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Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 19:25:16 -0500
Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW DS9 Everybody Comes to Leeta's 1/2 (D/L, D/K imp, O/?, AU) [R] FFF
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Title: Everybody Comes to Leeta's
Author: longbeachtrekstar ( longbeachtrekstar @ yahoo . com )
Series: DS9
Codes: D/L, D/K imp, O/?, AU
Rating: R
Parts: 1/2
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek. Warner Brothers 
owns "Casablanca". This was written as a fan's tribute (to both 
genres). The only profit is (hopefully) an entertaining story.
Archiving: FFF, ASCEM, others please ask.
Feedback: Yes please, here or by email.
Notes:
Based on the film "Casablanca" (1942).
Written for lucky Round XIII of the Femme Fuh-q Fest -- 
http://www.geocities.com/femme_fuhq_fest/
The symbols ^ ^ are used to indicate dialog inspired by quotes from 
the film, as reprinted on various websites. In some cases it is close 
to verbatim, while in others cases names, tech-lingo, and other text 
were modified to fit this story. But if the spirit of the words was 
inspired by the film, then I gave credit where it was due.
Summary: The fundamental things apply, as time goes by...

Everybody Comes to Leeta's
by longbeachtrekstar, January 2004


Cast:
Rick Blaine -- Leeta
Ilsa Lund -- Jadzia
Victor Laszlo -- Kira
Captain Renault -- Odo
Major Strasser -- Dukat
Senor Ferrari -- Quark
Sam -- Rom
Yvonne -- herself


^With the coming of the Cardassian Invasion, many eyes in imprisoned 
Bajor turned hopefully or desperately toward the freedom of the 
Federation. Regulon became the great embarkation point. But not 
everybody could get to Regulon directly, so a torturous, roundabout 
refugee trail sprang up. From planet to planet, by shuttle or 
freighter, to Terok Nor, on the edge of Cardassian-controlled 
territory. Here the fortunate ones, through money or influence or 
luck, might obtain exit visas and scurry to Regulon, and from there 
to the Federation. But the others wait on Terok Nor... and wait and 
wait and wait.^

Chief Constable Odo looked over the report on his viewscreen. 
Switching on the comm-link, he spoke to his staff on patrol. ^"To all 
officers. Two Cardassian couriers carrying important official 
documents were murdered on the transport from Oran. Murderer and 
possible accomplices headed for Terok Nor. Round up all suspicious 
characters and search them for stolen documents. Important."^

Odo stood up and looked at the chronometer with a sigh. The new 
Cardassian administrator was due to arrive soon. Another military 
blow-hard looking to make a name for himself without ever actually 
going into battle. They rotated through here like interns. He 
proceeded to the docking port just as the new administrator's ship 
was completing its post-flight checks. Odo consulted his 
dossier. "Gul... Dukat." Good strong Cardassian name, he thought 
sarcastically. Odo stepped forward as the shuttle's doors 
opened. "Welcome to Terok Nor."

The Gul also stepped forward, his smile not belying his insincerity. 
^"Thank you, Constable. It's very good to be here."^

^"You may find the climate of Terok Nor a trifle warm, Sir."^

^"Oh, we Cardassians must get used to all climates, from Betazed to 
Ferenginar. But perhaps you were not referring to the weather."^

^"What else, my dear Administrator?"^

Gul Dukat abandoned his friendly persona. "How is the murder 
investigation going? This terrorism cannot go unanswered. And the 
galactic passports -- they must be recovered! I demand a resolution 
at once!"

^"Realizing the importance of the case, my men are rounding up twice 
the usual number of suspects.^ In the meantime, may I offer you some 
refreshment?"

"What do you suggest?"

"We have a multitude of options. Senor Quark runs the Blue Parrot 
Cafe, but most visitors find they prefer Leeta's Cafe Bajorain."

*****

>From a back room, Leeta made her entrance for the evening. She wore 
an immaculate white tuxedo, and her hair was up in a very 
conservative business-like fashion. She moved confidently from table 
to table, chatting, laughing at unfunny jokes, patting customers on 
the shoulder. She was offered many drinks, asked often to sit and 
visit, but she rarely got involved with individuals, and never 
drank... in front of the customers, anyway.

"Good evening, Rom," she said to the Ferrengi. Rom was the Cafe's 
piano player, and her best friend on Terok Nor -- which meant best 
friend anywhere.

"Evenin', Boss," said the musician as he tickled the ivories. It was 
a genuine upright piano, with no electronic enhancements. It was 
Rom's pride and joy, and it definitely helped give the Cafe Bajorain 
its special ambiance. Rom smiled maliciously as he looked over 
Leeta's shoulder at a young human woman coming through the 
door. "Don't look now, Boss, but trouble's headin' your way."

Even before she turned around, Leeta knew who and what Rom was 
referring to. She turned to greet the girl. "Yvonne, my dear. So good 
to see you again."

"Oh, really? Well, you certainly don't *act* like you want to see me."

"What ever do you mean?" Leeta asked, unable to keep a sarcastic edge 
out of her voice.

^"Where were you last night?"^

^"That's so long ago, I don't remember."^

^"Will I see you tonight?"^

^"I never make plans that far ahead."^

"Just as I thought! We're through, Leeta. You're a selfish, 
egotistical pig, and if you want to rot on this damned station then 
you'll do it alone!" With that, she turned on her heels and stormed 
out. Straight to the Blue Parrot, no doubt, thought Leeta. Straight 
to Sugar Daddy #2. Leeta knew there was no need to be concerned in 
the least about Yvonne's well-being.

She heard a familiar voice from behind her. ^"How extravagant you 
are, throwing away women like that. Some day they may be scarce."^

She turned around and smiled at Odo, expertly hiding her momentary 
shock at seeing him sitting with a Cardassian Gul. "No matter how 
scarce they may become, I doubt if *you* will ever find yourself 
alone."

"Who better to please the multitudes of exotic refugees who pass 
through here, starved for affection, than a shape-shifter like 
myself? I can, after all, be all things to all women."

^"And when it comes to women, Odo, you're a true democrat."^

"Sit with us, Leeta. Allow me to introduce Gul Dukat, our new 
administrator." Leeta bowed, ever so slightly, ever so politely, but 
did not sit.

"A Bajoran," said Dukat obviously. "Tell me, what do *you* think of 
the Cardassian occupation?"

"Excuse me, gentlemen, but ^your business is politics. Mine is 
running a saloon."^

^"Really? What is your nationality?"^

^"I'm a drunkard."^

Odo laughed. ^"And that makes Leeta a citizen of the galaxy."^

Dukat continued to press for a weakness. ^"Are you one of those 
people who cannot imagine the Cardassians on their beloved Bajor?"^

^"Not particularly *my* beloved Bajor."^

^"Can you imagine us on Vulcan?"^

^"When you get there, ask me."^

^"How about Earth?"^

^"Well, there are certain sections of Earth that I wouldn't advise 
you to try to invade."^

Dukat was growing exasperated as Leeta parried his every move. "You 
think you're so smart, but you are not always so. ^We have a complete 
dossier on you."^ He held up a pocket-sized PADD with several lines 
of text on its screen.

Squinting to read it, Leeta asked, ^"Are my eyes really brown?"^

Dukat finally stood, irate. "I've had enough of this so-called 
hospitality from this... serving wench!" Leeta's icy facade was 
unbroken. "Good night, Constable." Odo nodded a farewell as Dukat 
beat a retreat from the Cafe.

Odo stood up next to Leeta. In silent amusement, they both watched 
the Cardassian disappear down the Promenade. Odo turned. "What *does* 
he have on you, in that little dossier of his?"

"Me? I'm just a saloon keeper."

"And I'm one of the Prophets. ^What in heaven's name brought you to 
Terok Nor?"^

^"My health. I came here for the fresh air."^

^"Fresh air? What fresh air? We're in a space station."^

^"I was misinformed."^

The light-hearted atmosphere between them abruptly evaporated as Odo 
looked at Leeta more seriously. His eyes shifted left and right. 
Then, with a toss of his head, he motioned her over to a more private 
corner. "I hate to ask... not because I don't think you're capable of 
stealing, but because I know you'd never tell me..."

"You think I have the missing passports."

"Well, do you?" Leeta only raised her eyebrows, leaving Odo to answer 
his own question. "As I said, I knew you'd never tell me." Leeta 
turned to go, but Odo put a hand on her shoulder. "One more thing... 
^There is a woman who's arrived on Terok Nor on her way to Regulon. 
She will offer a fortune to anyone who will furnish her with a 
passport."^

^"Yeah? What's her name?"^

^"Kira Nerys. She's escaped from the Cardassians more than once... 
But no matter how clever she is, she'll still need a passport. Or 
should I say two?"^

^"Why two?"^

^"She is traveling with another lady."^

^"She'll take one."^

^"I think not. I have seen the lady, and if she did not leave her in 
Oran, she certainly won't leave her on Terok Nor."^

^"Well, maybe she's not quite as romantic as you are."^

"Please, Leeta. If you just *happen* to come across those missing 
passports, do me a favor? Don't give them to Kira. Sell them to some 
poor Andorian trying to get home."

"Don't worry, Odo. ^I stick my neck out for nobody."^

^"A wise foreign policy."^

Odo left to follow after Dukat and keep tabs on him. Leeta pasted her 
smile back on and returned to working the crowd. Hours later, the 
room was dark. The chairs were upended onto the tables as the 
automatic floor-cleaner followed its pre-programmed pattern around 
the room. Leeta sat at a corner table, pouring herself shots. There 
was a time when she would swig from the bottle, but using a glass was 
much more dignified.

Perhaps she should chase after Yvonne again, just for tonight. Just 
to fill the void. But that was impossible. Try as she did, night 
after night, nothing could fill the emptiness inside her. She poured 
another shot.

*****

Late the next afternoon, Odo strolled into the Cafe, where the early 
crowd was filtering in for dinner. Rom was playing a light, bouncy 
little tune, but Leeta was nowhere to be seen. Odo approached him and 
gestured questioningly.

"No, she ain't here," replied Rom. "Found an empty bottle here this 
morning. I think she had another one of *those* nights... No telling 
when we'll see her."

Odo grunted knowingly and wandered off. Amazingly, however, Leeta did 
show up not long after. "I'll be in back," she announced to Rom. She 
only said that whenever she did not want to be disturbed.

The evening worn on, and the dinner crowd turned into the cocktail 
crowd. A female couple entered the Cafe. One was a tall, dark-haired 
Trill. Her long locks spilled gracefully over her bare shoulders, 
where her elegant leopard spots played hide-and-seek among the curls. 
A simple but chic dress encircled her from the bosom, down. Although 
she was already on the arm of a companion, she seemed to search the 
crowd for someone.

The other was Bajoran. Her red hair was rather short, and a shade 
akin to the rust-colored pantsuit she was wearing. She had a 
confident air about her, but not quite the charm of her companion. 
She pointed to an empty table for the Trill to take as she headed 
toward the bar for drinks.

The Trill, however, took a roundabout route and passed by the piano. 
Looking up, Rom hit one of his few bad notes when he saw the woman 
standing before him. "Jadzia!"

"Hello, Rom."

^"I never expected to see you again... A lot of water under the 
bridge."^

^"Where is Leeta?"^

^"I don't know. I ain't seen her all day."^

^"When will she be back?"^

^"Not today. She went home."^

^"You used to be a much better liar, Rom."^

^"Leave her alone, Jadzia. You're bad luck to her."^

Jadzia ran her fingers across the smooth mahogany of the piano. 
^"Play it once, Rom, for old times' sake."^

Rom looked up toward the ceiling as he continued playing an 
uninspiring number. ^"I don't know what you mean, Jadzia."^

^"Play it, Rom. Play 'As Time Goes By.' "^

^"Why, I can't remember it, Jadzia. I'm a little rusty on it."^

^"I'll hum it for you."^ Jadzia hummed a few bars, and Rom relented, 
beginning to play the notes. ^"Sing it, Rom."^

^"You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by

^"And when two lovers woo
They still say, 'I love you'
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by."^

Suddenly, Leeta came storming out of her office. Without a sideways 
glance, she walked up to Rom, hissing. ^"I thought I told you never 
to play..."^ Rom's music and Leeta's rant stopped at the same moment, 
as she was struck dumb by the sight of Jadzia. "Jad?"

Jadzia smiled a warm smile, the likes of which Leeta hadn't seen in 
years. ^"Let's see, the last time we met was..."^

^"La Belle Aurore."^

^"How nice. You remembered. But of course, that was the day the 
Cardassians landed on Bajor."^

It was Leeta's turn to smile, though hers was more melancholy. ^"I 
remember every detail. The Cardassians wore gray. You wore blue."^

Just then, Jadzia's friend returned, drinks in hand. "Oh, Leeta," 
said Jadzia. "I'd like you to meet my... friend, Kira Nerys."

Kira! I should have known, thought Leeta, as she extended her 
hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

*****

Later that night, the Cafe was closed and the Promenade outside was 
deserted. Rom sat at his piano, experimenting with various chords. 
This time, Leeta didn't even wait for him to leave before she broke 
out a bottle.

"Two nights in a row?" asked Rom. "Why don't you go home?"

^"Have a drink."^

^"No, not me, Boss."^

^"Well then, don't have a drink."^

^"Boss, let's get out of here."^

^"No sir. I'm waiting for a lady."^

^"Please Boss, let's go. Ain't nothing but trouble for you here."^

^"She's coming back. I *know* she's coming back."^ Leeta sat at the 
bar with a glass in her hand, staring vacantly at the bottles lined 
up along the wall. ^"Of all the gin joints on all the stations in all 
the galaxy, she walks into mine."^ She looked up. ^"What's that 
you're playin'?"^

^"Oh, just a little somethin' of my own."^

^"Well, stop it! You know what I want to hear."^

^"No, I don't."^

^"You played it for her, you can play it for me."^

^"Well, I don't think I can remember..."^

^"If she can stand it, I can. Play it!"^

Rom began to play the song again, and as he did, Leeta was swept up 
in a wave of nostalgia, carried away to a world that lived now only 
in her memories...

*****

Two years ago, on Bajor. The Cardassians were just beginning to 
spread their villainous influence across the galaxy. Bajor was abuzz 
with activity as their local defenses prepared to repel the coming 
assault. In the midst of all this turmoil, a disillusioned Bajoran 
encountered a young, unjoined Trill.

Having recognized the menace the Cardassians posed before almost 
anyone else on Bajor, Leeta had joined the Maquis Foreign Legion as a 
Bajoran ex-patriot. She fought the Cardassians in one failed 
encounter after another, retreating before them across the sector. As 
she looked around her homeworld, she had no delusions about their 
ability to repel the coming invaders.

She was about to leave forever when she first saw Jadzia. Jadzia saw 
her as well, and it was love at first sight. ^"Who are you really and 
what were you before?"^ Leeta had finally asked one night. ^"What did 
you do and what did you think, huh?"^

^"No questions,"^ answered Jadzia, teasingly.

Holding up her glass of champagne, Leeta clinked it against Jadzia's. 
^"Here's looking at you, kid."^ They drained their glasses, and Leeta 
quickly refilled them. ^"Henri, the proprietor, wants us to finish 
this bottle, and then three more. He says he'll water his garden with 
champagne before he'll let the Cardassians drink it."^

They sipped and kissed, and sipped and kissed, and soon the drinks 
were forgotten. They were in each others arms, kissing passionately. 
Back in their hotel suite, Leeta slipped a strap of Jadzia's blue 
dress off her shoulder, exposing her left breast. She kissed her way 
down Jad's neck, following the spots as they curved around the 
Trill's breast. Leeta kissed her way as far down as the dress would 
allow, then returned to Jadzia's soft bosomy flesh. Her eyes closed, 
and her mouth gently circling a nipple, she reached blindly to remove 
the other half of Jadzia's dress. Pulling it down around her waist, 
Jadzia's arms were entangled in it like a straightjacket, and both of 
them tumbled to the floor in a fit of laughter.

Jadzia lay on the floor on her back, Leeta above her, staring into 
her eyes. "After tonight, Jad, you must leave here. With me. It isn't 
safe anymore."

^"Leeta, dear. I'll go with you anyplace. We'll get on a shuttle 
together and never stop."^

Later that night, the two lay in each others' arms, wrapped in a 
tangle of sweaty sheets. From beneath a pile of cast-off clothes in 
the corner, the warble of Jadzia's personal communicator sounded. 
With little enthusiasm, the Trill pulled herself from their warm 
cocoon and fished the device from the pile. "Hello?" she said 
sleepily. "What?" she said, turning to face Leeta. She then turned 
and walked from the bedroom to the outer parlor. Leeta could only 
hear bits and pieces of the one-sided conversation. "Oh... Oh... Uh-
huh... Yes, yes, of course."

Minutes later, Jadzia returned to their bed, but she wrapped herself 
separately in the sheets. Leeta slid over to her. "What's wrong? What 
was that all about?"

"Nothing. Please, let's just sleep."

The next morning, warm sun filtered in through the gauzy curtains of 
the French doors. The doors opened onto a patio which afforded a view 
of the Bajoran capital. Spacecraft buzzed by overhead, and far up in 
the sky, flashes of plasma and lasers were visible.

Leeta sat in a wicker chair, an image of cool control. She'd been in 
many more-treacherous scenarios than this. Jadzia, however, was a 
nervous wreck, fluttering about the hotel room, trying to collect her 
things. Leeta got up and intercepted Jadzia in the middle of one of 
her manic strides. "Relax, Jad. Relax. We've got plenty of time to 
get to the station and catch a shuttle out of here."

Jadzia looked at her, appearing confused. "No," she said vacantly. "I 
have to go into the city first -- alone. It's important."

"What could you possibly-"

"Leeta, please!"

"Okay, okay. There's another shuttle at noon. Rom and I will meet you 
at the station then."

Jadzia suddenly composed herself, approached Leeta, and hugged her. 
^"Was that cannon fire, or is it my heart pounding?"^ Staring into 
Leeta's eyes, she said, ^"Kiss me, Leeta. Kiss me as if it were the 
last time."^

Several hours later, Leeta was nervously pacing the launch platform 
as Rom looked on. Leeta looked at her watch and checked the 
pedestrian entrance every time someone passed through it.

"Boss! C'mon, the shuttle's about to leave."

"No. You go on. I can't leave without her."

Just then, her communicator beeped. Looking at it, she read a text 
message:

^"Leeta, I cannot go with you or ever see you again. You must not ask 
why. Just believe that I love you. Go, my darling, and the Prophets 
bless you. -- Jadzia"^ Leeta slammed the communicator down on the 
sidewalk, where it shattered into a hundred pieces.

*****

The sudden noise roused Leeta from her reverie. She stared blankly at 
the broken glass she had obviously just thrown against the floor. She 
looked around. Rom had gone, and she wondered what time it was.

There was a hesitant tap at the open doorway. Leeta turned to see 
Jadzia meekly entering the room. ^"Why did you have to come to Terok 
Nor?"^ asked Leeta. ^"There are other places."^

^"I wouldn't have come if I'd known that you were here."^

^"It's funny about your voice -- how it hasn't changed. I can still 
hear it. 'Leeta, dear. I'll go with you anyplace. We'll get on a 
shuttle together and never stop.' "^

^"Please don't... I can understand how you feel."^

"What? Now? How about then? ^Standing on a station platform with a 
comical look on my face because my insides had just been kicked 
out... Tell me, who was it you left me for? Was it Kira, or were 
there others in between? Or aren't you the kind to kiss and tell?"^ 
In tears, Jadzia laid a slap across Leeta's face. ^"Why did you come 
back?"^

^"I'll be leaving Terok Nor soon, and we'll never see each other 
again. We knew very little about each other when we were in love on 
Bajor. If we leave it that way, maybe we'll remember those days and 
not tonight."^

Leeta took Jadzia's hands in her own. "I'm sorry. Let's make tonight 
worth remembering."

"No, Leeta. You see, Kira Nerys is my wife, and was -- even when I 
knew you on Bajor. When I first met you, I thought she was dead -- 
killed by the Cardassians. But that day we said good-bye was the day 
I found out she was still alive."

"That doesn't make our love any less true, does it? You can't imagine 
how it's been for me without you. Stay with me, just for tonight."

"I can't..."

"Look me in the eye! Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me 
anymore, and I'll let you go, now and forever. But if you feel 
*anything*..."

Struggling against unseen forces holding her back, Jadzia fell 
forward and into Leeta's arms. Both of them sank into a kiss they'd 
been secretly longing for for years. Jadzia smelled of spring flowers 
and desire, and Leeta reveled in her scent. Leeta smelled of booze 
and self-pity, but Jadzia didn't care.

Leeta's hands found the hem of Jadzia's dress and raised it up, 
grabbing handfuls of smooth flesh through delicate panties. "No," 
cried Jadzia. "No, we can't!" But she made no move to withdraw from 
Leeta's hot embrace. Indeed, her hands too were busy, sliding inside 
Leeta's jacket and under her shirt to find Bajoran tits aching to be 
groped. A tearing sound was heard, and Leeta tossed aside Jad's 
rended panties. Hooking her arms under Jadzia's thighs, she hoisted 
her and tossed her onto the bar, sending the whiskey bottle flying...

(End of Part One of Two)



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