One For The Road
Jim, Spock, McCoy and Carol stood at the bar, Nancy expertly poured a row of shots in front of them. Pushing one in their direction Spock dipped his head.
"Thank you Ms Englbrecht."
"Of course Commander, would prefer a non-alcoholic drink?"
"That will not be necessary, Vulcans are immune to the effects of alcohol." McCoy lifted his glass and downed it in one, placing the glass back on the bar.
"Why Spock, it all makes sense to me now!" Nancy couldn't help but laugh, Spock raised an eyebrow at McCoy.
"I imagine Doctor that very little makes sense to you now." Spock replied.
"Now now Gentleman, this is a celebration." Kirk raised his own glass, making a toast with Carol. "First contact."
"To not getting yourselves killed." Carol replied to Kirk's toast. Nancy poured another round of shots, Spock, upon seeing the increasing level of inebriation in his colleagues bid them goodnight. As they watched him leave McCoy let out a whistle.
"My god, I don't know what's more terrifying? Spock laughing hysterically or the thought of him being drunk?" Carol indicated to Nancy to walk down the other side of the bar, away from the two men. Nancy looked at her quizzically but followed anyway.
"What is it Carol?" Carol closed the gap between them and in a hushed tone asked Nancy if she was alright. "I'm fine Carol, what's wrong?"
"I nearly ripped Jim a new one when he told me what happened? What does he think he's doing taking you into a situation like that? I swear the man has a death wish! It was reckless and I made sure he knew it."
"You didn't need to do that, we didn't know they were blocking our scans?"
"I don't care!"
"Did he tell you what they made him do? To me?" Nancy had grown anxious.
"He did and I can only say I'm sorry." Carol looked at her seriously.
"Sorry? For what?"
"For having to kiss Jim, think yourself lucky! I have to sleep with him!" Nancy looked at her for a moment, not quite sure if she was being serious or joking. When a smile slowly appeared on Carol's lips Nancy realised she was teasing her, she swotted her on the arm.
"Bloody hell Carol, you had me worried there for a moment! You and Jim deserve each other, you're both as twisted as each other." The women were interrupted from their laughing by Kirk shouting over.
"What's so funny?" Carol walked over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"You dear."
"Another round?" McCoy placed his empty glass on the bar.
"Why not." Carol took the seat to Kirk's left, Nancy crouched down under the bar and standing back up, held aloft a large black bottle covered in dust.
"Now what in god's name is that?" Kirk exclaimed.
"It's better not to ask, trust me Jim." McCoy sat back and crossed his arms.
"Ladies and Gentleman, this is Xindi Rum." She displayed the bottle on her forearm like an experienced Sommelier.
"That stuff'll make you go blind woman!" McCoy shouted, grabbing the bottle off her and looking it over. Nancy seized the bottle back and gave him an indignant look, turning to Kirk and Carol who looked positively terrified she smiled sweetly.
"The blindness only lasts a few seconds." Nancy shot back, Kirk scoffed at her.
"That's supposed to reassure me?" She could only shrug her shoulders at Kirk. Nancy pulled the cork out with a pop, placing her nose over the top of the bottle she inhaled apprehensively.
"Christ almighty!" She had to stop herself from coughing and spluttering. Pouring the liquid into four glasses she raised her own.
"bISuvta HvISbI Hegh jaj!" The three of them looked at Nancy questioningly. "It's Klingon, it means 'May you die in battle.'"
"How quaint." Carol remarked glibly. The four of them looked at each other, and then looking at their glasses downed the drink. After what seemed like ten minutes of coughing, choking and spluttering Nancy regained her composure.
"Another?" The other three shouted their protestations in unison.
"I can't feel my face." Carol was prodding her cheeks and nose with her forefinger as she spoke.
"Tell us a story Nancy." Kirk shook his head to try and clear his vision. Nancy shook her head and began to give her excuses.
"Come on Nance, one for the road." She looked at McCoy who was giving her a look she couldn't quite work out. Pulling another bottle off the shelf she walked round the bar and sat herself down next to McCoy, pouring herself a drink she passed the bottle down the McCoy.
"Make it sad." Carol asked, Nancy nodded her head and let out a slow sigh.
"A man was walking down by the space docks one day and decides to stop by a bar and have a beer. He walks into a bar, and everyone's having a good time except an old man, sitting by the bar, crying into his beer. Curious, the young man sits down and says, "Hey old man, why the long face?"
The old man looks at him and points out the window, "See that dock out there? I built that dock with my own two hands, plank by plank, nail by nail, but do they call me Simon the dockbuilder? No."" Nancy had her hands aloft in front of her as if she was the old man herself, she looked at her audience who were in rapture with her.
"The old man continued, "And see this bar in here? I took this bar over 20 years ago, and built it up, from a run down hole into a valuable resource for dockworkers and Star fleet Officers from around the galaxy. But do they call me Simon the bartender? No""
"Oh this poor man." She wasn't sure but she thought Carol was beginning to cry.
"The old man starts to cry again, "But you fuck one tribble...""
McCoy couldn't help but let out a bark and Kirk spat out his drink in front of him.
"Nancy!" Kirk looked at her in astonishment.
"You're really good at that you know." Carol was resting her head in both her hands, staring at Nancy in wonderment.
"Thanks Carol."
"No I mean it, you are really good. You're the nicest person I know, much nicer than me."
"I can attest to that." Kirk whispered under his breath which quickly resulted in a jab to the ribs by Carol. "Ouch!"
"I'm serious Nancy, you're a nice person. I've never seen you angry."
"I have." McCoy spoke up.
"Be careful Leonard." Nancy forewarned him, knowing his disposition well enough to know what he may or may not divulge.
"Ms Tough Broad here can stand her own, I've seen her do it with a bar full of Engineers and Security.
"Really?" Carol sat up, a little too quickly because Kirk had to stop her from sliding off the stool.
"No, not really Carol. Don't listen to the Doctor over there, he likes to tell tales." Nancy gave him a pointed look, he raised his eyebrow in return.
"I'd have to agree with Bones, there's more to Nancy than meets the eye." Kirk was talking to Carol but her eyes were closing as he spoke. "Carol?"
"Umhum?"
"Come on, let's go." Kirk helped Carol up and bid the other two good night. There was silence between the other two, they sat next to one another looking ahead. Nancy took the bottle from McCoy and poured them both a drink.
"Do you still think I'm the worst?" McCoy didn't look up.
"Pardon me?" Nancy turned to face him, he had bags under his eyes and stubble lined his jaw, he turned to face her.
"You said I was the worst one out of the lot of us, do you really believe that?"
"No, no I don't'." She gave him a small smile.
"What changed?"
"When I saw what you were willing to do on that planet, you were willing to stay there for the rest of your life. Never see anybody you love or care for again, all to save us. I could count on one hand and still have digits left for the amount of people I know who would be willing to do the same. You're a good man Leonard, I'm sorry I said that to you before." McCoy turned back to his drink, Nancy noted that he was blushing. She nudged his arm and chuckled. "Leonard, modesty doesn't suit you."
"The hell it doesn't!" He nudged her back but didn't pull away, leaving his arm resting on hers. "You're a good person too Nance." It was her turn to blush, she rolled her eyes and got up from her stool. McCoy did the same and stood in front of her.
"I'm okay."
"You're more than okay, but you know that already."
"Do I?"
"Yes, you do. Now who's being modest?"
"I've met a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds and cultures, we'd all like to think of ourselves as good. Whether we actually are is up for debate." McCoy unconsciously swept a hair out of Nancy's eyes.
"Why are you so sad Nance?" McCoy took a step towards her but Nancy looked at him with anger in her eyes. Shaking her head she walked behind the bar and started tidying up the glasses and bottles.
"I'm not sad Leonard."
"Yes you are, I can see it in your eyes and you walking away from me and behind that bar of yours speaks volumes." Nancy threw the cloth down that she'd been using to wipe a tray.
"You're a psychologist as well as the CMO now?"
"No, I consider us friends, I'm being a friend."
"As my friend Leonard, I'm asking you to drop the subject." McCoy opened his mouth to continue but thought better of it. "Thank you."
"Nance, a word of advice?" Nancy rolled her eyes and couldn't help but smile at McCoy, she was impressed by his perseverance.
"Go on."
"Whatever you're running from? You'll never get away far enough for you to feel safe. And whatever you think you're protecting yourself from by hiding away, maybe that's the very thing you need in your life to feel safe."
"Ever thought that's its not me I'm trying to protect, but others?"
"I don't buy it." McCoy walked round the bar and stood in front of her again, he knew he was invading her personal space.
"What do you want Leonard?" She couldn't look up at him, as if seeing into her eyes in that moment all her secrets would be revealed.
"A drink."
"I think we've already had enough don't you?"
"Not now Nance and not tomorrow. But one day I want you, and me to have a drink together." She was still looking down at the floor, he placed his hand on her chin and lifted her head so that she was looking up at him. "Alright?" Nancy nodded her head slightly.
"Good night Leonard."
"Sweet dreams Nance."
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