Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot.

The sound of her beating heart and the roar of the crowd were the only things Nancy could hear as she walked down the stage steps, slightly woozy from the bright theatric lights. She merely waved and flashed smiles at people as she passed them, acknowledging and thanking them for the compliments on her performance, determined to get back to her dressing room before she collapsed from exhaustion. She pushed her way into the room and slammed it behind her. She made her way over to the chair in front of her mirror and fell into it. Nancy folded her arms and pressed her forehead against them, closing her eyes.

Her dressing room opened, then, the outside sounds entering the small room for a second. Nancy groaned and rolled her head against her arm. "I thought I said nobody was supposed to come in," she said, raising up her head and looking over her shoulder. She immediately smiled. "Oh. Hey."

Judah Botwin walked across the room, going over to Nancy. He stood behind her, placing a hand on her exposed back. "You were great," he said, smiling and nodding. "Like always."

Nancy waved a hand, dismissing the compliment. "Nah…" She looked down and wet her lips. She reached behind her, touching Judah's arm. "Hey, are you busy later?"

"Should you really be asking me that? I thought there was a cast party or whatever after each show." There was a smile in his voice.

She laughed a bit and sat up straighter, letting go of his hand. "Yeah, you're right." She stood up and turned around, leaning against the counter. Nancy raised up a hand, pointing a finger at Judah's chest. "Next time." She nodded, smiling a bit. "Next time you come in, we can do something. Spend time together. When I'm not performing, okay?" She twisted her finger a bit. "How does that sound?"

Judah watched her before shaking his head. He pressed his hand against her back, pulling Nancy closer. "When aren't you performing?" he asked, tilting his head.

She narrowed her eyes and dropped her hand. "Well, when aren't you traveling?"

He shook his head. "Don't put this all on me. This is your fault, too."

"My fault? How is this my fault? I don't pick the dates or anything, and, and—"

Judah pressed a finger to Nancy's lips. "But you do pick the performances you want to be in." He lowered his finger, giving her a hard look. "You don't have to perform in every single thing they throw at you."

She opened and closed her mouth a couple times before speaking. "I-I know." She smiled and shrugged. "I don't." She shook her head. "I don't," she repeated.

Judah hummed and shook his head. "Sure, Nance-Pants." He leaned forward, pressing his lips against her forehead. He lingered the kiss before pulling away, looking at her. He brushed a couple strands of hair behind her ear before stroking her cheek. "I'll see you later, alright?" He tapped her nose before turning and exiting the dressing room.

Nancy tilted her head back and groaned. "Of course." She raised up a hand, pushing her hair back. "Of fucking course." She turned and kicked her chair, making it hit the floor with a thud.

Nancy pressed her shoulder against the glass door of the café and slipped inside. A rush of cool air hit her face along with the heavy scents of coffee beans and fresh pastries. She kept her head down low, digging in her purse as she made her way to the counter. She stood in line once she reached it after successfully pulling out a couple dollars from her purse. Nancy lifted up her head and parted her lips, blowing out a stream of air. She looked around and waited.

Upon reaching the counter, she recited her order to the cashier, who had disappeared into the back room to get it. Nancy moved over a bit, standing off to the side. She examined the various pastries in the display and narrowed her eyes. She pushed her hair back and faced front, beginning to wait again.

"You look hot in the leotard."

Nancy's eyes widened, and she turned her head, seeing a man she had never seen before standing beside her. She furrowed her brow and waved a bit. "Thank you?" she said cautiously, smiling and laughing nervously. She looked ahead, chewing on her lip. Nancy began to mentally hit herself. She should have changed right after the show.

"How are you?"

Her eyes widened again, and she looked back over at the man. She shrugged and waved a hand. "Just waiting for my order."

"Must be short-staffed."

"Yeah…" Nancy looked ahead, staring desperately at the doorway to the back room. She could feel the man stare her down. She took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest. She continued to stand there for a couple more seconds until shaking her head and looking at the other. She pointed a finger at him. "Look, I'm not trying to be mean or anything but—"

"You're Nancy Price, aren't you?"

Nancy slowly lowered her hand and nodded. "Yeah," she said weakly, furrowing her brow.

He smiled. "I'm Andy. Big fan." He held out his hand.

She carefully shook it, studying him. "Thank you. That… means a lot." She slipped her hand out of his hold and faced front again. "Always refreshing to meet a fan." She laughed a bit. Andy looked her over, humming. Nancy's eyes widened, and she moved over, seeing the cashier return with her order. She passed over the bills before taking the bag and her drink. She glanced at Andy before grabbing a straw from the dispenser. She stuck it in the beverage and took a drink, looking over at him again. "Well, it was nice meeting you, but I should go."

Andy narrowed his eyes and slowly began to shake his head. He motioned over at a booth and made his way over to it. "How about you sit down? Let's talk."

Nancy's eyes widened, but she followed the other regardless. Andy slid into a booth and put his hands on the tabletop. He looked at his hands. She slid into the booth, too, opposite him. She studied him carefully before taking another drink from her cup. She set it down and dug in her bag, ripping a piece off of the cinnamon bagel. Nancy shoved it in her mouth and looked over at Andy. "What's this ab—?"

"—I want to help further your career."

She roughly swallowed and gave him a look. "My career? Oh." She looked down and grabbed her cup. "I don't know." She took a drink, looking up at him. "I don't know," she repeated, looking back down at the table. She chewed on her straw.

Andy watched her before slamming his palms on the table. "You don't even ask how I would help you. Gee whiz." He shook his head and leaned back in the booth, patting his chest. "Look, I know some people. I can help… broaden your horizons if you will." He nodded and gave Nancy a smile. "None of these small-time, pansy, high school drama club things." Nancy laughed and shook her head. Andy nodded again. "That's right, I'm talking big time."

Nancy shook her head and stood up, stuffing the rest of her bagel in the bag. "That's sweet of you, but I think I'll pass." She held her items in her arms and looked over at Andy. "I have a boyfriend, and I rarely see him as it is—"

Andy waved his hands. "Say no more, say no more." He tilted his head, smiling a bit. "Of course a pretty little thing like you has a boyfriend." He chuckled a bit before looking around. "How about you think about it, huh? Sleep on it." He reached over and grabbed a napkin. He dug in his pocket and took out a pen. He hunched over and jotted down ten numbers onto the napkin. "Here's my number." He clicked his pen and folded the napkin, holding it out for Nancy. "Think about it. Maybe. Possibly." He shrugged. "Maybe this is good for you."

Nancy watched him for a bit, a faint smile on her face. She finally sighed and took the folded napkin. She turned and stuffed it in her purse. She held out a finger, pointing it at him. "This doesn't mean I'm taking your offer, okay?" She adjusted the items in her arms and took a step back. "Thanks again, though." Nancy waved before turning on her heel and making her way towards the café door. Andy watched with a helpless smile.