| Author:
Christine
Pairing: Garak/Vedek Bariel Rating: PG-13 Feedback: < [email protected] > (This is a sequel to Worst Nightmare, please contact the author for more information.) Disclaimer: Viacom is Borg - that pretty much says it all. Notes: Part of the "Garak Fuh-q Fest" Archiving: ( Cardassian Choir )
He awoke to find himself in a strange bed, in a strange place. There were no lights in his surroundings, therefore he couldn't see where he was. He had no idea where he was or what he was doing here. Taking a shot in the dark, he called for lights. Obediently they came on, suddenly blinded by the brightness, he threw his arm across his face. "Lower the lights!" he yelled. To his relief, they lowered to a comfortable level. Slowly he lowered his arm, and noticed his heart was beating fast. //Much better,// he thought blinking a few times to clear the bright dots from behind his eyes. Sitting up, he decided to check out his surroundings. He looked around the room, surprised to see exactly where he was. //What am I doing here?// he thought getting out of bed. The last he remembered, he was walking with the Prophets. Free of his pain and suffering, now he was back in the flesh he had given lent to so long ago…why? ~*~*~*~*~ Laying in bed with his expectant husband, Garak recalled what they had all gone through six months ago with the Mary Sue incident. Everyone had been scared out of his or her wits. Even now he still cursed the Writer for putting them all in that horrible situation. Oh the things she had made them say! It made him shudder just thinking about it. And she didn't even get it proof read! Oh the horror! //Oh, please seek the divine guidance of a beta…please.// he prayed in his heart. Feeling his husband suddenly tense up, Bashir lifted his head from Garak's chest. Seeing the horrid expression on Garak's face, he knew exactly what he was thinking about. Sighing, "Elim, I wish you would quit thinking about that," Julian said as he shifted his position. He was now eight months pregnant and had a hell of a time getting out of bed. He felt ridiculous wearing a maternity uniform, so had asked Sisko's permission to wear civilian clothes instead. //Thank goodness he agreed.// Julian silently mused. "I know I shouldn't, my love," Garak replied sitting up in bed. "But I just can't get that experience out of my head." Running his hand through his hair, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Grabbing his robe, he placed it tightly on as if trying to find comfort in the simple cloth he was wrapping himself in. Julian watched as Garak got out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. //Can't blame him,// Julian mused. //I feel the same way about it myself.// His body gave an unsuppressed shiver, he even felt the baby shiver as if it knew what it's parents had just been through also. ~*~*~*~*~ Bareil walked towards the door of the bedroom. It opened as he approached it. He walked through the threshold. //Yup. I know exactly where I'm at,// he thought looking around the quarters. Feeling thirsty he went over to the replicator, surprised it was working and ordered himself a glass of Bajoran Spring wine. He took a sip, savoring the taste of it. //Too long. It's been too long since I've tasted this.// Since he didn't have a clue as to why he was now alive, Bareil walked over to the sofa and plopped himself down. "By the Prophets, give me a sign as to what you want or need of me," he whispered to the ears of the Divine ones. Leaning back, he closed his eyes wondering what he should do next. Suddenly he opened his eyes when he realized there was something resting on his lap. He looked down, surprised to see a book of some sort sitting there. He picked it up, and leafed through it. //What the hell?// he thought when he read a passage in it. Mouth agape he thought, //*This* is why I was brought back!?// ~*~*~*~*~ "Elim!" Julian yelled trying to get out of bed. Thinking his Julian was in trouble, he rushed out of the bathroom. Seeing Garak, Julian began giggling. In his hurry to get to his beloved, Garak had rushed out in the middle of brushing his teeth. He looked like a rabid dog. There was toothpaste bubbles all around his mouth. Harumphing, Garak went back into the bathroom, spitting the residue out. Finished, Garak walked back out into the bedroom. Julian was still trying to get out of bed. He looked like a 'beached whale'. "Elim love, could you help me out of bed please?" Julian asked, continuing to struggle. Stifling his own giggles at the site of his glowing husband, he walked over offering his hand. Julian grabbed hold of it and hauled himself up from the bed. Julian gave Garak a kiss and waddled into the bathroom. Waiting and watching until his husband safely made it to the bathroom, Garak than went to the closet grabbing the outfits he previously put aside for the two of them, and started getting dressed while keeping a protective eye on his love. ~*~*~*~*~ //I am *not* going through with it!// Bareil thought angrily. There was just no way he was going to do what that Prophet forsaken book told him to. Suddenly the lights flickered, making Bareil jump. Looking around, he saw words floating in the air in front of him. YOU WILL DO AS YOU ARE TOLD! The writing scribbled out before him. Shaking, he asked the air, "What if I choose not to?" The air around him grew cold as another book appeared in his hands. READ THIS. The writing directed. Sighing, he sat back down on the sofa and began to read. "Prophets, no," he whispered as he read. "Alright. I will do as you say," he said to the scribbling. GOOD. IT BEGINS NOW! //I was afraid you'd say that.// Bareil sighed with a tremble for the unholy act he was now quested to perform. ~*~*~*~*~ The writer finished her typing. //There that should motivate him,// she thought, smiling. She sat back continuing with her story, giggling the whole time. "Hmm. Time for a coffee break," she said as she quickly got one and returned to the fun and fate she held in her hands. ~*~*~*~*~ Garak was busy taking inventory of his stock, when he heard a customer come in. Plastering a smile onto his face, he looked up, ready to greet whoever they were. When he saw who had waltzed in, he nearly fainted from shock. //How can this be?// he asked himself while backing away from the source of his hysteria. The figure walked towards Garak, holding out his hands palm up in a gesture of surrender. "I thought you were dead," Garak said when he found his voice again. The figure stopped his advancing long enough to say his peace, "I was, but someone..." he looked up as he was speaking, "...thought it would be nice for me to come back." "Why?" Garak whispered fighting back the fear that threatened to force it's way into his voice. The figure reached into his robe and pulled out a book. He placed it on the table in front of Garak and retreated. Garak eyed the book, than the person in front of him and back at the book. Carefully he walked towards the table, picking up the book. Keeping one eye on his visitor and the other on the book, he began to read it. //Good Gul, no!// he frantically thought to himself. //This can not be happening.// Throwing the book down, he looked straight up into the ceiling and yelled, "You just can't leave us alone can you? Why don't you go back to pestering the crew of Voyager and leave us the hell alone?!" At Garak's outburst, the lights flickered and a strong breeze blew through the shop. Suddenly the scribbling appeared over their heads, WHY? BECAUSE IT'S FUN. Growling, Garak replied, "There is no way in hell I'm going to do that!" OH NO? The writing said. Suddenly Bashir appeared in front of the two of them. I AM THE WRITER, DON'T MAKE ME DO SOMETHING TO HIM. --- > The writing said pointing an arrow towards Julian. "OK, I'll do it. Just don't hurt Julian," Garak said. "I'll do anything you want, just keep him out of this, please," he replied shakingly. GOOD. ~*~*~*~*~ //I love being the writer,// she mused to herself. Sitting back in her chair, she paused to take a sip of her coffee before continuing. //Hopefully the egroups will like this one.// She placed her cup down and continued her story laughing wickedly. ~*~*~*~*~ "Elim, what happened? How did I get here?" Julian asked walking over to Garak. Although thankfully he wasn't upset or even bothered by his sudden appearance in his husband's shop. "Don't worry my dear. I'll tell you everything later," Giving his spouse a hug, "Now go back to our quarters." Garak said, giving his husband a playful pat on the butt, grateful that in this matter the writer had left his love unharmed by the incident. Trusting that his Elim would let him know eventually, he kissed Garak goodbye and left without another word, totally oblivious to the other man, who Julian himself had watched die, after agonizing hours of trying to save him. After Julian left, Garak motioned to Bareil to follow him into the backroom. "So tailor, exactly how are we going to pull this off?" Bareil whispered. Sighing, "I have no idea." Rolling his eyes, "Oh that's a *big* help," Bareil said sarcastically. "Excuse me, but as you just saw, `I" have a lot more to lose here than you do. If I don't go through with it, that Bitch will hurt my husband…" "Married and with children, I *have* been away for awhile," Bareil mused. "Yes, and if I do go through with this, I could lose him because humans don't take well to their spouses being unfaithful no matter what the circumstances." "I see your point," Bareil conceded. They sat in the backroom for a few minutes. They were both thinking how to proceed with the writer's request. //I've got it!// Garak mused excitedly. Leaning forward, "Bareil, the writer said we had to be together, correct?" Lifting his head, Bareil nodded. Garak continued, "She didn't specify how, did she?" Bareil finally catching on, shook his head. Grinning from ear to ear, "Perfect. I've got an idea." Garak got up and went over to Bareil, sitting closely he whispered his idea into Bareil's ear. Hearing the idea, Bareil let a smile creep onto his face. ~*~*~*~*~ Sitting straight up in her chair, the writer raised an eyebrow. //Are they trying to trick me?// She began laughing hysterically, //Don't they know I direct them in *everything* they do?// ::Click, click:: //Oh, what fools these mortals be.// "Okay, if you want to play…let's play," she cackled. ::Click, click:: ~*~*~*~*~ Garak and Bareil left the shop and walked over to Quark's. They walked up to the bar. Quark was busy getting drinks for one of his customers, so didn't see the pair standing in front of him. Garak cleared his throat, "Quark, we'd like to rent one of your holosuites for an hour." Not looking up from were he was crouched, "That'll be two strips of latinum." Garak rumaged around in his pocket looking for the latinum. Finally he pulled out his hand and looked at how much he had. //Damn! Only have one strip.// He turned towards Bareil, "Hey, you got any latinum on you?" Startled, Bareil patted himself down, "Nope. One doesn't usually need latinum in the afterlife." He quipped with a charming smile. Looking up, Quark almost had a heart attack. "What in the name of the Divine Treasury?" //I thought they didn't give refunds.// Quark thought to himself at seeing Garak's companion. //That can't be who I think it is. Can it?// Before him, stood the long dead Vedek Bareil. //It has to be a clone.// He thought to himself while silently praying to the Blessed Exchequer. Seeing the state Quark was getting into, "Yes, this is who you think it is," Garak began gesturing towards Bareil. "But someone decided to bring him back for their own pleasure," he said pointing a finger skyward. "The writer again?" Quark asked raising an eyebrow, with just a hint of nervousness, not wanting her wrath upon him. "Yes," Garak and Bareil confirmed in unison. Shaking his head, "Now what does she want?" Quark asked skeptically, then sucked in any further comments not wanting any of his dead relatives or enemies suddenly popping up. *sigh* "Bareil, show him the book," Garak said. Bareil reached into his robe, pulled out the aforementioned book and placed it onto the counter. Quark tentatively picked up the book, flipped through a couple of pages and began to read. "She wants you to do this!?" Quark gasped. They nodded their heads in agreement. "What is she nuts?" Quark yelled as he threw the book back onto the counter. She may be the writer, but she obviously has gone off the deep end if she expected this to occur. Shrugging his shoulders, Garak replied, "If you ask me, she lost it along time ago when she let that...," Garak paused as he tried desperately to hold back his nausea, "...Mary Sue thing onto the station." At the mention of her name, the three of them shivered. "She brought in a Mary Sue?" Brareil asked with sympathy. "By the Prophets, what power does this writer hold?" he said shivering again. "Thanks a lot! Now I won't be able to get that *thing* out of my head for a week!" Quark angrily yelled. "Anyway," Bareil continued. "We only have one strip of latinum between the two of us and we need to use the holosuite." Leaning over the bar, Quark gestured to the two men in front of him to come closer. They leaned forward to hear what the Ferengi had to say. "If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll let you use it for free." Smiles slowly crept onto the pair's face. "But...!" They looked back at Quark, "You can only use it for an hour. Any longer and I *will* charge you. Understand?" They nodded their agreement once again. "Good." Quark picked up his PADD and punched a few buttons. "Alright, I've got you two down for holosuite two." Garak and Bareil gave their thanks to the Ferengi and started for the stairs. As they were walking, they heard someone scream. The pair turned in the direction of the scream. To their surprise, it was Major Kira. She stood about a meter away from them with her mouth agape. Her eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets. //Ah, shit.// Both Bareil and Garak thought to themselves. After the initial shock wore off, Major Kira strolled up to the handsome man. //Is that really Bareil?// Kira thought. She stopped when she came upon them. "Bareil? I thought you were dead?" She asked glancing up and down at Bareil. Torn between grabbing him and running in the other direction in fear of this new revelation. Throwing his hands in the air, "Yes! This is Vedek Bareil! Back from the dead! That Gul forsaken Writer did it for some damn newsgroup of hers!" Garak bellowed loud enough for everyone to hear. Upon hearing this outburst, everyone turned to see for him or herself if this was true. As all eyes laid to rest on Bareil, he shyly waved at them. Before anyone could get up, Garak angrily yelled, "Get up out of those seats and I shall personally ring your necks!" Knowing he meant every word he said, the bar patrons hurriedly went back to what they were doing. Besides, if the Writer was involved, they most definitely didn't want to be. "The writer brought you back? Why?" Kira asked Bareil as she gingerly placed a hand on his forearm. Not wanting the writer to hear, he leaned forward whispering what had transpired and their plan to fake out the writer. "Oh," Was all she said as the couple continued their trek to the holosuite, leaving Kira wide eyed and astonished. //I have *got* to tell Jadzia about this,// She mused as she made a beeline for the nearest turbolift. //If I don't talk with someone about this, I fear I'll burst.// she thought as she held her stomach and moved towards the turbolift that would take her to Dax's quarters as fast as she could without breaking into a mad dash. ~*~*~*~*~ ::Click, click:: Raising an eyebrow, the writer couldn't help but laugh herself silly. //Boy, are they pathetic,// she chuckled. //They have absolutely no idea that I already know what they're planning on doing.// Taking a break for a few minutes, she cracked her back and fingers, took a sip of her coffee and proceeded to get back to the story at hand. *snicker* ::Click, click:: "Come, come, Kira. You can move faster than that," she chuckled. ~*~*~*~*~ Garak and Bareil headed up the stairs towards the holosuite. Stopping in front of the door, Garak punched in the codes for the program they were about to use. All the while, the patrons on the upper level kept gawking at Bareil and whispering amongst themselves. "Here we go," Garak finally announced. "Let's get this started shall we?" Startled, Bareil just nodded and walked through the door with Garak trailing behind him. ~*~*~*~*~ The turbolift came to a stop on the habitat ring. Julian got off and proceeded to walk down the hall towards his and Garak's quarters. Not really feeling up to being by himself, he decided to drop in on Dax. He continued his walking until he got to the door of her quarters. He pressed the chime and waited to be admitted. Upon hearing the summons he waddled through the door. Seeing Julian enter, Dax gestured for him to sit on the sofa. She hadn't had lunch yet, so asked him if he'd care to join her. Dax brought up the subject about baby names, it took up the entire meal and Julian was still undecided. They where in the middle of their conversation when he excused himself and headed towards the bathroom. Dax cleared away the dishes. She walked over to the sofa with her cup of raktegino and sat down. While getting comfortable she heard her door chime. "Enter." Kira walked in to see Jadzia lounging on her sofa. She was wearing a pair of red flannel lounging pajamas. Jadzia looked up to see Kira standing in front of her. Setting down her cup of raktegino, "Hi Nerys. What can I do for you?" Dax asked sitting up to make room for her friend. Pacing around like a caged animal, "He's alive!" Kira exclaimed . "What? Who's alive?" "Bareil! He's here on the station!" Kira yelled. "I still can't believe he's alive. I've wanted him back for so long. Now that he's back I can't have him…I mean…I'm involved with Odo now! I can't even *touch* him because that bitch writer has me totally crazy for Odo! Then to make matters worse, Bareil and Garak are supposed to be together. Garak! Of all the people on this station, why did it have to be him?" Having heard Kira's outburst, Jadzia got up and walked over to face Kira. "Nerys, are you sure it was Bareil? It could have been anyone. And what's this about Garak?" "Jadzia! Of course I know Bareil when I see him. And that life sucking writer wants Garak and Bareil to have…to have…sex!" she sobbed out. Before Jadzia could reply, they heard what sounded like a muffled cry coming from the bathroom. //Shit!// Dax thought as she remembered who was in there. "Julian!" Kira's eyes went wide. "By the Prophets!" she cried seeing the pregnant man move out in tears at hearing the news she had so crudely delivered. "Oh, Julian…I…," she didn't know what to say. Julian ignored Dax's attempts to get him to sit down as he moved passed her, towards the door and out of the room. In the hallway through a tight voice, "Computer, locate Elim Garak." "Elim Garak is in holosuite two." He moved towards the 'lift, continuing to ignore the pleas of Dax and Kira behind him. He moved inside and headed for Quark's. ~*~*~*~*~ ::Click, click:: "You go, Julian!" ::Click, click:: ~*~*~*~*~ Julian emerged from the 'lift. Waddling as fast as he could towards the staircase that led to the second deck. Looking up from underneath the counter, Quark saw the young doctor moving hurriedly towards the stairs. "Doctor Bashir!" He yelled out trying to get the young man's attention. //The way he's moving, he must be looking for Garak,// he thought. Hearing his name, Julian stopped and turned to see who wanted him. As he turned, he saw Quark waving for him to come over. Caught between wanting to kick the shit out of Garak's 'lover' or being polite, he opted for the latter, hoping that a moment or two might possibly keep him from killing them both. Shrugging his shoulders, he walked upto Quark. "Yes, Quark? What did you want to see me about?" "Um...have you seen our new dart board yet?" "Is this why you called me over, to see a dart board?" Julian fumed. He was in a hurry to do some major damage and Quark stopped him for something stupid. Trying his best to keep the youngster from walking upstairs, "But...it's a really nice dart board." Realization dawning on him, "Quark, I already know about Garak and his 'friend'," Julian snarled, then glaring at the Ferengi. //I'll deal with you later, you little turncoat!// he thought. Julian then turned and proceeded to follow his original plan. //I'm not worried about you,// Quark thought to himself as he watched Julian scale the stairs. //I'm worried about Garak and whether or not there's another doctor on board that'll be able to piece him back together once your done.// ~*~*~*~*~ It took him ten minutes to finally get to the top of the stairs, but he hadn't noticed. Some of the onlookers had private bets going. Some bet he'd make it in five, some hit it right on the head, and others sworn that the young doctor would give birth before he finally got to his destination. Stopping in front of the door to holosuite two, Julian had found it locked. //Oh, no they didn't!// He thought angrily as he shifted his weight to one hip, looking like a very pissed pregnant woman...man. As he stood in front of the door fuming, he heard noises that sounded like heavy breathing and moaning, coming from the otherside of the door. "Oh, hell no! Computer! Medical override. Location, holosuite two. Authorization, Bashir-Gamma-Echelon-Five- Three-One." At his command, the door opened. Upon entering, the sight before him stopped him dead in his tracks. Mouth agape, "What the hell?" He whispered to himself. Garak and Bareil were running back and forth playing racketball. The noises he heard, was the result of the two out of shape men, sprinting themselves forcibly after the ball. Garak was the first one to notice someone entering the holosuite. He caught the ball on it's way towards him, stopping the game. "Hey! I was only a point away from winning!" Bareil exclaimed before he noticed Garak turning towards the door. //Oh, by the Prophets. I'm glad we weren't doing anything, that look alone could have sent me back.// "Ah, Julian! What brings you by?" Garak asked as he walked over to his slightly angry and surprised husband, giving him a deep kiss. "Huh? Oh, I…I…I just thought I'd drop by and ask if you'll be free for dinner tonight, being that you've been so busy lately," he lied. "I'll make time to be free tonight, my love. In fact, if you like, I'll cook, how about it?" "Ah, yeah, that sounds great. Um, see you tonight." Julian turned to leave, but turned back to face Bareil, "Ah, good seeing you again. Sorry I couldn't save you last time," he muttered. Stunned, he turned back around and left, shaking his head, as the flush of embarrassment filled his cheeks. When Julian was out of ear shot, Bareil walked up next to Garak. "What was that all about?" "I haven't the slightest idea. But..." Before he could finish, the air grew cold around them. They both sighed inward, knowing full well the reason for the sudden chill. THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE PLANNING? The writing scribbled. "Well, what did you expect? The two of us having sex?" Garak asked then looked over at Bareil for silent confirmation. Bareil then chimed in, "I think not. By the Prophets woman, how could you even think I would be party to breaking up such a loving couple?" *SIGH* HEY, I CAN'T COMPLAIN, ALTHOUGH MY EGROUP MIGHT. THEN AGAIN, THE TWO OF YOU WERE TOGETHER FOR MOST OF THE STORY. The scribbling conceded. I WILL NOW LEAVE YOU. OH, UNTIL NEXT TIME THAT IS. Before the scribbling had totally vanished, "Hey! What about me? I want to go back to the Prophets, if you don't mind," Bareil quickly yelled. SURE. I'M DONE WITH YOU, FOR NOW ANYWAY. At this, Bareil suddenly disappeared back into the afterlife. Garak wiped his forehead, //that was close,// he thought, then grinned. //It worked though.// ~*~*~*~*~ Sighing dramatically, the writer also wiped her brow, "Thank God I'm finally done! Don't get cocky, Garak! The only reason it worked was because I let it, next time you won't get off that easy," she stated laughing wickedly. END [ main page || basics || pairings || list || tales || disclaimer || links ] |