Chapter Text
There was a ragged, mentally unbalanced Cardassian pacing a small holding cell on Deep Space 9. To be fair, it wasn’t unexpected. The Cardassian, who Julian is decently sure is a male (it’s very hard to tell with Cardassians), is the entire reason that Julian Bashir is back on the station after over a decade. Odo didn’t want him to come (which struck Julian as odd, since Odo always wants to get to the bottom of things as soon as possible), but Julian thought it would be best to check out the situation on his own. He’s spent the last three or so years as the Chief of Medicine at Tholta Teaching Hospital on Rixx (Betazed has a sizable Cardassian population, as the temperature and humidity is rather comparable to Cardassia Prime), so this is actually right in his sphere of expertise.
Julian was very surprised when Kira reached out to him. Even though she left the station a few years after him at the bequest of the Bajorans to lead some new political party, she seemed to be rather involved in this situation. He hadn’t really talked to her in a while. His divorce from Ezri thirteen years ago (which is a large part of the reason he left Deep Space 9 in the first place) made things a little awkward. Nothing happened, but it was still a little tense, as people felt the natural desire to try and find a guilty party or pick sides. She tried to just ask him some questions over video calls and communications, but he decided to make the trip out anyways. From what he can figure out from the limited information he has, this is severe Apparition Disorder (a very serious mental illness affecting Cardassians, a sort of trauma or guilt inflicted chronic perception of delusions and hallucinations), and that really requires better intervention than Deep Space 9 can provide. He’s waiting for Kira or Odo to show up. He didn’t tell anyone he was coming, probably because the both of them were oddly insistent he stay on Betazed. They said that it wasn’t a big deal, and that he shouldn’t have to take off work, but he can tell that they were just saying that so he wouldn’t come. He hasn’t the foggiest idea why, but he can tell there’s something big they won’t tell him.
Julian only really arrived at the station an hour or two ago. Because he didn’t tell anyone, he had to “rent” a room from Quark. He’s about 87% sure that it’s just a room nobody was using that Quark illegally claimed, but it’s not really a problem. News of his arrival should get out soon. He’s only been here for a few minutes, and he’s already antsy. Tuning back in to the reason Julian came here, the Cardassian seems rather distressed. He can’t see Julian through any of the windows, but Julian is pretty sure the Cardassian knows that someone is looking at him. He’s pacing, whipping his head and mumbling to himself in broken, discordant Kardasi. Julian is actually fluent in the language, he picked it up over the years as a hobby, but his unknown companion is too upset and confused for his speech to be coherent. From the few phrases he can pick up, the Cardassian is arguing with someone only he can see or hear. He seems slightly familiar, Julian is sure he could figure it out if the Cardassian would just stop moving around he could figure it out, but that doesn’t seem likely.
“What are you doing here?” Ah, Odo. “I told you you did not have to come here.”
Julian is very excited to see Odo. It’s been years, after all. He goes in for a hug, before catching himself and pivoting to an overenthusiastic wave. Odo spent a few years in the great link, sure, but upon hearing of Kira’s departure from the station, he rushed back before two weeks were up. Something about not trusting anyone else to handle Quark. It was probably a smart move. Odo looks very unhappy. It’s kind of ruining the mood. The Cardassian in the other room is also ruining the mood. “This is a lot more serious than Deep Space 9’s medbay is equipped for. Apparition Disorder is a very serious illness.” Odo makes a particularly unpleasant expression. “Yes. I know. I told you you didn’t need to come here from Betazed.” Now it’s Julian’s turn to make an unpleasant facial expression. “We can’t just leave them here. To properly treat them– We’re just going in circles here, aren’t we?”
They just stand there for a while, staring at each other. After what felt like a long time, Kira walks in, two hot drinks in hand. One is… very obviously fish juice. Nasty stuff. Garak gave Julian some to try once. He threw it up. She obviously had not heard that Julian was back on Deep Space 9, because upon seeing him she almost falls flat on her back.
“Julian? What are you doing here? Odo and I both told you we had this under control, and that all we needed was a little advice.” Great, now she’s upset too. What in the world is it that they aren’t telling him?! “That’s what Odo said too. Honestly, I think you two are lying. I would argue the fact that your guest is currently in a frenzy 20 or so feet away proves my point. I am currently the Chief of Medicine in the premiere hospital on Betazed, and I know far more about this than either of you!” They both look taken aback at that. Kira in particular draws up to her full height. It’s not that impressive, given that she’s pretty damn short. Well, tall for a Bajoran, but they’re a tiny little species.
“Oh, sure. You know all about what’s going on. Look, I know Garak and you were close, but it's been 20 years. Have you even read any of the letters he sent?” What? What?! Kira must’ve put together that Julian had not realized their Cardassian friend was Garak, because Odo and her share a deeply worried look. He feels like throwing up. For the first time in his life he understands what claustrophobia feels like. He needs to get out of this room. As he rushes out to the room he’s “renting”, he can hear Odo say something, tell him to wait, but he doesn’t listen. He can’t listen right now.