I want to thank those people who answered my request for some McCoy recs. I love discovering new, enjoyable stories and you helped me do that! Thank you. In return, I would like to share a list of stories I often return to read.

I never tire of reading fics, you guys, because I am continually amazed by the gamut of perspectives that can be brought to the table by fandom writers. I love plots revolving around a solid platonic or romantic relationship (and any mixture thereof) between two or three characters; I love it even more when a writer can add to or subtract from my personal vision of a relationship – pluck me out of my box, so to speak – and convince me of his or her vision almost beyond a shadow of doubt. If I don’t expect a romantic relationship to work between Scotty and Spock, on a subconscious level I want to be proved wrong. And if I can be shown by an intriguing, thoughtful, and/or deliciously good piece of fiction to see this pairing as credible, even enjoyable… well, there are no words beyond FANDOM ROCKS.

This brings me to my first rec, originally recced to me by natashasolten only a day or two ago:

Switch series by Ceres_Libera. (natashasolten, thank you. I forfeited my bedtime last night to burn through this story.)
Honestly, I’ve read my share of Reboot Kirk/McCoy stories, but none so utterly rich as this. The reader has to return to this story more than once, to these characters in particular, almost like a compulsion. They stay with you long after you’ve moved on. Ceres_Libera‘s vision of canon characters, as well as her own originals, are so strong and solid and unique. It’s amazing how she conveys this through a story told solely in McCoy’s POV and makes you believe every word of it.

Anything TOS by stillwaters01. Some of the highlights: Watching the Watcher, His Mission and, the best of all, There Were Days, a character study of Leonard McCoy through the eyes of others while the CMO’s staff work diligently to save McCoy’s life.
stillwaters01 seems to know Dr. Leonard H. McCoy like the back of her hand – as does her Christine Chapel. She gives us strong, brilliant characterizations and an emphasis on just how integral McCoy is to the Enterprise crew. Also, she has an intricate knowledge of medicine, which makes her stories infinitely more realistic and often poignant.

Anything by kcscribbler. I cannot even say one story stands out because I love them all equally.
This writer could be Diane Duane in disguise, except maybe better. kcscribbler generally focuses on the deep friendship between Kirk and Spock (which is the best I’ve read) but also has an innate understanding of the “family” atmosphere among the Enterprise crew and an accuracy on all things Trek that is simply amazing. BTW, she can apparently do anything because her current WIP is a TOS kid!fic that is ridiculously wonderful.

Atlas by Angel Baby1.
The story has almost 3,000 reviews for a reason. I am not much of a Kirk/Spock shipper without McCoy added in, but this story (set in Spock’s POV) reels you in. It spans from the aftermath of Nero and into deep space, as a certain Vulcan seeks to understand why everyone believes the brash young man named James T. Kirk is capable of captaining the ‘Fleet flagship. I read this a long time ago and it has never faded from my mind.

Last Picked and Only So Much by Cathy German
What can I say? The Orion Archives (a fanzine) are rife with good Star Trek stories. These two I always return to because they feature McCoy in all his glory (and not-so-much glory in Last Picked). It’s like reading snippets from TOS episodes. Which, if you want an involved episodic story, check out The Dorian Solution, too.

Unspoken Truths by Mary Rottler and Lynn Syck
If you have limited yourself to fanfiction written since the airing of STXI, you are missing wonderful stories like this one, which takes the TOS episode The Enterprise Incident one step further – what if the Romulans had interrogated McCoy when he boarded their vessel to treat his captain? It’s heart-wrenching h/c.

Unwritten and Snow Country by ayalesca
I’m not entirely sure if this writer is real because no one should be able to produce such wonderful and poignant stories. She has a talent one cannot help but admire and envy! These are both Kirk/McCoy-focused: the former is a rich AU where Jim and Bones are famous, unique authors; the latter is a haunting piece about the afterlife.

Until We Meet Again by claudia_nic
Slow-building Kirk/McCoy. Command makes an example of McCoy after the Narada incident and he does not become the CMO of the Enterprise. Jim and Bones keep in communication via subspace messages. I can’t rec this enough. It’s a lovely piece of work.

Letter to Amanda by Kelthammer
Don’t we all need to be entertained once and while by wonderfully hilarious stories? I know I do! This one makes me laugh every time.

I know you must be wondering why I have not recced any Kirk/Spock/McCoy slashy goodness… That’s because I have a whole archive of bookmarks here. Peruse at your leisure. ;D

Please feel free to share your recs at this post! Happy reading to everyone!

Related Posts:

• IS BACK!”> IS BACK! – from August 20, 2013
• I Love Gifts! – from July 14, 2013
• Rec: No Man is an Island – from June 30, 2012
• Rec: Upon a Star – from May 29, 2012