DISCLAIMERS: PARAMOUNT IS KING! STAR TREK, DEEP SPACE NINE, GARAK, BASHIR, and all other characters associated therewith are the express and exclusive property of the mighty PARAMOUNT! No copyright infringement is intended. RATING: NC-17 (m/m sexual content) SPOILERS? Technically, I'd have to say YES to this one. The story picks up just after the Defiant has docked at the Starbase as seen in the first 10 minutes of the 6th Season premier episode A TIME TO STAND. The story in and of itself gives very little of the episode's main plot away, and therefore is (in this writer's opinion at least) perfectly safe to read -- as long as you're over 18! SYNOPSIS: Can a little tiff come between Garak and Bashir? OF COURSE NOT! [This is really just a simple little piece which would best be described as an extension of the "missing scene" scenario. The entire story takes place on the Starbase where the Defiant and her crew have returned after their latest encounter with the Cardassian/Dominion Alliance.] PERSONAL NOTE: Feedback would be very much appreciated -- politeness even more! My e-mail address is SWORDQUEEN@hotmail.com I hope you all enjoy! :-) ********************* CLEARING THE AIR By SwordQueen (Copyright October 1997) ___________________________ "Look, Sir, I'm sorry but we just don't have anything available for you." Garak sighed with frustration and stared at the young officer with unconcealed animosity. "You seemed to have plenty of room for the rest of the Defiant's crew members," he said tightly. The young man looked the tailor up and down coolly. "Yes, however, the rest of the Defiant's crew members were all Starfleet officers -- not renegade Cardassians!" he spit out in a nasty tone, leaning in closer to the older man to reaffirm his point. Garak gave the young officer an ominous smile. "It would do you well to be a little nicer to me young man. I'm probably the only person in this war who's got nothing to lose. You see, I've got friends in high places -- both within the Federation as well as the Cardassian/Dominion Alliance. So whichever way this war goes . . ." Garak continued in a harsh whisper ". . . I could eventually make life very difficult for you indeed." Garak watched with amusement as the young man's smug expression abruptly began alternating between one of surprise and then confusion, before finally settling into one which could only be described as stubborn determination. "I don't take kindly to threats, Cardassian!" the young officer said resolutely. "However, if something does become available, I will see to it that you are notified." Then he turned on his heels and walked away. "Well," Garak said to himself with chagrin, "I must be losing my touch!" He looked around the spaceport, hoping to find someone, anyone, who could help him with his dilemma. But everyone he approached greeted him with either a sneer, a scowl, a quickly turned head or a look of downright hatred. Garak began thinking back to how it was when he was first exiled to DS9. Strange, but back then, this type of hostility was something he had found almost pleasing. When looks of fear and hatred were directed his way, it gave him a sense of power and superiority. Now, however, it just made him feel sad, and very much alone. Still, he had enough pride left to keep his head held high as he strode back to the docking bay which housed the now empty Defiant. The cramped ship had been his home for the last 3 months, and now it appeared that it would continue to be -- at least until he had an opportunity to speak with Captain Sisko about obtaining proper quarters. ***************** "Well, it looks like were going to be here for another several days at least," Chief Miles O'Brien said. "Let's just be grateful for whatever leisure time we get," Dr. Julian Bashir replied. "Yeah," Miles responded with a yawn, "I agree. I for one intend to spend my leisure time getting some much needed sleep. I'll see you in a couple of days." Julian smiled briefly at his friend as he turned to walk away. "Make it a week," he replied lightly, then proceeded down the hall. A sudden thought struck him as he walked. Turning back around he called out to the Chief's departing figure, "Miles? You didn't happen to see Garak around did you?" "No, not for a couple of hours at least," Miles yelled back, not bothering to turn around. "Alright. Thanks. I'll see you later," Julian returned. As he continued on toward his quarters, Julian went over his last conversation with the tailor, several hours earlier. Garak had seemed rather annoyed with him then. The older man had made quite a few nasty remarks about his genetic enhancements and made no secret of his disapproval of what he termed Julian's "showing off." He had believed the young doctor had become cool and uncaring and even went as far as to call him a "Vulcan." At the time, Julian hadn't let it bother him much (he initially just dismissed it as more of Garak's peculiar form of flirting), but as the day wore on he began mentally replaying the scene over and over in his head. In the five odd years he had known Garak he could never recall a time when the tailor had ever directed so much hostility toward him. He found the idea to be quite unsettling. Upon reaching his assigned quarters Julian punched in the door code. He walked into what he was pleased to see was a spacious and nicely decorated room with a large comfortable bed situated against the far wall. In less than a minute he was out of his uniform and sprawled across it, face buried in the pillows. Before closing his eyes, he decided that he would make it a point to clear the air with the tailor the next chance he got. ******************** Garak decided that sickbay was probably the best place for him to stay. It was the most heavily protected area of the ship and therefore less damaged than other parts. He remembered the back room had a small bunk where he would often find the Doctor resting whenever things would slow down long enough for him to catch a bit of sleep. As he headed toward the room, he passed the examination area where, several hours earlier, he had patiently waited for the young doctor to come and tend to his head wound. He had said some rather harsh things to the Doctor then. He wasn't really sure why at the time, but all he knew now was that he deeply regretted the incident. Despite the gradual progress he had made over the years in gaining the respect and even friendship of most of DS9's command crew, the Doctor was the only one who had taken the time to truly get to know him. For all intents and purposes, Julian was his first and only "true" friend, and one which the tailor had no desire to lose. After entering the room, Garak headed straight for the bed. He sat down carefully on the small bunk at first, then gave into his exhaustion and stretched out languidly. It hadn't occurred to him to take off his clothes, or even his boots. He just laid there, with his eyes closed and his mind awhirl with thoughts of the Doctor. Taking a deep breath, he rolled over onto his side and clinched his fists in frustration. Inwardly, he made a promise to himself that the next time he saw his cherished friend he would find a way to make things right between them again. **************** Julian thought to himself, Sighing deeply, he threw his legs over the side and sat up on the bed, resting his face in his hands. "This is all your fault, Garak!" he said aloud. "It seems I'm not going to be able to get any sleep at all until I clear things up with you!" "I'd like to see a *Vulcan* who wrestles this much with his conscious!" Julian stood up and stretched. "Well, if sleep won't help me relax, then perhaps a good long shower will do the trick," he told himself as he walked toward the bathroom. "As soon as I'm through, I'll go and see if I can find Garak." **************** *KLUNK* "Ouch!" Garak yelled out as he rubbed at his head. he thought to himself. He sat up in the bed for a couple of seconds, then decided it would be more comfortable to stand up. He paced around for a minute or two and then decided to go see if the food replicators were still functioning. His throat was very dry, and it had suddenly occurred to him that he hadn't had anything to eat or drink for hours. Unfortunately for Garak, nothing seemed to be going his way. After checking out four different areas of the ship in an unsuccessful search for a functioning food replicator, he realized that it was probably a good thing that he couldn't sleep, for even if he tried, his stomach would probably keep him up all night with its growling. He decided to head back to sickbay. Upon entering, he heard the sound of soft footsteps which appeared to be coming from the surgical supply area. As he approached, the footsteps became louder. Rounding the bend, he came just within a centimeter of crashing head on with the culprit. Much to his surprise (and delight) the culprit turned out to be Doctor Bashir himself! "Why, Doctor!" Garak declared softly. "This is an unexpected surprise." "There you are!" Julian replied with relief, and a hint of annoyance, as he looked the tailor over carefully. "So it's true then?" Garak looked at Julian with confusion. "What's true then?" "Well . . . I was looking for you. And when I couldn't find you I went to Starbase Security. They told me to speak with a man named Ensign Swain. He was off duty, but I managed to track him down with little difficulty. When I asked him about you he . . ." Julian's voice trailed off as he glanced down shamefully before directing his gaze back to his friend, ". . . well I just find it really disturbing that someone like him can still get through Starfleet's psychological screenings." Julian sighed and reached out to place a hand affectionately on one of Garak's shoulders. "Are you alright?" he asked with concern. Garak smiled warmly at the doctor. "Well, aside from a small bump on the head, I'm just fine." "Another one?" Julian asked with mild amusement as he tilted the tailor's head to the side to get a better look. "Well, perhaps this time I *can* give you a little 'preferential treatment.'" He glanced around the dimly lit room. "They must have almost completely powered down the ship," he continued. "The lighting in here is terrible! Come on, let's go back to my quarters so I can check you out more thoroughly." "Wonderful idea, Doctor!" Garak declared with enthusiasm. "Just one thing though. Would you mind terribly if we stopped to get something to eat first? I'm actually quite famished!" "Really?" Julian replied, "Well, I suppose that's a good sign that you'll live then." He patted himself on the stomach. "You know what? I'm rather hungry myself. We'll pick up something from the Base Replimat along the way." ******************* "So that's lasagna!" Garak declared happily as he finished off the last of the pasta dish. "What a delicious meal. How come you've never had me try this before, Doctor?" Julian smiled affectionately at the tailor from across the small table where they sat in his quarters. "I don't know, really," he responded thoughtfully. "I'm always so eager to try new and different types of food that I don't often think much about earth dishes." His smile broadened. "I'm glad you enjoyed it though." "Yes, Doctor. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you." Garak said politely with a nod. Julian laughed at his friend. "It's just lasagna, Garak! You don't have to be so formal about it." Garak sighed. "Please, Doctor. You're the first person I've encountered since we arrived here who has treated me with even the slightest bit of kindness. Formally, expressing my gratitude for that is the *least* I can do!" Julian began to feel uncomfortable, and more than a bit embarrassed. He should have anticipated that the tailor might have some problems, but he hadn't. All he had been concerned about was seeing to his own comforts. Maybe Garak was right. Maybe he really had become cold and uncaring. He reached out and took one of the tailor's hands in his own. "I'm really sorry, Garak. With everything that's going on, and the odds of us winning this war packed so heavily against us . . . well . . . I . . .. ." Julian sighed deeply and looked closely at his friend. "I really haven't been much of a friend to you lately, have I?" he asked unexpectedly. Garak couldn't believe the turn the conversation had taken. "Why, Doctor! It's so funny you should ask me that. Just earlier, I was thinking about what a terrible friend I've been to YOU!" The two looked at each other with surprise. Gently squeezing Julian's hand, Garak was the first to speak. "Doctor, I want to apologize for the things that I said to you earlier. I didn't really mean any of them." Julian gave the older man a knowing look. "Oh, yes you did, Garak. You meant every word of it!" Garak began to protest. Lifting up his hand in a *stop* gesture, Julian continued. "Don't. You were right, Garak. Perhaps I have been trying to overcompensate a bit by 'showing off' my abilities. I'm just grateful that you had the guts to tell me the truth about myself." "You give me too much credit, Doctor," the tailor replied softly. "The things that I said were not very nice, and I'm not really sure myself where it was coming from. Either way, I had no right to take my hostilities out on you." "I'm not that fragile, Garak. Besides, if you can't take out your hostilities on me, then who?" Julian responded, blinking his eyes with feigned innocence. Garak smiled, then got up from the table and circled the room. "Well, there *is* a certain young Ensign *SWINE* who I would very much like to take out my hostilities on." "That's Ensign *SWAIN* Garak," Julian said with a laugh as he too stood up. "But, PLEASE, do let me come with you when you do it!" he replied wickedly. Garak turned and watched as his handsome young friend deposited the empty food containers into the garbage receptacle. For a second he felt as if he were reliving some kind of a dream. So lost in it had he become that he was taken quite by surprise when he realized that the subject of his dream had crossed the room and was now standing less than a foot away, his large hazel eyes staring at him with concern. The tailor felt his pulse quicken and his face actually began to flush. Blinking rapidly, he walked around the Doctor and headed toward the door. "I really should be going now," he said almost breathlessly. "Where?" Julian asked from behind. "Surely not back to the Defiant. She's in the process of being refitted, you know. That's why I brought you back here to stay with me." Garak paused at the doorway. He really must be tired, because he certainly hadn't anticipated this particular turn of events. Trying his best to maintain a semblance of composure, he turned back to face the young doctor. "Oh, I didn't realize . . . . That was very kind of you, Doctor. But really, as lovely as these quarters are, they were clearly made for one." Julian looked around the room before resting his gaze on the bed, where it lingered for a few seconds. When he did turn back around to face his friend, the slight grin on his face was decidedly naughty. "Or two . . ." he said softly as he began to slowly saunter over to where the tailor was standing, ". . . but they'd have to be two *very* close friends." Garak flashed a grin which matched the Doctor's. "Are you saying that the odds are in favor of my qualifying as such?" Julian stopped, his body less than half a foot away from the tailor's; his face a mere couple of inches. "Would you like me to go over the calculations for you?" he asked in a seductive whisper. The tailor leaned in even closer. "Please do, Doctor. But make sure that you do so verrrrry slowly," he replied, brushing his lips gently across the soft dark mouth of his handsome young companion. Julian closed his eyes as he reveled at the feel of his beloved friend's soft, smooth, lips gliding across his own. "It's quite simple really," he whispered breathlessly against the tailor's mouth, "There's one of you, and one of me. We're friends, and we happen to be standing *very close* together. So the way I see it, sharing this room is the only logical thing to do." "Then I bow to your logic, Doctor," Garak said fiercely as he pulled Julian hard against him and buried his tongue in his mouth. The Doctor responded in kind to Garak's passionate assault. He wrapped both his arms around the tailor, one arm behind his back, the other around his neck. He ran his fingers savagely through the straight dark hair as he pressed his body firmly up against the other man, desperately eager to communicate the intensity of his physical need. Apparently, the tailor's comm system was functioning at maximum, for with a display of surprising speed and strength, Garak twirled the doctor around, pinned him hard up against the wall and had his uniform down by his knees without skipping a beat. Then he pulled back slightly and glared at Julian with open lust before making a lunge for the Doctor's newly exposed throat where he began an agonizingly long, wet, oral exploration of his upper body. All Julian could do was stay where he was with his eyes closed, moaning loudly with pleasure. He didn't dare do anything to distract his lover from his erotic perusal. "Oh, Garak!" he whispered softly as he felt the tailor's hot, wet mouth licking and nibbling first at one nipple then the other. "That feels sooo gooood!" Then slowly that mouth -- that wonderful mouth -- made its way down to his stomach, depositing soft, loving kisses along the way before pausing to linger at his navel where it began licking and sucking at the small indentation, it's tongue flicking in and out teasingly. Julian's whole body was on fire, and he began to shiver with desire. Garak held him firmly, however, never once wavering. His hands traveled up and down the Doctor's body; every now and then clutching briefly at his small, round buttocks. Julian began banging his head back softly against the wall. Catching his breath, he began a long, deep moan which sounded as if it had come from the very depths of his soul. Sensing Julian's agony, Garak carefully reached down and clutched at the waist of the young Doctor's underwear, yanking them down fiercely. Julian's moaning became more intense, and just as he felt himself coming close to reaching his peak, the tailor got down on his knees and engulfed his precious Doctor's hard, swollen, erection deep into his mouth. Julian banged his head back harder against the wall. His back arched and his hips began thrusting back and fourth as he slid his erection in and out of his lover's mouth. Gradually, the two built up to a comfortable pace; Julian's hands at the back of the older man's head, aggressively goading him along. The doctor tried to hold out as long as he could. He wanted nothing more than to stay where he was and relish this moment forever. But that was impossible. Garak's erotically talented oral expertise had taken its toll. Julian was already over the edge; beyond the boiling point. With one final lunge -- and a rather loud cry -- he released his seed into the warm, moist depths of his Cardassian lover's welcoming mouth. Julian leaned heavily against the wall for a few long minutes, gasping for air. His eyes remained half-closed as he watched the tailor slowly get up off of his knees and turn to walk over to the bed. He started to follow the older man when he realized that his clothes were still bunched up around his ankles. Shrugging, he stepped completely out of them and strode, naked, over to where his sweet lover was now sitting on the side of the bed. Once there, he plopped himself down into the tailor's lap, straddling him with his legs and wrapping both his long, slender arms around his neck. Garak looked up lovingly into the Doctor's dark hazel eyes, then wrapped his arms around the younger man's slender waist as he captured that sweet, luscious mouth in a long, wet, kiss. Soon, he began to feel a slight pressure against him. He realized that it was Julian's erection trying it's best to reassert itself. Reluctantly, he released the Doctor's mouth, then lifted him up gently and placed him down onto the bed. Standing up, he said, "I'm afraid, Doctor, that you have me at somewhat of a disadvantage." "Really? Well it doesn't look that way to me," Julian replied staring pointedly at the older man's crotch. "In fact, I'm sure that if you were to remove your trousers I could prove it." Garak smiled and leaned in closely to Julian's eager face. "THAT wasn't the disadvantage I was referring to. What I meant was that I have not, unlike yourself, had the pleasure of a nice soothing shower." "Oh, I see," Julian said seductively as he maneuvered himself to sit at the edge of the bed, directly in front of his exotic lover. "Well, in that case, why don't I give you a hand." He reached out and began slowly removing the tailor's clothes. Garak found Julian's technique to be quite appealing and equally pleasurable. As each area of his flesh became gradually exposed to the cooler temperatures of the room, it was gently and immediately massaged, kissed, licked and caressed. By the time the Doctor had gotten around to removing his trousers, Garak was almost ready to forget about the shower. His meticulous nature, however, won out in the end. "Doctor!" he gasped as he gently pushed the other man away. "If I don't get into the shower right now, I doubt if I ever will." Julian looked up at the tailor with open disappointment. "I do a wonderful soap and lather?" he offered, his eyes almost pleading. Garak took a deep breath and began walking slowly backward toward the bathroom. "I'm sure you do, Doctor, but I honestly don't think these old bones could stand that just now. You stay here, I'll only be a few minutes." Julian smiled as he laid back down on the bed, thinking about how wonderful the tailor's body had felt against his own. Relaxing a little, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to fantasize about just how much he needed to feel that glorious body against him again. While the Doctor indulged himself in fantasy, Garak stood in the shower enjoying the soothing spray of water and smiling contentedly to himself. How many times had he dreamed of this? How many times did he fantasize about that adorable man lying naked in the bed just outside the door? Suddenly, he sighed deeply. he thought to himself. Garak stepped out of the shower and dried himself off with the towel hanging near the door. Once he was finished, he walked back into the room and stood for a moment staring longingly at the lovely, honey hued body of his beloved Julian as he lay sprawled out on the bed. Garak smiled as he continued to stare lovingly at the Doctor's beautiful form. Suddenly, he realized that the younger man hadn't stirred even once since he had come out of the shower. Having focused so much attention on Julian's lovely body, he hadn't bothered to pay much attention to his face. When he finally did, he realized that his precious friend was fast asleep! Garak chuckled lightly to himself at the irony. he thought. Walking over to the bed, Garak climbed up on it and stretched out along side his beloved friend. Wrapping an arm around that beautiful, slender body, he allowed himself a moment to gently caress the soft, smooth skin of the Doctor's chest, reveling at the feel of it. He felt Julian move, and for a moment he thought he had awoken the younger man as he watched him turn slightly to snuggle closer. The expression of total contentment etched on that beautiful face was the last thing Garak saw before giving in to his own exhaustion and falling into a state of peaceful oblivion. ******************* A FEW HOT, SWEATY DAYS AND PASSION FILLED NIGHTS LATER . . . "Hurry up, Doctor, you'll be late for your briefing!" the tailor yelled out. "I'm almost ready," Julian called back. "Keep your pants on!" Garak smiled. "Why bother," he replied. "Every time I try to do so, you find some reason for me to take them back off again!" "Complaining?" Julian asked, popping his head out the bathroom door. "Never!" the tailor replied. "Good," Julian stated as he walked back into the room, wrapping a towel around his waist. "Because after this briefing, I intend to come up with another one!" Garak got up from his seat and strode over to where Julian was standing and putting on his uniform. "You know, Doctor," he began, "I've been thinking a lot about us lately." Julian turned and looked at the tailor with dismay. "When?" he asked suddenly. Then flashing a wicked smile at Garak he continued, "I wasn't aware I had given you an opportunity to do any thinking!" Garak reached out and placed a finger over the Doctor's mouth. "Don't," he said in a gentle but firm tone. "We really do need to talk." Julian looked at his friend for a moment, before reaching up and removing the other man's finger. Leaning in closely, he planted a gentle, loving kiss on his sweet lover's mouth. "What's there to talk about?" he asked softly. Taking Garak by the hand, he led him over to the bed. He sat the tailor down first, then plopped himself into the other man's lap, before repositioning himself in such a way that he could stare directly into the those startling beautiful blue eyes. "You and I have spent the last 5 years or so denying our feelings for one another. In a way it's been kind of fun; both of us assuming that we'd have all the time in the world. But things are different now. Now here we are on the losing side of a very nasty war." Julian's expression became gravely serious. "Neither of us can say for sure how things are going to turn out, or even if we'll survive." He reached up with his hand and began gently stroking the outline of the spoon-shaped ridge on Garak's forehead. Looking back down to gaze once again into his lover's blue eyes and continued, "At least now, I can die knowing that I loved you, and even more, knowing that YOU KNEW just how much I did." Garak closed his eyes tightly for a moment. When he opened them again, Julian could actually see moisture in them. "Doctor," he began. "Call me Julian," Julian interjected softly. The tailor smiled up at him warmly. "Julian," he corrected. "What if by some miracle we actually *win* this war, and even more miraculously, somehow manage to *survive* it?" "I've been afraid to think that far ahead," Julian replied. "Well don't you think you should?" Garak asked. "After all, a relationship with me isn't going to be so readily accepted. What about your friends? Your career?" Julian gave the tailor his most obstinate look. "If my friends are really my friends, then they'll understand. As far as my career goes -- at the risk of sounding conceited -- I happen to be a very good doctor! I don't believe that Starfleet would undercut my career just because they don't approve of my choice in lovers!" Julian stood up and looked closely at his beloved friend. "Garak?" he questioned. "Is it really me you're worried about or is it yourself?" Garak stood up also and took both of Julian's hands in his own. "Both, I guess," he replied with a sigh. "Doctor . . . Julian . . . I don't want to lose you. I've lost so many people in my life already." He held Julian's hands up and kissed them both. "I love you too, you know," he said softly. Julian smiled broadly at the tailor. "I know," he replied with delight. "I suppose you're right," Garak said with a shrug. "What *is* there to talk about! We'll just take things one day at a time, and hope for the best." "Good idea!" Julian agreed. "One more thing," Garak stated. "I think we should keep our relationship to ourselves for the time being. I don't see any reason why the others need to know about us just yet." Julian thought about it for a moment. "Yes, I think you're right. We'll play things as professionally as possible. It wouldn't do either of us any good getting all doe-eyed over one another during an attack!" Garak smiled. "Good. Then it's all settled -- for now. Finish getting dressed, you're going to be late for your briefing." ***************** Later that day, Garak was waiting for Julian outside the briefing room when he spotted a young man scrubbing the floor near the turbolift. He couldn't quite figure out why, but there was something strangely familiar about him. As he began to approach him, the young man looked up. Much to Garak's chagrin, the man turned out to be Ensign Swain. "Why Ensign Swine," Garak said, intentionally mispronouncing the man's name, "Is that you?" The young Ensign looked up at the tailor embarrassed, but said nothing. "That's Ensign SWAINE!" a familiar voice said from behind. Garak turned around to see Julian approaching. He smiled at the doctor. "Ah, yes, that's right -- Ensign Swain." He turned to look back at the young man who had now resumed his scrubbing. Looking up at Julian again he continued. "I can't imagine what this young man could possibly have done to merit maintenance duty," he said conversationally. Ignoring the Ensign completely, Julian looked at the tailor and replied lightly, "From what I hear, he offended the companion of a high ranking CMO." Garak's eyes grew wide. "Really?" he said with mock surprise. Then looked back down at the scowling young Ensign. "You know, young man, you really should be more careful about how you talk to people, you just never know who you may be dealing with!" Reaching out, he took Julian by the hand, planted a quick kiss on his mouth, then led him happily down the hall, leaving the bug-eyed young Ensign staring at them with his scrub brush in hand, and his mouth agape. _________________ THE END