Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Alone In A Crowded World

by Lyda Mae (RavenDove) Jeppesen-Huff

Chapter Four: Healing Tears

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O'Brien and Dax went over the Defient's sensor logs again with Sisko.

"There is no doubt about it Benjamin" Jadzia Dax said. "Julian's body is missing, and the transporter trace is there."

Sisko frowned, "And you are certain it's not a Dominion transporter."

"The warp trail doesn't match any known engine make either." said O'Brien.

"Then we need to follow that trail and find out what they've done with Julian."

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Marteche had been greeted on Heag by the planetary Governor himself. A scale man named Regej Ni. "It is so good to see you again Lady Marteche." he kissed the hand she offered from inside the burqa. "Is this your newest favorite?" he smiled at Bashir.

Bashir grimaced at the attention. It was bad enough to have to ware the trained monkey suit and

carry two of Marteche's bags while she led him by the collar. He didn't like the Oily tone Ni used.

"I just piked him up on Deronge," Marteche clucked, "You won't believe what Migrat charged for him." Marteche goosed Julian and nearly caused him to drop the bags. "He's proven very entertaining so far though," she said in a come hither manner, "So I can't complain."

"No doubt you've put him through his paces." Ni chuckled.

Julian decided that he would very much like to go unnoticed for the rest of their stay, but he doubted that he would be granted the pleasure."

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When Marteche had suggested that Julian sit on her lap at dinner he tried to refuse. He knew that she was putting on a show for Ni and soon she brandished the remote. Once he played at agony enough he crawled to her lap and she put the remote away. The two talked of markets and buisness while Marteche fed Bashir choice morsels from her plate.

When she retired to the suite that the Governor had provided her. She fastened the chain of his collar to a latch on the headboard. She went into a side room and Julian took off his boots.

Marteche returned shortly in a long and somewhat filmy nightgown. She tossed him a pair of short that were of more area than the ones he currently wore and less substance at the same time, then turned her head. "I wish I could take the collar off Julian, but Ni has been known to send early wake up calls to those he suspects of being other than what they seam. Leave your clothes on the floor it will make the right impression."

Julian changed quickly and climbed into the bed. He couldn't help but shiver as Marteche climbed in beside him. "Put your back to me Julian." He did as she said and found himself with his head on her ample breast. She placed one arm beneath his head and the other on his bare chest. "I promise that I will not hurt you."

He shook at her touch. "That is a promise I still can't take at face value."

Her hand moved up and stroked his cheek and his shoulder. "I don't expect you to after what you've been through, but what I refuse to take from you I can give of myself. If you need to cry for what you feel you have lost, then cry. I will dry your tears, and think no less of you for them."

It was then that Julian finally admitted to himself that he wanted to weep like he hadn't since he was a little boy.

"All sentients feel pain Julian, it's the fact that some of them enjoy causing it that makes me spend my life trying to save a few from the miseary that isn't their fault."

It was the that the tears began to roll down Julian's cheeks. The whole time he cried Marteche just held him and stroked his cheek and arm. It was a comfort that he couldn't explain. When he had cried all his hurts out he fell asleep their in her arms.

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