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.

"Licentious Desires" copyright (c) 1996 by BGM - NC-17           

Warning - some blood WILL be shed.  Well what?  It IS a vampire story after 
all!

~~~

"Love exists, rages within.  A silent scream of endless pain. Hellish alchemy 
indeed, without equal.  Not death, not hell itself, but a precious, precious flower, 
long withered ... and gone."  

Lucien LaCroix sniffed at the memory; the grievous soliloquy he'd delivered in 
memoir of Fleur that night, alone in his radio booth; thoughts of his former 
progeny's sister, a long ago lover ... now gone and forgotten by history, but not 
by the ageless man now sidling into his seat aboard the Tarkelian freighter.  

Life was good these days, this he had to admit.  So many species -- so much 
novelty in his choice of meals since the mortals' first contact with new life in 
other galaxies.  He'd sampled more blood types in a couple of centuries than he 
could count, and still more added to the list of exotic variety each day, provided 
he kept 
moving, continued his travels without lingering in one place for too long. 
        
He inhaled deeply and let it out in a low contended sigh.  What a joyous time to 
be alive indeed.  How disappointing to have no one to share the joy with.  

After Natalie's death, Nicholas had disappeared from his sight -- though LaCroix 
knew if he put his mind to it he'd find him easily.  But he left the younger 
Vampire be, left him with the grief that would torment him for ages.  LaCroix 
knew it all to well.  

And Janette ... well Janette did what fancied her.  He had no wish to contradict 
her desires or force her back into the uneasy alliance that had existed between 
them.  He'd saved her, a long time ago when she was a whore and he a 
gentlemen ... and she'd reimbursed him with  continued loyalty.  But as all 
things, the time came when she went about her own path set for her.  He'd never 
seen her since that day when she'd sold him the bar and fled from the heartaches 
life in Toronto had given her.        
        
Of course, the libertine frolic was not without its price ... With the elimination of 
famine and poverty, he had to be notably more careful in his choice of preys ... 
one slip and even his immortal body would not resist the might of a phaser. 
        
He chuckled wryly, sinking into the passenger seat as he noted the ship veering 
to the right and speeding into warp.  No one would have felt it, but -he- did.  His 
senses were unaccountably keen these days, more so than usual. 

Must be a Cardassian aboard.  Those delightful creatures always managed to 
play havoc on his senses.  He wondered why.  A gland absent in Human genes 
no doubt.  There was just something about Cardassians that made the kill that 
much sweeter.  Biting down into that corded neck and draining the sugary 
tasting blood was an experience unlike any he'd encountered among Human 
mortals. 
        
Sighing at the purpose of his voyage, he settled back and glanced at the fleeting 
stars.  Unbidden, the memory of Fleur flooded his mind anew, and his face lost 
the buoyancy of a few moments ago.  //Constant stars.  The only comforting 
light.  Kill the pain, this incessant longing,// he recalled wryly, staring at the 
flickering lights speeding past him.  One thing about being immortal . . . it made 
you vulnerable to constant assaults of past sorrows. 
        
He closed heavy eyelids and leaned back, resting his head on the back of his 
seat.  One thing about space, he thought lazily before drifting to sleep -- no 
damn sun to forever torment you . . .

~~~

"Come on Garak!"  Bashir gritted, grimacing as he exerted all his strength on 
their undertaking.  "Make an effort ..." he groaned.  "Yes, that's it, we almost 
have it!"  He broke into a sweat and opened his eyes to see his friend, panting.

Garak's face, beaded profusely with sweat, clenched his teeth as he made one 
last effort.  He pushed, pushed with all his might until veins began throbbing at 
his temples and his colour turned almost black.  Julian Bashir paused and 
widened his eyes at the sight.  He quickly wrapped his hands around the tight 
muscled arm to halt the Cardassian's endeavours.  "All right, all right!  Don't kill 
yourself Garak!" 
        
Exhaling loudly, Garak sprawled over the treacherous container he'd tried to 
move with his friend, and glanced at Bashir while panting almost as hard as a 
Cardassian lapdog.  "Don't ... you have ... anti ...  grav ..." he lapsed into silence, 
trying to still his wildly beating heart.
        
"Anti gravity units?  We have one, but it's presently under the care of Chief 
O'Brien," he replied wryly, slapping the unit angrily. 
        
Taking one huge breath, Garak straightened up and tugged at his jacket to erase 
the creases his effort had caused.  "Well ..." he sighed.  "I don't see how we can 
possibly move this without assistance."
        
"That's what I thought too ... which is why I called you," he added with a sly 
smile.
        
Garak took the teasing in good stride.  "I doubt my strength is vastly superior 
than yours doctor, or any of your nurses as a matter of fact."
        
Julian shook his head while glancing about the storage room.  "Nonsense. You 
helped me move those other units," he winked back thankfully.  "Of which I'm 
eternally grateful by the way."  He turned back and made an annoyed sound.  
"Of course, I still have to move these blasted Tricordazine containers that 
refuses to budge."
        
Eyeing the unit in question, Garak frowned.  "What -is- in there anyway?" 
        
"Medicine in its prime state."  He looked up.  "Rock.  It's shipped here directly 
from Nukta IV, and -we- have to mine them ourselves."
        
Garak groaned, rubbing the small of his back.  "You mean I have been erupting 
several major arteries trying to move -rock-?  My dear Doctor, as much as I 
enjoy helping you, I hope next time you call me it'll be for a nice tall glass of 
kanaar ..."  

Julian laughed good naturedly and clasped Garak's shoulder.  "My poor man.  
Let me make it up to you ..."

Garak's brilliant blue eyes cocked an interested look at Bashir.  "Oh?  And what 
did you have in mind?"

"Why, that tall glass of kanaar you wanted!" 

Garak smiled, and Julian missed the faint disappointment reflected there.  "Of 
course Doctor.  You'll have to excuse me -- my blood isn't quite reaching my 
brain at the moment."

Still chuckling, Julian rounded the tailor's shoulders with his slender arm and led 
him out the infirmary.  As they walked down the Promenade toward the 
replimat, both missed the dark shadow 
following their wake with bright interested saffron eyes.

~~~

"Garak, do you ..." Julian winced and looked around.  "Do you get the feeling 
we're being watched?"
        
"Constantly.  It's part of being a spy," Garak explained, his face the picture of 
seriousness given away only by the mischievous smile playing across his 
cerulean eyes. 

"I'm serious," Julian hissed.  He leaned over his drink, inviting Garak to 
approach him in confidence.  "There's a man sitting in the far corner.  I'm sure 
I've seen him before.  He keeps watching us."

Garak settled back and took a sip of  kanaar even as he surreptitiously darted his 
attention to the table in question.  A man was occupying the corner chair, 
reclining against it with all the flair and poise of Hebitian monarchy.  Oh indeed, 
this man knew how to present himself. 

Garak narrowed his eyes, making certain he wasn't being watched in return 
before inspecting the Human's features more carefully.  Quite classical.  At least, 
by Human standard.  Although impossible to tell, Garak had no doubt the man 
was tall, imposing and carrying a natural authority as he walked.  Large, 
deceptively guileless eyes peered over the rim of a glass of wine -- or so he 
thought if he remembered his Human liquors correctly.  Even at a distance 
Garak could tell their colour quite accurately.  Sapphire blue, glittering -- almost 
glowing.  

A handsome man actually, as Garak deepened his inspection.  Sinuous lips, 
curved as it seems into permanent mischief, reminding him a bit of Julian's own.  
And the palest skin Garak had ever encountered.  Julian looked burnt in 
comparison.   

"Well?"

Garak was mesmerized by the sight.  He pulled away with difficulty, missing the 
self-satisfied glance the man suddenly directed him.  "What?"

"Did you see him?"

"Yes, and I don't see why you should--" Garak paused incredulously, staring at 
where he'd only seconds ago detached his gaze from.  "He's gone," he stated 
disbelievingly.  "That's impossible.  I just -saw- him there."  

Julian snapped his head around, scouring the empty table.  "He just left," Julian 
rationalized, befuddled by Garak's suspicious reaction.

"I suppose," mumbled the tailor, staring sharply at the small table.  Yet what 
he'd seen was impossible, and too complicated to explain to Julian. Not now 
anyway.  He had to seek this man.  His senses on alert, Garak deposited his half 
finished kanar on the table and wiped his mouth with his cloth.  "If you'll excuse 
me doctor."  He flashed his friend a complacent smile. "I think I'll go take a very 
powerful sonic shower to ease my muscles.  Thank you for the kanar."

"No problem."  Julian looked up and followed his friend with frowning wide 
eyes.  Strange ...

~~~

"You are new here, are you not?" Garak asked quietly, startling the man to a 
halt.  //Damn him and his Cardassian heritage//, the man thought.  His senses 
were so wild he hadn't effectively homed in on the tailor's approach. 

He squared his shoulders and tilted his head, stubbornly refusing to meet the 
Cardassian's eyes.  

"Yes," he whispered, a note of amusement bordering his tone.  Behind him, 
Garak walked forward. 

"I couldn't help to notice your presence in the replimat," he said.

"And I yours."

"And I was simply marveling at the technology which would permit one to 
move fast enough to blur his movements.  Would you care to share the secret?" 
he teased, finally close enough to register the man's neck.  A beautifully strong 
neck, the colour of snow. 

Unseen from the Cardassian, the man's eyes widened in surprise.  He -saw- him 
leave??  No mortals had ever registered the movements of a Vampire. Never.  
And yet this was not a Human, now was he?  Chuckling, he tilted his head 
backward.  "I can read your thoughts you know."

Garak was struck by the odd statement.  He paused and simply frowned at the 
Human's back, waiting for an explanation. 

The man turned, revealing large sand coloured eyes which captured and held the 
tailor's own cerulean gaze in a heartbeat.  As Garak had never seen this 
particular colour in Human eyes before, he wondered if he was dealing with an 
alien, or simply a trick brought on by contact lenses or some sort of birth 
abnormality.     

"No contact lenses, no birth defect," he smiled.  "And I am Human."  He 
chuckled at his own admission.  "Well, I -used- to be one a very, very long time 
ago."  He sobered and again grasped the tailor's eyes with his hypnotic stare.  

He held out a hand and Garak watched those sinuous lips form into an impish 
smirk.  "I am Lucien LaCroix," he introduced himself with a flourish.  "And you 
are Elim Garak, are you not?"

Garak unconsciously performed the Human gesture, shaking the man's hand in 
greeting and immediately drawing back.  "You're frigid!" he exclaimed.  He was 
no medical expert, but he knew damn well that was not a normal temperature for 
a Human living on the station.

LaCroix shrugged wantonly.  "One of the small drawbacks of immortality," he 
whispered, his voice heavy and rich with suggestion.

"I don't understand ..." Garak murmured, studying the face with every attention, 
caressing each bend and curve of the man's features.  He was far from 
harbouring Julian's beauty, but Garak found himself strangely aroused by the 
Human's presence.  There was something ageless in that stare ... something 
surreal which Garak couldn't quite pinpoint.  He simply wanted to drown in the 
man's eyes ...  

"Julian ..." LaCroix intoned, narrowing his golden scintillating eyes.  "He is the 
young man you were with, yes?"

Not trusting himself to speak, Garak simply nodded. With each passing second 
he felt his consciousness slip away quietly, making way to this man's thoughts, 
his influence.  Resisting the questioning was quickly becoming impossible.  It 
was frightening for someone of Garak's nature, yet oddly comforting as well.

"A tantalizing young man ..." LaCroix whispered invitingly, thoughts of his own 
young man dancing in his mind.  "I'm certain you'd give up nearly anything to 
seduce him ... am I correct?"

Garak closed his eyes and, too weak to resist, welcomed the foreign onslaught.  
"Yes," he whimpered -- a pitiful sound layered by a light moan.  

Slowly, LaCroix guided the Cardassian into empty quarters -- the same he'd 
taken as a haven since his arrival.  The tailor followed blindly, head swaying 
lightly on the side.

"Tell me ..." LaCroix whispered closely in the intricate ear when they were 
utterly alone.  "Would like you to take him?" 

"Yes ..." Garak agreed, pearls of sweat forming at his brow at the thought of 
slipping inside Julian.  The feel of the young man's heated body sliding under 
him, the graceful bend on his smooth back caressing him and coaxing him as 
he'd enter the tight depths of his precious Human lover ...    

"But you're afraid," Lucien went on, getting intoxicated by the Cardassian's 
blood pounding across the corded tendon.

"He's ... my friend," Garak explained, swallowing hard.  Still the thought of 
Julian played across his mind, seeing himself pushing him forward, pounding 
into the slender body, grasping the smooth silky thighs while together they 
reached impossible heights ... he blinked several times, ducking his head.  "I 
don't want to hurt him."

// No you don't, do you?  You don't know much of  anything ... I can't believe I 
ever enjoyed eating mediocre food while staring into your smug sanctimonious 
face ... I hate this place, and I hate -you- ... // 

Garak frowned over the memory, suddenly realizing how much he'd taken the 
Human's presence in his life for granted.  He -had- hurt him already, but to what 
end?  Garak had lusted after many people in his life, usually ending up using 
them for his own pleasure.  But had he really loved?  Did he love Julian?  "He's 
my friend," he whispered again, re-establishing partial control over his thoughts.

LaCroix was quickly forgetting about the conversation.  His senses were wild, 
his arousal unmistakable.  On an impulse he reached forward, grasped one of 
Garak's shoulder and effectively pinned the Cardassian against him with 
unnatural strength.  

The tailor gasped, struggling weakly under the inhuman hold.  "What--"

"Shut your mouth Cardassian," LaCroix spat with sudden harshness, his nails 
digging into the leathery shoulder.  Garak bent his neck back, wincing in pain.  

"Now listen to me," Lucien panted in the tailor's ear, his sex pressing insistently 
against Garak's muscled ass.  "I'm about to give you a gift I've never offered 
your people before.  I have watched your race carefully over the centuries, 
watched them grow into the fine civilized citizens that your society encompasses 
today.  And I believe it's time I give them a gift which knows no limit to power 
and authority.  Your people will inspire fear once again; they will become the 
Cardassians you were bred to admire and emulate.  And you shall be the first my 
friend.  The first of a long line of others like us." 

LaCroix grinned insidiously, his sharp fangs lengthened to their optimum.  "You 
shall not regret encountering me, Elim Garak.  I'm about to change your whole 
way of thinking."  

He growled deep in his throat and without warning, bit deeply around the corded 
tendon running the length of Garak's neck.   

Garak's eyes flew opened, his clear blue eyes reflecting mixtures of shock and 
lust, pain and surprise, agony and pleasure.  He reached back to cup LaCroix's 
head, inwardly struggling between pushing him away and pulling him tighter 
against him.  

Finally his lust won, and Garak leaned into the bite, opened himself to the flood 
of sensation the older man was providing.  His mouth gaped open, short gasps 
pushing from his throat, delighted moans intermixed with grunts of pain 
rumbling in his chest.

The agony seemed to roll on forever, until finally LaCroix released him.  He 
moaned weakly and crashed to the floor.  His breath vanished and his eyes 
drifted closed as the last beat of his heart faded to silence.   What LaCroix saw at 
his feet was a dead Cardassian. 
  
Though that would not be the case for long.  Biting into his wrist, LaCroix knelt 
on the floor and rolled the tailor to his back.  He suckled at his cut, drawing the 
first drops of blood before he quickly hovered his wound over Garak's mouth.  

A few ruby drops fell to his lips, insinuating themselves into the slightly parted 
mouth.  A moment followed before a pink tongue darted out to lick the 
remaining drops, then a moment more before Garak himself jerked up and 
seized the wrist.  

Wincing, LaCroix watched as the Cardassian drained his essence, watched 
lecherously as a few wayward drops hugged the corners of the Cardassian's 
mouth.  Quickly the Cardassian licked those before returning to his meal.  

LaCroix grunted, his features crumpling in real pain.  With a cry he jerked his 
hand free of Garak's avid mouth and slumped to the floor next to the Cardassian.  

"Expensive gift," LaCroix moaned, clutching his injured wrist to his chest.  

"But what a gift," Garak hissed, his eyes prurient purple as they looked down at 
the body of LaCroix ... his master.  

He bent forward and kissed the older man deeply, both vampires' lengthened 
fangs brushing against each other, they tongues both tasting the other's blood. 

When Garak parted, his taste for more only doubled.  "I need a walk," he said 
lewdly, and left the quarters under LaCroix's approving gaze.

When the doors closed, LaCroix slumped back, panting with strain.  //That is the 
last time I cross a Cardassian over,// he thought with a grunt.  //He can take over 
from here.//

~~~
    
Garak felt renewed; young again.  Every breath he took filled him with a 
profound sense of well-being, every step he engendered brimming with 
confidence and sensuality.  

As he slithered along the Promenade, taking full advantage of his reptilian grace 
in his walk, he noted pleasantly that most people afforded him a glance, or a 
look, surprise and sudden interest 
brightening their faces.  

Chuckling under his breath, Garak returned each of them with a full measure of 
mysterious intent.  Such a refreshing experience, to return from the dead.

"Ah Doctor," Garak cooed, stepping into the Infirmary.  "I was hoping to see 
you this afternoon.  I'm afraid I've left you rather abruptly, and I just had to 
redeem myself."

Intent on his latest batch of tests, Julian didn't look up right away at his friend.  
Rather he smiled, waving dismissively at the Cardassian.  "Think nothing of it 
Garak.  I had to go back to the Infirmary anyway.  Maybe if I bother Miles long 
enough he'll release his anti-grav unit to me."

Garak betrayed a flicker of surprise.  "You still haven't figured out a way to 
move those containment units?"

Julian turned his back to the tailor, bending over his console to type in 
something.  "Nope.  I've given up torturing myself trying," he said absently.

Garak licked his lips, taking a few steps toward the inviting picture Julian's 
position drew.  When the young man straightened and turned around, he very 
nearly rammed into Garak's chest.

Gasping, he looked up at the Cardassian's eyes, frowning at the different light 
sparkling across the vivid blue.  A very different light indeed.  

"Garak?" he called hesitantly.  //Wasn't he at the entrance when I turned 
around?//  he thought while Garak's eyes narrowed.  

"Yes Doctor?" the tailor whispered, his eyes catching and holding Julian's. Lost 
in their intensity, their sheer pulling force, Julian swallowed nervously and tried 
desperately to wrest himself from Garak's visual hold.  

"Never mind," he muttered, stepping aside and narrowly escaping embarrassing 
himself.  There was something suddenly ... irresistible in being subjected to that 
cerulean stare.  Disturbing, to say the least.  //Garak has never looked at me like 
that before ... or has he?//  

"Doctor, I'll be delighted to help you move those units, if the offer is still 
available."

Julian paused in his steps, turning to face the tailor.  "Of course it is, but Garak 
... you tried already.  They were too heavy."

"My dear Doctor, never underestimate the power of a good sonic shower," 
Garak said enigmatically, walking to the back storage bay.  Frowning in utter 
confusion, Julian followed him.

When Garak had positioned himself behind the first unit, he looked up with a 
bright smile.  "Where do you want them?" the tailor asked, his tone and words 
promising success in actually budging the heavy loads.

Julian drew out of his confused daze and pointed absently at a corner.  "Over 
there will be fine."

"Splendid."  Still smiling, Garak bent down, hugged the thick barrel, and lifted it 
up as though it weighed no more than a sack of feathers.  

Julian almost fell on his ass.  "Garak!" he blurted, following the tailor's wake as 
the Cardassian walked leisurely to the assigned corner.  No strain was visible on 
his face, and each step he took was light.

Garak paused in his route and turned.  "Yes?"

Appalled, Julian waved frantically at him.  "Put it down!"

Sighing, the Cardassian leaned over and deposited the unit.  "I wish you'd make 
up your mind Doctor.  Do you want these containment units moved or not?"

"Garak, you just moved over 500 kilos of raw material, and you pretend as 
though you do this everyday!  What the hell did you take?" he frowned and 
deepened his visual inspection.  "And why are you so pale?"   

Garak's face twitched with confusion.  "What are you talking about?"

Julian's concern grew as the Cardassian's pallor began to stand out noticeably.  
"Garak, you're pale as a sheet!  Come on," he said with a serious frown, stalking 
toward the main ICU.  

Garak stayed stubbornly on his feet, folding his arms.  "I will not," he called.  
When Julian stopped to glare at him, Garak smiled sweetly.  "Now either I move 
these units for you, or I leave.  Your choice Doctor." 

"Forget about the bloody units for one minute," Julian bawled, stepping back in 
front of the tailor.  "You're pale Garak.  You're so pale I can see your veins quite 
clearly.  Now either come with me for a medical examination, or I'll have 
someone -escort- you to the medbay."

"Oh I don't think so," Garak hissed, lashing out to grasp the Doctor's arm firmly.  
He jerked him toward him and stared deeply into his eyes. 

Julian gasped, the breath knocked out of him not only by Garak's abrupt 
onslaught, but by the intensity of the tailor's stare.  His neck loosened, and his 
eyelids drooped almost in hypnosis as he stared back.  Across his chest, his heart 
beat savagely.

"I will not subject myself to a medical examination, nor will you be further 
concerned for my well-being, is that understood?"  

What the tailor intended to be a threatening inflection turned into a soft 
suggestive whisper; to which the young man only nodded and moaned absently 
in response.  

"Yes," he whispered, his body slackening in Garak's arms.  Frowning, Garak let 
go, and watched as Julian blinked away the hazy memories.  When he looked 
up, his face turned into a shaky smile.

"So, you want to move these units Garak?"

"Amazing," Garak whispered to himself, stepping closer to the Doctor.  To 
Julian he said, "Don't I look pale to you Doctor?  Unusually ashen?"

Julian took a moment to examine the Cardassian's face, shaking his head lightly 
as he found nothing wrong with Garak's complexion.  "No, you seem all right 
enough."  He frowned at his declaration, but quickly dismissed the odd feeling.

Garak's heart was beating loudly with joy.  He grinned as one who'd suddenly 
learned a very dirty secret, and grasped the young man's arm again.  
"Fascinating.  Let's try this again.  Doctor," he said, dropping his voice to the 
same provocative whisper.  "You will accept my invitation to my quarters this 
evening.  Furthermore, you will obey every one of my orders at all time you are 
inside my quarters, is that understood?"
  
A low moan answered him, and Garak grinned in wild joy.  So what if he was 
taking advantage?  He'd waited four years to fuck the little slut to no avail.  And 
what had it brought him?  Nights spent alone in bed, crying out from his own 
hand, lost in a torrent of fantasies he'd created over endless similar nights.  

But no more.  If it took a little manipulating, then so what?  Garak wanted 
Julian, and finally, he would have him.  Obeying his every command no less.

With a deep breath of triumphant bliss, Garak let go of the Doctor's arm and 
smiled brightly.  "Doctor," he prompted quickly.  "Would you care to have 
dinner at my quarters this evening?  0700 ... I'll prepare us a savoury Cardassian 
meal you'll just ... adore."

Julian brushed his hand over his forehead, then nodded hazily.  "Yes, of course 
Garak.  0700?  I'll be there."

"Splendid!" the tailor exulted, patting his friend across the shoulders.  "Splendid.  
Now then.  Let us move these units once and for all," he nodded in 
determination, moving to lift the closest barrel.  

~~~ 

Julian had no idea what he was doing here.  A bottle of kanar in one hand, the 
other tugging mercilessly at his informal shirt.  What was he expecting?  And 
why had he just spent an hour trying to get his hair smoothing just the right way, 
when all the while he kept having an odd impression it was all in vain?

He cleared his throat, and went to ring the chime when the door whooshed open 
abruptly.  Garak was standing there, the dimmed lights playing ugly shadows on 
his face.  

When Julian shuddered in inexplicable fear, the tailor stepped back, and his face 
faded into a pleased look.  "Ah Doctor, very prompt I see," he said, glancing at 
the chrono.  

Julian gave him a small smile and offered him the bottle before entering the 
small quarters.  "How thoughtful," Garak said, even as he set the liquor aside 
absently while he watched the Human predatorily.   

When Julian turned to face the tailor, Garak had already locked the door.  

"Take off your clothes," the Cardassian said bluntly, folding his arms in wait.  
He waited for the appalled reaction, waited for the burst of anger which, not 
quite so unexpectedly, never came.  

Instead, Julian only glanced about the quarters and said, "Here?"

Garak shrugged in apology.  "I have nowhere else, lest you wish to go to the 
washroom.  However, since I also wish to watch while you strip, it would be 
preferable that you stay here."

Nodding absently, Julian went about divesting himself of his clothing.

//He's listening to me,// Garak thought, his eyes narrowing lewdly as they 
followed the young man's feline movements.  //I can't believe he's actually 
obeying me.// 

Soon the young man was fully unclothed, having folded his clothes neatly across 
a chair.  He now stood casually in front of Garak, waiting hazingly for his next 
orders.

"Come here," Garak asked huskily, reaching out with his arms.  Julian walked 
over without hesitation, pressing against the Cardassian and moaning softly 
when Garak's hands closed over
his back.  The embrace was tender, affectionate as Garak caressed the smooth 
skin under his fingers, his breath warm as he mouthed the young man's shoulder.

Thus when he pulled away, Julian groaned quietly in protest, his hands lingering 
over Garak's neck where they'd held the tailor.

"Wait my sweet," Garak panted.  "I have to ..." he lapsed into silence as he 
hastily unfastened his tunic, quickly shrugging out of the jacket as soon as the 
clasps were free.  

When finally all his clothing were scattered unceremoniously at his feet, he 
beckoned the Human's closeness anew, and when they touched both men 
moaned with passion.  Garak's thirst deepened
as he nuzzled the young man's neck, the blood pounding across the human veins 
calling to him.  

He shook his head and pushed the urge away, focusing on his arousal.  He was 
fortunate enough for Julian's sex brushing against his own, killing all thoughts 
other than the fire raging in him for Julian's body ... his possessiveness growing 
as his hands played across the young man's skin.  

"I want you," he groaned huskily, unaware that his eyes burned deep purple.  
"Now Julian.  On your hand and knees; give yourself to me now."

Mouthing the leathery skin on his way, Julian slid down the length of Garak's 
body, licking the scales he encountered, taking a few moments to suck at the tip 
of Garak's erection.  

Crying out, Garak bent down and hastened the young man's progress, grasping 
him by the narrow shoulders and rolling him to his stomach.  "I said now 
Julian," he hissed, grasping the lubricant he'd conveniently settled under his 
grasp.

Julian cried out as he felt the lubricant fill him, Garak's fingers roughly 
penetrating him as to spread it evenly.  His own control began to return as 
Garak's thoughts turned basal.  The mental manipulation was slipping and Julian 
realized too late what was going on.  

He turned in time to see and feel Garak entering his ass.  No time to assimilate 
the situation, no time to even feel shock at the display, Julian gasped and fell 
forward, his face falling into the carpet.  He pulled himself on his hands and 
cried out anew as he felt Garak's thick sex move inside him.  Hands on his hips, 
a weight pressing his stomach onto the floor and savage breaths in his ear.  
"You're mine," Garak said harshly.  "Wherever you go I'll follow, whoever you 
fuck I'll kill.  There's no escaping me anymore Julian."    

The frightening words echoed in his mind, fighting against the tide of pleasure 
Garak was providing on his body.  Their rocking grew frantic, and soon both 
consciousness' were replaced with lust and passion.  

It was only when it was over did Julian began to realize what he'd just done.  
What the hell had happened anyway?  One minute he'd been ringing at Garak's 
door and the next he was being fucked senseless by the host?  What had 
happened in between??

Out of the corner of his eye Julian caught sight of his clothes, folded neatly on a 
chair.  Again, no memory of how they got there or who'd actually taken them 
off. 

Panting, Julian pulled himself up, wondering absently where his gracious 
entertainer had gone.  The rush of the 'fresher sounded, and Julian turned toward 
the washroom as Garak came out.  Still naked, still with that 'look' on his face. 

"I have a present for you," he said, pausing at his desk to retrieve something.  

Julian frowned as he caught a slip of black in the Cardassian's hands.  "Garak, 
do you mind explaining to me what exactly happened?"   

The tailor waved his question off and ordered him to turned around.  Julian 
began to protest, but the blue of the Cardassian's eyes killed all thoughts of 
resistance.

"Garak, what is going on ..." he moaned, feeling Garak's chilling presence 
permeate his back as the Cardassian approached him.

"Shh," Garak breathed in his ear, reaching forward and clasping something 
around Julian's neck.  When he reached up to touch it, he found it was a leather 
collar of some sort.  "You don't have to wear it while you're on duty," he 
whispered, trailing his hands over the smooth golden chest, pinching the young 
man's firm nipples.  "Only for me," he added, his tongue darting across the 
intricate Human ear.
        
Julian shivered nervously.  "I don't know about this.  I mean it's a nice thought, 
and don't think I don't appreciate it or anything, it's just that I don--"  Julian's 
babbling quickly dwindled into a soft moan as Garak began to rock his hips 
against Julian's ass, his rigid sex nudging the pliant cheeks apart.    

"You were saying?" he murmured, resuming his exploration of Julian's ear and 
neck.

Trying to repress the wave of desire mounting inside him anew, Julian shook his 
head and turned sideways with a frown.  "Why are you doing this?" he 
whispered.

"What an odd question," the tailor replied, turning the young man around to face 
him.  "Do you really want an answer?"

"I ... I don't know what I want," Julian confessed.  "What we did ... I mean, I'm 
not sure I was ready to--"

Garak smiled askance, eyes still reflecting prurient sapphire.  "My dear doctor ... 
I've never know you to be hesitant about anything," Garak's smile turned 
revelative.  "Truly refreshing to see you're not the brash smug bastard everyone 
thinks you are."

Julian frowned and shrugged Garak's touch away, quickly stepping back.  "If I'm 
to be insulted ..."

"Oh doctor don't do that," Garak said dangerously, advancing on the young man.  
"-Never- back away from me," he hissed.

Julian narrowed his eyes.  "You're being ridiculous.  I do what I want." 

A menacing light flashed in the Cardassian's eyes.  He hooked his forefinger 
inside Julian's collar and yanked him forward, drawing a surprised gasp from the 
young man.  "Not while you wear this you don't," he whispered, tugging him 
closer to him.  His breath swept over the Human's face, caressing the smooth 
curves of his lips, enticing the young man even closer.  "As long as you wear 
this collar, you're -my- propriety.  And if you don't agree, then take it off and go 
cry into Leeta's arms.  It makes no difference to me."

Julian leered.  "Is -that- how you treat lovers on Cardassia then?"

Garak's eyes flashed something different, an exotic light shimmering in his 
cerulean eyes as his smile turned dangerous.  He grasped the young man by the 
shoulders, spun him around and sank to the floor with him.  Kneeling, Garak 
maintained his firm hold on the thin shoulders and leaned forward, biting the 
bend of Julian's slender neck.  "I think it's time you were taught a lesson 
Doctor," Garak laughed, eyes transmuting to bright mauve.  "A tasty lesson 
indeed," he whispered hungrily, his fangs lengthened to sharpness as he grazed 
the Human's neck.

"Garak ...?  What are you-- GARAK!" he screamed abruptly, trying to scramble 
away as he felt the tailor's sharp teeth sink into his skin.  The Cardassian's hands 
clamped over his chest and held him in a death grip, refusing to let the Human 
budge.  Julian began to whimper weakly, the drainage of blood already dulling 
his senses.  "Please, Garak, stop it ... stop ..."   

Judging his moment, Garak stopped drinking and licked his teeth cleaned, 
watching the Human slump forward in utter exhaustion.  He hadn't quite pushed 
Julian's limits, having drank not enough to kill or cross him over.  Just satisfy his 
immediate hunger.  

He bounced forward, landing gracefully like a panther next to Julian's prone 
form.  When the young man opened his eyes, the sight of Garak startled him.  
The tailor's beautiful azure eyes flashed bright purple for a moment.  "Garak 
...?" 

"Shh," he hissed.  "Just relax."

"Relax?"  Julian wormed away from Garak, feeling his energy totally drained.  
"Get away from me Garak."  

The tailor reached out and pulled the young man effortlessly back into his arms.  
"I said relax," he hissed, forcing Julian's head against his shoulder.

Driven by pure adrenaline, Julian growled fiercely and pushed himself out of the 
Cardassian's grasp.  He stumbled to his feet, and before he could reach the exit, 
before he could even tap his insignia, Garak was suddenly there, behind him and 
holding him against his chest.  

"Garak," he sobbed weakly.  "Please, let me go.  You ... you're hurting me."

"That was for neglecting me all these years," the tailor hissed in the young man's 
ear.  "For not seeing my desire for you, for choosing to ignore me when I got too 
close ..."

"I didn't know!" Julian cried, his head dipping sideways in defeat.  "I swear, I 
didn't ... please ..." he tried again, his body becoming a dead weight in Garak's 
arms.

"No," Garak spat, turning the doctor to face him.  Deep sea blue met and held 
mahogany brown, and Julian gasped faintly.  "I wanted you," he said, shaking 
Julian's narrow shoulders in emphasis.  "I spent countless night thinking about 
you, fucking my hand thinking of you and yet doing nothing about it because I 
respected you too much; respected our friendship."  

Garak laughed maniacally and pushed him to the floor.  "Good thing I don't hold 
the same values anymore," he grinned lewdly, advancing slowly on the 
retreating Human.

Julian pushed himself backward, shaking his head in disbelief.  "What happened 
to you Garak?  You changed, you ... you're not Garak anymore; you're not my 
Garak," he wailed, unknowing just how deeply his own words meant to him.

"Oh yes I am," Garak said darkly.  "This is who I am Julian.  Take away the lies, 
the fallacies I've hurled at you all these years; peel away the cheerful facades 
I've erected for myself in your company and this is what you get.  And I'm sick 
and tired of trying to get to you by pleasantries; tired of treating you like a 
precious flower; tired of sitting in that damn replimat every week and listening 
to your endless descriptions of how you fucked this woman, or how you fucked 
that woman, and how great the sex was, and how you just couldn't wait to see 
them again.  I've lived trough all of them Doctor; Melora, Leeta, Kira ... and I've 
smiled and nodded at each and every bloody one, feigning happiness for you.  
Well I'm here to tell you that I won't stand to hear another ... it's my turn Doctor, 
and I plan to extract due payment for the torture -you- put me through all these 
years."  

Smiling pure mischief, Garak knelt down and caressed a frightened Julian's 
cheek.  "Tell me ... just how sensitive -is- your skin Doctor?"

Julian's eyes widened at the evil gleam in the tailor's eyes, and suddenly his 
survival instincts kicked in.  His fist flailed out and hit the Cardassian across the 
jaw.  When Garak laughed and turned back, the doctor was already making it 
through the door.

"Oh Julian," Garak tsked, bouncing to his feet.

Julian tumbled through the door, the bout of temporary stamina gone, his body 
weak and threatening to fall when he was across the threshold.  With a cry he 
did, only to land into strong supporting hands.

"I give up," he moaned, burying his face against the other man's chest.  "Go 
ahead Garak, finish me off if that's what you want.  I can't fight you anymore."

"It's all right," he said; another man's voice with an accent oddly familiar.  
Frowning, Julian looked up, and his breath was promptly taken away by the 
beautifully rogue face staring down at him.  Soft blue eyes promising rescue and 
salvation. 

He felt lifted from his feet, and a rush of air before a black satin cloak was 
suddenly covering his naked body.  He was about to thank the man for his help, 
when a shouting match ensued between he saviour and the one who'd tried to 
kill him.  

"Get away from him; you are too young to know your own strength!" 

Garak's voice hovered about them, menacing.  "He is mine Human.  Give him to 
me or I promise you exquisite pain ..."

The man's eyes flashed saffron, enough to make clear of his origin.  "I am 
thousands of years older than you Cardassian.  I know much more on the subject 
of suffering and torture than you'd ever hope to learn, so leave us!" 

He looked down at the Human then bounced on his feet.  A rush of air and the 
flapping of the man's clothing, and they were both gone.  
  
"N'KTREL!" Garak cursed, and set about to search for his prey.

~~~

Post-traumatic shock.  Julian knew the symptoms, knew the medical term, knew 
everything about it other than the feeling itself.  Until now that is.

"You are cold," the Human said, depositing his charge on the bed.  He quickly 
unfastened his cloak and tucked it over the Doctor's lean form before hoisting 
him up into his arms.  "I am probably not the warmest body on  this station," he 
smiled, "but it is the least I can do.  Do you need a doctor?"

Wryly, Julian chuckled through chattering teeth.  "I -am- a doctor," he said 
quietly.  He winced and brought a hand up to his neck.

The man took his wrist and pulled it away.  "Do not touch it.  It will only 
engender more pain."  He studied the wound carefully, keeping his own urges in 
check.  "Who was that Cardassian?  Garak?  Do you know him?"

Julian curled into a ball and pressed tightly against the body next to him.  "Yes.  
He was a friend ... a good friend."  His voice turned sad and he buried his head 
within the folds of the cloak.  "I don't know what changed him.  He ... he bit me.  
And he was cruel, ruthless.  He was never like that before."  

"He has indeed been changed," the man said with sorrow.  "I fear I could not 
stop my master in time to stop the crossing.  I am sorry ... was he a good 
friend?"

"We shared lunch every week," Julian replied, his body loosening.  He was 
regaining energy, and his thoughts were clearing up.  "I had ... mixed feelings 
about him actually."  As though waking up, Julian jerked up and stared at the 
man who'd saved him.  "Who are you?"

The man smiled sweetly and introduced himself, "Nicholas.  I am a ... friend of 
the one who changed your friend."

Julian frowned and sat up straighter.  "What happened?  What's this change you 
keep talking about?"

Nicholas opened his mouth to answer, when a glimpse of Julian's body caught 
his eye.  When he looked down, he noticed the cloak had pooled to the young 
Human's waist, exposing a beautiful bronze body.  Perfection itself as Nick 
stared, the colour so unlike any he'd ever seen.  

Julian followed his gaze, and blushed a delicate rosy red before tugging the 
cloak higher.  Nick reached out and halted the young man's movement, lifting 
his cerulean eyes to Julian's dark ones.  "Do not," he murmured enticingly.  
"You have nothing to be ashamed about."    

Julian blushed more deeply.  It wasn't the fact he was exposed to this beautiful 
man; it was the way Nicholas kept staring at him.  "I--I'm not ashamed," he 
stammered.  "I just don't--"

Nick shook his head, releasing the wrist to caress Julian's smooth cheek, his 
finger dipping into the alluring curves of the Human's face.  "I can see why you 
have attracted the eye of your Cardassian friend ... you are indeed a beautiful 
young man ..."

Julian moaned softly, his head swaying with the man's powerful influence, his 
hand liberating the cloak he'd clutched so tightly.  It rippled over his thighs, 
barely covering the erection he'd developed.  Nick eyed it and smiled 
appraisingly.  

Beneath his smile, a whirlwind of feelings was fighting its own private war.  He 
hadn't fed on his way here, and the trip in space had been long, lonely.  His 
passion was screaming to be set free, his animalistic urges bawling to reach out 
and take the Human, drain him, feed his hunger.    

Then an idea struck him.  He pulled Julian to him, tenderly as to not frighten 
him, and spoke soothingly in his ear.  "Tell me my friend ... would you like to 
stay friends with Garak?"

Julian leaned back into the embrace, his long lashes lowering as he closed his 
eyes.  "Yes ..." he moaned.

"But you wish revenge, do you not?  Take him as he took you?  Take over and 
never allow him the freedom to use you when it pleases him?"

Julian began breathing hard, alternating thoughts of manipulating Garak's body 
and his own being used dancing in his mind.  "Oh yes ..."

When Nicholas' eyes opened, they burned bright yellow.  "I can give you the 
power to do this.  All you need to do is accept it ... do you wish it?"

All Julian did was moan his assent breathlessly.

~~~

The gentle rogue was gone when Julian awoke, energized, full of inexplicable 
drive.  He stretched his long limbs and glanced at his side, where a rose and a 
note lay primly over the pillow.  He took the crimson flower in his hand, 
prickling his fingertips with the sharp thorns.  He smiled at the pleasure it 
engendered and unfolded the note with his other hand.

Sweet Julian,
Upon your waking I will be gone, pressed heavily with guilt.  I have given you a 
gift which knows no limit to power and pleasure, and perhaps I was hasty in my 
offering of it.  Use it for your friend,  slither out of his attentions if he becomes 
too encumbering.  But use it well.  I have offered you a part of myself which I 
regret more often than not.  Never use it for ill purposes, Julian, or you will 
spend an eternity struggling for salvation of the soul.  I hope you will understand 
my words, for I fear there is naught else I can show or say to you that will prove 
my warning.  Be well and treat your friends well.  Know I have made you safe 
from everything that was ever a danger to you.  

Sincerely and with all my love,
Nicholas

Julian swallowed harshly and replaced the note on the pillow, unknowingly 
squeezing the stem of the rose tighter.  Thin rivulets of blood snaked across his 
fingers, but he only smiled.  He dressed quickly with a newly replicated 
uniform, and after querying the computer on a certain individual's whereabouts, 
Julian flew out of the quarters.

~~~

LaCroix watched lewdly as Julian took the Cardassian, his hand straying to his 
taut sex and caressing it gently.    

"You thought you could take me Garak?" Julian hissed in the tailor's ear, 
yanking at Garak's arms as he strapped on the leather cuffs.  When they were 
secured against his back, he rolled the Cardassian over, crushing his hands 
against the mattress.  

He'd taken him by surprise in Julian's own quarters, searching, it seemed, for the 
young man.  Shielded by his own covert abilities, Julian had slithered up behind 
the Cardassian and pounced him, wrestling him to the bed with the advantage of 
surprise.  Now Julian was looking down at him with bright saffron eyes, 
revealing to his lover that he was now a power to be reckoned with.  "You 
thought you could get away with it?" he whispered closely in his face.  "Well I 
have news for you my Cardassian friend,"  Julian bent forward, lapping at the 
sensitized neck ridges.  "I'm a firm believer in retribution."

Garak moaned softly at the touch on his neck.  The mere lapping of Julian's 
tongue was enough to stir his groin, the touch light yet powerful enough to send 
a bolt of pleasure through the Cardassian's entire being.  "Julian ..."

"Don't speak to me," the young man hissed, his eyes turning saffron with 
vampiric lust.  "Don't speak at all.  You will take what I give you without a 
word."

Garak's only response was a low growl, a promise of equal retaliation when 
opportunity allowed it.

"We have corrupted them," Nick said quietly, making no attempt to startle the 
older man he'd snuck up to.      

"We have done no such thing," LaCroix berated pleasantly, still caressing 
himself as he watched the young man's fire unravel itself.  "We have merely 
opened their souls to passion."

"I did not intend for them to be forced together," Nick continued, joining in the 
voyeurism of his master. 

"Just as you did not intend to cross young Julian over?"

Nick turned to him with an angry blush.  "It was a mistake.  He ... I could not 
resist him.  And I had not fed myself for a time ..."   

"Tsk tsk," LaCroix chided, his translucent blue eyes softening with affection as 
they caressed his progeny's face.  "Careless, even for you my sweet Nicholas."  
He turned back to the lovers, playing unheeded of their audience.  "So is this 
why you berate yourself for bringing them together?  Jealousy?"   

"For whom?" the young man retorted, his intense icy depths ignoring the 
alluring scene to focus on his master.  

"For the Human.  You are ... attracted to him, are you not?"

Nicholas frowned and stared back at the young man, now writhing sensually 
over the Cardassian's ridged chest as he bit into his corded neck, causing the 
tailor to cry out in unbridled rapture.  "Of course I am attracted to him.  I would 
not have made the mistake of crossing him over was I not.  I never even came 
close to bring Natalie over."

"So this is more powerful than love?" LaCroix asked interestedly.

"No, it is less than love," Nick corrected, feeling his hand stray to his hardness 
even as he berated himself for his weakness.  "I could never subject someone I 
loved to the torment I feel each passing day."
 
LaCroix made a sympathetic sound, turning and caressing his Younger's cheek.  
"Poor Nicholas.  The tormented soul struggling every day to redeem himself in 
eyes of people who won't even live to see his success."

"It is for my soul I do this, not for mortals," he spat, shrugging off LaCroix's 
touch.  

The older vampire shrugged, returning his attention to the wide bed.  "It does 
not matter for whom or for what purpose you do this, you will never succeed.  
Embrace yourself Nicholas.  Do not turn away from yourself.  It promises a fate 
much worst than eternity in hell itself."  

As Nicholas had no response for this, both dwindled in quiet contemplation, 
watching as both lovers lost themselves in a sea of utter pleasure.  

"Look at them," LaCroix said after a while, a low sigh lacing his words.  "So 
lost in their passion they do not even sense our presence.  So lost in each other.  
I have long since felt such a drive, such love for another as they do for each 
other."

Nick spent a quiet instant admiring them, then said, "I have never felt such 
passion," he said quietly, his very words and tone reflecting his sorrow.  When 
he turned to LaCroix, the older man's eyes shone brightly with knowing.

Oblivious to the two Vampires' revelation, Garak and Bashir were drowning in 
their own pleasure.  Twice now Julian had bitten into the tailor's neck, and twice 
the Cardassian had come more intensely than he'd ever in his lifetime.  This 
coupled with Julian's strokes, sinuous movements against his body and strangled 
words in his ear, Garak was losing his very grip on reality. 

"Is this what you wanted Garak?" Julian continued to whisper to the Cardassian, 
his hand frenetic as it lifted the tailor to yet another peak.  Garak panted, no 
sound left, no coherent thought swimming amidst the sea of confusion in his 
mind.  All that mattered now was Julian's hand on his sex, Julian's cock in his 
ass and Julian's words in his ear.       

"When you fucked me yesterday in your quarters; when you pounced me and 
didn't give me a breath to speak with or a chance to protest before you shoved 
your cock up my ass, is this what you were thinking about?  -My- cock in -your- 
ass?  All you had to do was ask Garak.  I'd have been more than inclined to fulfil 
your wish."  

He chuckled wickedly as Garak arched his back, groaning his irritation at being 
forced to do nothing while Julian fucked him from here to oblivion.  His hand 
dug into the mattress beneath him, his legs forced even further apart as Julian 
straightened and griped the tailor's ankles firmly.  Still he pumped, hard, deep, 
eliciting an illicit moan at each thrust.      

"Yes," Garak cried, his arms straining as he pushed himself off the bed, bucking 
his hips to get more penetration.  "Juliaaan ..."

Third time’s a charm, as they said.  And Julian grinned lewdly as he released the 
tailor's warm haven to encompass the Cardassian's burning erection with his hot 
mouth, biting fiercely into the tough leathery shaft to draw its dark Cardassian 
blood.  

Sensitized to his optimum, Garak out cried once before lapsing into silent 
pleasure, his mouth moving with no breath or words, his eyes drooping closed as 
his consciousness slipped.  His hands suddenly lax against the shredded sheets, 
his legs slumped against Julian's back where they'd crossed and pulled the young 
man for more stimulation, Garak lulled his head sideways and drifted to a state 
of deep contented sleep.

Julian smiled ecstatically and laid beside him, panting heavily and matching the 
tailor's own rise and fall of his chest.  His last act before joining Garak in his 
profound slumber was to look up at Nick and LaCroix and wink gratefully, 
licking his lips like a cat following a delicious meal.

"I think we have left them in good hands," Nicholas mused.

LaCroix looked at him in surprise.  "This from the man who had regrets of 
crossing the young man over just a moment ago?"

"I realize now that if I hadn't, Garak would have taken advantage.  This way, I 
believe Julian can adequately protect himself."

LaCroix laughed pleasantly, circling the young man's shoulders affectionately.  
"Listen to yourself my young one.  Protect.  Advantage.  These are not words we 
attribute to love."

"Love is not what it always appears to be," Nicholas added quietly.  "Oftentimes 
it can be dangerous."

"And obsessive," Lucien agreed.  "But my dear, some of us would not have it 
any other way," he grinned brightly, his face full of promise for the Younger 
who flew out of the quarters with him.  

THE END