Lying in on the grass, the air soft on his heated skin, he felt the cool lips on his again and sliding his arms around his dream lover's neck, knew it was Garak. And this was always where he woke up alone, hard and frustrated. But tonight, tonight was different: he now had insight into the true nature of dreams and was not about to shirk his responsibility to his karma or dharma or whatever. Fired with resolve to take the bull by the horns and face the situation, Bashir ripped off his pajamas and took a quick shower. He dressed and made his way through the deserted habitat ring to Garak's quarters, where he leaned on the bell until it was answered by an adorably tousled Cardassian. Bashir's heart melted at the sight of him, but he stepped purposely inside. "Did I wake you, Garak?" he asked tenderly. "Yes, actually." Garak glanced around the hallway to see if there were some emergency that would bring Dr. Bashir to him at this hour, and seeing none, let the door slide closed. He turned to his unexpected guest and hoped he had a suitably hospitable though puzzled look on his face. But Bashir had drifted across the room, toward the Cardassian's bedroom. Wearing a distracted air, he wondered how to broach the subject of his visit. Feeling his nerve deserting him, he plunged boldly on: "Garak, do you believe in karma?" "In what, Doctor?" (Was it really 0300?) "Cause and effect. That we are rewarded or punished for all our actions over numerous lifetimes, even in dreams." "No, I don't." (I wish I had on slippers, my feet are cold.) "You don't?" "No. I don't believe in... what's the word? Transmigration of the soul, nor do I believe there is some universal scorekeeper somewhere keeping a tally on each of us." (God, you are so beautiful, Julian.) "Um..." "Why do you ask?" (Your skin just glows in this soft light.) "I, um, I was hoping it's not too late..." "Actually, it's rather early." (Your luminous eyes.) "What?" "It's 0300." (How I'd love to take you in my arms.) "Oh, the time..." Julian gave himself a mental shake and tried to focus but found himself simply gazing at the tailor. "That is what you meant, isn't it?" (Press my lips to yours.) "Well, no, not really..." (Get on with it, you silly git.) "Forgive me, dear Doctor, I didn't mean to presume to understand you." (Hear you cry out in ecstasy beneath me.) "It's quite all right, Garak." (Tell him!) "Or presume to understand why you're here at this hour." (Hold you through the night.) "Oh, yes. I wanted to know if your offer still stood." (There!) "My offer?" (I would... ... ...) "My offer to take you to bed?" Garak watched the object of his most profound sexual desires simply nod as if he'd just been asked to pass the salt. "Dr. Bashir, did you come here to make love to me?" Even he was surprised by the outrage in his voice and wondered where it came from. "If you'd like," Bashir said, nonchalance covering his fear that he was about to be tossed out as a cad and bounder. What had he been thinking, barging in here in the middle of the night? What kind of seducer was he? A rotten one; he should have arranged a nice dinner in his quarters, wine, flowers, soft music... His train of thought was interrupted by Garak, who seemed to have recovered somewhat, sitting on the couch. "And may I know what brought on this radical change of heart, Doctor?" The Cardassian gestured to an adjacent chair. Bashir ignored the chair and sat quite close to Garak on the couch, but did not touch him. "I decided to stop lying to myself, that I do care for you and want you. I dream about you and I can't stop thinking about you," he said softly, looking up at the tailor with warm, loving eyes. "I was a fool to turn you down, Garak. Can you ever forgive my stupidity? Please tell me it's not too late for me, for us. Please." He gently cupped Garak's face in his hands and would have kissed him had the cool gray hands on his shoulders not restrained him. "And what does karma have to do with it?" Garak asked to buy another moment to consider this outrageous good fortune sitting on his couch and trying to kiss him. "I read in _Rishi Baba_ that we are responsible for the karma we incur from our dreams and fantasies because they are creating an alternate desired reality that we should, if appropriate, act on in what is our perceived reality." Garak paused to think about this. "I must really read this book when you've finished with it." Thinking, as he relaxed his hold on Bashir's shoulders, he really must send the author, SaLing, a thank you note as well. "Garak, I'd really like to kiss you now." Bashir began to move forward with definite purpose. "Please do, my dearmphth..." (...sigh ...moan) ***end*** Back to the Start