Spices

      The war held many opportunities, and Garak took advantage of each one without missing anything. He climbed step by step, and now that the shots had died down and the dominion had conceded defeat, with the diplomats on the crest of the wave, Garak was the best of them. That`s why he got a new role — the Ambassador.       Thanks to several successful decisions, they managed to save Cardassia, the Dominion fleet did not even get close to the orbit of Cardassia Prime, only distant planets were affected. It was time to negotiate with the Federation and other forces, to help those who were less fortunate, to restore their own borders, to find new allies. This means to seek profit in every moment, again and again, for the sake of the prosperity of the state, which once so wilfully and recklessly refused it.       Garak saw the irony in this.       Sometimes he had to work, forgetting about food and sleep, but then there was his personal doctor, who was especially valued by the Obsidian order. His Julian, who manages to implement interesting projects, find solutions to medical riddles, and keep an eye on the Ambassador.       Julian, in which nothing is left of that awkward young men that he met Garak in the replimat…       Brushing aside the memories that came flooding back, Garak launched another message. The Federation had sent a request, and it was necessary to read it as soon as possible.       «Ambassador, in the past we agreed on the exchange of criminals.» The Federation side reported. «And now we have clear evidence that one of them is hiding on Cardassia Prime. This is Julian Bashir. You knew each other in the past. It is genetically enhanced, and we demand its release.»       Garak chuckled and folded his hands, leaning back in his chair.       «It`s been so many years.» He whispered. «And you only just remembered it? Found him now? Extreme inefficiency.»       He had no doubt that he would refuse the Federation this delicate matter.       

***

      Garak was delayed, and that evening Julian greeted him with a mocking smile.       «Someone promised to leave work early today.» He reminded.       «Is it?» Garak rubbed the bridge of his nose and suddenly remembered. «Well, my dear.» If he could be embarrassed, he probably would be. «I`m really late.»       «Don’t worry.» Julian said, and nodded toward the entrance to the living room. «But I got everything ready.»       It was not Cardassian custom to celebrate anniversaries, but Julian liked it, and Garak gave in, as he had in many ways. However, Julian is also sometimes went with him on a compromise. And sometimes both of them were not ready to give up even a little, and therefore the sharpness never left their lives.       «Is something wrong?» Julian asked almost nonchalantly, and Garak knew that he had been read again, whether he wanted to or not. This happened more and more often, but it didn`t make me worry anymore.       «Not exactly.» He said, determined to settle the matter as quickly as possible. «Just an annoying diplomatic problem.»       «And what is the problem?» Julian handed him a glass of kanar, and first they saluted each other and paid tribute to the drink. Garak swung the glass in his hand, watching the blue liquid attack the glass walls, and answered.       «The Federation demands the extradition of a criminal hiding on Cardassia.»       «A criminal.» Julian repeated without asking. «How curious. And who is he?» The voice was mocking, and Garak smiled back.       «It is Julian Bashir. Genetically enhanced.»       «Really.» Julian`s face showed no emotion. He just took another sip of kanar. «And what will Cardassia do?»       «It would be a very good diplomatic gesture.» Garak closed his eyes a little. «But there is one nuance that the Federation does not take into account.»       «A nuance?» Julian was asking now, but it was as if he were flirting. «Will you tell me about it?»       «It`s very simple.» Garak spread his hands. «A certain Julian Bashir is not a pawn in this game of chess. It`s too valuable for Cardassia, and Cardassia doesn`t waste valuable resources.»       «In other words, you will have to say no?» Julian chuckled. «But then you need a good reason, don`t you?»       «How do you like this one?» Garak paused, squinting at Julian, «Cardassia can`t hand over to the Federation someone who has diplomatic immunity status.»       «That`s a good answer.» Said Julian. «But there is another problem — I do not have one».       «Every member of the Ambassador`s family has this status.» Garak reminded.       «Every member of the family.» Julian echoed, his eyes twinkling. «Garak… Elim, you…»       It was like the burning taste of the sharpest pepper, or maybe all the spices that were used to season dishes on Cardassia. Garak smiled, this time realizing that he had outmaneuvered his genetically enhanced opponent.       «But if I hadn`t, would you have agreed to run away with me, Elim?» It came back to me and disappeared again.       «The Ambassador`s spouse has sufficient diplomatic immunity.» He put an end to this game. «And no, the Federation would not be able to get to him.»       Julian didn`t answer. It wasn`t that he couldn`t find the words, but his beaming gaze precluded the need to say them.       

***

      They didn`t need a Grand ceremony — just a small formality to annoy the Federation and get their way, didn`t need any special pomp. At the last moment, however, Julian suggested that the ceremony should be held in the garden. In the same garden that was dying of drought when they first appeared on Cardassia Prime, and now has been transformed beyond belief.       Under proper supervision, it bloomed and smelled sweet from season to season — one flowers after another, and always something pleasing to the eye. People came to see the Ambassador`s garden as if it were a separate attraction. This garden became a metaphor for the future of Cardassia, and Julian often chuckled, reminding him that he had put as much effort into this piece of land and Cardassia itself as Garak.       Standing across from him as their new rights and responsibilities to each other were read out, Garak wondered if it was time to reveal another secret, or if it wasn`t the right one to reveal.       They exchanged marital bracelets and left their fingerprints to seal the marriage, and afterward, when they returned to the house and said goodbye to the employees, Garak still couldn`t decide what to do.       «My dear.» He heard a mocking voice say, and hot hands fell on his shoulders. «You`re too thoughtful for a newlywed.»       «Is it?» He said. «Please forgive me… This happens to diplomats.»       Julian chuckled.       «I know what you`re thinking.» He continued. «And... you don`t need to say anything, Elim.»       «Don`t need it?» Garak turned his head slightly, and then their lips touched.       «You don`t need to.» Julian repeated, right during the kiss. «Because it`s all been clear to me for too long.»       The kiss felt spicy, tart and passionate, and Garak almost missed the opportunity to ask the next question. And when, instead of his lover, he was dragged into the bedroom by his husband, he almost forgot that he had intended to ask it at all.       But still, when he had caught his breath, he asked.       «What has become clear to you, my dear?»       «That you love me, of course.» Julian ran his hands over his chest, finding and undoing all the clasps of the Ambassador`s formal suit. «Otherwise, I would never have dared to suggest that you run away.»       «What if you were wrong?» Garak gasped in surprise as Julian bit his comb.       «I wouldn`t be wrong.» He said, sounding too confident. «I wouldn`t be wrong. You forget that I am a genetically enhanced and the Federation wants to catch me and imprison me.»       Garak caught his lips, not wanting to admit that he was right. Not wanting to admit it so easily, out loud, because otherwise you would lose the very spice, the very sharpness that, as you know, must be present in every truly beautiful dish.