A/N: Hello, again! I know it's been awhile since I've updated this story, but I'm hoping there are still some people around who are interested in reading it.
IMPORTANT: I recently went through and made edits to ALL the chapters within this story. Those who've already read it, I highly encourage you to re-read the new old chapters. The overall story has not changed, but there are new details and some references might be confusing to those who haven't read the updated pages.
Please note italicized portions indicate flashbacks. Thanks for reading!
"You want me? As a bartender?"
Cosima pointed to herself, her eyes bouncing between Sarah and Bobby. She thought the question had been a joke, but no. Sarah and Bobby were dead serious, and they were waiting for an answer.
Cosima shook her head. "No No No - That's, like, a really terrible idea!"
"C'mon, Cos," Sarah pushed. "Live a little!"
"Sarah, I don't know anything about bartending. I don't even know what half those bottles are!" Cosima waved her hand toward the large liquor collection behind the bar, nearly toppling her own glass of red wine in the process.
"Listen up, Geek Monkey."
And thus began Sarah's persuasion campaign.
There was flattery.
"You're a geek; you'll pick it up quick."
There was guilt.
"Bloody hell, Cos! Bobby just wants a little time off for herself. Doesn't she deserve at least that? Especially after all those free drinks she's given you over the years…"
And finally there were threats.
"Do this or I won't let you see Kira. Ever. Again."
Cosima rolled her eyes. She had to give it to Sarah, she certainly was persistent. Swiveling around in her stool, Cosima took a moment to study Bobby's Bar. It wasn't that big. Cosima thought it could hold – what? – maybe sixty people at most? And that was if it was at capacity, which it never was…
"Fiiiiine," Cosima relented. "I'll do it."
"Atta girl!" Sarah whooped.
Bobby pulled the dishrag from her shoulder and dropped it on the bar in front of Cosima. "You're hired, kid. You start tomorrow."
….
Cosima was absolutely one hundred percent correct – she was a shit bartender. Just four hours into her shift she had already managed to break six pieces of glassware (including two wine glasses, which nobody had even ordered), received eight complaints, and messed up several simple drink orders, including a vodka cranberry.
Now she faced her newest challenge – finding the Sloe Gin.
Rum. Vodka. Whiskey. Brandy. Tequila. Cosima found everything, but the gin. Staring at the daunting collection of liquor bottles, she silently cursed Sarah's name. It will be easy, Sarah had promised, it will be fun. Cosima slid her finger over each bottle's label for what must've been the millionth time. Fucking Sarah, this was NOT fun.
"What is it, honey?" the man at the bar slurred out. "Never had a Sloe Screw before?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Need me to show ya?"
Usually a comment like that would annoy Cosima, but she felt bad for the man. Ten minutes ago he had ordered a simple cocktail and here he was, still waiting.
"Ya know, sweetie, you've gotta be the worst bartender I've ever met."
"Cheers to that," Cosima agreed, raising an empty glass to him. See? Even a drunk could see didn't belong behind a bar. "Tell that to the manager."
"Tell me what?"
Sarah suddenly approached the pair, and as Cosima opened her mouth to regale Sarah with her latest failure as a bartender, the drunk went off on a new tangent (as drunk people do).
"Wait, wait, wait," he slurred out, pointing between the two women. "Let me guess, you're the smart one and you're the wild one."
"Would you believe were clones?" Sarah asked, humoring the drunk. "Now, what can I get you?" She leaned forward on the bar and flashed him a smile. If that man had been angry earlier, he certainly wasn't now.
Again, the man asked for a Sloe Screw, but this time there was no ten minute wait. In fact, it was more like ten seconds. Cosima watched as Sarah reached around her, easily finding the elusive Sloe Gin liquor among the assortment of bottles. Then she reached under the bar and retrieved a carton of orange juice. With a pour here, splash there and an orange slice for garnish the drink was complete.
"You could teach her a few things," the man slurred out, pointing at Cosima. He raised the drink to his lips for a sip, but not before adding, "She's lucky she's hot."
Sarah chuckled and snatched the man's money from off the bar. "Yeah, yeah… Now piss off."
As the drunk stumbled off, Sarah turned toward Cosima.
"You weren't kidding, Cos. You are a shite bartender," Sarah said with a smirk. Reaching behind her, Sarah pulled a bottle of whiskey from the wall and two shot glasses. "Maybe this will help…" Sarah's words suddenly trailed off as she squinted into the bar crowd. "Shite."
Unable to form words, Sarah just nodded and tilted the whiskey bottle, using it to point at something in the crowd. Cosima followed her gaze. And then her eyes found her – Delphine Cormier.
Cosima squinted through thick frames, following Delphine as she easily maneuvered through the packed bar. Once upon a time Cosima had known the blonde very well… Or at least she thought she had. Delphine looked different now. Yes, she was still very tall and incredibly beautiful; however, gone were her perfectly coiffed blonde curls, replaced now with smooth, sleek tresses.
"What the bloody hell is she doing here?" Sarah growled. She ran a hand through her hair and resumed her earlier task of pouring out two whiskey shots. "Here," she said, sliding them toward Cosima. "I think you'll need these more than me."
Cosima grabbed the drinks, downing them easily in one then two. She winced as the harsh liquor burned its way down her throat.
"Atta girl, Cos," Sarah said, patting her back. "Just say the word and I'll toss her willowy ass outta here."
And then Sarah was called away by another customer.
Cosima, however, remained rooted to the spot. With her heart thumping madly, she followed Delphine step for step until the only thing that stood between them was the bar.
"Bonsoir, Cosima," the blonde said softly. "It's been awhile, no?"