The sound is so loud I have to cover my ears with my hands and still I feel like the eardrums are going to blow up. The flames ripple over the wall like giant tongues, eating away at the material. I strive to move forward even as I lift my hands from my ears. I cry out when I see him stumble through the fire. His clothes are burning. I snatch a blanket from one of the bio beds and without further thought I throw myself atop him, trying to extinguish the flames.

My heart constricts when I see him lying there - wounded and my heart cries out that he cannot die. Not now! I hate myself for letting the days pass us by without letting him know how I feel.

"Garak, don't you dare die on me now! I love you..."

Even as the words leave my lips I see the light go out in those amazing azure blue eyes and I know that it's too late.

"Garak!"

~ End ~