The BLTS Archive - Carpe Medicus by Allison Kulp (cardassianfire@yahoo.com) --- Date: March 2003 Category: drabble Archive: Garak Bashir list, ASCEM if they want it - anyone else ask. Feedback: ok, but if anyone wants to bash me, please use a Nerf bat, with the styrofoam left on - no baseball bats. This wandering plot bunny decided to show up at my doorstop and I couldn't shoo it away. Blame the bunny. --- "Ziyal, come now. You know how I feel about you. You're like a close relative, a niece, a cousin, someone I truly care for." Garak peered at her while sipping at his tea. "Why, I'd say I have more feeling for you than your father certainly did - casting you off into the great unknown, leaving you here on this wretched station. How could I not sympathize with your plight?" Ziyal sighed. "You know that's not what I meant. Yes, we're both outcasts on Cardassia. And we're stuck on this station. But you know that's not the kind of feelings I have about you. So, why not take our relationship to the next level?" "Really my dear. You'd think that just because we shared a night or two in a sauna, fully clothed, I might add , that we should be frolicking in Quark's hot tub program. Oh, and the answer again is no, no hot tub and no sauna - nothing of the sort," huffed Garak, leaning slightly back in his chair and squinting at her. "Well, Elim, it's not as if you're actually seeing anyone. I've never seen you with anybody, at least. And as far as I know, you've never even been with anyone for as long as I've known you." Garak sighed. "Ziyal, in Cardassian culture we're not usually as obvious as your father about who we prefer. Courtship is still an important part of our culture, and there are certain rules that must be followed. On Cardassia, social protocol is everything. It is the basis of the family, the state.." Sounding exasperated, she said, "Fine. Elim, are you courting anyone now ?" "If you must know, yes", he snapped. "There is someone, and we've been seeing each other regularly every week for several years. Satisfied?" "No. Who is it? Point her out to me. I'd like to see this mystery woman." "If you insist." Garak slammed the cup down on the table with a clatter and strode determinedly across the replimat over to Dr. Bashir's table. Julian was deep into a padd he was reading and did not notice Garak's sudden appearance. "Julian!", shouted Garak, startling the doctor. "How wonderful to see you! You're looking ravishing as always!" "Huh?", said Julian. "Garak? Ummm...what?" "Oh, that shade of blue always brings out your...eyes. You know what that...color does to me." "Garak, you've always hated Starfleet uniforms. You said they looked like pajamas. That whoever designed was colorblind and fashion blind. And since when are we on a first name basis?" Julian had that look on his face like he was trying desperately to put the puzzle pieces together. Garak glanced back to Ziyal, who, on the other hand had more of a smug look on her face. Though her hearing wasn't that keen, she could definitely see Julian's confusion. *Ah, well, nothing ventured, nothing gained*, thought Garak. He grabbed Julian, enveloping him, and planted the longest, deepest kiss he could on his lips. Julian dropped the padd to the floor, more surprised than anything else. He embraced Garak, kissing him back with just as much passion. Eventually they broke for air, and Garak turned around to give an astonished Ziyal a self-satisfied smirk. "Oh my," stammered Julian, "oh that was umm. ..fantastic. But, now what?" "I have heard that Quark has a very entertaining Risan hot tub program and a free holosuite. Would you do me the pleasure of joining me?" "Definitely. But may I ask what brought on this lovely development?" "Someone convinced me that, while courtship is pleasant, it's also nice to take it a step farther. Seize the day, or rather seize the doctor, in this case". --- The End