The door buzzer tore Garak out of his brooding over another literary recommendation from the dear doctor. Since they met regularly for lunch, the young man's enthusiasm to make Terran culture tasty to him had taken off. In return, Garak tried to give the human a differentiated view of subjects such as truth and lies, and right and wrong. He still had a long way to go.
Full of verve, the Cardassian rose and ordered the computer to open the door as he strode to the exit.
Astonished, he raised his eyes. "Jessica! My dear, I am delighted to see you. I was afraid you have left the station forever. Enter." Garak stepped aside to clear the way for the woman.
He hadn't seen her since returning home seven weeks ago, and her business was closed with a reference to a trip. He truly hadn't expected to see the woman again.
Jessica stepped out of the dim corridor, past Garak into the only slightly brighter quarter. She turned and beamed at him. Only now the man noticed the change. "Jessica, the scar …" She nodded brightly.
"Garak, I am so grateful to you. And I have so much to tell!" She looked around the quarters. "Can we talk?"
Garak took the hint and nodded, smiling. "We have no unwanted listeners. Sit down and report. I just take care of the Kanar."
"I'm so sorry I disappeared without a word, Garak, believe me. I have thought of you a lot throughout the weeks because I owe it to you that I finally feel like a person again. At first, I only wanted to disappear from the station for a few days to come to terms with the new situation and everything that led to it. And then something clicked, and I went to a Starfleet rehab facility." She sipped the Kanar. "I had every scar removed. Some nerves damage due to injury was repaired, and I agreed to a few sessions of talk therapy." She saw Garak's horrified look and quickly put a hand on his knee. "Don't worry my friend, I avoided the real reason. I blamed a new love for my change of mood, and the therapist was eager to believe me." Garak relaxed again and smiled happily at Jessica.
"My dear, I'm so glad I could help you. That reconciles me a little with the atrocities that my people are sometimes guilty of." His eyes grew serious. "You just called me 'friend' …"
Jessica put a hand over her mouth and opened her eyes. "I didn't want to get too close to you, I know you are a reserved man. I didn't want to… I would just be happy if you could see me as a friend." She leaned back a little. "You know so much more about me than others and I like you."
Garak held up his hands in defense. "My dear, you misunderstood me. It's just that you're probably the only one who would call me a friend. It is unusual for me."
Jessica held out her glass to Garak. "Well then, let's toast to friendship!"
They talked animatedly as the hours passed, only interrupted by Rom, who delivered a new bottle of Kanar and a few snacks, not without pointing out that Quark was charging extra for this service.
"Garak, I think I owe you thanks, and I'm used to paying my debts." Garak waved it off. "You don't owe me anything. Eliminate this thought once and for all."
Jessica smiled. "Are you certain? Do you remember our conversation on the flight to the moon? They were interested in my piercings." Jessica stood up and held out a hand to the surprised Garak. "I would be willing to share another secret with you."
The Cardassian raised an eyebrow and nodded. "I see," he said slowly. "Well, if that's the case, I don't want to plunge you into conflict of conscience, and I accept paying your debts."
He took her offered hand and pulled Jessica onto his lap with a smile.