Summary: Garak likes some aspects of human style cuisine.

After some gentle wheedling from the doctor, Garak consented to have their meal at Quark's in favor of having their lunch on time. The Replimat line was too tortuously long and they were both hungry.

Bashir promised to treat him to a surprise. The tailor decided that he was in the mood for a change of pace, regardless if it came from Quark's bar. Their lunch discussion dipped into literature and playwrights and all manner of storytelling topics. Elim enjoyed the conversation as much as his young friend and lunch was soon finished. They made preparations to order dessert, as was their custom. He was intrigued to hear Bashir order for them.

"A lava cake for two, please."

As the Ferengi waiter went to inform the makeshift kitchen of their order, the Cardassian eyed his young companion with interest.

"Lava cake, doctor? Which planet does that dish originate from?"

"It's a human dish, actually. It's either French or from the states. No one knows who came up with it first, but it tastes delicious. I think you'll like it."

Eventually, they were served the sweetmeat and the tailor carefully assessed his promised surprise.

"Are you quite sure this dessert is meant to be shared?" He gave their surroundings a cautious glance.

The arrangement was simple. There was one small and moist cake coupled with a scoop of ice cream and two spoons placed daintily on the side of the plate. The Cardassian could practically sense the chill emanating from the innocent delicacy on his left. He decided to let the cake be the center of attention.

"Yes, everyone's been sharing them. Commander Sisko and Dax had one last night here and it even met with Sisko's culinary approval. It's been a few years since I've had one but it was a memorable occasion. Bon appétit."

Picking up a spoon, Julian cut into the lava cake. A gout of warm molten chocolate spilled out and the doctor scooped up some of the syrupy substance with the cake and popped it in his mouth.

"It's even better than I remember. Quark has a good chef..."

Meanwhile, Garak eyed the dessert with slight surprise. The cake was still steaming and he was intrigued by the thought of a hot dessert. Cardassians favored warm food while off planet, but sweets were plain and not quite as satisfying as steaming vegetables and meat. He would enjoy this.

With thoughtful slowness, the tailor pressed his spoon into the chocolate and the filling breached the break in the cake crust until it spilled out in an appetizing display.

"It certainly has an element of drama. It's aptly named, though I'm afraid that it pales in comparison to the real thing. Someday you must see the volcanoes on Cardassia, doctor. They have a grandeur that you can savor for a lifetime. The majesty and power of volcanic activity outshines anything you'll see in the Alpha Quadrant."

As the Cardassian raised a bite to his mouth, Julian started to formulate a response. Garak lost the thread of the conversation completely.

The taste was nothing like he had anticipated, though it bore a resemblance to Terran chocolate. It was the perfect balance of sweet and bitter, a tantalizingly rich blend. The texture was moist and succulent and it melted in his mouth. The heat warmed his face and throat and continued down to his entire being until he swore that his very essence was infused with pleasant heat. He basked in it like a content Regnar lizard in the Cardassian sunlight. He let his eyes close.

The Cardassian sat there for a moment in a blissful afterglow, unaware of his companion smiling at him and observing his gratification. Julian saw his friend's shoulders relax and his muscles loosen as though he had plunged into a hot bath or one of his Cardassian saunas. The expression on his face was nothing like the doctor had ever observed before. He had never seen Garak truly happy…or even content. He would show pleased smiles and courteous enjoyment, but never anything that could be described as happiness that touched his soul. The doctor was reluctant to interrupt his satisfaction and he simply watched Garak enjoy the cake.

The Cardassian blinked dazedly as though coming back to himself. He noticed the doctor's smug, pleased smile.

"Do you find something amusing?" Garak's voice was slightly hoarse.

"You look as if you've been in seventh heaven, my friend."

Elim gave the most blissful sigh he had ever uttered in the doctor's presence. He was still coming down from the experience that had been like an emotional and physical high.

"I would have given you several cakes if I knew you would enjoy them so much. It tastes wonderful with ice cream."

Elim came out of his stupor enough to grimace. "No, thank you. I've tasted that particular dessert and it doesn't suit a Cardassian palate. You're welcome to finish all of the ice cream lest it go to waste."

Julian took a large spoonful of the cold treat in answer and grinned. "And you're welcome to the rest of the lava cake."

"But you've only had a bite!"

How could his human friend turn down this culinary masterpiece? It baffled him.

"I certainly like it, but not nearly as much as you do. Quite honestly, I prefer the ice cream."

Elim was certain that his ridges and scales were flushed in anticipation of consuming more of the fare. This was like ambrosia for the gods of old that Bashir talked about. His friend eyed him ponderingly, probably thinking over the cake ingredients and determining if any of them served as a narcotic for Cardassian physiology. It was not out of the range of possibility since Vulcans became drunk on chocolate.

"Are you all right? Are you experiencing any dizziness or loss of sensation? You don't seem like yourself."

"Quite the contrary, I don't think I've sensed anything more in my life." The Cardassian took another spoonful and hummed. "I'm going to have to find the recipe for this and see if I can make an imitation. I think you've found my favorite part of human cuisine."

"And it contains chocolate…somehow I'm not surprised."

Garak reveled in every single savory bite until all of the crumbs vanished from the plate. The Cardassian let his spoon fall with a clatter and he leaned back in the chair with an expression that could only be described as a sated smile. Julian watched him interestedly. Garak seemed so bright and uncomplicated like this.

"I'm astonished that you were so pleased by it."

"Indeed. Thank you. I will make an effort to find something as equally pleasing to you some day, though I'm afraid that your satisfaction in culinary arts is more difficult to unlock given your tendency to rush eating."

Bashir shrugged. "You don't need to feel like you have to repay me. I'm proud that I found something you hadn't enjoyed yet."

The tailor beamed. "That you have… is it the end of lunch? I'm not sure if I'm capable of returning to work after that."

"Too full?" Julian grinned.

"Soporifically so."

"I'm sure your shop can stay financially afloat if you took the day off."

Garak sighed and slowly rose. "I have customers counting on my services this afternoon. Thank you for a delightful lunch and an exquisite dessert, doctor."

"The pleasure's all mine."

My dear doctor, you have no idea.

The End