#tal shiar spies will always be loved by me

[romulanslutempire]

Adelaide Kane needs to reprise her role on SNW (somehow) so we can see her in Romulan tactical gear and with those famous pointy ears.

[edosianorchids901]

131: “ Lets run away together. ” For the Garashir prompt, if ya wanna! ^_^

Finally getting caught up on prompts! I particularly enjoyed writing this one.

131: “Let’s run away together.”

               Newvaccines. Alternate Andorian nutrition theories. Studies on every diseasepossible, even ones I’d never heard of. And somany biographies of attending doctors.

               Groaning,I rubbed my forehead. This was entirely too much to read, but I would feeltotally inadequate if I wasn’t prepared.

               Lookingup from his embroidery, Garak gave me a sympathetic look. “Overwhelmed, mydear?”

               “Justa little.” I shoved my padd away and massaged my temples. “I have no idea howI’m supposed to make it through all this before the conference.”

               “Mm.”My Cardassian padded to the window and gazed out. “It looks like a lovelynight. You doctors pick far better locations for your conferences than wespies.”

               Despitemy exhaustion, I laughed. “Spy conferences?”

               “Ohyes. Very public, formal affairs.” His mouth twitched in amusement.

               “You’reso helpful,” I teased. “Torturing me with things like ‘it looks like a lovelynight’ when I’m buried in work.”

               “Well,someone must keep your spirits up. And I’m both an expert in torture, andtelling whether a night is lovely.” He came to stand behind me, resting hishands on my shoulders and kissing the top of my head.

               “Thanks,love.” I returned to reading, still totally overwhelmed.

               Gentlefingers combed through my hair. “’Dissertation on the effects of subspacetachyon particles on the microbiology of Trill symbionts’,” he read over myshoulder. “That seems oddly specific.”

               “Butimportant.” With another sigh, I leaned back into his touch. “That’s thetrouble. All of this is important, but there’s so much information that I canbarely absorb it all, even with my enhancements.”

               “Isn’tthe point of a medical conference to absorb the information duringpresentations? You may be genetically enhanced, but you can’t possibly beexpected to know everything.”

               “Yeah,but if I don’t study it all, I won’t be prepared.” The thought of that made medeeply anxious, and I took a slow breath to steady myself.

               Garakleaned on the edge of the table, covering my hand with his. Surprised, I lookedup and saw compassion in his eyes. “The thought of not being prepared causesyou great distress,” he observed, voice soft. “Is this because you feel a needto prove yourself?”

               “Yeah,I guess.” Turning my hand to grasp his, I stared out the window as I thought.“I dunno, Elim. I still feel like such a fraud sometimes, even after all theseyears of everything being out in the open. I always worry that everyone issecretly judging me, waiting to see if I’ll measure up. And they’re probablysaying things like ‘Oh, Julian Bashir? He’s not a real doctor.”

               “Butyou are a real doctor, dear heart.”

               “Maybeso.” I rose, feeling almost trapped, and went to the window. “I just don’t feellike I belong, that’s all.”

               “I’mafraid that’s a feeling I’m well acquainted with.” Elim joined me, slipping hisarm around my waist. “You do belong, though. Your ability to truly understand,your clever ideas, and your gentle compassion have nothing to do with theenhancements. You’re a marvelous doctor on your own merit.”

               Stillnot reassured, I leaned against him and rested my head on his shoulder. Theunsettled sensation in my chest and stomach hadn’t abated.

               “Ijust feel like I need to be better than everyone.” Realizing how that sounded,I winced. “Not like that. Just…”

               “Iknow, Julian. You want to be able to show everyone that you’re competent,prepared, effective. You don’t need to justify yourself to me.”

               “Thanks,dearest.” I fell silent, gazing out the window at the activities below. Theopen market was lively, but not overly crowded. Towering, willowy trees linedthe stone paths, and I could see a garden, filled with varieties of plant lifethat I knew Elim would find fascinating.

               Theocean was visible in the distance, too, teal water lapping at the shore. Justmy luck that we’d finally get to come somewhere lovely like this, and then endup stuck inside.

               “Itreally does look like a gorgeous night,” I sighed.

               Garakpressed his lips to my head. “Julian?”

               “Hmm?”

               “Let’srun away together.”

               Surprised,I tilted my head back so I could see him. “Are you serious?”

               Heinclined his head, eyes bright. “Just for the night. Or, if you’d prefer, wecould skip the conference altogether.”

               “Garak,I can’t miss the entire conference.”

               “Justtonight, then.” He beamed at me.

               “ButI’ve got all this reading…” I protested weakly, wanting nothing more than to goadventuring.

               Hetook my hand and tugged. “All the reading is doing is increasing your anxiety.It’ll do you good to get out of here and stop fretting about whether or not you‘measure up’.”

               Relenting,I let him coax me into motion. “All right, if you’re sure this planet has goodsecurity. I’ve had enough of being abducted from medical conferences.”

               Elimpaused, patting his waistband. “Don’t worry. I came prepared.”

               “Didyou really smuggle a phaser in here?” I shook my head, not exactly surprised.“Well, that doesn’t say much for the security.”

               “It’snot a reflection on the security. I’m not your average medical conferenceattendee, my dear.”

               “Neitherwere the Jem’Hadar, Section 31, or the Tal Shiar,” I answered darkly.

               Theamusement in Garak’s eyes burned away, and fierce protectiveness took itsplace. He grasped my arms, gaze intense. “I will never allow them to touch youagain,” he said, such conviction in his voice that it eased my fear.

               Grateful,reassured, and turned on all at once, I wrapped my arms around Elim and kissedhim passionately. He responded with immediate eagerness, pulling me forwardinto a snug hold. I relaxed in his arms, savoring his cool lips, the feeling ofhis tongue meeting mine in a dance, his hands skimming over my back.

               Eventually,I drew back and caressed his cheek. “Thank you, Elim. For everything.”

               “Anythingfor you,” he murmured, eyes now soft with love. “Shall we go?”

               “Weshall.” And so, I took my husband’s arm, and we went out to explore.