One
He sat quietly in the bar, staring idly at his synthale. The first four glasses had done nothing to quench the ache in his soul, hence why he'd ordered a fifth. He was grateful that he had tomorrow off duty; he'd rather spend the day drowning himself in more alcohol to combat the hangover he expected to wake up with.
How had it been three days since she left? Between the insanity of the infirmary and attempting to get some sleep, days on the station usually blended together. Yet now he felt as though he could tell exactly how many seconds since his lips last met hers.
He'd decided on the day she left it would be a long time before he went back to the Klingon restaurant. The way she had looked across the table at him before they departed. He'd even declined Dax's offer of having dinner there, despite it being a dream come true that she would ask him out anywhere. How could I? He thought. All I see there is her.
He gazed into his synthale. It only occurred to him then that it shared the same shade of blue as her eyes. I'd rather suffer Dax's rejections than be in this hell.
He was contemplating going back for a sixth glass when he noticed Quark approaching. Surprisingly, he'd waited for some time before making his way over. "Doctor! I think this is the most I've seen you drink for a long time."
Halfway through a mouthful, Julian could only widen his eyes at Quark's presence. Oh God, here we go…
"I couldn't help but notice how longingly you've been gazing at your drink."
Julian quirked an eyebrow. "Surely you've got more interesting customers to observe than me."
"Well, I mean, the bar isn't that busy tonight, and I-"
"I'm not interested in the state of your bar right now, Quark, or whatever scheme you're trying to pull. I'd rather appreciate it if you left me alone." Julian said abruptly.
It took Quark a moment to respond, seemingly stunned by Julian's blunt attitude. He bent underneath the counter, pulling out an empty glass and a bottle of Romulan ale. "Can I interest you in a different beverage? I mean, you've already had, what, five synthales? Surely you'd like a different flavour."
Julian ignored the question by taking another sip.
"Ah, I see," Quark finished pouring the ale and leaned across the counter. "Tell me about this woman, doctor."
Julian spluttered. "What makes you think I'm-"
"Why else would you be drinking in here instead of your quarters?" Quark pointed out. "I see heartbroken people all the time, doctor. And I've seen you enough times in here crying over Dax. I just want to let you know, I'm here to lend a friendly ear."
"Ha! Friendly? Y-You're just trying to find a way to get me drunker." Julian slurred.
"I don't need to help you with that. You seem capable enough on your own," Quark poured himself a glass of ale. "Consider the drink on the house. You may find it helps you relax a bit more."
Drowning himself in the remainder of his synthale seemed more preferable than to confess his feelings to Quark, yet Julian couldn't help himself. Perhaps the first four glasses were having an effect after all. "You remember the Elaysian officer we had on board recently?"
"Ah, of course! Elaysians are such an interesting species. I don't remember seeing her in the bar, though. Oh, what was her name?…It was Velora, wasn't it?"
"Melora," Julian snapped. He slammed the table in anger. "I-I had thought we had something, Quark! She was willing to undergo the treatments! Th-they were working perfectly and she was happy! Then she goes and decides that she wanted to 'stay independent' and moved on to some other assignment." He couldn't stop the words from tumbling out.
Quark pursed his lips. "Perhaps this would serve as an opportunity to continue pursuing Lieutenant Dax?"
"Sod off," Julian took a much bigger sip than he intended, nearly choking on it.
Quark rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. In that case, I believe that a holosuite program will be the best distraction-"
"Maybe I want to wallow for a while. Is that too much to a-ask?" Julian glared at the Ferengi.
"I've never understood the appeal of wallowing. I can, however, understand the drinking, though."
Julian scowled. "What do you suggest then?"
Quark was almost beaming with excitement. "I mean, I can always set you up with one of your regular spy thrillers if you want, but I have recently come to acquire a new genre of holosuite program and I believe will fit your tastes perfectly, doctor."
Brilliant, Julian thought as he finished another swig. "And how would you, Quark, be aware of my 'tastes'? I don't t-tend to discuss holosuite programs with many people."
"I've known what fantasies you crave since the day you set foot in this bar, my friend."
Julian chuckled. "A likely story. Y-You'd have to be a telepath, for God's sake."
"It was obvious from the moment you first came in here! The young, noble doctor, fresh from his home planet, who craves adventure and excitement with the promise of 'frontier medicine'," Quark smirked. "You carry the essence of someone looking for greatness. To be a hero, save lives or…something."
"What are you trying to sell me? A program full of women?" Julian raised his voice, pointing furiously at his drink. "Why do think I'm drinking tonight? To forget about women!"
Quark put up his hands. "Now, now, doctor. I'm not one to reveal the stories of these programs; it just spoils the fun. One of my friends tried the program himself this morning and said it was absolutely delightful. I believe he got it off a-"
"Your 'friend'? Since when have we EVER trusted one of your friends?" Julian drunkenly poked Quark in the chest.
"Well, actually, I don't know who they were. Looked human, though in this day and age you can never know. From what he told me, it involved some sort of ancient Earth mystery, though I'm not into that sort of holoprogram. Especially if there's no Dabo girls."
"..Like I said, you moron," Julian raised his glass, "I don't wanna talk about women. They suck. I'm gonna kill my liver instead."
"That's the spirit, doctor." Quark muttered, reminding himself to never let Julian get drunk in his establishment again.
Julian sculled the remainder of his synthale, relishing the bitter taste as it ran down his throat.
"I was also told that this particular program requires a second participant for the…fullest experience." Quark added.
Julian snorted. He had accepted by now that he was definitely drunk; he was actually considering a proposal from Quark! "Who the hell would want to join m-me in a holosuite program? I'm not exactly a popular man to hang out with, if you've noticed or anything. All the girls run away from me like little puppies."
"I mean, I'd offer to go with you, but I've got so much on my plate. Running the bar is basically my life."
"You've always got your tw-twat of a brother to run it."
Quark smirked. "Should I take that as an invite to your holosuite program?"
"God, no." Julian reached for the Romulan ale. "I couldn't think of anything worse than a holosuite program with you."
"You have definitely had too much tonight, doctor. I'm proud of you."
Julian mumbled something unintelligible as he sculled the ale, only stopping briefly to catch his breath. The room swayed as he clumsily slammed the glass on the counter, not noticing Quark's pained expression at seeing the treatment of his merchandise.
Quark was beginning to wonder how to escort the drunken doctor to his quarters when he noticed Garak, perched in a quiet corner away from the Dabo tables. The tailor nodded in acknowledge, raising an empty glass.
"Garak!" Quark called, relieved to have found someone to take Julian off his hands. "A pleasure to see you! Please, come join us!"
"Thank you, Mister Quark," Garak gracefully took a seat beside Julian, who was starting to sag over his ale. "I take it he's in need of an escort home?"
"Wuh? Garak?" Julian's eyes fluttered. "Didn't expect to s-see you here."
"Nor did I, my dear doctor. I believe it's time we got you home." Garak helped the doctor to his feet, albeit with force.
Quark grinned. "Make sure he comes to the holosuites tomorrow with some early twentieth-century clothing. Don't worry, it's on the house."
Garak studied the bartender intently. "A free holosuite program, Mister Quark? That is incredibly generous. Dare I ask what you're expecting in return from the good doctor?"
"Nothing, of course! What can I say? I'm known for my hospitality," Quark grabbed the empty glasses and hurriedly placed them under the counter. "I've even agreed to let the gentleman who I originally bought the program from add some modifications tomorrow. I haven't tested it myself, but based on his feedback, once he's done with it, it'll be an exhilarating experience. Perhaps you'd like to be involved as well? I'm more than happy to offer a discounted fee for the best Cardassian tailor onboard."
Garak glanced at the doctor, who was hovering between states of consciousness. "That is an enticing offer, Mister Quark. I would be delighted to attend - if I am invited, of course."
"Of course, G'ruk," Julian slurred, finally succumbing to the Romulan ale and collapsing to the floor.
Quark leant over the counter, staring at the doctor in surprise. "I've never seen him this drunk. Perhaps you can give him some Cardassian counselling or something. I'm not having him collapsing in my bar every night until he gets over this Elayasian girl."
"M'lora," Julian mumbled, face down on the floor.
Garak smirked as he bent down, turning the drunken doctor onto his side. He glanced up at Quark. "Would you be a supportive host and help me to lift the good doctor up?"
Quark rolled his eyes internally. "Of course."
Neither of them noticed a figure in the shadows, observing as they struggled to transport the deadweight doctor back to his quarters. He leaned idly against the wall, a sly expression across his face. "Well then, Mister Bashir; let's see if we can knock some sense into you about being a hero."
A/N: I'd appreciate suggestions on where to take this story!
