Tears of Time

Chapter II

 

 

Garak traced his index fingers along Julian's clavicles and down over his pectorals a moment later.

 

“Stop touching me.”

 

“I was making sure your clavicle had been properly mended. You were in rough shape when you were picked up by Central Command. Lucky for you, I was there to take you into Obsidian Order custody.” Garak ran his hands over Julian's ribs. “They might have done you real harm.”

 

Julian gasped and tried to wiggle away as he fought the urge to laugh. He needed to concentrate. How had he traveled back in time? He really did not want a visit from Temporal Investigations.

 

“Garak, there has been an accident,” he tried to explain as he tried to fight the way the man's light fingers were tickling his sides. “I've been sent back in time.”

 

“I'm sure you have,” Garak said, in a soothing tone.

 

“I'm not joking, Garak.”

 

“You know. I find you disrespectful, Doctor.”

 

“Disrespectful? You insisted that you were just plain, simple Garak.”

 

Garak watched him, some of the amusement leaving his face as Julian said 'plain, simple Garak.' He always introduced himself as such to aliens. They were so gullible.

 

“I can prove I am from the future,” Julian tried.

 

Garak sat next to his prisoner.

 

“Why don't you tell me all about the time you come from? Prove you're from the future.”

 

“I know about the implant in your brain to stimulate the pleasure centers of your brain if you are being tortured.”

 

Garak didn't even blink at this revelation.

 

“That is proof you're from the future. That you know about a procedure that was carried out decades ago. Try again, Doctor.”

 

Julian breathed harder.

 

“Please let me go, Garak. I have to get home.”

 

“So you can be in time for one of the lunches that we share every week?”

 

“Please, I'm telling the truth. You assassinated a Romulan senator.”

 

“Also in the past, Doctor. And if you are trying to convince me to release you. You're doing a poor job.”

 

Garak wandered about in the darkness of the room. He opened a drawer.

 

“What are you doing?” Julian asked, flinching as he heard the sound of metal clinking.

 

“Nothing you need to worry about, Doctor,” Garak said, continuing to shift the contents of the drawer before shutting it softly and returning to Julian's side.

 

Garak slid a hand into Julian's hair.

 

“Humans are very interesting. I'm sure that there is much I could learn from you. Why were you wearing such an unusual uniform? Not standard issue. Really, the uniforms could be improved with a few minor accessories. A nice scarf would do wonders for even something as helpless as that is.” Garak twirled the Starfleet com-badge between his fingers, above Julian's line of vision.

 

“I'll be sure to pass your opinion along.”

 

“I doubt that you'll have the opportunity. I really can't let you go.” Garak's eyes scanned Julian again. “What were you doing flying straight for Cardassia Prime? You must be a great fool.”

 

“I don't know how I got here, or why I was flying toward Cardassia. I told you...”

 

“Oh not that from the future nonsense again. I had hoped we moved past that flimsy lie.”

 

Julian closed his eyes, trying not to think about being naked in an Obsidian Order interrogation room.

 

Garak sighed and walked to a replicator. “Rokassa Juice, please.”

 

Julian coughed as the smell of hot fish juice filled the chamber.

 

Garak laughed a little.

 

“Yes, the odor is unmistakable. But I am experiencing a mild degree of stress, and Rokassa Juice soothes my nerves. Now, why don't we try the truth from you this time?”

 

Julian looked into the blue eyes of his friend, trying to communicate his sincerity.

 

Garak raised his hands, showing a thick metal collar of sorts. He slid his hands to Julian's neck, rubbing the pulse points before sliding a hand around to lift his head and slide the collar into place. He tightened it to where he could fit two fingers between it and Julian's neck. After this was done, he unsnapped the restraints.

 

“Garak, please, help me.”

 

“Get dressed, Doctor. I can see that I am going to have to take my work home with me this evening.”