A Bar Somewhere in Iowa | Thursday FT

[kirked]

Christmas had been a quiet affair so Jim was hoping the New Year's Eve would be less so. He'd invited McCoy along with him but the older man had begged off, saying he was too old for this shit or something. Uhura and Spock were spending time together so it was just Jim and a bar full of people he didn't know

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[whenshewasnice]

It seemed the universe was in favour of him getting drunk, at least. Because a bartender brought two drinks to his booth. One tumbler of whiskey. One Martini.

Okay, maybe it wasn't the universe.

[kirked]

Jim thought about telling the bartender that he hadn't ordered the extra drink but decided against it because alcohol was alcohol and he'd gladly drink it if he'd gotten a mistake made in his favor.

[whenshewasnice]

Wasn't a mistake.

That became obvious when someone in a pretty dress slid smoothly onto the seat opposite him in the booth. A slim hand with long red nails pulled the martini glass closer.

How Envy'd been able to know where to find him was a matter of being very persuasive. And smart.

[kirked]

At first, Jim just thought she was one of the girls that was flitting around the bar. He'd been about to tell her that he didn't want company when he looked up and realized who it was.

"Envy," he said, just barely remembering the name she preferred now. "How are you even here right now? I mean, how'd you find me?"