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EXT. Cardassia Prime - Day
Cardassia Prime ravaged by the Dominion War. 800 million casualties. Entire histories and families lost. Standing in the ruins of his childhood home is Elim Garak pondering the events. Glad to be home. Sad that he can really never return home. The scene begins to rush and fade until it arrives at a different scene in the past.
INT. Replimat DS9 - Day
Doctor Bashir and Garak are in a heated conversation over lunch about a classic Cardassian play.
GARAK
You won't even try Cardassian theatre? It is the greatest art form in the galaxy.
BASHIR
I can't even begin to understand how you can handle an entire day's production, let alone a play that goes on for weeks.
GARAK
The glory of the repetitive epic on stage is a feat of Cardassian art and culture. The toils and struggles of a family all in service to Cardassia.
BASHIR
Yes, but a week.
GARAK
Oh it's more than week. Sometimes the production last for months. The longest recorded production continued for years. Generations of actors playing roles. It was still running when I left Cardassia.
BASHIR
I am curious... But the amount of data rods and holosuite time that would take.
GARAK
A mere case or two of data rods, of course never as good as the real thing, but as close as you can get here.
BASHIR
I am curious, but I don't think I can afford to use the holosuites for that long.
GARAK
It would take too much time out of your spy life? Or your fascination with no win scenarios with Chief O'Brian?
BASHIR
It's not even that. But a week long play. How does one even go about that?
GARAK
Oh very deliberately. You are of course fed, and allow to stand and leave to relieve yourself. Even light naps are encouraged. I'll show you. It's always better with company.
BASHIR
I'd be glad for the company, I don't think I can do the entire duration.
GARAK
Oh Julian, I think you'd be up for the challenge.
COMPUTER
Doctor Bashir report to the medical bay
Bashir gets up from the table.
BASHIR
I'm sorry Garak, duty calls.
GARAK
Some other time doctor.
EXT. CARDASSIA PRIME - DAY
Rushing away from the glowing past the scene is thrown to look at the burning remains of it. An ancient culture lost. Destroyed in it's arrogance and greed. Garak brushes of dust and soot from his clothes, his finger finds a hole and he groans. As he examines the extent of the tear we are drawn back to DS9.
INT. Garak's Tailor Shop DS9 - day
Garak is cutting cloth. He stops. For a moment he is disoriented, his eyes blink passing it off a mild panic attack from claustrophobia.
QUARK
I said these pants are still too long
GARAK
What?
QUARK
And these cuffs. Horrible
GARAK
Of course.
QUARK
I pay good latinum for good work... What is wrong with you?
GARAK
Nothing. I was... lost in thought for a moment.
QUARK
Explains the pants. I don't have time for you get to lost in... what do the humans call it 'memory lane'? When I come back these pants better be ready Garak
QUARK leaves. Garak is still holding the scissors and not sure what to do with them
GARAK
I don't think it was memory lane.
FX: Cue opening title music.
INT. Replimat - DAY
Garak is sitting at a table awaiting Julian Bashir for their weekly lunches. For a moment Garak lets down his guard and thinks about what he saw. He touches his head as a wave of dizziness falls over him. As BASHIR approaches he attempts to become his charming self.
BASHIR
Sorry I'm late. There was an emergency in the Medical bay.
GARAK
My dear Doctor, always hero.
BASHIR
Garak I am sorry. I like to be punctual.
GARAK
Of course you do, the great Julian Bashir saviour of DS9.
BASHIR
Garak, that is a little uncalled for. What is the matter with you?
GARAK
Oh nothing Doctor, if you have something better to do with your time perhaps you'd better be there
Garak gets up to leave
BASHIR
Garak, I was only five minutes late
GARAK
And ten minutes last week, seven the week before, why I don't think you've been on time once. How much of my time am I suppose to give you?
BASHIR
Garak I haven't done it intentionally, there are emergencies and I am a doctor. I can't walk away because I'm having a lunch with a friend.
GARAK
A lunch with a friend? Well Doctor, have you considered getting more help? Why it makes no sense at all that there is only a single Doctor on the station. Shouldn't there be more of you in the medical bay?
BASHIR
I can't change that we are short staffed. With war going on it's all hands on deck.
GARAK
Which means there is no time for lunch.
BASHIR
But it seems there is time for arguments
GARAK
What is a war for if not for arguing.
BASHIR
Garak, I'm here now let's sit and eat something. Everything is always clearer after a meal.
GARAK
I've lost my appetite. If you'll excuse me.
Garak begins to walk away, and in his dizziness trips over something unseen.
CUT TO:
EXT. CARDASSIA PRIME - DAY
We cut to Garak tripping over the remains of his former home on Cardassia Prime. He's startled to be there. Looking at scorched beam he tripped over a shiny single button stands out from the ashes. The camera holds on the button for a moment and the button becomes part of a dress. MILA the housekeeper for Enabran Tain is talking to Garak in the basement of the house.
INT. Enabran Tain's basement - day
Garak is struggling to see while working on a communication device while KIRA and DAMAR sleep awaiting their next move in the Cardassian uprising. The basement is tidy, but still a dark basement. We see the button on Mila's dress.
MILA
You were always getting into trouble.
GARAK
Mila I assure you that I was never caught.
MILA
Good boy. Keeping secrets is important business.
GARAK
As is trying to reclaim Cardassia from the Dominion. And if I have more light I may be able to do that.
MILA
Still a cheeky thing. Making an old woman go up and down the stairs to get you a light.
GARAK
It may be the very light that saves Cardassia. And you will be it's bearer. A hero to all of Cardassia.
MILA
Humph. You always had a slick tongue.
GARAK
I only wish to serve the future hero of Cardassia.
Mila waves him off and goes up the stairs leaving Garak and the sleeping liberators to their work.
GARAK
If only I could get this to work. Then there might be a chance. I imagined coming home, and being in this house. But not spending the rest of my life in this basement.
Garak continues to work and struggle with the limited light. He stops for a moment frustrated.
GARAK
This would be much easier if you just cooperated. Don't you want to liberate Cardassia?
The machine fizzes a bit, lighting up and making a whirling noise.
GARAK
Maybe I can finally see more of my home than this basement.
As the machine whirls, it becomes louder and louder until we are drawn to remains of Cardassia prime.
EXT. CARDASSIA PRIME
The Remains of Enabran Tain's home. Garak picks up the button, brushes it off with his thumb and sticks it in his pocket. He continues to wander the destruction that was once his childhood home. The light of the bright Cardassian sun reflects on the melted metal remains of the house. It grows brighter and brighter, until Garak is sitting on the upper level of Quark's Bar with Ziyal.
INT. QUARK'S BAR.
GARAK
My dear, Cardassia is the very center of the art world. The greatest works of art, and theatre.
ZIYAL
You'll have to show me around someday.
GARAK
You know that is impossible.
ZIYAL
But I can dream it. You and I walking around Lakarian City or the capitol. We'd see...
Ziyal's voice is drowned out, fading into darkness and being twisted like metal bending or a scream.
EXT. CARDASSIA PRIME - ruins of Enabran Tain's home
GARAK
Ashes. We'd see ashes.
CUT TO:
INT. QUARK'S BAR - DAY
ZIYAL
Are you listening to me?
GARAK
Sorry, lost track of myself for a moment. You were saying?
ZIYAL
Garak, what's going on?
GARAK
Why whatever do you mean?
ZIYAL
You seem distracted and less yourself.
GARAK
I was lost for a mere moment of time my dear. It does have a way of sneaking away from you as you grow older.
ZIYAL
You aren't that old.
GARAK
I'm old enough to be your father.
The silence is uncomfortable. Ziyal has had fun playing romance with Garak.
ZIYAL
I'm not that young.
GARAK
My dear, you are young enough.
Ziyal hesitates. Tension builds until it is released.
ZIYAL
I know you don't return my affections. But let me pretend. I like having someone from home treat me like I'm a person. We can have our conversations and enjoy each others' company.
GARAK
Fine, we can keep pretending. I do like a good show.
ZIYAL
Only because it makes father so angry.
GARAK
I would be lying if I didn't say that wasn't enjoyable.
ZIYAL
It's nice to hear you tell the truth.
GARAK
Oh but can you be certain that I am?
CUT TO:
Ext. CARDASSIA PRIME - day
Garak is looking at the skyline.
GARAK
You were much too young. But I hoped you would get to see home some time... Perhaps it is better that you didn't. You'll always have the Cardassia we made up. Not the ruins it is now.
Garak kicks another pieces of the remains of his former life. A life that felt imagined. The life he dreamed about everyday. To get off that station and come back home. Every single one of his dreams smashed. We can hear the crackling and crumbling of that former life. The bright orange of the Cardassian sun, even in the ruins of the world, you can still almost see the beauty of the ancient ruined by it's own fascist vanity. Time begins to fast forward.
Brick by brick, things are moving. Clearing up. Destroyed buildings cleared away and the shells of new buildings go up. Years have passed.
EXT. Garak's Garden - day
Garak sits at a table or two in the garden of his new home. There are two steaming cups of tea, and a light snack plate. Julian Bashir walks into the backyard carrying a large bag.
GARAK
You are late.
BASHIR
I didn't think you knew I was coming. It was suppose to be a surprise.
GARAK
Did you really think you could surprise me?
BASHIR
Admittedly I didn't take the secret route. A Federation ship dropping me off, doesn't really scream secret.
GARAK
I would have been disappointed if you didn't visit.
Bashir sits and takes one of the cups.
BASHIR
Of course I came to visit. Tarkalean tea?
GARAK
Yes, you still drink it don't you?
BASHIR
Somethings never do change.
GARAK
How is Ezri?
Bashir coughs a little on the tea.
BASHIR
I thought you knew.
GARAK
I prefer to hear it from the source.
BASHIR
It didn't work out. Not that I didn't love Ezri, but we didn't work... There's not much more than that. I think we were always were meant to be friends. And we still are friends.
GARAK
But you left Deep Space Nine.
BASHIR
A change of scenery is never a bad thing. I made the medical bay all I could. There wasn't much of a challenge any more. It's not that exciting frontier life when you were around.
GARAK
Frontier life? Is that what you are expecting to find on Cardassia? The Alamo? Someone to save?
BASHIR
Garak, I didn't mean it like that. I do enjoy being where I am the most useful.
GARAK
Is that all?
BASHIR
No...It was too hard being there. Everything has changed so much, and I needed space from Ezri and to find my own path... which lead me here.
GARAK
All the way to Cardassia. And what dear Doctor do you plan to do here? Save the children?
BASHIR
Garak, you are making this difficult.
GARAK
I'm making this difficult?
BASHIR
Yes, you are. You know why I am here.
GARAK
The Federation...Section 31, I suppose.
BASHIR
Section 31?
GARAK
Your spy life.
BASHIR
Garak I'm not a spy. I was never a spy.
GARAK
Of course you aren't. It will be our little secret.
BASHIR
You really don't know why I'm here do you?
GARAK
Keep an eye on Cardassia. Make sure we don't stray off the path.
Bashir begins to laugh. And laugh harder, until he's crying.
GARAK
I don't see what's so funny.
BASHIR
Hasn't it occurred to you that there may be other reasons why I came other than to spy on you?
INT. DS9 corridors - day
Garak pauses, but he's shifting again. Back on DS9. Garak is walking through the corridors, stopping to talk to a few people. Making sure he is seen. Until he gets to his shop and greets an awaiting customer.
INT. Garak's Tailor Shop - Day
BAJORIAN WOMAN
I know I'm early. Is my dress ready?
GARAK
Ah, yes it's just in the back give me a few minutes to get it ready for you.
Garak goes to the back of the shop, out of sight. In the corner is a gorgeous and completed winkle free dress. He quickly opens a panel and crawls through a Jefferies tube. It's cramp and takes a moment for Garak to adjust. He rolls his hand into a fist remembering what needs to be done.
INT. DS9 Jefferies tube - day
GARAK
It's only temporary.
He continues crawling and breathes deeply until he's finally at his destination. Garak opens a hatch into the hanger for the visiting Romulan senator's ship. The Senator has come to DS9 to discuss joining the Federation and Klingon fleet in the Dominion war. From this angle none of the security staff see Garak as he slips on to the senator's abandoned ship.
INT. Romulan senator's ship
He dodges on lone Romulan almost catches him but just misses him. Garak wanders the ship with surgical precision and finds what he is looking for. He opens and panel and places a bomb inside of it. He wires it into the spacecraft. Closes the panel, and proceeds to an space that he know will be shielded enough from the blast and sides a single container with a data rod containing faked evidence of a Dominion plot against the Romulans. With the case out of sight Garak sneaks out the ship and crawls back into the Jeffries tube. Garak takes a deep breath.
GARAK
Almost done. Only a few minutes more.
He breathes deeply and makes his way, back to his shop. Making sure to make the appointment. Only 10 minutes have passed. He dusts himself off and picks up the dress and a small device meant for steaming the dress. And walks into the main area of the shop.
INT. Garak's tailor Shop - day
GARAK
My apologises for the wait, I wanted to get all the creases out of the dress. Doesn't it look marvelous? Wasn't it worth the wait?
BAJORIAN WOMAN
Oh yes! Thank you Garak! Put it on my account.
Garak smiles and the happy customer leaves. A surge of dizziness and disorientation hit him, he begins to lose his balance and as he falls, he's in his room in his bed with Bashir at his side. He's in an incredible amount of pain from withdrawal from his deteriorating brain implant.
INT. Garak's Bedroom DS9 - night
GARAK
Why are you still here?
BASHIR
Garak, you are still very unwell. Withdrawal from the..
GARAK
Stop talking!
BASHIR
It's okay. It's painful.
GARAK
Am I another one of your projects? Another person saved by Doctor Julian Bashir? Hoping I'll let you in on some Obsidian order secrets?
BASHIR
Garak, you're dying. If I can't find away to treat you...
GARAK
Then I'll die, and you'll lose all those wasted lunches.
BASHIR
They were never wasted. I enjoy our lunches.
GARAK
Go! LEAVE!
BASHIR
I'm not gonna let you die.
The scene fades again. Bringing Garak back to the ruins of Cardassia Prime.
EXT. CARDASSIA PRIME - Ruins of Enabran Tain's home
GARAK
Something is wrong.
CUT TO:
INT. QUARK'S BAR.
Ziyal greeting Garak with an open palm. They press each other hands together as sign of affection. Bashir raises his hand for a moment, and drags it through his hair. A very smooth cover.
GARAK
I think I'm losing track of time.
ZIYAL
You are only three minutes late.
BASHIR
I've kept you waiting much longer.
GARAK
That's not what I mean
Cut to:
INT. Replimat DS9
BASHIR
Sorry. I know. I know. I said I wouldn't be late, but this damn fever. I can't seem to get a handle on it. Once I have it, it slips through my fingers.
GARAK
Doctor, when it is it?
BASHIR
Don't be like that. I really didn't mean to be late. I don't want to fight with you today. I want to have lunch and debate.
GARAK
No, that's not my meaning. When is it?
Garak drifts away in time again.
EXT. GARAK'S GARDEN
It's the future. Garak and Bashir are having tea. Bashir has just arrived and is laughing. Garak is out of place and confused.
GARAK
Why are you laughing?
BASHIR
After all these years. All these arguments. I thought you'd figure it out.
GARAK
Doctor I seem not to be myself.
BASHIR
Garak I came here to be with you!
GARAK
What?
BASHIR
Is that all you have to say? "What"?
GARAK
Sorry?
BASHIR
I made this big romantic gesture. Come to Cardassia! Surprise you! Bring you Denobulan chocolates and tell you that it didn't work with Erzi, because it's always been you.
GARAK
I'm flattered, and on another day I would react to this quite differently, but Doctor. I'm not sure when it is.
BASHIR
We're in your garden. You left DS9 five years ago and over saw the rebuilding of the city. You've been instrumental in relations between the federation and Cardassia
GARAK
Have I?
BASHIR
You don't remember?
Bashir takes out a tricorder from the large bag and begins to scan Garak
GARAK
It's not that I don't remember. I am remembering many things all at once and out of order.
BASHIR
We should get to you...Damn. I haven't set up a medical office yet. I came here first. But I am reading...
Bashir is interrupted, once again Garak is moving through time. Garak is sitting by an ocean, breathing in the sea air.
INT. Holosuites Ocean scene - day
GARAK
I am at an ocean. But which ocean?
Someone comes up behind Garak, he stiffens for a moment.
Ezri
Is this helping. The ocean? The holosuite?
GARAK
Erzi, as sweet of a gesture as this is, I still know there are walls. And even though the space appears to be large it is
CUT TO:
INT. Dominion Prison camp
Garak's dungeon. A dark small crawl space inside the walls of the Dominion Prison camp. Garak is lit by a strand of cables acting a light source for his electrical work. He's working to get the transporter to work remotely to rescue the prisoners.
GARAK
Still small... Not working. Not working at all. I would much rather not be here again. In these walls.
The light begins to flicker
GARAK
You aren't giving up on me again. I won't have that.
The light continues to flicker. Garak becomes more desperate as the walls feel as thought they are closing in on him. His breathing becomes erratic.
BASHIR
Garak! Garak!
As the darkness closes in on him, Garak is once again drawn into another time.
EXT. GARAK'S GARDEN
Garak is back in the garden with Bashir. Bashir is calling Garak's name, and measuring Garak's vitals with a tricorder.
BASHIR
Garak can you hear me?
GARAK
Doctor I can hear you perfectly, Cardassians have poor eye sight not hearing.
BASHIR
That's not what I meant Garak. You just stopped for a moment.
GARAK
I assure you on my end I wasn't stopped at all.
BASHIR
Your readings, it's like...
GARAK
Like when we were in the Dominion Prison camp?
BASHIR
Yes. You haven't had an episode in a long time, since Erzi...
GARAK
Well, this was before Ezri.
BASHIR
Before Ezri?
GARAK
Doctor...
Garak is once again transported through time this time back to the Romulan ship heading to the gamma quadrant to attack the Founder home planet with the Obsidian Order and Romulans. He's torturing ODO by using a Romulan device that makes it so ODO cannot transform to his natural fluid state.
INT. Obsidian order Ship - torture chamber
ODO
Doctor? I thought the torture was for me.
GARAK
What?
ODO
Did you lose yourself interrogator Garak? Thinking about your Doctor.
GARAK
What would you know about that.
ODO
Everybody knows about it, except Doctor Bashir. humph. Is that the secret you are trying to get from me?
GARAK
This is ridiculous.
ODO
It's still early, thought the Obsidian Order trained their operatives to be unbreakable.
Garak
I know what you are going to tell me anyway.
ODO
Awful sure of yourself.
GARAK
Yes, you are ashamed that you want to go home to the Founders... We all want to go home... I miss our conversations old friend.
Odo doesn't react at all. He says nothing. For a moment the scenario pauses. Glitches. Nothing is moving.
Garak
So if it isn't time... then it must be something else. Why did it stop? I've had conversations that haven't happened before. But why now did it stop?
ODO remains paused.
GARAK
Come on ODO think. What are you going to tell me. Is that it? You can't tell me anything because it wouldn't be in character?
ODO unfreezes
ODO
Hmmph. What are you expecting. You ran back all the way to the Obsidian Order.
GARAK
Yes, I did. Right back into loyal service. It was a bit short sighted on my part. The Founders are here and the mission will be a failure.
Garak goes to the Romulan device and shuts it off.
ODO
What are you doing?
GARAK
Letting you go.
The scene once again pauses and then shifts again.
EXT: GARDEN GARAK'S HOME
BASHIR looks properly concerned and nurturing.
BASHIR
Garak!
GARAK
It's quite alright. I was visiting an old friend.
BASHIR
How long have these episodes been happening?
GARAK
I'm not sure. Today? Ten years ago. It's hard to be certain.
BASHIR
Garak. Something is wrong in your brain.
GARAK
It only took you this long to notice?
BASHIR
Damnit Garak, stop being so difficult. I'm trying to diagnosis your illness.
GARAK
I don't think you'll be able to Doctor. Not that I don't think you are capable. You have proven yourself relentless in face of a problem. I simply don't think that I am actually here, in this garden right now.
BASHIR
What do you mean? We are here together.
GARAK
Yes, we were. You came to Cardassia Prime, but not at this time. You see
CUT TO:
INT. GARAK'S TAILOR SHOP
Garak is once again thrust into another time, back in his tailor's shop working on QUARK's new suit and Major KIRA has thrusted GARAK against a wall.
KIRA
This better not be one of your games Garak!
Garak sighs, and slides out of KIRA's grasp.
GARAK
I've had quite enough of this.
KIRA
Garak I am serious. You listen to me
GARAK
Listen to you about what? What are we talking about.
KIRA
Ziyal!
GARAK finally loses his cool.
GARAK
ZIYAL IS DEAD!
Like ODO, KIRA and QUARK pause. The entire world stops. The only thing that moves is Garak. As he speaks, the world begins to dissolve around him into grey.
GARAK
Ziyal is dead! She died by Damar's hands... You, and I and Damar will stop the Dominion. I know you can't hear me Major, but I never had any romantic intentions towards that child.
The camera focuses on his face and slowly moves until he is laying down.
GARAK
I was so unbelievably homesick. The lights were always too bright. The station too cold. Conversation...
A hand touches Garak's face.
GARAK
Conversation. Cardassians excel at conversation. Were you offer sympathy I offer mystery and intrigue.
The camera follows the hand to it's arm, and to the person connected to it. It's a much older BASHIR. His other hand is holding Garak's hand giving it a firm and loving squeeze.
INT. Medical bay (Unknown location)
BASHIR
You're almost through it. Keep fighting. It's breaking.
There are other people in the room, but they are hard to make out. Their bodies are faces are blurry. But the general feeling is that they are family. Only BASHIR and a matching older GARAK are clear.
EXT. CARDASSIA PRIME
Thrown through time again GARAK is once again an age he appeared in DS9. Once again he is standing in the ruins of Enabran Tain's home.
GARAK
I am getting very tired of this tour. I've already seen this one. How many times am I going to have to keep coming back to a ruined house? What am I to take away from this story?
CUT TO:
INT. DS9 corridor
Garak is swept away again, standing in a corridor with a very frustrated Bashir.
BASHIR
It's the damn flu. Every time I think I've got a handle on it, another case pops up. I can't figure out how it's spreading.
Garak
Doctor, I'm sure you'll figure it out you always do.
BASHIR
It doesn't make any sense at all. It takes so much out of the patients, it's like they are locked in their memories. The fever makes them so delusional the past and present collide.
GARAK
Doctor.
Bashir hasn't noticed Garak talking or looked at him and continues with his rant about the mysterious flu.
BASHIR
If I could track down a source, or even a reason, I could make sense of it. It's as thought in their minds they have been isolated for a months, possibly years, and are replaying and re-imaging memories. There are no new experiences, so the mind is making up it's own new experience.
GARAK
Doctor.
BASHIR
Can you imagine, living in your own memories? Replaying the same events, and then taking them apart and making collages of those memories? Fantasy and memory mixed together? Until you couldn't tell the difference. Conversations with dead friends, or lost lovers. Awkward interactions you wanted to do over. If I could get into their mind and see the content maybe I could help resolve what ever is blocking them.
GARAK
Doctor.
BASHIR
It's so frustrating! It's like the answer is right in front of me. But I can't see it. Someone is screaming for my help, and I can't hear it. I can't get there in time.
GARAK
Yes, if only you could hear them calling your name.
BASHIR
Exactly! If I could find the memory that blocking them. I could release them from this.
GARAK
You think it's a single memory?
BASHIR
It has to be, it's like each of them get close to whatever is holding them there and then they leave that place.
GARAK
What if it's not a single memory, but a chain of memories?
BASHIR
A chain of memories?
GARAK
We all have regrets and secrets, I'd think it was strange if someone only had one regret. One thing in their life they were avoiding.
BASHIR
The question is, how do you escape your own thoughts?
The room begins to spin and dance around Garak. He starts to lean forward, and then fall forward into another moment in time.
INT. Medical bay (Unknown Location) - NIGHT
We cut to the medical bay from the future. Older BASHIR is still holding Older GARAK's hand but the room is now in focus. There are two young adults and one 10 year old child of human and Cardassian lineage sitting in the room. Ezri is holding the hand of the very sleepy ten year old. These are Bashir and Garak's three children. Children and Bashir's outfits are obviously designed and made by Garak. It's very late, and after a bit of quiet talk the children and Ezri leave for the night. Ezri gives Bashir a shoulder squeeze as they exit.
BASHIR
You are almost through this.
A door whishes open and Miles O'Brian comes in with a plate of food and hands it to Bashir.
BASHIR
I'm not hungry.
O'BRIAN
Eat something man.
BASHIR
I don't have time.
O'BRIAN
Garak would tell you to eat.
BASHIR
He'd also tease me about eating to fast.
O'BRIAN
Stop arguing and eat.
BASHIR
You didn't have to come all this way.
O'BRIAN
(Huffs) My best friend's husband is dying and I'm not suppose to come and help.
BASHIR
He's not dying!
O'BRIAN
Julian, you know what the doctors' said. At some point you are going to have to accept it.
BASHIR
I won't. I've seen this flu before.
O'BRIAN
You said so yourself that he isn't progressing as expected.
BASHIR
I thought you came here to support me.
O'BRIAN
I am supporting you and that means also adjusting your expectations. You won't listen to Ezri and her psychobabble maybe you'll listen to some common sense.
BASHIR
I don't want too.
O'BRIAN
Of course you don't want to, no one wants too.
BASHIR
I've seen this before, but it doesn't make sense.
O'BRIAN
It's okay if it doesn't.
BASHIR
No, it isn't. What is real and what isn't.
O'BRIAN
What are you on about?
BASHIR
The memories, the fantasy, where does it begin and end. Was he sick before all of this? Why didn't I see it before. How could I have not noticed?
O'BRIAN
You were both so much older when you had the last kid, maybe you didn't notice because you were exhausted. Running a hospital, teaching, raising a family. Adapting to Cardassian culture. It can't have been easy.
BASHIR
I was so devastated when Jadzia was bullied. Here I am a great doctor, but I couldn't even help my own children be accepted. I felt so powerless.
O'BRIAN
Cardassians haven't been known for their open mindedness. You both knew the risks when you decided to start a family.
BASHIR
Yes, but we both hoped we would be the ones paying for them.
O'BRIAN
You could always come to Earth.
BASHIR
Yes, a genetically enhanced human, and my beautiful Cardassian husband with our lovely hybrid children will be very accepted on Earth were my existence is outlawed, oh sorry... I mean it's taboo.
O'BRIAN
...I'm sorry. That was a stupid suggestion.
BASHIR
I'm not mad at you, but the situation. Things have gotten easier and then this happens. I would like if my life could be a little bit boring for awhile.
O'BRIAN
I don't think anyone that worked on DS9 will ever have a boring life.
BASHIR
No, we won't...How is Molly?
O'BRIAN
Don't remind me. I'm still not ready to be grandfather... I love the little tike. How did we get so old?
BASHIR
Being old is mark of great distinction on Cardassia. You should wear it with pride.
O'BRIAN
You can wear my arthritis with pride.
They both laugh.
EXT. CARDASSIA PRIME
Once again GARAK is back to the ruins of Cardassia Prime. He looks around at the devastation which spreads further than the eye can see. The air stinks of ash and rotting flesh. GARAK sighs deeply.
GARAK
Finally home...what did it cost...
He stands very still, head only moving to look every thing that has been destroyed. At first there is anger, then rage, and then despair. He collapses on the ground and begins to cry quietly to himself, trying to hold it all in. Everything he dreamed of returning to is gone. In the distance there are footfalls, the crunch of an awkward walking on uneven ground. Hearing this Garak stiffens a little, and then decides it doesn't matter. The foot falls stop, for a moment, hesitating, and get closer until we can see a pair of black pants. A medical bag drops to the ground and Bashir wraps his arms around Garak. Garak sobs openly as Bashir holds him, letting everything out. Letting the truth of the situation wash over him. Once Garak calms a bit Bashir begins to speak.
BASHIR
I asked to stay here for awhile as part of the relief effort. I don't want you to go through this alone. It's an unimaginable situation and I can't let you do this by yourself.
Past, present and future collide. The fever breaks, but it doesn't the story doesn't send us to where it's expected to go. It is expected to be at the end but, the beginning of the middle is far more interesting place.
INT. Garak and Julian's home - Night
The light is completely different. It's a soft ambient light that makes everything cozy and warm. It's a happy time. GARAK and BASHIR giggling together in living room.
BASHIR
I mean it, I really did enjoy the stage version of the Endless Struggle.
GARAK
You don't have to jest on my behalf doctor.
BASHIR
It's life. And endless cycle of birth and death. Families going on and on. There's something beautiful in knowing that in some way things will always be the same even in adversity. That a part of ourselves continues on in others.
GARAK
Why Doctor, I didn't know I had finally converted you to joys of Cardassian culture, but what will we argue about?
BASHIR
I'm sure there is plenty more things to argue about. I do have a lovely spy who loves me.
GARAK
Spy? Me? No, I am merely a simple tailor.
BASHIR
Plain simple Garak.
They both giggle and kiss.
GARAK
And I do love you.
BASHIR
I love you too... but I was hoping to be a Bond* girl.
GARAK
You do surprise me with your Earth references. But if you want to be a 'Bond girl' you can be.
BASHIR
James Bond was a fiction spy created by Ian Flemming, he always met an attractive young woman during his missions.
GARAK
You are an attractive young man. I am hardly a spy anymore. There is far to much work to do, now come to bed Doctor.
BASHIR
You don't have to keep calling me Doctor
GARAK
But Julian, I like calling you Doctor.
Cue End Credits.
*Bashir as a Bond girl is not my idea. It is a very specific reference to a killer joke someone made on the internet