Captain Sisko sat at his desk with steepled hands, deep in thought. He'd just recieved a communication from Starfleet Command that troubled him.

Admiral Necheyav had informed him that a certain friend of his had been found among a few not so nice people. Another 'mutual friend' of theirs had saved the first from a 'bad party'. Necheyav had assured Sisko that the first friend would be well-treated as a guest of Starfleet Command.

If Sisko had interpreted correctly (and he was certain there wasn't much other way to interpret the message), Aisling had been recovered by an operative of Starfleet Command. All of this within two days of his intial report.

Apparently Starfleet was taking this seriously, indeed, if Aisling was being held on Earth. Sisko wondered briefly how the brass was going to handle this--diplomacy or hush magic.

The door signal chimed, and Sisko made an exasperated noise, setting down the padd in his hands.

"Come in," he said.

The door opened, and Garak walked in.

"Mr. Garak," Sisko said as his eyebrows rose. "Sit," he said, gesturing to the chair.

Garak lowered himself into the chair and fixed his gaze on Sisko.

"Aisling has been found," Garak stated without preamble.

Sisko's eyebrows winged up even further.

"Mr. Garak, I'm more shocked by your ability to be blunt than I am that you know this only minutes after I found out," Sisko observed lightly.

Garak made a gesture, sort of a hybrid shrug and nod. It was an acceptance, a dismissal, and it was nothing at all.

Sisko grinned suddenly, and he stood and offered his hand to Garak.

"But I'll be damned if it's not good to see you, Garak," Sisko said, and Garak gingerly accepted the handshake.

"Likewise," Garak said, but his perturbed expression belied his discomfort at being so warmly greeted.

"So, Mr. Garak, what can I do for you? Surely, you didn't come just to tell me something I already knew? You're too smart for that."

Garak inclined his head.

"You are correct," Garak replied. "I came to express my discontent with Starfleet, as a representative of Cardassia."

Sisko blinked once, then twice, as he processed this information.

"You came to me to lodge a complaint?" Sisko said, bewildered.

"Yes," Garak said. His eyes and nostrils flared as he drew in a breath. "Aisling was my guest, a guest of the Cardassian government. I came to Deep Space Nine as a guest of Starfleet, in fact as a personal guest of two Starfleet officers. Keeping with common custom, I brought another individual with me as my guest."

Here, Garak stood and broadened his shoulders, drawing up to his full height before he continued the grand narration of his suffering and discontent.

"I cannot and will not allow the insult to stand that a Federation plot has violated the trust and good will of the Cardassian government," Garak said. "Reparations must be made. In fact, on behalf of other injured parties, I demand reparations be made for all damages and grievances recieved as a result of this travesty."

Sisko watched this tirade cautiously; Garak was acting out of turn and out of character, and Sisko wanted to know why.

"What manner of reparations do you mean?" Sisko asked in a low, carefully controlled voice.

Garak smiled, and it was vicious and keen.

"Reparations shall not be negotiated except in the arbitration of a third party, as accepted by all injured and defending parties," Garak parried, folding his hands together with a close-lipped smile.

Sisko steepled his hands and inclined his head, his eyes never leaving the other man's face.

"I'll have to speak with my superiors," Sisko replied quietly.

Garak nodded, a slight bend of the neck.

"I understand," Garak allowed. "And, Benjamin?"

Sisko's face closed at the casual familiarity.

"Yes, Mr. Garak?" he asked lightly.

"Do send your family my love," Garak said with a fierce, lopsided smile. The irony of the moment wasn't lost on Sisko, who couldn't fully stifle a grin of his own.

"Is that all, Mr. Garak?" Sisko asked.

Garak nodded, still sporting his crafty smile.

"Very well, then," Sisko said with a curt nod. "I will pass your grievances and your terms to Starfleet Command. Thank you, Mr. Garak."

Garak turned to leave, and Sisko called out to stop him.

"Oh, but there is one more thing," Sisko said.

Garak turned to him with a raised brow.

"Do you hold a title now?" Sisko asked.

Garak froze, smile pasted in place.

"Mr. Garak suits me just fine, Captain," Garak uttered softly.

"As you wish," Sisko replied with a small nod.

"Thank you, Captain," Garak said, and he walked out without another word.

XXIV END CHAPTER XXIV

Author's Notes: Oh, this chapter. I like this chapter, I don't like this chapter; but it is what it is.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!! Please, please, PLEASE be safe. Don't drink and drive, be VERY careful if you have to be on the roads today--it's gonna be crazy busy.

Last post of the year haha.