Disclaimer: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and its characters are the property of Paramount/VIacom. I'm just borrowing them for a while and playing with them in my sandbox. I promise to return them in the condition they were in when I borrowed them.
Any resemblance to people or events, either living or dead, is concidental.
This story owes its very existence to some of the most exciting Deep Space Nine episodes in years: "A Time to Stand", "Rocks and Shoals", "Sons and Daughters", "Behind the Lines" "Favor the Bold", "The Sacrifice of Angels", "You are Cordially Invited...(formerly 'Once Upon a Wedding)" and "Resurrection". Some of the italicized passages come from "Rocks and Shoals" and "The Sacrifice of Angels", which come from the six episode arc that deals with the beginning of the war between the Federation and the Dominion/Cardassian alliance. The poetry Odo reads to Kira comes from "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, @1951.
While the words may not be all mine, the way the characters behave in this story is. You may archive or distribute it if you wish, but keep my name and this disclaimer attached. To quote everybody's favorite bad guys, the Borg, if you use any of this without my permission, you will be assimilated. Resistance, in this case, is futile.
These episodes spawned a plethora of fan fiction ideas in my rather warped mind, including one to bring Odo and Kira together (Are you listening, TPTB?).
Without further ado, here is my yarn. Enjoy! Flames and raves can be sent to Winkiebug@aol.com.
A platform stood in the middle of the promenade. Thousands of people were gathered around it. Some were the Bajoran residents of Deep Space Nine. Some were the Starfleet officers under the command of Captain Benjamin Sisko. Some were visitors to the station. General Martok and the Klingon military detachment assigned to the station were among the crowd on the promenade. They were unusually somber considering the fact that they had shared a recent victory over the Dominion with Starfleet. Two Cardassians were also among the crowd. One of them was surrounded by several security officers under Odo's command. The other was on the platform between Major Kira and Captain Sisko.
Doctor Julian Bashir was at the front of the platform. His eyes were red and swollen. There were dark circles under them, as if he hadn't slept well. Behind him was the portrait of a Cardassian woman surrounded by pink roses and Vulcan orchids, almost as incongrouous as the Bajoran ridges on the nose of the woman in the portrait. Occasional sobs from the mourners punctuated Julian's words.
"Tora Ziyal was an extraordinary young woman. She brought light and spirit to whomever she touched. To some of us," Julian said as he glanced at Garak, "she brought love and companionship to a very lonely existence. I remember coming back here after a trip where I lost my girlfriend. It was very difficult for me because I loved her very much. Ziyal saw me one night outside my quarters one night and came inside. I ended up crying on her shoulder for most of the night. When I finally fell asleep, she went to my room, got me a blanket, and covered me with it. She stayed the entire night and made sure I was all right before she left in the morning. I will miss the compassion and the love that she gave so freely."
Julian stood by Garak and patted him on the shoulder. Garak held his hand as Kira walked to the center of the platform. Her eyes were also red and puffy. Odo watched her from the front of the crowd and an expression of concern formed on his face as his gaze traveled over her. Kira looked exhausted and drawn, as if she hadn't been sleeping. Her uniform hung on her frame a bit, which made Odo wonder if she had lost weight recently. As Kira began to speak, Odo fixed his gaze on her.
"I first met Tora Ziyal in a Breen prison camp. She had been on a transport ship that crashed after being fired upon. The Bajoran and Cardassian survivors were forced to work in the dilithium mines by the Breen. They often lost their lives due to beatings, starvation, or accidents. Yet Ziyal kept her hope alive. She survived six years in purgatory by hope: the hope that someone would come for her, that someone being her father."
Kira glanced down at her feet and Odo climbed the steps to the platform. He stood next to Kira and she wiped her tears away as Odo placed his hand on her shoulder. Kira looked at Odo before beginning to speak again.
"A few of us were very fortunate to have our lives touched by Tora Ziyal. Some of us loved her. Others, like me, had our lives saved by Ziyal's actions. Ziyal, who had never found peace in her life, sacrificed her life so we could find what she didn't. Whatever anyone says, Ziyal, who was called to the prophets too soon, died a hero. May that be some consolation to those who grieve for her in the days ahead. Ziyal, rest in peace."
Kira stepped back while she held onto Odo's hand like a lifeline. Benjamin stepped up to the center of the platform and glanced over the crowdto find Jake, who was standing with Leeta, Rom, and Nog. All of them appeared to be crying as Benjamin spoke.
"I would like to offer a prayer to the prophets in memory of Tora Ziyal. May she find the peace with them that she never found in life. And now I would like to ask you to have a moment of silence so we may pray that Ziyal's journey to the prophets brings her joy for all of eternity."
After a long moment where the promenade literally froze, people began to move away slowly. Benjamin walked over to Jake and held him as he cried. Dax and Worf came up to speak to them, holding hands. Leeta, Nog and Rom were just behind them. Dax looked up and spoke.
"That was beautiful, Benjamin."
"Thank you."
"Has anyone seen Kira?"
"No. I think she slipped away after the service ended."
Garak walked up to them and got their attention.
"I don't think so."
All of them followed Garak's gaze to find Kira walking away from the promenade, arm in arm with Odo. They were leaning on each other as if the contact were vital. Jadzia and Benjamin stared at their retreating forms in disbelief, wondering what was going on.
"When did this start, old man?"
"Well, Benjamin, Come with Worf and me to the replimat for a Roktajino and I'll tell you."
Major Kira sat in her quarters, talking to Vedek Yazin. She looked exasperated, as if her words were falling on deaf ears. Yazin looked equally upset, trying to get Kira to see some strong parallels to their recent past on Bajor.
"The Dominion is evil. And the prophets tell us that evil must be opposed."
"You'll get no argument from me, Vedek. But protests and demonstrations aren't going to change anything. They're just going to cause trouble for everyone."
"Then what would you have us do to oppose the Dominion?"
"I...I don't think there's anything you or the other Vedeks can do right now."
Yazin turned and walked out of Kira's quarters. A flash of bright light engulfed her as she found herself on the promenade with Odo by the Bajoran shrine. She sounded worried as she stood there while looking inside the shrine.
"Anything yet?"
"Not yet. There are two vedeks inside, but we've seen no indication they intend to leave the shrine."
"What about Yazin?"
She looked up at the catwalk above the promenade when she heard several Bajoran civilians shouting "What is she doing?". She found Yazin holding on to the outer rim of the catwalk, a noose around her neck as she shouted.
"Evil must be opposed!"
With that, Yazin jumped and hung herself. Kira ran towards her, horror on her face, but Jake and Odo held her back.
What have I done!
Another flash of light blinded Kira until she found herself in one of the corridors in the habitat ring. Dukat was pursuing her, bent on killing her or forcing her to act out his fantasies of a relationship with her. He can torture me, he could even beat me or kill me, Kira thought as she picked up speed. But the Celestial Temple and my place in the afterlife can burn before I give in to his sick idea of a relationship! Kira ran down the corridor, but Dukat was too fast for her. He pinned her to the corridor wall and she tried to lift his arm off of her, but he possessed the strength of ten men. Kira tried to move his arm away, but the side of Dukat's arm slammed into her head, knocking her to the floor. As Kira crawled around, dazed, she screamed as Dukat's boot kicked into her side before a blunt object hit her head, sending her into a blessed oblivion.
Kira struggled and tried to move, but she found arms wrapped around her waist. She was in her bed. An arm wrapped in a tan uniform was draped on her. Kira turned around to find Odo's face as he slept. Kira found herself staring as Odo slept, blissfully unaware of her scrutinizing stare. She thought that his hair looked a little mussed and if it was possible for a changeling to show exhaustion, then Odo was a textbook case. Kira wondered if he had been sleeping as she settled against him. As her eyes started to drift closed, a familiar voice wove its way into her consciousness.
"Are you awake, Major?"
"Odo! What are you doing here? Last thing I remember, we were in Quark's. How did we get to my bed?"
"We were talking over synthale in Quark's after the memorial service when you literally fell asleep in your chair. I took you to the infirmary, but Doctor Bashir said that you were just suffering from lack of sleep. He thought you might be more comfortable in your quarters, so he arranged for a direct beam-in to your bedroom a few hours ago."
"I see."
"Major, I-"
"Nerys. You used to call me by my name."
"I thought...that...after all that happened, you would never want to speak to me again."
"That's not true. Wait. Maybe it was. I was angry at you after what happened during the Dominion occupation. But I found out some interesting things."
"How interesting?"
"OK. I learned from a reliable source that the female changeling used the Great Link to seduce you emotionally before seducing you physically. That way, you'd be so distracted that you'd forget about the resistance and lead them right to us since you and I were the only ones who knew who they were."
"How'd you find all that out? Does your reliable source have large lobes and a life that's about to end?"
"In a word, yes. Quark told me all I needed to know. I just have one question, Odo."
"What is it?"
"What made you change your mind?"
"It was something the female changeling told me."
"Like what?"
"You asked me for clarity, Odo. I gave it to you. Now you must accept it. It's Major Kira, isn't it? You still have strong feelings for her! She doesn't deserve your loyalty, Odo. You cannot allow a solid to deny you your rightful place in the great link. I couldn't permit it!"
You sound like a jealous lover, Odo thought as he looked at her, his eyes widening as he realized what he had done.
"What are you saying?"
"The major has been arrested."
"On what charge?" Odo spat out as he thought about the ways he could attempt to kill this woman.
"That hardly matters. What matters is she will be found guilty and sentenced to death."
"No!"
Prophets, what have I done? Did I help cause this to happen? May the prophets forgive me if I did! Not her! I need her!
"Her death is your salvation! Link with me, Odo! Embrace the clarity! It is the only thing that will give you peace!"
How could I do this, Odo thought. I caused this to happen. I can't let her do this!
Odo and the female changeling began to talk, but she was no longer the one who introduced him to the seductive calm of the Great Link. She was no longer the woman who embraced him when the other changelings did not trust him on the homeworld. She was no longer the woman who he showed the value of physical pleasure, at least for solids.
All Odo could see when he looked at the female changeling was anger and pain. Her actions were responsible for the deaths of thousands upon thousands of people. As the female changeling told him about her other prisoners, also scheduled to be executed, he kept hearing their names over and over again in his mind. Rom. Leeta. Jake Sisko. Kira Nerys. Rom did nothing wrong. Leeta was only trying to protect her husband. Jake, to Odo, would always be Captain Sisko's boy, whom he was sworn to protect, even though Jake was now nineteen years old and a man. And Kira...he had been so blind. The reason he had been so uncomfortable around her lately became blatantly obvious in an instant. Now that Shakaar was gone from Kira's life, Odo's feelings for her were coming to the surface. He loved her. And if this woman had her way, that love would remain unrequited.
The Great Link did bring him the peace he longed for, but the price was too high. And Odo was in the mood to make them pay.
"She was going to execute all of us? Including Jake?"
"Especially Jake. After all, the Bajorans may respect him as the son of the Emissary, but to them, he was the son of their greatest enemy. What better way to hurt Captain Sisko than to take away something that means so much to him?"
"I know. How did you convince your men to go along with you?"
"Simple. I told them you were among the prisoners that were scheduled to be executed."
Kira smiled at Odo for a moment as a look of sadness passed over her face. Odo noticed it and put his hand on her shoulder to try to reassure her, but the tears began to fall as they had at the memorial service for Ziyal. Odo pulled her to him and Kira rested her head on his shoulder as she began to sob, her agony twisting Odo's heart. He wanted to shelter her and take the pain away, but all he could do was hold her while she cried, stroking her back and making soothing sounds, saying all of the comforting words Kira needed to hear.
"I miss her, Odo. May the Prophets help me, I miss her."
"Actually, Nerys, so do I. You know something? She reminded me a lot of someone I know."
"Who?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes. Is there anything I can do, Nerys?"
"Actually, there is. Hold me."
"Any time."
After a while, Kira's sobs softened and stopped altogether. Kira lifted her head off of Odo's shoulder and wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. Odo put his finger under Kira's chin and tipped it up so that their gazes locked. There were no sounds in the room except for their breathing, which had begun to accelerate.
Kira brought her hand up to Odo's forehead and gently ran her hand across it. Kira's eyes opened wide as Odo wiped the remaining tears away and closed the remaining distance between their faces. After a second, his lips touched hers in a gentle kiss. Their gazes locked again after they separated. Odo raised his hand to Kira's hair and gently touched it. A second later, their lips met again, only this time, the kiss lingered. Kira's arms wrapped themselves around Odo's neck as his arms cradled her body. They leaned back onto the bed as they molded their mouths to each other, their tongues dancing together. Odo kissed his way down Kira's neck as her hands ran through his hair. A soft moan escaped her lips as she opened her eyes, cupping Odo's face in her hands.
"We can't do this Odo."
"You're right. I am so sorry for taking advantage of you like that."
"I could have stopped you. I'm the one who let things escalate."
"Why are you talking like this shouldn't have happened, Nerys?"
"I didn't mean for it to come out like that, Odo. We need to talk about this."
"I don't think now is the time, Nerys. We both need some time to think about this."
Odo scrambled off the bed and ran outside the bedroom, Kira following close behind him. Kira tried to get Odo to look at her, but he got to the door, which opened at his approach and ran out. Kira supported herself on the door frame as she called out after him, staring at his retreating form.
"Odo, come back here! Odo!"
A man in some sort of tight green trunks was twirling a blazing baton as the music blared, sweat pouring down his chest. The shouting of the assembled crowd as they danced and drank was deafening. Jadzia, clutching a mug in her hands, was circulating among the guests. She was rapidly becoming inebriated. The guests were dancing, drinking and eating to celebrate Jadzia's upcoming wedding to Commander Worf. Kira was in a red dress, among the revelers, dancing herself. She was one of the few revelers who was still sober. Unlike her mood in recent days, she was lauhing and smiling. Jadzia approached her, mug in hand as she slapped Kira's shoulder.
"Enjoying yourself, Nerys?"
"Immensely," she said, laughing. "I haven't had this much fun since...I can't even remember the last time!"
"Good."
Jadzia's door chime rang as she and Kira turned towards it. As Kira started to get up, Jadzia placed a hand on her arm.
"Was that the door?"
"Who knows and who cares?"
Kira walked over to Nog and began to dance with him. Jadzia patted Kira's arm and laughed as the doors opened to reveal Odo standing in the corridor with two deputies. She smiled when she saw the faint hint of a grin on his lips. Kira stepped aside as they came into the room.
"Good evening, Odo! Come on in. Enjoy yourself."
"We've received about five complaints about the noise so far, Major. Have you seen Commander Dax?"
"She's busy."
"With what?"
"Getting plastered or making a pass at Lieutenant Ariaga. Take your pick."
"There seem to be a lot of people here. You're in a good mood."
"I know. The music is so loud that I can barely hear you. We need to talk Odo."
"I know."
'So let's talk."
"Now?"
Kira nodded as Odo turned around and glanced at the deputies behind him.
"Enjoy yourselves."
The deputies grinned as someone handed them glasses of Bajoran spring wine. Kira smiled and glanced around Jadzia's quarters.
"I have an idea. Let's find someplace a little quieter."
"Great idea."
Kira grabbed Odo's arm and dragged him towards Jadzia's bedroom. When she reached the door to the closet, she tapped a few buttons on the access panel and the door opened to reveal a chaise lounge and a few articles of clothing. Odo looked at Kira, shock registering on his face.
"Here?"
"It's as good a place as any right now."
"True. Your chaise or mine?"
Kira sat down on the edge of the lounge and took off her shoes, which were a pair of red pumps. Odo kept staring at her legs as she removed the shoes.
"Odo, take my advice."
"What is it, Nerys?"
"Don't wear high heels if you get a bit drunk or start dancing."
Odo laughed as he sat down next to Kira. He took her hand in his own and squeezed it. Odo smiled when Kira squeezed it back.
"Nerys, I don't think I'll be wearing high heels any time soon."
Kira laughed as she spoke, smiling.
"I guess not. You know Odo, its been a long time."
"Since what?"
"Since you called me by my name, much less let yourself be alone with me. What happened?"
"I think what happened in your quarters was so...overwhelming for lack of a better word."
"Overwhelming? I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted."
"Flattered, Nerys. Definitely flattered. Except for Arissa, I haven't felt like this with anyone."
"Not even with the changeling?"
"No. Everything she made me feel was a lie."
"I hear that. That's what it turned out to be with Shakaar."
"But you had to be with him."
"I don't understand."
"You loved Bareil so much that you isolated yourself after he died, wrapping yourself in your pain and grief. Shakaar helped you live again, Nerys. He made you discover how to live after such a painful loss. The female changeling, for all her faults, did that for me too. Losing Arissa was the worst thing that ever happened to me, but the changeling helped me live again, despite everything that she did."
"Odo, I have to ask you a question. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."
"Of course. What is it?"
"Odo, how could you abandon the resistance you helped found? How could you abandon me? When you weren't in your office to turn the alarms off, I...I have to be honest. I wanted to strangle you."
"I don't blame you. When I found out what happened, I wanted to strangle myself. I think I should tell you where I was."
"You were in the link, weren't you?"
"How did you know that?"
"The way you acted when I saw you. Odo, how often do you act guilty?"
"You noticed?"
"What makes you think I wouldn't? I know you too well, Odo."
"Nerys, it hurt me to see you so angry at me. I tried to convince myself that it didn't matter because we were so different. The female changeling also had me convinced that you were just another solid who was going to use me and then try to kill me, like some solids have killed so many of them. She even had me believing that this quadrant was in so much chaos that you needed order, even if it meant killing you to get it."
"Odo, I had no idea. I..."
"Shhh. Let me say this, Nerys. I am so sorry for everything that's happened. Will..."
"Yes. I forgive you."
Odo leaned back on the chaise and closed his eyes for a moment. A smile formed on his face as Kira leaned on his shoulder and they fell asleep.
"Double Roktajino, extra sweet."
A bleary-eyed and exhausted Jadzia grabbed the cup from the replicator and took in a large gulp of the steaming hot liquid. While the caffeine made her eyes begin to sparkle with energy once again, it did little to hide the pained look in her eyes. She palmed the cup and rubbed her forehead, trying to relieve the intense throbbing in her head. A sound made her turn her head towards the back of what was once her living room. She squinted as Lieutenant Ariaga and Morn got up from the floor behind the souch, where they had spent the night.
"What time is it, Jadzia?
"Ten thirty hours." Jadzia said as she sipped from her cup.
"Come on, Morn."
As they left the room, Jadzia heard a thought in her head.
Gods, if I drink so much blood wine and champagne again, just shoot me!
As Ariaga and Morn walked out groaning from their hangovers, Worf walked into the room, looking angry and frustrated. He walked up to Jadzia, who was picking a blanket up from the floor in front of her couch. Jadzia looked at him and squinted her eyes, as if it hurt to focus on one object or person in the room.
"You're mad."
"Concerned."
"Well, I'm hung over."
"We have a problem."
"What?"
"Sirella has cancelled the wedding. She said that you attacked her."
"She pulled a knife on me. I was defending myself."
"That is irrelevant, Jadzia. You struck the woman of the House of Martok. As a result, Sirella is exercising her option of cancelling the marriage. What were you thinking?"
"I'd really like to discuss this another time, Worf. She'll get over it."
"No. We must talk now."
"It'd be better if we talked later. I really need to get some sleep. And I have the mother of all hangovers."
Jadzia walked into her bedroom towards the closet as Worf walked behind her, still talking nervously.
"Jadzia, I must speak with you."
"Later, Worf! Wait a second. Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Voices."
Jadzia walked up to the closet door and pressed a button on the panel. The door slid open and Jadzia gasped. Odo and Kira looked up and saw them. Odo was sitting to the left of the chaise in which Kira was laying on. Both of them looked up, completely embarrassed, but seeming to hide it very well, at least until Kira began to speak.
"Hi."
"Hi."
"Is the party over?"
"Of course! It's 1030."
"In the morning? Oh, no! I'm on duty!"
"So am I!" Odo exclaimed as they rushed out of the closet. Kira raced back to Jadzia and hugged her.
"That was some party. I can see that the two of you want to be alone...." Kira said as she took Odo's hand. Odo looked at her and finished the sentence.
"...so we'll be going now. See you later."
Odo and Kira quickly ran out of the room, leaving a stunned Worf and Jadzia staring after them as they quickly made their way out of Jadzia's quarters. Kira leaned back the wall of the corridor and hit her head against it as Odo looked at her.
"What is it, Nerys?"
"That was so embarrassing, Odo!"
"That's an understatement. Still..."
"What?"
"If there was anyone I'd rather be caught in a closet with, it'd be you."
"Oh, how sweet. I guess I could say the same."
"I guess you could."
"We better get ready for duty. The gossip mill will already be operating at warp speed. We don't need to create more by being late for duty too."
"Gossip mill? Don't you mean Commander Dax?"
"Same difference."
"True."
When Kira and Odo arrived in Ops that morning, Benjamin smiled and winked at them before going into his office.
"So how was the party?"
Kira blushed as she grinned while glancing at Odo.
Odo ran into his quarters, the door sliding shur gently behind him. His normally placid face was twisted in pain. He walked over to the sculpture in the middle of the living room and pounded it. He then fell to the floor by one of the legs and put his head in his hands as he drew his knees to his chin. Odo stared at the floor as the door chime rang.
"Go away."
The door chime rang again.
"I thought I said leave!"
After a third ring, the doors opened and Kira stepped into the room. As the doors closed, she sat down beside Odo. Kira drew her knees under her chin and put her head on her knees when Odo did not even glance at her. After a few tense minutes, Odo looked up and gasped quietly when he saw Kira. Her eyes were red and puffy. There were circles under them. She looked so lost. Odo could not remember a time when Kira hadn't looked so upset or lost. Wait, Odo thought. I can remember. Odo had a flash of memory from when Bareil died and he spent the night in Kira's quarters, comforting her until she cried herself to sleep. Odo reached out to Nerys and pulled her to him. Kira leaned her head on his shoulder and cried, even when she felt incapable of crying anymore. Odo held Kira tightly as his shoulder grew wet from her tears. Kira looked up into Odo's eyes when she found that her uniform shoulder was also getting wet. She gasped when she saw the tears in Odo's eyes.
"Odo? What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I just felt like crying myself."
"I am so sorry for what I've done. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Of course. I just need some time. And..."
"And what?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Did you love the other Bareil?"
"Now that I think about it, I don't think so."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Remember when you were intimate with Arissa?"
"Yes."
"If you all of a sudden had a chance to be with her again, even if it was some sort of alternate version of her, would you go to her?"
"I probably would."
"Would you think you were in love with her?"
"I might. Is that what happened with you?"
"Yes, now that I think about it."
Odo and Kira leaned their heads against each other as they sat there next to the sculpture, holding each other as Odo's com badge went off.
"Security to Odo."
Odo and Kira stood up straight as he slapped his com badge.
"Odo here. Go ahead."
"Gul Dukat has escaped from the holding cell. We just found Lieutenant Brilgar unconscious outside his cell. His phaser is missing too."
"Begin a search and secure all systems. Major Kira and I are on our way."
Kira and Odo rushed out of the turbolift onto the promenade, where two of Odo's deputies were waiting for them. A crowd was on the promenade and they were trying to run away from the shrine. Several of Odo's men were standing outside, their phasers at the ready. One of them walked up to Odo when he saw him approach with Kira at his side, their weapons drawn. Odo began to speak.
"What happened?"
"We really don't know, sir. Dukat managed to break out of the cell and render Brilgar unconscious before he ran into the Bajoran shrine and holed himself up in there. We sent one man in to get him and Dukat shot him at point blank range. He's dead."
Kira slipped away from Odo and stepped inside the shrine. A form was crumpled up by the altar in the shrine. She palmed her phaser and walked up to the form so slowly that the short trip seemed to take an eternity. As Kira stood only a few feet away from the form, it stood up to its full height. Kira gasped as she saw the fire in Dukat's eyes. She backed up a step and then another when she recognized the feeling in Dukat's eyes. It was hatred.
Pure unadulterated rage. Deadly rage.
Dukat grabbed Kira's phaser before she could stop him and shouted.
"You were supposed to be looking out for her! But you didn't, did you? Now my precious girl is dead! And you let her die! And so shall you, Nerys!"
Dukat pointed the weapon and fired. The discharge hit Kira into the chest and propelled her into the wall. Her head slammed against it with an audible crack before she crumpled to the floor in a heap.
Odo heard the shouting and ran inside when he heard the phaser discharge. Two deputies followed Odo inside and restrained Dukat. Odo looked around behind him and noticed for the first time that Kira was not behind him. Odo walked up to Dukat and grabbed the front of his shirt.
"Where is Major Kira?"
"Try the wall behind you."
Odo turned around and gasped before shouting.
"Nerys!"
Odo ran to the wall and took Kira's insensate body in his arms. He touched her neck lightly, frantically searching for a pulse. Odo let out a sigh of relief as he felt a faint heartbeat under his fingertips. Odo began to shout as he looked at Dukat and tapped his com badge, all the time cradling Kira in his arms while blood pooled under her head and spilled onto Odo's uniform.
"Get him out of here, Brilgar! Odo to Bashirr!"
"Go ahead."
"I need you and an emergency medical team in the shrine now! Major Kira's been shot!"
"We're on our way. Bashir out."
Brilgar and Dukat passed by Odo as he stood for a second and punched Dukat so hard that he landed on the promenade by Benjamin and Jadzia's feet as they walked by the shrine. Benjamin and Jadzia rushed in to the shrine, with Julian and his medical team right behind them, antigrav stretcher in tow. Benjamin and Jadzia knelt by Odo's side as he gently laid Kira down on the ground. Julian took out his tricorder and scanned her as two med-techs gingerly laid her on the stretcher and covered her with a gray wool blanket.
"Doctor, activity in the isocortex is falling."
"Seventy-five cc's impedrizine."
Odo stood at the foot of the biobed as Kira fought for every breath. Jadzia and Benjamin stood beside him, their hands on Odo's shoulder, trying to give him strength through their touch. Odo looked at Nerys while he prayed that Julian could bring her back to him. Please don't go, Nerys. Not before...
Odo's thought was interrupted by the wail of a monitor.
"Doctor, she's gone into cardiac arrest. She isn't breathing!"
"Seventy-five cc's of inoproviline and get the cortical stimulator now!"
As Julian pressed the hypospray into Kira's neck, the nurse placed the stimulator on Kira's forehead. She ran over to the panel and looked up at Julian expectantly.
"Send it up to ten microvolts now!"
Kira's body rose and stiffened as she flopped back down on the biobed.
"No change. No, wait! Brain function has ceased!"
"Send it up to twenty microvolts!"
Odo winced as Kira flopped around on the biobed again. A second later, as the monitors near Kira's head began to emit a series of beeps again, Odo let out a sigh of relief.
"We got her back, Doctor. Blood pressure is 90 over 60, pulse 112 and respiration 26."
"Not as stable as I'd like, but it's better than nothing. Keep an eye on her vital signs and prepare Kira for surgery."
Julian walked up to Jadzia, Odo and Benjamin. Odo looked up as Julian began to speak.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask all of you to leave."
"How is she?"
"Not good, Odo. I can't say for sure whether she'll even survive surgery. The injuries to her thoracic region and phaser burns I can treat and I've already stopped the internal hemorrahging. Nerys' neural injuries are extensive and I'm not sure if I can repair them all. If you'll excuse me, I have to go to surgery now."
Odo and Benjamin were pacing around the front room of the infirmary. Jadzia was sitting on a biobed, biting her nails and looking at the doorway, hoping to find someone coming out of the surgery suite. Benjamin placed a hand on Odo's shoulder, trying to provide some comfort.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"No, Captain. I'm afraid the blame for this lies with me."
"I don't understand."
"Captain, she slipped away when we got to the shrine. I should have kept an eye on her when we got there, especially knowing how she felt about Dukat."
"And how were you going to accomplish that, Constable? Tie her to the information kiosk? Kira is the best person we have when it comes to covert operations. I suspect she could teach Starfleet Intelligence a thing or two."
"I suspect you're right."
Jadzia climbed down from the biobed and placed her hand on Odo's other shoulder.
"Odo, I don't know if this is the time to tell you, but there's something I think you should know. Kira came to see me a while ago. She wanted to talk."
"About me, I take it."
"Yes."
"Was it about how she didn't trust me after my association with the female changeling?"
"No. It was-"
All of them loked up as Julian came into the room, clad in red robes. He removed the hood from his head. Odo found circles under his eyes that were beginning to form, as if he hadn't slept in days. Odo spoke when Julian walked up to him.
"How is she, Doctor?"
"Not good. She survived the surgery, so that's something, but her neural injuries were worse than I thought. Nerys is in a coma."
"What are her injuries? Will she live?"
"I'm sorry to sound like I'm repeating myself, but I'm not sure yet. Nerys is on life support. She had a ruptured spleen, collapsed lung, and a cardiac contusion. She also had a cracked rib, part of which broke off and cut her intercostal artery, which would explain the severity of the internal hemorraghing. I managed to stop the bleeding, but her cranial injuries are severe."
"How bad, Julian?" Benjamin asked, genuine worry creeping into his voice.
"She had a deep skull fracture with pieces embedded in her brainstem. I managed to remove them and clone replacement cells, but it will be several days before I know if the cloned cells will function properly. She also has massive disruption of her neuroelectrical pathways. My guess is that Dukat shot her with a level 10 phaser blast, so she's lucky she didn't die instantly. I won't lie, Odo. This is as bad as it gets."
"Can I see her?"
"Of course."
"We'll tell the rest of the senior staff. Jadzia, you're with me." Benjamin said as the two of them left the room, leaving Odo and Julian alone.
"This way, Odo."
"What do I do?"
"Talk to her. There's been research that patients in a coma can hear the people around them. Read her favorite books. Play her favorite music. Something that would make her want to come back to us."
"I understand. Thank you, Julian."
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"You never called me Julian before."
Odo and Julian walked back to a private room with a biobed in the middle. The lighting was dimmed, producing a subdued mood. There were no sounds except for the nurse at the console on the wall, the gentle hiss of the life support system, and the monitor tracking Kira's vital signs. Every few seconds, Odo could hear a soft beep that indicated Kira's heartbeat. Julian motioned to the nurse, who brought a padd over to him before walking outside, leaving Kira and Odo with some privacy. Odo pulled a chair to her bedside and grabbed a padd before sitting in it.
"Nerys? It's me, Odo. Julian told me that even though you're in a coma, you could still hear me. I'm right here. I'm going to read this poem to you. Jadzia told me it's one of your favorites, although personally, I don't know how you could stomach this stuff."
Do not go gentle in that good night
Old age should burn and rave at close of day
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Though wise men at their end know that dark is right
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Odo put the padd down and grasped Kira's hand, but there was no response. If it weren't for the monitors and the occasional hiss of the life support system, Odo would have thought that Kira was sleeping. Her auburn hair fell back onto the pillow. I have never seen anyrthing so beautiful, Odo thought. As he brought Kira's hand up to his lips and kissed it, a thought gave him a sudden jolt.
Prophets help me! Quark was right! I'm in love with Kira Nerys.
Odo gripped Kira's hand as he began to speak to her.
"Nerys, please open your eyes. I don't think you have any idea how much I need you. Wait a second. That's not entirely true. I think you do have some idea. It's not just that. Nerys, the female changeling didn't like you, but it had nothing to do with the fact that you're a solid. She was jealous because she knew I could never love her the way I love you. All right. I said it. I love you with all my heart, figuratively speaking since I don't have one. I realized just how much I loved you and how much I hurt you when the female changeling told me you were about to be executed. I then conspired with my deputies to keep the Dominion troops occupied so you and Rom could get to the computer core. I love you so much. I know what I did hurt you, but I hope you can forgive me. I'm not going to hide the fact that I love you anymore either. I know how scared you are because of how your relationships ended with Bareil and then Shakaar. I can't promise you that something won't happen to me, but when I'm with you, I feel so safe and so loved. I don't want to lose that feeling, Nerys. I want to make you laugh when you're happy and hold you close when you're scared or want to cry. Please don't leave me, Nerys. I love you."
When Julian came back in the room, he found Odo asleep, his head leaning on the side of Kira's biobed. He picked up a blanket from a biobed in the outer room and covered him with it before turning around and walking away.
Odo opened his eyes and found himself covered in a blanket. He looked around for a moment, not remembering where he was. He found a hand in his own. When he heard the soft beeps of a monitor and a gentle hissing sound, his memories came rushing back. Odo stroked Kira's hair before walking over to the computer and tapping a few keys. When he walked back over to Kira's biobed, a soft, lilting flute could be heard, playing in concert with a belaklavion. As Julian walked into the room to check on his patient, Odo was sitting there silently, just holding her hand. Julian scanned Kira and then looked at Odo.
"That music is beautiful."
"It's a piece by Nika Stromm. It's called 'Song of the Prophets'. It's Kira's favorite music."
"I never knew that."
"How's she doing?"
"Better. The cloned cells appear to be functioning normally and I removed her from life support three hours ago while you were regenerating."
"When will she regain consciousness? It's been five days."
"I wish I could tell you, Odo, but that's up to Nerys. I will tell you this. Her heart rate begins to accelerate whenever you talk to her. It's as if she can hear you."
"I got a communique from First Minister Shakaar last night."
"What is he going to do about Dukat?"
"He's being tried for attempted murder, but the arbiter is awaiting word on her condition. If she does...you know, Dukat will be executed,. If she lives, they will be considerably more lenient considering that he was driven to do what he did by the Cardassians."
"I see. I'll contact the arbiter if there is any change."
"Thank you. May I stay with her?"
"Of course."
A few minutes later, when Jake came in to see Kira, he found Odo asleep, his head leaning on the side of her biobed. Jake came in and put some flowers in a vase near Kira's head before sitting down on a nearby stool.
"Good afternoon, Nerys. Not much happened on the station today. Dad is pretty worried about you. We all are, especially Odo. He needs you. he doesn't think we know, so his attempts at hiding it are cute. He's in love with you, Nerys. If you're wondering how I know, there isn't much room for interpretation when you and Odo are found in Commander Dax' closet after the party before she got married, over three hours late for your duty shifts. Jadzia has a big mouth. I need you. Dad needs you, and especially Odo needs you. Please come back to us."
Jake put his head in his hand as Jadzia came in and took Jake into her arms while he cried. Tears were spilling down Jadzia's face as well. Odo continued to sleep, still holding the hand of the woman he loved.
"We better go, Jake."
"All right. Let's leave them alone."
Jake and Jadzia glanced back at the biobed once more before turning around and leaving the infirmary.
God, I hurt everywhere! What the hell happened to me?
Kira heard a voice, but there was so much pain that she couldn't turn her head and open her eyes to see who it was. Her body ached everywhere, especially her chest and head. Kira gasped, thinking that the pain was keeping her from breathing, when she heard a voice, giving her something to focus on.
I know that voice. He's reading my favorite poem. Now who would-no, it couldn't be.
As awareness slowly began to return, she recognized the voice. It was Odo, who was now talking to her while squeezing her hand. Kira ached when she heard the pain in his voice, wanting to hold him and make it all disappear, but she couldn't move. A wave of pain overtook her and she sank deeper into the blackness, which threatened to claim her.
A while later, the pain was fading. Kira found that she could breathe easier. A hand was holding her own again. Kira tested her arm and found that with some effort, she could move it. Her fingers found something silky and soft. Her hand stroked it. Kira knew that Odo was still beside her.
When Odo felt the touch on his hair, he shot straight up, startled. He looked to find a beautiful sight. The warmest pair of doe brown eyes were taking in his dissheveled state when he heard music.
"I didn't know...changelings could look so messy. You look terrible, Odo."
"You're one to talk, Nerys. Welcome back"
"What happened? How long have I been here? And how long have you been here?"
"Julian, she's awake!" Odo called out to him before turning to Kira and answering her. "Dukat shot you with the weapon of one of my deputies and you were thrown into the wall of the shrine by the impact. You've been here, in a coma for the past five days."
"Five days? I see. But you haven't answered my question, Odo."
"Perhaps I can," Julian interjected as he scanned Kira. "Welcome back, Nerys. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a runabout."
"That's perfectly normal considering the condition you were in when you were brought here. Odo's been here all the time that he hasn't been regenerating and for a good portion of his shift for the past five days. Get some rest, Nerys. If you continue to improve like you have, I'll release you from the infirmary tomorrow."
"Thanks, Julian. Is that Jake over there?" Kira asked, pointing to an empty biobed across from her.
"Yes. He's been in to see you regularly since you were hurt. So was Jadzia, Worf, Miles, and even Quark."
"That troll?"'
"Yes. Get some rest."
Kira leaned back on the biobed and took Odo's hand in her own as Julian closed the door, leaving Kira and Odo alone. Odo began to grin as she reached for his face and stroked his cheek.
"I guess you've missed me."
"What gave me away?"
"I kept hearing a voice telling me to fight, reading me poetry. I even heard my favorite music. I thought I was dreaming."
"You weren't. I talked to you. So did Jake, Jadzia and the captain. I read your favorite poem to you and played your favorite music."
"Were you really here all that time, Odo?"
"Yes. We need to talk."
"About what? I'm listening."
"We can talk when you get out of here, Nerys. Get some rest. You look like you could use it."
Kira nodded as Odo stroked her hair while she closed her eyes.
Kira Nerys. Personal log. Stardate 51257.3.
I was released from the infirmary yesterday and given a clean bill of health. I've been sitting in my quarters, thinking. Odo and I have been avoiding each other for the past day. I had no idea how he felt. Wait. That's not entirely true. I did have some idea, but I didn't know how much he cared until Julian told me yesterday how long he had been with me. Ever since the events before the war began, Odo and I have been dancing around each other. Since this experience, I've come to realize that there will be no more dodging, no more avoiding each other, at least not for long.
We have to deal with this. Odo has feelings for me that are now defined. It's love.
And, to my surprise, I think I've fallen in love with him.
Two days later, Kira was sitting on the couch in her living room in a pink shift and white robe, sipping a cup of Forellian ginger tea. She had just been released from the infirmary that morning. Kira stared at the stars through her viewport, looking at the stationary points of light. Her thoughts were on the dream she had just had, waking up breathing hard, with a feeling that she hadn't had since Bareil, or maybe ever.
As she put the empty tea cup down, her door chime rang.
"Come in."
Odo walked into the room and a smile spread across Kira's face. As he stopped in front of the couch, Odo brought his hand out from behind his back and presented a bouquet of Bajoran tiger lillies and pink roses. Kira's smile grew broader as she took the flowers into her hand and inhaled their scent.
"Mmmm. They're beautiful! Thank you, Odo."
"Not as beautiful as the woman receiving them."
"Thanks. I'll go look for a vase."
Kira got up and went into her bedroom before putting the flowers in it and setting it on the coffee table. She then sat down on her couch and patted the cushion beside her.
"Come on. Sit down. We need to talk."
Odo sat down as his blue eyes locked with Kira's brown ones as he spoke.
"You're right. I have something to tell you. I love you, Nerys. I didn't realize how much until the female changeling threatened to execute you, but I was so scared that I didn't act on it. She had me believing that you could never love me because of what I was. Even when you were in love with Bareil from the alternate universe, I was still so scared. When you were hurt, I realized how much you meant to me and that something scared me even more than the possibility that you didn't have feelings for me."
"What was that?"
"The possibility of losing you and never getting a chance to tell you how I feel. I love you, Nerys. Do you know why I began to have the weekly security briefings with you to go over the station criminal activity reports? I wanted to see you. I didn't settle down in the morning until I saw you and I wanted your face to be the last thing I saw before I had to regenerate."
"Odo, that is the sweetest and most honest thing anyone has ever said to me. I love you too."
"Did you just say what I think you just said?"
"Yes. Now, don't you think we've done enough talking?"
Kira took Odo into her arms and embraced him, drawing strength from him as his nose inhaled the scent of her acadia scented shampoo. Kira then looked into Odo's eyes before the distance closed between their faces. Odo felt a jolt of electricity as their lips touched for the first time in a tender, sweet kiss. Odo pulled back to look into Kira's doe brown eyes, which were sparkling.
"Nerys? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want this. I want to make love with you."
Odo and Kira kissed again, with the kissing quickly moving from playful to passionate. Kira and Odo began to mold their mouths to each other as their tongues danced together. Kira made a soft sound in the back of her throat as Odo ran his fingers through her hair. Before Kira knew what was happening, her robe slid to the cushion on the couch, revealing her pink shift. Odo laughed as he picked Kira up into his arms. Kira continued to kiss Odo as they moved toward her bedroom. Odo stumbled and they flew onto Kira's bed. Kira laughed as they landed before pulling Odo to her again, kissing him passionately.
Odo lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling before turning to the warm form in the bed beside him. He smiled as he stroked Kira's hair while she slept, sighing. Odo turned on his side, managing to keep Kira's head on his shoulder while not waking her. Odo stared at her as she slept, an expression of complete peace on her face. Odo smiled as he bent to kiss Kira on the forehead. She groaned softly as she snuggled next to Odo. Odo kissed her on her forehead again and she spoke softly, her voice slurred with sleep.
"Aw, come on Odo. I'm sleeping."
Odo then bent to kiss Kira passionately. Kira's arms snaked around Odo's neck as Odo cradled her. After a few seconds, Kira opened her eyes and smiled at Odo. A huge grin was on Odo's face as Kira spoke, stroking his hair and embracing him.
"What a wake-up call. Good morning, Odo." Kira said as she kissed him softly.
"Good morning, Nerys."
"What are you smiling about?"
"Smiling? I don't know what you're talking about."
"You should see yourself. You have this huge grin on your face."
"Like you don't?"
"OK. So I do."
"I guess it's because I never imagined being her with you like this, Nerys. I still can't believe what happened,"
"Which part?"
"I love you. I only heard you saying it in my dreams. I never imagined that I'd hear you saying it for real."
"That makes it scary, doesn't it?"
"It does. But losing you scared me more."
"It scared me too. Remember when I was yelling at you after Rom was arrested?"
"Yes. I don't think anything could have made me feel worse than to have you angry at me, besids what just happened."
"I was jealous, Odo."
"You were what?"
"Jealous."
"I never thought I'd see the day. I guess when you were with the other Bareil, I was jealous too."
"Then answer a question for me Odo."
"Anything."
"Remember when you were with me here after Ziyal's memorial service?"
"Of course."
"Why did you leave the way you did?"
"Nerys, I dreamed about being with you for so long that when we were kissing, all of a sudden, everything was so real that I got scared, especially when you began to back off."
"Could I ask you something else?"
"Sure." Odo sighed as he kissed Kira again.
"Besides Arissa and the female changeling, did you..."
"No."
"What was she like?"
"Who?"
"The changeling."
"It's kind of hard to describe. Our bodies..intermingled. It was an intoxicating sensation."
"Too bad I'm not a changeling. Then maybe we could try something like that."
"So you're not. We shouldn't let that stop us."
"I don't understand."
"You will."
Odo interwove his hand with Kira's as he rolled her onto her back. As they kissed, Odo's arm turned gelatinous. Kira gasped and then arched her neck while she sighed. Her other hand found its way to Odo's hair as he kissed her neck. Kira cupped Odo's face in her hands as she kissed him with all the passion she had in her.
Kira and Odo were sitting near the steps of the Bajoran shrine, sipping at their glasses of spring wine. Two Bajoran acrobats dressed in purple jumpsuits with silver rings were performing mid-air somersaults and tricks to the delight of the assembled crowd. A fountain with renewal scrolls burning in a blue fire was in back of them, as well as a sign that read "Sixth Annual Deep Space Nine Gratitude Festival". General Martok and some of his troops from the Rohtaryn were drinking glasses of blood wine and dancing in time to the music to celebrate the retaking of the station. Jadzia and Worf were walking along the promenade, arm in arm before they stopped and kissed each other. As Jadzia leaned her head on his shoulder, she heard a voice through the din.
"Hey, old man!"
Jadzia and Worf turned around to find Kasidy Yates and Benjamin Sisko approaching them, also arm in arm. Both of them looked so excited that they could hardly contain themselves. Jadzia smiled and winked as she glanced at the sparkling coming from the ringfinger of Kasidy's left hand. Jake was walking up to them with Nog by his side. Jadzia took Kasidy's hand in her own and examined the ring.
"Is this what I think it is?"
"It sure is," Jake said as he walked up to them. "Dad and Kas are getting married."
"That's wonderful! Congratulations!" Jadzia said as she hugged Kasidy. Worf shook Benjamin's hand as he spoke.
"Congratulations to you both, Captain."
"Thanks, Worf."
All of them laughed as Nog took two steps away from them and looked at the steps by the shrine. He watched as Kira leaned into Odo while he whispered in her ear. Kira laughed as she patted Odo on the shoulder before kissing him. Nog's jaw hit the floor as Jake walked up to him and tapped his shoulder to get his attention.
"What is so interesting, N..never mind."
Jake stared with Nog as they watched the kiss between Odo and Kira grow more passionate as they kissed again. Jadzia and Benjamin turned around and stared at the scene before them, open-mouthed. Nog turned around and faced Jadzia and Jake.
"Commander, Jake, you owe me ten strips of latinum."
Meanwhile, Kira and Odo laughed as she wrote on a renewal scroll. Odo stood up and extended his hand to Kira before reaching for the renewal scroll in her right hand. Kira nodded and he opened it. He was shocked to find his name written on it.
"I don't understand."
"With renewal scrolls, you either write your problems on them, hoping they will burn away with the flame or you write what you are thankful for before hoping to fan the flames so they may continue."
"You wrote my name."
"Yes, I did."
"May I ask why?"
"It may have taken a war and an accident, but we are here. Together. I love you."
Odo began to kiss Kira again as she tossed the scroll over her shoulder into the flame. She wound her arms around Odo's neck as the kiss grew more passionate before they leaned their forheads against each other, smiling, surrounded by the scent of Bajoran sweet grass smoke.
To be continued in Gathering Tree