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sshbpodcast · 3 years

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Bottom Five Star Trek DS9 Episodes

by Ames

We’ve taken our last trip through the wormhole and said goodbye to all the weirdos who live in there and occasionally fail to understand baseball (boy, have we been there, wormhole aliens!). While we’re sad to leave the station for good, there are definitely some elements from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine that we won’t miss.

We hosts of A Star to Steer Her By have wrapped up the whole series and can attest to having compiled the worst episodes between both the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants. You can listen to our DS9 finale here (series discussion starts at 1:58:12 after the season chatter) with some extra commentary by guest star Liz, exclusive to the podcast episode. Spin the Dabo Wheel and see if we’ve landed on the same bottom five episodes you did by reading on below.

[images © CBS/Paramount]

“Field of Fire”: Jake Another Trill episode, another full retcon of Trill culture, how symbionts work, and the Dax symbiont’s personalities in particular. This convoluted episode manages to also drag Vulcans down with it in this messy Silence of the Lambs gone stupid.

“His Way”: Ames So I timed out the musical numbers in this trainwreck of an episode. There are over 10 minutes of song, which is simultaneously more and less than expected somehow. Couple that with all the toxic masculinity and general grossness, and you’ll skip ahead to singing “Here’s to the Losers” too.

“Extreme Measures”: Caitlin Not to get ahead of ourselves here, but while we didn’t like “Distant Voices” as you’ll see (spoilers!), we did that episode already. So why are we doing something that bad again? Furthermore! Was it Sloan or Julian who got more character-assassinated in this episode, cuz it’s pretty close?

“Meridian”: Caitlin Boys boys boys! It took us a long time to come to like Jadzia because of the many episodes in which she is mainly seen through the eyes of men, and this one takes the cake. The leads didn’t have any chemistry with each other, so all there is to say about this whole idea is “Briga-don’t.”

“Crossfire”: Caitlin Speaking of relationships we weren’t into from the very start: Shakaar and Kira. It all starts in “Crossfire” when he gets reduced from powerful leader of Bajor to hormonal adolescent who doesn’t know how to handle himself around his crush and we lose basically all respect for the guy.

“Let He Who Is Without Sin”: Jake Want more misguided relationship drama? Worf decides that instead of letting Jadzia enjoy her own agency in their relationship, he’d rather be an ecoterrorist for their vacation. My, how the mighty Klingon has fallen.

“Tears of the Prophets”: Chris The treatment of women on the show over the years has frequently been appalling, but none is worse than that of the actresses themselves, as we can see in how the producers basically chased Terry Farrell away. And this episode hurts us in particular in how they do the same to her character. RIP Jadzia.

“If Wishes Were Horses”: Ames Now we get to the really asinine stuff. Let’s start off with an episode so ridiculous and absurd that it changes its mind halfway through regarding what the hell is happening and no one notices because it’s entirely unfollowable to begin with!

“Rivals”: Chris, Jake More asinine stuff. This time with a perplexing randomness device that’s only random in the sense that it’d have to be through utter chance for someone to actually enjoy this chaotic mess of an episode. We’ve rolled the dice and the results are clear: this one loses.

“Fascination”: Ames, Chris You’d think Gene was still alive for us to see this lust-filled nonsense that prioritizes sexiness over, say, having any idea what it’s actually doing. Come on, we know Lwaxana is a character capable of so much more than this, but she had to be reduced to a horny old cougar?

“Distant Voices”: Ames, Caitlin, Chris, Jake You don’t see us all agree on much, so clearly this episode is a bunch of gibbering trash. Not only is the “everyone on the show represents a facet of something-or-other so we don’t have to hire more actors” device even older than Bashir, but so are the surreal coma dream and the aimless brain quest.

“Profit and Lace”: Ames, Caitlin, Chris, Jake The worst of the absolute worst (and what might be the worst of all of Star Trek) comes in this deplorable, misogynistic, offensive pile of pre-replicated food. What’s even more insulting is that the team thought a bunch of rape jokes and punching down at women would be comic gold. Moogie deserved better.

—

See also: our Top Five Star Trek DS9 Episodes list! We promise they’re way better! Like lightyears better.

Vic has sung his last encore (finally!) and that’s a wrap for Deep Space Nine, but there’s plenty more Star Trek to watch through. Make sure you keep your eyes here, listen to new episodes every Thursday on SoundCloud, follow A Star to Steer Her By on Facebook and Twitter, and don’t forget to tip your Dabo Girl!

#star trek #star trek deep space 9 #ds9 #podcast #star trek podcast #top five #bottom 5 #field of fire #his way #extreme measures #meridian #crossfire #let he who is without sin #tears of the prophets #if wishes were horses #rivals #fascination #distant voices #profit and lace

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weerd1 · 5 years

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Star Trek DS9 Rewatch Log, Stardate 1907.22: Missions Reviewed, “Explorers,” “Family Business,” “Shakaar,” “Facets,” and “The Adversary.”

Long one tonight! We took a run at the end of season three starting with “Explorers.” Sisko reads about Bajorans of some 800 years before building solar sailing ships to explore their solar system, and possibly even making it as far as Cardassia.

He decides to build one to ancient specification (adding only a gravity web to the floor because weightlessness makes him queasy) and see if he can make it work. He invites Jake, who is initially reluctant to join, but then gets some news that makes him want to hang out with his father. As they set sail, Jake tells Ben that he has been accepted to a writing fellowship back on Earth. Meanwhile on DS9 Bashir is busy flirting with a new Dabo girl named Leeta when Dax tells him the Lexington is coming to dock.

Bashir realizes the woman who beat him out for head of his class is on board, and he prepares to meet her. She walks past him as if she doesn’t recognize him. Ben reads Jake’s story and is impressed, recommending he take the fellowship. Jake says he’s worried about his dad though and may wait a year. Besides, there’s an freighter captain he thinks Ben should meet. Before they can finish the conversation, there’s a malfunction and the ship seems to slip into warp. On DS9, after a charming drunken session with O’Brien, Bashir confronts the other doctor to find that she thought “Julian Bashir” was an Andorian. She’s excited to meet Julian for real, and is envious of the long term projects he can undertake. Jake and Ben are lost somewhere in space when suddenly three Cardassian warships appear. Dukat hails them to reveal that tachyon eddies in the Bajoran system have in fact accelerated them at warp speed right into the Cardassian system. Coincidentally, Cardassia was about to announce the have discovered an ancient Bajoran crash site on their homeworld.

There is a lot of significant stuff going on in this episode. Leeta, who will become a staple of future season and Rom’s wife, is introduced. Though not named, Kassidy Yates is introduced as an idea, and we will see her in the next episode, beginning her long courtship and eventual marriage to Ben. Jake as a writer begins to really flourish setting the stage for his future as a correspondent during the Dominion War. It’s almost enough to make one ignore how little sense the rest makes. OK- 800 years earlier Bajorans built an airtight solar wind sail ship, literally out of lumber. How did they get it off the surface of the planet and into space? But, let’s assume they had chemical rockets that could survive leaving an atmosphere to deliver their wood ships into space, a solar sail would have to be kilometers long. But, let’s say it’s special reflective material; when the tachyons begin to accelerate them to warp, what keeps the acceleration from crushing them into a thin red paste on the back wall? Ben has gravity control, no inertial dampeners 800 years ago. And assuming they DO survive, I would assume the Cardassian system is several hours at mid-warp from Bajor. Doesn’t take them long here. Then, there’s a crash site on Cardassia; how did the wooden ship survive re-entry? Though, maybe the acceleration DID paste the crew and throw the ship through the Cardassian atmosphere hard enough to crater in. Holy Prophets that’s tragic.

Quark and Rom have to deal with “Family Business” when a Liquidator named Brunt from the Ferengi Commerce Authority shows up to seize their business because family on Ferenginar is causing trouble.

It seems Quark’s mother has been earning profit, illegal in Ferengi society for a woman. She seems to be…ugh, wearing clothes too! Brunt tells Quark he has to get her to confess, and then pay back the profit she made. On DS9, Sisko meets Kassidy Yates, and they agree to coffee. While there, she seems restless. Seems she forgot she’s supposed to listen to a broadcast from her brother out on Cestus III. It seems he is part of a league playing an obscure Earth sport called “baseball.” Sisko is smitten. On Ferenginar, Quark has discovered that “Moogie” has made more profit than they thought. MUCH more. He plans to turn her in despite the fact it will ruin him, but she cuts him in on the profits. She confesses and turns some over, but splits the rest with Quark…mostly; she tells Rom there may be some more even than Quark found.

A neat little look at Ferengi society which of course features the marvelous Jeffrey Combs as Liquidator Brunt (one of no less than seven different Trek characters he played).

SNL’s Andrea Martin plays Moogie here, but will not reprise the role later due to makeup issues. We see Ferenginar is constantly raining, and the traditional house greeting of “welcome to my home; what’s mine is mine” is given. The whole episode will prove to kick off some interesting turns for Ferengi society.

Kai Winn comes to DS9 to see Kira, as her old friend and cell leader “Shakaar” is causing trouble in Kira’s home town. The minister of the Provisional Government has died, leaving Winn not only as Kai, but as political leader. She makes some changes which will pull some farm equipment out of Kira’s province, and away from the farmer Shakaar. He won’t give it back. Winn expects Kira to talk him into it, but instead she negotiates a meeting with Shakaar to find a compromise.

Winn dismisses that and sends in security forces to seize the equipment, causing both Kira and Shakaar to gather up the old cell and go back on the run. Sisko refuses to intervene in what Kai sees as a test of her authority. She scrambles more troops into the area, and discord begins to mount, risking a civil war. Shakaar approaches one of the Colonels chasing him, and they realize how futile this is. The colonel brings Shakaar back…with full military support as he decides to run for the position of First Minister displacing Winn.

I love how Kira can basically start a civil war on Bajor (as much as I hate Winn) and then just come back to the station when it is all over. It is a tight episode though that really makes you swell your dislike of Kai Winn, and gives Louise Fletcher yet another great opportunity to be loathsome. Shakaar of course is played by Duncan Regehr, once a staple of tv sf and genre: TNG, V the Series, Disney’s Zorro. I thought he had faded away, but it turns out he is in fact now a very successful painter with art on exhibition all over the world.

“Facets” brings us to Jadzia Dax undergoing a Trill ritual where the memories of each specific host are taken from the symbiont and placed temporarily in another host. This allows a Trill to “meet” all the previous hosts. She selects various people close to her on the station to house the various personalities (including sexually coercing Quark into participating…and then assigning him a female host).

Things get dark when Joran-the short lived host we learned was a psychotic murderer-goes into Sisko, and tries to kill Dax, but it becomes worse when Curzon enters Odo and they two of them merge into a single entity. One that does not intend to return to the Symbiont. Meanwhile, Nog is working on a preliminary Starfleet exam, and ends up failing. Rom realizes Quark rigged it to keep the boy out of Starfleet, but Rom gets Sisko to administer the test again, setting him on the path to Earth next season.

Jadzia confronts Odo/Curzon, and realizes that Curzon is ashamed because when he initially failed her out of the symbiosis program it was because he loved her. She accepts his love and tells him she loves him too-as a part of her. An abashed Odo meets her later, admitting that the sensory input of Curzon was tempting, but she thanks him as she now has Curzon’s memory of being part of Odo, and what it is to be a changeling.

The Dax stuff is fun here, if a little contrived, but we get some great performances out of each of the stars as they assume the personalities of the hosts. Rene Auberjonois is particularly effective as Curzon, though Avery Brooks is downright sinister as Joran. The b-story with Nog is neat, as it is such a great bit of character development for the annoying Ferengi kid from season 1 who is now on his way to a career in Starfleet. Go Nog!

And season 3 comes to an end when “The Adversary” makes itself known. Sisko is promoted to Captain while a Federation ambassador visits the station.

The ambassador mentiones a hostile race, the Tzenkethi, have had a coup, and may restart what were apparently rather brutal hostilities with the Federation. Sisko takes the ambassador out on a flag waving mission along the Tzenkethi border with the Defiant, but O’Brien soon notices strange things are afoot. They realize the ambassador is actually a Changeling, and a hunt through the ship starts to try to keep him from his real mission- using the Defiant to attack the Tzenkethi and occupy the Federation so the Dominion can make its move. The crew becomes more paranoid as they begin to suspect any of them could be the shapeshifter. A very Carpenter-esque blood test scene happens and Commander Eddington is id’d as the culprit.

They soon find Bashir locked away though, and realize the Bashir who conducted the test was the Changeling. Odo liquefies to chase him down, as Sisko prepares to self-destruct the Defiant to prevent war with the Tzenkethi. Odo stops the enemy in engineering, and for the first time in history a Changeling harms another Changeling as Odo kills the other to save the ship. As the invader dies he tells Odo, “it’s too late; we are everywhere.”

The “Thing” like horror aspects of this episode play off pretty well, keeping you guessing who may or may not be the Changeling at any given time. The paranoia we see the crew experience is shared by us as viewers at the end as we realize just how prevalent the threat from The Dominion may be, leaving a very disquieting end to season three. We have to talk here though about Sisko not becoming a Captain until S3. Really? Come on Trek, your first Black commanding officer leading a TV show, and you left him a Commander for three years? At least now Sisko has the rank, he has the goatee, and as we head into season 4, we get the shaved head; Sisko will soon evolve into his final form!

NEXT VOYAGE: Season 4 begins with more Klingons that you can shake a Bat’leth at as paranoia about the Dominion threat leads the Empire to pursue “The Way of the Warrior.” Best of all? WORF!!!

#Star Trek #star trek: Deep Space Nine #ds9 rewatch

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ameerawritesstuff · 6 years

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Garashir from the new prompt list (

Heyo~ So this comes a bit later than I would have liked but here they are! (I want to fill one of these types of requests a day if I can (why do I do this?? (I’m probably just procrastinating other stuff (but honestly, aren’t I always?)))

6 “Don’t you die on me”

“Don’t you die on me.” Garak whispered to Julian, though he feared he was only speaking to himself. He was no doctor, but he could see that the readings showed the young man’s pulse was shallow. He wanted to keep his hope alive, he wanted to believe Julian would miraculously pull through, but when had anything like that ever happened for Garak? No, Garak knew that it was most likely that Julian would die and, by their nature, what is most likely to happen almost always comes to pass.

And why should it matter to Garak? Yes, Dr. Bashir was a wonderful conversationalist and didn’t treat him like a pariah, but would the loss of once a week lunches truly make Garak feel more lonely than he already did? Yes, the whole ordeal with the wire had been significant to say the least, but Julian implied it was simply his duty as a doctor to move proverbial mountains for Garak. But that was just it, wasn’t it? Julian Bashir wasn’t just another doctor who happened to have a happy talent for debate. He was Garak’s friend. Someone who actually cared about Garak and someone who Garak actually cared for. It had been so long since Garak had had that in his life, he almost hadn’t been able to recognize it. How like Garak to let that affection, that surely could only ever be platonic, turn to love.

When Julian had first entered into his coma, Garak had focused all of his attention on the Lethean that had done this to the one beautiful thing in Garak’s life. Altovar was a bumbling fool who had been caught easily but that only made Garak more disappointed in himself. He should have been able to protect Julian from such a pathetic threat, and yet he had missed it. Why hadn’t he followed Altovar after he’d appeared to interrupt their lunch? Was Garak so distracted by trying to give Julian a better birthday gift that he missed a man who projected himself as a threat? His inability to stop harm coming to the love of his life was disgraceful.

And that was it, wasn’t it? Garak finally realized he was in love with Julian only for it to be too late. His love distracted him, causing him to lose any chance he had and now he would recognize that only in time to suffer. Garak laughed at himself as he exited the infirmary, he had to get out before someone walked in and saw him. Poor, pathetic, Elim. What would he do if Julian somehow were to wake up? Confess his feelings and look like an utter fool? No, that would not do. Garak would do what he’d always done: lie. He would lie about his feelings and act as if nothing had changed.

12 “I just want you to be happy”

“I just want you to be happy.” Julian smiled that damned smile of his that was simply too kind. “I don’t really know what kind of person you would be interested in or anything, but I know you’re the type to deny yourself any potential joy.” He had a warm smirk. “I’m just saying that if you are interested in Ziyal, you should stop finding reasons to not be with her.”

“I thank you for your concern.” The irony of Julian being the one to give him this lecture was not lost on Garak. He had spent the past few years finding reasons to not pursue Julian, not only because Garak felt happiness wasn’t for him, but because he was certain his feelings could never be requited. “But really, doctor, I’m old enough to be her father.”

“Again, I’m not pushing you toward Ziyal.” Julian shrugged. “I just worry about you.” Julian looked down at his food and made a face, he wasn’t eating with his usual gusto. “It wasn’t right of me to tell you not to talk to her before.”

“You were hardly in the wrong.” Garak chuckled. “She is Gul Dukat’s daughter and Major Kira’s ward. It’s not as if a friendship between us was likely.”

“But it was still selfish of me.” Julian sighed and bit his lip.

“Selfish, my dear?” Garak asked in confusion. “I hadn’t realized you were interested in Ziyal. You could have simply said so, you know.”

“What?” Julian looked up in surprise. “No, Garak, I’m not interested in Ziyal!” He shook his head as if he couldn’t even fathom the image. “I mean, she’s a lovely young woman, of course, just not my type.”

“Mm, a tad too gray for you, doctor?” Garak smirked. Of course a Starfleet officer wouldn’t find Cardassians attractive. Garak supposed he couldn’t really blame Julian for that, but he couldn’t help but find it a bit unfair seeing how Cardassians were naturally more xenophobic than Humans and yet he was enamored with Julian.

“I’m…” Julian furrowed his brow as if he was incredibly flummoxed. “Garak, you think I don’t find Cardassians attractive?”

“Don’t pretend it’s Ziyal’s Bajoran half that you’re opposed to.” Garak challenged. Perhaps Julian wasn’t even aware of his own prejudice, the Federation prided itself on acceptance after all. “I’ve seen you flirt with enough Dabo girls to know that’s hardly the case.”

“I wouldn’t have looked twice at her if she were an Orion!” Julian protested in frustration. “I was already in love with someone else by the time I met her!” There was a moment of silence as Julian realized what he’d said. He blushed and began picking at his food again.

“This is a surprise, doctor.” Garak blinked. Who could have stolen the doctor’s heart away so completely without Garak even noticing? He racked his brain for answers. “If you’re not interested in Ziyal…” He thought. “Then how was your keeping her and I apart selfish?”

“Did I say ‘selfish’?” Julian gulped awkwardly. “Maybe that wasn’t the right word.” He gave a nervous smile.

“And what would be the right word?” Julian said nothing and simply blushed again. “If Ziyal and I were to become romantically involved, how would that take something away from you?”

“No, no, no!” Julian shook his head fervently. “Garak, really, nothing would be taken away from me, pursue whoever you like.”

“Whoever I like?” Garak tried to process his thoughts. He couldn’t be right, could he? “Doctor, are you saying your selfish desire would be to keep me available?” Julian looked to his side as if something fascinating had caught his attention. “That would imply that you yourself are romantically interested in me.” Julian looked incredibly uncomfortable and turned a deeper shade of red. “Are you?”

“I just want you to be happy.” Julian murmured, still looking away.

“And you worried that wanting to keep me for yourself was preventing my happiness.” Garak breathed. All the pieces fit together, but it was as if the puzzle itself were incomprehensible. Julian had feelings for Garak!? “My dear, that is far from true.” Julian looked back at Garak in surprise. “Nothing would make me happier than to be kept for you.” Julian’s eyes grew wide and he bit his lip before he timidly put his hand on Garak’s. The two looked at their hands for a moment before they looked back at one another with broad smiles.

14 “Please… stay…”

“Please… stay…” Garak said softly. He’d hoped Julian wouldn’t have heard it, that it would have been missed. Maybe Garak could convince himself he hadn’t said it, that he wasn’t so weak. No such luck.

“On Cardassia?” Julian asked confused. “Garak, the war isn’t officially over yet.” He furrowed his brow and sighed. “Look, Cardassia still has a decent amount of doctors, I’m sure. When the Dominion’s surrender is announced…” He shook his head. “I don’t know exactly what to expect, but when I can, I’ll come back, alright? I’ll help you in any way I can.” Garak felt his heart break as Julian was again offering him favor after favor and kindness after kindness. “If you still want me by then.”

“I would never turn you away, doctor.” Garak reassured. “Not even if you had nothing to contribute and were only a burden to bare.”

“If you don’t want me as a doctor…” Julian paused before he looked at Garak in realization. “Oh, Garak…” Garak averted his eyes. “Elim…” Julian whispered as he put his hand on Garak’s cheek. “There is nowhere I’d rather be than by your side.” Garak found himself being kissed and he practically melted into the man he’d longed for all these years. When the kiss broke, his eyes were still closed as he heard Julian speak softly again. “But I have to go back to DS9.”

“Doctor, please.” Garak said with pain in his voice. “I’m begging you. The Breen may not give up the fight, not to mention the Romulans are assuredly planning their next move once they’re free from their treaties.” Garak shook his head. “Do you really think the Klingons are going to end their warring without the Dominion? All of these threats are going to be pointed directly at the Federation.”

“You’re looking for trouble now.” Julian smirked. “We’re about to have peace, Elim.”

“You can’t be sure.” Garak said. “On Cardassia, you’ll be at least slightly out of harm’s way.”

“And I’ll happily stay on Cardassia with you.” Julian smiled. “But I can’t just leave without warning. I have things to pack and arrangements to make. But I will come back, Elim.”

“How long?” Garak asked. He didn’t want Julian to leave his sight. It was as if the final battle being fought only made him more aware of how easily he could have lost Julian.

“As quickly as I can.” Julian promised. He gently stroked Garak’s cheek and gave a small smile. “Come with me.”

“I’ve waited to come home all this time and now you’re asking me to leave?” Garak gave an amused scoff.

“Only for a few days.” Julian said. “Even if there’s nothing you left on the station you want, you can stock up on supplies while I put everything together. Cardassia is going to need food, water, blankets, all sorts of things that we’ll be able to get while I pack.”

“That sounds…” Garak thought for a moment. “Reasonable.”

“I can be like that sometimes.” Julian grinned. “And besides, I want to take you to Vic’s at least once.”

“The Dominion has just surrendered, we’ve confessed our feelings, and you’re thinking about a holosuite program?” Garak laughed.

“Oh, come on!” Julian said, shaking his head. “Vic heard me moping over you at least once a week, it’s only fair he gets to see it wasn’t all for nothing.”

“You spoke to a hologram about me?” Julian blushed. “In that case, I’d be very intrigued to hear what you said.”

“Come to Vic’s with me and I’m sure he’ll tell you.” Julian said, rolling his eyes.

“It’s a date.” Garak smiled into another kiss.

19 “I’m scared”

“I’m scared,” Julian said as he stared at the ceiling, resting his head on Garak’s chest. “I’m scared that this will all turn out to be a lovely dream.” He turned to look at Garak, to make sure those same blue eyes were still in bed with him. To see that this was somehow all real.

“I’m scared it will turn out to be a nightmare.” Garak smirked. “One that ends with you pulling out a phaser and killing me.”

“Oh, please,” Julian scoffed. “If I wanted to kill you, I would make it look like you died of an illness of some sort.”

“So you’ve thought about it?” Garak said, raising an eye ridge.

“I’m merely pointing out that sleeping with you would hardly be part of a murder plot.” Julian smiled.

“I never said you actually would kill me.” Garak said, shaking his head. “The real Julian Bashir is the kindest man to have ever lived.”

“The ‘real’ Julian?” Julian laughed.

“Well, if this is a nightmare, you are actually a figment of my own imagination.” Garak brushed Julian’s hair back. “In which case, it’s highly likely you’re going to execute me very soon.”

“And what if this were a dream?” Julian smiled as he moved to straddle Garak. “Then what would I do?”

“My mind doesn’t do dreams.” Garak shook his head. “It’s so used to the waking nightmare of exile, it can’t imagine pleasantries.” Julian rolled his eyes.

“Are you always this depressing after sex?” He asked. “Because I personally enjoyed myself.”

“I’m sorry, my dear.” Garak smiled. “I’m still having trouble believing any of that happened.”

“We can reinforce the concept.” Julian purred as he lightly feathered Garak’s neck ridges with his fingers. “Repetition is key.”

“I fear you’ll make a positive person out of me.” Garak shivered. “And then where will we be?”

“Hopefully still in bed.” Julian licked his lips. “I’m going to make you see the universe as a wonderful place with nothing but sunshine and rainbows.”

“I’m a Cardassian, remember?” Garak said, shaking his head. “I don’t like sunshine. Too bright.”

“How about rainbows?”

“I suppose they’re lovely.” Garak considered. “I prefer the stars in the night sky, myself.”

“In that case…” Julian leaned in and whispered right in Garak’s ear. “I’m going to have you seeing stars.”

20 “I’ll protect you no matter what… even if it kills me”

“I’ll protect you no matter what… even if it kills me.” Garak turned to look at who had just said that. Of course he knew, there was only one person who would quote a traditional Kardasi proposal to him, but was Julian even aware that was what he was doing? “You will be my family and I will be bound to you forever.” There Julian was on one knee, holding a Cardassian courtship bracelet. However, unlike the one Garak had given Julian to begin their relationship, this one was made of latinum. It was an engagement gift.

“Julian…” Garak breathed. Because really, what else could he say?

“Forever is my pledge to you and I shall endeavor to prove each day that that will be time you will not regret.” The one who proposed could not terminate the relationship. Cardassians could divorce, but only the person who was proposed to could end the union. The only exception being a spouse who denounced their significant other in court as an enemy of the state. Garak had assumed he would be the one to force himself into that commitment if Julian chose to stay with him long enough, he wasn’t prepared to have Julian willing to bet everything on them being together. “I am yours, if you’ll have me.”

“Of course I’ll have you!” As if that were even a question! Garak essentially pulled Julian up to his feet and kissed him. When the kiss broke, Julian started laughing.

“I was so terrified!” Julian said in relief. “I just…” He shook his head with a smile. “I’m sorry, I need a minute.” He laughed again and brought his hand to Garak’s cheek. “I did do it right, right? You just agreed to marry me?”

“And I would do so a thousand times over.” Garak nodded. “But you realize that by being the one to propose, you can’t end our union, correct?”

“I know, Elim.” Julian smirked. “I have no interest in ending our relationship ever. I want nothing more than to be your husband.”

“I should probably put that on.” Garak said, glancing at the bracelet that was awkwardly between them in Julian’s hand. Julian hurriedly took Garak’s wrist and and clasped the bracelet around it. “Where did you get the money to afford this?”

“Don’t laugh.” Julian said. Garak simply raised an eye ridge. “Rom.” Garak tried his best not to let his amusement show too greatly. “He is Grand Nagus now. Plus, I think he likes the idea of me being married. I believe he’s still convinced Leeta will leave him.”

“I know how he feels.” Garak smiled. “When your lover is so incredibly exquisite, it only makes sense to imagine they’ll tire of you eventually.”

“Not a chance.” Julian grinned. “Forever is my pledge to you.”

#Garak/Bashir #bashir/garak #garak x bashir #garashir #elim garak #Julian Bashir #fanfic #fanfiction #prompted writing #Ameera's fics #star trek #star trek ds9

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