The BLTS Archive - Same Time, Same Place
by Saffronwitch (Saffronwitch7966@aol.com)

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Note, " indicates dialogue" whereas *indicates the private thoughts of
the characters*

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"So you didn't find any merit in ANY of the books I gave you to read
while I was away?"  Julian Bashir asked, struggling to keep out of his
voice the disappointment he was feeling. After a month away from the
station he had so looked forward to resuming his lunches with Garak
and it was a blow to find his friend seeming so distant and
distracted.

Garak focused his attention on Bashir, forcing a relaxed smile to his
lips as he looked into those pensive brown eyes.  "Indeed, no, quite
the contrary My Dear Doctor.  They have been a quite remarkable source
of amusement to me and I am sure that our lunchtime discussions will
be most lively for many weeks to come."

*and you will never know the many nights I lay curled up to your
books, missing you, longing for your return.  Your absence made Terok
Nor such a cold place, and made me so painfully aware of my
loneliness.

Knowing that you were on this desolate rock of a station somewhere has
been the only thing that has been keeping me sane for so long. Oh my
dear Julian I need you so much, even though I can never touch you in
the way my heart desires, even though I can never tell you what I
truly feel.  I can never risk driving you away, seeing the disgust
that you would be unable to conceal if I told you that I ached to
possess you.  If I told you that I loved you.*

Julian Bashir was slightly reassured,  at least Garak seemed to expect
to carry on their daily meetings.  He tried to rally a little, to meet
Garak's bantering tone.  "I'll have to make sure I'm fully up to date
on my Cardassian literature in response,"  he said, lightly.

*I've been such a fool, dreaming about seeing you again, imagining
some grand reunion.  You haven't been missing me. Why would you? Just
in my dreams, my beloved Elim, where you are the one true soul who
could learn my secrets and not condemn me.  It is only my dreams that
you are the missing part of myself.  How contemptuous you would be of
weak, romantic little fantasies.  You must never know that I love
you.*

The two men chose the same moment to push away their half eaten meals.
For an instant their hands met,  smooth grey scales brushing against
warm human skin.  They withdrew from each with rapid nervous gestures
but there was just the slightest moment when their eyes met and, ill
prepared, several layers of deception lifted a fraction.

*He can't be, can he?  No.*

*Surely he isn't?  That could not be possible? No*

Elim Garak cleared his throat a little.  "Lunch tomorrow then Doctor?"

"Yes,"  Julian Bashir agreed, as each man prepared to leave, alone.
"Same time, same place."

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The End