Chapter Text
Enough was enough. Garak thrust a bolt of cloth roughly back on its shelf with an annoyed huff. Dukat had gone too far this time. Regularly poking fun at the caged circus attraction he often felt like in his exile was one thing. But to even hint at taking away the one thing that made the whole thing even remotely bearable... exile or no exile... this meant war!
Dukat had strutted into Garak's shop simply to bait him earlier that day, as he always did when he was on the station. Predictably, Garak easily deflected the poor attempts at getting a rise out of him. But just before he left, Dukat had suddenly pulled out a very unexpected ace from his sleeve. Just thinking back on it made Garak clench his fists until his knuckles burned.
Garak had delivered his final stab in their discussion, using Major Kira as the ultimate weapon. A cheap trick, but an effective one. Dukat really was delusional when it came to that woman. But then things took a very uncomfortable turn. Just as he was about to stalk out of the shop, he turned back, smirked very unpleasantly at Garak and said in an offhand voice:
“You know...I might be overly confident when it comes to Nerys, but at least I have the courage to make an effort. Oh, I know you, Garak, better than you think.”
Garak simply blinked at Dukat, not taking the bait.
“I highly doubt that, Dukat.”
Dukat's smile became downright frightening when he replied.:
“Really, Garak. Don't try to be clever in front of your own kind. We're not all as easily fooled as your little Federation lunch companion.”
Ignoring his stab of worry at the words, Garak simply sent Dukat his best customer-serving smile and said:
“You certainly could have fooled me.”
Grinding his teeth for a second, Dukat made Garak confident that he'd won, but then that frightening smile was back and Dukat actually laughed, as he slowly backed out of the shop. Just before he reached the doors, he made his final move.
“In any case... I think I shall have to pay a little visit to the infirmary, now that I'm here. After all, the doctor on this station is one of the best in this star system. I'm sure I can persuade him to give me a thorough physical.”
And then he was gone. Not only had he had the last word for the first time ever in their silly little debates, but he had delivered the one challenge that Garak simply could not ignore. He felt very tempted indeed to run to the infirmary and rip Dukat's head off for putting his pathetic moves on poor Doctor Bashir, but his self control served him well. No. There had to a better way to get him back for this.
He thought about it for most of the day, and by closing time he had a plan ready, that actually made him smile to himself, as he locked up the shop. With a little luck, the first stage of his plan would be executed that very night. With a new spring in his step, he made his way to Quark's bar.