Disclaimer: All characters belong to paramount. I'm just borrowing them for awhile. No money is being made off this story by me or Paramount (would they need it?). This story is rated N-17 for a sexual relationship between two characters of the same sex (G/B), so if your underage or this subject isn't your cup of tea, don't blame me for not warning you. This is my first attempt at writing a story under 10 pages (just to see if it was possible), so let me know what you think. Spoilers: Fascinations Summery: What would happen if Garak had been with Julian when he had been effected with Lwaxan Troi's Zanthi fever instead of Kira and what affect would it have on them afterwards? Aftermath By: Diana Bloomfield dcb12313@soltec.com (c) 1997 Julian Bashir was in an absolutely foul mood. So far today he had been told by several nurses that he looked horrible and wanted to know if he was sick, had snubbed Miles when he asked to have lunch with him, and had come dangerously close to telling Sisko off during a staff meeting. Now he sat in the Infirmary - staring at a data padd he wasn't reading. Everyone else had gone to their quarters for the evening, but the doctor becoming lost in his thoughts, remained. He knew what the cause of his mood was. It had a lot to do with a certain Cardassian tailor that he hadn't spoken to in a week- not since the incident. True, he wasn't the only one who had been influenced by Lwaxan and that retched fever, but he seemed to be the only one still feeling embarrassed by it. Him and Garak? What on Earth had he been thinking of? ' You've got no one to blame but yourself Jules.' he reminded himself. After all, he had been the one to seduce the tailor after asking him to come visit his quarters. Julian still found it shameful that he would have compromised his and Garak's friendship. He had always feared that if he acted out on his buried impulses that it would harm their friendship - he had been right. Julian had felt incredibly hurt when he woke up the morning afterwards and found that Garak had left before he had woke without even saying as much as good-bye. Now the Cardassian was avoiding him at every turn. What annoyed Julian even more then being ignored was that he couldn't stop himself from thinking about the person ignoring him! Everytime he turned around he caught himself fantasizing about Garak. During the staff meeting, Sisko had asked him several times if Julian was all right. If Sisko had been Betazoid, he would realized that Julian was considering some new uses for tailor's cutting table. At the Infirmary things weren't much better. Everytime someone came walking in, Julian found himself hoping it was the Cardassian coming to talk to him- being disappointed when it wasn't. The nights had become the worst. Dreams of Garak plagued the doctor. Every night it was the same thing- reliving the one night he had given into his passion. His mind envisioned Garak's touch, his warm mouth, those skilled hands. The doctor found himself waking up every morning achingly hard with Garak's name on his lips. Julian realized that he was becoming absolutely obsessed with the tailor and he didn't understand why. He may not have had all the experience his reputation claimed he had, but he'd had a few nights of passion that hadn't led to anything more. So why was he having such a hard time putting it out of his mind? ' Is it because I miss Garak's company?' Julian wondered. It was true enough. He did miss sharing lunch with the tailor- their philosophical discussions always intrigued the doctor. Who was he kidding though really? Those dreams didn't have a thing to do with philosophical discussions. Sure he found the Cardassian appealing- the air of mystery about him and the sense of wisdom he possessed made up most of it. ' That's no reason to be acting this way though.' Julian chided himself. Garak was above all else his friend and he wanted that friendship back. Julian glanced over at the chronometer - it read 20:45. ' Garak should still be awake.' Julian thought to himself. Should he pay him a visit? Pushing his chair back and tossing the data padd across the console, Julian decided that he was going to find out once and for all what was going on with the Cardassian. Before Julian even stopped to consider his actions, he found himself outside the tailor's quarters. " Enter," he heard the tailor say at the buzzing of the door. The door slid open and Julian entered the living-area, which was impeccably clean and orderly. Garak came walking out of the bathroom with a towel around his neck and a brilliant blue silk robe that came mid-thigh in length. Julian couldn't help but notice how it gapped open to expose part of his muscular chest. The rich color of it set off Garak's ice-blue eyes quite nicely. " Why Doctor this is a surprise!" Garak exclaimed, shooting him an enigmatic smile. " I was just getting ready to settle in for the evening. Please take a seat while I change into something more appropriate," Garak offered and started to head towards the bedroom. " Please don't go through all that trouble on my account," Julian replied sitting down on the couch. Garak shrugged his shoulders and walked over to the replicator and ordered himself a glass of Kanar. " Would you like anything?" the tailor asked. " A cup of Tarkalean tea if you don't mind," Julian replied. Garak gave the machine the order and brought the two glasses over to the sofa. The tailor handed Julian his hot drink before taking his seat. " Now Doctor, what made you decide to pay me a visit at such a late hour?" Garak asked over the rim of his glass. Julian, suddenly feeling shy and unsure, lowered his eyes to study the floor. Why did Garak have to sit so close to him? He could practically feel the Cardassian's warmth radiating off of his body. " I thought we needed to talk." " About what?" Garak inquired. Julian's eyes shot up to study the tailor's face. Garak's face was masked and guarded. How could the tailor sit there and act so calm and reserved-as if nothing had even happened between them? Could it have meant that little to him? Why did it bother Julian so much that it might? " Look, maybe stopping by was a mistake," Julian replied and begun to get up. Before he reached the door he felt a cool hand on his shoulder. He stopped and tuned around. " Does this have anything to do with last week?" Garak asked quietly. " As a matter of a fact it does," Julian replied in the same quiet tone. " I want to know why you've been ignoring me." Garak dropped his hand and walked back over to the sofa and motioned for Julian to do the same - which he did. Garak bent towards the doctor, his forearms resting on his legs. " If it seems like I've been ignoring you, it's because I thought that was what you wanted." " What are you talking about Garak?" Julian asked with confusion. He had never asked the tailor to keep his distance. " I didn't think you wanted me around to remind you of your indiscretion," Garak replied with a sigh. " I didn't want you to have to suffer any embarrassment because of me." Julian was touched by Garak's concerns, but he couldn't help asking, " Is that why you left me the next morning without saying a word to me?" " I didn't think you wanted anyone seeing me leave your quarters," Garak replied. " Do you know how much that hurt me that you didn't even say good- bye? You know, despite my reputation around this station, I don't make a habit of sharing my bed. Besides, what makes you think I would have been embarrassed of you?" Julian asked. Garak searched the doctor's eyes. " I'm sorry if I might have hurt you. That was definitely not my intention. I wanted to talk to you, but after finding out that it was Mrs. Troi's fever that had affected you, I didn't know how you would react . I didn't want you regretting what happened." " Garak, we were both affected by Mrs. Troi - many people were. I don't think it's anything to be embarrassed over," Julian said reassuringly. Garak gave him an wry smile. " Not exactly Doctor." " What do you mean?" Julian asked, feeling puzzled. " You still don't know much about Cardassian physiology do you?" Garak asked, picking up his forgotten glass of Kanar. " I'm no expert, but what are you getting at?" Julian asked, searching Garak's cool-blue eyes. " I was immune to Mrs. Troi's fever," Garak finally replied, locking Julian's eyes with his. " You mean that....that you.." Julian stumbled over the words. " That I was fully aware of my actions when I made love to you?" Garak offered over the rim of his glass. " Yes I was. I didn't find out about the fever until after I left, then I realized what had happened. I didn't have the luxury of blaming an illness for my desire." Julian shut his eyes tightly and rubbed the bridge of his nose before dragging his fingers through his dark hair. Numerous emotions were running through his body. Anxiety, excitement, hope, fear... " Garak, I don't know what to make of all of this." " I guess the question is what do you want? " Garak finally asked. " Do you mean what I want for...us?" Julian asked gesturing with a wave of his hand in the space that separated them. Garak nodded slowly. " Well, I want our friendship back...like it was." " Like it was?" Garak asked with a raised eyeridge. He moved close enough to Julian that their thighs touched. He leaned towards the doctor, his breath tickling Julian's earlobe. " Are you sure that's what you really want?" Garak then grabbed Julian's chin and forced him to meet his eyes. " What is it you want Julian?" Garak waited, but Julian didn't say anything. The The doctor had a look of uncertainty about him. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Garak let him go and went to stand by the viewport. " Garak, I..." Julian began, but Garak put his hand up to silence him. " Don't worry about it Doctor. It was my mistake to think that you could have felt anything for me," Garak replied, his voice sounding dull and emotionless. " If friendship is what you want, you'll have it. I can manage to control my feelings, so you don't have anything to worry about." Since Garak had his back turned to Julian, the doctor couldn't see the hurt expression marring his eyes. Having Julian as his friend was better than not having the doctor in his life at all. He would somehow manage. " No," Julian said with certainty, coming to stand behind him. " That simply won't be acceptable." Julian was going to reject his friendship now? Garak turned to meet his eyes. " What do you mean?" Julian's mouth was firmly pressed together. " We can't go back. Our friendship has changed too much for that. We could never look at each other the same way again. As I see it, we only have one option." As much as it pained him, Garak had to agree. " All right, if you want to put an end to this friendship, then I won't try to change your mind." This time it was Julian's turn to place his fingers under the tailor's chin to bring his face up to meet his eyes. " I didn't say that." " Then what *do* you suggest we do doctor?" Garak asked, refusing to allow any hope to enter into his mind. " I suggest..." Julian said, leaning in close enough to the Cardassian that only a scant distance separated them, "...that we go forward." Could the doctor possibly be suggesting....? Before Garak could finish the thought, he felt Julian's warm mouth descend upon his. Hesitantly, he opened his mouth to the probing tongue - allowing the gently exploration. His own tongue dueled to gain access to the recesses of the doctor's mouth. He managed to capture the doctor's lower lip between his teeth and the tailor nibbled and sucked on it. Garak's hands came up behind Julian's back while Julian's hands traveled underneath the tailor's robe, coming to rest on bare hips. He pulled the Cardassian closer until their groins met. Subconsciously their bodies started rubbing against each other - seeking the answering hardness from the other. Julian's hands came up to caress Garak's chest, pushing the opening further apart for his exploring hands. Finding the charcoal colored nipples, Julian teased them with his fingernails, Garak's answering moan let him know the tailor found it pleasing. Garak's mouth grazed the silky skin of the doctor's throat- tenderly nipping his way down to Julian's shoulder, then back up to run his tongue behind the doctor's ear. Julian's hands came up to entangle them- selves in the soft, thick dark hair at the tailor's nape. Garak's hands came down to knead Julian's rear through the material of his uniform. Garak pulled back slightly to look into the umber depths of the doctor's eyes. " Julian, if you want to stop this, please do it now," Garak said almost pleading - his voice sounding thick and raspy. " I haven't been able to stop thinking about you all week. I've tried to deny it - to fight it, but I can't. Ever since we were together, I realized how much I need this....need you," Julian answered, his voice equally thick. Mahogany flames dancing in Julian's eyes met and matched the azure flames of Garak's. Garak couldn't believe what he was hearing. Julian wanted him as much as he wanted the doctor. Even though he couldn't fathom why, he wasn't about to throw away such a cherished offer. Taking Julian by the hand, Garak led him towards the bedroom. Standing by the bed, Julian tugged at the belt holding the tailor's robe together. It fell to the floor around his feet, and Julian found that his gaze wouldn't leave the Cardassian's body. He found himself admiring the Cardassian's broad, muscular chest, lean hips, and strong firm legs. Garak's skin turned slightly purplish in embarrassment under the scrutiny. Licking his lips in anticipation, Julian's hand came up to find the hidden zipper in the front of his uniform and started to pull it down. " Here...let me," Garak offered and brushed Julian's hand out of the way. Garak slowly unzipped the uniform and pushed it over Julian's shoulders and down past his waist. Julian grabbed the bottom of his turtle-neck and pulled up over his head. Bending down on one knee, Garak took one of Julian's feet and helped pull the boot off his foot. Julian's hand rested on Garak's shoulder for balance and Garak pulled off the other boot and had Julian step out of the clothes. Garak's hands ran up the length of Julian's calves and upward to cup his firm buttocks before he stood up. Garak captured the doctor's mouth again as his fingers came to entwine themselves in the crisp, ebony curls on Julian's chest. When the kiss broke, Garak lightly pushed Julian down onto the soft covers of the bed. The tailor moved to the edge of the bed and lowered himself on top of the doctor's body. Julian's hands stroked Garak's back as Garak started to rub his hips firmly against the doctor's - hardness answering hardness. Garak began grazing his lips over the hollow of Julian's throat, downward to lavish airy kisses over his sternum. Garak loved the feel of the soft caramel-colored skin under his fingers - noticing it's slightly salty taste. Coming to the doctor's cocoa-colored nipples, Garak lightly licked around it before drawing in between his teeth to suckle it - feeling the nub of skin turn pebble hard in his mouth. Julian gasped and moaned as Garak drew back to take the other in his mouth, giving it owed attention. He could feel the doctor's pounding chest against him. He traveled lower still, nipping and kissing the tender skin of Julian's flat stomach and abdomen. Trailing his lips and tongue over Julian's hips, Garak's hands ran the length of Julian's legs and in-between to part them. Julian closed his eyes with expectancy and Garak bent his head forward and ran his tongue over the rosy - hued tip of his straining erection. Garak ran his tongue and lips over the heated shaft before relaxing the muscles of his throat and taking the entire length of the doctor in to his moist mouth. Julian moaned loudly and arched his back to meet the tailor's lips - his fingers clutching the bedcover. Slowly the Cardassian began a gently sucking, using his teeth and tongue to heighten the response. The sucking grew firmer - Julian found his hips bucking to the pace the tailor set. Julian's urge to pull Garak's head down further was strong but he resisted. Garak's agile finger manipulated Julian's testicles while his mouth continued it's maddening assault. Julian's thrashed his head from side to side, twisting the covers in his fingers as he raised himself to meet Garak's mouth. Julian felt the familiar burning in his abdomen and knew it wouldn't be long before he lost his control. Cries of ecstasy filled the Cardassian's ears, as Julian's seed came forth to fill his throat. He carefully swallowed every drop of the warm fluid - running his tongue over the head and shaft to clean any residue. Julian pulled Garak up to him and sought his firm mouth. He could still taste the saltiness of his juices on Garak's tongue and found it to be erotic as he sucked on it. Julian's traveled down to come to rest on the tailor's rigid erection as it strained against his hand. His fingers pressed firmly against the heated skin. Nimble, skilled fingers closed around the shaft - running a thumb over the moisture collected at the tip. Garak's head fell back as a moan escaped his lips. " Elim..I want to feel you in me." Julian's request was no more than a whisper. Without another word spoken, Garak reached over to the night table and rummaged through the drawer to find the tube of lubricant he had replicated a week ago. Both men were facing each other, sitting on their knees. Julian took the tube from him and placed a generous portion of the cool gel on his fingers - rubbing it to warm it. He then ran his hands over the Cardassian's throbbing member, coating it well. Giving the tube back to the tailor, Julian turned around and lowered himself onto his forearms. Garak squeezed a portion of it onto his hand. Spry fingers parted Julian's cleft and slowly applied the cool substance over the muscular entrance. His head lolled back as one of the tailor's fingers entered him - moaning when it grazed his prostrate. With infinite care, the tailor stretched the muscular opening. As Julian relaxed, Garak added another digit. " Are you ready?" The Cardassian whispered, running his palms over Julian's back and legs. Julian merely nodded - unable to find his voice at the moment. Feeling the doctor relax under his touch, Garak pressed the tip of his sex to Julian's entrance and grasped Julian's hips. In one flowing motion, Garak entered the doctor's pliant body. At once, Garak was absorbed and surrounded in the inflamed depth. Julian's body molded itself around Garak's - taking him in and making them one as the tailor started gently pushing into him. Julian reached up to grip the headboard of the bed and pushed himself back to take all the of the tailor into him. Garak's arm wound around the doctor's midsection to provide support as he started a slow and steady rocking motion. Julian turned his head seeking the Cardassian's mouth as he quickened the pace. Garak tried to keep the pace slow as to not hurt the doctor, but Julian didn't seem to feel any fear as he arched back to meet every thrust with abandon. Both of their bodies grew hot and moist with perspiration. Garak's hands roamed over the slippery flesh - finding the heady smell of the doctor intoxicating. Capable fingers closed around the doctor's rigid organ and began pumping his hand in measured time with his thrusts. Garak felt Julian's muscles become taunt as he called out Garak's name - his warm fluid covering the tailor's fingers. The intensity of Julian's orgasm caused Garak to climax. Surges of pleasure rolled and crashed over him - causing him to lose himself in the sensation. Slowly, reluctantly, they descended the summit together - their breathing slowly coming to normal. Cautiously Garak pulled himself out of the doctor and laid down on the pillow. Julian settled himself into the crook of the Cardassian's arm, resting his head against Garak's chest. The steady rise and fall was comforting and he felt himself grow tired. ' Elim Garak, I think I could be falling in love with you.' was the last thought Julian was conscious of before his eyes fluttered shut and sleep overtook him - not aware that Garak had the same thought on his mind as he pulled the blanket over his sleeping lover and fell asleep himself.