Doctor Gaven Ore was not particularly happy to be en route to Deep Space nine.
For one he wasn't a Starfleet Officer and it made him mildly uncomfortable that he would be expected to work with people who were. Since the appearance of the Dominion, Starfleet had been putting pressure on Gaven to join the cause. While he was generally unknown in many circles, the truth was that Gaven was a leading expert in the Field of alien genetics and anatomy. No doubt Starfleet wanted to try and utilize his expertise to help develop strategies to combat the Vorta and Jem'Hadar if not the Changeling founders themselves. While Gaven sympathized with those apposing the Dominion, he didn't agree with using biological or genetic warfare to achieve those ends. But as the threat increased he wasn't sure how long he could avoid not upholding his principles. The more desperate the Federation got, the less choice he knew would be afforded him and deep down he also knew that Starfleet had ways of leaning on him that could ultimately force him to relent.
For the time being however, Gaven was simply being asked to be open to Starfleet's requests while he continued his personal work. In exchange Starfleet was prepared to allow him access to their resources. One thing he was happy about was that Deep Space 9 was such a melting pot of humanoid species. Some of whom he'd only ever read about. It would be an undeniable opportunity to live among such a diverse population and that, at least, gave him some amount of personal satisfaction.
It was nearly dinner time when Gaven arrived on the station.
Since both Jadzia Dax and Doctor Julian Bashir were away on Risa vacationing with their respective partners, a very pregnant Major Kira had agreed to rendezvous with Gaven and get him situated until the others returned and he could be formally introduced.
Personally, Kira was glad of the assignment. Pregnancy wasn't proving to be her favorite state of being and although she was gracious about carrying the O'Brien's baby by this point she would feel tremendously better once she could put the experience behind her and got back to her normal life.
Arriving in the docking bay just as Gaven was gathering up his carry on things, Kira quickly took a few seconds to take the Doctor in since there had been an unusually small amount of personal information in his file. Gaven was tall, dark haired, and handsome. With a decidedly serious edge to him that made his defined sharp features look more imposing. He was dressed conservatively in a dark monochrome uniform without any identifiers. Kira noted a plain black armband on his left upper arm with a white circle upon it. Though its meaning, if any, was lost on her.
"Hello Doctor Ore. Welcome to Deep Space 9. My name is Major Kira Nerys. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Kira said once Gaven had straightened and turned in her direction.
"Hello." He said curtly nodding to her.
A man of few words, Kira noted.
"Well, shall I show you to your quarters first?" She offered.
"I suppose that would probably be wise. Please, lead the way and thank you." Gaven smiled at the major in a manner that showed he was trying to be polite.
Kira and Gaven didn't speak again until they arrived at his quarters in the habitation ring near the infirmary.
"I hope you'll be comfortable. The replicator is there for your use and if you need anything else just let one of our people know. That's pretty much it. If you want I can give you the deluxe tour of the station." Kira offered.
"That would be fine." Gaven agreed.
"Right." Kira was trying to be polite but the truth was she found Gaven's sober demeanor a little off putting.
"Before we go though, why don't you sit down for a few minutes. The tour will keep. I can't imagine you're very comfortable right now. Frankly I'm amazed you're on duty. Please do sit." Gaven offered evenly before putting down his things. "Can I replicate you something?"
Gaven's unexpected concern for her comfort caught her by surprise but then Kira reminded herself that he was a doctor and probably had some amount of experience dealing with pregnant women.
"You know, actually? I would love to sit down. Thanks." Kira said letting down her guard just a little. "And since you offered I would love some…"
Before she could finish her sentence a sneezing fit began to over take her much to the Bajorian's embarrassment.
"Here. Let me." Gaven quickly went to the replicator and muttered a request before it materialized and he brought the offering to the small table the commander had dropped down near. "Chew this a few times and then let it sit under your tongue. It'll help reduce the sneezing fit and it's good for the baby. I promise."
Gaven offered her what looked like a small fibrous oblong burgundy colored tomato.
Desperate to stop her sneezing, Kira followed his instructions and a moment later her sneezing fit subsided. "Oh my god. It worked. What is this and why haven't I found it sooner?"
"Its called a capya fruit. It calms the nasal reflex and its got alot of nutrients in it that your baby should like. Its not native to Bajor, but I've found it to be effective. Plus I happen to like the way they taste." Gaven took a second one out of the bowl he'd offered her and popped it into his mouth.
"I think I love you a little bit." Kira quipped.
"A small occupational hazard." This time Gaven did offer the Major a genuine smile.
"If you don't mind me saying so, you seem pretty far along for a Bajorian pregnancy." Gaven observed.
"Yeah, in other words you're saying I'm as big as a house." Kira joked, leaning back in her chair a little to give herself more room. "Actually, I've got a lot more time to go. I'm carrying this baby for a human friend of mine and as you know probably know human pregnancies take alot longer than Bajorian ones do."
"I see. That would explain it then. Can I get you anything else?" He offered.
"No, thanks. Trust me, you've done more than enough. Remind me to return the favor sometime. I think I'm ready to go now." Kira said while trying to mentally prepare herself for the effort it would take to get up out of her chair.
Gaven nodded and ultimately helped her up so that they could get on with their tour of the station.
Later that evening, Kira was enjoying a welcome home dinner with Jadzia Dax.
"Did you and Worf have a good time on Risa?" Kira asked knowingly.
"The trip certainly had its moments. Frankly, I think it was exactly what we needed and I know for a fact Worf ultimately had a good time." Dax replied. "Hows the baby?"
"Fine. Everything is right on schedule. More importantly I finally found a natural remedy for those terrible sneezing fits. I think I might finally be able to get some work done." Kira proclaimed.
"I heard the mysterious Dr. Ore arrived while I was away. What's he like?" If there was one thing Dax enjoyed it was idle gossip.
"He's a little reserved, but he seems nice. What I can't understand is why there's so little in the computer system about him. From what I understand he's supposed to be brilliant." Kira said.
"I know. I've read some of his work. He's been systematically updating Starfleet's alien anatomy files for the last year. His research is ground breaking. In a few years we may be able to develop treatments for all kinds of genetic diseases not to mention clear up some mysteries about certain alien biology. His work may also give us a serious advantage when dealing with the Dominion." Dax speculated. "Benjamin promised we'd all be briefed in the morning about what Dr. Ore plans to do while he's here."
"Well whatever it is, he's got my support." Kira muttered.
"So tell me. Is he cute?" Dax asked eagerly.
Kira's mouth dropped open and then promptly closed as she took up her tea cup. "I hadn't notice."
"You liar." Dax said grinning wide. "Come on, don't hold out on me."
"He isn't unattractive, but I promise you he isn't my type and anyway you'll see him for yourself tomorrow Miss Looky-loo."
"What? I can look. I may be with Worf, but I'm not blind." Dax grinned wider.
Early the next morning, everyone gathered to be briefed.
"Good morning everyone. I'd like to introduce Doctor Gaven Ore. Doctor Ore is going to be working with us for the foreseeable future. Doctor? I know you've already met Major Kira. I'd like to introduce you to the rest of my team and some of the people you'll undoubtedly be working with while your here. Starting at my left is Jadzia Dax my Science Officer and my Strategic Operation officer Commander Worf. To your right is our Chief Medical Officer Doctor Julian Bashir, Miles O'Brien Chief of Operations, and, last but not least, our Security Chief Odo." Sisko began.
"Hello." Gaven said in the same manner he'd originally greeted Kira in. As his eyes surveyed the room Gaven's gaze linger a fraction longer on the none human officers stopping just short of Odo whom he looked in the direction of but not directly at.
"Well, I suppose we should get started. It would seem Starfleet has taken some interest specifically in my genetics research and has asked me to assist Deep Space 9 in what I can only assume are matters dealing with the Dominion. From what I understand the station has had some trouble devising efficient ways of identifying Changeling operatives and I've been asked to develop a better medical detection method. For the time being I've agreed to assist Starfleet with their objectives, though I admit there are limits to what I'm comfortable with. Besides my more specific tasks, while I'm here I am at your disposal as a additional doctor. Though, I understand that Doctor Bashir is more than capable of handling most of your medical needs." Gaven explained.
"If you don't mind me asking what is your area of expertise, doctor?" O'Brien asked.
"Alien genetics and anatomy, mostly." Gaven replied.
"Doctor Ore has also done some incredible work with radiation research." Dax added.
"Do you have any existing leads on your detection solution?" Doctor Bashir inquired.
"Yes. I've identified a type of radiation that most organisms are sensitive to. My research has concluded that, specifically in changeling's, limited exposure to this radiation renders them incapable of taking form outside of their natural state." Gaven explained.
"Really." Odo interjected. "And how did you manage to come to that conclusion?"
This time Gaven did raise his gaze to look directly at Odo. "Its common knowledge on the planet Oum. Their scientific centers have documentation dating back centuries on the subject."
"Oum? I've never heard of it." Bashir remarked.
"That's not surprising. Oum isn't a federation planet. As far as I knew they're isolationists and typically won't communicate with other species." Dax explained.
"Yes. That's correct. The planet has enjoyed a unique level of isolation due to the high levels of radiation the planet is exposed to. Most species can't tolerate being on the planet's surface even with protection. Of course there are a few exceptions. The Oum themselves have evolved in such a way where they have a natural resistance to the radiation exposure allowing them to exist and thrive." Gaven added.
"I must be missing something. If the planet is so toxic and they don't like to make contact with other species how did you get your hands on this wealth of information?" O'Brien asked.
"Like I said, the effects of the radiation on outside species are common knowledge. I know because Oum is my mother planet." Gaven replied somewhat tensely.
"It should be noted that Doctor Ore's origins are both accurate and should be considered restricted information." Sisko interjected. "As far as anyone else on or off this station is concerned, Doctor Ore is human."
"Historically, my people have had limited encounters with the founders. While I'm sure they'd very much like to have dealings with my people, my planet has become a no contact zone and has more or less been ignored." Gaven remarked.
"How…Fortunate for you." Worf commented unhappily.
"In any case, if I can find a way to isolate the radiation exposure we could in theory render areas virtually impossible for changelings to infiltrate. Naturally the problem is a matter of ensuring the radiation doesn't sicken or kill anyone else exposed to it in the process." Gaven looked increasingly unhappy as he talked. "Anyway, that's the gist of what I'm here for."
"Thank you, Doctor. If everyone is through with their questions then I'll adjourn this meeting. You're all dismissed."
Having no further comment and reading the mood in the room Worf and O'Brien departed quickly. Bashir was nice enough to shake Gaven's hand and tell him he looked forward to working with him before departing as well. Odo remained in the room for several minutes as if he was considering something before a call interrupted him and called him away.
This left Sisko, Kira and Dax alone with him.
"God, I hate this. No offense to everyone." Gaven muttered unhappily.
"I'm sorry if that was more uncomfortable for you than you wanted, Doctor." Sisko remarked compassionately.
"Can I ask you a personal question?" Dax inquired. "In all the years I've heard mention of Oum, I've never heard of the culture allowing its people off planet. How is it that you've come to be here."
Gaven didn't answer but looked at Sisko as if to give him permission to answer on his behalf.
"Doctor Ore is a refugee of sorts. For various reasons he's been expelled from the planet and isn't permitted to return. Due to the sensitive nature of his off world status I've agreed to protect his privacy regarding his origins." Sisko explained.
"That must be very difficult for you." Kira remarked.
"It is, but it can't be helped. I love my people and my home world. But I've reconciled with the reality that I can no longer be apart of it. For as much as I've lost, I like to think I've gained infinitely more. Being here among all of you means a great deal to me and my personal work. I'm honored to be a guest on this station even if some of my reasons for being here are not particularly to my liking. As I promised Starfleet, if I can do something to help all of you, I'll do it. But I do have limits to how I'll allow my discoveries to be used. I know someday that may not make me very popular but it's a risk I'm willing to take. Now, if you don't mind…I'd like to get started. Idle hands are the devil's playground. I think, that's how the saying goes."
Shortly after, Gaven was finally left to his own devices for the rest of the day. He wouldn't be setting up with Doctor Bashir until the next morning and yet Gaven still felt his business for the day had not been concluded. His thoughts drifted back upon his meeting earlier and how under normal circumstances he would have been beyond ecstatic to meet a Klingon, a Trill, and a Changeling all in the same room. It almost sounded like the opening of some bar joke. Instead he only felt miserable, guarded, and terribly alone.
Gaven swallowed all of this. Forcing his feelings into a series of boxes in his mind to be reopened later when he had the time to meditate back in his room and purge what would not emotionally serve him.
It was time to focus on his unfinished business.
Abandoning the small table he'd taken at Quirk's to have something to drink, he departed intending to seek out the one person he felt he owed a conversation to.
Odo was in his office looking over reports and trying to ignore the fact that his lower back was killing him. The idea of relaxation had always seemed silly to the shapeshifter when he could still change form, given that his natural state was as about as relaxed as any organic life form could get. Until now when he was in a humanoid shape he preferred rigidity. Now that the Founders had revoked his shape shifting abilities in punishment, he was starting to have to rethink his personal standards and behaviors if he wanted to go on being…comfortable in his new skin.
Gaven was similar in mentality when it came to his self expression. But he, perhaps, came off more reclusive and secretive than he did rigid.
"Yes? Come in." Odo muttered when he heard the signal on his closed office door sound.
"Mr. Odo. I do apologize for disturbing you, sir." Gaven came into the room with all the strange assertiveness of someone used to adapting to strange and unusual environments.
Slightly surprised by the identity of his visitor Odo promptly put down the report he was reading to address Gaven. "Was…There something I could do for you, Doctor?"
"I was hoping I could talk with you for a few moments." Gaven said evenly.
"O-Of course. Please, SIT." Odo's tone was a little less casual and a little more stern than he wanted to sound just then. "What was it you wanted to talk about."
"I want you to know that…that…" Just then Gaven found himself struggling to spit out his own words. "I feel exceedingly strong about your personal position here on Deep Space 9. I have a great deal of respect for you and your origins, Sir. And I must admit I didn't want to say some of the things that had to be said earlier in the briefing about your people. Its important to me that you know that. My people and your people have always held a unique fascination for each other. When your species first made contact with ours many centuries ago we welcomed them, and when we realized our planet could hurt the changelings we attempted to help get them off our world. When I think about what both of our people have become I can't help but feel…a great sense of loss and personal disappointment. I feel as if you and I are similar in the sense that in our hearts we both wish everything could be different. You're views and experiences have served to put a rift between you and your people in the same way my views and experiences have put a rift between my people and I."
Although Gaven was doing a good job at keeping his tone even and open, Odo could perceive a deep churning turmoil in his eyes and briefly entertained the notion that in truth the strange doctor was probably very nearly on the verge of tears.
"I need you to know Odo that someday the Federation may push me to use my work against the Dominion. If and when that day comes its important to me that you understand that it would never be something I would choose to do." Gaven insisted.
"I see. May, um, I ask you something?" Odo asked lightly.
Gaven nodded.
"I've been looking over your information files. Its vague as I think was your intention and in light of what you've been willing to confide about your actual identity as well as your need to come here now I'm led to the conclusion that you're here, off your planet I mean, as a form of punishment. Is that about right?"
This time Gaven's eyes noticeably welled but no tears escaped and he didn't reply.
Odo scoffed slightly and folded his hands together upon his desk. "Its never an easy thing being forced from your people. That, we seem to have in common. I suppose its true that, although you love them, you can't come to terms with your people's beliefs which likely conflict with your own. I can imagine how painful that must be for you even if I don't know the specific details of your situation. I can tell you're still grieving and that you'd probably rather that others not know. Though its of little consolation I'm sure, know that in imagining a different way of being for yourself you are remaining true to what you know you can never be as well as honoring what you still are."
"Yes." Gaven agreed, finally gaining back his full composure. "Thank you."
"Mm. Give yourself time, Doctor. And try to focus on the positives of your situation. In one way or another, many of us on Deep Space 9 are…Without country. So to speak. You'll find many examples of people here who break the expected norms of the cultures they were born to." Odo remarked in a thoughtful manner.
"I do look forward to that aspect of being here, Mr. Odo." Gaven agreed.
"As for you're troubles with the Federation, let us address those concerns as they become apparent." Odo muttered.
"Yes. I'll keep everyone abreast of what I know. Thank you for being willing to speak to me. If there's anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask." Gaven offered.
"As a matter of of fact I could do with some medical advise. Due to some unfortunate business with the Founders, I had my shape shifting abilities tampered with. Dr. Bashir is still trying to find a way to reverse the effects, but in the mean time I've become more or less flesh and blood. The experience has been…an interesting ordeal so far and I must admit I'm still having problems adjusting to my physiological limitations. I tend to frequently pull muscles and develop aches due to…how I tend to carry myself. I've been trying to work on it but relaxation was never my strong point." Odo explained.
"Are you in pain now?" Gaven inquired.
"As a matter of fact, my lower back is killing me. Something about having a spinal column and carrying myself too rigidly or something. I'm trying to find other solutions and I was wondering if you had any recommendations given your specialty in anatomy." Odo finished.
"I see. Well, assuming the Founder saw fit to keep your solid form in line with humans there are a few things you can do to help. For one you might consider getting a better chair with lumbar support. You could also try inversion. That's when you hang upside down. It helps decompress the spin. Warm baths before bed, proper rest, and an occasional massage wouldn't hurt either." Gaven suggested.
"Humph. I see. I'll think about trying some of those sometime." Odo said.
"Do let me know if they help." Gaven replied.
The next morning Gaven was due to report to the infirmary and meet the rest of the medical staff.
Dr. Bashir was, of course, in charge of the introductions which amounted to alot of nodding and stilted but polite conversation on Gaven's part. Gaven was frankly surprised that someone as young as Julian was in charge of the space station's medical team and he was slightly taken back at first by the man's natural emotionally driven exuberance which seemed to clash in an almost comical way with Gaven's minimalism and staunch mental control that came off much more intense and quiet. However, in observing how the rest of the staff interacted with the young doctor and the affection his patients clearly felt for the man, Gaven couldn't help but smile to himself internally a little. Doctor Bashir certainly seemed like the right man for his position after all.
"So.' Bashir said once all the initial introductions had been made. "What do you think of our fair Station, Dr. Ore?"
"It's…Very nice, Doctor. You have an impressive set up here. I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect." Gaven said. "I've been conducting my work mostly out of a Vulcan freighter for the last eight months. It wasn't exactly an ideal place to do my research but the Vulcans were accommodating enough. This is certainly an improvement."
"Oh. yes, I'm sure it would be." Although externally Julian radiated all goodness and light, internally he was secretly taking stock of the other doctor in a manner of detail that no one knew he was capable of.
Julian noted, for example, the subtle signs of stress that came upon the other doctor's features every time he was forced by social decorum to react to someone and return their communication. He also noted how the man tended to plant his feet in such a way that felt fortifying and unmovable as if he was constantly prepared to resist being pushed over. Frequently, when others were speaking to him he'd glance distractedly to the left indicating he was linking something in the present to his memory of the past. Of course that was assuming he was similar to humans. The fact that Gaven wasn't human and that they had orders to not raise any flags about that fact also tugged at Julian's over active imagination. A part of him wondered who the doctor really was and why it was that the Federation was trying so demurely to tuck the man into their back pocket as if he'd been there all along.
Gaven could feel Julian's masked scrutiny of him which the doctor was very good at hiding under the wicker basket of all his jovial friendliness. So, Gaven thought. The young doctor was not exactly what he wanted others to assume him to be. Gaven wondered if Julian came by his abilities naturally or if he had been genetically manipulated somehow. Given the Federation's policies on genetic re sequencing and enhancement, the possibility that Julian was harboring secrets about the nature of his being would have explained why he was working so hard to cover what he was really thinking and doing when people interacted with him. Gaven could tell that Julian was down playing himself. It was subtle but Gaven had spent his entire life on a planet where subtlety was a primarily language. Well, Gaven had no intention of bothering the doctor. He was no stranger to wanting to keep aspects of himself a secret.
"Well, should we step into my office now? I know you wanted to brief me about some things before I, let you loose, as they say." Julian offered.
Gaven nodded and the men proceeded to head to the CMO's office where they could speak in private.
"Now, what can I do for you." Julian said finally settling happily into his office chair while he waited for Gaven to sit down.
"Personally Doctor, I feel I need to alert you to my medical needs. As you know from my private medical file, my home world is covered in a unique type of radiation." Gaven began as he settled on the arm of one of the office chairs so that he could semi stand without making the doctor uncomfortable.
"Yes. I believe your people call it Poxy radiation. Something to do with the unique elemental make up of your planet's sun." Julian recited.
"As you know my people have developed a unique tolerance for the radiation and most of the time we're exposed to it all of our lives. The truth is our bodies are designed to tolerate the exposure and without it our species systems can break down to th point of being debilitating over a long period of time. Now normally radiation treatments are not uncommon on most planets and stations, but in this case I'm concerned that standard Poxy radiation treatments of this nature may not be containable. Considering how toxic Poxy radiation is to most lifeforms you can understand my deep concern." Gaven's tone was deeply serious.
"Yes…I was wondering about that. How long have you gone without exposure?" Julian was trying to calculate the possible ramifications Gaven was implying as well as how a lack of exposure could negatively be effecting the man.
"A standard year. Since I left home." Gaven said.
"Are you experiencing health concerns now?" Julian asked.
"Not yet. But I can tell you, doctor. It'll only be a matter of time. Eventually my nervous system will start to deteriorate and then other systems will start to shut down. Without exposure I estimate the result would be terminal within three years." Gaven explained evenly.
"I see. That is quite a problem. May I?" Julian got up and came around his desk intent on doing some basic scans with his medical recorder.
Several minutes later he finally stepped back. "I suspect, doctor, that there's something we can think of. You are clearly able to metabolize the radiation into something benign given that if you couldn't just being in the same room with you would likely start negatively impacting those around you. So I suspect if we can get thE radiation in your body somehow you would then be able to absorb it naturally. The question is how do we deliver it without causing cross exposure." Julian couldn't resist a good medical conundrum.
"Well we have some time yet to figure it out. Until then it says between us." Gaven sighed. "On a professional note, Starfleet would like me to keep updating their anatomy files. With your permission I'd like to invite members of the station to under go some basic physicals. I'd also like to be as useful to you as possible while I'm here so if you want any help on anything I'm at your service. I would like to perhaps take on some general rounds. I feel compelled to do my part here and I'm a quick study." Gaven offered.
It was the warmest thing the strange man had said so far.
"I think something can be arranged, your tests are certainly on par with most experienced medical officers. What was it you did on your home world, if you don't mind me asking?" Julian inquired.
Gaven didn't respond right away.
"Right, sorry. Need to know. I almost forgot." Julian backtracked as he dismissed his own question. "Look, I could use some help in the early morning and some evenings. I really do look forward to working together."
"Yes. I'll be here, doctor. I'm sure you'll have a great many things to teach me." Gaven agreed.
"He's strange." Julian said definitively a few days later at the dinner Dax had prepared to keep herself company while Worf was running an errand off station.
"Of course you'd say he's strange, you're the one that keeps acting like he's human." Jadzia pointed out as she placed a bowl of Klingon appetizers in the center of the table.
"Jadzia does have a point there Julian. You do tend to go out of your way to pretend you don't know he's actually an alien and one we're not allowed to know anything about." Kira remarked as she wrinkled her nose slightly at the appetizers and opted for the safer looking vegetable tray on the table.
"That's ridiculous, I treat him like I do everyone I've just met. And anyway, doesn't it bother either of you? I mean, aren't you just the least bit curious?" Julian asked in that leading way he did when he wanted someone to validate him.
Both Jadzia and Kira exchanged looks and then laughed.
"What?" Julian felt like he was missing out on something.
"Nothing. It's nothing." Kira said dismissively.
"Dax? Come on." Julian pressed.
"Kira's right, Julian. Its nothing. Its just…Its not really true. Yo don't treat Dr. Ore like everyone. In fact you treat him the same way you do every time you…you…" Jadzia was struggling to find the easiest way to put it.
"Meet someone who isn't human." Kira finished for her bluntly before sticking her favorite pastry into her mouth that she'd brought to curb her latest craving.
"What? What are you talking about?" Julian protested, genuinely confused and intrigued at the same time.
"Please, Julian. Let me see if I can illustrate for you. Who was the first Trill you ever met personally?" Jadzia asked.
"You. But I don't see what…" Julian began to protest.
"Julian…" Jadzia's eyes widened at him in a way that said; Stop being so stupid. You know exactly what I'm referring to.
"Oh. Right. Well that doesn't count." Julian protested.
"Why? Because in my case you settled on a romantic infatuation? What about Garek? Or even Odo? Face it Julian, aliens fascinate you. The fact that Dr. Ore is not only not human but that his life is surrounded in mystery is irresistible to you and instead of just letting it go you overcompensate every time you're around him like you're trying to hide something." Jadzia explained.
"I do NOT overcompensate when I'm talking to Dr. Ore…" Julian said in an indignant tone.
"Yes you do." Kira and Jadzia said in unison flatly.
"Look, all we're saying is that if your so interested in him why don't you just get to know him a bit? I know he seems stuffy but he's actually quite…I dunno…" Kira offered trying to find the right words.
"Nice." Jadzia finished for her. "And probably lonely."
"Fine, fine. He sure seems to have won the both of you over, though I can't see how since the man almost never says more than two words at a time." Julian muttered.
"Actually, I have lots of nice interaction with him it's just they're not in words. Dr. Ore is really a very thoughtful man from what I can tell. Like when he helped me with my sneezing. He saw a problem and he just fixed it." Kira remarked.
"Last week he sent Worf and I a gift basket of liniments and salve. He'd heard it was our anniversary. The card was quite sweet. He's just really good at being impersonally personal, it feels like. He looked almost alarmed when Worf and I came by to thank him for it. Anyway, were not trying to gang up on you Julian we just aren't interested in saying anything negative about the man." Jadzia explained.
"It wasn't my intention to be negative I was just being conversational…Nevermind. Lets change the subject and go about having a nice time. Cheers." Julian muttered, toasting the others as they got on with their meal.
The first week or so of Gaven's arrival proved to be a solitary one. Dr. Bashir and been kind enough to find Gaven a small office space within the stations infirmary to do his work which consisted mostly of doing basic physicals on the available and willing station inhabitants and writing up his finding in triplicate then, with permission, updating star fleets medical data. Gaven himself wasn't allowed to input new information into Starfleets database but he was able to see the results of his work rather swiftly which was good enough. His interaction with his patients were thorough, and very brief. Yet patients seemed to walk away with a positive impression of him. Almost every morning Gaven found his most uncomfortable dialog to be with Dr. Bashir, not because he disliked the young doctor but because Julian seemed to exaggerate his friendliness every time he saw him.
"Well, good morning Dr. Ore. And how are we getting along today?" Julian said as he had most morning when Gaven showed up for his rounds.
Gaven noticed the doctor alway seemed to speak slightly more loudly than was needed as if he was trying to project his voice on a stage and his movement were somewhat exaggerated. Larger steps, more arm waving, broader smiles, and an annoying level of exuberance.
This particular morning was no different. "I'm…Fine. Doctor. Thank you."
Gaven stalked the rest of the way into the infirmary and went directly to his small office almost as if he was trying to get away.
"Well that's…Good. Listen, I have an idea. What do you say to having lunch today together. I was thinking we could pick each other's brains. Maybe talk about some cases I've had that proved troublesome." Julian offered leaning casually in the doorway of Gaven's office.
"Thank you, but no." Gaven replied bluntly.
Julian eyes looked like they might pop out of his head at having his offer rejected so utterly and without any additional comment. In fact Julian was so confused by the man's tone he almost didn't know what else to say just then.
Gaven mentally kicked himself at the prospect that he might have just hurt the other man's feelings.
"I'm sorry, Doctor. I have a great deal of work to do today. I wasn't planning to take lunch." Gaven lied.
Julian waited for the man to finish with a follow up offer but waited in vain. "Oh…Well, another time…I'm sure. Right. Well if you need anything I'll just be over here. Doctoring."
Gaven watched Julian linger for a few seconds longer before he backed himself out of the office and disappeared.
Gaven watched the entry into his office a full minute before he finally sighed deeply and turned into his desk covering his face with his hands as he tried to rub away secret regrets. "Damn it all."
"Bad morning, Doctor?" The blunt gravely tone of Odo's voice suddenly cut in to Gaven's reality like a comforting rush of warm water.
"Odo, hello. Yes, you could say that. Come in." Gaven said, clear relief in his own tone that hinted at how much he liked the shapeshifter and was glad just then to see him. "What do I owe to your visit. Anything wrong?"
"I told you before that I would take your medical advice into consideration and report the result." Odo remarked.
"And? How did my recommendations go over?" Gaven asked, genuinely interested.
"The new chair is helping and I must admit the inversion therapy you recommended has been quite effective and even…Enjoyable." Odo reported.
"Good, and the baths?" Gaven inquired.
"I'm…Still working up to them. I'm not quite sure how much I like the prospect of being wet. Warm or not." Odo admitted.
"More ironic words have never been spoken given your species natural state and the collective way you engage in the Great Link. Baby steps, ."
"Ye-es. Speaking of baby steps, if you don't mind me saying so, you might just consider allowing our good doctor the satisfaction of getting to know you a bit." Odo advised gently.
"I don't think that's wise." Gaven replied though the look on his face said he didn't like the taste of his own words.
"Why? You seem more than capable of making friends here on the station, if you wanted to. I think you'd find Doctor Bashir very likable. Most people do." Odo encouraged him gently.
At this Gaven got up and closed his office door before he sat back down and rubbed at his face some more. "I'm not good at this, you know. This starting my life all over from scratch and having to go around pretending as if my old life never happened. Back when I was stuck on that Vulcan freighter it was easier. I was as about as isolated as I felt. I…" A well of emotion seized up in the man causing him to pause. "I don't want people to get too attached to me here. I don't trust the Federations motives in anything involving the work I'm doing and yet I have to find something to anchor my life. Dr. Bashir in particular is a good man, but he takes his relationships with people to heart. I don't want him getting tangled up in my secrets, Odo."
"Fascinating that your so worried about Dr. Bashir's well being in particular." Odo remarked.
"Dr Bashir is the one that sees me the most of anyone on this station. He's the one person I can't consistently avoid given our work arrangement." Gaven muttered.
"I must say, I don't really like this shroud of mystery the federations is keeping you under. Frankly, I fail to see the reasoning behind it." Odo said, settling himself on the edge of Gaven's desk.
"I should think you of all people would know what its like to be the first of your kind to be commonly identified. Before all this business with the Dominion you were just a unique alien oddity and just another individual trying to make a place for themselves in the universe. Now you're much more than that to both your own kind and others. If the Federation had it within their power to turn me or my work into a weapon to use against the Dominion, do you honestly think they'd just let me go about my business? Right now I'm potentially the best kept secret they have and the Federation is nervous that if word got out of my identity and potential others would come out of the woodworks to get their hands on me. I have no doubt, Mr. Odo that if I were to show any real resistance to the Federation's overtures; I'd be sitting in some isolation unit somewhere being poked and prodded at against my will all because I had the misfortune to be able to metabolize a radioactive element that is toxic to almost everyone else and that has a specifically interesting effects on changeling's in particular." It was the first time Gaven had truly vented about the suspected reality of his situation.
"Mmm. I see." Odo did see very clearly. More clearly than some might have that the alien man sitting in front of him was, in actuality, a prisoner of circumstance.
Given Odo's own history of being prodded at an experimented on, he understood. He also realized quite acutely how much distress the other man was actually in.
"Since you were so kind to give me such succinct advice before, Doctor. Please allow me to make a suggestion of my own?" Odo planned to say something with or without Gaven's approval.
Gaven didn't protest.
"Your a man of many secrets and I think some of them are causing you a great deal of pain. It may help you to make friends. Maybe even find someone in particular you can confide in that is…Better with…Feelings. You appear to be a forthright man, I would suspect you're also one of deep conviction and I'm sure for better or worse your attitudes are part of the reason you've ended up here. While I respect your need for caution and anonymity, I feel too much isolation and personal reflection could do you more harm than good." Odo said decisively.
Gaven smiled slowly after a few seconds. "I do like you Mr. Odo. I'm glad we have such a good understanding of each other. I'll take your recommendations under advisement."