Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Terok and Defiant: "That Old Black Magic"

By Dramatic_Spoon

2376

Rotarran came across Defiant, who was cycling through numerous personnel and ship AI profiles at a table in Quark's Bar. She rubbed her chin, deep in thought.

"So the lieutenant is out, what if I try-"

"What are you doing?" Rotarran asked.

Defiant looked away from her padds.

"I'm trying to figure out who to set up as Terok's next blind date."

"Why?" Rotarran frowned.

"So she can be happy."

"And you think getting her a partner will do that."

"Look at Chief O'Brien and Keiko. Or Kira and Odo. Or Nog."

"All examples that aren't her."

"I just think-"

"Did you ask her?" Rotarran interrupted.

"What?"

"Did. You. Ask. Terok."

"No."

"There's your problem."

Defiant pouted.

"She'll just get grumpy and tell me to go away if I do."

"Because maybe she doesn't want one. She's told you about her history, right? The Bajoran comfort women?"

"And what a Gul Venture is. How does that work?"

"That's not the point. She's seen a lot. Most of it bad. She might not admit it, but-"

"I have absolutely no interest in romantic relationships." Terok picked up her drink.

"Terry, C'mon, you gotta give it a try." Fontaine chuckled.

"I don't. Defiant doesn't get it."

"Y'could say she's…defiantly ignoring you?"

Fontaine chuckled as Terok shot him an icy glare.

"Yeah, sorry. Have you explained that to her?"

"Multiple times."

"You just gotta give the kid time. She'll pick up on it eventually."

Fontaine motioned to the bartender who nodded back.

Two shot glasses appeared before them and they picked them up.

"To the unmarried life," Fontaine gestured.

their glasses clinked together and theydowned their drinks.

"You could get yourself one of these floozies," Terok gestured at the women in the bar.

"Eh, not my type. Had an eye on a dame, but she's a bit hard to get."

"Hrmph. You'll get through to her eventually," Terok motioned for another drink.

Fontaine half-heartedly chuckled, "We'll see. We'll see."

Elsewhere, Defiant's eyes widened as she finished her processing.

"Oh Maker-Terok is in love with Fon-MMPH!"

Jake covered her mouth and held his fingers up to his lips.

"Shh! No! They have to figure it out for themselves! We all know but them!"

Defiant's eyes widened in disbelief, as Jake took his hand away.

"What do you mean everyone else knows?"

"Vic makes goo-goo eyes at her and keeps trying to get her to take part in his show, what do you think that means?" Jake hissed.

"And Terok tolerates it."

"You knew? No! How could everyone else know? I don't believe you!" Defiant's avatar ran off. Jake sighed, shaking his head.

"My dense little sister..."

Defiant stared around at her fellow ship AIs, save for Terok.

"What?!"

"Yes." Rotarran shook her head, "why do you think I was telling you to knock it off?"

"And you knew?!"

"I thought it was obvious?" T'Farii looked at the others, "wasn't it?"

"And….of course you knew."

Morn to be Wild shrugged.

"I knew it too." Rio beamed, "He keeps doing Sinatra, but he's saving Somethin' Stupid for the moment."

"And you're not going to do anything?"

"She needs to figure it out herself."

"And everyone on staff knows?"

"Are you kidding?" Quark scoffed, "who do you think bet on it? Only person who put money on it not working was Worf."

"Aye, it would be good for her."

"I know Jadzia bet on it, but does that carry over to me, or…"

"We'll let it slide," Quark stated.

"But-You can't just-" Defiant tried.

Quark glared at her.

"Listen kid, I am running a multi-kiloton Gold-Pressed Latinum pot on these two. Muck it up, and you'll find out how bad an angry Feringi can get. Got it? No telling Terok!"

"I did know, but Captain Sisko and Jake told me not to tell you," Nog stated, "you tend to run your mouth about stuff like that."

"I do not!"

Nog shot his girlfriend a wry, smug smirk. She flushed.

"Well... Not all the time!"

"My dear Defiant, you do realize what you're asking?" Garak asked.

"….Right, but-"

"Now, I have no interest in getting involved in romantic drama. It's much more interesting to see how long it takes."

"What's wrong with you?" Terok stared at Defiant.

Defiant sighed heavily, and grumbled.

"Everyone knew something way before I did."

Terok nodded and chuckled.

"Well, you are an idiot."

Defiant scowled. Well... If she couldn't talk to Terok about it... Maybe she could still do something with-

"No."

"C'mon!" Defiant pled, "You gotta let me help you."

"Kid, don't get ahead of yourself," Fontaine swirled his drink and took a gulp.

"You're still a snot-nosed brat who probably thinks a good date is a movie and the Penny arcade."

"…N…no?" Defiant responded, confused.

"And your antics got my pianist arrested. I didn't even know that was possible."

"I said I was sorry," Defiant whined.

"Sorry didn't get him out of prison!"

Fontaine paused and took a breath.

"Look, I'm glad you want to help, but the best thing you can do is nothing. No help, no causing chaos in my lounge, no telling her and no stupid get hitched quick schemes, capiche?"

"…fine."

"Besides…."

Fontaine trailed off as he turned in his seat.

Terok stood at the center of the stage, mic stand in hand.

"Mama said…./
Don't give up…/
It's a little complicated./
All tied up/
And no more love/
And I hate to see you waiting…../
Had to have/
High high/
Hopes for a living/
Shooting for the stars/
'cause I couldn't make a killing/
Didn't have a dime/
But I always had a vision/
Always had high high hopes/"

"Kid, gonna give you a piece of advice. You gotta romance a lady that fine, not blunder into it."

Because romance is complicated.