GARAK: [sighs harshly] This is maddening.

BASHIR: [looks up] What do you mean?

GARAK: [spreads his hands] Here we are, standing around like gettle awaiting the inevitable hound to bear its fangs while Dukat gloats of his victory. What IS Starfleet think it's doing, Doctor?

BASHIR: [shrugs] We can't afford a confrontation right now Garak. We're just re-supplying our fleet while the Captain confers with Admiral Nechayev."

GARAK: A drab woman, if you ask me. [shakes head in irritation] Starfleet had an entire armada of vessels ready to attack … why not make the strike then?

BASHIR: I suppose it was too soon. You heard what the Admiral said. We can't risk involving Bajor right now. We need to figure a way to negotiate them out of this.

GARAK: Hm. [looks outside for a moment] So this is Earth.

BASHIR: [soft smile] Yes. You've never been?

GARAK: No. And I must say, doctor ... [turns to leave] It's a sore sight.

BASHIR: [loses his smile and looks out the same window sadly]

STARFLEET ACADEMY - CAMPUS GROUNDS

GARAK: [walking along a stone path, dejected as he walks with little attention to where he's going. Finally turns a corner and bumps into a lithe, blond woman.] Of all the--

WOMAN: Oh mon Dieu, mes excuses ... je ne vous avais pas vu ... (1)

GARAK: [frowns] Excuse me?

WOMAN: I ... I am apologetic. I did not mean to not see you ... You see I am never quite sure ... I mean, I always look before walking ... I--

GARAK: [stares at her for a moment] No harm was done. I ... [relunctantly] I am Garak. [offers hand]

WOMAN: [shakes it with a relieved smile] Palis. Palis Dénont.

STARFLEET ACADEMY - CAFETERIA

PALIS: [walking with Palis toward the cafeteria] I am actually not often here. I was said that the Deep Space Nine station was invaded?

GARAK: [grim nod as he opens the door to the cafeteria for her] Yes, unfortunately. Did you know someone there?

PALIS: [looks at Julian, still looking over his PADD] Yes. I did.

GARAK: [follows her gaze, and mutters] Should have known.

PALIS: Pardon moi?

GARAK: Ah ... no ... it's not important. I gather you know Doctor Bashir then ..."

PALIS: Oui (2)! Ah, you too know him?

BASHIR: [looks up and stands with a somewhat anxious look]

PALIS: [Cuts through Garak's reply, and draws Bashir into a hug with a giggle]

BASHIR: Palis ... quelle ... belle surprise (3).

PALIS: Julien, it is so very good to see you ...

BASHIR: Ah ... likewise. [nervous smile, his eyes averting hers]

GARAK: [looks on amusedly as they all sit]

PALIS: [startles Garak by touching his hand] Garaque, has Julien behaving on DS9? He used to be nervous with new people.

GARAK: [works his mouth for a moment before actually speaking] He's ... tamed down quite significantly since first I've met him.

PALIS: [laughs and tousles Julian's hair] Ah mon petit tresor. (4) You always be a little shy and nervous to me.

BASHIR: [evidently embarassed] I'm not the same man Palis. I changed. I ... I've had other relationships. [piteous attempt to look as though he's over her]

PALIS: Bien sur (5). [successful attempt to look unconvinced] I have since married Julien. [smug] A man of taste and rich too.

JULIAN: [seems to actually be shrinking in size by the embarassement]

GARAK: [disapproving, he smiles suddenly] Really? Now that is just marvelous. And not an unlikely coincidence I suppose. Our dear Julian here has equally married.

PALIS: [loses smile] Really? [quietly] I ... I did not know. It is not said in your record.

GARAK: [without missing a beat] That's because Cardassian weddings aren't considered valid in Starfleet marital procedures.

JULIAN: [forces jaw not to drop]

PALIS: [frowns] You ... you are together?

GARAK: [all smiles] Hmm. Apparently Julian was soured by his experiences with women prior to his assignement on DS9 ... seems SOMEone in his life was just bad enough to make him turn completely the opposite way. [flutters his eyelashes] Fortunately, I was around when that happened.

PALIS: [blushes]

BASHIR: [throws himself into the role and inches his chair closer to Garak's] I can't say I regret it … I've had THE most passionate time of my life with him. My little honey bunch. [grins, pinching Garak's cheek]

GARAK: [feigned amusement, bats Julian's hand away] Now stop.

BASHIR: No really ... who's my little Cardassian? [tousles Garak's hair]

GARAK: [turns and hisses] Really, that's quite enough. [when Julian stops he sweetly smiles] Cutey pie.

PALIS: Well ... I ... I have errands ... I will ... go ... [bounds out of the cafeteria]

BASHIR: [breaks down and laughs] Oh gods, Garak, that was precious. [seriously] Thank you.

GARAK: [inches his chair away, nodding slightly] Nothing to it, Doctor. She was evidently in need of a refresher course in manners.

BASHIR: She's always been this way. [sigh]

GARAK: Then why pursue anything then?

BASHIR: I was young … I was foolish. I was in love. [silly smile] I suppose those are good enough reasons when you're 19.

GARAK: I wager anything she isn't even married. She checked your record, saw you were not, and decided to chance a fortuitous 'encounter' with you simply to gloat over an illusion.

BASHIR: I doubt it. She used to have this uncanny ability to make men dance at her bidding.

GARAK: Including you ... [looks down] I apologise.

BASHIR: No, no ... it's true. [sigh] Well ... in any case. It was fun. But I think I'll turn in for the evening. Take care Garak. [takes his PADD] I shall see you tomorrow. [walks out of the cafeteria with a smile.]

GARAK: [sighs and looks out at the unfamiliar Terran sun as it sets]

(1) My God ... my apologies, I didn't see you ...
(2) Yes!
(3) Palis ... what a surprise ...
(4) Ah my little treasure.
(5) Of course.

The End