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Falling leaves twirled and swayed in an approximation of a Trill waltz of their own, completely ignorant of how difficult it was to push past crowds of people during rush hour of the promenade without sweating. Quite literally, with more Bajorans setting up shops on the promenade the desire for nature grew so Keiko replanted some Lao trees native to southern Bajor, the leaves of which always matched the rhythm of a Trill waltz, or so Jadzia claimed.
Maybe one day they could find out the truth together. Wasn't that a thought. Kira wasn't used to allowing herself to indulge in such sentiment, attachments led to mourning and mourning led to vulnerabilities which could be exploited in battle. But as stated when their courtship began, Kira wanted to try for Jadzia. But she wouldn't get the chance to try if she didn't make it to their date in time. In the month since the new Trill restaurant Entwined opened, she managed to bring it up in each conversation she had with Kira. Which, considering they worked together and were courting was quite a lot.
Kira never thought she would be a good partner and she didn't need to be. A partner was a prime target for vengeance by the enemy or another person that could stab her in the back. It didn't matter how gorgeous or kind Jadzia appeared to be when she first arrived on the station, a relationship between them wouldn't work even in peace time, and it wasn't worth it for just a crush. But the crush grew. Through away missions, routine check ups and late nights at Quark’s it evolved into something much bigger and much more threatening than a crush. Kira had tried for a few years to deny it, to distance herself from the light Jadzia provided, but the thing was, she found herself less and less willing to outrun it. The point came where Kira couldn't deny how deeply and irrevocably in love she was with the oh so intelligent and flirtatious Jadzia.
And somehow, Jadzia seemed to love Kira too.
Yet, due to some station wide emergency or another and clashing schedules, there was little time for a proper first date until tonight.
Jadzia came into view, waiting outside the restaurant and Kira nearly halted in her steps. It wasn't often that Kira got to see Jadzia in civilian attire, and now she understood why, the safety of the public would be endangered otherwise. The sharp cut of the tailored jacket accentuated the shape of her chest and the curve of her waist to a degree where Kira was very much considering violating public decency and grabbing hold of that waist for herself. It did not help that her skirt flared out at the hips and made her legs look much longer than usual. There were many things Kira wanted to do right now, but Jadzia deserved a proper courtship and Kira wished to emphasise that she didn't want a night of fun, but instead a long-term, possibly lifetime commitment.
"Jadzia, you look..." Kira failed to keep the awestruck expression off her face. At a loss for words, Kira took Jadzia's right hand and kissed her knuckles as was the traditional greeting for a courting couple on Bajor. Kira relished in the colour it brought to Jadzia's cheeks.
"As do you," Jadzia chuckled, a melodious sound like that of wind chimes. "I'm honoured that you think of this as a special occasion." She gestured to the crochet shawl covering Kira's shoulders.
Kira gave an unabashed smile, taken slightly off guard. "Of course I do, I'm surprised you remembered considering I've only worn this shawl twice since you arrived."
Jadzia nodded. "The first time we had drinks together, and once on my birthday."
Kira could only give a sheepish laugh in response as a flush creeped up her neck.
It felt a little embarrassing to be so obviously and unapologetically delighted, but try as she might, she couldn't control the grin that kept popping back on her face. It was an unusual feeling to say the least, but she was adaptable and had adapted to much worse in the past.
Tamping down the butterflies in her stomach, Kira offered her arm to Jadzia. "We don't want to miss our reservation, so, shall we?"
Pushing aside the beaded curtain separating the restaurant from the promenade, Kira thought it was a little like entering a cave, what with the hollowed out interior with nooks and crannies that could hide anything or anyone. The cool, deep blues and purples of the walls blended together with the rough-hewn look of the furniture. Though Kira had to hand it to them, using a mixture of short and long light fixtures that dangled from the ceiling like stalactites really sold the idea that this was a cave on Trill.
It was already worth the wait if the look of wonderment on Jadzia's face was anything to go by.
Well, she shouldn't be kept waiting any longer. Kira gave her name to the Trill hostess and nudged Jadzia's arm. "Pretty cool, huh?"
"It looks just like the caves of Mak'ala," Jadzia spoke almost reverently. "How did they get the exact hue of the natural stonework so right?"
Jadzia's question was cut off by the hostess looking up from her padd to address them.
"My apologies Major Kira, but I don't see your name here."
Kira blinked, feeling frustration and confusion pooling in her stomach. "That doesn't make any sense, I booked this table weeks ago when you first opened."
The hostess gave an apologetic smile. "As you know we are fully booked but I can try to fit you in for sometime in the next cycle."
"The next cycle? I've planned this for weeks, you can't tell me there's no space for us!" Kira threw up her hands in frustration as she spoke.
"Isn't there anything you can do for us?" Jadzia asked as she stepped forward.
The hostess shook her head resignedly. "I would love to, Commander Dax, you are practically famous at the academy after all, but if I allowed you in then I'd have to let everyone in. Oh!" Her attention turned to someone behind Jadzia. "Welcome, how may I help you?"
Kira turned to look and saw the last mop of curly brown hair she wanted to see that night.
"Julian you little drigh'ligh! I should've known it was you!" Kira snapped, feeling some gratification from watching the colour drain from the doctor's face. "I don't know how or when I'll get you back but when I do it's going to be sweet."
"Our booking didn't go through so now there's no space for us," Jadzia clarified.
"Well, I'm sure there's something we can do about that." Julian flashed a smile he probably thought was charming at the hostess, it might have worked if he wasn't practically shaking.
If Julian of all people was the reason why Jadzia couldn't enjoy herself tonight then there would be payback. His date was probably a precursor to more salacious activities more than anything else!
However, Jadzia was a fan of intrigue and gossip, so perhaps this diversion could benefit them, it would certainly answer Jadzia's question as to why Julian was so cheerful lately.
"So? Who is it?" Jadzia asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows. “What lucky lady is joining you tonight?”
"Yeah, who is it?" Kira repeated her tone more accusatory than curious. "Because it better be more than a quick date for you, as this actually matters to us." She gestured to herself and Jadzia. But Julian didn't respond, he stuttered and glanced towards the entrance but that was enough to fan the flames. "Oh, let me guess, it's that new Dabo girl who's been making eyes at you. Is that what this is? A bribe to grease the wheels before luring her into bed?" Kira scoffed. "Be honest Julian, I thought you said you wanted to give something real a chance."
She watched Julian visibly relax as the beaded curtain clinked against one another. "Well, there's not much luring involved in it to be quite honest."
Following his line of sight Kira felt her eyes widen as the newest patron joined Julian's side with a smile.
"Major Kira, Commander Dax, it is lovely to see you two as always." So said the only Cardassian left on the station, the level three security threat, oh Garak may claim to be only a tailor but Kira fought enough members of the Obsidian Order to know the look of one. If he wasn't one of them then she would go on that date that Morn started pestering her about.
"Garak is your date tonight? I thought you had higher standards than that, Julian."
Jadzia placed a hand on Kira's arm, wordlessly offering her support but also telling her to back down. "Garak, how nice it is to see you! As you can see, the jacket you altered for me fits like a glove, thank you so much again for that, I know it was a rush order." She effortlessly flashed a smile that was actually charming.
Garak waved away her kind words. "Oh, not at all commander, it is always refreshing to work with someone with more than a modicum of fashion sense."
"Hey!" Julian exclaimed. "You told me you liked this shirt, you even tailored it for me."
A smug smile crept onto the Cardassian's face. "That I did, my dear, it is one of your more palatable options."
Jadzia laughed and it did do something to abate the irritation roiling around in Kira's mind. "Well, I hope you both have a lovely evening, but we better take our leave."
"Wha-Jadzia, you give in far too easily!" Kira exclaimed as she crossed her arms. "We booked this place first and it's actually an important night for us, why should they get the table?"
"You speak as if tonight means nothing to us," Julian said as his eyes narrowed. "For the record, I don't appreciate how you are treating my partner, Garak has done nothing but help the station and yet you treat him like a criminal. I thought you were better than that Major."
Kira rolled her eyes. "Oh, give me a break!" She prepared to say more but Garak interrupted her and earned a piercing glare for it.
"Major, Commander, would you like to join us for dinner?" Garak spoke with a calm confidence that irritated Kira to no end, how could he be so calm?
"That's a great idea, Garak!" Jadzia said with a clap of her hands. "Thank you so much. Say, do you know if they use real ploriz pasta in the drinaer here? I haven't had any since leaving Trill and I cannot wait to try it."
Just like that, Jadzia abandoned Kira to talk with Garak, as the rather frightened hostess guided them to the table, leaving Kira to sputter incoherently.
Couldn't Jadzia understand that after years of fighting men just like Garak, Kira didn't want to include him on her date? Kira had half a mind to walk out of the restaurant and wallow in her embarrassment, but Jadzia was excited to try the food here and if Kira left, the kindness and nobility of her beloved would probably persuade her to leave to check on Kira. She couldn't deprive Jadzia of her long awaited meal.
Kira resolved to be pleasant and civil for one meal. How hard could that be?
Sitting across from Garak to keep an eye on him, Kira managed to pass a "thank you for inviting us" through her teeth.
"It is my pleasure, Major."
Seemingly content with the knowledge that Kira was not going to commit a crime tonight, Julian relaxed enough to converse with Jadzia about an experiment they were both interested in. The conversation was cut short when the waitress exclaimed upon seeing Jadzia, they exchanged what seemed like rapid fire questions in Trill before the server left and quickly returned with complimentary drinks.
The thing was, Trill alcohol was particularly potent and within half a drink, Kira could feel herself actually begin to enjoy the evening. She was with Jadzia, they were at the restaurant and no little spl'anc was going to ruin that for her.
"So," Jadzia drawled her vowels in that teasing way of hers. "How long has this been going on," she gestured between Julian and Garak. "Last I heard you were waxing poetic about the pleasure of unrequited love.”
"I could ask a similar question about you and our Major here," Julian smirked. "I thought you were taking a break from dating after being rejected for the seventh time in a month."
Jadzia's eyes twinkled with mischief as she spoke, "That's because we're not dating,"
Kira should have seen it coming, she was getting too soft if a hand around her waist made her squeak in public.
"We're courting," Jadzia grinned and Kira could feel her skin start to burn, or that could be the alcohol working its way through her system.
Kira felt the need to defend her culture in the face of two sets of eyes glittering with mischief. "It's a Bajoran custom, you exchange gifts or letters to declare your serious romantic intent, which someone never did. I had to do it myself." She shot a pointed look at Jadzia. "Otherwise, you're just asking for a little fun."
"Ah," Garak clicked his fingers together. "It is like the enjoinment key on Cardassia. Presenting it to your intended is a sign of your devotion to the state and to them, with the promise of future matching enjoinment cuffs and a family."
Kira scoffed, she had no idea if that was true or not but coming from Garak it likely was not. "That's nothing like our custom at all, ours is a willing commitment that you can back out of if you wish. Yours sounds like a metaphor for prison."
Breezing past her comment, Jadzia pointed to the chain hanging around Julian's neck. "That explains a lot, Chief thought you locked yourself out of your quarters again and decided to trust an old fashioned security system rather than his."
"That was one time, and it was after you plied me with that tulaberry wine all night." Julian protested, an accusatory finger pointed at Jadzia.
Kira's eyes darted to Julian's neck, there was a fancy looking key hanging from it, she thought it was just a gift or decorative, is it possible Garak was telling the truth? But that would mean...
"Hang on," Kira began. “That key only appeared last week and you're already talking about starting a family?"
Julian and Garak shared a look Kira could not parse, but with a subtle nod of Garak's head, a glowing beam broke across Julian's face.
"Julian!" Jadzia gasped, grabbing Julian's hands from across the table. "You never told me it was that serious!"
Jadzia ordered a celebratory bottle of Trill wine from the year 2298 that Curzon swore by and it was not long before Kira found herself conversing once more with Garak through less gritted teeth.
"You're not going to tailor your own outfits for the enjoinment are you?" Kira asked as she swirled around the remnants of her drink in her glass.
"But of course, do you know a better tailor that can fit Cardassian and human sizes? And of course, I could not possibly allow anyone else to measure our dear doctor here." Garak patted Julian's arm as he spoke and it was fine. It was totally fine.
There was something about the possessiveness of it, the arrogance of it, that irritated her into asking a question she was wondering all night.
"I bet you did a lot of tailoring when you were on Bajor, right? How many people did you tailor for?”
Should she provoke Garak? Probably not. But the wine was strong and eroded away what filter Kira had left.
A toothy, smarmy smile planted itself on Garak's face. "Oh, yes, I tailored for many Bajorans." Garak leaned forward on his arms. "They are remarkably easy to tailor for, especially the children."
Blood rushed to her head as her suspicions were confirmed.
"You ae'rach!" Kira yelled as she slammed her fist on the table causing the crockery to clatter. "You are a vile, miserable person, an absolute ae'rach, who should be-not now Jadzia!" Kira slid her arm out of Jadzia's grasp only for her wrist to be caught.
"Restroom, now." Jadzia ordered. She dragged Kira out of her seat and along with her to the restroom, but it didn't stop Kira from shooting an icy glare at Garak.
"What was that?" Jadzia asked as the restroom door closed behind them.
"I know! Can you believe he was actually boasting about killing Bajoran children?" Kira ran an exasperated hand through her hair. "How are we going to get him away from Julian?"
Jadzia shook her head. "Not him, Nerys, you. You've seen how he operates, Garak was clearly trying to get under your skin in the best way he knew how. None of it was true."
Kira's face screwed up in disgust. "You're defending him? He's a member of the Obsidian Order and you're defending him."
"We don't know that for certain." Jadzia crossed her arms. "Even if he was he isn't one now, you think Odo would have left him alone if he thought he was a serious threat?"
Kira scoffed.
Jadzia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay, let's say he was a member. He left that in the past, and took the opportunity to change and grow into something different. You know from experience that people aren't defined by their past or their ancestry." Jadzia stepped forward and slowly lifted a hand to Kira's right ear, stroking it rhythmically in a way she knew was intimate to Bajorans and knew how much Kira adored it. "People can change, or should we blame Odo for the crimes of his people? Or have you not grown past what you were trained to be?"
Kira groaned. She knew Jadzia had a point, but it was an irritating, aggravating point and it didn't help how her muscles relaxed at the touch.
Jadzia pressed her forehead to Kira's, another intimate act Kira was regretting teaching her for how she leaned into the sensation.
"He makes Julian happy," Jadzia murmured. "I don't think Garak would have stuck around for so long if he didn't genuinely care for Julian."
Kira sighed. "He has been helpful at times I suppose, and if this gets Julian to stop bemoaning his unrequited love to anyone who will listen..."
"That's the spirit," the comment garnered a breathy laugh from Kira. "Come on, I want to show you something."
Though Kira mourned the loss of the warmth between them, she was curious as to what Jadzia had planned. The restroom door was partially obscured by a corner that Jadzia poked her head around and encouraged Kira to do the same.
At their table, Julian sat with his head in his hands in clear distress. Garak said something to him and put his hands around Julian's shoulders, an expression on his face that Kira was loath to admit seemed like actual concern. Julian dropped his hands and stared up at Garak with those ridiculous big eyes of his dripping in affection. But worse of all, Garak pressed his forehead to Julian and they smiled at one another, just as Jadzia had done for Kira mere moments ago.
"See," Jadzia whispered. "He's not all bad."
"I-I guess not." Kira conceded, still watching as a terrible, humiliating wave of realisation washed over her. She insulted Julian's life-partner and caused a scene on what was meant to be a romantic date with Jadzia. Unfortunately, there was no loophole or way around it, she had to apologise.
Even if Garak wasn't planning to steal Federation secrets or assassinate someone, it still hurt that Kira had to swallow her pride upon returning to their table.
"I shouldn't have done that, any of that. You're just trying to have dinner and I threatened you. I've never seen Julian as happy as he is when talking about you, so I should have respected that.” Was the apology stiff? Yes. But it seemed to suffice for now.
"The fault lay at my feet, Major, I fear I have offended you with my actions. Our dear doctor conveyed the importance that you both hold to him and I would only wish to respect that." Garak looked genuinely contrite or at least as genuine as it got with Garak. "Now, I read the most fascinating dissection of the founding of the Prophets the other day and I found myself with questions only one such as yourself could answer, Major."
Kira felt her eyes go wide with disbelief. "You read about the Prophets?"
Garak nodded. "One cannot live and grow without knowledge of other cultures and it would not bode well to live in ignorance of a neighbouring culture."
"He's also just very nosy," Julian chimed in.
Garak dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. "Irrelevant!"
Jadzia chuckled and Kira felt a smile creep onto her face. "Well, what did you want to know?"