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Story Notes: I wrote this specific story because I was diagnosed with a medical condition in late 2017 called endometriosis that may result in me not being able to have children and it made me wonder how couples handle that sort of news.

This story was also inspired by 'Alone, Together: Season One,' a multi-part series written by Matt Campbell for the Sid City Social Club. I didn't borrow anything from Matt's series, but I enjoyed watching it and offered to help him with the future of 'Alone, Together,' but he instead encouraged me to pursue creating my own works and I decided to follow his advice.

Cardassia City – 2383

Julian Bashir-Garak was approaching his 42nd birthday and he was content...well, mostly content.

Cardassia had taken heavy losses of structure and life in the Dominion War, but they had rebuilt to a point where life was again comfortable. Starfleet, however, was not to thank for that simply because the Federation had abandoned Cardassia to themselves when it became apparent that the war-torn nation would not join the Federation as expected. Not everyone, however, had agreed with such a decision.

All he would ever be, despite serving in the war, was a Lieutenant with the post of Chief Medical Officer at Deep Space Nine and it was enough until suddenly it wasn't. The departures of Sisko, Miles, Odo, Jadzia, Worf, and Garak from his life had left him with an emptiness that none could fill, not even Ezri. God knows she had tried, Julian thought as he worked at a computer in the capital's hospital that day. He hadn't found contentment with Ezri and she had eventually left for greener pastures too.

A beep indicating that a command was followed pulled Julian from his memories and he sighed before gazing fondly at the gold band that adorned his left ring finger. Everything was different now, but he wasn't unhappy. He had found happiness nearly six years ago when he and Elim Garak had enjoined in a ceremony hosted in Garak's garden; a garden that was now part of the residence they now shared.

Simple blue scrubs, a modest undershirt, and sneakers now adorned Julian's body in place of the Starfleet uniform and pips he wore while still in Starfleet. He had endured a battle in trying to come back to Cardassia to help in the relief efforts, as they didn't want his kind being involved with potentially dangerous aliens, but Julian had admitted that he was going to go whether or not he got their permission. Starfleet had responded by shifting his status to being a member of the Interspecies Medical Exchange and revoking his rank, as he would have no need for it until he came to his senses.

Instead of cowtowing to what Starfleet had expected of him, Julian had accepted the post in the Exchange and had resigned from Starfleet. He had traveled to Cardassia on his own expense and had worked as a volunteer in clinics seething with homeless, injured, anxious, starving Cardassians who had been displaced by the war until his work had been noticed by the capital's Chief Medical Officer, a Dr. Kelas Parmak. Dr. Parmak had taken him on as a mentee and they had quickly become friends.

It was also Kelas who had reconnected him with Garak and the rest was history. Julian and Garak had quickly embarked on a courtship according to Cardassian customs and were quite happy together.

Pain suddenly shot through Julian's body as he checked the computer, seeing if it was one of his medical orders being followed or a message from his mate. A concerned expression crossed the man's face when the pain did not ease and so he retreated to the cot in the room, sitting on it in hopes that it would ease the pain. It was a sudden, frightening experience and he didn't know what to do about it.

–Taking a break, Doctor Julian?” the kind, intrigued accent of Dr. Parmak suddenly filled the room.

The pain continued to worsen and Julian doubled over, tears pricking his tired eyes as he tried desperately to breathe through the intensity of it, –Doctor Julian?” Dr. Parmak spoke worriedly.

A pair of hands suddenly took hold of him and Julian felt himself being eased down on to the exam bed, –Kelas, I'm supposed to be working...” he protested groggily. –I'm sure it will go away...”

Dr. Parmak's eyes widened in shock as he saw blood on the crotch area of Julian's pants, –Doctor Julian, you are bleeding abnormally,” he spoke worriedly. –Please, allow me to examine you.”

For once in the nearly seven years he had worked under Kelas's tutelage, Julian found he had nothing to say. He simply submitted to the exam and even allowed Kelas to get him a clean pair of pants.

–The news is not good, my dear friend,” Kelas spoke as he eyed the scanner. –Not good at all.”

Dread filled Julian as he listened to Kelas tell him, in gentle words, the results of the scan he had done.

–Do you wish me to contact Elim?” Kelas asked in a quiet voice, frowning at his friend's obvious distress. –I know this must be upsetting for you, Doctor Julian, and you need support...”

Julian sighed, staring at the ceiling as he recounted the daily schedule that he and Elim had discussed that morning over breakfast. He hadn't felt well then either, but he had forced himself to eat and drink and go to work per their established routine so that Elim wouldn't feel the need to modify his schedule.

–No, he's got meetings all day today,” Julian spoke quietly. –It wouldn't do for him to skip out on...”

Kelas looked uneasy, but didn't argue because he knew, from Julian's constant ramblings, that Garak's knowledge and expertise in various matters were in high demand by all authorities across the planet and that Julian took pride in his husband's popularity. Still, Julian's anxiety was troubling.

Julian was so caught up in grief and anxiety that he didn't notice that a nurse had come in with a clean pair of Terran scrub pants and a simple set of boxers that would suffice as a replacement The hospital always had some clothing around for Julian and it had been that way ever since Julian had started working at the hospital. Garak had made each item of clothing lovingly and full of pride in his Human mate for going beyond Federation expectations and truly making a life for himself.

Kelas murmured a quiet thank you to the nurse before dismissing her from the room, –I had a nurse bring you some clean clothes, but I want to stop the bleeding first,” he spoke gently. –All right?”

Julian nodded, sitting up only briefly to discard his shoes, pants, and underwear so that Kelas would be able to work more efficiently. Kelas responded by grabbing a blanket off the shelf and dropping it over the man's nether regions to provide him with a sense of dignity and spare him some extra grief.

–Now, I know you haven't been honest with Elim about this being your first concern about your body, Doctor Julian, but I do hope you will be honest with me,” Kelas spoke calmly. –I need a history.”

Julian looked down at the blanket, sighing as his rugged hands caressed the blanket, –And how do you know I haven't been honest with Elim?” he asked nervously, his eyes filling with tears. –I've tried...”

–Because you wouldn't be here alone and on the verge of crying if you had been,” Kelas replied simply.

Julian sniffled, –He wants children so badly and I'm the Carrier, so I thought I'd be able to give that to him!” he spoke in a quiet, anxious voice. –We've tried and tried and we haven't even been successful at conceiving...”

–Then perhaps it isn't you at all, but the flawed process by which you were made a Carrier,” Kelas spoke in a gentle voice, not wishing to judge his colleague harshly. –I can do a thorough exam, but it will take time.”

Julian responded by laying down and gazing up at the ceiling, –Kelas, please just humor me,” he replied in a subdued voice, his eyes glistening with tears. –And don't put anything in the computer yet. Elim will hack it.”

Nodding, Kelas proceeded to initiate another scan and also prepare for a more thorough examination of Julian.


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