Everyone and anything almost lived at Vic's lounge on the Holosuite. Since Julian had invited Myles and most of the senior officers along, the word about it had spread like wildfire. Vic was surprised by how many people came along with only two passes lent out by Quark. True it was good for business and he did like a crowd when performing. Plus if it took everyone's minds off of the Dominion war, he was all too happy to oblige.
It had been a busy night already when Julian and Myles entered the longue after a long day of duties. Vic had just finished one of his songs when he noticed the two men stride in. He smiled as he walked over to greet them, also happy to get a break for a moment or two.
"Hey Vic busy night." Julian said looking around the crowd gathered.
"Something like that." Vic said, yawning and somewhat of a raspy voice.
"When did you last have a break? You look exhausted and as a doctor I need to know so don't brush me off." Julian almost sounded like a warning.
"I had a rest a few hours ago." Vic smiled.
"How long is a few hours?" Myles supported Julian.
Vic looked the two men in the eye. Both of them weren't going to give up questioning him. Maybe it had been more than a few.
"Seven… I think." Vic said, closing his eyes ready to be shouted at.
"VIC!" Julian and Myles shouted in unison.
The whole bar turned to face the three men when they shouted this. Vic smiled and chuckled it off so they could all turn back to their evening. The band was a bit concerned but got back to tuning their instruments, waiting for Vic to return to the stage.
"Keep your voices down!" Vic hissed, as he showed Julian and Myles over to a table that was free.
"Seven hours since your last break though Vic. Have you been that busy?!" Myles sounded worried.
"It's nothing. Just a few more hours than usual, it's fine." Vic waved his hand.
"I'm going to tell Quark to give you a few hours off. Either that or we send you straight to your room." Julian commanded.
"I can't do that but everyone is expecting the bar to be open and do you really think Quark will let that happen with all the business it is bringing?!" Vic wiped his brow.
"Vic if you're tired…" Myles tried to speak.
"I'm not tired! I just wish you two would stop worrying. You do have a war going on you know."
"Yes we are very well aware." Julian sighed as he thought back to the world outside the holosuite doors.
Vic could see both men were as equally tired as they were saying he was. Both of them had large dark rings under their eyes and lines were beginning to form across their faces.
"Alright Vic you win." Julian smirked.
"There we go. Now what can I do for you gentlemen?"
"Just came in to listen to you." Julian leant back in his seat.
Vic could already tell what song he was going to sing before he got to the stage. He nodded at the band and they started up. They started to play and Julian & Myles already knew they loved the song.
"How did he know?" Myles exclaimed quietly.
"Who knows. It's Vic." Julian shrugged.
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Once Vic's setlist had finished, the bar began to get less busy as the night set in. Julian and Myles were among three others when Vic finished. Vic was happy to see that he could finally get some rest as they were now gone.
"Nice show Vic." Julian yawned walking to the door of the holosuite.
"I'm glad you two liked it. Now get some rest you hear." Vic pointed at them to make sure they heard him.
"You too. Otherwise we'll send Nog in here after you." Julian pointed back.
Vic just smiled and waved. He said goodnight to the band and the bar staff and the last few customers.
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Julian woke in the middle of the night. True in the middle of space, no one really knew what time of day it was. Anyway, Julian sat up and took a deep breath. It seemed as though the war was getting to him. All he really needed right now was a break and he knew exactly where to get it.
He walked along the long corridors of the Deep space Nine. He finally found the bar and saw a familiar face.
"And what are you doing here Chief O'Brien?" Julian made Myles jump as he sneaked up on him.
"Don't shout like that." Myles rubbed his forehead.
"Can't sleep?"
"Yeah. Plus Sisco needs loads of work putting into the Defiant so work never dulls for the wicked."
"I wonder if Vic would sing us another tune."
Myles frowned a little when Julian suggested this. Julian was a little surprised by this. Vic was normally the go to place when they were down. What's changed now?
"What's up? You haven't gone off Vic's singing have you? You know how mad he'll be if you say that." Julian said.
"It's not that. It's just I thought we were going to let Vic have a few hours off." Myles said looking over to the holosuites.
"I know that. Now come on what do you say?"
Myles thought about it for a few moments. He then nodded as Julian was already headed over to the bar. Quark was there as per usual, Rom had said after the big bome of business he didn't want to leave. Rom on the other hand knew better and went to sleep after the last patrol by Odo ended.
"If he's tired, then we'll leave him until tomorrow." Julian promised Myles.
"Fine but if he is tired then we'll let him be."
Julian and Myles made their way to the holosuite. Vic might not be too happy to see them at first but they were sure Vic would soon come round.
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The holosuite opened on to Vic's bar which was quiet. Must have been closing time. The band gathered around the piano but Vic wasn't there. Must have taken their advice and got some rest. They were still slightly worried about him though.
"Do you know where Vic is?" Myles asked one of the band members.
"He's in his room. Said you had ordered him to get some rest." The person responded.
"Thanks." Julian said leaving for the door to where Vic's room was supposed to be.
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Julian knocked on the door of Vic's room. No response came which was never a good sign. The last time Vic didn't answer was when he was ruffed up by some thugs that had taken over the bar. Everything was in the same place back in the bar so nothing like that had gone wrong.
"Vic? It's Myles and Julian." Myles shouted through the door.
No response came back again. Julian checked there was no one there as Myles kicked the door down.
"VIC!"