It's also for a friend to whom Dakhur Central owes its very existence.
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams." - CATCF.
by F. Carthew 22/11/97
dakhur@iinet.net.au
The woman stood in front of the window and watched the rain fall outside, streaking down the pane and falling on the garden. A tentative knock at the door made her turn slightly. "Come." She stared out the window again, but this time one eye was watching the reflection in the glass as a young man entered the office.
"Madame President?" The man stood uneasily in the middle of the room, not sure what to do next. His Captains bars looked new and his boots were polished to a gloss that could probably deflect a phaser. But for all that newness, there was weariness around his eyes, as if he'd seen too much of life already.
The woman turned and smiled as she sat. "Sit down captain." Leaning back, she took stock of the man and smiled again. "So, you're Benjamin Sisko, just assigned to Deep Space Nine." He nodded wordlessly and she continued. "I think you'll find it a challenging posting, but not beyond your reach." Standing, the President began pacing slowly, Sisko watching respectfully. "As you know, the station is technically Bajoran, but with the alliance with Starfleet in place, it is crewed by both Bajoran and Starfleet personal." She turned to him sharply. "I cannot state strongly enough that you do all you can to preserve the relationship."
"I understand Madame President." Sisko hesitated for a moment then spoke. "Ma'am, I was told you wanted to warn me about someone who may turn up on the station. Someone dangerous I believe."
The woman chuckled. "Not dangerous, just unusual." She stared out the window again, at what he didn't know. "Some where in this universe is a shape-shifter, a man who is on our side but who is searching for peace." Kira Nerys, President of the Free States Alliance, sighed as she thought of the man she had known and lost. "Odo hasn't been seen in many years, since he left the station actually, but he's still around believe me."
"I've studied the records of Constable Odo and I'm confident that we will be able to secure him should he return to the station." Sisko spoke confidently, and was therefore completely unprepared for the woman's reaction as she rounded on in aghast.
"You will do *nothing* of the sort!" She slammed her hands on the table and leaned towards him. "If Odo chooses to return, you will offer him every assistance in whatever he wishes. Whatever he asks for he is to have, I will personally pay any and all expenses he occurs."
"Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking, why are you willing to take such a risk for a Changeling?" Sisko had held his ground to his credit. Angry Bajorans he was used to dealing with. "Odo is just one man."
Kira turned away, suddenly drained. The rain became harder outside, beating against the windows now. The storm outside seemed to mirror the turmoil in her heart, the rain the tears she had shed over the years since Odo had walked out of her life. "Because I was responsible for Odo leaving the station. I was the reason he walked away all those years ago and never returned." She glanced at the man at her table. "He loved me you see, and I was too scared and too stupid to love him back."
"Grandpa Ben always wondered what happened." The latest Benjamin Sisko spoke softly, understanding dawning as he had a family mystery explained to him at last. "He knew something was wrong but not what, not even after Odo had left."
"And I never told him." Kira sat again and Sisko realized that he wasn't sitting with the great war-hero and politician he'd known all his life -- just an old woman who'd spent her life alone after the one man who'd loved her for herself had left her alone forever. "I decided that day that I wouldn't be blind again; that I would stand up for what I believed and never be afraid to take the chance again."
"Bajor is free because of you." Benjamin smiled a little. "People are *alive* because of you." The smile became a grin. "I'm sure Odo knows and is very proud. You never know, he might come back soon. I could--"
Nerys held up a weary hand. "Whatever you do will be too late." She smiled bitterly. "I have Grelan's Disease. I'll be dead before the year is out."
Sisko sat frozen in his chair. "Grelan." Suddenly the woman's impending retirement made sense. "Does anyone know?"
"No, and I want to keep it that way." Nerys stood and held out her shaking hand. "Keep my secret a little longer for me. The end, and the truth, will come soon enough."
"I will." Sisko shook her hand slowly, and turned to leave then hesitated at the door. "Madame President, if you could have a second chance with Odo again, would you?"
Kira smiled; And the man suddenly caught a glimpse of the woman she had once been before age and war had taken their toll. "Captain, I might be dying, but if the Prophets could grant me one wish it would be that I could see him one last time, and tell him that I love him too."
Sisko nodded slowly and exited the room, walking past the many delegates waiting to see the President. Swerving left at the end of the corridor, he stopped at the first comm panel he came to and placed a call to Betazed.
Sisko tugged at the collar of his uniform and sighed. He loved his work and enjoyed working with his fellow Bajorans, but diplomatic duty rated little higher than garbage disposal in his estimation. Glancing around the crowded room he smiled politely at the various ambassadors and desperately wished he could escape.
"I know exactly how you feel, Benjamin." Sisko grinned and turned to see the latest Dax host, Vorban Dax, standing there with a drink in his hand and a grin on his face.
"It's good to see you again Dax." Sisko gave his old friend a quick hug. "Although it's going to take a little getting used to not being Aunt Jadzia anymore."
Dax chuckled and smiled. "Jadzia is still here, Ben." Vorban waggled a finger at the man, "And don't think I don't know all your little secrets. I babysat you remember."
Sisko laughed. "I remember, trust me!" Glancing around, he motioned towards the door. "Why don't we take a walk."
Vorban nodded and waited until they'd made good their escape before commenting. "You still hate these kind of functions don't you?"
Sisko nodded grimly. "All that pandering gets on my nerves." He smiled again. "But sometimes the company makes it worth it."
Dax chuckled merrily as the two men stopped to admire the view from one of the many view-ports nearby. "I heard you placed a call to Betazed last week, to Deanna Troi."
Sisko watched the Trill curiously. "Yes, I did. I'm trying to track down someone named Odo, for personal reasons. His file indicated he was a close friend of the then-ambassador from Betazed, Lwaxana Troi. I thought they might know what happened to him."
"I see." The man continued to stare out the window, a thoughtful expression on his face. "What is the reason for this curiosity?"
Sisko was silent for a long moment, then sighed softly. "I can't tell, I made a promise." He gazed sadly at Dax as he turned. "But I can tell you it's very important that I find him, and I have to find him soon."
Vorban sighed. "Odo has stayed away from Bajor for almost a hundred years now." He eyed the man curiously. "What makes you think he would come back now, just because you ask?"
Sisko jerked his head towards the banquet room. "Because the woman presiding over the gathering here tonight needs to make her peace with him."
Dax stared at the Bajoran for a moment, then took a deep breath. "There have been... Rumors that Kira isn't well. Are they true?"
Sisko took a deep breath. "I can't say, I made a promise."
Dax strode to a nearby comm panel and began punching in commands. "This changes everything." A male face appeared on the screen, yawning tiredly.
"This is Ambassador Troi's house, how may I serve you?" The man appeared to be around fifty years old, although he could have been older. He had short gray hair that was ruffled with sleep, and electric blue eyes that seemed to see right through you. Sisko felt distinctly un-nerved.
Dax gave a sharp, barking laugh. "You never changed those eyes, did you?" He didn't wait for an answer, just ploughed on. "Things have changed around here old friend. The rumors about Kira are true." Vorban smiled slightly. "It's time to come home, she needs to make her peace."
The mans expression was one of horror for a split second, then he nodded sharply. "I understand. I'll be on the next ship to Bajor. Ador out."
Sisko turned to Dax, who was smiling grimly. "That was Odo?" Dax nodded. "But... But that is the Troi's gardener, Ador. He's an El-Aurian, not a Changeling!"
Dax chuckled. "Everyone thinks that, I know." The men wandered along the access corridors to the upper level of the Promenade. "But the simple truth is that sometimes the best place to hide something is in plain view." He shrugged. "That's what Odo did. But now I think he will come back."
"The worst is that all he'll be able to do is say goodbye." Sisko sighed and leant against the rail and watched the ever-changing sea of humanity flow around them.
Quark strolled along the Promenade as if he owned it. Actually, parts of it he *did* own. His bar was still there, under Morns management now, and he'd bought another two shops with holo-generators. One was strictly for adults, while the second was comprised over two floors of video games designed for children. Quark believed in getting them in young.
This was a special time for Quark. The Bajorans were celebrating their yearly gratitude festival as well as the one hundredth anniversary of the end of the occupation. The few remaining veterans of the conflict were busy regaling small children with stories of the great resistance, except for the President, who was busy preparing for her last ever official engagement, that of opening the festival.
Quark was grinning toothily as he saw latinum exchanging hands in the bar when he felt a hand clap onto his shoulder, spinning him around. Looking up, his indignant glare changed to one of total disbelief as he stared into a pair of sky blue eyes framed by a long-unseen unfinished face.
"Well Quark, are you going to stand there with your mouth open all day, or are you going to admit your crimes?" Odo's eyes had a definite twinkle in them as he gazed at his old adversary.
Quark drew himself up to his full height and shook his staff under Odo's nose. "Where did you take off to? Security on this station became a disgrace after you left."
Odo smiled. "So I heard, I imagine that made you very happy." He gazed at Quark s expensive clothing and the little man squirmed. "And very rich."
Quark shook his head as Odo turned to leave, then put a hand on the Changeling s cloaked arm. "Odo, I don't know why you're here, but since you're visiting can you please talk to Kira." Odo turned and glanced at him sharply as the Ferengi went on softly. "At least let her apologise, there's not enough time left to keep hating."
Odo didn't say a word, merely turned and headed towards the wardroom.
Sisko smiled gravely as he shook Odo's hand. The man was wearing a full length cloak and his face was hooded. "Did you have a pleasant journey sir?"
"Well enough young man, thank you." The Changeling whispered the words, not wanting to be drawn to Kira's attention, although his eyes couldn't help but track her every move. Nodding at Sisko, he went and stood in the corner, his hidden eyes examining the one he'd once loved.
She was frail, no doubt about it. Odo's keen sight detected a faint but constant trembling in her fingers as she held her glass. She was thin, but her clothing hid it well, and only someone looking for it would be able to see the difference. But no amount of clothing or laughter could hide the bleakness in her eyes or the tiredness in her frame.
"She isn't well these days." Dax nodded at his old friend and gestured towards one to the more private nooks in the room. "I don't think she's all that ill yet, but she's well on the way." The dark-skinned Trill's spots were faintly visible, but what got most peoples attention were his green eyes, the normal trait of the darker people of Trill.
"Who's been looking after her?" Odo's voice was rough as emotions threatened to break through.
Dax swallowed a little. "No-one. She's refused all help." He glanced at his silent companion. "We don't even know if she's taking her medication anymore. She's become increasingly secretive."
Odo bowed his head slowly. "I should never have left her, I knew she needed me. But the pain..." He trailed off into sadness as Dax took a deep breath.
"Odo, Nerys never hated you for what you did. She understood you had your reasons for leaving. What she couldn't understand was why you never said goodbye." Dax shrugged slightly, his powerful frame rippling under his uniform. "Just give her the chance to say goodbye this time Odo, that's all I ask."
Odo nodded slowly and turned back to watch Nerys across a crowded room.
The evening passed quickly enough for Nerys, although she couldn't shake the feeling that something was happening that she didn't know about. Eventually, she couldn't take anymore and, begging tiredness, took her leave of the crowd. She shot a curious final glance at the Vulcan priest in the corner, then headed towards her guest quarters with her body guards.
Several minutes later, her door chime rang just as she was starting her nightly prayers after a relaxing shower. Kira briefly considered ignoring the caller, she tried to avoid confrontations whenever she was wearing nothing but a bathrobe, but her sense of duty got the better of her. "Come." The door opened to reveal the Vulcan from the party. She eyed him curiously. "Good evening, how can I help you?"
The figure reached up and removed the hood of its cloak and Nerys felt her jaw fall open as Odo smiled at her ruefully.
A roaring sound filled Kira's ears as she stared at the man standing in her cabin, his old smile quirking his lips, and those eyes that just made her melt gazing at her. She stumbled back slightly and clutched at the chair that bumped against her thigh. "Prophets." The word escaped her just as the tears drove her to her knees.
Odo was by her side in a heartbeat, cradling her to him and stroking her hair gently as she held onto him with all the tenacity her small strength could manage. "Hush now, it's all right." Odo whispered the words encouragingly, "It's all right, I'm here."
Eventually, an aeon later after her sobs became snuffles, Nerys lifted her head and smiled faintly. "Hello Constable. Long time, no see."
Odo's smile widened slightly. "Well, I've been busy looking after a garden." He dropped his gaze suddenly, his eyes clouded in pain. "And there didn't seem to be much point in coming back. After all, Bajor was free and you were busy with your new position as station commander."
"Odo, I never realized just how much I needed you until you left." Nerys pulled away from him and sat on the floor opposite her friend, her eyes downcast as well. "I was so afraid of how I felt about you, of how much I'd come to depend on you, that I guess I just pushed you away so I wouldn't have to think about it." She glanced up, eyes bright with unshed tears, to find him watching her carefully. Odo, the years have been a living hell since you left. But I understand why you went away and never returned. Please just give me the chance to apologize before you leave again.
Odo reached out and caressed her cheek tenderly. "Nerys, I'm not going away again." He sighed, the pain returning, this time for her. I know there isn't much time left. Whatever happened in the past can stay in the past, it's now that matters."
Nerys squeezed his hand tightly, her old smile shining through. "At least the last few months will be happy ones." She yawned tiredly and leant against Odo's shoulder as he placed an arm around her waist, drawing her closer. "I don't mean to be rude, but I need my sleep these days."
Odo smiled and picked up the woman, marvelling at how light she'd become. Laying her on the bed, he stroked her hair gently as she held his hand tightly until she slept.
Nerys awoke to a wonderful feeling of peace. Glancing around curiously, she saw a figure at the computer console and smiled. "Good morning."
Odo smiled back, with just a trace of a frown on his face. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Wonderful, thank you." Kira was just about to get up when Odo picked up a tray and placed it at her side then sat opposite her on the bed. Looking at the tray, Nerys saw a variety of Bajoran fruits and foods as well as a steaming raktajino. "I take it I'm having breakfast in bed?" Her delighted smile vanished when her eyes saw the hypospray however.
"That's right." Odo picked up the hypo and pointed it at her. "And then you're going to take your medication, something you *haven't* been doing for the last few weeks." Odo's eyes were chips of ice as he spoke. Kira was beginning to feel like a thirteen year-old school girl in trouble with the head teacher.
"I don't *like* the medication, it makes me feel even sicker." Kira pouted unconsciously and Odo smothered a grin as he gently placed the spray against her neck and pressed the trigger, releasing the drug into her system.
"You have to take it, especially now." Odo explained quietly as Nerys began nibbling at the food in front of her. "I accessed your medical records while you slept, I wanted to know how sick you really are." He held one of her hands tightly as she stared at him. "Why didn't you tell anyone how advanced this is? You should have retired months ago, before the stress pulled you down this low."
Kira sighed and shrugged tiredly. "I didn't want to annoy anyone about it. Besides, I wanted to just go quietly without any fuss." She picked at the quilt, suddenly unwilling to meet his eyes.
Odo placed a gentle hand under her chin and turned her face up to him, then kissed her softly. "You *will* get better, at least as much as you can. It doesn't have to kill you yet, many people have lived for years with this disease." He gazed deeply into her soul. "You don't have to die just because they say so."
Kira placed her arm around his neck and kissed him hungrily, drawing him closer. "Until last night, I had nothing to live for. Now, I think I could live forever." Odo didn't reply, simply placed the tray on the floor and went to their bed.
Odo was happily planting a new shrub when he heard the screen door slam and casual footsteps heading in his direction. Glancing around, he smiled as Nerys sat on the step near him and tossed a mechanical snake at his feet. Odo examined it silently then quirked an eyebrow at his wife. "Is this where I get scared?"
Nerys smiled. "Helvay thought I should. He dropped that on my shoulder a few moments ago from the first floor landing. I think he expected me to jump up screaming and run away." She moved over slightly as her husband sat beside her and drew her to lean against him.
"You know, this idea of running an orphanage seemed like such a good idea four years ago." He sighed melodramatically. "Where did we go wrong?"
Kira giggled and snuggled into the man who'd been her lover for the last five years. "We haven't, or don't you remember? Four of our children are now respectable adults, two have entered Starfleet and are doing very well, and many others have been adopted to happy homes." She cuddled him a little tighter. "You know they re all difficult when they first arrive."
"Hmmm." Odo frowned a little. "I just hope we don't have a repeat of the Lopak incident." He shuddered a little and hugged Nerys tightly. "That I *never* want us to go through again."
Kira grimaced. "I never thought I'd ever have a knife at my throat again." Her finger's unconsciously traced the faint scar that ran down her cheek. "I feel sorry for her you know. "She just couldn't let go."
Odo nodded then grinned as a transporter beam shimmered a few meters away and Vorban Dax sparkled into existence on their front lawn. "Dax! What are you doing here?"
The dark-skinned man strode over and hugged his friends. "Oh, just in the neighbourhood and thought I'd drop by." He ruffled Kira's hair gently. "And I thought I'd make sure you were all right."
Nerys linked her fingers with Odo's and smiled happily. "I have all I've ever wanted now. I'm just enjoying every last moment, for however long that is."
"I think that's all any of us can do, Nerys." Vorban hugged her again gently. "Jadzia would be proud, I know she would." Smiling, the trio went inside the rambling house, the sun slowly sinking in the South.
Ah, well, that's it. Opinions anyone?
Fliss. A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.
Dakhur Central - The Unofficial Major Kira Fan-fiction site
http://users.dx.com.au/wormhole/fliss/index.html
NVML List-Mistress (Nana Visitor Mailing List) Where all topics are a *Major* discussion!