byKathy P.
Stepping out of the turbolift onto Deep Space Nine's promenade, Lwaxanna Troi tried, without great success, to hide the smile playing around her lips. The cautious looks being thrown her way were just too delicious. She drank in all the attention she was receiving as she nonchalantly made her way down the row of shops toward her destination.
She had chosen to wear a wig made of lustrous black, curly hair. The curls were piled on the top of her head, held in place by two large ruby encrusted combs. Several curls cascaded down her shoulder, a striking combination to her pale skin. Her red gown was typically low cut, and even though she knew she looked stunning, she was perfectly aware that wasn't why she was attracting so much attention this morning.
Just a day ago, she had turned the station upside down. A pesky telepathic virus she had picked up had caused the station's inhabitants to start making out with each other, some of them in hilarious pairings.
She rolled her eyes as she remembered seeing Captain Sisko's son mooning over the fiery, red-headed Bajoran major. The poor lad.
Lwaxanna nodded politely to the Star Fleet personnel she passed, an effort that was wasted due to the wicked look in her eyes which, for some reason, caused the seasoned officers to blush.
With a tinkling laugh she stepped through the doors of the shop she had been heading for. As she entered, her laugh caught the attention of the shopkeeper, who looked up from the padd he was reviewing.
Lwaxanna's grin widened as she watched the Cardassian tailor's eyes narrow slightly. The more casual observer wouldn't have noticed the change in expression, but Lwaxanna prided herself on being an excellent observer of people, her strong empathic abilities her most useful tool in helping her understand others.
A wave of anger and resentment washed over her, causing her grin to slip minutely. What would cause this reaction in a man she had never interacted with before? She had seen him only once before in the station's replimat, having lunch with Dr. Bashir.
Lwaxanna moved around the shop, her eyes never truly leaving the man who watched her from behind the desk. Fingering the fabrics, she admired the different dresses and suits that were on display. It took less time than she had thought for the Cardassian to come from behind the desk and approach her.
"Is there anything I can help you with, madam?" came the calm question that totally belied the fierce emotions being projected at the empath.
With one last stroke of the fabric she was admiring, she turned around with a bright smile. "Actually, there is," she said. With a wave of her hand she indicated the fabrics lying on the table beside her. "I'm looking for a new dress and I've been told that you're an excellent tailor, Mr. Garak."
Again the waves of emotion flowed over her but the tailor's expression was only one of mild curiosity.
Ah, a challenge, Lwaxanna thought. She was eager to find out what the cause of the Cardassian's anger was. The most obvious thing would have to be what happened on the station yesterday.
Brushing her curls off her shoulder, she again turned to pick up a bolt of bright blue, velvety fabric. "Yes, Odo told me all about your wonderful skills."
There was no reaction to the Constable's name.
"He said that you made some absolutely marvelous dresses for that red-headed Bajoran major and that lovely Trill."
Again no reaction came at the mention of the officer's name.
"And that the suit you made for Dr. Bashir looked quite dashing."
Lwaxanna had to restrain herself from laughing as the waves of emotions flowed over her again. Garak obviously had strong feeling toward the delicious little doctor. Could it be that he was attracted to the lovely human?
Holding the bolt of fabric up against her breasts, she smiled flirtatiously at Garak. "What do you think of this colour?"
Garak tilted his head to one side, his eye's flickering over her. "I think that any colour would look wonderful on you," Garak finally replied.
Lwaxanna lifted one eyebrow at his remark. Was the Cardassian flirting back at her? This totally went against all the negative emotions that he had been projecting at her since she had entered his shop.
Setting the bolt of fabric down, she lifted a hand to touch Garak's arm. "You're too kind, Mr. Garak," Lwaxanna said as demurely as she could manage. The next wave of emotions that came at her now contained the unexpected aspect of pure and simple lust combined with a staggering amount of loneliness.
Lwaxanna stifled her gasp of dismay. Behind the stoic mask that the Cardassian had erected was a very lonely and hurting man.
"Too kind," she repeated softly as she stared up into Garak's blue eyes. She stood still as the Cardassian's hands reached up and grabbed her upper arms, pulling her closer.
As Garak's lips descended on hers, Lwaxanna knew that the virus she had picked up must still be affecting everyone around her to a certain degree. She thought of breaking away but the sheer loneliness and desperation in his kiss held her still.
She didn't pull away when Garak gruffly ordered the doors of the shop to lock as he pulled her into the back room. She didn't pull away as he picked her up and placed her on one of the tables in the back. She didn't pull away when he fell onto her, and into her, as he desperately tried to assuage some of the longing he was feeling.
Instead, she held him tighter and caressed his back, urging him on. Her fingers moved up to stroke his black hair back from a face that was twisted with desperate pleasure.
As they both started to reach their climax, she lightly stole into his mind. She smoothed away that sharper edge of hurt and longing. Sensing his heart's desire, she planted the seed of hope.
As she withdrew from his mind, they exploded into completion together. Pulling out of her, Garak backed away and slumped into a nearby chair. Lwaxanna lay panting for a moment, then pushed herself up to sit on the table, arranging her dress around her legs.
A feeling of sorrow flowed over her. Looking up sharply, Lwaxanna saw Garak sitting in his chair, his head in his hands.
She was loathe to move, but the need to comfort overwhelmed her. Lwaxanna slid off the table, ignoring the twinges in her back. She was getting too old to play love games on a table like this.
Coming up beside Garak, she dropped down to kneel at his side him. Placing a hand on his knee she looked up into his covered face. "Garak," she said softly.
Garak slowly lowered his hands. "How could I have done this?" he asked bitterly. "I..."
Lwaxanna took one of Garak's hands in hers. "What do you think happened here, Garak? Just an exchange between two consenting adults. Nothing more."
Looking away, his eyes unfocused, Garak replied softly, "But I want to be with..."
"Dr. Bashir," Lwaxanna finished for him, a smile playing around her lips again as Garak's head whipped around to look back at her.
"How did you.."
Lwaxanna chuckled. "How did I know? Garak, I am an empath, remember? I know what others feel."
Sighing, Garak pulled his hand away. "Yes, I do want him, do love him," he admitted. "But he proved yesterday that he is only interested in women. The way he chased after Major Kira.."
Lwaxanna stood up, laughing softly. "I wouldn't put too much stock in that, Garak. The only reason Dr. Bashir went after Kira was because she was the first person he saw after he was infected by the telepathic virus."
Resting her hand on Garak's shoulder, she looked down at him. "Believe me when I say this, Garak. If you had been the first person he saw he would of been much happier."
With one last pat to Garak's shoulder, Lwaxanna turned and started to move into the front room. A quick glance out of the corner of her eyes revealed the stunned look on Garak's face.
"Wha-What do you mean?" he stuttered.
Stopping in the doorway, she threw a lofty smile at Garak. "Mr. Garak. I just told you. I'm an empath, remember? I know what people are feeling."
The look of dawning comprehension on Garak's face was quickly overcome by pure joy.
"Now, Garak. I suggest you clean yourself up and ask your lovely doctor to lunch. I'll be by later to talk to you about that dress."
Heading out of the tailor's shop, she revelled in the feelings of joy that surrounded her. Maybe she should contact her daughter Deanna on board the Enterprise.
She was definitely in the mood to play matchmaker today.
With a silvery laugh, she headed back to her quarters, feeling very happy with herself.
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