3/20/2258
Enterprise Bridge
Beginning of Alpha Shift

'Whoring around again, Captain? rang in Uhura's head.

The Enterprise had briefly returned to Earth to drop off some delegates for an upcoming conference
at Federation Headquarters.

She had greatly enjoyed the four day trip from Roxel Prime to Earth, because it had given her the chance to work
closely with several of the delegates and learn more of their incredibly complex language. In addition, one of the
delegates had difficulty with Standard and she had done frequent translations.

This was why she had joined Starfleet- for the chance to work with languages, her first love, and to interact
with other cultures.

During the first month after Nero, the Enterprise had been in Spacedock undergoing repairs. But in the month
following, there had been several diplomatic missions because ever since Nero and the tragedy of Vulcan, there
had been constant meetings of both Starfleet and Federation representatives on various worlds and outposts.

The Enterprise had had been right in the middle of it and she had reveled in it. She was the Chief of Communications
on the Flagship of the Federation and she intended to shine. The Enterprise was not only responsible for exploring
but furthering relations and communications. And she was a part of it. It was her dream fulfilled.

After dropping the delegates off, the crew had been given a two day shore leave. She had taken the opportunity
to visit with her parents. Reminiscing with them over all of the incredible changes in her life, her excitement over
the future. And above all her joy at dreams fulfilled.

The start of her shift had found her at her post, still in a mood of optimism and excitement.

A mood that quickly fled when the Captain came on to the bridge.

Kirk had beamed down to the surface the previous night. Before he'd left she had overheard him talking to Dr. McCoy
about how he intended to have a 'real night on the town.'

McCoy had muttered. "Behave yourself down there, Jim."

Kirk had laughed and clapped the doctor on the shoulder. "C'mon, Bones, you know me."

McCoy had given him one of his trademark scowls. "Oh, I know you alright."

She had frowned slightly as she'd continued on her way. She knew the Captain too. All to well.

She had never really liked Kirk. Part of it was his cocky reckless attitude. Part of it was how he always seemed to think
that he could get away with anything. A large part of it was his constant womanizing. From what she had seen of him
on campus, he would sleep with anything that moved and slept with someone different every night. She had no need
for someone like that.

Yes, he had defeated Nero and saved earth. Yes, he had been appointed the youngest Captain in Starfleet history.
But he still kept acting like the smooth talking jerk she had met in that bar in Riverside.

And she had had absolutely no doubt about what he would be doing during his leave.

When the Captain came onto the bridge, she right away knew that her hypothesis had been right. He looked like
he'd been in a fight and there was a large hickey on his neck. She frowned. Tomcat Kirk had definitely been whoring
around again and gotten into trouble. And he hadn't even bothered to fully clean himself up before coming back
on duty.

Part of her wondered what the Hell Starfleet was thinking giving him the Flagship.

"Can't you at least keep these things off duty, Captain?" she hissed at him as he walked by.

Kirk flinched at her tone but said nothing. He seemed to limp slightly as he moved and when he sat on the Captain chair
he hissed in pain. Everyone on the bridge looked at him and from the rolled eyes and frowns, it was obvious that Uhura
wasn't the only one who knew what their Tomcat of a Captain had been up to.

During the shift the Captain appeared more fidgety than usual. More agitated than usual. She frequently glared at him,
trying to stare some sense into him. You're supposed to be a Starfleet Captain! she thought angrily. Grow up and start
acting like one!

Once she glanced at Spock. He, of course, had also taken in the Captain's appearance and his stiff displeasure was obvious
at such unprofessional behavior.

When the shift was nearly over Kirk got up from his chair. "Guys, about last night…"

She stiffened. He can't possibly be going to regale us with his exploits on the bridge is he!?

She was never so happy at Spock for interrupting. "With all due respect, Captain, I believe that your personal affairs
should remain exactly that– personal."

Kirk stiffened and then left quickly without another word.

As he limped from the bridge, Uhura thought only one short sentence. 'Serves him right.'

He'd been ducking out of consequences his entire life. He didn't like losing the Kobayashi Maru test so he cheated.
He was grounded but snuck aboard the Enterprise anyway. He said that he didn't believe in no win scenarios when
what he really meant was that he didn't like to lose.

It was time for him to lose for once.