Disclaimer: Paramount's stopped playing, but that doesn't mean that *I*
have to :)

ObInfo: Welcome to part three of the Pit Saga, where I settle a quibble
or two with the last part[Hi AnneL], almost start interplanetary war,
and have Odo & Kira visit the Kendis Shrine.

                          Riding Shotgun
Catherine Allan

  Most of the conference had followed Odo and Kira to the airlock, and
were lined up on either side of it like a vengeful honour guard. Odo
managed to ignore them by talking to Nerys.
  "So what's all this rubbish about the 'nearest male relative'? I
thought that went out with the caste system."
  "The occupation passed the Craggers by, remember?" Nerys replied,
still holding fast to her lover. "They *live* by the caste system and
the old ways."
  "And this is a threat to us because?"
  "Because every Vedek worth their earring is running for Kai. We're a
very public couple, and the news alone could gain support."
  Odo winced at a very clear vision of the potential future.
  "Exactly," said Nerys, unaware she was responding to his thoughts
rather than his words.
  The gear-like door cycled open, to reveal a harassed first minister,
a middle-aged Bajoran man and a Vedek. Shakaar was the first to exit,
and the look on his face said it all.
  The Vedek was the next to step on to Station 'soil' and announnce
himself. "I am Vedek Drell; here to save your _Pagh_ from ruin."
  _Oh, Prophets..._ Odo mentally snorted. _Are you sure this isn't a
practical joke?_
  _They're Craggers. They have no sense of humour._
  The last to exit had to have been Kirantana Ebu. His weatherworn
features were only enhanced by traditional Bajoran farm wear that looked
as if it had seen several hard lives. He sneered at Odo, revealing in
the process that Craggers also didn't believe in dental care.
  "Unhand that flower of Bajoran womanhood, slimebreath."
  Odo could feel the Dominion representatives bristling; he was glad
that they were taking his lead and not reacting. "First, Mister
Kirantana, Nerys chose *me*. Second, I refuse to be parted from the
mother of my child. Third, we had better discuss this like civilised
people before you accidentally start another war."
  "Be at peace with the Prophets, child," Drell advised Nerys, "and you
will see the error of your ways."
  Finally, one of the security teams offered to show the new guests to
their quarters, where they could wait for official debate to begin.
Shakaar hung back in order to talk with Nerys and Odo.
  "We're in it deep," summarised the First Minister. "No sooner had
Bajor heard about you two being a happy couple, than *this* guy started
backing Drell and his return to the old ways."
  Nerys snarled, "When men were men, women knew their place, and nothing
got done."
  "Isn't there any way out of this?" Asked Odo.
  "Not without finding another elder," Nerys supplied. "I'm the last of
the Kiras, the oldest clan branch still active. Anyone older than me who
has ties to the ancient Kir clan can call themselves an 'elder'."
  "Except, in the *old* days, only men had that right," supplied
Shakaar. "If any female in the clan survived past Two Hundred years of
age, she had elder status for the rest of her life."
  "There just aren't many branches of the Kir family left any more,"
Nerys sighed. "Except the Kirans, they breed like sandflies."
  "Wasn't there a Kiran matriarch way out in the Ranshin province?"
  This time, Odo snorted out loud. "She'd have to be Two Hundred and
Twenty by now - if she's still alive."
  "Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven, actually." Light crossed Shakaar's face
as he realised. "I'll find her, you two distract Ebu and Drell."

  They were deliberately holding up talks, and everyone knew it. Nerys,
as the principal player, could delay indefinately with her work, whereas
Odo, the bone of contention, only had to plead medical treatment. The
Dominion would back him up - to the point of posting a Jem'Hadar guard
on their doors.
  There was nothing Kirantana Ebu could do about it.
  "Ebu and Drell," Odo murmured as he sunbathed on his favourite rock.
"Drell and Ebu. What dull names."
  "Dull names for dull people," Kira propped herself up against her
lovers perch and basked a little, too. "Of course you know why Craggers
don't have given names longer than two syllables."
  "They can't spell anything longer."
  Nerys pouted. "You *heard* it."
  "The same thing was said about me only having one name."
  "Ah." She gritted her teeth against a sliver of guilt.
  "I must admit, though, that these people deserve it."
  The guilt dissolved, allowing Nerys to revel in Odo's sensations. Just
being near him meant she could feel their child growing, and her lover's
resultant pleasure at having a family of his own.
  "Doesn't it worry you that our baby's too small?"
  "Not at all," said the basking shapeshifter. "I did a little modelling
of my own, while you were asleep last night."
  "I knew you'd sneaked off. Good thing it wasn't another woman."
  "*Anyway*; I compared a Changeling infant's development with a Bajoran
one, then I extrapolated a size graph between the two. Guess what I
found?"
  "We're right on the Lita?"
  "Close. We're within 26 hours of being dead-on-accurate. Sometime's
we're ahead, sometimes behind."
  "I wonder why Bashir didn't think that up?"
  "He's too busy analysing what's *there* to look at what could be." One
of his hands fell to brushing Nerys' hair. "If this was a planned
pregnancy, he'd have covered that angle ages ago."
  "If this was a planned pregnancy, we'd have met Ebu *much* sooner."
Nerys hugged his hand. "More Twenty-two?"
  "How *did* you know?"
  "I've been timing you. One more canister of Twenty-two per day and
we'll have to move you up to Twenty-three."
  Odo smiled at her. "Do I look concerned?"
  She smiled. "You're starting to look sleek."
  "'Sleek'."
  "I don't know any other word for it," Nerys watched him as he absorbed
his formula. "You've been more - active; of late. It's like you have a
lot of energy you don't know what to do with."
  "And according to the Founders, I've still got a way to go before
being considered 'healthy'. Apparently, I've been undernourished for
years."
  "Then have another canister of Twenty-Two."
  "Does it come with a side-dish of Nerys?"
  "You *naughty* Changeling," Nerys giggled.

  "The Prophets would never condone such a union!" Vedek Drell insisted
on talking as if he were at a public assembly, despite the fact that the
room contained only Nerys, Odo, Shakaar, two Founders, Vedek Tonsa,
Kirantana Ebu and himself. "Renounce these evil ways, Kira Nerys, and
come to obey the will of the Prophets."
  "As I understand things," Vedek Tonsa, on the other had, was the
epitome of calm. "The Prophets already did *not* condone the joining of
Kira Nerys and Shakaar Edon."
  "Rather emphatically." Shakaar produced a scroll from the Kendis
Shrine. "Our reading said our union would, and I quote; 'bring ruin to
Bajor, more devestating than any plague or war.'"
  "Since you seem to obey the word of the Prophets," Odo interjected,
"Why don't we go consult them?"
  _Odo, are you sure about this?_
  _They wouldn't have let us have a child together if they didn't want
*some* form of union._
  _Since when did you start believing in them?_
  _I always believed. I just kept quiet about it._
  _You could at least consult me before you do something like that._
  _I fail to see why you're so concerned. We have at least one Prophet
on our side._
  Founder#2 shot him a look of pure envy.
  Tonsa agreed with his words. "Yes. The Prophets have already forbade
the union you proposed, Mr. Kirantana; shall we not see what *they*
require of us?"
  Both Kirantana and Drell exchanged looks.
  "Are you so afraid of the Words of the Prophets?" Tonsa baited. "You
seem to speak for them so readily, why do you doubt that they will
continue to support you?"
  "We shall go to this Kendis Shrine," announced Founder#1. "Either way,
it will end this foolishness."

  They were enjoying an afterglow cuddle when Shakaar knocked on their
private cabin door.
  "Nerys, are you decent?"
  Odo shapeshifted.
  "Uh. I am now."
  Their little door opened. "Just thought you might like to know I found
her. She's on her way to Kendis as we speak."
  "Will she get there in time?" Odo asked.
  "Definately. I arranged for the fastest transport Bajor has. She'll
arrive at Kendis shortly after we do."
  "Good. Now can we get back to our privacy?"
  "I knew those weren't real clothes. Enjoy yourselves." Shakaar shut
their door.
  "Now, Constable," Nerys sighed as he let himself liquefy around her.
"Where were we?"

  The Kendis shrine was more of a complex. Young couples in search of
future happiness came from all over Bajor to have their future read. Odo
had only heard about it. He had never expected to come here with someone
who loved him. He had never hoped for a child on the way in the bargain.
  The second Founder found an excuse to walk beside him as they
approached the main steps. "You're truly lucky, Odo."
  "How's that?"
  "You've rediscovered a means of communication lost to us for
centuries. Once, what one Founder knew, the Link would know, no matter
how separated they were from us. After the war that forced us to hide,
the art was lost to us... Now you share it with a Solid."
  "Her name is Kira Nerys, and I care deeply for her."
  Founder#2 appeared chastised. "Soon, we will Link. Then we will know
if you will be happy."
  Odo had nothing to say to that. He had enough to worry about with
Nerys' sudden lack of faith. She'd lost two previous lovers, one by
tragedy, and the second by the Prophet's design. Perhaps she was afraid
the third would be a curse instead of a charm, or she had caught some of
his usual pessimism, and believed that the Prophets had determined that
she would remain unhappy.
  _Have faith, Nerys. We do love each other. The Prophets must see
that._
  _The Prophets have broken up love before._
  _No matter what they say, Ale'al, I *will* love you forever._
  Her mind was bleak with sadness, fear and two words, _What if...?_
  Nerys was taken into a different area of the Temple, her mind closed
to him. Odo, in turn, paid attention to his attending monk, who asked
questions for the records, then gave him a cylinder, open at one end,
filled with marked sticks.
  He'd only read about what to do, and gave the container an
experimental toss. He misjudged his strength, and an even dozen fell out
onto the floor.
  "The Prophets are willful today," smiled the monk, carefully
retrieving the cylinder. She then took note of which sticks had fallen,
and in what pattern. "You may wait in the garden with your beloved." She
indicated a door.
  Nerys' mood had not improved. "Prophets, I feel so *stupid*..."
  "What happened?"
  "I nearly threw the whole lot on the floor. I don't know, it was like
something *made* my arm fly up, like I'd never even heard of Kendis
before."
  "That's a funny thing," said Odo. "I misjudged my strength when I
tossed the case. I *never* misjudge my strength."
  "We're doomed, Ale'al. We'll die in misery, I know it."
  Odo could only hold her, and take comfort in the fact that they at
least had a child to think of.

  Kirantana Ebu stormed out of the Temple in a foul mood. The Prophets
had spoken to him in no uncertain terms. And now they seemed to be
driving the point home.
  Matriarch Kiran Alita was leaning on her cane outside the Temple and
watching him. She'd bought some of her family with her, or they had
decided to accompany her, it was always unclear what happened when she
travelled.
  "Kirantana Ebu," she announced in clear tones that defied her extreme
age. "I'll give you one good chance to explain yourself."
  "I believed I was acting in the best interests of Bajor."
  "That's a load of dung and you know it, Ebu. Now shut up and go home,
you old Cherka-poker." Matriarch Alita gave him a shove in the ribs with
the point of her cane as he passed her by, then cackled as the alien and
Kira Nerys came down the Temple stairs.

  Kira Nerys, her eyes blurred with tears, clung to her beloved as they
descended the Temple stairs. She was barely able to recognise her clan
elder.
  "You must be Matriarch Kiran Alita," Odo spoke for her. "I'm honoured
to meet you."
  "There's no need to stand on formality, my boy. You can call me Gramma
Kiran. Everyone does." She took in Nerys' tear-streaked face. "I take it
the Prophets have spoken."
  Mute, Nerys nodded, handing over their scroll.
  Alita read it. "'The unlikely branch bears many fruit, in this union
which is meant to be'... So why on Bajor are you *crying*, girl? You're
destined to be together. Now exchange pledge bracelets and make an
honest man out of him."
  "You know about that?" Odo asked.
  "I'm Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven. I've attended hundreds of weddings,
joinings, and birthings. I know *all* the signs."
  Nerys was laughing through her tears, but still managed, "We can't
exchange bracelets, Gramma Kiran..."
  "I - don't have a family name," Odo admitted.
  "I'll adopt you."
  Those were the three most beautiful words Nerys had ever heard. She
went from hugging Odo to hugging Matriarch Alita. Even though she
protested at being lifted off the ground, she was laughing, and not
even thinking of using the cane she only carried for show.
  "Do you know why the Cherkas run so fast up in the Tana mountains,
Nerys?" Alita asked when Kira finally put her back down.
  "Because of the Kirantanas depraved habits," Odo supplied, deadpan.
  "You heard it." Alita pouted.
  "He's heard everything," Nerys smiled, tears gone forever.

  She kept examining the object on her wrist and smiling. Odo let her,
fascinated as he was with his own matching bracelet. They were finer
work than most pledge bracelets. The golden Bajoran script linked subtly
into a chain, instead of being carved into whatever moulded metal was
lying around.
  He was Kiran Odo, soon to be wed to Kira Nerys. Soon to have her
child. Hopefully.
  "It's time we found out, Ale'al."
  "The Prophets willed it, Odo. Have faith."
  "Only if you will."
  "I'll never doubt again."

  This Link was careful, gently probing instead of a whole joining.
  _We must be careful,_ explained the first, _there has never been a
child like this. We do not wish to harm it._
  _Indeed,_ agreed the second, _but it will take time._
  Odo let himself relax, let the two Founders see his child, feel its
little ripples inside.
  They edged closer to the border between Odo and the growing infant,
subtly touching it without Linking, and sampling just one cell before
allowing it to return to its place.
  _Healthy. The child is healthy._ Announced the first. _It is growing
as it should._
  _You need your S--_ the second corrected itself, _Your Nerys. She is
the key to these changes._
  _You will need more than the doctor has already given,_ diagnosed the
first. _You must experiment with Solid food._
  _The infant will need it._
  _Perhaps it already does._
  _I'll inform Bashir as soon as we get back,_ Nerys' voice carried over
the Link. _Trust us, we won't let this kid come to harm._
  Both Founders were shocked. _She is with you?_
  _She's always with me. We're part of each other._
  _Then go and Be part of each other,_ bade the second. _We will stay
and investigate these Solids._

  "More Twenty-three?"
  "Don't mind if I do."
  They were back in their favourite holosuite program, basking together
on their rock and sharing a picnic. It was, in Odo's opinion, the best
way they could spend their time together. Their child was becoming
difficult to hide, but since the entire Station knew about it, Odo
didn't bother.
  Nerys had taken to stroking his latest protuberance, feeling the
infant's movements within, and reveling in Odo's resultant sensations.
They almost always lead to more joining, and that, Nerys held, was part
of the fun.
  "So," Odo said, gently removing Nerys' very thorough distraction.
"What are we going to do about the wedding."
  "Well, we could annoy everyone and just go to the temple and say the
words."
  "Half the Federation would want to murder us. I know Lwaxana would
encourage Betazed to declare war if she wasn't invited."
  "So *that's* what that message was about. I felt you laughing, but you
wouldn't tell me why."
  "It's that 'daughter of the fifth house' thing she does when she gets
indignant."
  "Ah." Nerys stretched in the sun. "So what *are* we going to do about
the wedding?"
  "I figure the only solution is to send out a broad-band invitation to
everybody, then hold the celebration on the Promenade. We'll have to
have the ceremony on the upper deck, where everyone can see."
  "What about Gramma Kiran?"
  "She's coming, or *she's* declaring war."

End.

Next Story: The Big Day. Sort of.