GRAVITAS

Title: Gravitas, 18/26
Author: Jaye (Copyright January 2003)
Codes: VOY/TNG/DS9 C/P NC-17

Disclaimer: Star Trek and all related characters and concepts are the property 
of Paramount. Gladiator belongs to Dreamworks SKG and Universal. No infringement 
is intended or profit made. This is NC-17 for adult themes, violence and sex. If 
you aren't interested (or aren't old enough), don't read it.

Archive: Drop me a note first so I know where it's going. Please keep the text 
(especially the disclaimer) intact.

Feedback: Sure but be kind, or at least constructive. E-mail is 
reader8901@fastmail.fm

Summary: Treachery raises the stakes and changes lives when the leader of the 
Terran Empire seeks to restore the Federation.

Note: Very AU, as chapters 1-14 were basically the film "Gladiator" set in a 
Star Trek universe. Now it's my own invention. No Maquis, no Delta Quadrant, 
etc. This is my response to Polly's Cha!Club challenge about movies. Sisko is 
older here than in canon.

***************

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"Can I see him? I want to see him!" Koral's tone went from pleading to imperious 
in a heartbeat as she tugged on Tom's shirttail, then rose up on the balls of 
her feet. The 7-year-old pressed her hands to the side of the stasis chamber, 
trying to see into it.

Jelene glanced down at her fraternal twin. "Shh...you'll wake him up." She was 
kneeling on a chair placed facing away from the unit, and leaned over the back 
to rest her elbows on the clear cover. "Uncle Chakotay's sleeping."

Tom grunted as he lifted Koral so she could also see Chakotay. "Well, that's not 
exactly right, Jelene," he said. He was grateful the sisters weren't identical 
twins; he would have felt horrible if he mixed up their names. "Stasis is a 
special kind of sleep, so even though our voices are transmitted inside there 
talking won't wake your uncle up."

Koral's face scrunched in confusion. "What happened to his tattoo?" she asked. 
"I remember he used to let me sit on his knee and trace the lines when he would 
tell stories around the fire."

"Uncle Chakotay tells *the best* stories," Jelene confided as her finger drew a 
pattern on the stasis tube. Hopeful eyes rose to meet Tom's. "Will he wake up in 
time to tell us a bedtime story?"

"No," Lucien drew the word out, embellishing it with the know-it-all superiority 
of his 8 years. "The Admiral can't get out of there until my dad finds a cure 
for him. He's been poisoned." Lucien's mouth formed something between a grimace 
and a pout as he stared down at Chakotay from the other side of the unit. "It 
seems like he's been in there forever."

"I read a story like that---'Sleeping Beauty'. She was poisoned by pricking her 
finger on a spinning wheel and slept for a hundred years." Koral tilted her head 
far back to look upside-down at Tom. "She woke up when a prince kissed her. Can 
you find a prince to kiss Uncle Chakotay so he'll wake up?"

"Are *you* a prince?" Jelene asked, her eyes wide. "You look just like the one 
in the book." This tall, handsome man with hair touched by the sun and eyes like 
the sky was the first blond she had ever met in person.

Lucien snorted and rolled his eyes. Tom sent him a warning frown, but was 
ignored. "My dad's not a prince," the boy said, then shrugged. "It wouldn't work 
anyway. We'd need a princess, not a prince."

"Actually, Lucien, I think the story calls for a true love's kiss." Tom's face 
softened as his gaze caressed Chakotay's quiet features. "And that I *can* 
provide." He watched his son's reaction out of the corner of his eye, hoping 
Lucien wouldn't react badly to the idea. Before now, he hadn't broached the 
subject of his hopes for a future with Chakotay. He was almost certain Lucien 
was free of any prejudices regarding relationships.

Koral wriggled to be put down and Jelene turned and slid until she was sitting, 
her feet dangling a few centimeters from the carpet. Lucien walked around the 
stasis chamber to stand in front of his father. All three children stared at 
Tom. He went to one knee to put himself on a level with his audience.

"I don't understand, Dad," Lucien said slowly, "I thought you...you loved Mama."

Tom gently grasped his son's shoulders, and drew the boy in for a reassuring 
hug. "I did, mon cher. And I do. But, people can love more than one person in 
their lifetimes." He leaned back and held Lucien's gaze. "I've known Chakotay 
for over sixteen years. And your mom...well, she's been gone for a while. It 
doesn't mean I'll forget her, but I love Chakotay too."

"Are you sure?" The narrow-eyed stare that accompanied the question suddenly 
reminded Tom of Jean-Luc. He resisted the urge to ruffle his son's hair. He just 
nodded, face serious.

Lucien chewed his lip, thinking. Tom and the girls were quiet, waiting for his 
decision. After a while the boy's shoulders straightened and a smile brightened 
his eyes. "I think---I think that would be okay. To have Chakotay be...family." 
He scuffed the rug with his shoe, then pushed Koral with his shoulder. "You two, 
too."

Matching dimpled smiles broke across the girls' faces. Jelene jumped to her feet 
and the twins nudged Lucien back, crushing the boy between them. The trio 
started giggling and pushing each other, still grinning. Tom missed Chakotay 
with a sudden fierceness that robbed him of breath. He gathered all three 
children into his arms, hugging them as he choked out, "Yes, a family. All of 
us. I promise."

************************************************************

"So the girls are settling in all right?" Rosera curled up on a couch in the 
freighter's small observation lounge. Wisps of steam rose from the mug cradled 
in her hands. She dipped her head to enjoy the aroma of the fragrant tea, but 
watched Tom from under her lashes.

Tom shrugged and sipped his own drink. "I believe so. They seemed to understand 
the situation with Chakotay easily enough---" he smiled reminiscently at Koral 
and Jelene's prince suggestion--- "and B'Elanna helped them get ready for bed. 
Thanks for bringing their clothes, as well as their books and toys."

Rosera waved it off as she swallowed, then asked, "Do you have the computer 
monitoring them? They still have nightmares, every once in a while."

"Yes, it'll alert me or Gerron Tem if any of the kids shows signs of distress." 
His brows drew together. "What are the dreams about?"

She sighed. "They're pretty vague---the classic bogeyman coming to take them 
away." Rosera's expression turned grim. "They weren't in Trebus when the 
Imperial Guards came, so they don't really know what happened."

"Where were they, then? How did they escape?" Tom set his cup down, leaning 
forward to rest his elbows on his knees and his chin in a hand.

"Koral considers herself quite the explorer, as I'm sure you'll find out soon 
enough," Rosera said with a fond smile. "And you can usually find Jelene 
blithely skipping right alongside her. Their parents were constantly chasing 
them down at sunset, especially when there was no school."

Rosera sipped her tea, looking into the past. "On that particular day, the twins 
had wandered farther away than usual, to a set of caves west of the village. 
They happened to run into a family from another community who were spending the 
day there. They were relatives of Anthwara, in fact."

Tom was quiet, watching the scene unfold before his mind's eye.

She continued, "Of course, the girls' explanation for why they were alone so far 
from Trebus wasn't very convincing, so their parents were quickly contacted. 
Jelene and Koral were told that because they'd disobeyed the rules and left the 
village, they would be punished: they couldn't go to the bonfire planned for 
that evening. The family who found the twins offered to take them overnight."

Rosera frowned, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "They were very lucky. 
The minerals in the caves shielded them all from the Guards' sensors. Jelene and 
Koral went to Solon, so no one had a clue what had happened until the next 
night, when nobody came to pick up the girls."

Tom asked quietly, "And there was no one left?"

"Not alive," Rosera replied grimly. "Plenty of corpses, though. Strangely 
enough, we did find two graves outside of Trebus: Ro Laren and her son."

"So Tabor was wrong. Laren *did* receive a proper burial, most likely at her 
husband's hands. Chakotay must have somehow gotten there before you, and then 
left---or was taken away." Tom mused reflectively, "I wonder what happened to 
him after he stormed out of Jean-Luc's cabin. How he got to Dorvan. And how he 
came to be in Sisko's group."

Tom shook his head and leaned back with a sad sigh. "So much death and 
destruction---no wonder he was so wounded, so angry when I met him again."

"I'm sure he must have been. Chakotay had always taken his role as protector 
very seriously. It's why he stayed in the Fleet so long." Rosera drained her cup 
and set it down. Then she rose, stretching. "It's time for me to be getting 
home."

"Will you stop by again soon? I don't want the twins to think they've been 
abandoned." Tom noted the grace that seemed an intrinsic part of Chakotay's 
people as he escorted Rosera to the transporter chamber.

"Oh, they won't. They know that Chakotay is their closest family. It will make 
sense to be with him." She gave a knowing smile. "And as his chosen, to be with 
you."

Tom blushed under that too-aware stare. "Yes, well, getting Chakotay out of the 
stasis chamber would be a nice first step." He ran his hand behind his neck, 
trying to dispel his embarrassment.

"Yes, I suppose it would be." Rosera stepped onto the platform, then turned to 
look at the man---so different from the inhabitants of Dorvan---who had 
apparently won her kinsman's heart. "I'll visit you at Trebus in a day or two, 
to check up on things," she reassured Tom. "Call me if you need help before 
then, or if there's any news about Chakotay's condition."

"I will." Tom smiled, feeling he had found a good friend and staunch ally in the 
remarkable woman. "Good night."

"Good night, Tom Paris. And good luck."

************************************************************
************************************************************

"Are you sure you're not spinning me a pretty yarn to get more latinum, Quark?" 
Sisko asked silkily as he regarded the Ferengi on the comm screen. Dark fingers 
idly toyed with an ornate but sharp dagger as he awaited a response.

Quark shivered as he saw the light glint along the blade's edge, but quickly 
recovered and replied, "I can assure you, the rumors are true. Someone else has 
been making discreet inquiries about Cardassian poisons---but in this case 
they're trying to locate a source, not a cure."

"And you think an infusion of cash would get you the name of the person with 
this...parallel request?" At Quark's nod, Sisko asked coolly, "Why should this 
interest me?"

"Well for one thing, I'd think you or your...associate would want to know who 
else has even heard of this apparently extremely rare substance." Quark leaned 
forward, warming to his theme. "Secondly, they might have some information that 
you don't. Thirdly---"

"Thirdly, I could put a tail on them and dispense with your services 
altogether," Sisko interjected. He sat back and tossed the knife aside. "Very 
well, Quark. I'll play along. The funds you've asked for will be in your account 
by noon tomorrow." His eyes hardened. "But tread carefully. This person may also 
be hunting you. And if you sell me out, the consequences will be most 
unpleasant."

"You've already made that abundantly clear, Sisko," the Ferengi grumbled. "Your 
threats don't make this any easier."

"Perhaps not," the older man conceded. "But I don't want there to be any 
ambiguity regarding my intentions---or the price of betraying me."

"Hmpf," was the disgruntled response. Quark picked up a padd in front of him on 
the desk. "And you want these items delivered to your compound? Pretty strange 
requisition."

"I want the inventory, not questions or commentary," Sisko said shortly. "And at 
your prices, I expect to be satisfied."

"Of course," Quark said smoothly, "I live to serve."

Sisko just snorted. "Contact me when the shipment is ready," he ordered, and 
stabbed the button ending the communication. Another presence in the room made 
him leap from his chair to confront the newcomer.

"Are you that charming to all your subcontractors?" Kassidy noted the lightning 
reflexes, and the immediate relaxation of Sisko's body, as she sauntered further 
into the room.

A smile crossed Sisko's features as he approached. "No, only when they aren't as 
charming as you."

"Ah." Kassidy drawled the syllable, reaching out a finger to brush the edge of 
Sisko's collar. "So I should screen all your contacts to make sure they *aren't* 
as charming as me?" She sobered. "Or should I just assume you flirt with, say, 
twenty percent of them?"

He noticed the concern in her face and raised one hand to capture hers, raising 
her slender fingers to his lips. "Oh, far lower than that. You, my dear Captain, 
are unique."

"In your experience thus far." She tilted her head, trying to read his eyes. 
"What about the future?"

"In the future, I hope you'll be more than just a...business contact." Sisko 
moved slowly, giving the beautiful woman plenty of time to slip away. He 
gathered her into an embrace, his lips hovering over hers. "Much more," he 
whispered.

They kissed.

************************************************************
************************************************************

"So Doc, how do you like the new digs?" Tom stretched out on the window seat 
with a sigh and took a long swallow of his iced mint tea.

"Considering the holographic---and thus infinitely variable---nature of the 
room, Mr. Paris, one could assume that since I haven't changed the 'digs' as you 
call them, they are adequate for my purposes." The EMH's eyes flicked around the 
rather eclectic setting. "Though I may need to start prescribing prophylactic 
analgesics to prevent the headaches that will be brought on by the clashing 
styles of decor."

Tom settled back and considered his surroundings. The holographic doctor and he 
were currently the only occupants of the room---besides Chakotay, of course. The 
stasis chamber hummed under a newly added medicine wheel a few meters away. The 
unit's generator was tucked out of sight behind holographically-generated walls, 
but a replicator, computer and comm screen were easily seen.

Tom's seat extended pretty far down the north side of the room. The enormous 
window was real, crafted into the building itself and screened with a forcefield 
to admit both air and light. The curtains, cushions, couches, chairs, and rug 
reflected the antique furnishings of Tom's childhood home.

The walls were taken up with tapestry-sized weavings and shelves full of tribal 
carvings that had been brought by the many visitors over the last few days. The 
doctor's mix of virtual and real lab equipment was carefully arranged on the far 
side of the space.

Tom guessed that his critic referred to the clash between Dorvan simplicity and 
ostentatious Terran luxury. He frowned. "I don't think it's that bad, Doc. 
Besides, this is just temporary housing until I can figure out the lay of the 
land. I don't want to make too many decisions about Trebus---or our personal 
living arrangements---without Chakotay's input."

The hologram noted the sudden tension in his host's body. "Mr. Paris---"

"Just Tom, please. We've certainly spent enough time together," Tom said, then 
sighed. "And we'll likely have a lot more ahead."

"Very well, Tom," the Doc said as he walked over to perch awkwardly on the other 
end of the window seat. "In my medical opinion, Mr. Chakotay's prognosis is 
quite...uncertain. It may be best to make your long-term plans, regardless of 
whether the Vedek---"

"No!" Tom interrupted fiercely as he leapt up, the liquid sloshing in his glass. 
"Things are looking up---they are." His arm swung wide. "Look how much we've 
accomplished in just a few days. I mean, I couldn't believe how the Dorvans 
pitched in with Sisko's team. Together they put up this building, and installed 
all of the holo-emitters, freshers, replicators, and recyclers so we don't have 
to do any digging for pipes and all. The generators can easily handle the load 
of feeding and housing everyone---not to mention all the communications 
equipment and your lab."

The Doctor noted an edge of hysteria in the declaration, and tried to lighten 
the atmosphere. "And myself, though I'm also immensely grateful for the freedom 
of this portable emitter." The hologram's hand rested with a kind of reverence 
on the device at his waist. The unit looked like a Kirk-era medical kit, a small 
black case complete with a virtual strap crossing his chest to the opposite 
shoulder. "Your engineers are...unusual, but most impressive."

Tom allowed the doctor's statements to divert him from his emotional outburst. 
He gripped his glass in both hands, calming himself as he wandered over to 
Chakotay's...chamber. He frowned as he realized how close he'd come to thinking 
coffin. He stretched out a hand and pressed it to the clear canopy, wishing he 
could wake the man within. It had been so long, too long since he'd seen 
Chakotay's deep brown eyes gazing into his. He looked up at the hologram, jaw 
firming. "Yes, they are. So is the medical team---including you, Doc. And I have 
a very good feeling about this evening's meeting."

The EMH felt out of his depth; Zimmerman had programmed him only to deal with 
patients, not their families and the emotional roller coaster of hope and 
constant disappointment. He rose and crossed to the unit as well, fussing with 
the settings and reviewing the sensor readings that hadn't changed since the 
stasis chamber had been transferred from Kassidy Yates' freighter.

After a moment he looked at Chakotay, then Tom. "I understand your...sentiments 
and I would never discount the benefits of optimism, but I believe you should 
remember that this could be another dead end. The formula for an antitoxin has 
eluded the best minds of the Federation, not to mention my own program 
containing the essence of the Empire's knowledge." He looked once more at his 
patient, wondering if he would ever see him conscious. He was surprised how much 
he wanted to meet Chakotay. How much he wanted to see him alive and well.

Tom's fingers curled into a fist. "But Vedek Bariel---"

"Could be bringing a cure. Or at least more information than the hints and 
rumors Mr. Sisko has unearthed. But as a scientist I have to warn you not to 
leap to conclusions."

"I suppose you're right," Tom said dejectedly.

Watching Tom's shoulders slump caused a strange, sympathetic lurch in the 
hologram's algorithms. As the Doc looked once more at Chakotay, his face creased 
into a new expression: regret. "It seems a real possibility I will fail my very 
first patient."

Tom offered a wan smile, the best he could do at the moment. The high generated 
by Bariel's message had yielded to depression caused by the hologram's reminder 
of how hopeless the situation really was at present. "You're doing your best, 
Doc. That's all we can ask. I don't think Chakotay will hold it against you."

The EMH looked up, surprised. He offered a tentative smile, his first. "Thank 
you." He straightened his shoulders and his jacket, his determination renewed. 
"I believe I would prefer to confirm that with Admiral Chakotay himself, 
however. I'd best review my notes for the meeting." He briskly crossed to the 
lab area.

The EMH's lift in attitude caused Tom's own optimism to rally. He stood tall and 
once more patted the chamber. "Soon, Chakotay. Soon."

************************************************************

The building---warehouse, really---that had been set up a good distance from the 
remains of Trebus had a large conference room with walls made up of comm 
screens. Everyone was in on this meeting, and anxiously awaiting Vedek Bariel's 
arrival. Desperate for some good news after so many dashed hopes. Conversations 
speculated on why the Bajoran needed to come to Trebus instead of simply comming 
from his temple.

On one screen Geordi, Kathryn, and Mark Johnson sat with Jadzia, Keiko, and 
Kate. On another, Tasha, Will, and Deanna waited in the Enterprise's conference 
room. A third showed Jake Sisko, who looked delighted to be introduced to 
Kassidy by his father. Unfamiliar figures in the background of Jake's screen 
comprised his INN friends, invited to sit in for the first time---but still 
under the veil of secrecy. Reg and Marla were conferring with B'Elanna and Harry 
via another comm panel.

Tom watched the Doc chatting with his scientific counterparts on Earth. He 
smiled as his gaze shifted to Kathryn---he'd already teased her about the new 
man in her life. But Mark Johnson looked like a keeper, so Tom had wished the 
couple well.

After a moment he let his eyes drift over the others, noting the closeness 
between Sisko and the feisty transport captain, seeing Harry's arm move of its 
own accord to encircle B'Elanna's waist. Then Anthwara, Rosera, and Lakanta 
caught his eye as they entered. Tom was glad Tem and Greg Ayala's wife had taken 
all the children to Solon for a visit. He didn't know how long this conference 
would last. But he fervently prayed the bubble of hope that had once more formed 
in his chest was a good omen.

The door opened again and Greg Ayala appeared. Tom quickly called for everyone's 
attention and they hurried to their seats.

Following the ex-officer was a tall Bajoran man with a gentle smile. Tom 
approached, holding out his hand. "Vedek Bariel?"

"Yes, and you must be Tom Paris." Bariel returned the handshake warmly. "Kai 
Opaka sends her respects."

"And some guests," Kira Nerys smoothly inserted with a grin and nod as she slid 
into the room. "Just for the record, I'm also here in an official capacity, as 
head of the Bajoran security forces."

Sisko asked, "Then shouldn't you be back on Bajor, coordinating with Odo and 
trying to ferret out our would-be poisoner?"

"Perhaps, but if we can find a cure to go along with the preventive concoction 
the brainy ladies whipped up---" Kira offered the trio of scientists on the 
screen a quick bow "---I'd sleep a lot easier."

"Then we should get this meeting started and see if that can be accomplished," 
Tom said, waving the newcomers to the open seats. He was surprised when Bariel 
remained standing.

"As Kai Opaka warned Mr. Paris, the Admiral's fate does not rest in Bajoran 
hands," he said. "But she did ask someone who she believed could help, and they 
have come to...discuss the situation." He nodded to Kira, who tapped her 
commbadge in a specific sequence.

There were gasps around the room and around the Quadrant as two figures 
shimmered into existence. One was clearly a strongly-built Cardassian male; the 
other a petite woman whose delicate features blended Cardassian and Bajoran 
heritages.

The man bowed to the company. "Good evening. I am Elim Garak, Legate of 
Cardassia."

***************

Tom's frozen shock began to thaw as he witnessed the warmth of the smile the 
alien directed to his companion as he took her hand and drew her forth.

Garak returned the encouraging squeeze of the fingers in his. "And this is 
Ziyal, the Chief Minister and my wife." He kissed her hand before tucking it in 
the crook of his arm as they faced the array of shocked strangers.

Deanna responded first. She could see the expressions on all the other faces 
even if she was too far away to read their emotions. "Legate, Minister, thank 
you for traveling to Dorvan. May I ask how you know Kai Opaka?"

Tom's manners kicked in and he waved the strangers to seats as Ziyal answered. 
"As I'm sure you've already guessed, I'm the connection between Cardassia and 
Bajor." She settled into her chair, grateful to feel Garak's hand grip hers 
encouragingly under the table. "My father is---was Gul Dukat," she said bluntly 
as she watched her audience absorb another shock. "My mother a Bajoran 
diplomat's daughter who visited Cardassia many years ago and fell in love with a 
dashing alien officer."

Ziyal reached for the glass of water in front of her and took a fortifying sip. 
Then she continued, "I was raised on Bajor, as my mother wanted to keep me with 
her. But when the war with the Dominion began, my father begged me to come to 
Cardassia to stay with him. He believed I would be safer there. Kai Opaka, an 
old friend of the family, arranged my transport."

She shrugged gracefully. "I'm not sure how much danger I was actually in, but I 
was glad for the chance to learn more about my father's people. And of course, 
to meet the man who would become my husband." She smiled at Garak.

"Please rest assured that we won't hold your father's military actions against 
you," Kathryn said diplomatically as she leaned forward a little.

"I'm glad to hear that," Garak replied. "I would also like to say that we, in 
turn, recognize and appreciate how much restraint the Imperial forces showed in 
the aftermath of the Dominion's defeat. Our cities and infrastructures are for 
the most part intact, our people unmolested. I'm well aware that did not have to 
be the case. Victors are not always so considerate of conquered peoples."

"You can thank Admiral Chakotay for that," Will said. "He issued very strict 
orders about the Fleet's behavior before that last battle." He shrugged. "His 
influence was still strong enough even after he was gone to counter the new 
Emperor's...less civilized plans."

Garak nodded. "I suspected as much." He refrained from besmirching Julian Bashir 
Picard's character; that cretin's brief reign was best forgotten. He released 
Ziyal's hand with a last squeeze and folded his own on the table. "Now, I must 
ask what information impoverished Cardassia could possibly have to interest 
people who have access to the vast resources of the Federation."

"First," Jake piped up, "you both have to promise not to reveal anything you 
learn in this meeting to anyone else."

The others nodded and murmured approval of Jake's reminder. Bariel motioned for 
attention and announced, "Kai Opaka stressed the importance of the secrecy of 
these discussions in her initial contact, and both your guests have already 
agreed."

"That's good to hear," Tom said. "Please convey our thanks to the Kai." He 
turned to Garak and Ziyal. "We're all aware of the group of Cardassian spies and 
assassins known as the Obsidian Order. We'd like information about---more 
specifically antidotes to---their poisons."

Tom acknowledged the intelligence and shrewdness in Garak's eyes and suspected 
that the Legate was already starting to connect the dots. He wondered at Garak's 
history and how much he knew about the covert cabal on his home planet.

Garak tilted his head, hiding the chill that shivered through him at the mention 
of the Order. He himself had once been part of their ranks, trained in their 
dastardly arts by his own father, Gul Evek.

Ironically, it was Ziyal who'd freed him from the Order's dark grip. When she 
arrived on Cardassia Prime he'd been assigned as her bodyguard, but in reality 
he was supposed to keep an eye on her activities and be ready to assassinate her 
if the Obsidian Order deemed her death politically expedient.

For the first time in his long career he'd felt reluctance, even doubt. Ziyal 
was refreshingly honest in her ideals, and in her desire to stop the Dominion's 
exploitation of Cardassians and the twisting of their culture.

When Garak had received the orders from the Founders to murder Ziyal, he 
defected. Instead of killing her he'd taken her into hiding and used all of his 
hard-earned skills and experience to keep them both safe.

It was a measure of Ziyal's strength of character that she adapted so well 
during their time on the run, keeping up with Garak without complaint. She also 
managed to get him to share with her the truth of his own past.

Garak had expected her to turn from him in disgust when she knew the whole 
sordid story. Instead, she'd offered him her love and challenged him to use his 
many talents to benefit their people.

Inspired by his own burgeoning feelings for Ziyal, Garak had done just that. 
When the Dominion fell he stepped into the breach, becoming a leader for a new 
and honorable Cardassia. He'd been offered the position of Legate, Ziyal at his 
side every step of the way as Chief Minister.

Now he had a chance to forge a more prosperous future for his planet by aiding 
the newly-minted Federation. But he had to strike a delicate balance between 
what he gave, what he asked for, and what he revealed about himself.

"It is an unavoidable and unfortunate truth that Cardassian poisons have a 
reputation for...efficiency. I have gleaned some small knowledge of such 
substances in my travels." Garak's eyes ranged around the table and across the 
screens. "Do you have a particular toxin in mind?"

The EMH answered him. "The poison is derived from a plant species native to your 
planet and previously believed extinct. It acts to cause intense pain and 
overstimulation of the neural system, then attacks the muscles and organs to 
cause debilitation and eventually death."

Garak's face creased in sympathy as he listened. "I take it from your 
description that you've observed the effects firsthand."

Kate leaned forward to confirm his statement. "Unfortunately, yes. A human male, 
approximately 34 years old, has fallen victim to this particular substance. He 
is currently in stasis, awaiting an antidote."

Garak took a breath, then looked around once more. "And what is that cure worth 
to you?"

"Are you saying there *is* one?" Sisko regarded the Cardassian through slitted 
eyes.

"Oh yes, there is, but it is not an easy or particularly reliable course of 
treatment." Garak's face was solemn as he said, "And I mean this as no insult, 
but I can assure you the doctors of the Federation are not equipped with a 
mindset that will ever allow them to discover it."

"So you're going to blackmail us? For what, latinum to line your pockets you 
slimy---" Tasha's furious outburst was cut off by the darkening of the comm 
screen and the sudden grip of her CO's hand around her wrist. She turned to Will 
to protest, "Sir, he's---"

"---doing what everyone does, making a deal. One that you're going to ruin if 
you insult those two. For stars' sake, Tasha, he's the Legate of Cardassia!"

Tasha sat back and freed her arm to run both hands through her short hair. A 
sigh exploded from her. "I'm sorry, Will, it's just so damn frustrating to be so 
close. He knows the antidote---I can taste it."

"Me too," Will said with a commiserating look, "but just cool it, okay?"

"Yes, sir." Tasha gave him a rueful glance. "You want to reconsider that 
promotion?"

"No, *Commander*. At least, not yet," Will said with a chuckle and turned the 
screen back on.

***************

"These terms seem reasonable," Geordi said, looking up from the padd in his 
hand. "I believe, Legate, that the Council can seriously consider your request."

"I'm glad you think so, but I need more than 'consideration'," Garak said 
firmly. "This antidote you seek is the only leverage I have to gain the needed 
materials to ensure my planet's self-sufficiency. I'm sorry, my dear Councilor, 
but I cannot give that up for a mere promise that your colleagues will discuss 
Cardassia's situation."

"We are in the midst of rebuilding our entire government, we can't simply snap 
our fingers and meet your demands." Kathryn held on to the edges of her temper 
as her patience began to fray.

Garak rose. "You've expressed your interest and I've named my price. Do contact 
me when it's met."

Tom stood so quickly his chair fell behind him with a thunk. "You can't do this! 
Just walk away and leave us hanging. Please, give us the information."

"Mr. Paris, I recognize your wish to see your---colleague?---well again, but---"

"Elim, wait." Ziyal had risen as well, her eyes on the human's distraught face. 
She approached Tom and laid one hand on his arm in a gesture of comfort. "May I 
ask, who is he and how was he poisoned?"

"Admiral Chakotay," Tom replied, his voice rough, "and he was poisoned by the 
Emperor before their bout."

Ziyal nodded. "We saw the footage on Cardassia." She tipped her head to one 
side. "He means a lot to you, doesn't he?" she asked softly.

Tom just nodded, his eyes silently pleading.

Ziyal smiled and nodded in return, then shifted to face Garak. "I think we 
should give him the information he seeks."

Garak stood to protest, "But my love, we need---"

"He'll make sure that our people get what they need, I'm certain of it." She 
smiled and raised a hand to her husband's face. "Please, trust him."

Garak sighed and closed his eyes a moment, admitting defeat. "Very well."

"I'll guarantee it also." The soft voice from the comm screen caused everyone to 
turn. Noah Lessing sat up straighter as he declared, "I owe the Admiral a lot, 
and I want him to be well. So I'll pitch in to meet your price if the Federation 
government doesn't."

"Me too," piped up Celes Tal. "And I'm sure all of Bajor will back me up."

"I believe you're right," murmured Bariel with a smile at his fellow Bajoran.

"Dorvan will also pledge resources to meet Cardassia's needs." Anthwara said 
stiffly as his kin nodded.

"Then it's settled," Tom said firmly. "Please, tell me."

Tom picked up his chair as Garak and Ziyal returned to their seats.

Garak began, "You must understand, the Obsidian Order was not interested in the 
welfare of their experiment's victims when they discovered a protocol to reverse 
the effects of that particular poison." He grimaced. "In point of fact, it was 
an accident. They were trying to make the toxin even more potent, but the 
substance the scientists used instead counteracted it."

"So what do we need to do to clear Chakotay's system?" B'Elanna's hand 
unconsciously reached for Harry's as she spoke.

Garak glanced at the young woman. "Poison him again."

************************************************************

The EMH crossed to the side of Chakotay's stasis chamber, hyposprays in hand. "I 
must repeat my protest of this decision," he stated firmly.

"I heard you the first time, Doc. Hell, I heard everyone the other five times as 
well." Tom sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "But you saw what happened in 
the simulations."

"The second, insect-derived poison bound the plant toxin so it could be removed 
with a specially modified tricorder and transporter unit." Harry snapped out the 
answer like a status report from his position by the console they'd rolled 
across the room for the procedure.

"No wonder our people never came up with it," Greg mused from the floor, where 
he was adjusting connectors. "Their first priority is to do no harm."

"Cardassian doctors do have their own version of the Hippocratic Oath," Ziyal 
said from the window seat.

"But the Obsidian Order never made its scientists adhere to it," Garak finished 
grimly. He moved to Tom's side. "I must ask again, young Paris, that you 
consider this action carefully. In order to extract all of the first poison, you 
must supersaturate with the second. And only after the first toxin is completely 
removed can you administer the antidote to the second poison."

"But at least that second one isn't fatal," B'Elanna pointed out. "It was mainly 
used for torture."

"And you will administer the antidote as soon as possible." Rosera's voice rose 
at the end, a request for confirmation.

"Of course," the hologram huffed. "I'm a doctor, not a sadist."

"Even so, the Admiral will have to deal with the cumulative effects of both 
poisonings: weakness, pain, possibly paralysis. And there's no telling how bad 
the symptoms will be, or how long until a full recovery---or even *if* he can 
make a full recovery. This treatment protocol was tested on Cardassians, not 
fragile humans." Garak looked down at the unconscious figure. "It may be kinder 
to let him die in his sleep," he admitted softly.

"It's your decision Tom Paris, chosen of Chakotay." Anthwara's expression was 
neutral, offering neither encouragement nor censure. "Do we try this method, or 
wait to see if your Federation friends can bring Chakotay back to life?"

For one wild moment Tom wanted to run from the room. He keenly felt the weight 
of this responsibility for the life, health, and future of the man he loved. He 
stared at Chakotay's face, wondering what the older man would bid him do.

As he struggled to control his emotions and confirm his decision, Tom suddenly 
felt a breeze from the window caress his cheek. In the back of his mind there 
was the echo of a hawk's cry. Tom closed his eyes a moment, reaching. When he 
opened them once more his expression was at peace. "Do it, Doc."

The EMH looked to his assistants, who nodded their readiness. He stepped up and 
turned off the stasis chamber. The canopy slid back with a click.

A soft hiss marked the moment the second Cardassian poison entered Chakotay's 
bloodstream. The EMH moved to the new console. "The binding process has begun."

Tom said softly, "So now we wait."

TBC