writertobridge:

digitalvulcan:

soon after the events of ‘the search’ garak casually says “i’m afraid i won’t be able to have lunch with you today” and doesn’t understand why julian looks that unnerved

Garak walked through the open doors of the infirmary. It was early, but such a visit was necessary. He had a client of sorts arriving at the station that morning who wished to discuss important matters. He needed to alert Doctor Julian Bashir to the abrupt change of plans. He half expected the dear doctor not to be at work that early, but as he entered the doors, the doctor looked his way and offered a polite but puzzled smile.

“Good morning, Garak,” the doctor said as he turned completely towards him, the central console abandoned, “Is there something I can do for you?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” Garak said. He stopped an arm’s length away, “I’m only here to inform you of a change in plans. I’m afraid I won’t be able to have lunch with you today.”

Something washed over the young man’s face. It widened the doctor’s eyes, paled his skin, tightened his lips in. Garak blinked. His own certainty over the matter nearly wavered. He thought to turn to peer behind him, but with those brown eyes frozen on his face, he was certain it was his words that triggered the reaction.

“Doctor, is something wrong?”

Julian blinked. His mouth flapped open, shut, open. Then his eyes jerked away.

“N-no, I’m sorry,” Julian said, “It’s nothing.”

“I’m afraid your appearance betrays your feelings, my dear doctor,” Garak said. An invitation. Julian wavered physically, perhaps mentally, at the suggestion. Then he sighed.

“Remember when I told you about the changelings taking us? And the computer simulation of the station?” Julian asked.

“Yes.”

Pause.

“Well, you were on the station, of course. When we were on the way to the escape pod to escape the attacked station, you helped us. Before we got there though, you were shot, and… you died. I tried to help but there was nothing…” Julian’s voice drifted, sank, disappeared. Then he lightly shook his head twice. “Before you died, you spoke to me. Your words were, ‘I’m afraid I won’t be able to have lunch with you today.’ Word for word.”

Ah. Well that certainly explained the grave face the good doctor had put on, and the continued lack of eye contact. What a transparent man. Delightful, but as see-through as the station’s glass. Garak smiled softly.

“How unfortunate. I apologize for triggering such a memory, Doctor. That was not my intention. If it is any consolation, matters are not so dire. One of my off-station clients is arriving on the station this morning and wished to speak with me over lunch. I’m afraid their arrival and meeting is important enough to miss ours for. If you would like, we can meet for dinner this evening. Perhaps it will ease your anxiety over the matter.”

Julian finally looked at him again.

“Only if dinner won’t be a bother,” Julian said.

“I wouldn’t offer it as an option if it were problematic,” Garak said. Julian smiled again. It was delicate, near fragile, and sent fire through Garak’s heart for a moment. He batted down the flames.

“I’d like that,” Julian said.

“Excellent. We can dine wherever you wish. How does nineteen-hundred hours sound?”

“That’s fine.” There was a lightness in Julian’s voice again.

“Good. We can meet outside my shop.”

“Sound good. Thank you, Garak.”

“No, thank you.” Garak turned, paused, then looked back at Julian. “Oh, and doctor, I would never be so foolish as to let someone on the station kill me with a phaser. I’m aging, my dear, but my senses aren’t dulling quite yet.”

Julian’s smile warmed.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Garak nodded, turned, and left the infirmary, happier with the day’s events now that matters were settled.