"-and I don't think that privileged boy has had a hard day's work in his entire life! I thought he could use with some ore processing anyway. He's had everything handed to him!"

It was hard for Dr. Julian Bashir not to listen in on the gossip a few tables away from him, especially because the gossip was about him. He was used to people talking about him behind his back, but he had started to consider Major Kira Nerys his friend (or at least acquaintance). It stung to hear such hard words about himself coming from her.

"Well, you didn't have to leave him there," interjected Lieutenant Jadzia Dax, her hands fidgeting around her mug of raktajino. She seemed uncomfortable with the discussion, but she wasn't necessarily leaping to Dr. Bahsir's defence. In fact, she personally agreed with Kira, though she was too nice to admit it out loud. The doctor did seem a bit too arrogant for his own good.

"Why shouldn't I? It wasn't like he was hurt at all! He's fine!"

Bashir let his eyes drift down to the cup of Tarkalean tea that sat in front of him, his eyes beginning to prick with the strain of tears threatening to release. He wasn't going to cry, especially not here. There was no use. People would always believe he had had an easy childhood. They always assumed he'd been given everything he has ever wanted or needed.

"Kira, lower your voice," Dax mumbled, her eyes darting around Quark's Bar.

"Why should I? Everybody agrees with me!" Kira looked around and her eyes landed on Chief Miles O'Brien, who had just walked in to meet Julian for lunch.

"Chief, don't you agree that Dr. Bashir has had it good his entire life?"

O'Brien looked uncomfortable, especially since he had spotted Julian sitting in the back of the bar watching the whole conversation unfold.

"I think you need to give the man a little more credit," Miles finally said, hoping the Major would drop the argument.

"You can tell me the truth, Chief. I know you can't stand the man-"

That was the moment Julian Bashir decided to walk over. If no one was going to defend him, then he had no choice but to do it himself.

"I'd stop now, Major. You don't know a damn thing you're talking about," the doctor said, his eyes squinted in anger and his voice holding steady.

"Doctor, were you listening this entire time?" Dax asked, but Julian ignored her.

Kira looked up at the doctor. There was no flash of surprise on her face. She hid it very well.

"You don't know what it's like to suffer, Doctor," Kira sneered, standing to meet the chief medical officer eye to eye. "You don't know what it's like to be a slave. You'll never know."

There was a crowd watching at this point, but Julian didn't notice. He was only focused on Kira. "You are not the only person who has suffered. The sooner you realize that the better off you will be."

Julian began to walk away, but Kira's voice stopped him. "What have you suffered from? A bad mark on an Academy test?"

"Kira, stop," Dax said, placing hands on the Bajoran woman's shoulders.

Julian turned, his eyes filled with fire. "Won't you see."

He turned, exiting the bar, leaving Kira only slightly stunned.