*     *     *     *     *

Christmas time found everyone weary of war and more than ready for a diversion.  So, Dr. Julian Bashir enjoyed hosting the annual Christmas party for the senior officers.  And as per the spirit of Christmas, nobody objected when Bashir invited Garak, too.

As was the tradition, Julian chose a theme for the party.  He decided on a traditional Christmas with a twist.  Each of the guests had to bring some traditional Christmas item of Julian’s choice.

Julian asked Dax to select traditional decorations.  She chose a natural theme and covered Julian’s quarters with holly, ivy and several sprigs of mistletoe. A splendid fir tree became the centerpiece of the room.    Julian and she added ornaments and popcorn strings to its limbs.  Presents lay beneath it, waiting to be opened.  Overall, his quarters looked very festive indeed.

Kira and Worf both brought traditional Christmas food.  They grumbled over the assignment, but ended up enjoying themselves.  Everyone commented on the huge boar’s head that Worf contributed to the feast.  Roasting chestnuts over an open fire proved an excellent idea on Kira’s part.  She provided a special open fire grill, and everyone had a wonderful time.

The spiced cider provided by Odo vanished almost before he put it down.  With a rather smug air, he brought in a refill, which also disappeared.  When Odo produced yet another bowl, everyone started to suspect some conspiracy.  The Changeling simply intimated that Quark was feeling rather put out at the moment.  He also encouraged the continued consumption of the drink.

O’Brien was asked to bring a traditional Christmas game.  He hedged a little and instead brought a Hanukkah dreidel.  Everyone quickly got into the spirit of the game, and Worf seemed very proud when he finally won.

Sisko sang “Silent Night” for his traditional Christmas carol and then led the group in several other songs.  Not everyone knew the words, but all at least hummed along.

And finally, after the exchanging of secret Santa presents, the happy group talked quietly for hours  beside the Christmas tree.

As the hour grew very late, Sisko said, “Well, Julian, I fear I must leave this delightful party soon.  I am afraid business must go on as usual tomorrow.”

A sad sigh passed through the group.
 
“One moment,” Julian said, “Garak still needs to read his Christmas story or poem.”

The Cardassian straightened up in his chair.  In his melodious tone, he recited-

Ah friends, dear friends,
As years go by and heads get gray,
How fast the guests will go,
Touch hands, touch hands.
Strong hands to weak, old hands to young,
Around the Christmas board.
Touch hands.
The faults forget, the foe, forgive.
For every guest will go,
And every fire burn low,
And cabins empty stand.
Forget, forgive.
For who may say that Christmas day,
May ever ever come to host our guests again.
Touch hands, touch hands.

As he finished, Garak stretched out his hands toward the others.  Without hesitation, Julian placed his hands over Garak’s and then everyone else reached out.  All hands intermingled.

Nobody moved or spoke for several precious minutes.

“Garak,” Julian said softly, “that was beautiful.  I cannot think of a better way to end this gathering.  Thank you.”

The Cardassian nodded gravely, as more thank yous echoed around him.

And then, as all things must, the party ended, and people left to return to their normal lives.

Garak lingered behind.  He wanted to wish Julian a special Merry Christmas.

“I am glad you stayed,” Julian said, after bidding the last guest farewell.  “I have something for you.”  He picked a package out from under the tree and carried it to his friend.

“Ah Doctor, you are most kind, but I fear I have nothing for you,” Garak said.

Julian smiled.  “The poem you recited was gift enough.”

“I thought it rather sentimental, but rather compelling at the same time,” Garak admitted.

“And appropriate,” Bashir said.

“Yes.”  Garak looked at the floor in a moment of embarrassment.

“Open your gift, Garak,” Julian said.

The Cardassian untied the silver ribbon and carefully opened the wrapping.  When he spied what was inside, Garak gasped in shock.  An ancient hard bound version of “The Never-ending Sacrifice” lay inside.

“Where did you get this?” he asked.  “This book is priceless.”

Julian smiled.  “It is considered bad manners to ask where a person got your gift.  Merry Christmas, Garak.”

“My dear Julian, I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you is enough... Elim.”

Garak turned wide eyes on his friend.  “What did you call me?”

“Well, as you called me Julian, which I wish you had done much earlier than this, I finally got a chance to use your first name.”

“I did not realize you knew,” Garak said.

Julian shrugged.  “Tain told me.  Now, are we going to talk about this all night, or are you going to kiss me?”

This threw Garak for another loop.  Seldom had he felt so confused, but at the same time, it was a marvelous feeling.

“Kiss you?”

Julian pointed upward, and Garak followed the direction of his gesture.  Hanging above Julian was a sprig of mistletoe.

“Oh,” Garak managed.

Julian laughed softly.  “Please kiss me, Elim,  for that will be the most wonderful gift of all.”

Garak wrapped his arms around Julian and kissed him for all he was worth.  When Julian’s mouth opened and allowed Garak’s tongue in, he nearly died of happiness.  Julian cared for him.

He pulled away from Julian’s lovely mouth.  “Oh Julian, I love you so terribly,” he gushed.  “You see, you make me forget all my Obsidian Order training.”

“And I love you, Elim.  I have wanted to tell you that for so long.”

They kissed again.

“Stay with me tonight, Elim,” Julian said, when their mouths broke apart.

“Tonight and forever, if you will let me” Elim said.  “I love you, Julian.”

“And I love you, Elim.  Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, my love.”

*End*

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