Rating: MC
Set During: Season 1 Episode 15 “Progress”
Garak looked up from the display he was preparing when he heard the doors to his shop open. It figured that he would have his first customer for the day right before he had planned to leave for lunch. He broke into a genuine grin when he discovered that it was the dear Doctor.
“How may I help you, Doctor?” Garak gestured to the shop. “A new suit perhaps?”
“Oh, no, actually I figured I’d stop by and see if you were ready for lunch.” Julian glanced around at the displays.
“As a matter of fact, I was just about to close up the shop.” Garak gestured towards the door.
They both walked out of the shop. Julian waited patiently as Garak turned on the closed sign, locked the doors, and input a security code. Garak for his part observed Julian’s slightly ruffled appearance.
“You seem out of sorts.” Garak commented carefully. “I hope everything is okay.”
“Oh, yes.” Julian was surprised at Garak’s perceptiveness. “Just some stuff with work.”
They walk off in the direction of the Replimate at a leisurely pace.
“I hope we aren’t facing another station wide medical problem. I must say that the last one was quite unpleasant enough.” Garak chuckled lightly. “No offence, but if I’m never in your infirmary again it will be to soon.”
“Yes.” Julian felt a little awkward thinking about the events that had brought Garak there previously. “But, it did lead to my finding a nice lunch companion.”
Garak smiled his banal smile to hide his sudden discomfort. “That it did.”
They lapsed into silence as they entered the queue for the replicator. Garak reflected on the idea that he might actually have found a friend. It was unexpected and rather frightening. It had been a long time since he could call someone friend. The Doctor was just supposed to be a way to get back to Cardassia, nothing else.
“What would you like for lunch?” They had reached the replicator.
Garak responded automatically. “Rokassa juice and ratamba stew.”
“And, I’ll have tarkalean tea, double sweet, and plomeek soup with basil.” Julian picked up the tray of food that materialized. “The captain put me on to the addition of basil. It’s very good.”
“Perhaps I’ll try it sometime.” Garak sat down at their usual table.
Julian joined him and paused Garak his food. “Well, I for one am quite hungry. I skipped dinner last night, just didn’t feel much like eating.”
“Why Doctor, I don’t have to tell you that’s bad for your health.” Garak chastises the young man teasingly.
“Yes, but on some occasions unavoidable.” Julian answered and his previous ruffled demeanor returned slightly.
“This wouldn’t have something to do with what was bothering you earlier, would it?” Garak wondered whether there was useful information here.
“If you must know, yes. It does.” Julian stabbed at his food, but didn’t actually take a bite. “I’d rather not talk about it really.”
“But, it’s clearly bothering you.” Garak decided it was best to use a bit of misdirection. “Perhaps you should talk to someone about it, Lieutenant Commander Dax perhaps? It could help.”
“Maybe, I’ve already talked to Commander Sisko.” Julian ate and brooded for a bit.
Garak sat quietly and sipped his rokassa juice. He could see the Doctor’s thoughts flash across the man’s beautifully unadorned face. If he waited just a bit longer he’d have the Doctor talking.
“It’s just that emergency I got called away for yesterday.” Julian sat his fork down. “Major Kira has been forced to remove some Bajorans against their will. She’s really struggling with the assignment. Part of her understands and part of her feels like an occupier. She may loose her commission over this if she doesn’t figure things out soon.”
“I see.” The information wasn’t useful, time to distract the man from his worries. “Actually, that reminds me of the book you loaned me.”
“How?” Julian was interested.
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General comments and constructive criticism welcome. Feel free to comment.
I acknowledge that Elim Garak, Julian Bashir, Cardassia, etc. are the property of either Paramount or CBS, not entirely sure which due to the changes in 2006. The story is however mine, and done solely for entertainment purposes.
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