A darker, more twisted version of 'Chrysalis' with an uncertain ending.

It had taken Julian several days to be over his flu enough to resume his duties during which time Julian kept a log of Ricky's interactions with people and things. He had also asked Keiko for insight, as she was a teacher and she had agreed with him that Ricky was showing signs of developmental delay. She had watched Ricky and Yoshi interact and she had seen the developmental differences between the two.

Now that Julian was healthy, he found himself sitting in sickbay and watching as Dr. Girani ran tests on Ricky. Unfortunately, Ricky didn't enjoy being on the biobed much and kept trying to squirm off of it.

"Maybe if we were to try having him sit on your lap, it might be easier to get accurate results," Dr. Girani spoke in a distressed voice, frowning at Julian. "Do you think he'd focus better that way?"

Before Julian could reply, a beeping sound filled the room, "Ensign Nog to Doctor Bashir," Nog's voice spoke in a confused voice. "I…I need to talk to you in the corridor about something…"

"I'll be right back," Julian spoke, sighing as he got up. "Maybe try some music. He likes that."

Dr. Girani nodded and Julian walked out into the corridor, frowning when he didn't see Nog or anyone else around, "Nog?" he called out in a confused voice. "Nog, are you hiding from me?"

Down the corridor, Odo, who had heard Julian call for Nog, began walking in Julian's direction to see what the problem was. He knew that Nog was on duty elsewhere that day and was concerned if Julian was all right. He also wanted to check on Ricky, as he knew that the little one was in Sickbay.

Suddenly, Julian felt someone grab him from behind, "I've got him!" a voice hissed. "Energize!"

As Julian and his hidden assailant dematerialized, alarms began to blare throughout the station and Odo hurried to the spot where Julian had vanished from, "Odo to Sisko," Odo said, tapping his combadge.

"…He looks so much younger and thinner in person. Does he have the right parts to carry a child?"

Clicks filled Julian's ears and he tried to sit up to see what was going on, but he felt himself bound in place by both his wrists and a stasis field. He could feel something cold underneath him and he could see a large circular light overhead. Where was he? This wasn't anywhere he recognized.

"There's no need to be afraid, Doctor Bashir," a voice suddenly said. "You're quite safe."

A female appeared in view of Julian, "I'm Doctor Karen Loews," the woman spoke calmly as she produced a stylus. "We caught wind of the cure you were working on to help Sarina Douglas and we have it here, but she wants something more. She knows you can carry children…she cannot."

"Where am I?" Julian spoke in a scared voice. "I…I had been working on a cure for Sarina, but…"

Dr. Loews nodded, "We're sending a message to Deep Space Nine that we've got you and will release you in exchange for your work and your help," she responded. "In the meantime, Sarina wants you to serve as a surrogate for her child and she has communicated that you are the best choice…"

"What?!" Julian replied anxiously as he fought to try and escape. "I…I can't be a surrogate!"

A weird noise suddenly filled the air, "Doctor Bashir, this is Ensign Nog," emitted through the air.

"Stealing a voice log from the station and using it to lure you was Jack's idea," Dr. Loews spoke, a smirk on her face as Jack suddenly came into view holding a recorder. "It worked beautifully."

Julian frowned, "Why me?" he asked in a confused voice. "I wasn't born with the Carrier ability…"

"You being an Augment who was surgically altered by the Dominion has created quite the stir among the medical and scientific circles," Dr. Loews spoke in an intrigued voice, a smile on her face. "We want to impregnate you and also study how the Dominion made you such a viable Carrier. If our study proves successful, it could change the basis by which reproduction is done and perhaps the Federation will find value in us. So many have been lost in the course of the war and they need to be replaced…"

The stasis field suddenly deactivated and Julian swore loudly as a surgical frame covered him from the chest down, "You're not doing this!" he shouted anxiously. "I don't want to be a surrogate for Sarina!"

"It's good that the medical facilities remained intact at Elemspur despite the prison no longer being in use," Dr. Loews spoke in a calm voice, purposely ignoring Julian's protests. "Lauren, do you have it?"

Lauren came into view and handed Dr. Loews a needle and a container, "Sarina is happy about this," she explained in a calm voice, a smile on her face. "Do you think we should put Doctor Bashir to sleep so he won't be upset? If Sarina sees him upset about helping her, she will get into one of her moods."

"That's a wise idea," Dr. Loews replied calmly. "Find me a sedative so Bashir can go to sleep."

Within minutes, Lauren had located a hypospray containing a sedative and handed it to Dr. Loews.

"Say goodnight, Doctor Bashir," Dr. Loews said as she injected the sedative into Julian's neck.

"We do not wish to harm Doctor Bashir, but we want the research and technology he developed to help Sarina Douglas out of her catalepsy," Dr. Loews spoke on a screen in the war room where Sisko, Odo, Kira, Miles, Worf, Nog, and Ezri sat after being alerted to Julian's abduction by Odo. "The research is valuable to us and we know Doctor Bashir is valuable to you. We'll consider it a fair exchange…"

Captain Sisko sighed heavily, "Do we know the source of this transmission?" he asked somberly.

"It appeared not long after Doctor Bashir was beamed from the corridor," Odo explained in a distressed voice. "I had heard him calling for Nog and then I saw him being grabbed from behind, but they remained in the shadows. I didn't see who had grabbed Doctor Bashir, but I saw the beam-out."

Miles sighed, "Whoever did it left traces," he commented, offering a PADD of an analysis he had done after Odo had alerted them to Julian's abduction. "They have DNA patterns similar to Julian's in that they've been genetically modified. There was also some sort of trace from their boots…"

Odo pressed a few buttons on his PADD, revealing a security video of Julian suddenly being grabbed from behind by a shadowy figure and beamed away, "Security feeds managed to get this," he explained in a concerned voice. "A sweep also revealed the substance to be some sort of soil on Bajor…"

"Bajor?" Kira replied, frowning. "Why would anyone want to beam Julian to Bajor?"

For a moment, Worf was quiet and then he let out a sigh, "Doctor Bashir has been under increased scrutiny by different communities ever since his procedure at the internment camp was made public by Doctor Zimmerman and Starfleet," he explained solemnly. "It is possible that this Doctor and the Augments she brought to the station a year ago want to take advantage of the doctor's uniqueness…"

"Wait, Worf, are you saying that they want to explore Julian's extra parts and treat him as if he's some sort of experiment?" Miles asked, his expression aghast. "My God, he was already put through agony at the internment camp and he's just barely gotten over that! What if they end up killing him?!"

Odo quickly pulled up his readings on the soil, "According to this, the soil itself is of Cardassian origin, but it's mixed with Bajoran dirt," he explained as Garak entered the room. "Ah, Garak…"

"I just heard that Doctor Bashir was abducted!" Garak stated coldly. "Why are none of you…?"

Captain Sisko sighed and Garak suddenly looked at the screen where Odo's readings were, "That's soil from the old Cardassian road to Elemspur Detention Center on Bajor," Garak realized in a concerned voice, frowning at the screen. "Why are you all sitting around looking at this when Doctor Bashir…?"

"That must be where he's being held by the other Augments," Miles realized anxiously. "But why?"

Ezri frowned, "If we just go in without a plan, we could cause more harm to him," she reasoned softly.

"We'll contact this Doctor Loews and offer the work that Doctor Bashir put into trying to help Sarina Douglas in exchange for Doctor Bashir's safe return," Captain Sisko spoke firmly, his expression concerned because he felt bad that his CMO was in very real danger. "Can we contact Doctor Loews through the message she sent? I want to see that Doctor Bashir is alive before we make an agreement."

Miles quickly got up and went over to the communications terminal, "I can establish a connection and hopefully, we can reach them," he replied in a concerned voice. "I just hope Julian's all right."

"Sarina, stop getting anxious," Julian heard a firm voice speak. "It will take some time before we know if the procedure worked. In the meantime, we can study Doctor Bashir and what he's become…"

A wave of dizziness enveloped Julian as he woke and found himself laying on the same table without any restraints binding him there. He suddenly felt himself being sat up and facing Dr. Loews and Lauren while Sarina sat nearby in her chair, smiling at him while she wrote on her tablet.

"The procedure and analysis are over, Doctor Bashir," Dr. Loews spoke in a calm voice as she produced a cup of water and held it to his lips. "Drink this. It should help you wake up a little."

Julian accepted the water and he sighed, "We've sent a message to Deep Space Nine requesting your research and technology to help Sarina," Dr. Loews spoke calmly. "Hopefully, they respond."

Swallowing hard, Julian attempted to stand, but was overcome by extreme shakiness and pain rocketing throughout his body, "I conducted some exploratory surgery during the procedure," Dr. Loews explained in a concerned voice, frowning at Julian. "You should really rest as much as possible…"

The sound of a comms system suddenly filled the air as Julian forced himself into a standing position and looked around for an exit. He was sore, dizzy, and beginning to feel disoriented, but he wanted to get away from these individuals even if it took every bit of strength and ability he had.

Julian could see a door and began moving towards it, but Jack blocked his path. He launched himself at the man, desperate and anxious to escape alive. Suddenly, however, Julian felt a phaser against his head and found himself facing a screen that had Captain Sisko on it, "Give us the research and the technology or else Bashir dies!" Lauren hissed anxiously. "We've already had our fun with him!"

"Doctor, are you all right?" Captain Sisko asked worriedly. "They're demanding…"

Julian exhaled weakly, "Send the research and technology here, Captain," he replied in as steady a voice as he could manage. "I'll be able to help Sarina and that's all they really want me to do."

Captain Sisko gave Julian a hard look, "The station might be safer," he offered. "Would they…?"

"No, Captain Sisko, send the supplies!" Jack shouted angrily. "Sarina needs the help now!"

Dr. Loews sighed, "Jack, enough!" she snapped. "It will take time for the supplies to arrive!"

"There's more of a chance that Sarina can be helped on the station," Julian spoke in a shaky voice. "I…wherever I am isn't clean and I need my supplies. Captain, if you beam Sarina and I…"

Noise suddenly filled the room as the supplies appeared out of thin air, "We know where you are," Captain Sisko spoke in a firm voice. "One call to Bajoran authorities will…"

"Captain, please, I have to see this through," Julian pled weakly. "Send me my research…"

Kira suddenly came into view and whispered something to Sisko, "I have a compromise," Sisko spoke again in a calmer tone. "You bring Doctor Bashir back here and you'll be safe on the station until he is able to help Sarina with his cure research. We'll discuss your charges once she has been helped."

Dr. Loews sighed, "Very well," she replied calmly. "We have a runabout and we'll get us all there."

Before Sisko could reply, Dr. Loews cut the transmission and was immediately greeted to Jack and Patrick protesting, "Enough!" she replied firmly. "Us hand-delivering Doctor Bashir back to the station will allow us to study him further! Get Sarina and get our runabout and disguises ready!"

Julian, meanwhile, remained rooted to the spot because he couldn't believe what he had done. He had sacrificed his own safety in order to further medical research and was now putting everyone on the station, including Garak and his son, in harm's way. What was wrong with him that he did that?

"Are you going to come quietly or would you prefer a sedative?" Dr. Loews spoke into his ear.

Swallowing hard, Julian hung his head and resigned himself to the fact that he was nothing more than an experiment to these people. He was nothing more than someone to be easily taken advantage of.

"Doctor?" Julian heard Dr. Loews ask in a quiet voice. "I need to know what you want."

In all honesty, Julian thought, he wanted to be knocked out because he wasn't feeling well and wanted to rest. He knew, however, that he had to appear healthy so that the crew wouldn't do anything drastic.

"I'll come quietly," Julian replied in a subdued voice as he followed Dr. Loews to his doom.

The docking area was cleared and the Promenade was silent because Captain Sisko had locked all the civilians down in their quarters and had closed all of the shops in preparation for the arrival of Dr. Loews, Jack, Patrick, Lauren, Sarina, and Dr. Bashir. He wanted things to go smoothly and quietly.

Instead of going to his quarters quietly, however, Garak was waiting in the shadows and had no intention of leaving Bashir's side. He was carrying a paper book that was actually Odo in disguise, as the two of them had discussed being there for Julian without bringing harm to him. Garak had first made sure Ricky was safe with Keiko, Molly, and Kirayoshi before taking his idea to the senior staff.

Sisko, Ezri, Miles, Worf, Nog, and Kira were all waiting on the Bridge and were monitoring a security feed that was tied into Sickbay to see exactly what the Institute Augments and Dr. Loews planned to make Julian do. They also knew that something had happened on Bajor, but they didn't know what.

As the docking door opened and Julian stepped out into the Promenade, he was surprised to see Garak standing there with a paper book in hand, "My dear Julian, welcome home," he spoke warmly, an unusually charming expression on his face. "I thought I would greet you with a gift."

"Who's the Cardassian?" Dr. Loews asked coldly as she, Jack, Patrick, and Lauren came on to the Promenade with the wheelchair-bound Sarina in tow. "Why is the Promenade quiet?"

Julian eyed Garak nervously before swallowing hard and walking over to him, "A paper book from the most considerate tailor in the world," he spoke, a false cheeriness in his voice as he flashed a smile at Garak. "Doctor Loews, surely it's not unusual for one's lover to greet them when they've been away?"

"You took a Cardassian as a lover?!" Dr. Loews replied in a disgusted voice. "Why?!"

Jack scoffed, "Sarina," he spoke anxiously. "We need to get her to the infirmary and get working!"

"I'm sorry, Elim, but I have to go," Julian spoke in the same false voice. "Thank you for the…"

Garak scoffed, "I can help you, my dear," he interrupted in a gentle firmness. "I'll be your nurse."

It was then that Julian realized that Garak had a plan and that the book might not be just an ordinary book. The station had obviously planned how to deal with this unexpected situation and Garak's little act was a way to tell him that. It was more than likely that Odo was masquerading as Garak's 'gift.'

"That will actually be very helpful since it's the station's hour of rest and prayer," Julian lied softly.

The group didn't look happy that Garak would be coming with them, but Julian silently led the way to the infirmary before they could protest. They settled Sarina on the bed and Julian quietly got what he had prepared together. He was feeling even worse now, despite the cup of water given to him at Elemspur, and knew it was only a matter of time before he crashed from the trauma done to him.

"Get on with it!" Dr. Loews hissed angrily, glaring at him. "You have all your supplies, yes?"

Garak lingered nearby with the disguised Odo, both of them well aware that Julian had been tortured and was on the verge of crashing. Julian, however, nodded and silently began to get to work quickly prepping and then beginning to use his research and tools to try and make Sarina well.

What seemed like an eternity later, Julian was finally finished the procedure and Sarina was resting comfortably and she was stable. He, however, was on the verge of passing out from pain and shock.

Dr. Loews and the other Augments were focused on Sarina, so Julian took a step back and leaned against the wall for support, "Why isn't it working?!" Jack snapped, glaring daggers at Julian.

Julian, however, didn't respond because he was spent. Jack took that as Julian not caring and advanced towards him ready to attack, but Odo suddenly morphed and got in front of Julian.

"That's enough!" Odo shouted angrily, drawing his phaser. "You're all under arrest!"

Garak gently pulled Julian out of the way and gasped when Julian promptly passed out in his arms.

I never got the chance to talk to Doctor Bashir and apologize for what I said about him and his son after Jadzia's death. Captain Sisko thought regretfully as he entered the infirmary five days after the abduction and found Miles sitting beside Julian's bed with Ricky in his lap while Nurse Jabara worked nearby. Julian lay in bed unconscious, covered by drip feeds, a breathing mask, a blanket, and pajamas.

"Chief, how is Doctor Bashir today?" Captain Sisko asked cautiously as he approached the bed.

Miles sighed, "Still unconscious, but he's slowly coming out of it, I think," he replied solemnly, a concerned expression on his face. "I thought bringing Ricky in and having him close would help."

"Starfleet's furious that this happened and they've ordered the Augments back to the Institute unless Doctor Bashir decides to press charges or doesn't make it," Captain Sisko stated worriedly, frowning. "Odo has them in secured guest quarters and Doctor Loews is monitoring Sarina. Why would they…?"

The monitor suddenly blipped and Julian's eyes slowly opened, "Julian?" Miles spoke worriedly, watching as his friend gazed around the room and finally focused on him, Sisko, and Ricky. "Hey."

Nurse Jabara checked the monitor before removing the breather from Julian's face, as she could see that his vitals were improving rapidly, "Doctor?" Captain Sisko asked worriedly, frowning.

"Ricky's safe," Julian breathed in a weak voice. "I was so worried coming back here would…"

Miles nodded, "Garak got him from Doctor Girani after we found out you'd been abducted and took him to Keiko for safeguarding," he explained calmly. "And your captors are being held…"

"Starfleet's been told what happened to you and they want them shipped back to the Institute unless you decide to press charges," Captain Sisko explained in a concerned voice. "You were hurt badly."

Julian nodded, "I can't remember a lot of it," he admitted groggily. "I was sedated…"

"You were operated on and injected with a mess of chemicals, but we're not sure how they'll affect you long-term," Nurse Jabara explained in a gentle voice. "Constable Odo's been trying to find out…"

Julian sighed weakly, "Can someone go tell Garak that I'm awake?" he asked groggily. "He's probably hiding in his shop, sewing up a storm to calm himself. I'm sure he's been very worried about me."

"Garak's been spending his nights here," Captain Sisko spoke calmly. "Odo's noticed that."

Julian suddenly began to feel tired and self-conscious, "I'm getting tired," he spoke softly.

"Let's clear out so Julian can rest," Miles spoke softly. "It's time for Ricky's supper anyway."

Once Miles, Ricky, and Sisko were gone, Julian closed his eyes to sleep and so Nurse Jabara moved off to another part of the infirmary. Time passed and suddenly, Julian felt a hand touch his abdomen and he was stunned to see Sarina standing over him upon opening his eyes. She was smiling at him as if he were some toy she wanted to collect. Fear filled his heart, but he didn't know how to respond.

"It's so beautiful," Sarina spoke in a sweet voice as she placed her hand on Julian's abdomen and stroked it tenderly. "You're carrying my baby and they'll be so beautiful…just like you."

Julian shakily sat up, forcing Sarina to move her hand, "Please leave me alone," he spoke softly, his expression scared. "I can't trust that you won't hurt me. After what happened on Bajor…"

Sarina looked surprised, "You offered to carry my child," she replied in a sweet voice.

"I did not!" Julian replied anxiously, fear in his voice and expression. "I was kidnapped, beamed to some strange Sickbay, and sedated before being operated on. I had absolutely no choice in the…!"

Sarina suddenly looked as if someone had slapped her, "Kidnapped?" she replied in a confused, slightly hurt voice as her expression fell into one of sorrow. "Doctor Loews said you volunteered to…"

Julian froze as Sarina teared up and quickly forced him to his feet, "It doesn't matter now even if you didn't volunteer," she spoke in an anxious voice. "Let me take you away from here so I can have you and our child in peace. We don't need Doctor Loews, Jack, Patrick, or Lauren anymore…"

"What are you doing in here?!" Nurse Jabara spoke sharply, coming back as she suddenly noticed Sarina trying to get Julian out of bed and out of the infirmary. "Leave now or I'll call Security."

Julian cringed, "Nurse Jabara, please, I don't want anything bad to happen to you," he protested weakly as a wave of fatigue and a headache hit him enough that he touched his forehead. "I…I'm fine."

Before Nurse Jabara could protest, Julian felt Sarina lead him from the infirmary and into the corridor that had darkened with the change in the day. He didn't want to go with her, but he suddenly felt like he had no choice. She seemed to be doing much better and who knew what her capabilities really were?

If I refuse, she could harm Ricky or Garak or everyone else I care about. Julian thought as she led him down the Promenade. If he simply shut up and let her get on with things, he would most likely live and Ricky would be safe. He didn't care what happened to him as long as his son was safe.

Sarina was suddenly talking to him again, but the walking made Julian feel so tired and he could either focus on the walking or on Sarina's talking. His weakened body and tired mind wouldn't let him do both and it frustrated him. What exactly had been done to him in that strange torture chamber?

Everything suddenly stopped and Julian felt himself being enveloped by Sarina's anxious arms, "…That's far enough!" Odo's voice suddenly echoed through the air. "Let Doctor Bashir go now!"

Julian suddenly became aware of his surroundings just in time to see Sarina let out an anxious sob as an armed Odo and anxious looking Garak approached them, "He's….m-mine…" Sarina trembled softly.

Was Sarina regressing because of what he had said? Julian feared. He hoped she didn't regress.

"Sarina, please, I can't go with you," Julian spoke in a quiet voice as he turned her to face him and saw her entire form trembling anxiously while tears brimmed in her reddened eyes. "Sarina…"

Sarina whimpered, "What if the procedure worked?" she asked weakly. "I…I want to know."

Odo's eyes widened as he reached the two, "Procedure?!" he asked abruptly. "What procedure?"

Shaking his head, as he wasn't about to tell Odo what they had done to him, Julian shakily moved back down the corridor in his hospital pajamas. Garak hurried after him, but Julian kept walking until he eventually stopped and clung to a wall for support because he was tired and beginning to hurt a bit.

Garak silently approached Julian and gently led Julian back to the infirmary. Nurse Jabara was waiting for them and gave the doctor a worried look, "Doctor Bashir?" she asked softly. "Are you all right?"

"I want to go back to my quarters," Julian spoke in a shaky voice. "It's been a really long day."

Garak sighed, "You should have time to rest and clear your head," he spoke softly. "I'll stay…"

Julian sat on the biobed, but didn't lie down, "I can't sleep here," he mused in a tired voice.

"Let me give you some medicine and then we'll figure something out," Nurse Jabara said softly.

It was nearly midnight before Nurse Jabara felt right about releasing Julian to Garak's care because Julian's headache persisted even with medicine. Truth be told, Julian was scared to walk the corridors for fear he might run into Sarina and the Augments and he didn't want anything to do with them.

Garak had walked alongside him the entire way back to the Habitat Ring and Julian had made him wait in the living room while he changed into his own pajamas in the privacy of his bathroom. The procedures, whatever had been involved with them, had left scars and intense internal discomfort.

After what seemed like an eternity, Julian emerged from his bathroom in his pajamas, "Garak, if you want to get some rest, you can go," he spoke in a weak voice. "Ricky's at the O'Briens and I…"

"Do you not recall Nurse Jabara saying you shouldn't be left on your own tonight?" Garak replied as he rose from the couch and walked over to where Julian was standing and trembling. "You're still in shock and need to be carefully observed for tonight at least. I won't be surprised if you need more time…"

Julian scoffed weakly, "I just need something for the pain and a good sleep," he argued groggily.

"I will call Constable Odo if you don't listen to medical orders, Doctor," Garak replied firmly, giving Julian a look that indicated he was not easily intimidated. "I'll get you your medkit, but you're going to bed and resting. I'll get you whatever you need, but you are going to get some actual rest."

A troubled expression filled Julian's face, "Sarina chose me as a surrogate," he spoke in a hollow, disgusted voice, his expression pained. "Garak, I just barely started watching Ricky for developmental delays and all of a sudden, I'm on an operating table being studied and given strange drugs and I…!"

"So you might end up being pregnant again?" Garak asked in a confused voice, frowning at Julian.

Julian nodded and he hugged himself anxiously, "Ricky's still young and even though having those organs the Dominion gave me removed would probably kill me, I'm not looking to have another child," he spoke in a shaky voice, his body trembling as he began to pace. "Ricky is enough and I…I can't…"

Tears filled Julian's eyes and he exhaled shakily, "I was violated even worse than I was in the internment camp and I don't feel well enough to make sense as to why," he wept shakily, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "This is too much for me to handle, but I have to get myself under…"

Garak's eyes widened as Julian went for the medkit he kept on a shelf and rummaged through it until he found a painkiller hypo, "This…even if I am….it should be safe," Julian spoke shakily, exhaling so quickly and intensely that he thought he would vomit all over the place. "My hand's shaking…"

"Give me the hypospray and go sit in bed," Garak said calmly. "You really do need to rest."

Julian relinquished the item and retreated to bed, feeling intense relief when he was laying in bed with Kukulaka in his arms. He felt helpless, scared, overwhelmed, and violated beyond reason, but he knew he needed to rest and clear his mind. Ricky needed him back and the station needed its CMO back, so he had to toughen up.

A noise suddenly filled the room indicating that someone was at the door, but Julian remained motionless in bed with Kukulaka. Garak, however, pocketed the hypo and answered the comm instead because he knew Julian wouldn't, "This is Garak," Garak said in an annoyed voice, tapping the computer. "What is it?"

"This is Odo," Odo's grim voice replied. "I alerted Captain Sisko to the news and he asked the group to leave after he heard what Sarina attempted to do. I need to talk to Doctor Bashir about the incidents."

Garak sighed, "Not tonight, Constable," he replied firmly, scowling at the comm. "He's resting."

"Of course I'm not going to talk to him tonight, but I need to at some point," Odo replied grimly. "How is he?"

Garak rolled his eyes, "How would you feel if you were kidnapped, tortured, and then someone tried to make off with you once you were back on the station?" he asked crossly, his expression annoyed. "He's…I'm not sure."

"Do you want a Security detail outside of Doctor Bashir's quarters for tonight?" Odo asked gruffly.

Garak responded by ending the call and going to Julian's room, only to find Julian silently rocking while clutching Kukulaka to his chest. An expression of pain and helplessness filled the young doctor's face.

"Would you like your medicine now, Doctor?" Garak asked in a quiet voice. "I have it all ready for you."

Julian exhaled shakily, "I suppose," he spoke in a subdued voice. "I'm just feeling so cold and weak."

Garak quietly prepared the hypospray and gently administered it to Julian's neck before helping Julian to lie down flat, "It should work right away," the Cardassian soothed even though he was unsure if it would.

"Will…will you stay?" Julian asked in a weak, groggy voice, his expression filled with intense fear.

Garak responded by leaving the room briefly and returned dragging an armchair that he could reasonably rest in so that Julian could have the bed to himself. He wouldn't mind sharing the bed with Julian, but not under such terrible circumstances. It wouldn't be right to invade Julian's space like that after today, Garak silently reasoned.

"Are you going to be uncomfortable?" Julian asked groggily, fighting sleep as he watched Garak sit in the chair.

Garak sighed, "My dear doctor, I will be fine," he replied as he adjusted the chair and extended the ottoman so he could rest his legs and work on his personal PADD once Julian was asleep. "You're fighting sleep."

"I'm afraid to sleep," Julian admitted in a groggy voice, eyeing Garak. "I want to wake up again."

Garak nodded, "You will wake up again and hopefully, you'll be feeling better than you are now," he replied.

"Computer, increase the heat in the room another 10 degrees," Julian mumbled. "I'm so cold, Garak…"

Garak sighed and pulled his PADD from his pocket, "I know you want me to cuddle you, but it wouldn't be right of me to do in the state that you're in," he stated in a gentle, but firm voice. "I won't take advantage of you."

"Will you read to me at least?" Julian mumbled sleepily as he began to let his eyes close. "You read well."

Garak nodded and looked for a novel on his PADD, "That, I can certainly do," he replied in a gentle voice.