A/N: Any fic warnings in future stories will be listed at the beginning of each story. These are mostly experimental snippets that vary in length and genre. They'll be updated only sporadically. (Also, sorry for the binaristic language. The O'Briens use a lot of it in the show and it's difficult to edit it out without sounding too ooc. I'm still trying to learn, so please have patience.)
Summary: Chief O'Brien swore that he would never invite Garak over to dinner, but everyone breaks a promise now and then. Meanwhile, Julian discovers how ruthless Cardassians can be towards their own kind.
Molly O'Brien had been perusing some of her old books when she promptly announced that she would like to carve a pumpkin. She had gone to Keiko, showing her a bright colorful sketch in her book. Keiko had been baffled at first until she realized that Molly had received a book from her father. It depicted little children dressed in costumes of witches and ghosts for Halloween who carved pumpkins and went trick-or-treating.
"Can we go trick-or-treating?"
Keiko smiled apologetically. "I don't think we can, sweetie, but we could carve a pumpkin."
Molly's face lit up with excitement and she hopped up and down.
"But we need to wait until daddy's home. He can teach you how to carve one."
Hopefully, Miles would have an idea of what Molly could use to carve the pumpkin with. She was still far too young to use a knife.
Molly was growing up quickly and she was learning at a rapid pace. Keiko was supportive of her daughter learning about all different cultural practices and the traditions that came with them. Something that was celebrated as a children's holiday was welcome, though Keiko was unsure why gutting an orange gourd enhanced the experience. She only liked to use it as a baked delicacy, but she knew that there was a sacredness to the act of creating and burning lanterns.
That afternoon they replicated two pumpkins and left them out on the coffee table to await Miles's expertise to dismantle them with his daughter. Molly drew and played with her stuffed animals until her father returned.
"Ow!"
"Sorry if I've hurt you, but I wish that you would hold still for a moment. You seem to fidget constantly."
"Well, my friend is keen on poking needles into uncomfortable places-ow! You did that one on purpose."
"My dear doctor, what a vivid imagination you have to think that I would purposefully be sticking you with pins."
"Do you usually use this many? None of your other customers come to me with injuries. I'm starting to think that I might be your special victim."
"Turn around," Garak ordered him and Bashir turned obediently until he had his back to Garak.
"One would think that there would be a better substitute for pins in your tailoring business. They've been used for thousands of years. There should be a way of avoiding accidents like jabbing people."
"Oh, there have been inventions," Garak said absently. "But the most celebrated of my trade prefer the old ways."
The Cardassian smoothed down the stubborn side seam and Bashir tried his best not to flinch. He had been expecting another pin jab. "There. You look enchanting."
"Enchanting?"
Bashir turned around and faced the mirror that was next to the fitting platform. The coat was snug on his waist and it flared playfully around his hips and wrists. Pins still flashed and bunched up the fabric near the seams and hems, but the overall effect was not ruined. Yet, the style was not something he was used to sporting.
"Why all the decorative flares? It's a bit- odd by your standards." Bashir stopped himself from saying "impractical," but the way the extra fabric surrounded his wrists ensured that they would get stuck on something eventually. He was particular about using his hands gracefully. His surgical mannerisms carried over into his daily habits of using his hands for all kinds of detail-oriented tasks.
The Cardassian spied the dubious glance Bashir gave his wrists. "Well, you'll hardly be doing lab work on an evening outing, will you? I think it brings attention to your gifted hands. As long as you keep the sleeves from dipping into your wine glass, the style will retain an exquisite appeal."
"Thank you. Errr-how much do I owe you?"
"You can pay me when I have the piece finished." Garak smiled.
Heavy footfalls sounded within the shop. Julian spun around and surveyed the newcomer to find that it was Miles with the firm tread. He was slightly out of breath.
"There you are! I was going to invite you to dinner tonight."
Julian cast his gaze to his Cardassian friend who had been excluded from both a greeting and a dinner invitation. Elim gave him an encouraging nod that clearly conveyed that he was not offended in the least and that Bashir could answer his friend in his presence. The doctor felt discomfort well up inside him in response to that nod. Garak had been so genial towards him and how had he repaid that kindness? He was forced to ignore his presence in front of those who had a history of bigotry. Miles was normally reluctantly polite to Cardassians, but he had never dealt Garak a social blow like this. It must sting to be treated as nonexistent, to be dealt with as a lesser being due the history of his species.
"Yes, but on one condition." Bashir gave him a soft smile.
He saw the tailor look up with interest and Miles appeared to be taken aback by the proposal of a deal.
"I would like Garak to accompany us if Keiko doesn't mind two extra dinner guests."
Miles's gaze darted back and forth between his friend and the Cardassian, as though calculating just how ominous of a threat the tailor proved to be and if he dared to risk Julian's friendship in favor of keeping the proverbial wolf out of his den. The tailor watched the engineer think with a slight smirk upon his lips.
"She won't mind. She's been twisting my arm to have both of you over at the same time anyway, what with you two and your gardening sessions."
The doctor's eyes widened and he directed an astonished look at Garak. "Gardening? You and Keiko garden together?"
The tailor inclined his head. "Oh, just a few times. We exchange advice and information about herbology, cooking, and how to properly nurture Cardassian Sun Stars. The conversations would seem banal to anyone who wasn't a horticulturalist. Though, I would like to point out, doctor, that I did not ask to be issued a dinner invitation. I am perfectly content to work my evening shift while you enjoy the hospitality of the O'Briens."
The doctor was fairly certain that Garak did not even have evening shifts unless he was swamped with work that required use of the equipment in his shop. He was aware that Garak was trying to back out of the situation.
"I can't properly enjoy myself if I know you're cooped up in this shop, and I'm willing to bet that whatever work you have can wait until tomorrow." Julian's voice had adopted a pleading tone.
The doctor focused his gaze directly on the tailor, letting his eyes convey his sincere wish for the tailor to accompany him. He had been told before that his soulful eyes could soften even the hardest of hearts and steer people over to his line of thinking. They must have done the trick this time, for Elim breathed out a defeated breath.
"Very well, doctor. We can't have you feeling uncomfortable."
Had that been a mild rebuke?
Elim started gently taking the coat from the doctor's shoulders and Julian had to squirm out of it or risk being stuck again. It was with mild astonishment that he realized that Garak was coming to dinner with him at the O'Briens' and he had been the one to force the issue. He felt some pride at having talked the spy into something against his initial refusal.
They finally worked the fabric off of his slim frame and Garak set his creation aside. Julian followed Miles out of the shop and the Cardassian brought up the rear. He switched over the sign on his door, shut off the lights, and let the door automatically lock behind him as he exited.
"Miles, I've been meaning to tell you that Felix has another program set up for us. It's another battle strategy game, but I'm not sure if you'll like it."
The engineer gave him an uneasy look. "Why? Do you get the main part again?"
Julian chuckled. "No, we're both of similar rank. We're-errr-defending Jerusalem from attack."
Garak gently broke in. "I think the doctor means that you will both be playing Muslim warriors helping to defend the city against Templar invaders."
They had finally reached the lift together and they got in with uncomfortable silence. The Cardassian had brought up a sensitive topic between the two friends. Despite being humans, the doctor and the engineer could not be more different culturally. Julian had grown into a young man in the UK and he had learned Federation standard, but he had spent much of his childhood in Sudan and Egypt. When it came to history, religion, and politics, he and Miles rarely saw eye to eye.
The lift moved down and Miles glanced over at Julian. "That's fine." He said it softly in the crowded lift. The doctor beamed.
They descended to the Habitat Level and got off like penguins filing up in a line. Bashir was trying to remain in the middle due to his divided sense of loyalty and Garak continued to keep an odd form of rear guard. He was also likely hanging back in case Keiko should be adverse to having guests that evening.
When they arrived on the doorstep of the O'Briens like strays, they found Keiko to be as accommodating as always and they were ushered in. Molly ran up to give Miles a hug and she gave Julian a bright smile. The smile fell a little when she spotted Garak. She looked back up at her father almost anxiously, probably aware of how Miles regarded his species.
"Julian and-Garak, I'm so glad you could make it." Keiko used their names hesitantly, but her face lit up as she welcomed them in.
"Mrs. O'Brien and Molly, thank you for accepting the unexpected visit. It's very good to see you again outside of my premises." Garak gave Molly a nod and glanced up at his host.
"It's Keiko and of course I'm glad to have you and Julian over. I've been meaning to ask you, how has your nettle flower been sprouting?"
They began a discussion about Bajoran flora and Molly dragged Miles by the hand to examine their replicated pumpkins. Miles was giving the Cardassian and his wife a mildly affronted look, but he seemed content enough with the situation. Molly explained her plan of carving the pumpkins.
"Julian can carve one too!" She invited.
"I can? Well, thank you. I'd better replicate one so I can carve the scariest pumpkin for you."
Molly looked disturbed at the thought. She shook her head.
"Not a scary one?" Julian pouted.
"No."
"How about a funny one?"
She nodded vigorously. She seemed pleased enough with that arrangement.
"But first we'll sit down and have dinner." Keiko reminded her. Mrs. O'Brien started in on the usual questions about what Bashir and Garak would prefer from the replicator. Keiko had dessert set aside so that she could bake it just after they dined. It was a treat for Molly for doing her homework early and for the impromptu Halloween celebration
Dinner went surprisingly well, mostly because Miles and Julian had stomachs that were bottomless. Garak was a little less famished and he took his time. He surveyed Bashir's ravenous appetite with mild amusement and a little disapproval. They kept their conversations short, trite, and to the point. After supper was concluded, they came back to the dilemma of the pumpkins.
Julian glanced at Miles. "Are we all going to carve together or...?"
It was a dangerous pastime, but Miles's solutions for such problems were ingenious.
"Modified handheld laser?" Julian suggested.
The engineer shook his head. "I can't make something like that in time for dessert but give me a minute to think. I'm going to have a look at some replicator tools."
Garak had been listening in. When Miles went over to look at the machine, he slinked up behind him.
"I think I may have a solution, if you would stand aside."
Miles gave the Cardassian a baffled look, but stepped away to allow Garak to work the replicator. Elim typed in a code. His hands were quick and nimble, making the pattern of his movements impossible to trace. An object shimmered into existence and at first glance it looked like a wood carving tool. It had a wooden handle and a curved blade.
"Let me try using this first, and then I will replicate more if it proves sufficient."
"What is it?" The engineer eyed the tool distrustfully.
"Just a simple carving tool. It comes slightly dull if you want to feel the blade. It requires a lot of pressure to do real harm to yourself."
He handed it over to their host and Miles inspected it. His thumb ran cautiously over the blade.
"The way it's shaped…Molly could use this."
"She will be able to, but before we decide let me give it a trial run."
Garak walked back over to his pumpkin and started putting deep punctures in the top. Once in a while the blade became stuck and he had to wiggle it out.
"Carving the lids is a bit difficult. I'll do this to all of the pumpkins first."
The tailor was speaking deliberately step-by-step for Molly's benefit and he appeared to be aware that he had the child's attention. He took the top off of one while Molly watched with fascination. Slimy gourd fibers and seeds clung to the lid.
"Now I'll carve the face. I'll tear out the innards later."
Garak sat down beside Molly so that she could have a good view. His pumpkin lay on its side on the table. Julian watched him with some small amount of surprise. He was aware that Garak had almost limitless knowledge about different cultural practices and crafts, but to know how to carve a pumpkin seemed to be odd information to file away.
"I'm just going to gently push up with this tool." A string of orange skin was peeled up. "And then I will decide on a shape- perhaps a triangle. I will keep repeating this step until I make a deep hole through it."
Molly was nodding in understanding. "Let me try!"
She reached for the tool and Garak watched her like a hawk while she followed his instructions. He cautioned her several times and told her to slow down, but she soon had a slightly battered, but triangular hole in the gourd.
"It's time to scoop out the guts before we do more carving." Miles announced.
Molly soon discovered that she did not like scooping out gourd innards and Garak continued to carve the lids off of the other two pumpkins.
"Would you like one, doctor?" The Cardassian gestured to his tool.
"Oh, no thanks. I'm more familiar with a knife." Julian started carving a goofy face into his orange gourd while Garak hunched over his with an intense expression of concentration.
"No masterpieces, Garak. You're going to put all of us to shame."
The Cardassian merely smiled and continued creating his piece. Every once in a while he would shift the pumpkin around to work on another patch of pumpkin skin. He had to take a break to replicate an additional tool for Molly. He worked with speed and agility, but it still took him nearly as long as Molly to complete the piece. When he finished, he merely set it down and then walked over to the doctor and his long since finished creation.
Baking smells wafted through the air and it became apparent that Keiko had finished their dessert. Molly went out to check on her mother's progress while Garak appraised the doctor's work.
"A charming expression. It looks like a thoroughly pleased gourd if ever I saw one."
"Let me see how yours turned out. I bet it's amazing," Bashir said with certainty.
Julian got up to survey it. "Oh- Miles, come look at this."
"What? What's wrong?" The Chief was alerted by his gob smacked voice.
"Garak made a masterwork."
"You are too kind, doctor," the tailor remarked.
Miles looked just as dumbstruck as Julian. A near exact picture of the station was carved with loving detail into the pumpkin. Garak had applied the tool like a woodcarver, using layers of pumpkin skin to differentiate between light and dark. An entire set of stars pockmarked the pumpkin. Bajor was depicted and Cardassia was in the center of the composition.
"Molly's going to love this when we light it up. Next time I'm going to let you carve the extra pumpkins."
"Hey!" Julian protested.
Miles laughed and clapped the doctor on the back. He went to the dining area to talk to Molly and Keiko, leaving Garak and Bashir to tidy up the pumpkin massacre. Bashir scooped the shavings into tidy piles while Garak sprinkled them into the bowls of seedy innards to be disposed of in the replicator unit. The doctor picked up their tools and looked at them with interest. He knew that Garak had used something specifically Cardassian and it was something that the tailor was familiar with handling.
"Garak, what is this? I know that it's used for prying up something, but for the life of me I can't think of what."
"It can be used for prying up gourd fibers, as you have seen, doctor."
"Cardassians wouldn't carve up gourds for fun." Bashir frowned at the shiny tool as though it held a plethora of secrets. "Besides, the way it's shaped is awkward for carving though it worked well enough on pumpkins. It's used for something hard…possibly brittle and difficult to grasp...maybe something slick?"
The Cardassian was smiling enigmatically at him and his eyes held a gleam of something very dark. Lists of surgical tools flashed through Bashir's mind. Everything was too sharp, too precise in comparison to this slightly blunt instrument.
"I am certain that you shall figure it out soon enough. I believe that Mrs. O'Brien has dessert waiting and young Molly would not have us miss it."
The statement was very true. Keiko O'Brien had baked a batch of fruit tarts and she had set them out with a pleased smile at her enthusiastic daughter. Bashir asked Molly about how she liked school now that she was starting to attend. Keiko talked about how progress was being made in the classroom and how everyone was working together on their latest science project that related to Gamma Quadrant exploratory practices. Keiko was planning to go to the Gamma Quadrant with the children by the end of the year.
Miles joined in while discussing which would be the safest M Class planet to visit. Garak began pitching in and sharing information. As the tailor spoke, Julian started on his second apple tart. It was crumbly and it held hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. The baked apples slices were soft and slightly gooey. The doctor nibbled absent mindedly on the sweet dessert and his eyes were drawn to his enthusiastic alien friend. Garak was getting into the discussion. His ridges shifted and rippled with the movements of his neck and his slick scales shone in the light.
A tool for prying up brittle and slick objects…
Julian choked on a lump of brown sugar and cinnamon topping as it tickled his throat. He started coughing. Everyone turned to him. He set down his spoon and coughed into his fist after swallowing, his eyes watering.
Miles reached over and slapped him between the shoulder blades. Instead of clearing his airways, it only succeeded in making Bashir wince. "You alright?"
"Fine," the doctor gasped.
Garak handed him his untouched glass of water and the doctor drank it. Tickle abolished, he gave his Cardassian friend a searching look. His gaze was drawn to the thick scales near his friend's ridges and the layer of scales down the back of his neck where they were rigidly connected to his skin in some of the most sensitive areas of his neck. To use that blunt instrument to rip them out…it would be a very painful and bloody business.
"This dessert is sumptuous. Doctor, would you care to pass me a raspberry tart? They are positively divine."
Julian blinked and then hastened to pass the crumbly treat. As he handed the plate over, his gaze met Garak's. Despite the warm smile he received, the Cardassian's eyes were serious and more than a little somber. The look was gone in a flash and then Garak was all cheerful quips and compliments again.
Dessert was finished and feeling stuffed and contented, they took a few last minutes to chat. The doctor was quiet and the phenomenon was beginning to attract the attention of his hosts. Garak insisted that he should start heading back soon and that he would like to walk the doctor back to his quarters.
"Erm, thank you, but I don't think I need a body guard."
"But Doctor, we are behind on our discussion of our latest joint reading: Hamlet. I would like to give you my opinion before we forget about the book altogether."
Julian eventually nodded. He turned to Mrs. O'Brien. "Well, thank you for having us over and for the wonderful dinner."
"The replicator did most of the work." Keiko laughed pleasantly. "Thank you for keeping us company. I think Molly enjoyed the pumpkin carving."
Miles was busy putting smokeless candles in the pumpkins with Molly. The doctor and the tailor watched as their works came to life with flickering light. Miles saved Garak's for last, and the station and stars were illuminated against the backdrop of orange. Molly beamed and Garak blinked slowly with contentment. On that happy note, they took their leave. Only once they were a hallway junction away from the O'Briens did they start speaking to each other again.
"You really have a way with Molly," Julian said softly.
"My dear doctor, I merely did what anyone would have done and tried to help."
"Garak, about that carving tool you used..."
The tailor smiled expectantly at him as he waited for the doctor to finish the thought. They paused in the hallway.
"It looked like something you could interrogate your own species with."
Garak nodded. "It has been used for that."
"But then- you taught Molly to carve a pumpkin with a Cardassian torture device?!" Bashir's voice went high with horror.
"Doctor, would you care to keep your voice down?" Garak was casting their surroundings furtive looks.
"Why would you think of showing that thing to the O'Briens? What if Miles had recognized it?"
Elim sighed. "As much as the Chief knows about my culture, I doubt he has knowledge of what that particular instrument is used for. Before you start shouting again, I would like to add that it was not a torture device. At least, that was not the intention with which it was originally made for."
"Then what was it made for?"
"Surgical removal of scales around deep injuries for the purpose of making the area more accessible to a physician. Sometimes it is used to remove scales that grow around the joints to make us more mobile. I've applied it a few times over the years."
Julian stared at him with wide eyes as the tailor started rolling up his right sleeve.
"I know that you'll insist on seeing the result of such a procedure, so I'll satisfy your curiosity." Elim brought his arm forward and the doctor instinctively grabbed it.
The doctor had never seen the Cardassian's bare arms before. When he had brought Garak in for surgery, he had been more concerned about his brain and the Obsidian Order wire in it. He studied the arm with its shimmering and slightly translucent layer of scales extending from wrist to elbow. Some scales were thicker and larger over his brachioradialis and extensors.
Seeing Bashir's preoccupation with his muscle placement and scales, Garak redirected him. "My elbow, doctor."
Faint white lines, much like human scars, decorated his elbow in U-shaped patterns. Julian brushed his fingertips over them, squinting at the scars. Thankfully, there was no one in the corridor to watch the impromptu examination.
"A Cardassian doctor did this?"
The tailor shook his head. "It's my own work. No doubt a doctor would have left me without markings, but I didn't have the time to find one when the scales were starting to harden as they grew in."
Julian released the limb and Elim rolled his sleeve back up.
"Have you done this anywhere else?"
"Oh, here and there. Nature is seldom perfect, as you humans are familiar with. What with your umbilical cords, ingrown hair, and randomized infections." His gaze darted down to Julian's navel as though he was personally tutting the scar.
He remembered vividly the time that Julian had told him about human umbilical cords and their functions. Cardassian parents fed essential nutrients to their young through the baby's dermal absorption, but humans needed a tube connected to their abdomen to receive nutrition in the womb. A human's cord could cause all kinds of trouble during birth. Julian himself had almost been strangled by his and the cutting of it had not gone to plan. Garak had listened to the story of how his friend's life had nearly ended before it had begun with some dismay. Stillbirths occasionally occurred with Cardassians, but to hear that his friend had nearly become one was disquieting.
Nature had been kinder to their species in some instances, such as in giving them merely pesky and stiff scales. They were marvelous body armor, but when it came to covering the different joints on the body they could be unwanted. Garak had light scars on the backs of his knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows.
"I assure you that I am perfectly fine. There was no lasting damage. As much as I admire this station's décor, don't you think that we should…move on?
They had been standing and chatting for quite some time now. Julian reluctantly continued walking back to his quarters while Garak followed him. The doctor did not question why the spy was tagging along. The young man's brow was deeply furrowed.
"You look as though you have a question for me."
"Yes, but-" Julian frowned. "I don't know how you'll take it."
"Very little can surprise me."
"Have you used that tool on someone's neck during an interrogation?" Julian swallowed.
Elim glanced over at him while they walked. The doctor was sweating and his hands fidgeted nervously with his sleeves. Julian was aware of his past as an interrogator and a killer, but he somehow looked more terrified of the answer to this question than his past murderous acts.
"No."
Julian's sigh of relief was audible.
"I did some unpleasant deeds to earn an answer, but I rarely resorted to brute force or surgical pain. I preferred a psychological arena in most cases. I wish to dispense with this conversation, if you don't mind. It's not the sort of discussion one should have with a Starfleet officer."
"Ah."
"When is Halloween by chance?" Garak looked thoughtful.
"It was two days ago, but don't tell Molly."
"My lips are sealed."
They had finally arrived at Julian's door. They paused as they said their goodbyes.
"Thank you for coming to dinner tonight. I know it can't have been easy for you, what with Miles..."
"I believe that the Chief and I have reached an understanding."
"Oh, about what?" Julian tilted his head curiously.
"That in all matters we agree not to understand each other," Garak stated with the same good humor, "In all matters that do not concern you, at least."
"You're a very understanding man."
"I try."
"I'll see you early next week," Julian reminded him of their lunch meeting. "Happy belated Halloween."
"And the same to you, my dear doctor."
Julian went to bed that evening feeling a little more culturally enriched than he had previously. His mind was on the slightly battered, but cheerful Cardassian tailor who had a deep creative streak, a willingness to follow Julian in everything, and a tendency to hold onto more secrets than the doctor could ever uncover.
The End