SNOWFALL by Elizabeth Dunn

Star Trek:  Deep Space Nine

G/B

Summary:  A snowy accident leads to a new connection between friends.

Disclaimer:  Paramount owns all!  The characters, the planet Bajor, Deep Space Nine, they all belong to Paramount.  I just like to play with them.  I intended no toes to be stepped on.  This story is NC-17, involving *very* close relationships between two men, so if you are not of legal age or this kind of reading material is just not your idea of a good time, you have been warned.  Get out now!

Feedback (good, bad, ugly, any appreciated) can be sent to:  Starry_Night_98@hotmail.com

"I just don't see why you find this enjoyable."

Dr. Julian Bashir sighed.  He'd been listening to his Cardassian friend, Garak, complain for over an hour now, since they'd left the lodge high up in Bajor's Sabra Mountains.  "Listen Garak," Julian said, trying to keep his temper under control, "you were the one who decided to come with me.  I tried to tell you where I was planning on spending my vacation, but you wouldn't let me.  'Surprise me,' I believe, were your exact words."

Garak let out a sigh that spoke of long suffering.  "Yes, I know, that, and believe me, I almost wish that I had demanded an exact location.  I just don't understand the whole 'snow shoeing' concept.  How someone can find cold air and even colder, wet, snow fun is beyond my comprehension."

"I did offer to let you stay behind.  The lodge is warm.  You didn't have to subject your Cardassian physiology to the cold.  Although I am pleased you did decide to join me.  As to why I love this, it brings back pleasant memories of Earth.  I just wanted to share some of that with you."

Garak smiled at Julian's face, at lips that were slightly pouty with disappointment.  "I will, say this, Doctor, this is certainly a wonderful form of exercise.  I couldn't pass that up, could I?"  'Oh, if only I could tell you the real reason I joined you.'  "I'm just rather cold, I guess.  That's why I'm being so...difficult."

Julian turned around and had to laugh at the sight before his eyes.  The tailor, who had surprised Julian by being forthright for once, was bundled up in so many layers of clothing that the doctor still found it hard to believe that Garak could still walk.  His physician's skills took over as he noticed the heightened color in Garak's cheeks, a sure sign of approaching hypothermia in Cardassians.  That sight alone convinced Julian to stop teasing him.  "All right,

Garak, you win," the doctor said.  "We'll turn back now.  I'm getting rather cold myself.

Garak pointed to a cave that was about 100 yards ahead of them.  "Why don't we go on to that cave?  I need to rest for a bit before I go back down this mountain, and that looks like a nice spot out of the wind."  Julian nodded his agreement and the started off again.

The first thing Garak noticed as he walked into the cavern was the warmth.  'Hmmm, must be a hot spring,' he thought to himself.  He happily threw himself onto a hot rock, intent on absorbing as much warmth as possible.  Julian entered a lot more cautiously.

"Be careful Garak," Julian said in a hushed tone.  "If I remember correctly, hot springs sometimes indicate-"

"Doctor, be quiet in and come in here!  At least get warm before we make the miserable trek back down."  Garak had made no attempt to modulate his voice and was rewarded with a rumbling noise.  "What was that?" he asked, just before the crashing got much closer and the cave was suddenly plunged into darkness.

"That's what I was trying to warn you about, Garak," said Julian, trying to hide the concern he was feeling, and not doing a good job of it.  "Where there's a lot of heat, it sometimes destabilizes the snow pack.  Anything can start an avalanche in those situations, including a normal conversation."  His concern turned to Garak, knowing how claustrophobic the tailor was.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Doctor, except for the fact I can't see anything at all."

"Well, let me take care of that."  Julian rummaged into his pack until he found the specially tuned phaser designed for situations like this.  He raised his hand to shoot, then stopped.  He realized he had no idea where Garak was.  He certainly didn't want to shoot him!  Julian felt his way over to where he had heard Garak's voice last.  When he reached him, he turned and fired at the wall.  Garak jumped in shock until he saw the glow that filled the cave after the shot was fired.

"Ah, modified phaser, to heat and light the rock.  How clever," Garak commented.

"Standard part of survival gear."

With the reassurance of light, Garak settled back, panic held at bay by the light, and watched Julian rummage through his pack, pulling out items.  A shovel, canteen, rations, at least a week's worth, bedroll....  'What the--'  "Julian, were you expecting this to happen," Garak asked, slightly shocked by the level of the doctor's preparedness.

"Expecting, no.  Planning for the possibility, yes.  I learned very young to never go off into the mountains without thinking toward survival."  Julian sat back and made sure he had everything.  'Not that it makes much difference now; can't go back for something that I forgot,' he thought wryly.  With a sigh, he picked up the shovel and walked towards the cave mouth was.  Garak watched him curiously.

"What are you doing, doctor?"

"If we're lucky, the avalanche may have only blocked the cave entrance, not piled up in front of it.  If that's the case, then we may be able to dig ourselves out without much trouble."

"Ah."  A pause.  "Do you need any help up there?" Garak asked.

After a minute of grunting, Julian responded, "Yes, if you don't mind."  The tailor came forward and looked at him, silently asking what he should do.  Julian handed him the shovel and said, "Take this and carve out the column I started by a couple more feet.  I'll be doing the same thing, only with my hands."

Garak looked at Julian.  "Your hands?  Won't you get cold?"

"Yes, but not as fast as you.  You're not evolved to handle snow.  I am.  Trust me, I can handle this.  I spent several winter breaks when I was young building snow forts with my bare hands."  Julian gave Garak an impish grin.  "I never thought that particular skill could help in this situation, but one never knows."

A few minutes later, the column was hollowed out to Julian's specifications.  "All right, give me the shovel," Julian requested.  Garak complied.  Julian thrust the shovel into the snow wall and stopped after a couple inches.  With a disgusted sigh, Julian withdrew the shovel and headed back into the cave.

Garak looked at him.  'What's wrong now?"

"The snow is packed around the mouth of the cave.  It wasn't an avalanche; it was collapsing snow off the top of the cave.  We're stuck until someone from the lodge comes out to search for us.  It shouldn't be too long, a week at most."

"A week!  I don't know if you've noticed, but it's rather cold out, even with the hot spring.  How will we survive a week?"

Julian looked at him, and went over to the supplies he had unpacked.  He stooped down and unrolled a single bedroll.  Garak noted absently that it was wider than the ones he was used to.  "First, we conserve heat.  That means no unnecessary movement, and sharing a bedroll."  Julian grinned at the shocked look on the tailor's face.  "Also, get out of those clothes."

Garak was aghast.  "You want me to strip?"

Julian nodded.  "Wet clothing will only lead to pneumonia, not warmth."  Julian took the lead by stripping off all of his clothes.  Then he walked over to where the hot spring was bubbling and stuck a finger in.  He smiled.  "This feels to be around 80 degrees.  I know it's not as warm as you'd like, but it should be pleasant."  He slid into the water, oblivious to Garak's eyes on him.  "Join me?"

"Ah, no, I think I'll just get into bed."  Garak closed his eyes and turned away from the sight of Julian.  'Does he have any idea how difficult this is for me?' Garak thought as he hurriedly stripped and got into the bedroll, desperate to hide the erection that had appeared at the doctor's actions.  'Does he know how he's affecting me, what he's doing to me?'

For a long time, Garak had desired the young doctor.  At first, he thought it was just a physical lust, one that would soon die away.  But it had instead deepened, into true love.  He loved Julian with a ferocity that scared him at times, and made his life difficult at others.  'Does he know how hard it is, sitting through lunches with him, discussing literature and politics, when every part of me is telling me to take him to my bed?  Is it even possible that he may feel more for me than he is letting on?'

Julian got out of the water and looked over to the bedroll where Garak was.  Noting that the tailor was turned away from him, he allowed himself to slip into a train of thought that was becoming more and more common lately--how much he wanted Garak.  He had been attracted to the Cardassian since the moment they met, but had managed to convince himself that it was only a passing fancy.  It was only when Garak had nearly died in the incident with the Wire that he realized that he truly loved the tailor.  Julian had forced himself to keep their relationship on a friends-only basis, believing that Garak wanted no more than that.  Now, though....  'This is going to be harder than I thought.  Spending so much time alone with him, sharing a bed with him...I have to control myself.'  Julian hoped feverently that help would arrive, *soon*.  Submitting to the inevitable, he slid into the bedroll.

Beside him, Garak tensed as he felt Julian's warm body settle in beside him.  His arousal, which had been fading, was resurging again.  'Gul, this is going to be hard.'  A smile appeared on his face as the tailor thought about the double meaning of that.  Julian, who had turned to look at Garak and make sure he was all right, noticed.  "What's so funny?" he asked.  Garak shook his head.  It was clear that he wasn't going to get any answers out of the Cardassian so he moved on to his next inquiry.  "Are you feeling all right?  Warm enough?"

"I'm fine, really, Doctor, you needn't fuss.  While I wouldn't mind it being warmer, I assure you I am warm enough to be safe."

Julian wasn't fooled by Garak's words.  He could feel the Cardassian shivering next to him.  He sighed, considering what he was going to do next.  Finally, professionalism winning out over the need to hide his desire, he turned to face Garak and wrapped his arms around the startled tailor, drawing him until Garak's back made firm contact with his chest.

"Doctor, whatever do you think you're doing?" asked Garak, stiffening slightly at the contact.  'If he moves his hands any lower, I'm through," he thought, slightly panicked at the thought of the doctor discovering his erect member.

"What does it look like I'm doing--I'm trying to keep you warm."

"I was warm enough."

"You were shivering, that isn't warm.  See, now, you've stopped."

Garak did have to admit that he felt better.  Ever so slowly, he relaxed into Julian's arms.  "I suppose this isn't so bad.  You're right Doctor, I am much warmer now."  He heard Julian's low chuckle.  "What do you find so amusing?" he asked, curious.

"Two things--one, that you actually admitted I was right about something, and two, that even in this situation you can't drop your guard and call me by my first name.  It's 'Julian', not 'Doctor.'  I'm not on duty."

Garak smiled.  "I never thought about calling you by your first name," he admitted.  "First names acknowledge a degree of...intimacy.  I didn't know you felt that way."  He felt Julian's indrawn breath. 

"Intimacy?  And, just how...intimate...do two people have to be before you can use their first name...Elim?"

Garak was at first too shocked by the realization that the doctor actually *knew* his first name to register the tone of the words.  They were soft, sensual, and almost seductive.  'This might be interesting,' he thought.  Garak decided to see how far he could take this.  "How intimate?  Well," he turned over so he was face-to-face with the doctor.  "This intimate."  He leaned in and kissed Julian.

Julian drew back, startled at this turn of events.  He looked into Garak's eyes, a mute question in his own.  Garak nodded and captured his mouth again.  Now that he knew that this what they both wanted, Julian concentrated on the sensations coming from the warm mouth against his own.  He had always thought that Garak would be skilled, but this was beyond his own fantasies.  Garak's lips were pressed against his own just hard enough to be pleasurable, enough to lend a feeling of rough play, but not damaging.  The Cardassian's tongue caressed his own sensually.  Julian let out a muffled moan, delighting in the feelings of passion awakening in him.  He could feel his erection stirring again, and felt a hardness against his thigh that spoke of Garak's condition.  With a smile he rolled his hips so their erections pressed together.  The tailor's reaction was immediate.  He drew back from Julian with a gasp.

"I don't know about you, Julian, but I need you, *now*."

Julian smiled.  "Then you'll have me," he stated, and reached down and took possession of Garak.

Garak couldn't quite suppress a moan as Julian's skilled fingers began caressing that part of him that burned with the need to release.  He cried out as the doctor found spots that were quite sensitive.  "Yes, that's it Julian, right there!"

	The doctor slowly halted his pumping motions, just gently stroking the Cardassian's shaft, teasing him.  Garak looked at him desperation in his eyes.  "Please, Julian, I need..." His words trailed off, voice deserting him.

"Do you know why I've stopped?"  Julian's voice was teasingly seductive.  Garak shook his head.  "I want you to make love to me, to come inside me."

Garak growled at the invitation, but stopped himself from turning Julian over and having his way with him.  "But what about your comfort?  Have you ever done this before?"  When Julian shook his head, Garak sighed.  "I know that it will hurt you.  I don't wish to do that.  I didn't think to prepare for *this* turn of events."  Julian chuckled, understanding perfectly.  "But without some sort of lubricant...."

"Is that all?" Julian laughed.  "Wait here."  He walked over to his pack and drew out his med kit.  He opened it up and drew out a small tube of medical lubricant.  "I think this should do nicely."  He handed the tube to Garak and crawled back into the bedroll.  Garak eagerly opened the tube and coated himself well.  He turned over the doctor and just as quickly prepared him for penetration. 

Garak had fully meant to ease himself into the doctor, but, passion overtaking him, he slid in all the way with one quick thrust.  Julian let out a moan.  Immediately, the tailor halted all movement and asked worriedly, "Did I hurt you, Julian?  Am I hurting you?"

"No," Julian gasped out.  "More...need you...." He rocked his hips, his body indicating what words were incapable of.  Garak let himself go.  He thrust in and out of the doctor, encouraged by his moans and cries of pleasure.  Soon, all too soon, he felt himself on the edge.  Quickly, he reached around their joined bodies to grab Julian's shaft, determined to bring them both to peak at the same time.  The double stimulation was too much for the doctor.  He came powerfully, screaming his pleasure.  Garak, encouraged by the clenching of muscles around him, came as well, spilling himself deep into Julian's body, yelling his pleasure.  With a sigh or regret he withdrew from the doctor's depths and settled beside his lover...his love.

"That was wonderful, incredible, Elim.  I've never had an experience like that with anyone."

"And you never will either.  Now that I have you, I don't plan on letting you go any time soon, my dear Julian."

"Do you really mean that?" asked Julian, looking into Garak's eyes.  "I love you, I think I always have, but-"

Julian's words were cut off by both Garak's finger and the soft shushing sound he made.  "No 'buts.' Not ever.  Julian," Garak stopped for a minute, collected his thoughts, and continued.  "Julian, I know that in many things I have been less than honest with you.  That was for your protection, for my own in many cases.  I will never be able to be completely forthright in matters of my past, but as for matters of my heart, my soul, know this:  I love you.  I will never lead you astray there.  I love you with everything in me.  I hope you can believe that, just as I believe with all my heart that you feel the same for me."

Julian looked at him, the love clear in his eyes.  "Elim, that was beautiful.  Yes, I do trust and believe you, if I didn't, deep down, I would've never done this with you, much less fallen in love with you.  I do love you, with all *my* heart and soul, and I feel the love you have for me.  Forgive me for being afraid of it."

"There is no need for me to forgive your fear.  Love is frightening.  I was scared too, but having you is enough to banish that fear, any fear.  I had hoped you felt the same for me as well."

Julian giggled.  Garak *did* look funny with a sad pout on his face.  "No more fears," he whispered, and leaned down to capture the tailor's lips with his own.  Soon they fell asleep in each other's arms.

	

Three days later....

Julian and Garak sat on top of the blankets, drinking the coffee Julian had brought with him.  Garak sipped his drink and couldn't quite suppress a shudder.  "Julian, I don't know how you can eat and drink such...distasteful things.  Between this and Klingon cuisine, I don't know how you've kept your insides from rotting out!"

The doctor laughed.  "Just be grateful that the coffee isn't alive."

"Oh, please, anything but that!"

The pair giggled and, as many of their actions had been leading to of late, fell into each other's arms, kissing passionately.  Julian suddenly pulled his mouth away and cocked his head, listening.  When Garak tried to recapture his lips, he pulled away more insistently.  "I hear something, Garak."  A pause, then Julian got up and walked to the cave mouth and placed his hand on the packed snow there.  It was definitely vibrating, and the sound was louder.  For a brief second, Julian feared that another avalanche was occurring, but an instant later, he realized the truth.  'Garak!" he cried.  "Someone's digging us out!"

The two men raced around the cave, trying to dress and pack their gear at the same time.  They had just finished when light poured through the cave mouth and a rescue team, led by Major Kira, walked in.  Medics instantly surrounded them, trying to assess damage.

"Doctor, Garak, are you two all right?" Kira asked.  "You gave the whole station a fright, disappearing like that!"

"Nerys, we're both fine," Julian hastened to assure her.  The worst that could've happened was a terminal case of boredom."

"Oh?" she asked.  "And how did you spend your time?"

"We ...bonded.  Conversed.  I tried to convince Garak of the merits of snow."

"I see," Kira said, somewhat suspicious.  "Did you?"

Garak spoke up then.  "Oh he did, Major.  You can call me a true convert now.  Grinning, he put his arm around Julian's shoulders.  "Now, I believe we are both quite ready to end this vacation and return home."

As Kira watched them go, she took note of how closely they walked together, of the way their bodies press intimately against each other.  'I'll bet they bonded all right,' she thought to herself.  'Jadzia's going to love this!'  Smiling to herself over the newest bit of gossip to be passed, she followed the two men to the runabout, Deep Space Nine, and home.

-*-THE END-*-