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Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 20:44:02 -0500
Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW: 6/8 A Slight Case of Blackmail (DS9-G/B-NC17)
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Title:   A Slight Case of Blackmail
Author:  Kathryn Ramage
Series:  DS9
Codes:   G/B  
Rating:  NC17 
Part:    6/8

See Part 1 for summary, disclaimer, etc.

|~*~|

"It's Legate Hirkus," Bashir declared as they walked to the 
habitat ring.  "It's got to be."

Garak tried not to smile.  "This morning, you thought it was 
Amat."

"You told me that Amat was an old- er- friend of yours."

"He is, but that doesn't eliminate him from suspicion.  On the 
contrary, Pridem Amat knows me better than any of our other 
candidates.  If he possessed confidential information about me 
that he could use to his own advantage, I don't think he would 
let our years of friendship stand in his way."  

"But he hasn't used that information...has he?"

"You mean, has he tried to coerce me into sharing you?  No, he 
hasn't."

"Then what were the two of you talking about?"

"Old times," Garak answered vaguely.  "Amat did make one or two 
complimentary remarks on how attractive you looked tonight.  I had 
to agree with him--I've told you that that formal uniform is much 
more flattering than the one you usually wear.  Beyond that, we 
didn't discuss you.  I believe that Amat was expecting me to be... 
generous without further prompting."

While Julian had the feeling that Garak wasn't telling him every-
thing--nothing unusual in _that_--he believed that this last part 
was true.  The offer had not been made.  

"If it were Amat," he mused aloud, "surely he would've said _some-
thing_.  He wouldn't leave it up to you.  No, I don't think he is 
the one.  Besides, Hirkus is such a filthy old goat."

"I can't debate you on _that_ point," Garak replied.  "I don't 
usually resent it when people admire you, Julian--it shows signs 
of their good taste--but Hirkus..." he sighed.  "I can't forgive 
anyone who is so conspicuous about it."

"We wouldn't have known he was among our suspects if he'd been 
more discreet."  Then, recalling his other, more circumspect 
admirer, Julian asked, "What about Councilor Renavik?  Do you 
know him?"

"I know _of_ him," said Garak.  "He was quite prominent during 
the Occupation and has risen to greater powers since, but I have 
no personal connection to him.  There is no animosity between us.  
If he is responsible for our predicament, I can't imagine why."

"He seemed interested in me."

Garak did smile then.  "Dear Julian, it is possible that someone 
could find you attractive without being an extortionist."  

"You're right.  They can't _all_ be involved."

"That does seem unlikely."

"Is it me, Elim?" Julian wondered.  "Do I give off some sort of 
'come and get me' pheromone that's irresistible to Cardassian 
males?"

"I can't speak for all Cardassian males, but you have always had 
that effect on me."  As they approached his door, he slipped one 
arm about the doctor to draw him closer.  "Are you going to come 
in?"

"No," said Julian, "I- er- don't think I ought to."

"I've made a thorough search of my quarters," Garak assured him.  
"There are no surveillance devices."

"All the same, I'd feel funny about it.  I don't think I'll ever 
be completely comfortable in your quarters again after this.  I'd 
always feel as if we were being watched."

"We can go to your quarters."

"Not tonight.  Remember?  I'm staying with Commander Sisko until 
all of this is over."  At his lover's look of disappointment, 
he added, "It's only for one more day.  We'll make up for it to-
morrow," and he gave Garak a quick kiss before he went on his 
way.

As he walked along the corridor, he occasionally heard footsteps 
behind him and knew that Garak was following to see that he stayed 
safe.  At the door to Sisko's quarters, he turned; he saw no one, 
but there was a deep shadow in the recess by the nearest turbo- 
lift.  A good place for someone to hide.

"Good night, Elim," he said to the shadow, and went in.

~*~

When Sisko came back to his quarters after the reception ended, he 
was relieved to find Julian in blue pajamas, sitting and reading 
on Jake's bed.  

"You're all right, Doctor?"

"Yes, sir, I'm fine." 

"I thought you might still be with Garak," the commander said 
delicately.  "I noticed when you left the reception, he followed 
you out."

"He walked back with me, but I left him outside.  I hope he's
not still out there."

"I didn't see anyone."

The doctor smiled.  "Garak would consider himself unprofessional 
if you did.  Is the party over?"

Sisko nodded.  "Security is escorting our guests to their 
quarters.  I've asked that a guard be set to keep watch over 
that Legate who grabbed you and see that he stays in for the 
rest of the night." 

Bashir regarded him for a moment before he said, "You've been 
wonderful about all of this, Commander, right from the beginning.  
You could have come down hard on me after you received that data-
rod.  You could've left me to deal with the ramifications--the 
Federation, the Cardassians--by myself.  I want you to know how 
grateful I am that you didn't.  I know you don't approve of 
Garak, sir."  

"I don't care about Garak," Sisko told him.  "I'm only interested 
in seeing that your career isn't ruined because of him.  I don't 
like this relationship, but I would have minded my own business 
about it if it hadn't been brought to my attention so...well, so 
vividly."

Julian ducked his head and admitted, "Do you know, I haven't even 
looked at that video file yet?  I don't know what it is you- ah- 
saw."

"Enough.  More than I really wanted to.  Doctor, do you mind if I 
ask you a personal question?"

"Uh- No, sir."

"_Why_?"

"Why?  Why Garak, you mean?  Maybe this will sound strange to you, 
but I am in love with him.  You remember when I had to remove that 
implant from his brain last year?  He almost died, and I realized 
then how much he meant to me.  I took a chance--I told him so, and 
I've been happier than I've ever been with anyone before.  Whether 
or not you believe it, he does care for me."

"This may surprise you, but I _am_ beginning to believe it," Sisko 
replied.  "Will you lock the door after I go?"

"Yes, sir, if you want me to."  Bashir began to look worried.  "Do 
you think something is going to happen tonight?"

"If anything's going to happen, it'll have to be tonight.  All of 
our Cardassian suspects will be gone by tomorrow afternoon.  Odo 
will make sure that everyone stays where they should be before he 
has to return to his liquid state--but just in case there is trouble
in spite of all our precautions, I want you out of the way when it 
comes.  Good night, Doctor."  Sisko went out.  He waited to hear 
the three-toned beep, indicating that Bashir had locked himself in, 
before he went to his own bedroom.


|~to be cont'd...~|


Kathryn Ramage                           kramage@erols.com
/~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~//~*~/ 
"It's about Garak...I'm afraid this relationship has gotten 
a little out of hand."
                                - Dr. Bashir, Past Prologue



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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