"It was nothing," declared their host modestly, "simple staples from the home world."

Never-the-less, they had been impressed. Miles and Keiko had been quite reluctant to leave, but Molly's babysitter was only booked for so long, and they had to go.

Jadzia, Captain Sisko, Julian and Garak remained to sample the excellent Cardassian wine and to reminisce about the past few years on Deep Space Nine.

"It's been a challenge," murmured Sisko, rolling the long stemmed wine glass with his fingertips, "but I believe we all have benefited from our time here. Am I right Dax?"

Jadzia looked up from watching Garak draw small circles on the back of Julian's hand with his thumb.

"Yes. Definitely. Talking of the station Captain, there's a section of the pylon I want to go over with you before the crowds get there - we could go now."

"And break up this..ugh.. ah, yes. Duty calls." Sisko smiled tightly, the sharp pain where Jadzia had kicked him beginning to throb. "Gentlemen, we must away. Thank you for a wonderful evening."

"You are most welcome Captain. You have both been excellent company. I shall be sure to hold more such gatherings!" Exclaimed their host, herding the departing guests to the door.

"Julian?" asked Jadzia, regarding the young human sprawled on the low couch.

"Hmm?" Julian had been at pains to be seen drinking during the meal. If he stayed the night, he could claim he had been too inebriated to walk back to his quarters. But in diffidence to how he actually planned to spend the rest of tonight he had liberally spruced his white wine with soda water. "Oh, good night Jadzia, Captain. Garak and I still have some talking to do."

"Hmm...Good night Julian." Dax smiled as she escorted a bemused Sisko out into the corridor.

Calling a last farewell to his guests, Garak palmed shut the door and turned to regard his friend. Sprawled out on the couch, his hair slightly ruffled, shoes and socks off, eyes soft with alcohol - he was an enchanting sight.

/I can't do this./ Garak realised as he suppressed a deep moan. He felt as if his entire chest was congested with panic. What to do? Miss-direction had worked with the young human before, the ex spy mused. He would give him the surprise he had somewhat naively been planning to offer him in the morning. He turned quickly and went to retrieve it from his cluttered workroom.

"Garak. What are you doing?" Asked the doctor, idly running his hand through his hair. /Alone at last. I hope you're getting undressed in there/ he thought.

"Just getting a little something I thought you might like." Replied the tailor as he searched through cloth swatches, dress patterns, tickets, sewing boxes and the other rubble on his cutting table. Damn, where had he put it?

"Not something illegal, I hope." Julian sat up a little straighter, a crease of worry appearing between his brows.

"Oh no doctor, nothing like that!" exclaimed his friend, moving to the doorway and making placating motions with his hands. He wasn't going to repeat that mistake again. "Just a little something I found that I knew you would want. It was amazingly easy to acquire, really - you just have to know who to ask." As he said the last he turned back to his overflowing work area and again began to hunt.

Curiosity piqued Julian got up and went to peer over the Cardassians shoulder just as the man exclaimed triumphantly and produced, of all things, a biological enforcement field bubble pad.

"That looks like a container for Barillium vaccine!" Julian gasped. "Oh Garak, how on earth did you manage to get it?"

"Well I knew you needed some for those Andorian traders just back from the gamma quadrant, and the local channels have been so slow lately..."

"Yes, they have. This is wonderful! It's the most thoughtful thing anyone's ever done for me." Julian took the bubble pad and put it back on the table. "In fact," he purred, reaching out to lay his hands on the lapels of Garaks jacket, "it's quite won my heart. Whatever can I do to repay you?" He closed his eyes; leaned forward and let his lips slightly part, fully expecting to be kissed. So he was quite surprised to have his shoulders grabbed, be spun about and abruptly shown the door.

"I'm so glad you liked it, oh look at the time, must get some rest, see you tomorrow, bye now doctor!" the Cardassian babbled, then thrust the gaping Starfleet officer out into the corridor. Julian was left staring at the closed door.