The BLTS Archive - Truth or Dare
by Jennifer S

---

All characters owned by Paramount.  I'm just borrowing them :)  I ask
that you PLEASE not pass this story along without my permission.  This
story contains m/m sex, so if that ain't your cup of tea, don't read
it!

Thank you, and enjoy!

---

"This is the third time this month, Garak.  I take it business is
booming?"

Doctor Julian Bashir was at the customary table he and the resident
Cardassian usually ate lunch at.  Unfortunately for Doctor Bashir,
Garak had just cancelled their meal.  Again.

Garak sighed plaintively.  "I'm afraid so.  It's the changing of the
seasons on Bajor, and those on their way to vacation realize they
didn't  bring the appropriate apparel.  And I must supply it."  He
bowed  slightly to the Human.  "I hope we can meet next week, doctor."

Julian stifled the frustrated sigh he felt welling up.  "Of course,"
was  all he said, all he trusted himself to say at the present time.
As he  watched Garak cross the Promenade, a wave of wistfulness washed
over him.  He returned his attention to the plate of food in front of
him, his appetite gone.

---

"Does anyone know what's wrong with Julian?" Major Kira Nerys asked
of her friends.

Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien popped out from underneath his
console, where he was trying to chase down a short circuit.  "I don't
know, but he's been talking about joining me and Odo on our kayaking
expedition.  And I've been making excuses to keep him out."

"Why would you do that Chief?" Lieutenant Jadzia Dax admonished him,
fixing him with her blue-eyed stare.  When she wanted to, she could
make *anyone* feel about two years old, and that's about the rough
age the Chief felt now.

"Um - well, this is a private thing between me and Odo.  Julian and I
play darts every night; I just need some time away from him, that's
all," he protested under Dax's steely gaze.

Dax took a breath before commenting.  "I know Garak hasn't been able
to meet with him for lunch for about a month.  It's entirely possible
Julian feels a little lonely."

"And I don't?" O'Brien muttered under his breath, putting his tools
away with vigor.

"Sorry Chief," Dax said softly, offering him a small smile.

He glanced over to the science station, meeting her eyes.  He nodded
slightly, continuing to put his tools away with less enthusiasm than
before.

Kira nodded in O'Brien's direction.  "How often have you had lunch
with him?"

His shoulders seemed to sag.  "I lost count.  All I know is, he won't
leave me alone about it.  And when we do try to have lunch, all he
wants to do is talk.  It's driving me batty," he admitted in a
whisper.

Dax almost smiled in sympathy.  "I know.  He's asked me about four
times in the past two weeks, and I relented once.  That was enough,
thank you."

"He talked endlessly?" Kira sighed.

"Yes," Dax and O'Brien chorused, drawing smiles from all three.

"I guess he is lonely," O'Brien relented, his thoughts miles away --
about the distance from the station to Bajor.

---

Julian Bashir couldn't take it anymore.  He had already inventoried
the Infirmary, updated all his files, and caught up on the latest
medical journals.  He had run out of things to occupy his time.  When
he had actually given thought to running that holosuite program Garak
had given him for his 30th birthday, then he knew he was in trouble.

Stifling a sigh, he stretched out on his couch, uncertain what to do
with himself.  He had finally come to the conclusion that Chief
O'Brien was tired of darts, and wasn't thrilled with his suggestion
that he join him and Odo on their kayaking expedition.  Even Dax and
Kira had been less than enthusiastic about spending time with him.
The stifled sigh finally escaped.

"You're losing it, Julian," he remarked to his empty quarters, folding
his hands behind his head.

---
A month later . . .
--

"He's been getting worse lately, Benjamin.  He may appear cheerful,
but I can tell he's depressed.  He needs to be cheered up," Dax
confided in Sisko.

Sisko sat up, leaning his elbows on his desk.  "Dax, I know how you
feel, but I don't think it's our place to cheer him up.  He's come to
us many times -- numerous times -- in the past two months, and we've
done all we could.  He'll just have to work this out for himself."

---

He was restless, he was irritable, and it was driving him crazy.
Julian didn't know what was wrong with him; he wasn't overworked, in
fact it had been slower than normal.  He was bored, plain and simple.
That phrase echoed in his mind, and he frowned.  He missed Garak's
company.  He missed their lunches, the repartee, the in-depth
conversations about literature.  He had missed that from home, and
now he missed it here.

Sighing deeply, Julian flopped onto his couch, his chin resting on the
arm, his arms dangling over the side.  He contemplated making  shadow
puppets for a brief minute, then collected himself.  *This  won't do*
he chided himself.  *Surely there's something for me to do.*

His gaze swept over his quarters, noting with a hint of pride his new
surroundings.  His trunk had finally arrived from Earth, and he had
immediately unpacked his belongings.  A colorful tapestry now hung  on
the wall between the portals.  Trinkets from all the planets he had
visited as a child decorated the shelving.  His collection of history
book-padds nearly filled one of the floor-to-ceiling shelves.  A
Persian rug now brightened the floor, a deep, rich blue interlaced
with gold.  A few large, overstuffed pillows were tossed casually
against the wall under the portals.  He could lay there and gaze at
the stars, or view the wormhole when it flared into existence.  The
place certainly looked more like home, but something didn't feel
quite right.

He still couldn't think of anything else except how much he missed his
lunches with Garak.

---

Garak sighed and locked his business up for the night.  Today had been
slower than he had anticipated, and was a welcomed relief.  Though he
was glad people still patronized his little tailoring shop, he
couldn't believe the rush of the past two months.  Especially after
he had blown his own business up.  A wry smile painted the
Cardassian's features. Odo had seen  right through that; he was
impressed.  The Constable certainly kept his eyes  focused, that was
for certain.  And now Garak looked forward to just  relaxing for one
evening.

Entering his quarters, he started to undo the fastenings on his
outfit.  Ordering a glass of Rokassa juice and some finger foods, he
stretched out on his couch, sighing with contentment.  He was
relaxed, his mind  completely free of worries.  Until the memory came
back.  Of Tain, and his stout refusal to accept defeat.  To
acknowledge that it was over, that they had lost.  And Garak's own
refusal, to accept that Tain didn't want to leave the abandoning ship;
that Tain would rather die out there than return home in disgrace.
That memory would haunt Garak until his dying day.  Which, thanks to
the good doctor, might not be for decades.

Thinking of Bashir caused Garak a slight twinge of guilt.  He had not
been able to dine with him for almost two months; had only had a
handful of short conversations with him in the interim.  That fact was
a sore spot on an otherwise pleasant evening.  Garak decided he could
live with that; after all, it wasn't like the doctor missed him.

---

*Garak.  I miss Garak* whispered through Julian's mind.  He forced
that thought out of his mind.  Finally out of options, he had created
this elaborate scheme as to why Garak had been exiled.  Sifting back
through all his memories of their lunches together, from Garak's
initial contact, to his implant withdrawals, to his departure with
Odo three  months ago.  Garak never spoke about it; never brought up
what had happened out there in the Gamma Quadrant.  But Julian was a
resourceful young man; he had read all the reports, had remembered
every detail of his own meeting with Tain, and measured Garak's
expression upon his return.  Something very important had happened
over there.  And Garak couldn't trust him enough to tell him.

Julian sighed.  This whole scenario was getting him nowhere.  Feeling
uneasy, he went to the replicator and ordered himself a Danubian
Floater.  *Now why did I ask for that?* Julian thought to himself.
The concoction was sticky, had the consistency of syrup, and was
sickly sweet.  Of its own volition, his hand picked up the strawberry
colored drink and unthinking, he took a sip.

"Gah!" he spluttered, trying to wipe it off his lips.  It was
certainly sticky -- now his fingers were as well.  Sucking on his
fingers offered no solution -- the stuff was there to stay.  Setting
the glass down on the  nearest surface, he went to the fresher to try
to get it off his hands.  Scrubbing seemed futile; it only served to
spread the stuff more.  Growling in frustration, Julian grabbed a
towel and began rubbing his hands furiously.  To his surprise, the
sticky concoction grew warm, and started to melt.  Thinking quickly,
he warmed the water as much  as he could stand, and placed his hands
in the sink.  Immediately, the drink turned to a liquid, sliding off
his hands easily.

"So that's the secret," he noted with surprise.  Now he knew to warm
the drink before actually *drinking* it.  He tossed the towel in the
reclamator and stepped out into his bedroom.

He flexed his fingers, noting with concern that he had taken a bit of
skin off with his actions.  Mentally going through his quarters, he
remembered he had taken his medkit to the Infirmary.  Stepping into
his shoes, he headed for the turbolift to the Promenade.

---

Garak couldn't stop that persistent voice, telling him that he should
at  least talk to Julian.  He had avoided it up until now; his
conscious, he supposed, rearing its ugly head again.  Another sore
point surrounding  "the incident."  His torture of Odo, and how he had
come to disgust himself.  He didn't think it was possible -- Tain was
right, he used to *enjoy* his work.  But something had changed,
something he knew  had started the minute a certain naive young
Starfleet officer had come on board.  So here he was, outside said
officer's quarters, not entirely  sure why, but here nonetheless.

"Garak," a familiarly accented voice called him.

Turning, Garak's face lit up at the unexpected form of Doctor Bashir
coming toward him.  "Why doctor, I thought you would be in your
quarters."

Julian smiled broadly, thumbing the keypad.  "Come on in.  I was just
down at the Infirmary."  He entered and kicked his shoes toward the
bedroom.

Stepping inside, Garak absently noted the new acquisitions positioned
with care on the shelving.  "I hope nothing was wrong," Garak mused
as he took a proffered seat, his eyes sweeping the newly decorated
room.

Not comprehending for a second, Julian shook his head.  "No.  Nothing
wrong.  I just had a . . . slight accident," he admitted, feeling
heat rush to his cheeks.

Garak's eyes widened in concern.  "I trust you were not hurt too
badly,"  he observed, assessing the doctor's physical condition.  "You
look fine to me."

Julian again felt his face flaming, but this was different.  He knew
this feeling . . . *oh gods*.  "Yes, well, it was just a mishap. I
should learn  to read about foodstuffs before I actually partake of
them," he tried to lighten the mood.

Garak studied the Human before him, noting his heightened color, his
avoidance of his eyes, his nervous finger twitching.  He hadn't seen
him this nervous since they had first met.  "Whatever are you talking
about, my dear doctor?"  He watched Julian's expression carefully,
noting the slight widening of his eyes, the small lift of the corner
of his mouth.

Julian laughed nervously, "It's nothing.  Just forget I mentioned it."
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.  He tried to relax, but his
body couldn't get comfortable.  The sudden image of him in Garak's
arms, curving his back against his strong chest, caused him to sit
bolt upright.

"What is wrong, doctor?  You're not looking at all well," Garak leaned
forward, concern reflecting from the depths of his pale blue eyes.

Julian's breathing grew unsteady, and his flush was spreading.  His
eyes were now locked on Garak's; wide, unfocused.  Garak peered
intently at the younger man, flustering him more.  "I'm fine Garak.
Would you like something?  To drink, I mean," he added hastily, his
composure completely gone.  He bounded out of his chair and
practically ran to the replicator.  "Some Kanaar, perhaps?"

"That would be nice."  Garak had been watching Julian's actions with
silent amusement.  *I guess he missed me after all*.  "Doctor, I think
it's about time I told you something about Cardassians," he was saying
when Julian placed a glass of Kanaar in his hand.  "Why, thank you.
Now, as I was saying, I think there's something you should know . . ."

"Garak?" Julian interrupted him, his hands fluttering nervously in his
lap.

"Yes doctor," Garak replied patiently.

"I'm afraid I'm going to kiss you now."  And with that, he fell across
the table, right into Garak's startled arms.

Garak didn't have time to protest the drink being knocked out of his
hand, or being pushed deeper into the chair.  Not that he would have
wanted to.  Julian's warm, full lips had found his.  Garak groaned as
Julian's initial demanding pressure segued into a slow, tantalizing
exploration of his mouth.

"Doctor," Garak murmured, his fingers catching in his soft, brown
hair.

"What," Julian breathed, leaving Garak's mouth to kiss along his  jaw.

Garak shuddered.  "Doctor, please don't do that.  You don't know what
you're doing."

"Yes I do," he whispered in his ear, right before he started nibbling
down the Cardassian's thick neckridges.

Garak grabbed his head and pulled him to face him.  The tailor's face
was flushed, almost as much as the doctor's.  The Cardassian's
shallow breathing matched Julian's, but where the Human's eyes
reflected desire,  Garak's reflected anger.

"Doctor, get ahold of yourself.  You don't understand what's going
on."

Julian stared at him uncomprehendingly.  "Maybe I don't care what's
going on," he murmured, his fingers dancing over the tough cords
along Garak's shoulders.

Garak suppressed a gasp and said a bit sharply, "Yes, you do.  Have
you been feeling restless lately?  Unable to concentrate?"  Garak
shook him a bit, trying to get his attention.

"Um," was all Julian could say, eyeing the ridge along Garak's jaw
hungrily.

"I take that as a yes," Garak commented dryly.  "Doctor, what you
have been experiencing are withdrawal symptoms."

That snapped Julian out of his lust.  "What did you say?"  He pushed
back a bit from the tailor.

Garak sighed as his hands fell to his lap.  "Doctor, I don't know if
you're aware of this or not, but Cardassians evolved from a reptilian
type of creature.  We still maintain some of the physical
characteristics," he gestured at his ridges.  "In addition to this, we
also have a secondary gland.  I'm sure if you had reviewed my medical
file, you would have spotted it.  It produces pheromones."

Dead silence descended over the pair.  Garak was waiting to hear the
doctor's reaction, while Julian was too stunned to do more than blink.

Finally, Julian focused on his friend.  "Garak, are you telling me
you've been pumping pheromones into the air?  Natural pheromones?
How much?  How often?" he demanded, his voice rising as he jumped up
and began to pace.

Garak's eyes followed him.  "Doctor, do sit down.  I'll explain
everything."

Julian glared at him.  "You better," he threatened warily, and sat
across  from him, at a greater distance than before.

Garak watched this with faint amusement.  But now was not the time  to
show it.  "First of all, yes, they are quite natural, we believe
leftovers from our ancestors.  They are only emitted at certain times.
Very specific times."

"When?" Julian asked suspiciously.

"When we eat," Garak dropped his bombshell.  He ignored Julian's
scathing stare and continued, "We believe the pheromones were
released to let our ancestors know where the food was.  They were
used, to put it simply, as a homing device."

Julian stared at him in utter astonishment.  He remained that way for
a few minutes, and just when Garak was starting to worry about him, he
jumped up.

"Garak, why didn't you tell me sooner?  How could you let this
happen?  If you knew you should have said something!"  Julian  stomped
around his quarters, his face a mask of rage.

Garak put on an amiable smile.  "Doctor, calm yourself.  The effects
are quite harmless to Humans."

"You've tested this?" Julian asked disbelievingly.  "You've conducted
tests to see how much other species are affected?"

"Yes.  Don't look so surprised, doctor.  We're not brutal savages; if
our pheromones would have caused harm to anyone, we would not have
sought out other intelligent life.  It's just . . . a natural quirk,"
he  finished, spreading his hands in a helpless gesture.

Julian felt he could smack that smug grin right off his face.
"Garak," his teeth grinding together, "Why didn't you tell me three
years ago?"

The tailor blinked once.  "Why didn't you find out as much as you
could about the 'spy'?" Garak countered.

Julian fell silent, glaring dangerously at him.  He was furious,
embarrassed, and hurt.  "Garak," his voice tightly controlled, "Just
how seriously have I been affected?"

"Not to worry, doctor.  The effects are mild; usually they just fade
away in a few months."  Garak fixed him with his blue eyes, still
reading doubt there.  "Doctor, would you like to go to the Infirmary?
Check yourself out?  I assure you, no harm has befallen you because of
this."

"Oh, no," Julian countered sarcastically.  "I've just been acting like
a  fool in front of everyone.  Do the others know about this?  Does
Dax?  O'Brien?"

Garak's face fell.  "Doctor, I assure you, I told no one about this.
I only told you because you . . . well, you threw yourself at me," he
finished lamely, unable to completely hide his smile or twinkling
eyes.

Julian groaned, wiping his face with one hand.  "Don't remind me.  I
mean that Garak.  Don't you breathe a word of this to anyone, do you
understand me?  ANYONE."  Julian got in his face, his eyes flashing
gold, green, and mahogany.

Garak felt a flush starting along his ridges.  "I will not tell
another living soul," he promised, feeling lightheaded.  "But doctor,
I should mention one other thing."

Julian straightened, looking down at Garak.  "What now?" he asked
warily.

Garak looked up at him, his pale eyes bright.  "Well, these pheromones
affect humans, as you found out, in a sexual way.  Well, those
pheromones are amplified back to . . . the originator . . . and . . ."

Julian's eyes widened.  "Are you telling me that you were getting off
every time we had lunch?!" he fumed.

Garak averted his eyes.  "In a manner of speaking.  Why do you think I
always encouraged you to take your time eating?  Yes, I worried about
you getting indigestion, but you were missing out on a most pleasant
experience," he sighed slightly.

Julian felt slightly sick.  "I don't want to hear this.  Garak,
please, just leave."  He turned his back to the tailor and went to
the portals, looking out at the stars.

Garak stood, watching the doctor's tense back.  "Doctor, I don't know
why you're upset.  Deltans pump out as many sexual endorphins as we
Cardassians do, and you don't have a problem with them."

"Yes, but they didn't hide that fact from me," Julian said quietly,
his hurt and anger reflected back at the tailor.

Garak was at a loss for words.  He certainly didn't mean to upset the
doctor, all he wanted was to have a little fun with him.  And now he
would consider himself lucky if he spoke to him again.  "Doctor, I am
sorry.  I should have told you sooner, but when we first met, I didn't
think we would still be having lunch, did you?"

Garak saw the slight shake of Julian's head and continued.  "Neither
did I.  So at that time, I saw no reason to tell you.  And as the
weeks went by, and we continued to meet for lunch, it slipped my mind.
I hadn't been asked by many Humanoids, much less a Human, to dine
with them lately," he finished quietly.

Julian heard a world of pain in that last sentence, and felt his anger
dissipating.  Of course Garak wouldn't have told him when they first
met.  They didn't know each other, and it was probably not something
that the tailor would want broadcasted throughout the station.
Suddenly, Julian felt ashamed for blowing up at his friend.  "Garak,"
he called  softly, his voice thick.  He cleared his throat and tried
again.  "Garak."

"Yes doctor?"  Garak's voice sounded very far away to Julian.

"Garak, I'd like to apologize.  The shock of it all caused me to act
irrationally.  Of course you wouldn't have just blurted this out at
our first meeting, and I can understand how easy it could be to
forget," Julian turned to face him then, "especially after that
person became a friend."   His eyes locked with Garak's across the
room.

Garak made his way slowly across the room to stand directly in front
of the doctor.  "A friend," he echoed, his eyes solemn.

"A good friend," Julian emphasized, pitching his voice low.

"Are you happy with that arrangement?" Garak murmured, his eyes
sweeping the doctor's flushed face.

"I thought I was.  I don't think I am anymore," Julian answered,
leaning  in closer.  He placed his hands on Garak's biceps, Garak's
hands automatically coming up to grasp the doctor's elbows.

"Doctor, do you know what you're doing?" Garak protested weakly as  he
watched the doctor's lips closing in on his.

Julian flashed a quick smile.  "No," he whispered as his lips brushed
the Cardassian's.

Garak held his gaze, watching the colors dance in his eyes.  "Doctor,
I don't think I've ever looked this deeply into your eyes before," he
murmured.

Garak saw the flicker of mischief highlight the golds and greens as
Julian murmured back, "Oh really?  And what do you see?"

The doctor's merriment died away at Garak's answer:  "Myself."  Julian
heard the honesty there, and it nearly melted his heart.

Garak met his gaze steadily, waiting for him to make the first move.
When he saw the tears form, to say he was astonished was an
understatement.  "Doctor, what's wrong?"

"I'm so sorry," he said quietly, running one finger along Garak's
jawline.

"Whatever for?  You've done nothing to be sorry about," Garak
insisted, baffled at the doctor's abrupt change of mood.

Julian shook his head.  "I'm sorry that Tain wouldn't come back with
you.  I'm sorry you missed your chance to return home."

Garak cleared his throat.  "Well.  That is in the past.  No one is
sorrier than I am that Tain wouldn't return with me.  And as for my
exile --  well, there's always lunch to look forward to," he joked
lightly.

Julian's eyes narrowed.  "Garak -- Elim, don't joke about this.  You
don't have to hide anything from me."

Hearing those two names together again jarred the tailor.  "Doctor,
please."  His hands tightened into fierce grips on Julian's elbows.

"What?"  Julian could sense Garak pulling away, and wondered what  he
had said.  "Is it Tain?"

"He's part of it, yes," Garak admitted.  "It's just that . . . I
hadn't heard my given name in the longest time.  And the last time I
heard it was on that Romulan ship, as Tain sat there, refusing to
leave."

"I'm sorry," Julian said again.

"Don't be sorry," Garak snapped.  His expression softened as he
sighed.  "Now I'm the one who's sorry, doctor."

Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Julian smiled.  "If we
both keep being sorry, we'll become extremely boring."

Garak smiled faintly.  "Then we'll stop.  There's nothing for you to
apologize for . . ."

Julian interrupted him.  "Garak, I wasn't just apologizing.  I was
trying  -- apparently unsuccessfully -- to tell you that I understand.
And that I would be here, to listen to you if you wanted to talk."

"Thank you, doctor."  Garak smiled invitingly at the younger man.  "I
will keep that in mind, I promise."  He shifted closer to the doctor.
"Now that we have that settled . . ."

"One more thing, Garak," Julian announced, his tone forceful.

"Yes?" Garak asked a bit hesitantly.

"I'm going to have to teach you what my first name is," he remarked
coyly.

Garak's booming laugh mixed with Julian's lighter laughter.  "Oh, my
dear doctor, you do delight me."  Seeing the doctor's expression,
Garak quickly added, "Julian."

"Better," Julian acquiesced.  His mood sobered.  "But what shall I
call you?  Would you rather I not call you Elim?" Julian asked
quietly.

Garak took a quick breath.  "Coming from you, I think I rather enjoy
hearing it again."  He offered a shaky smile as he pulled the doctor
against his broad chest.  "Say it again."

Smiling warmly at the tailor, Julian obliged. "Elim," he whispered in
the tailor's ear, and was rewarded with a flicker of a warm tongue on
his own ear.  A light moan escaped his parted lips.

"Music to my ears, Julian," Garak murmured in his ear, continuing to
nibble on the lobe.  He felt Julian's grip on his arms tighten, and
smiled.  "I take it you're enjoying this?" he inquired.

Julian's answer was to call out, "Lights, off," bathing them in only
the  cold starlight from the portals.

"Why did you do that?" Garak asked, raising his eyeridges
questioningly.

"Haven't you ever wanted to make love by starlight?" Julian purred,
eyes glowing in the semi-darkness.

Garak managed to force a wry grin through his desire.  "Doctor --
Julian, it has been awhile since I've made love with anyone.  Going on
six years now.  By starlight or sunlight, I don't particularly have a
preference."

"Well I do."  With that, Julian grasped two handfuls of Garak's tunic
and started to pull him to the floor.

"Julian, what .  ."  the tailor asked, startled.

"Garak, if what you said is true, then I've been horny for the past
two months, waiting for you.  Do you really want to keep me waiting?"
Julian asked huskily, the feral look in his eyes causing a jolt of
emotion coursing through the other man's body.

"Julian, don't forget, that pheromone works both ways.  I've been
wanting you, too," Garak admitted hoarsely, tenderly stroking Julian's
smooth cheek.  "For far longer than you could possibly know," he
whispered, kissing him softly.

Julian leaned into the kiss, trying to prolong it, but Garak had other
ideas.  He started kissing along Julian's jawline, back to his ear.
Pausing at the earlobe, Garak whispered, "I'm not quite sure of Human
erogenous zones, but I believe this is one," before he kissed behind
the  doctor's ear.  He was rewarded with a purring moan.

"That would be one of them," Julian agreed, his hands releasing their
grip on Garak's tunic and beginning to search for the fasteners while
his lips caressed the ridges along the tailor's neck.

Garak continued his exploration of Julian's neck, kissing down the
pulse he felt there until he reached the top of the purple turtleneck.

"Can we do something about this?" he asked breathlessly.  "It's in my
path."

"How do you think I feel?" Julian growled, tugging uselessly at
Garak's jumper.  "I can't get the damn fasteners undone."

Pulling Julian's hands gently away from them, Garak whipped the
fasteners apart with lightening speed and dropped the tunic to the
floor.  "Better?" he inquired, his pale blue eyes sparkling.

"Much," Julian breathed, his eyes drinking up the sight of Garak's
solid  chest.  The reptilian scales along his shoulders and upper
chest gave  way to smooth-looking skin at his stomach.  His body was
more  muscular than Julian's own, broader, and he imagined himself
once  again with his back rubbing against that hard-looking stomach.
Julian  licked his lips seductively and made a move towards the
tailor.

"Dear doctor, I believe I asked for your assistance as well," Garak
motioned to Julian's uniform.

Smiling knowingly, the doctor's nimble fingers opened the front of his
own uniform and pushed it aside.  In one fluid motion, his hands went
from his uniform to his turtleneck,  yanking it over his head quickly,
tousling his brown hair.  "Better?" Julian inquired, shaking his hair
back into place.

"Much," Garak breathed as he took in the slim, toned muscles of the
doctor's chest and arms, the starlight turning his dusky skin almost
black.  A small sigh escaped from his parted lips as he moved toward
Julian.  With a glint in his eye, matched by Julian, Garak tugged the
doctor's jumpsuit to the floor and Julian stumbled, stepping out of
it.   Garak toed off his shoes and with a little help from Julian's
feet, his pants joined the doctor's on the floor.

Both stared at the other, neither moving save for the rising and
falling  of their chests with their increasingly labored breathing.
Instinctively,  Julian fell into Garak's embrace, crushing his mouth
against the older  man's.  Garak pulled him closer, his hands sliding
down to grasp the  doctor's pert little ass and thrusting his hips
firmly against his, his now-hard erection prodding Julian's to life.

Julian tore his mouth from Garak's, groaning and thrusting back in
earnest, arching away from Garak's chest.  His hands gripped the
Cardassian's neckridges, drawing a guttural moan from the other man.
Julian tossed his head back, his eyes closing against the intense
sensations wracking his body.

Garak slid one hand up Julian's sweat-slicked back, urging  his head
back up.  He kissed the doctor lightly on the lips, along his  jaw,
anywhere he could reach, until Julian finally opened his eyes,  their
brown depths sparkling with desire.   "Elim," Julian whispered
hoarsely, just before his knees gave out.   Holding Julian loosely in
his arms, Garak laid him gently back on  the pillows, caressing his
face.  He drew in a quick breath at the  sight the young doctor
presented.  Starlight reflected off his shining  body, his sex now
straining, begging the tailor to finish what he had started.

Gazing up at Garak with half-lidded eyes, Julian whispered, "Come
here, Elim."

Garak's own sex pulsed with need, and he dropped to his knees next to
Julian.  Sliding his broad body along the doctor's lean form, Garak
kissed him, long and slow, taking special delight in teasing the
younger man's questing tongue.

Julian's fingers tangled in the Cardassian's slicked-back hair,
holding him firmly so he could delve even deeper into that mouth that
infuriated him, that always differed with him, always lied to him.
But not now.  Julian was determined to learn all its secrets, all its
truths.   There would be no half-truths here.

Garak moaned lightly, shifting against the Human.  Julian gasped as
their erections brushed, sending a jolt of pleasure through to his
core.   He finally let the tailor's mouth go, breathing deeply of the
Cardassian's spicy scent.

Panting heavily, Garak shifted again, bringing more of his skin in
contact with Julian's.  He set to nuzzling Julian's long, slender
neck,

losing himself in his musky scent.  Brushing his fingers through
Julian's thick hair, he kissed along his forehead, his eyelids, his
cheeks, leaving not an inch of skin untouched by his lips.

Julian reciprocated in kind, lightly nipping at the tough ridges along
Garak's shoulders, up his neck to just behind his ear.  Following the
smaller ridges along his jaw, Julian brushed Garak's swollen lips
before tracing an eyeridge with his tongue.

Garak gasped, digging his fingers into Julian's shoulders, thrusting
heavily against the young Human.  Squeezing his eyes shut, he fought
his own body's responses.

He barely felt Julian's ragged breath in his ear.  "Was that too
much?"

"No," the tailor answered, though a bit shakily.  "You just caught me
off-guard.  No one's done that in ages . . ." his voice faltered as
Julian's  tongue began to trace the other eyeridge.

"Julian," Garak groaned, feeling the tingling beginning.  "Julian,
please   . ." he tried desperately to control himself, but his hips
moved against  the doctor's, rubbing his painfully swollen sex against
his, exciting him  further.

The doctor switched from his tongue to his lips, kissing gently along
the ridges, his thumb running back and forth across the ridges of his
neck.  So intent was he on his arousal of the tailor that he failed to
notice  the change on Garak's face, or his erratic breathing.

Grunting, Garak thrust one, twice, trying desperately to stop his
climax, but it was too late . . . with a strangled cry, he came,
spilling  his semen over Julian's own sex.  Finally spent, he fell
against the  younger man, drawing deep breaths.

"Julian," he gasped, "I'm so sorry."

Julian ran his hands along his back, hugging him.  "Garak, you
couldn't help it.  If it has been as long as you say, I understand."
He kissed the  ridge in the center of Garak's forehead.

Lifting himself off of the younger man, Garak studied his face
intently.   "It has."  He glanced down at Julian's still erect member,
covered in  his own body's fluid.  "But that's no excuse to allow this
to continue."

Before Julian could ask what he was doing, Garak's hand was sliding
down his chest, his lips caressing the skin in its wake.

Julian groaned, letting his head fall back against the pillow.  "Elim
. . ." he whispered hoarsely, feeling Garak moving closer to his
straining  member.  "Garak," he cried louder, but still the tailor
continued to kiss  around it, avoided it, instead flicking his tongue
over the doctor's  abdomen, tasting himself mixed with the saltiness
of Julian's skin.

Julian was thrusting gently against him now, his skin flushing an even
deeper shade of rose.  As Garak continued to tease him, Julian's
thrusts  became more urgent, trying to come into contact with him.
Finally,  Garak's hand lovingly gripped him, sliding confidently along
his shaft  with long, sure strokes.

"Oh gods," Julian moaned, his eyes closing briefly against the
agonizing, delicious pain.

Garak leaned closer to him, keeping up a steady rhythm.  "I've had
plenty of practice at this, Julian.  Just relax," he murmured.

Julian's hands grasped at Garak's back, searching desperately for
something to grab on to.  His nails scraped along the rough texture of
his shoulders, causing Garak to inhale sharply through his teeth.  One
hand found the back of Garak's thigh and squeezed tightly.  The other
grasped the back of his neck and pulled him down, his mouth  searching
out Garak's warm, nimble tongue.  Julian devoured his  mouth, as if he
were a dying man in search of water.

The tailor's hand slowed as Julian's tongue became more insistent, his
mouth more demanding.  Julian groaned in protest, his hips coming up
off the pillow as he thrust against Garak's hand.  Garak could feel
himself growing hard again, and pumped Julian's own sex harder,
faster, not giving the doctor any chance of exciting him further.

Julian's arms tightened around the Cardassian's neck, burying his face
in the pocket of his ridges and moaning deeply.  His entire body was
on fire; he could feel his blood pounding through his veins . . .

Tears sprang to Garak's eyes as Julian's beautiful voice cried,
"Elim," as he climaxed, digging his nails into the tailor's back, his
semen  spurting onto the tailor's hand and leg.  He collapsed weakly
against Garak's broad chest; too spent to do more than allow the
sensations to wash over him.

"Julian, never has my name sounded better," Garak whispered as he
held the younger man loosely in his arms.  He kissed his sweat-soaked
hair, smoothing it back gently from his face.

The Human raised his head finally, swallowing with difficulty as his
breathing evened out.  "Elim, I . . ." his throat tightened; Julian
found he  couldn't say the words; instead, he kissed him tenderly,
allowing his  lips to say what his voice could not.

They sat in the wash of starlight, Julian in Garak's arms, kissing
languidly, savoring each other, for an indefinite amount of time; time
was a concept long forgotten in their newfound desire.

Suddenly, the wormhole flared into existence, bathing the two lovers
in a parade of glorious colors.  Julian pulled back from Garak,
watching the colors flashing across the tailor's face.  Staring deeply
into the icy blue depths of Garak's eyes, he whispered, "It's
beautiful."

"Yes, it is," the tailor agreed huskily, his blue eyes staring back
into Julian's  sparkling brown.  Leaning closer, Garak touched his
lips softly to the  doctor's.  "And so are you," he whispered, kissing
him again and closing  his eyes, before Julian could see his tears
forming.

"Elim?" Julian whispered, pulling back and staring hard at the
Cardassian.  He hadn't missed the tears, or the slight veil that had
clouded his eyes.  "What's wrong?"

Garak's eyes remained closed for a moment, while he carefully
controlled his emotions.  "Nothing," he answered finally, daring to
look  straight into Julian's eyes.

The doctor's expression darkened.  "Dammit Garak, after what we just
shared, you still can't trust me?"  His voice wasn't hard, wasn't
censuring, but it cut right through Garak just the same.

"Please Julian, there are things I'd rather not talk about . . ."
Garak began, but the hurt reflected in the younger man's eyes stopped
him.  Taking what he hoped was a steadying breath, the tailor said, "I
didn't want to tell you this.  I thought it would hurt you."  He
licked his suddenly dry lips.  "A memory of someone popped into my
thoughts  just then."

"Someone close to you?" Julian asked softly.

The Cardassian nodded.  "Someone I had to leave behind when I was
exiled.  A lover," Garak uttered in a voice so low, Julian had to bend
closer to him to hear him.

A finger under Garak's chin gently lifted his head.  Julian's soft
voice  asked, "Please Elim, look at me."  Swallowing hard, the
Cardassian raised  his eyes to Julian's, and saw understanding
reflected there.

Julian smiled faintly.  "Garak, I've no misconceptions about that part
of your past.  I realize you probably had to leave family or loved
ones  behind on Cardassia.  I don't hold anything against you for
thinking about  them."  His eyes dropped a fraction.  "And I had
always hoped you had  someone to love."

"Oh, I did," Garak breathed.  Seeing the doctor's startled expression
quickly change to hurt, he crushed him against his chest in a massive
hug.  "Julian, I'm sorry  I didn't mean it that way."  His voice
dropped  to a whisper.  "There's something you should know about him.
He was  the reason I was exiled.  I gave up everything I had,
everything I was, to protect him."  Garak snuffled, bending his head
to Julian's shoulder.   "And he betrayed me," he murmured.

Julian felt the wetness against his shoulder and hugged him tightly,
stroking  his back.  "And then he offered to bring you back, to
forgive all past  sins," the doctor whispered into Garak's ear as he
rocked him gently.

"Yes," the tailor choked out.  He lifted his tear-stained face, wiping
ineffectually at the tears.  "Tain offered me my life back, but not
everything.  I don't think he would have ever taken me back," he
admitted to himself, letting out a shuddering breath.  "I never
betrayed  him in my heart, do you know that?" he asked rhetorically,
his eyes reflecting back into himself.

"And you felt you were now," Julian said quietly, withdrawing from the
tailor, feeling like he had been kicked in the stomach.

Garak stared at him in horror.  "No!  Oh no," he cried, pulling the
doctor back to him.  "I was just thankful that he didn't take me back;
didn't trust me.  If he had, I wouldn't be here with you, right now."
He  kissed the mop of brown hair.  "And right here is where I want to
be."

"Are you sure?" Julian's muffled voice called from against Garak's
chest.

Despite not having the best hearing, Garak still picked up the worry,
the fear, and the desperate hope in those three words.  Smiling to
himself, Garak turned Julian's face up to his.  "I fear I've become
used  to you, doctor," he announced quietly, bending his head down to
brush  Julian's lips.

A wicked smile flashed across the doctor's features.  "In more ways
than one," he mused, his eyes twinkling.  Seeing the tailor's eyes
widen, Julian kissed him quickly.  "Elim, with or without your
pheromones and my raging hormones, I missed our lunches together.  I
missed the conversation, the discussions, the debates.  I missed
*you*," he stated plainly.

Not quite sure what to say, Garak blurted out, "But I teased you.
Mislead you at every turn.  How could you miss that?"

Julian smiled, shrugging a shoulder negligibly.  "That's part of your
charm.   I've come to realize that it's also a part of you; and if
that changed, if *you*  changed, I would miss it."  His teasing tone
dropped to a serious one.

"I guess I've become used to you too, Elim."

Doctor and tailor stared at one another, feeling uneasy about opening
up as they just had, especially Garak.

"Julian, I hope you realize that I've never told this much about
myself to anyone.  Ever.  Not even Tain," the tailor said quietly, his
voice dropping  to a pained whisper.

"Elim, I care about you too much to want to hurt you.  I would never
tell anyone anything that you've told me.  I trust you," Julian said,
his  eyes as solemn as his voice.

"But do I trust you?  That is the question you want an answer to,
isn't it?" Garak smiled affectionately at the young human.  "One of
your charms, dear doctor, is your completely readable expression."

Julian raised an eyebrow, trying to bite back a smirk.  "And you have
the unique ability to not answer any of my questions.  Instead, you
turn  them back around to me," he countered.

"Touche," Garak remarked.  "But in answer to your unasked question  .
. yes.  You are probably the only person left in this universe who I
would trust with my life.  Whom I have trusted."  Taking the doctor's
face in his hands, he kissed him lightly.

"Elim, I know how hard it is for you to trust, and I'm honoured that
you feel comfortable enough with me to trust me.  I promise you, I
will never betray that trust," Julian pledged, sealing it with a kiss.

"I know you won't, Julian.  And I promise you, you will always have a
bit of mystery about me," Garak murmured, kissing him back,  lingering
over the doctor's pliant lips.  His arms slipped around the  younger
man, drawing him closer as their kiss deepened.

Julian's hand slid down the tailor's textured chest, stroking his
smooth  stomach, finally grasping his partially erect sex.  His hand
immediately  slipped off.  He pulled back, surprised.  "Elim, what . .
.?"

Garak chuckled.  "My dear doctor, don't tell me you didn't know," he
said meaningfully.

Julian's brow furrowed as he tried to remember Cardassian physiology
. . he felt the red-hot blush sweep from his neck to his hairline.
"Oh,  gods, do I feel stupid," he murmured.  "I can't believe I
forgot."  A slow smile flashed across his features, and he stood up
abruptly.

Startled, Garak called out, "Julian, where are you going?"

Striding over to the table where the Danubian Floater rested, Julian
picked up the glass and returned to Garak's arms without a word.
Holding the glass by the rim, he said, "This is the reason I went to
the Infirmary.  It's called a Danubian Floater.  As you can see,"
Julian dipped a finger in it, both he and Garak watching it slowly
drip off, "it's very sticky.  It retains that consistency until it is
warmed, where it turns into a smooth liquid."  He stuck his finger in
his mouth, scraping along his teeth to get most of it off.

Garak's pale eyes watched every movement, the gentle sucking of the
doctor's mouth on his own finger, and felt his ache increase tenfold.
"Warmed, you say?" he asked, his breath becoming ragged.

"Mmm-hmm," Julian mumbled around his finger, his eyes sparkling.
Holding the Cardassian's gaze, the doctor held up the glass.  "Want
some?" he whispered, running his finger along his own lips
seductively.

Flashing Julian a knowing smile, Garak took the glass and raised it in
a toast before allowing a small portion to fall on his tongue.  With a
wicked glint in his eye, he set the glass on the floor and reached for
the Human.

"You wouldn't," Julian protested, seeing the look in the tailor's eye.
He groaned as Garak's lips closed on his, tasting the sweetness as the
tailor's tongue swirled around his.  The doctor pushed harder  against
Garak's lips, trying to cause as much friction as possible.  Their
mouths grew hotter; the concoction started to warm up.  Finally they
broke apart, taking in air, swallowing what was left of the drink.

"Best drink I've ever had," Garak complimented the doctor, licking
what was left of it off his lips.

"I thought you'd enjoy it," Julian retorted, dipping his fingers in it
again and sliding up close to the Cardassian.  His eyes twinkled
wickedly.

Garak saw this, and immediately his guard went up.  "Julian . . ." he
threatened mildly.

Widening his eyes ever-so-innocently, the Human leaned close to Garak,
kissing him lightly.  "Whatever do you mean, Elim?" he said
breathlessly, as his hand curved around the tailor's erection and
started to stroke him slowly.

Garak inhaled sharply, his eyes closing as Julian's hand, along with
the concoction, pulled slightly at him.  "Julian," he uttered
hoarsely,  choking back a groan as he felt the doctor's hand growing
warm.

Julian watched Garak's face, watched the desire flush his skin, his
neckridges turning almost completely black.  Feeling a bit
lightheaded, he kissed along his cheek to nibble at the tailor's ear.
"What if I were  to tell you," he murmured into Garak's ear, "that all
the while you were  here, all I could think about was you inside me.
Me in your arms, arching  back against you.  Your throbbing, pulsing
sex inside me, your chest  rubbing against my back, your weight on me,
pushing into me . . ."

Growling from deep in his chest, Garak grabbed both of Julian's
wrists, holding his hands away from him.  Staring deeply into the
Human's  eyes, he saw desire, need, and a hint of daring, and his
breath caught.   He was already achingly hard, the doctor's
ministrations had taken  care of that.  "Julian," he breathed
hoarsely, "Gods, Julian, you don't know how long I've wanted to . . ."
his mouth closed over the doctor's, too caught up in emotion and need
to continue.

Julian broke away from the tailor, breathing heavily.  "Elim, I  want
you now," he whispered, twisting around until he could lay  back
against the Cardassian's broad chest.  Garak's erection brushed
against his ass; a moan caught in his throat and he gripped the
Cardassian's thighs tightly.

The tailor's arms encircled him, kissing along the back of his neck.
Julian  groaned softly, his head rolling back to the tailor's
shoulder, exposing  more of his neck and shoulder to Garak's lips.
Slowly, Garak  leaned forward, kissing down the Human's back,
following his spine  with his tongue.  Soon, Julian was on his hands
and knees, his hands  clenching the pillow underneath him.  Garak's
tongue was continuing  to assault the younger man's senses, his hands
lightly stroking along  his narrow waist.

"Elim, if you don't do something soon, I'm going to hurt you," Julian
threatened, his voice strangled with desire.  He shot a glance over
his shoulder, seeing Garak smiling impishly back at him.

"You wouldn't dare," Garak murmured, running a finger along Julian's
cleft.

Inhaling sharply, Julian was incapable of speech for a moment.  But
the minute he got himself under control again, he peeked demurely
over his shoulder, fixing the Cardassian with a wide-eyed, knowing
stare.  "I know you want me too.  I know you want to lose yourself in
me.  But are you man enough to do it, Elim?" he said as calmly as he
could, one corner of his mouth lifting in a smile.

"Ooh, was that a dare, Julian?" Garak asked breathlessly; leaning over
Julian's lithe body and just touching his opening with his slick
erection.  His lips nibbled at the doctor's neck, feeling him shiver
under him.

Julian pushed upward gently, bringing more of the tailor's sex in
contact with him.  "Maybe.  Maybe not," the doctor whispered, smiling
coyly at Garak.  "The question still stands; what are you going to
do?"

The tailor looked down at Julian, matching his coy smile with one of
his own. Leaning closer, he brushed his lips against the back of
Julian's ear.  "What  I am going to do, my dear Julian, is give you
exactly what you want," he  whispered, sending a shiver of
anticipation down the doctor's back.

Garak's hands moved swiftly over the doctor's form, brushing lightly
over his hips, his thumbs outlining his opening.  Julian chewed on his
lower lip, fighting the impulse to thrust upward as Garak's hands
massaging his ass. Julian was panting by now, his own sex pulsing with
need.  "Elim," he  gasped, closing his eyes, "Please . . ."

Kissing him between his shoulderblades, Garak pushed back slightly
from the doctor, running two fingers along his own sex, coating them.
Gently, he slid first one, then the other inside Julian's cleft.

Julian moaned loudly, pushing back against Garak's fingers.  The
tailor's own sex was throbbing painfully; he needed this as much as
Julian did.  He extracted his hand, Julian groaning in protest.
Lifting the doctor up slightly, Garak began to push his straining sex
into his cleft, stopping when he heard Julian gasp.

"Are you all right?" Garak asked, his voice shaky but concerned.

Julian was breathing in gasps, his hands pushing against the pillows.
"I'm fine, Elim.  Don't stop.  Gods, don't stop," he begged, rocking
slightly backward against him.  His knees parted, allowing the tailor
better leverage.

Garak inched forward, pushing steadily into Julian until his abdomen
rested against Julian's ass.  Groaning, he thrust quickly, drawing a
moan from both. "Julian," the tailor gasped, "I didn't know you were
so hot inside."  He  rocked his hips, pushing himself deeper into the
doctor's warmth.

"Consider it," Julian grunted, pushing his hips back against Garak,
"one  of those mysteries you love to find out for yourself," he
gasped.

The Cardassian fell into a rhythm, rocking slowly against Julian,
lowering his body down on his.  "Is this what you wanted?" Garak
whispered, one arm around his waist, his other hand on the floor,
steadying himself.

Julian felt Garak's weight on his back, the gentle rocking of their
bodies, felt the tailor stretching him.  His arms strained with the
effort of keeping himself off the floor and his own thrusting in
counterpoint to Garak's.  Julian felt himself slipping forward, his
head touched the pillows as the tailor buried himself deeper inside
him.  Groaning loudly, the doctor hissed,  "More," bracing himself
with his elbows and thrusting back as hard as he could.  His breath
caught as Garak touched him deeper than anyone else ever had.

Garak was seeing stars, buried deeply in the doctor.  He gasped for
air, sweat falling into his eyes as he thrust back, pushing Julian
back  into the pillows.  His full weight was on the doctor now, almost
lying completely on top of him.  They were both panting from the
exertion.

"Julian, I don't know if I can keep this up," Garak admitted shakily,
his  hands moving until they covered Julian's clenched in the pillow.

A wicked smile curved Julian's lips as he clenched himself around the
tailor. "You don't have to," he grunted, rocking his hips upward into
Garak's.

The tailor gasped; feeling himself near the breaking point.
Determined that he would take the younger man with him this time, his
hand searched out Julian's rock-hard erection and began stroking him
swiftly.  Letting out a shuddered moan, Julian rocked against him
wildly, sending Garak over the  edge.  The Cardassian's hand gripped
Julian tightly, triggering his climax.  Together, they rode the
crest, falling back in each other's arms.  Both were slick with
sweat, taking huge gulps of air.

Garak fell back on the pillows, his limbs sprawled bonelessly around
him.  Julian sat up on one elbow, watching the tailor regain his
composure.

"Julian, remind me to start exercising," Garak asked, wiping at his
forehead.

The doctor gave him an affectionate smile.  "I think I can work out
some sort of program for you," he said lightly, the look in his eyes
telling the tailor exactly what sort of exercise he had in mind.

Garak saw it, and laughed quietly.  "Oho, no, Julian.  I do need some
sleep, thank you."

"Your loss," Julian said quietly, though his eyes twinkled.  "Well,
my loss too."

The tailor rolled his eyes.  "I can't believe you, Julian.  I never
knew you had a wicked streak.  Or this terrible sense of humor."

"It's not terrible," the doctor protested half-heartedly, leaning over
to give Garak a kiss.  "As for the wicked streak, well, I guess you
bring it out in me," he whispered, kissing the tailor lazily.

"Mm," Garak murmured, his eyes closing.  His breathing evened out,
and Julian felt his lips slacken.

"Elim, you're falling asleep," Julian whispered with a grin, watching
the  ardassian's features smooth out and a slight smile curve his
lips.

"Julian, mashta peaol," Garak muttered before drifting off to sleep.

Julian realized what he said with a start, and he felt tears spring to
his eyes.

"You are my beloved too, Elim," he whispered to the sleeping
Cardassian, kissing his forehead before snuggling up next to him, his
head resting on his broad chest.  Soon, he joined the tailor in sleep,
the stars still bathing them in their pale light.

---

"Well Julian, you certainly are in a better mood this morning," Dax
noted with amusement as she caught up with him at the turbolift.

Julian grinned at her as she stepped inside.  "I am," he remarked as
she turned to face him.

"I take it you had a pleasant evening?" she prodded with a sweet
smile.

"That I did."  Julian knew Dax hated cryptic answers, but was
determined that she wouldn't learn how he spent his evening.

"So who was she?" Dax asked with a smirk.

Julian looked at her with indignant shock.  "Jadzia, how could you
even think such a thing?  I was not with a woman last night."

Dax peered intently at the young doctor, trying to see if he was
telling the truth.  He looked too relaxed, too at ease, and his eyes
were twinkling.  She toyed with the idea of challenging him, but she
was sure he wouldn't tell her anything.  Her eyes widened as she
realized just who Julian might have spent the night with.

Quickly masking it, she apologized.  "I'm sorry, Julian," she said
sincerely, offering him a small smile.

The lift stopped on the Promenade, and Julian stepped off.  "That's
all right," Julian's grin was firmly back in place, oblivious to
Jadzia's discovery.  "Duty calls.  See you later."  He turned on his
heel toward the Infirmary.

"Hey Julian," Dax called.

He turned around, "Yes?"

"Did you want to meet for lunch?" she asked.  She bit back a grin as
the doctor graced her with a blinding smile.

"I'm sorry.  I already have a lunch date."  With a jaunty salute, he
wove his way through the early morning crowds.

Shaking her head with a knowing smile on her lips, Dax continued up to
OPS, glad the doctor and tailor had finally gotten back around to
having lunch again.

---

The End