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Occupation of the Mind	By : Jack-O-Lantern Category: Star Trek > Deep Space 9 Views: 666 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: DS9, nor the characters from it (save for the OC I created within the bounds of the established universe). I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter Two
I slipped away to my quarters, locking myself away from prying eyes. I couldn’t believe he was here. I thought I’d never see him again. I thought all of that was over.
I changed out of my uniform into my old tunic and vest. He wanted to see me. Why would he want that? Now that everything’s over why could he possibly want to see me again? I’m not special. I was nothing more than a wartime pet. I know there’s nothing to want in me. Especially for a Cardassian Gul. So why?
They were going to be here for days. Am I going to have to deal with that harassment at work every day? I fell onto the sofa and stared up at the ceiling. I had grown used to it—the abuse and harassment. For as terrible as it had been, for as much as I’d feared it, it had grown the callus of familiarity over it. But somehow in these few short months, I had lost that distant protection. I felt raw to it again. Keeping my composure wasn’t as easy as it had apparently become while they were here. But more than them, why had he come back to haunt me?
The door chimed. I glanced over and sat up. I never got visitors. My heart pounded. “Come in,” I called, stepping closer to the door. It opened.
Dukat loomed over me with that charming smile, hands clasped behind his back. “Tamir.” He opened his palms towards me.
“Gul Dukat…” I picked at the tips of my fingers. “What are you doing here, sir?”
“I told you I wanted to catch up, didn’t I?” I backed up and he followed me further inside. The doors shut with a terrifying finality.
I took up post by the couch and faced him again, though I did not look at him. He meandered through, scanning the bare walls and empty table tops. “How long have you been here?”
“Since a little after you left.”
“It hardly looks lived-in,” he commented looking at the utter absence of personal possessions. I didn’t really have anything: just my old clothes and something decent to wear for work. He paced back over to me, eyes trailing down my body. He pinched the edge of my vest between his fingers.
“I recognize this outfit,” he said. I never got rid of my clothes from then. “Does that shifty barkeep even pay you?”
“Yes, I just…I don’t need anything…” Dukat shook his head at the wall and let out a hefty sigh.
“You were always so well-behaved, you know. It’s why I felt I had to look after you. The war, the camps…that was because of everyone else. All the ones who couldn’t see, who would not accept their role. You were one of the unfortunate to get caught in the mix. The punishment meant for the many. I wanted to protect you within the limited scope of my power.” He paced thoughtfully away. “You did not deserve the harsh treatment. Many of my men had a hard time understanding such things, but I knew better. What good is it to punish those who are compliant? It’s just unfortunate that I was not there to stop that accident.” He gestured towards my ear. “I know it was very painful.” He looked off to the side and laughed. “Do you remember? When I called you into my office I let you eat as many sweets as you wanted. And a little kanar to soothe your nerves.” His gaze shifted around the room before he crossed over to the replicator. As he pressed buttons he said, “Every time I asked if you wanted something, you would say ‘no’. So I just gave you more until you couldn’t eat any more.” He turned away, a crystalline dessert cup in his hands. “This was your favorite…” he gestured to the table and I sat. “Though…” he set it down and sat across from me, “I suppose you’ve been having a lot of these after we left.”
The thought hadn’t even occurred to me. This was a special treat he would give me. In fact, the first time he called me in, after one of the guards had ripped my earring out, he had made it for me. I’d thought it was a trick. And only ate it slowly after much insistence, sure I’d be beaten at any moment.
“No. This is the first since then.”
“Is that right?” He seemed surprised, and I suppose I can see why. I had been partial to it, hadn’t I? Yet, with my freedom, I hadn’t…
“The only time I’d ever had it was when you gave it to me. It seemed strange to—I never really thought about it after you left.”
“So you did miss me?” He gave me one of his charming smiles. No, that wasn’t it. It made me sick with memory. To enjoy the generosity of a man that had me tied around his finger, that with but a word could end me, and with that unspoken threat could move me to acts I would not otherwise commit.
He nodded down at the table. “It’s okay. I know you’re shy. I know some things are hard for you to say. Eat.” I picked up the spoon and the gracious sentiment turned my stomach and ached through my body before I could finally utter, “Thank you, sir.” Then I ate as he commanded.
The next day, we walked the Promenade together like during the twilight days of the occupation. There were even more people to see us now. I stared ahead at the ground while Dukat spoke easily to me. I felt like everyone was staring at me. My face heated and I felt it harder to coordinate my steps, at one point swaying dangerously near my escort. My heart surged and I brought my arms tight to myself.
We entered a clothing shop and I faltered when I saw another Cardassian behind the counter. The man smiled and tilted his head.
“Gul Dukat! Now to what do I owe this pleasure?” I’d seen him before at Quark’s a few times. I’d not had much contact with him, which is the way I tried to keep it.
“So this is the dismal little place you’ve been relegated to?” he gazed around the shop.
“This place is of my own choosing, thank you. I do a fair bit of business here.”
“That’s surprising.” Garak raised his eyebrows.
“Mm. Perhaps for one who is bestowed with such abysmal fashion sense.” Dukat chuckled. “Perhaps this one is interested in having a look at my wares?” He fixed me in a soul penetrating gaze that at once startled and held me in an unshakeable grip.
“Perhaps,” Dukat admitted. “Though had I known you were the owner of this…shop…I may have reconsidered my stop.” He smiled.
“Well, lucky for me.” He turned that gaze to me again. “Tamir, right?” He knew my name? He waited until I confirmed before continuing, “Pay no mind to the unimaginative grouch beside you, please,” he gestured, “look around at your leisure. You may try anything you like, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. And as a tailor, I can fix the fit of anything, my friend.” My heart thudded as I looked around, aware I was alone in this shop with two Cardassians.
I turned in my spot to look at the different racks, seeing all sorts of colorful, lovely things. Things far too lovely for me.
“See anything you like?” he asked. Of course I did, but not for me.
“Um, well…” How could I put this sentiment into words without being misunderstood? Dukat smirked.
“It seems as if you have another unimpressed customer, Garak.”
“No it’s just—” saying ‘no’ gave me pause and I quickly glanced at Dukat for a reaction, “these things are too nice for me.”
“Nonsense!” Garak exclaimed. “I have a wide array of styles and fabrics in various price ranges, surely there is something.” Dukat smiled triumphantly.
“N-no,” I don’t think he understood what I meant. “These are all lovely. I like them. Wh-what I mean to say was…they don’t go with someone like me. As much as I may like them.”
“Oh, a modest one. But let me assure you, fashion is off-limits to no one. Let fancy take you. Allow yourself the freedom to choose something that speaks to you.” My heart raced faster. I wanted to go home. My clothes had always been dull and cheap. These soft, vibrant fabrics didn’t go with me. They might go with the monks, but not me. How could I possibly wear any of these? Especially on someone else’s graciousness.
I looked for the plainest clothing I could find, though it still felt soft and pleasant. It wasn’t long after suggesting something that Dukat took over and began presenting me with options. I hated it, but it took the pressure of choice from me. I wasn’t demanding anything, and I couldn’t choose the wrong thing.
I tried on a few beautiful things that Dukat ultimately declined. The last outfit I emerged in, Garak said, “You know, that really does suit you.” His gaze made me uncomfortable, and his words…also made me uncomfortable, but not completely. Somewhere, there was a spark of warmth, but it was something that couldn’t be trusted.
“Well of course you’d say that,” Dukat strode up, “but I’m afraid your wares are still not up to snuff.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Beg away,” he smiled. “But this doesn’t seem to quite suit him, does it, Tamir?” My lips parted as I looked at him, then Garak. I couldn’t defy Dukat, but how could I insult the tailor’s work? I looked at the floor. Dukat scoffed softly. “You’re lucky he’s so polite,” Dukat goaded. I disappeared back into the dressing room to remove the clothes I had no right to even touch, terrified now that I had wasted Garak’s time. He comes to Quark’s sometimes, though I had never made his acquaintance. Surely, he’d seek me out and treat me as the others had.
Delicately, I handed the outfit back. He bowed his head and turned from me to place it back on the rack.
As we left, he said, “You know where to find me should you change your mind.” I nodded and smiled.
Gul Dukat didn’t address their odd exchange and took me to a different establishment. I could feel everyone’s stares on me. I didn’t look at anyone.
Afterwards, he bought me something from a sweets stand. It was more uncomfortable than during the occupation. This was at least somewhat normal then. But now I have the gazes of the oppressed boring into my squandered freedom with the very same person that oppressed theirs.
-*-
I saw Garak at Quark’s the next day. He was with the station’s doctor. I strode up, pushing down the guilt and apprehension. Garak smiled the way he did when I first walked into the shop. “Ah! Tamir!”
“Mr. Garak. Doctor Bashir. What can I get for you?”
I took their order without incident. Garak mentioned nothing of the previous day. But when I took their food out, I placed a folded note, apologizing to him, under his plate before disappearing.
-*-
“What is that?” Julian asked, eyes flicking to the piece of paper Garak held between his fingers.
“You know, I really worry about our young friend there.”
“You know him?”
“Oh, not very well. But I don’t need to in order to decipher the look on his face when Gul Dukat pays him a visit.
“Gul Dukat?” Julian queried.
“Mmhm,” he gave a nod, still watching after Tamir. “I don’t believe their friendship is entirely mutual.” Julian opened his mouth, brows furrowed, then pursed his lips.
“What is Gul Dukat doing with a Bajoran waiter? That seems to be an odd pairing. I haven’t seen him make any informal contact with…anyone really…”
“Mmhm. Yes, well, I believe they were acquainted not so long ago, though the circumstances behind it I’m unaware of.”
“When was that?”
“Why, during the occupation, of course.”
“Do you think he’s harassing him? And if so, why? There are plenty of Bajorans on this station—why isn’t he bothering all of them as well?”
“It is definitely a personal matter whatever it is. One our friend seems quite uncomfortable with.”
“Do you think we should ask him about it? If Gul Dukat is harassing him, then—”
“This matter must be handled very delicately, Doctor. There are some things the light of the law can’t quite reach. Silence can be hard to break, and with the wrong approach, it can be forever.”
“I don’t quite understand. What do you think is going on?”
“Oh, I don’t presume to know,” Garak brushed off quickly. “But if you pay attention to his expression, his body language, you’ll see it.” He opened the note again. “They entered my shop yesterday, presumably to buy Tamir new clothing, but it was merely an excuse to prod and poke at me,” he shook his head before flicking his gaze to Bashir. “Our dislike for each other is quite mutual.” Bashir had another one of his pauses while his mouth worked over unspoken words.
“They were…buying him clothes?”
“Presumably.” Garak raised his eyebrows. “Dukat preferred to insult my skills, but our friend didn’t share that opinion though he found it hard to speak over that buffoon.” He wiggled the folded paper between his fingers before disappearing it in his hand again. A stream of thoughts furrowed the doctor’s brow and set his eyes shifting uncomfortably.
“That’s…bizarre.”
“My point exactly.”
“Well, is there anything to do about it or..?”
“Oh, at least keep an eye on him. That’s a fair start.”
-*-
The meeting had been cordial and uneventful. He didn’t seem to be resentful of me for the previous day’s exchange. I was able to breathe a little easier as the day wore on.
I avoided eye contact with the other Cardassians whenever they entered. Quark had made them priority guests of himself and other waitstaff in order to avoid other incidences. Something I was unspeakably grateful for. As I glimpsed them taken care of, the tension eased from me. Confirmation that I was off the hook.
I paced away with an empty tray, still uncomfortable as I passed by the uniforms at the bar.
“Hey Bajoran!” I froze at the barking voice and suddenly everything was greyer, the lights not so bright, smell of soot in the air. I turned as the vision faded away and saw the same group of Cardassians from the other day.
“You think you’re too good for us now?” My face heated.
“No, of course not. I’m sorry; what—”
“I’m sure you are. If things were still the way they used to be,” he paused, grinning, “I’d make sure you were sorry.” The others with him chuckled quietly.
“What can I do for you, sir?” He leaned in close, jaw jutting out.
“Get. your wrinkly little nose. out. of my sight… You pathetic little insect,” he hissed. I shrunk away, gripping the tray in front of me. As I turned to move away, he kicked at my shins, sweeping my legs out from under me. I sprawled out on the ground.
“Hey!” Quark shouted as they laughed. I pushed myself up to my knees though part of myself wanted to just stay there. Quark rushed over and grabbed my arm. He helped me to my feet and I stood behind him as he said, “If there’s a problem, you take it up with me. There will be no violence in my bar, you understand?”
“What are you going to do about it, little Ferengi?” he growled.
“My staff and my clients are under my protection while in this establishment. You can either follow the rules or you can get out.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Yes we will, are you going to behave or do I need to have you removed?” Cardassian sneered.
“Quark, it’s not worth it—” I tried. He waved his hand back at me. The Cardassian scoffed.
“I can’t believe you employ this trash. I’m sure he intends to poison all our food and drink.”
“I assure you that is not the case.”
“Oh yeah? Maybe he told me he was going to.”
“Outrageous!” Quark exclaimed.
“I’m not very comfortable receiving threats from the waitstaff. I think perhaps we’ll find somewhere else to spend our coin.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.”
“Is there a problem?” Odo strode up with another security officer, arms crossed.
“Ah, Odo! Perfect timing.” Quark turned, saw me still standing there and shooed me away. “Get back to work!”
I eyed the group of them, trying to gather myself. It was difficult, but luckily the guests I tended to had seen the exchange and seemed equally distracted by the whole thing. When a Bajoran customer touched my arm and asked after my well-being, I nearly fell to tears.
Once security had shown them away, the atmosphere returned to normal, but I had a more difficult time at normal.
A few minutes later, Quark stopped me. “Odo wants to talk to you.” I paled and nodded. I wiped my hands and moved around the counter towards the bronze sentry standing on the outskirts.
“I heard there was an altercation between you and the Cardassians. Care to tell me about it?” I shrugged.
“He just doesn’t like me… He had a problem with me last time I saw him.”
“Well, what happened?”
“He called me over, accused me of ignoring him. But when I asked what he wanted, he just told me to leave.”
“And then?” I glanced around, squeezing my fingers. “They’re not here.” I looked at him again. “I heard they tripped you, is that true?” I nodded. “Quark said the man put some force behind it? Either way, that’s assault and harassment. You can press charges if you’d like.” I shook my head. “Are you sure?”
“I don’t want to cause any more problems.”
“You wouldn’t be.”
“It’s fine.” I pressed my lips together and nodded. Odo shrugged.
“Well, Quark’s already banned them from the premises, so they shouldn’t be causing you any more trouble.” I nodded.
“Okay.”
“Unless you have something else you’d like to tell me, you may go.” I nodded.
“Okay, thank you.”
As the day fell into a lull, I found Quark—alone—and approached, wringing my hands. “You know, you really shouldn’t have, but…thank you, Quark,” I murmured.
“Hm?” He glanced back at me.
“That was kinda brave of you. I could never do something like that.” He pursed his lips in a small smile and shrugged.
“As far as I’m concerned, when you’re on the clock, you belong to me. I don’t let anybody mistreat my things.” I smiled.
“It’s very nice of you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Seeing how pleased he was with himself gave me a spark of happiness. He could be sweet when he wanted to be.
Finally, my shift ended and I walked away with that lingering warmth in my chest. I pulled the tie from my hair as I exited.
My smile fell.
Just outside, Gul Dukat stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the balcony. He noticed me and smiled.
I smiled back.
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Occupation of the Mind