"Lieutenant Dax was carrying traces of the poison targeted to attack the doctor's system on her uniform. We've asked her to write a list of the people she's been in contact with this past week. Constable Odo is helping her narrow the search." The nurse informed Commander Sisko.

The Commander shook his head solemnly.

"To think that someone was able to leave the powder on her uniform without her noticing… It is an impressive feat."

"Lieutenant Dax is a vigilant Trill, but not even a joined Trill is infallible." The nurse agreed.

"How is Bashir?"

"The doctor's body had quite a shock. We had to put him in a temporary stasis until we can repair most of the damage. He would have undergone organ failure, but we brought him here in the nick of time."

There was a scuffling noise from outside the infirmary and the door slid open to admit several struggling security guards who were keeping ahold of a murderous looking Garak and an outraged Dr. Harcourt. Garak was trying to squirm out of their hold, hands curled into grasping claws. He looked positively predatory. The Starfleet doctor was trying to shy away from him, and yet he seemed seriously affronted. Harcourt turned his attention to Sisko.

"Commander! Thank the prophets you're here! This insane Cardassian attacked me without provocation outside my quarters."

"I would have done a lot more than attack you if security hadn't intervened. You nearly weren't so lucky." The former spy hissed at him.

"That's enough! Release Dr. Harcourt. Mr. Garak, explain your actions." Sisko barked at them.

"This man is your poisoner! He has the knowledge of what Dr. Bashir is susceptible to. What is more, at his last stop before this station, he came in contact with traders from the Terutan planetary system. I even managed to find and contact the Romulan who sold the substance to him. He will confirm Dr. Harcourt as the one who purchased it."

"He's lying!" Dr. Harcourt fumed.

"Ha! I even have the proof of purchase right here." Garak waved a PADD in front of them.

The doctor's face went white and he turned to Sisko. The Commander's expression had darkened as he looked from the tailor to the doctor. Sisko's gaze was clear and sharp. Harcourt started to plead.

"I didn't know what the substance did! I thought it was something that would serve as a harmless prank like itching powder or something childish. The man who paid me to do this was Julian's old school chum. How was I to know it was deadly to Julian?"

"Dr. Bashir told me that you kept on asking after his health! Itching powder, bah! I hope you have a more believable excuse prepared for your court martial." Garak sneered.

"It was Mr. Antes who wanted the substance planted near him. Antes left the academy, but he got into contact with me two weeks ago. He was Bashir's closest friend. I swear that I did not know he was trying to kill him. The substance is harmless when it is in contact with human beings; I don't know why he should react differently to it."

Sisko looked thunderous.

"Take Harcourt to a holding cell. Mr. Garak, stay here."

With a smug smirk, the Cardassian watched the guards guide the panicked doctor to Odo's security office. Harcourt was still pleading his innocent involvement, but it seemed that no one was listening to him. The Cardassian turned to the Commander, giving him an appreciative nod. Sisko did not react to the tailor's regard, instead, he asked for confirmation of Garak's evidence.

"I want the name of the Romulan who sold it to him."

"Of course."

"I'll take that PADD to give to Odo for additional evidence." Sisko reached for the device.

"I don't think my next season's cloth orders will have much weight in Harcourt's court martial." Garak smiled.

The Commander stared. Then, he gave a slight appreciative chuckle.

"You were just trying to get a confession from him."

Garak smirked in response.

"I'm sure Dr. Bashir will be pleased when he hears that we've caught the man responsible. I'm aware that he was Bashir's mentor, but Dr. Bashir would agree we have to bring him to trial. He might even agree to testify against him. I still can't believe that such a decorated Starfleet doctor like Harcourt would stoop so low. He was a healer. He took the Hippocratic Oath!

"An oath can always be broken, Commander." Garak said, a strange tone underlying his words. The Cardassian seemed lost in thought.

The Commander nodded. He watched as Garak's gaze roved over the contents in the sickbay as if looking for something.

"They have him in stasis."

Garak nodded. He swallowed, but then plastered on a look of false cheer.

"I am certain that he will surprise us yet with his stamina. Commander, I would suggest that you join Lieutenant Dax. I saw her just outside and she looked as though she might appreciate your company. If it will alleviate her conscience, tell her that the vital clue to this charade came from my observation of her with Harcourt this morning."

Sisko gave him a grateful smile.

"I'm appreciative of the help you've given us today, Mr. Garak. I think I will make a point of it to stop by your shop for my next dress uniform."

"It's always a pleasure doing business with you, Commander." The Cardassian nodded to him.

The tailor waited until the station commander left and then walked into a back room towards the ICU section. He found Bashir attended by a nurse monitoring his condition and a Bajoran doctor reading through Bashir's medical history. The Cardassian stood unobtrusively by the doorway as they recorded data about their patient and treated Julian. The Bajoran doctor had given him a nod, a nonverbal agreement to let him stay and watch. The friendly ambiance between Bashir and Garak was well known.

Sighing heavily, Garak watched them as they treated Bashir with their Starfleet medical handheld devices and hyposprays. He pondered that it would it would take a lot more than a few shots of medicine to get Bashir back up on his feet again. Perhaps he could assist in his own way.

2 weeks later…

The largest waterfalls on Bajor were in the heart of the capital. The site drew thousands of tourists to Bajor after the occupation, and it helped bring in a swift income to the war torn planet. Garak had mentioned it to the doctor, informing him that the poem he had enjoyed had indeed been inspired by that particular spot.

Garak and Bashir had asked for a runabout to go visit the falls. It was a long shot to ask, due to the fact that frivolous transportation for a civilian and an officer off duty was hardly a Starfleet purgative. To their surprise, Commander Sisko had just smiled and told them to have a good trip.

Bashir was nearly recovered, but would grow fatigued easily. He was under strict orders to stay off the duty roster until he could stand for long periods of time, which could take about another week. He found things to do in his spare time when he was not sleeping. He would play darts with Miles or color with Molly to give Keiko a break. But, for the majority of the time, he would sleep, and the doctor slept positively everywhere. He slept in the holosuites, Garak's shop, O'Brien's couch, and even once in Sisko's office. The Commander had later confessed that Bashir had looked so exhausted that Sisko did not have the heart to wake him.

To the doctor's shame, he found out that he had started nodding off at the runabout's controls while he piloted them to Bajor. Garak had to swiftly take over. The flight had been so peaceful that he almost slept through their landing. Bashir became more aware and excited in anticipation of seeing the waterfalls he had read about not long before the whole poisoning fiasco had started. He mused that it would be interesting to see what had inspired the stern, militia-like Cardassians. Garak was traveling in clothes that helped disguise his features so they did not draw too much attention. The Bajorans were still not inclined to trust the Cardassians so close to the center of their government.

Bashir and Garak had managed to find a landing pad that put them close to the falls and they took a local transport to the overlook. By then, the doctor was drumming his fingers impatiently on his armrest, but with a smile on his face. Garak had kept his hood drawn up, but had become more relaxed in the mix of different species traveling to the same destination.

When they got off the transport, Bashir all but ran to the scenic overlook, leaving Garak to shuffle quickly after him. A network of pathways and trails twisted around the natural rock formations, providing ample viewing spots for the tourists. Bashir had picked a secluded pavilion on the cliffs for the both of them. They looked on with wonder at what was considered to be the treasure of Bajor.

Thousands of gallons of water gushed over the cliffs to plunge far down into the pool of sparkling and frothing green. The waters roared in a continual wave of sound that nearly obliterated every other noise. Bashir clutched the cold, wet railing on the overlook, transfixed with awe. He heard Garak step up beside him and watch the waters churn and splash. The Cardassian was silent, breath misting as he exhaled in the cool atmosphere. Bahsir turned to him, smiling fondly.

"The view is amazing, isn't it, Garak? All that water gushing down and the mist fogging up the air."

"Indeed. I can certainly see the inspiration that it provided for Cardassians to write poems during the occupation." The tailor mused.

"I never would have believed it possible for Cardassians to be inspired by art or poetry, but your species is much more artistic than I could give you credit for. In fact, I'll wager you that you're thinking about color schemes for outfits that are waterfall inspired."

"I would take you up on that wager, but I am afraid you would lose. I was thinking about that an hour ago."

"What are you thinking about then?"

Garak blinked at him. Bashir was standing there, grinning at him. He looked as hale and happy as he had been when they had first met. Bashir had been so awkward then, so skittish.

"I was thinking about impermanence, and how quickly things change."

"That isn't necessarily a bad thing." Bashir looked back at the falls, still standing companionably close to Garak.

The doctor seemed completely comfortable in his presence. He did not appear to regard the Cardassian with suspicion or even intrigue about his mystique. Instead, he was enjoying the view with him, in the same manner a close friend would. It was so very different from how they used to regard each other.

"No, I suppose not." Garak murmured.

The End.

A/N: I hope that ending wasn't too disappointing. *runs* Thanks for reading.