pen for detail and her take is completely in character. And very sexy. Preceded by "Getting to know you" and "A new day coming", followed by many other faithfully updated fics.
Fic Rec #7: The Hunt
Author: hopefuladdict
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): R/M
Why This Must Be Read: The writer covers both married S/U and first-meeting S/U, blending POVs beautifully between memory sequences and a game of sexy hide and seek. Remarkable for the portrayal of Spock as alpha male.
Fic Rec #8: Truth and Lies
Author: Classroomnotes
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: This one takes Spock's statement "I will be back" and shows how three different characters interpret it, and how Spock deals with his promise after he does come back. A thoughtful treatment of the power of words.
Fic Rec #9: Conversational Vulcan
Author: bluemoon3
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/R
Why This Must Be Read: Uses a fascinating and original structural metaphor of how Spock deals with emotions as he gets to know and figure out Uhura, and vice versa.
Fic Rec #10: A Simple Girl
Author: the night was moist
Link: FanFiction.Net
Rating/Warning(s): T/PG-13
Why This Must Be Read: Well-written dialogue as Uhura demands that Spock dissolve their mental/emotional bond, as she's broken up with him. Spock clarifies for her that she will no longer be bonded to him, but that he will never bond with another. Even during the time of pon farr. "Though it defies all logic, I have come to the realization that, bond or no, I refuse to live without you." A good clean emotional fight between people who have their own values and needs.