Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
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By MTrek
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Episode 2: Flirtations and Expectations
Once again, this episode 2 is for DataLady, my undying sister in Christ. Love ya, girl!
Two partners exchanged offensive and defensive fencing moves in one of the gyms. Faltering slightly, it was obvious that the left opponent was still learning. The right opponent saw an opening in the others guard and lunged for the red spot on his uniform. A point buzzer went off the instant the tip touched. Six to zero.
The right opponent's shoulders slumped as he took off his mask. "You need to keep your guard down lower, Garak. I keep getting in too easily and you aren't making much attempt to protect you stomach," said the sweaty doctor Bashir.
Removing his mask as well, the Cardassian was panting. "At the risk of repeating myself, I'm more interested in making an advance."
Bashir sighed, "You aren't going to make much progression in this match if you don't listen to your instructor."
"It's probably just as well…" Garak walked off the combatant line, beginning to take off his gear. "Cardassians were made for hand-to-hand combat and sharp discussions, not clubs and swords. That's the human department. While this form of contest may be fascinating, I think I will stick to phasers."
Bashir smiled despite the fact that his pupil was giving up. He had quite enough for the day too. Taking his place next to Garak on the bench, he pulled off his outer protections. "Speaking of sharp discussions… how have you getting on since your fight with Fyi last week?"
"Oh good Lord, please don't revisit that dialogue again, Doctor; I've been humiliated enough by that incident," said a tightlipped Garak, removing his torso shield roughly.
Bashir took off a shoe, widening his eyes and remaining quiet.
"I mean the woman presumed to know everything about me – like she had been there the moment I stole my first thermocoupler," Garak stopped taking his gear off, emphasizing his feeling with a rigid hand.
"Well, it appeared to me that you were making presumptions about her as well. I seem to recall you calling her a coward, a traitor, and an egotistical female."
"Because that is what she is, Doctor! But I did tell you that I do not wish to speak about our quarrel."
Bashir blinked and resumed taking off the last of his gear. "That you did… but there is still something that I do not understand. Do you just hate her because she bruised your own self-worth… or is there something that I'm missing?"
"OH, why must you keep pushing the matter? If I haven't said this or if it wasn't painstakingly evident already, I'll say it once more." Garak stood from the bench, all his padding in one hand along with his and mask. "I despise that woman – not just because she humiliated me, but because I… actually entertained the idea that we could possibly be together. But no longer."
Bashir stood with him, frowning and laughing out loud. "Garak… that can't be your reason."
"I'm sorry, my friend, but if we continue this talk any further… it may risk harming our rapport."
Bashir, wisely silent, nodded after staring at Garak's hard, caveat face. "Forgive my intrusion."
Beginning to walk out, Garak smiled. "Quite alright. I can't hold you responsible for your naturally curious nature. Youthful humans are very forward when it comes to these matters."
"I'm not that young, Garak. I am thirty years old, and I'm positive that you used to be like me at one point in your life." They exited the gym and entered the corridor.
"Like I said, you are still a young, inquisitive man. But I can assure you; I never interfere with other's personal lives."
"Except when it was part of your cover?" Bashir ribbed.
"Doctor, I am surprised at you! Honestly, I wouldn't even dream of doing that to my customers," said the Cardassian, seemingly offended.
Bashir knew he wasn't; always a game of misdirection with Garak. He probably was so protective of that vicinity in his life because when he was a spy, romance was injudicious and not an option. He just hoped that his friend wouldn't be closed off too rigidly to the idea of a relationship.
Up in Ops, Major Kira Nerys leaned on her station heavily when she saw the off-duty Lieutenant Commander Fyi come off the turbolift. She'd come to visit Jadzia Dax, as she had been doing for the past three days. Both the women greeted each other and began chatting.
Kira dreaded every second of it. That Cardassian woman was just the embodiment of the Occupation to her. Whenever she looked at her, all she saw was a snake, just like the rest of them. Oppressive, cruel, and superior. She could see it in Fyi's markedly soft eyes as she talked to Jadzia – just waiting underneath that pleasant, amicable veneer.
One of the ensigns next in the control ring behind her suddenly called out, "Major, I've got an incoming Cardassian ship, asking for clearance to dock."
Kira saw Fyi's gaze snap over to the ensign. Typical, thought the Bajoran. "What ship is it, Kitz?"
He tapped a few keys and looked up at Kira with a certain glare. "Gul Dukat's yacht."