Chapter 11

A few days later, I was eating lunch with Julian when I overheard Sisko, Kassidy, Jake, and Ezri talking about going to "Vic's" tonight.

"Julian, what is 'Vic's'?" I asked.

My friend swallowed the food in his mouth. "Well, Victor Fontaine, or Vic, is a holosuite program. He's a singer from 1960's Earth. He's not like any other program. He's sentient and self-conscious."

"So, it-he knows that he is a hologram?"

"He does. We also recently gave him a permanent life. We leave his program running all the time. He can also use the communication system on this station, as Odo and Kira found out."

"Who had Vic made?"

Julian smiled. "I did. Do you want to go?"

"What do people do there?"

"We listen to the music, and, sometimes, we dance."

I thought for a moment. "I want to go."

"Good. Just try to wear something a bit more formal."

"I shall try."

Julian glanced at his chronometer. "I've got to go back to work. I'll see you at 2000 hours."

"Agreed," I responded.

I walked through the Promenade, my thoughts on later tonight. Dancing, Julian had said. I knew what dancing was- moving your body to music- but I did not know if I could do it. Still, if I were to live in the Alpha Quadrant, I would have to learn certain things.

"Tengu," Garak's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned as the Cardassian approached me. He said, "Come with me. I have something to give you."

I followed Garak to his shop and into a back room. He handed me a white clothing box. "This is for you. You may open it now."

I opened the box and pulled out a white ankle-length dress, embroidered with a Skonian pattern in gold. There was a split on the left side going up to the knee. There was only one word to describe the dress.

"It is beautiful," I breathed before putting it back in the box.

"You can judge beauty now?" Garak inquired.

"I am learning. Thank you," I said, picking up the box.

"It was no problem."

I bowed and took my leave, going to deliver my daily report on the status of Dominion plans. Then I went to my quarters to meditate.

My mind kept drifting to Julian Bashir. I now slept in his bed with him every now. Doing so kept my mind at peace. He did not care that people talked about our 'secret sexual relationship.' Whatever that meant.

I knocked on his door at 2000 hours, dressed in the white gold-embroidered dress. Julian opened the door, dressed in a suit and matching hat. Upon seeing me, he took a step back to get a good look at me.

"You look…" he swallowed. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," I bowed.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded. Julian stepped out the door and offered me his arm. I took it and we made our way to the holosuite above Quark's Bar.

I had never been in a holoroom of any type before. It astounded me how real everything seemed. A moment after we entered, a white-haired Human male singer on the stage came over to us.

"Hey, Pallie," he said to Julian. "Haven't seen you for a while."

"Been keeping busy."

"Who's your lady friend?"

"Vic, this is Tengu. Tengu, this is Vic Fontaine."

I held my hand out in the traditional Human greeting, half-expecting Vic's hand to pass through mine when we shook hands. I was a bit surprised when his hand did not.

Vic smiled as he said, "Nice to meet you Tengu."

I bowed my head in reply.

The 'Lounge Lizard,' as Julian had described him, asked, "Any requests?"

"I am not familiar with any type of music," I admitted.

Vic was taken aback. "Not familiar with music? I'll soon fix that. Julian?"

"Give me what you got, Vic."

The holographic man nodded before going back onstage. Julian and I sat down at the table closest to the stage. My eyes closed as soon as the band started playing. The music filled me like the Force. Then, when Vic started singing, I completely relaxed. Julian quietly said my name when the first song ended and the second began.

I opened my eyes. Julian was standing in front of me, his hand outstretched. "May I have this dance?"

"Of course," I responded, laying my hand in his. I let him lead me around the dance floor, our bodies moving in unison. At the end, he dipped me backwards, coinciding with the end of the song.

The third song was a slow ballad. For this one, I put my arms around Julian's neck and he put his around my waist. In the middle of the dance, I stumbled and looked down at my feet.

"No, don't look down," Julian instructed. "Look up at me."

An embarrassed sort of sound came from my mouth. I felt my facial expression change. I looked up to Julian's face. His eyes went wide.

"Tengu, you're smiling," he told me in awe.

"I am?"

"And you laughed."

"I did," I realized. "I am feeling not only content being here with you. I feel happy, joyful."

Julian's smile broadened as he stroked my face with the back of his hand. I glanced over at the door when it slid open. Sisko, Kassidy, Jake, and Ezri walked in wearing period clothing like Julian's. I faced Julian and continued our dance.

Once the song ended, Julian kissed my hand and led us back to our table. There was still a smile on my face, my top teeth showing. Vic jumped down from the stage and clapped his hands in applause. Everyone else joined in.

"That was a pretty good dance from someone unfamiliar with music," Vic complimented.

"Thank you. It was fun. I had fun," I replied.

"I hope you're not tired yet," said the singer.

"Far from it," Sisko spoke up.