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) 1997 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. No 
infringement was meant.

TUMBLES AND FALLS copyright (c) 1997 by BGM            

G

Note:  And here t'is a piece of pure silliness :)

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"I really don't like this Doctor," Garak called from behind, causing 
Julian Bashir to laugh under his breath.  He wasn't even moving fast and 
he'd left the Cardassian behind.  He skidded to a halt and turned back, 
watching sympathetically as Garak tried to propel himself forward.  
When he only managed to land on his ass, Julian couldn't help but burst 
out in laughter.

Sitting primly on his backside, Garak tried not to look too much like an 
idiot.  He folded his arms tightly across his chest and brooded.  "Oh 
thank you very much Doctor.  Laugh at my vulnerabilities.  Don't you 
know we lack this particular ... activity on Cardassia?"

Julian looked down at his skates, still laughing.  "Skating is fun Garak.  
If you know how to handle your balance."

"I *know* how to handle my balance on firm land thank you very 
much," Garak threw back, making a valiant effort to climb to his feet 
without sliding to his ass again.  "Not on this slippery ... ice as you call 
it.  And why are my implements black while yours are white?  Black 
shoes does not fit me," he whined critically, wobbling on his skates as he 
looked down.  The motion send him faltering to the right, and he parted 
his legs to reestablish his equilibrium.  

"Those were the only ones with a thicker blade I'm afraid.  These," 
Julian pointed at his, "are figure skates.  The blade is sharper, thinner.  I 
used to take courses when I was young," he explained, pushing himself 
backward and twirling skillfully.  Garak admired him for a moment, 
then focused his mind to keep himself straight as his feet threatened to 
swing out from under his body.  When he looked up again, Julian was 
advancing on him with frightening speed, propelling each foot smoothly 
and powerfully as he approached the Cardassian.  Garak widened his 
eyes and tried, rather unsuccessfully, to move away.  Laughing, Julian 
jerked his feet sideways, and sprayed the tailor's pant legs with a thin 
film of ice.      

"Come on," he chuckled, taking the Cardassian's hand.  "We'll try a few 
basics.  Here, I think this was my first lesson."  Julian let go of the 
tailor's hand, and when he was sure the Cardassian wouldn't fall down 
again, Julian demonstrated the first lesson.  He pushed forward on a 
skate, then skipped lightly before repeating the movement with the other 
foot.  "Slide, skip, slide, skip," he droned, finally twirling around after a 
dozen jumps.  He waved at the tailor, encouraging him to do the same.   

"But Doctor ..." Garak wailed, wavering on his feet.  "I can barely stand 
up.  How can you expect me to slide *and* skip at the same time??"  The 
Cardassian's expression was positively alarmed, and Julian took pity on 
him.  Lightly swaying sideways as he slid, he approached the tailor and 
reached out with his arms.  Garak quickly took firm hold of them, 
drawing the young man closer than was strictly necessary.

"Now," Julian whispered, staring up at the mesmerizing blue eyes.  "Just 
follow me all right?  When I skip, you skip.  I'll be holding you, so don't 
think about falling down or keeping your balance too much."

"I'll keep that in mind," Garak murmured, amazed at how close he'd 
managed to get the young man.  "Slide, skip," he remembered.  "Right."

They did the routine a few times, Julian ever the patient one as he 
clutched at Garak's shoulders, his waist, anything to reassure the 
Cardassian that he wouldn't fall down.  After an hour or so, Julian had 
Garak performing the routine with only a hint of hesitation.      

"Damn, I have to get back to the Infirmary," Julian muttered, glancing at 
the time.  He looked at the Cardassian contritely.  "Do you want to 
continue this Garak?  Tomorrow maybe?"

"If you can muster enough patience for me Doctor," Garak grinned.  "I'd 
love to learn more of this ... activity."

"Splendid," Julian nodded, gliding toward the door.  When he stepped 
out of the holosuite's boundaries, he began to unlace his skates.  When 
he was back on firm grounds, he looked up at the Cardassian still inside.  
"You're not coming?"

"I'll practice a bit more Doctor," Garak smiled.  "You go to the 
Infirmary.  I'll see you tomorrow."

Julian nodded cheerfully, and walked out of sight as the holosuite doors 
closed.  Garak looked after the young man, pursing his lips and 
remembering the close feel of the doctor in his arms.  And tomorrow 
would be the same.  And the day after, and the day after that as Julian 
would soon discover just how slow a learner Garak truly was.

With a private little smile, Garak turned and propelled himself gracefully 
into a quick run around the ice rink, punctuating the fast pace with a 
willowy double axis.  He landed perfectly on one skate, his face 
reflecting pure mischief as he thought of all the parts of Julian's anatomy 
he'd get to touch in his extensive education.

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THE END

Copyright ( 1997 BGM
soma@johnabbott.qc.ca