This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE is a Registered Trademark ® of Paramount Pictures. Copyright (c) 1996 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. No infringement was meant. "The Changing" copyright (c) 1996 by BGM - NC-17 - [G/B] Note - Y'all know Sedi Jarelle is Jennifer Shipp's, right? :-) No BDSM in this one folks - now this could mean one of two things. Either my anger for DS9 is fading and I can now safely write mushy stuff between my two lovers (snerk) or else I'm a very eclectic writer and write what I'm in the mood for. :-) So there. Enjoy! ~~~ *Gul no!* It was that time. The Changing. The damn fucking Changing. *Not now! Please, I can't bear it. Not here. I have no one here to assist me!* Elim Garak moaned to himself, burying his head in his hands. He had every urge to bang his head against the wall, scream, destroy things; anything to surpress the Changing beginning to stir his body. *Please make it stop!* With considerable difficulty, he turned to his console and pushed himself upright. Sighing, he walked purposefully toward it. *Don't do it Elim. He won't be able to withstand it.* He slumped over it, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the proper connection. *Don't!* Finally he found it, and pushed. ~~~ Sedi Jarelle stared at the blinking light, pursing her lips in thought. Julian had expressed clearly that he was not to be bothered during his lunch break, enclosed as he was in his small office with a foul mood. But this light was blinking from someone Julian would not be so ready to dismiss. Or ignore. Berating her hesitation, she walked into the office and maintained her decorum even as Julian looked up angrily. "It's Mister Garak," she said simply, and walked out. When the door closed behind her, she glanced at the console and its still blinking light. A brief moment followed before it vanished. Smiling, she returned to her duties. ~~~ "Garak," Julian frowned, watching the unhealthy image of his friend clear into focus. "What's wrong?" "I ... Julian," the tailor said, wresting a surprised reaction from the Doctor at the mention of his proper name. "Julian, I need your help." "I'm on my way," he nodded, reaching for his medkit. On screen, Garak reached out for him. "No! Wait. Before you come here, access ..." he took a steadying breath and tried again, "Access the Cardassian medbases on a ... a phenomenon called the Changing." His eyes darkened and he added, "I want you prepared if you're to come here." He exhaled and the link broke swiftly. "The Changing," Julian mulled, and activated his console. When he eyed the enormous load of information on the subject, Julian dismissed it and headed for the Cardassian's quarters. "I have no time to read," he muttered. "He obviously needs my help. I'll deal with the symptoms once there," he nodded resolutely, stepping into the turbolift. ~~~ Garak was clutching at the same console when Julian entered his quarters uninvited. The tailor turned, eyes sheathed darkly. "I told you to familiarise yourself with my ... with my condition," he spat, eyeing the Doctor warily as he approached him. "Obviously you didn't take the time to ..." "I don't have time to do that!" Julian reproached, hovering the wand over the tailor's body. "You were practically dying over the comlink," he berated, pressing a couple of panels across his tricorder. "Did you really want me to wait another twenty minutes while I--" He never got to finish his sentence. His tricorder flew one way, the wand another. His hands clutched at the air, trying desperately to grab hold of something as he was projected backwards. In front of him, Garak was kissing him like a man starved for love. "Garhmmh ..." Julian tried to protest, finally gathering enough wits to co-ordinate his hands. Pushing against the tailor's body made no difference however, and Julian discovered he was running out of air very quickly. Garak was practically sucking him dry, and while he would have found it extremely stimulating with proper warning, Julian was now fighting a losing battle. At last the kiss ended, and both men pulled away panting erratically. "What the *hell* was that?" Julian cried between breaths, leaning over his knees. Garak hugged his arms, as though physically holding himself away, and moved toward the viewport; the farthest point from Julian's position. "I told you to read up on the Changing Doctor. You wouldn't have been caught so off-guard." He shrugged. "That's if you had agreed to come here in the first place." Julian frowned wildly, his breath only now beginning to calm. "What *is* the Changing then? Enlighten me Garak. Am I to understand this is normal?" "Normal, yes. For Cardassians. Cardassians living on Cardassia with Cardassian lovers at close proximity. For a Cardassian exile, it's not so simple I'm afraid. I knew it was only a matter of time before it struck me. I had hoped to be off the station by then." "So what is it?" Julian persisted, taking a cautious step forward. Unconsciously, Garak took another to accommodate the distance separating them. "Every Cardassian works on a cycle. That's true for almost every humanoid beings anyway. At the end of these cycle, Cardassians go through a period of intense sexual energy. Our arousal is increased for a certain amount of days, our libido incomparable. Usually a Cardassian male will choose a lover of equal size and strength and lock themselves somewhere. Quarters, a house, anything to ensure privacy. Some even do this in groups. "These bouts of energy occur every 10 years or so. But then at some point, like where I am now, Cardassian males go through the Changing. It's a sort of build-up from all the other cycles, a ... I don't exactly how to put this. An explosion of sort. When this occurs, we need someone; anyone. If need is not satiated we can become ..." he glanced sideways. "violent. And I'm not talking about throwing a chair against the wall violent. I'm talking about killing someone violent." He took a deep breath and glanced outside again. "I'm going through that change Doctor. And I need someone to watch over me so that I don't hurt anyone. Perhaps bringing a phaser with you would be wise," he added silently. Julian swallowed nervously and again walked forward. This time Garak did not back away. "What if you had someone?" he asked. Garak laughed at this. "Who Doctor? First of all, no one will be able to withstand what my instincts no doubt have in store for them, and secondly, who would agree to it?" "I would," Julian said on an impulse, and flushed deeply. *Did I just *say* that or think it?* "You would lock yourself in here, with me, and let yourself be used and fucked until you can't even remember your own name?" Garak growled, incensed that Julian would even volunteer for this. *I guess I said it.* "If it prevents you from hurting anyone else, yes. If it helps you better cope with this, yes." Garak turned, eyes widened in surprise. "That's taking the good Samaritan act a bit far don't you think?" He broke into laughter and shook his head. "Please Doctor. Don't volunteer for something you'll most probably regret after the first five minutes." His laughter died promptly, and his body shivered noticeably. "Doctor ..." he strained. "Yes?" Julian took a step forward. "Get out," he managed. "Now." He began to walk toward Julian, hands clenching into fists. "Now Doctor, please. Go!" he bawled. "I'm staying right here," Julian affirmed, trying to still his wildly beating heart. Garak had no protest or argument left in him. All he did was narrow his eyes and increase his pace. "Suit yourself." He grasped his arm and pulled him close to him, breathing hard. Julian swallowed and tried to still the quaver in his body. "Garak, I should tell you," he whispered rasptly, "I've never been with a man before ..." Garak's eyes widened, and it felt as though all the power in his grip loosened. He backed away a step, a look akin to horror permeating his features. "You ... Doctor, you must go then!" he cried, his breathing coming in erratic gasps. "Please, I beg you Julian, don't let me be the first ..." "I don't understand ..." said Julian, talking a step toward his friend. "What difference does it make?" "It makes *all* the difference!" Garak bawled, his control crumbling as his eyes unknowingly swept over the lithe frame of his companion. "Please ..." he whimpered. "I don't know how much longer I can control myself ..." "Then don't!" Julian cried. "Don't you realise I wouldn't place myself in this situation if I didn't want it? I don't usually go around the station offering myself to every lustful needies there is you know! Ok, so fine, I'm not the most experienced lover you'll ever meet - you could teach me!" The tailor was shaking his head now, clutching at his forehead as though he was physically preventing his head from splitting in two. "You don't understand! Negvar!" he cursed. "I refuse to stain you like this Doctor. If you were never touched by a man before, I will do it properly, not in these conditions. My ways are not your ways Julian," he said, his eyes imploring. "For me to invade your body like that ... for me to be the *first* to invade it, I cannot allow myself from thoughtlessly abusing of it." Julian took another cautious step forward, and noted with a bolt of anticipation that Garak hadn't stepped away this time. "You just said it Garak. My ways are not your ways. So fine, I never slept with a man. That doesn't mean I don't want to with you. And I do Garak. I spent a lot of days, and endless nights thinking about it, wondering if you'd ever accept my affections." "Oh I would have ..." Garak interjected. "... But women were comfortable," Julian went on, boldly approaching the tailor now. "I was too scared ... maybe too intimidated to make the first steps. Oh Garak," he said, reaching for the cool grey hands and grasping them in his own. "I'm telling you now, I *want* you to be the first, and I want you to be the last." Garak gasped at the words, this time bouncing out of the comforting circle. "No," he hissed. "I refuse to limit your experience like that. Dammit Julian, this is *precisely* why I don't want to be your f-f ..." he broke out, shutting his eyes tightly. "Julian," he strained, kneeling on the floor. Fire blazed across icy blue eyes as Garak looked up, dangerous intent dancing behind his stare. "Lie back," Julian ordered promptly and was relieved when Garak obeyed him right away. He made quick work of Garak's clothes, stripping them effectively and without delay. When the tailor's aching erection bounced free, Julian slid beside him, pushed his mouth over Garak's and circled the burning cock with his hand. Thoughts of what they were doing fled quickly from their minds as they kissed frantically. Almost unconsciously Julian began to lightly pump the tailor's sex, his free hand assaulting the clasp of his uniform as he struggled to take his own clothes off. Garak helped him, his fingers turned to claws as they ripped seams, hastened the travel of clasps and violently tugged the lavender shirt off the lithe frame of his soon-to-be lover. Still they kissed, forcing themselves in precarious positions simply to remain linked as Julian discarded the last of his clothing. Julian didn't even notice when the tailor came, spurting his warm seed over the doctor's hand even as he went on stroking and tugging. All his senses were focused on Garak - how sweet the Cardassian tasted, how his scent was more pronounced now that he was so close to him. This man, this companion he'd shared Gods knows how many lunches and discussions with, who he now was kissing like the desperation of a starving man. When Garak's body finished convulsing from the aftershocks of his release, he rolled over his lover, nipping and licking every inch of skin he could find, his hand finding the evidence of his friend's own arousal in a heartbeat. He gave it the same treatment, stroking and pumping, caressing, pinching, making the doctor gasp and cry out at each sensation. "Oh Gods I never thought--" Julian began but his words were quickly enveloped by the hot Cardassian mouth conquering his lips, dueling with his tongue. Barely a moment followed before Julian felt the tightening in his groin that would soon prompt his own release. He let himself be carried away, letting the world around him grow dim while his only focus became his universe, his world, his own skin. He felt he could melt into Garak and never want to let go. He cried out and gasped, forgetting to breathe, forgetting everything but the wave of endless pleasure crashing over him as he reached his peak. He clutched tightly at the scaly body over him - the body he didn't even have time to explore so much their passion had grown in those few moments. When eventually the pleasure faded and made way for a serene tranquillity, both were breathing heavily and their bodies gleamed softly in the light. "My Gods ..." Julian panted, rolling on his back. "That was incredible. I can't wait to feel how it is when you're inside me," he smiled, glancing seductively at Garak. He frowned when the latter straightened up and went to put on a robe. "Julian, please, you must leave before I'm assaulted again ..." he implored. Julian uttered a rude noise and sat up. "I thought we went through this already Garak. I *want* this! For Gods' sakes, what do your people do when you want someone who's never had experience before?" "We eventually *do* get together with them, but not in the way we've just experienced." He turned away, rubbing his temple. "It takes time Julian. It's a long process, and if we *are* to bond, I want it to be right." "Garak, I'm not asking that we get married. I'm just asking that we go out ... that we make love. Is that such a difficult thing to ask?" "Yes," Garak snapped. "I'm sorry Doctor. You follow your laws and I follow mine. I know they mean little now that I am exiled, but they are still a part of me." "Look. Look at me Garak!" Julian cried. "I'm naked and I've just felt something I've never felt before with someone else. That's good Garak! You made me feel good, and I'd like to think I did the same for you." He shook his head. "But if you're going to turn all of this into a long gruelling mating ceremony, then maybe..." he trailed off, frowning at himself. "I'm sorry Garak, that didn't come out right. It's just ... I've always thought of you as a passionate man. Someone to act on impulse when the desire is there. Is it there, Garak? Or are you just looking for someone to relieve the solitude of exile?" "I would *never* use another living being simply to lift my own loneliness. Only cowards do that Doctor, and I am none of the such. I am perfectly willing to die alone, whether it suits you or not. But I *do* have desires for you Julian." He tentatively took a step toward his lover, letting go of his robe. It parted naturally, revealing the tailor's desires much more effectively. "I have had them for a long time. And I dreaded this moment ... this *Changing*," he said with disgust, "Because I knew I would never resist asking for your company." He curved his lips malevolently. "And see what I did? The *first* thing that leapt into my mind was asking for you. Gul, Julian, I'm so sorry." "Dammit Garak!" Julian blurted, jumping to his feet. "Get it through your hard Cardassian head; if I didn't want it, I wouldn't have come!" He promptly smiled at his own words. "And take that in whichever way you want," he added slyly. "Don't joke!" Garak replied hotly. Julian frowned promptly, shaking away his teasing. "You're really serious about this aren't you? I'm sorry Garak," he murmured apologetically. "I didn't mean to ... but Garak, how am I supposed to help your condition if you won't use me?" "You make it sound like abuse," Garak spat, turning away. "I don't know what we'll do about it. But if you don't leave soon, *I* don't even know how far I'll go." "Oh please Garak," Julian whispered. "Please understand that I don't *mind* you doing this. I can see you're trying to restrain yourself, but for all I know this might be unhealthy for you. So stop this foolish charade and take me!" he cried. A low chuckle met with his plea. "A charade. Yes, you *would* see this as a charade, wouldn't you?" He turned and stalked toward Julian. "So naive," he mumbled before circling an arm around the thin waist. "So beautiful," he moaned, and crushed his mouth to Julian's. Mere minutes elapsed before Julian's back touched the carpet and his legs were spread wide by the tailor's broad hands. At the young man's insistent cries, Garak growled low and dove in, sliding into the virgin depths with unruly uninhibition. Beneath him, Julian cried aloud with unexpected rapture. "Yes! More!" he cried, bucking against the steely erection touching every inch of his inner core. "Garak, please ..." he hissed, feeling sweat rolling down his temples as Garak endeavoured to give him more. He draped Julian's body with his own, bracing himself on the floor with his hands while Julian's legs wrapped tightly against his back. "I'm so sorry ..." Garak kept repeating in his ear, nibbling at Julian's ear. Julian was lost in an incoherent sea of pleasure. Every stab of the Cardassian's cock was like a bolt of ecstasy - every slap of powerful thighs a stroke of bliss. Some part of his mind marvelled at something - how sex with a woman would never be comparable to the utter fullness of having Garak inside him. So full, so delightfully filled. Julian was practically sobbing at the end, demanding more and more, his fingers clawing at Garak's hands which had wrapped over his own. Feeling his inner self fill up with the tailor's hot essence, Julian dissolved into a mere mass of nerve endings, continuously stimulated to pleasure. All day they made passionate love, always changing, always experimenting. And at the end, when it seemed that the tailor's endurance would carry them away to oblivion, Garak collapsed on the bed where they had moved, exhaling loudly and almost immediately drifting to deep contented sleep. Julian crashed over him, already asleep before his head touched Garak's back. "I must apologise," Garak said when they woke the next morning. "Truly Doctor, I didn't want to initiate you to this in such a crude fashion ..." Julian smiled lazily, looking much like a cat who'd just enjoyed a hearty meal. "Garak?" The tailor turned, watching his lover's peaceful eyes and wanting so desperately to drown in them. "Yes?" Julian turned and looked straight into the icy depths of Garak's eyes, wanting to be hypnotised into sheer pleasure over and over again. "We're going to have to work on trust," he whispered, and reached out for a kiss. THE END