In the days that followed, Garak sought out more contentious topics for them to discus, in hopes that the young man would do it again. And, wondrously, he had.

Undreamed of tranquillity engulfed Garak each time those long and slender digits came to rest. He cherished every occasion in which it occurred and mourned the times when it did not. However even he nearly missed the first time they actually held hands.

They were sharing a joke, Garak was storing some tidbit of information away for passing on to a client of his (a man who valued the discomfort and embarrassment of others) when he glanced over and saw the doctors hand clasped in his own.

/When had that happened?/ he'd mused. Reacting to Garaks startled expression Bashir looked down at their hands too, and smiled. An insufferably smug little smile that tugged at Garak indignantly, but the Cardassian let it pass without comment. He was simply too overcome to discuss it.

Things could have gone on indefinitely in this unspoken way, Garak felt, sharing hand clasps and the occasional warm glance, if not for the doctors habit of standing up to greet friends. Their hands would slide apart and Garak had an intolerable five to ten minute wait until Julian reached over to re-establish the contact again.

Despite Garaks intention of letting the younger human pace things, this wait was becoming intolerable. Large chunks of valuable information were being lost as he sat and looked mournfully at his empty hand. Then Bashir would reach over and there would be a shock, like electricity. The Cardassian would immediately perk up and rejoin the conversation again. It was uncanny how much more alive he felt, with just that simple contact.

He wondered sometimes what the young man's friends thought of the affair, did they even know? Humans were hard to read sometimes, he wasn't even sure Bashir realised the importance of hand holding to his kind. He, however, was not about to jeopardise things by asking. Better ignorant and touched, than knowing and alone.

Jadzia at least, who was knowledgeable about his culture, had pulled him up about the matter. "Some people, Mr Garak," she had backed him aggressively into a wall, "would use Julian's naiveté to their own advantage. Be sure he knows what he is up to before you involve him in your games. Especially games of the heart. Hurting Julian would be unwise, he has very," she reached over and squeezed that spot right over his techons, "protective friends."

"I don't know what you mean, Jadzia, " the tailor had gasped. "Our doctor is in perfectly safe hands with me!"

Well, relatively safe hands. Garak had recently found himself fantasising about what he could do with those hands!

*sigh* Well, if wishes were horses, as O'Brien liked to say. And now there was this problem of the waiting periods, he really must do something about it.

Decision time was brought on by an entirely unexpected need to move forwards with the relationship. The two men were seated at Quarks when Garak saw Jadzia enter, and almost without thinking resolutely entwined his fingers with the younger man's.

"Garak?" asked Julian, giving him a quizzical look. He spotted Jadzia then, and moved to stand and call her. But Garak had a firm grip on his hand, and wouldn't let go. Semi crouched out of his chair, Julian asked "Garak?" again, but the Cardassians vocal cords seemed to be frozen. Instead of answering he put all he could of pleading into his eyes. It was time to let the doctor decide.

If he should pull his hand away now, the Cardassian would allow it. His stony heart would break, but he loved this human too much to bind him to him by force. As his hand loosened it's grip Julian gave him a piercing look and slowly lowered himself back into his chair. Their eyes were locked together, seeing each other as if for the first time.

"Mind if I join you, the replemat is fritzed again." Jadzia stood poised, ready to sit. Julian pulled himself together first, and gestured at the empty chair.

"Why, certainly Jadzia, your company is always welcome." When he turned to get the attention of the Ferengi waiter, Jadzia shot the Cardassian a questioning look. Garak, who's heart was pounding as if he'd just run a training course, gave a small nod. One of the Trill's perfect eyebrows arched and she gave Julian a speculative look. Once again, Garak nodded, wondering what the Trill's reaction would be. When Julian turned back to them, she gave him a brilliant smile. The older man sighed and allowed himself to likewise smile with relief.

"What have I missed?" Julian asked and was utterly baffled when they began to laugh nervously. Becoming a little exasperated at their behaviour Julian rolled his eyes and caught sight of Miles and Keiko entering the bar. Instead of standing up and calling them as he normally would he raised his free hand and waved it.

"Replicators are down," said Miles as they shuffled round to fit everyone at the table.

"We know," Jadzia agreed, "we were just about to order. The Ferengi turrat soup is good here." At the barely suppressed groans Dax just gave one of her enigmatic smiles and shook her head. "If it's not regulation Starfleet, it's not edible, right?"

"On the contrary, we find Ferengi cuisine exemplary." Julian smirked. "That's why we avoid it so much, we don't want to jade our selves to its subtleties."

"Ever the diplomat, doctor." Garak smiled over the titters of their friends. Lightly squeezing the hand still in his he determined on a course of action, a further step. "However, I intend to enlighten you all on Cardassian cuisine very shortly." He paused and let the others express interest in his plans, then gestured grandly and said, "Why, I am to have a Cardassian dinner party. You are all invited, the Captain too if he feels inclined. Dress for these occasions is semi formal. Ladies, if you would like to consult with me for styles, my shop is open, feel free to drop by." Keiko smiled behind her hand at this bit of commercialism, Quark was rubbing off on their friend. "You need worry about nothing else, food and drink will be provided by the host, namely - me."

"And what is this to be in aid of? It's not Cardassian New Year is it?" Miles unconsciously covered his wife's hand as he spoke. They had both noticed the tightly clasped hands and smiling eyes of the two men and were wondering if an announcement was in the offing.

"Oh, no occasion." Hazarded the Cardassian. "Just a small gathering to celebrate the good fortunes of the time, to enjoy good food and... special friends." He met Julian's gaze as he said the last, and their eyes grew warm.

The others groaned silently. Did the two really think no one else could tell what was going on?

Breaking into Garaks thoughts, which were following along a surprisingly similar line to what Miles was about to say, O'Brien slapped the table top and declared, "It's a date!"