A night Nancy would rather forget (Cameo from Cupcake).

Nancy stood and dried a glass with the towel she kept draped over her shoulder. The bar was heaving and every stool, chair and available floor space was taken up with crew from every discipline. This was a social construct Nancy didn't particularly want to observe and research but moonlighting as a bartender was a double edged sword.

Men and Women shouted and cheered, people were having arguments while others were questioning the meaning of life. Couples tried to hide themselves in the corners, away from prying eyes. She was run off her feet and beginning to feel slightly frazzled. The energy in the room was palpable, Nancy kept an eye on one or two of the Ensigns she knew to be trouble makers, she wasn't in the mood for trouble tonight. The senior crew members tended to stay away when the junior officers got together, which worked well for the crew but not for Nancy. She needed the soothing balm of superiority that came with Jim Kirk's presence more than ever.

"Nancy, another round!" Nancy nodded at the young Engineer and went back behind the bar, she'd roped in one of the kitchen staff to help her out tonight, knowing she wouldn't be able to deal with the rabble on her own.

"Renato, same again for the table over there please." He nodded and started pouring glass after glass of liquor.

"Nancy!"

"What is it Lieutenant Hendorff?" Nancy hadn't noticed he'd come round her side of the bar and was drunkenly leering towards her, his voice close to her ear.

"When are you going to let me take you out?"

"I'm flattered Hendorff but the answer is still no."

"Why?"

"Hendorff, with all due respect I really don't have to explain my reasons, we're not a good match. Let's leave it at that shall we?" She could see in his eyes he was way beyond the point of logical thought and reasoning. He leaned in more, invading her personal space. "Hendorff, you're a good man but I'm not the woman for you. Come on, why don't you call it a night?"

"Tell me a story Nancy." She sighed and placed a hand on his chest gently pushing him away from her.

"Good night Hendorff." He looked at her defeated, nodding slowly he swayed his way out. Nancy watched him leave and let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding.

"You okay Nancy?" Renato placed a comforting hand on her arm.

"No I'm not Renato to be honest, why is life so difficult?"

"People, we're simple creatures!" She laughed at his expression.

"Come on I've had enough. Let's get this rabble out of here before it starts getting messy." As she began to collect glasses from the bar, in the opposite corner Nancy caught sight of trouble breaking out between two groups at two neighbouring tables. Ferocious representatives from each table flung their chairs back and stood up, one a wild-looking Engineer, the other a muscular Security Officer. They had both jumped up to face each other, as the two contenders stood posed for action, their supporters, who were still sat down shifted in their places, clutching their glasses and anything else they could get their hands on to use as a weapon.

"Dmoisca! Quhurga kinpoiker!"

"Aye! That'll be your last word if you don't sit down."

The bar had quietened ominously, Nancy, too small to be seen as she moved through the forest of towering patrons, made a beeline for the troubled corner of the bar. A path began to clear for her as some of the regulars recognised the flash of silver hair. Nancy could sense that the Engineer and the Security Officer were about to kill each other, she stood directly between them, it was obvious she wasn't intimidated by the combatants; she jabbed an accusatory finger into their chests. She was angry as hell. The patrons shrunk under her stare.

"That does it! I've been patient with you for long enough. I'm not open at this time for myself you know! It's all for you! And how do you repay me? Trouble and noise and blood on my floor! I won't have it. Everybody out! Out! Out! We're closed. Do your killing outside! And at least have the decency to get yourself to Sick Bay rather than leaving any bodies outside my door!" The place emptied quickly. Nancy began clearing the bar of glasses again when she noticed one remaining patron huddled over a glass at the far end of the bar. Grimacing in exasperation, she headed his way like a freight train.

"Hey you! I said out! I mean now…" She grabbed him by the shoulder and began to lift his head up but stopped in shock.

"Leonard?"

"Hi Nance." She let go of his sleeve and smoothed out the wrinkled fabric. Walking round to the other side of the bar she wiped two shot glasses clean and placed them in front of her.

"I could have done with some help before you know!"

"You seemed to have it under control." She turned away and took a whiskey bottle from the shelf, then turned back to pour herself a drink. Renato appeared at her side, she smiled at him and told him he could go. Giving her a mock salute Renato nodded at the CMO and made his exit.

"What are you drinking?" She already knew the answer.

"The usual."

"A real man's drink huh? You purposely trying to tick every box against the description of the stereotypical alpha male?" Leonard opened his mouth but she continued on. "Me, I like Scotch. And I like Bourbon. And Vodka and Gin and Romulan Ale." She poured herself another as Leonard watched, amused.

"You're a tough broad, aren't you?" She downed the shot and immediately poured herself another, downing that one also.

"It's no act, Leonard".

"Oh I believe you! What's got into you Nance, you're usually so calm and unaffected?" Nancy scoffed in response.

"You know that old saying? A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah well, I know what makes you tick Leonard. I know what makes everyone on this ship tick and it scares the hell out of me." Nancy was waving the bottle around in her hand. She poured herself another drink, Leonard opened his mouth to comment but thought better of it.

"We're not that bad are we?"

"Leonard, I study the branch of anthropology concerned with the study of human societies and cultures and their development. I know everything, you are that bad!" She downed another shot, placing her elbows on the bar and putting her head in her hands she stared at Leonard. "And you're the worst."

"Me!?"

"Yeah you!"

"Why?"

"Because I said so that's why!" Her elbow slipped off the bar and she jolted upright.

"You're drunk Nance."

"I am not."

"Alright Darlin', whatever you say." She pointed her finger at him.

"Don't "Darlin"' me!" She stared at him aggressively, all the while pouring herself another shot and downing it with a cough and splutter. The door opened and in walked Jim and Spock.

"Oh look who it is! As if on cue..." McCoy was the only one who heard that comment.

"Bones! Nancy, I heard there'd been some trouble?" Jim sat down next to McCoy, Spock chose to stand behind them, his arms behind his back.

"Nothing I couldn't handle Captain!" Kirk glanced from Nancy to Bones who very subtlely nodded his head at the unspoken question.

"Are you alright Nancy?" She threw her arms up into the air in apparent frustration. She downed another shot.

"Why does everybody keep asking me that?" The quick movement made her head spin slightly.

"You appear to be intoxicated Ms Englebrect." Nancy glared at Spock.

"Tell me something I don't know Commander."

"Alright Nance, that's enough. Let's get you back to your quarters shall we?" McCoy got up from the stool and started making his way round the bar. He tried to offer her a supporting arm but she shook him off.

"I can do it myself thank you very much." Nancy prodded him in the chest. "I know what you're up to?" She whispered. Leonard could only smirk, amused at the altercation.

"And what's that?"

"You know." Nancy turned to look at Kirk. "You definitely know!" The alcohol she had consumed snuck up on her and closing her eyes, she could feel herself begin to sway. Feeling a pair of arms holding her up she murmured unintelligibly.

"Spock, can you get the door for me." McCoy slowly guided Nancy round and began walking her to the door. Nancy looked up at the Vulcan, holding her hand up in the traditional Vulcan signal she squirrelled out of McCoy's arms again. Turning the Vulcan symbol into a middle finger she laughed and hiccupped.

"Live long and suck it!" With that she passed out.

I'll be honest, this is turning into something other than I initially thought it would be. I'm just going to run with it! ;-) LLAP XOXO