MILES O’BRIEN JOINS THE RANKS OF THE HALO SERIES. He has the distinguished honor of being the ds9 character I’ve loved the longest. as little me has loved him ever since he was the transporter tech on TNG. I found a ref pic with some really great lighting from Quark’s and I just love how the light turned out in this one.
Miles Edward O’Brien: Patron Saint of Overworked Engineers. Part of my Star Trek Halos series.
… I am going to get through this episode. Or at least attempt to. Because right now, I’d love to reach through the screen and strangle Zimmerman.
“I’m sorry it upsets you" (Fuck you, this is a little beyond upset, you little shit. And that’s not at all an apology for deliberately doing exactly the opposite of what Julian requested, and making sure that he was forced to have contact with people he has done his best to cut out of his life for his own well-being.)
“It is urgent. To me.” (Still doesn’t give you the right to override Julian’s own wishes regarding contact with his parents.)
“Like it or not, they’re an important part of your background, and I need to interview them.” (Right. Right. Interviewing someone who has inflicted medical abuse on a child and then continued the emotional abuse to push that child in the direction they want rather than allowing the child to develop at their pace and explore their own path is more important than respecting Julian’s own stated desires about contact with his parents. Fuck you very much.)
…..
Gods, do I want to strangle that little asshat.
Of course he can’t stand to be in the same room with you, when you’re belittling him for making his own choices. When you’re being defensive and angry about him not wanting others to know about the medical abuse you inflicted on him. Just. Fuck you very much.
Oh, Julian.
(Not quite seven when his parents uprooted him from everything he knew, and took him to doctors who took apart all he was and created someone else in his place.)
And Miles is fucking fantastic in this scene, saying that what was done, the “enhancements” didn’t inform personality. Functionally saying that Julian is who he is despite the abuse, not because of it.
(Although the fact of them happening after Julian was already a person would have some effect on his personality. As well as the disappointment of his parents prior to them, and the change in his relationship with them after. The secrets that were constantly kept.)
No one even asked for this one I just wrote it for myself. Put under the cut
INFATUATED
“Garak?” Miles asks and Julian rolls his eyes at the incredulity in his voice.
“Yes Garak, what about that surprises you, Chief?” Julian asks, leaning back in his chair at their usual table at Quark’s. He crosses his arms, feeling a little defensive. He knew Miles had his issues with Cardassians, and that his history with Garak personally wasn’t without its scars.
I haven’t written that yet.
This is when he meets Garak. I’ll write a “growing up” fic eventually. (I did get some ideas about someone trying to kidnap Jules and gather information out of him and then others coming to his aide. I might do that first.)
I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written some of these, so here are the past two stories for a refresher:
Stay
Six Adults and a ChildHow Fitting
Garak gave up on the idea of seeing Doctor Julian Bashir that afternoon for their weekly lunch outing. In truth, he gave up on seeing the dear doctor at all, at least for the foreseeable future.
The senior officers weren’t saying anything about the young man’s, now young boy’s, condition. Though others whispered possibilities throughout the promenade and developed theories behind the shuttered doors of their living quarters, Garak understood what such silence from those officers meant. He contributed to the whispers and the growing rumors for the entertainment of it, but he understood the dear doctor was no more a man than any other seven-year-old human could be and the Starfleet-headed staff had no idea why. Troubling. The officers had done their best to not make it Garak’s trouble, even though he’d offered assistance, but it still weighed on his mind even while he tailored.
Though, all trouble seems to find Garak in time.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
I skipped over a lot of what happened during the course of the episode. Some details may be inaccurate, but I made the dialogue and the scenes with Julian as accurate as possible.
Worse Time
Julian was alive.
Sure, Miles knew the last twenty years he’d envisioned were fake – a punishment for an espionage crime he hadn’t committed – but it was still jarring to see the young Doctor Bashir smiling politely at him in the docking ring. Julian had been with him those twenty years. At least, Miles thought Julian had been. And then, those last two weeks…
The surprise must have been clear on his face, as the young man’s joyous expression faded into concern.
“Chief, are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
I didn’t know if you wanted Dax to help Bashir or if you wanted Bashir to try to win over Dax, so I’m going with the first option. If you want something Bashir/Dax, please feel free to ask. c:
In truth, I’ve never read or seen Cyrano de Bergerac because I’m uncultured like that, but I read the plot synopsis and I’ve definitely seen variations of the story before. I’ve decided to write a variation of it that’s not exact and include Miles O’Brien for comedic purposes.
Cyrano de Bashirac
Julian messed up.
He realized this several evenings prior while in the solitude of his own quarters. During late, lonely nights, just as he was about to drift off, Julian got in the habit of imagining what it was like to curl up against his current love interest. That night, his mind rotated over the idea of a broad chest, wide shoulders, a soft stomach, and Cardassian chin ridges that brushed against his hair. Julian tried to pull himself closer to that image, an unconscious smile curling onto his lips, before realizing that Garak had to be the one in the vision. His eyes shot open. The image didn’t leave. In fact, Julian longed for it to be real.
Shit.
Julian did his best to hide his emotional understanding during the day, especially when he ate lunch with Garak. Although their conversation was normal, Julian felt the tug of his heart when their eyes met, when Garak smiled, when the man leaned closer to whisper something in earnest even though there was no need for the action. And when he wandered away, his mind fluttered to the midnight meandering his mind dared cross. He couldn’t keep going like this. He had to tell someone.
He told Miles, who looked rather unsettled by the whole matter. He tried to whisper his displeasure, but the natural noise in Quark’s forced the man to speak louder.
“I can’t believe you’d like Garak of all people,” Miles said, “Never mind that he’s a Cardassian, Julian. He can’t be trusted. Even Captain Sisko would say something against it.”
“What would Benjamin be against?”
Yes, of course!
This probably isn’t what you had in mind, but I thought it would be adorable and I’m all for adorable.
Pink Petals
Odo spoke with Miles O’Brien about their canceled plans briefly.
“Keiko’s coming back to the station with Molly and Kirayoshi for a short visit and I want to do something with them.”
Odo didn’t mind. Although having those hours absent would be unusual, he was certain he would find some productive way to fill it. Likely, part of that time would involve watching Quark. He said so and it made Chief O’Brien smile just a little.
“I doubt Quark will give you a refund on the holosuite hours,” Odo said.
“Oh, I still plan on using them,” Chief O’Brien answered, “Thought I’d take the family on a picnic.”
“A picnic.” It was more of a statement than a question. In truth, Odo hadn’t meant anything by it. It was needed more for clarification than anything else.
“Is there something wrong with that?” O’Brien asked. He didn’t sound offended but his shoulders did stiffen.
“No,” Odo answered, “I’m just unfamiliar with the term.”
“A picnic’s where you go outside and eat on a blanket, usually. Keiko used to go on picnics all the time with her family as a kid. I bought a holosuite program with scenery that matches a certain time of year in Japan. She used to go to the cherry blossom festival as a kid. It’s when the trees are blossoming. It’s a sign of spring. Those trees made her want to become a botanist. She hasn’t seen them in years, though. I thought Keiko would like it.”
“I’m sure she will.”
Miles seemed to relax after that. Their conversation continued for a couple more minutes before the Chief left. Odo didn’t think much of it.
The next day – one day before their canceled holosuite hours – Odo was sitting in his office when Keiko walked through the door. She was smiling one of her polite “I’d like to invite you somewhere” smiles. Odo regarded it with a sense of warmth. They passed pleasantries before Keiko finally let him in on what that smile was for.
“Miles told me you didn’t know what a picnic was. Have you never been on a picnic before?”
“No.”
“Oh, then you have to come with us.”
“I’d hate to intrude.”
“I insist! Miles said it’s alright and I’m sure the kids would love to see you. If you’re that worried about being the only one outside the family there, we can always invite Julian. I’m sure he’d love to join us.”
Odo knew there was no getting out of it. Even the “I don’t eat” excuse wasn’t going to work. So, he agreed, and Keiko’s smile widened. They talked for a little longer before Keiko left.
The next day, Odo arrived at Quark’s a few minutes before the holosuite reservation. Quark wasn’t surprised to see him. Neither was Julian, who was waiting by the bar for them to show up, no doubt. Julian greeted him with a polite, kind smile. A norm for the doctor, no matter who was moving to greet him. A constant, friendly face.
“Afternoon, Constable,” he said, “Ready for the picnic?”
“I suppose,” Odo answered, “Though I’m not sure what I’ll be there to do, since I don’t eat.”
“I’m sure we’ll think of something.”
Honest enough. They made idle chatter about station gossip before the O’Briens arrived with a large basket, a blanket, and the holosuite program. They said “hi” to Quark before they all moved up to holosuite two for their reservation. Miles put in the program. The holosuite doors opened. The family moved in first and then Julian followed with Odo coming in last.
The program was beautiful. The trees that Chief O’Brien had mentioned were petaled with pink flowers which started to sprinkle onto the grass, which was barren of all other people. Odo watched the petals twist and dance under the ocean sky and land with grace onto the wind brushed blades of green. His eyes wandered to Molly who began to gather some of the pink shards in her small hands. Nearby, Miles unfurled the blanket and laid it out. It’d fit twelve. Far too big for their small group. That, likely, didn’t matter to them.
“It’s not quite the same,” Odo heard Keiko say as she stared at the trees, “But it’s really close.”
“It’s the best program I could find,” Miles answered.
“And it’s wonderful, even if it’s not perfect. Thank you.”
They shared a kiss. Odo flicked his gaze from them to Molly again. Julian had started to help Molly collect the petals. She wanted more than her little hands could carry so Julian cupped his together in a small bowl and watched Molly place more inside. Even the doctor’s hands weren’t large enough, though. Some of the petals began to slip free and land in the grass with little effort. Odo walked over, knelt down, and formed his hands into a large bowl without a word. Petals were transferred to his care. Molly added more. Julian only watched.
“Molly, honey, come eat,” Keiko called. Molly looked at the collection of petals before looking up at Odo.
“I’ll keep them safe,” Odo said. He smiled. Molly smiled in return before running to the blanket. Odo glanced over at Julian. They exchanged smiles before joining the O’Brien family. Everyone else started to eat except for Odo, who let his hands remain in that bowl form, with the petals still inside. Some drifted from the trees above and joined their captured companions.
“I used to collect the petals too,” Keiko said, “I thought I could keep them from dying if I took them home and put them in water.”
“It didn’t work, did it?” Julian asked.
“No,” Keiko said, “I cried every time. Hopefully that’s not what happens to Molly.”
“If it is, we can always bring her back,” Miles said, “I’ll always have the program.”
“That’s true,” Keiko said.
Light chatter continued. Odo interjected small bits of conversation but mostly observed the family unit, the smiles, the laughter. Once she was done eating, Molly took to collecting petals again. Odo let his hands expand into a larger and larger bowl as her collecting progressed. The two hours went by quickly. Odo knew Quark would be coming in within the next few minutes. However, it was Julian who warned everyone of the Ferengi’s near approach.
“We’ll have to pack up before Quark shows,” Julian said.
Molly didn’t stop her collecting as the basket, the dishes, and the blanket were stored and secured in Julian and Keiko’s arms.
“Okay, Molly,” Keiko said, “We have to go. The petals have to stay here.”
Molly stopped then and looked at her collection. Odo could feel the weight then. It wasn’t unbearable by any means but there was no way any human could carry this many petals without them slipping through their fingers. He hadn’t bothered to count but he wished that he had. Next time, then. If there was ever a next time.
“But I wanna take them,” Molly said.
“No, they stay,” Keiko said, “We can come back tomorrow and see them again.”
“Okay,” Molly said. There was a disappointment there, though. Odo looked at the petals and then back at Molly. He considered his next move. Then he extended the bowl slowly above her head and let holes form. The petals showered down on her. She smiled and put her hands up. Pink pooled against her fingers and her face before sifting away and drifting to cover the grass. He smiled as the last of the petals drifted to the ground. He pulled his hands to him again and let them form into the familiar shape he was used to. Molly floundered in the petal pile before leaping away and running to Miles.
“Daddy, Odo made it rain,” she said.
“I saw,” Miles answered, “You be sure to thank him for that.”
She turned and looked at Odo. Odo made eye contact with her as he stood.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he answered with a smile.
They left the holosuite. All traces of the pink petals disappeared from their clothing. A shame. But Odo didn’t really mind. While the images couldn’t stay, the memories always would.
Damsel in distress Julian, omg. I. Just. Love. DiD!Julian.
Programming Glitch
“Computer, locate Doctor Bashir.”
“Doctor Bashir is in holosuite two.”
Garak sighed. Of course. There was a station wide electronics issue hooked directly to the holosuite and his dear Doctor Bashir is stuck inside one of them. They already couldn’t turn off the holosuites, no they had a more pressing issue to deal with. No doubt his new program was partially to blame for the whole fiasco.
The good doctor had kept his new holosuite adventure a secret, much like he did with the secret agent program months ago. Only, this wasn’t the secret agent program. Julian had asked for a new costume – something regal, refined. Garak was delighted to make such a thing for him, and was even more delighted to see it on him. He was curious as to what story would call for such a wondrous outfit, but Garak decided to bring up the matter with Quark, not Julian. One quick peek during the late night hours would quell his curiosity.
Now, though, Garak regretted the delay.
“It’s not like last time,” Chief O’Brien said. Garak’s gaze flicked up to him. “There’s no one else trapped in there with him. We could send a couple people in there and fish him out.”
“That’s assuming we can get in at all,” Jadzia said.
“Oh, it is quite possible to break into the holosuites no matter what state of ill-repair they’re in,” Garak said. Eyes flicked to him almost at once. Six pairs of them, to be exact. Some where wide open and others harbored no shock or disbelief.
“And I’m assuming you’ve tested that,” Constable Odo said.
“Oh, hardly,” Garak answered, “But they are not the most secure rooms on this station. It would be quite easy to slip inside one, given that you have the right security access, of course.”
“And you have access?” Captain Sisko asked.
“Of course. But even if I didn’t, Constable Odo certainly does. I believe Quark has asked him to use his access codes on a number of occasions. Is this not true?”
“It is,” Odo said.
“Alright,” Sisko said, “Let’s try to open holosuite two. Chief, Constable, Mr. Garak, I’ll leave it up to you to get in there and get him. Dax, I want you to go down to Quark’s as well. If there’s anyone else in those holosuites, I want to know and I want them out.”
There's a Mirror on the Wall 