It was tradition that after receiving new orders, 'Fleeters went out for a celebratory round or three. Uhura and her friend Christine had just been assigned to the Enterprise. Uhura wasn't really in the mood to be jostled and propositioned by a bunch of nearly-drunk men in a noisy pub, but she knew Christine and the other girls would be very disappointed if she refused. She pulled on her off-duty attire, still Starfleet issue, but far more comfortable than her uniform, and headed out to meet her friends.
The pub was unusually crowded and noisy as many new assignments had been given—Enterprise, Endeavor, Archer, just to name a few ships, had taken on a number of new crewmen.
Uhura's girlfriends had allowed themselves to pulled onto what passed for a dance floor and Uhura looked on with slight distaste. Uhura loved to dance, but she didn't consider standing on a crowded floor shaking various parts of her anatomy to a thumping bass to be dancing. She sighed and took another sip of her drink.
"What's a pretty little thing like you doin', sittin' there all alone?" a masculine voice slurred in her ear. Uhura rolled her eyes. She looked the man up and down without turning her head and pointedly ignored him. The thing she hated most about bars was that she couldn't effectively pull rank. Drunken men were notoriously bad at taking orders.
Undeterred, the man spoke again. "Come on, girl, give me a dance." At her continued silence, he tried something else. "No? Well then let me buy you another…what is it you've got there?"
Uhura finally looked at him. "No, thanks, I'm all set."
"S'not very ladylike to refuse such a generous offer. Bartender," the man roared, "another drink for the lady while we head out on the floor."
Uhura shot the man a glare. Uhura's glares were well-known and had withered admirals to ensigns to noncomms to civilians. It had little effect on this particular man, however, and he stepped closer, laying a heavy hand on Uhura's thigh.
She shoved it off. Angered, the man grabbed her arm tightly and hissed, "That wasn't very nice, now, was it?"
Uhura was ready to slap the man's face, but she found it unnecessary as the man was spun around by an unseen force. "I believe the lass has made it clear your attention isna welcome," a man said in a thick Scottish brogue.
The drunk took a swing at the other man, but missed by a long shot. The Scot attempted to convince the other man to leave, but his only response was another wild swing. With a resigned expression on his face, Uhura's rescuer landed a hit square on the drunk's jaw, landing him on the floor. He then reached over and finished the last of his drink with a gulp before two beefy security men walked up. They glanced at the man on the floor, the Scot leaning against the bar, and the woman sitting on a stool. Without a word, they hauled the drunk to his feet and, with a nod at the Scot, none-too-gently dragged the man outside.
"Thanks," Uhura said, catching the eye of the man who'd stood up for her.
"You're quite welcome, lass," he replied. "It's not the first time I've had to deck that man. I dinna know how they manage here without me." He caught the bartender's eye and raised his glass, signaling for another drink. "How about you, lassie? Fancy another?"
Uhura nodded and the man pointed at her glass as well. He then turned his attention fully toward Uhura. "Montgomery Scott at your service. But you can call me Scotty."
Uhura flashed him her first genuine smile of the night. "I'm Uhura."
"Do you mind if I sit?" he asked.
"Not at all. I owe you," she replied.
Scotty shook his head. "That was no more than any decent man should have done."
Their drinks refilled, Uhura and Scotty sat chatting comfortably for some time. They were interrupted by a barely discernable chirp. Scotty pulled a communicator from his belt. "Scott here."
Uhura listened as a deep voice emotionlessly summoned Scotty back to his ship. "Aye, sir, I'm on my way." He flipped the device closed and threw back the last of his drink. "Sorry, lassie, duty calls. I canna let my ship explode before it takes off! I'd say that I'd hope to see you soon, but I'm shipping out in a few days."
"I am, too," Uhura responded in surprise.
"Where are you assigned?"
"The Enterprise."
A wide grin spread across Scotty's face. "By the stars, there's a piece of luck. That's where I am, too." He quickly looked her up and down. "You're not an engineer, are ya?" he inquired hopefully.
Uhura shook her head. "No, but I'm still a red shirt—communications is my specialty."
Scotty took her hand in his and raised it slightly. "Well, I'll be looking forward to seein' you again, lass." He cast a glance around. "I'd get out of here now if I were you. The crowd's only going to get rougher."
"You're probably right. Goodbye, Scotty." She smiled at him as he turned and exited the pub.
Uhura finished her drink and slid off the stool. She knew Scotty's assessment was correct and she should leave now to avoid any further unpleasant encounters. She pushed through the crowd and tapped Christine on the shoulder. "I'm out of here!" she yelled in Christine's ear. Christine nodded and waved. Uhura shook her head as she walked away. Christine always seemed so prim and proper, but you couldn't get her to leave a party early.