A/N: Warning for alcoholism-like habits! ...and vaguely romantic themes

Aftermath of Chrysalis

Julian watched Sarina's shuttle disappear into the vast dark curtain of space. As the gold light grew more distant, the doctor felt his fantasy vanish from his grasp and cold reality began to sink in.

His dream partner…ha! What a vain and egotistical thought. He had been so eager to find the person of his dreams that he had trampled on everything and he had nearly harmed the mind of a kind and brilliant young individual.

He wanted to forget this, to erase it from his genetically enhanced brain as though it never had happened. He needed a drink, something to dull the sharp edges of memory. Quark's was still open at this hour and he might be able to find a back table to quietly drink at. There was so much ruckus that he would be overlooked there.

With his mind made up, Julian entered Quark's through the upper level. Bolians, Bajorans, and Ferengi passed him by without a second glance. Julian descended the metal spiral staircase down to the second level. He searched through the tables near the holosuites. Few people enjoyed the dark shadows here on the lower level except for dangerous business dealers and smugglers. Julian kept a cautious eye out and found an empty table.

The chair squealed against the hard plastic floor as he sat down, but he scooted it in towards the table. Julian saw the nearest Ferengi waiter wince at the noise. The sound managed to catch his attention, however, and the alien approached.

"I'll have saurian brandy, please."

The Ferengi nodded and jotted it down.

The small alien glanced up at him. "We have a special on Koganka pudding and Bajoran shrimp."

Bashir shook his head. He wanted to get tipsy…maybe even drunk. Eating was the last thing on his mind.

"Just the brandy"

"Coming right up." The Ferengi scurried off to the bar.

The customers were mostly chatting with drinks already in their hands and dining with their friends and dates. When the Ferengi showed up with his drink, Julian threw it back in a desperate way. God, it was awful stuff, but it was a step in the direction of forgetting about Sarina. It took a few swallows, but he managed it. The faintly bitter concoction made him smack his lips and order kanar. The Ferengi laughed at the order.

"What do you think I should get then?"

"The Bajoran spring wine is good with many of our meal choices-" The waiter started to persuade him.

The doctor flapped a hand impatiently. "Rum then."

"And-" The waiter began.

Julian was becoming snappish. "Oh, I don't care what you mix it with. You can give it to me however you like."

The waiter darted off and brought it to him mixed with a bubbly drink in a glass. Julian downed it as quickly as the brandy. The Alderbaran whiskey caught his interest next and he ordered that a bottle be left at the table. Sitting down, he started to lose awareness of how much he had had. Sarina's memorable face kept on coming to mind with the glowing blond hair and long lashes and shining eyes. Her beautiful mind was an even bigger consideration. Julian sighed. It was his fault that she was gone forever.

The doctor's genetic enhancements allowed him to drink a great deal of the whiskey until he could officially be labeled as well sauced. He was too drunk to note that the odd mix of beverages felt like the strangest cocktail in his stomach. The lights all sparkled and shimmered. He could hardly hear the noises in the bar. They were fuzzy, like background music. The room started to sway.

A feather-light touch landed on his shoulder. Julian looked over at the hand interestedly.

"Garak?"

A warm smile greeted him as he glanced up.

"Doctor, what a surprise to see you here. May I have a seat?"

"Oh-err" Julian hesitated.

"Thank you." Garak joined him. The alien addressed a waiter. "A Jelatnian fire, please."

"You're drinking too?" the doctor asked thickly.

"No, I wanted you to try a favorite drink of mine."

Julian grinned. "Right! So we can discuss it later over lunch tomorrow." The doctor rested his arm on the tailor's shoulder. "We should talk more outside of lunch, but everyone always makes a fuss when we've been together-I mean seen together. Bloody bigotry and all the stupid threats they give me…"

"Threats?" Elim blinked over at him.

"Yes, it's always Bajorans - They say we're unnatural, that we're plotting something like taking the station over. They say we're freaks." The doctor had become morose.

The Cardassian patted his arm placatingly and he shifted it off of his shoulder in one deft move. "That is sad, though hardly a threat, doctor."

Julian held up a triumphant finger. "Yes, but they didn't know I heard them plotting to attack you in your shop. I took you to the holosuite that day. That was when I told Odo to increase security around you."

The drink Garak ordered had arrived. It looked like a red gelatinous mix in a martini glass.

"Drink up, doctor." Garak handed it to him. "Don't taste it. The quicker you drink, the better the effect."

"Oh, sounds interesting." Julian swung it back and abruptly spluttered.

The doctor nearly dropped the glass. Garak unexpectedly sneaked a hand under his and kept tipping the fluid into his mouth. Julian almost choked and he surfaced from the empty glass coughing and red in the face.

"What are trying to do, kill me?"

The tailor smiled. "There are much more efficient ways of doing that. It was something to sober you enough to get you back to your quarters. Come along."

Garak took his arm and tugged at it.

"But I don't want to go yet. I wanted something to make me forget about Sarina-" He abruptly shut his mouth.

"Sarina?" Elim asked.

"I shouldn't have said that. I should probably leave," the doctor said it as if it had been his original plan.

"My dear doctor, please tell me who Sarina is."

Julian did not have the presence of mind to keep his mouth shut. "She's the most important person in the universe. I can only hope I didn't damage her."

"She's a patient?"

"I was…ugh. I don't feel well."

"Then allow me to accompany you back to your quarters." Garak succeeded in tugging him upwards this time.

By now, Julian's words came pouring out as though the small admission had loosened his tongue and he wanted to lay out all of the events. His speech was slurred and clumsy, but the Cardassian was able to decipher the majority of it as he escorted the doctor out of the bar. It seemed that Julian had helped one of his genetically enhanced patients to communicate. It had been after surgery had locked the young woman into her mind for years and she had been finally able to emerge. The doctor had found a kindred spirit and they had shared ideas, affectionate gestures, and he had entertained fantasies of a life for them together. The doctor had fallen into a form of romantic love. Bashir's voice was cracking with emotion as he relayed the events of the past few days.

The Cardassian steered him across the promenade, hand at his back to steady him. The doctor wobbled precariously several times and he was becoming overwrought with emotion. His voice had gained a high trembly pitch when he described how Sarina had retreated back into herself after his strong romantic overtures. Sarina once again spoke when Bashir begged her to tell him how he had scared her. As the story neared its somber conclusion, they both got onto the lift. Garak pressed in the numbers for the Habitat Ring Level and the doctor swayed woozily as he clutched the hand rails in a tight grip.

They were able to get out without incident, though the tailor had to tap his shoulder to indicate that they were going to be let off. By now, the doctor was staring dazedly at his feet as he walked. He gave a loud sniffle. Garak glanced back at him with dismay, fear evident that Bashir was going to break down into tears in the hallway. He cared not about what others thought about them should Bashir give vent to his emotions here, but he was concerned that the doctor was this close to being overcome. It was not something he would willing do in front of the tailor and he would probably bitterly regret it in a few hours.

"Come along, doctor." His voice held a softness, but also a firmness that helped focus Bashir.

They went past various noisy and quiet rooms, occupants going about their business while the doctor and his companion sought out Julian's quarters. At last, they had reached the door. Julian squinted and typed in the key code, stumbling over the threshold. Garak tailed him, letting the door shut behind them. The Cardassian called for the lights to come up to 30 percent. What he found in the dark room made him frown. The human had left a table set up with elegant dishware. A wilted rose stood as a solitary centerpiece between the cold candles that were relics of the past few days.

He steered his young charge past the dismal scene and into the bedroom. Julian had batted at him then, stating that he was sober enough to get ready for bed. He thanked him for his assistance. Smiling a genial smile, the tailor left him to it. Julian shut his bedroom door and Garak heard him noisily tug off his shoes. The Cardassian walked over to Bashir's coffee table. His PADD of novels resided here, ready for him to snatch it up should he feel like reading on the couch. Garak switched the screen setting over to a blank page and typed in a brief message.

Julian only had a mild hangover. If he was not a genetically enhanced human, he would have experienced a splitting migraine and copious vomiting spells. He only had aching temples, a fuzzy feeling in his mouth, and a lethargic drag to his limbs. He was still pining just as miserably for Sarina as he had been yesterday, but something felt different about his emotions.

He remembered a kind presence and a steady hand on his back from last night. He touched the spot wonderingly, memories coming back him. He squeezed his eyes shut with dismay and regret. What a picture he must have presented to Garak, spilling forth his secrets and-had he actually told him about those threats?

After getting cleaned up and dressing, he entered the living room. His reading PADD was put deliberately out of place. He picked it up and found Garak's message.

If you are feeling well enough, I would greatly enjoy your company at lunch today. –E.G.

The tailor's initials were in Kardasi script. The simple sentence was gentle and supportive. Garak was known for his kindness in customer service, but this was something more genuine. The doctor noticed that the room felt off somehow and he blinked owlishly over at the table. Items had been rearranged there. The table mats had vanished as if into thin air, but everything else was present. There were still the candles, plates, glasses, vase, and-

Julian squinted, coming closer to examine the vase and its contents. A bright yellow flower with thick, velvety petals had been slipped into the vase. The wilted rose was gone and the new flower almost seemed to glow vibrantly in the dark room. It was a Cardassian sun blossom. The petals had a darker tint near the stem, giving a hidden glimpse of a fiery orange that would be exposed when the flower opened completely.

A slight smile started to quirk over the doctor's lips as he fondly brushed his fingertips over the petals. That wilted rose had haunted him for days, reminding him of how alone he was. Garak must have seen the symbolism. Julian started getting ready for his late morning shift and the elegant and hopeful flower remained on the table.

The End