Loving and Liking
By Laura Schiller
Based on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Copyright: Paramount
Miles had invited Julian to have dinner with him and his family, an invitation the young doctor had gladly accepted. They were in the turbolift when Julian decided to take one last stab at the awkward subject he had brought up earlier that day. In Luther Sloan's brain, of all places, a nightmarish maze with an uncanny resemblance to DS9, which he and Miles had entered together to extricate the cure for Odo's fatal Changeling disease. Near death, as he had thought, Julian had blurted out to Miles that he 'loved Ezri passionately, but liked Miles more'. A rather odd thing to say at any time, and one which had caused the engineer to repeatedly and emphatically state his love for Keiko, the mother of his children and the very woman who was presently keeping his dinner warm.
"Computer, pause turbolift. Miles?"
"Aye?"
"About what I said back there … I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. When I said I like you more, that means I'm … well … more comfortable aroud you. I can't exactly picture myself constructing a model of the Alamo with Ezri, or playing darts. I love her, but that's just what makes me nervous – I'm always wanting to impress her. I don't care what you think of me, Chief," with a good-natured grin. "I know you think I'm a bit of a prat."
Miles snorted at that. "You're a lot more endurable than you used to be," he pointed out. "And as for that, honestly, I'm a little relieved. For a moment there, it sounded like you were jealous of Keiko or sommat. I really hadn't figured you as that type."
Julian burst out laughing, slapping Miles on the shoulder. "You thought – goodness, no! No. If I'm jealous of Keiko at all, it's because of the time she gets to spend with you – what you do with that time is really none of my affair." And he laughed again, shaking his head.
"Well, Julian," said Miles in his wise, elder-brotherly tone, "While we're on the subject, listen: the reason I wouldn't answer you is because there's really no comparison. I wouldn't take Keiko into a holosuite battle – she hates 'em. And there are things I do with her, if you take my meaning, which I'd never dream of doing with you."
He winked. Julian grinned. The O'Briens were known all around the station for the happiness of their marriage, even after ten years and two children.
"So you see, I don't care for Keiko any more than I do for you. She's the love of my life. You're my best friend. Apples and oranges, man."
"I see."
They let the turbolift ride on in companionable silence, until Miles poked Julian with his elbow.
"So when are you gonna tell her?"
Julian simply rolled his eyes.
