Disclaimer: Paramount owns lots of stuff that I happen to use in my
stories. That's why it's called 'fanfic'. The ideas and content are all
I own of it.

                         Rebellion: Risk
Catherine Allan

  Jhyrl finaly spoke, her voice shorn of its usual arrogance, "You have
no reason to trust me, I know. I was of the number who decided to use
our own infants as probes. I welcomed you back with lies and deception.
We forced your change, and stood in judgement as the little one died to
heal you."
  "The baby didn't die."
  "You told me as much," Jhyrl sighed, "the Great Link assumed you'd
tell the truth to these solids, since the truth is so important to you.
Or were you lying to me? If the youngest one still lives, a Link can
heal it."
  Odo emitted a grunt of amusement, "I know. I've been healing her ever
since her perceived 'death'."
  "_What_?" Bashir nearly fell over himself.
  Even Jhyrl was shocked. "You are too young to do such a thing
successfully, Odo. The damage you'd do to yourself, on top of everything
*else*..." Her form shuddered briefly before she regained control. "Just
tell me it wasn't with you when I tortured you."
  "She was safe with the Cell. I'm not stupid enough to risk myself
*and* a child. No Bajoran would."
  Jhyrl flinched. "You said once that you were Bajor... You deny us so
casually, when all we truly want is what's best."
  "Define 'best'."
  There were stirrings down the hall. Someone with a heavy tread was
approaching. Jhyrl watched Odo's eyes drift towards the doorway, "You're
right. The term 'best' is relative, is it not?"
  "Odo?" Kira Nerys called as she entered the infirmary. She was holding
a child, spreadeagled across the expanding width of her belly. "Ralin
needs you."
  "Papa," said the child, reaching a hand towards her parent.
  Kira skirted around the Founder, watching her with venomous eyes.
  Jhyrl cried out in pain, "No!" The Major and the Constable froze, "If
you let them link, it will hurt them both! I can't let more pain to
them."
  "If Ralin doesn't link - she could *die*," Kira's face tightened, "I
*won't* let a child die."
  Jhyrl regarded the tableu. "Doctor Bashir, would you please isolate
this lab with a class one forcefield?"
  Staring, shocked and frightened, he obeyed.
  "There. I have nowhere to go. Nothing to loose that I haven't lost
already. Let me heal them?"
  "Why should I trust you?" Kira demanded.
  "Because I am the only hope for the child, and the father of *your*
child, if I'm guessing correctly... Let me take their pain, *please*. I
deserve as much for letting it reach them."
  Odo was watching them, eyes tracing the lines of tension in the room.
"There'll be a price, of course," he paused to gather enough strength to
sit up. "What do you want, Jhyrl?"
  "I want my brother back." Her arms reached for them, Jhyrl forced
herself to stop them halfway, and made them fall again. "He was the
first to turn himself away from me. He pronounced my sentence, and now,
I've broken it."
  Odo took a deep breath, "Let her try," he ordered, brushing Kira's
cheek, "I don't hink she could overpower you before you could shoot her,
dearling."
  "You are my soul..." whispered Kira.
  "And you, my heart." Odo took Ralin into his lap before embracing them
both. It was a farewell.
  Jhyrl let the pain of that realisation tear through her, then she
buried it deep, far away from the part of her that was needed to heal
them. Slowly, carefully, she approached them, joined hands with them.
Odo looked at her with faint distrust. Ralin looked at her with love and
happiness - it was all the baby Changeling had ever encountered before.
  They linked.

  Kira Nerys had her phaser out before either Ralin's or Odo's eyes had
gone commpletely distant and unfocussed. There was one thing to be said
about a pregnancy; it sharpened her instincts and reflexes.
  The Foundress - Odo called her Jhyrl; was trembling, her usually calm
eyes a portrait of agony. She continued to tremble as they linked.
  Bashir was taking tricorder readings of the entire event. "Whatever
she's doing seems to be working. Ralin's cellular damage is down to a
fraction of a percent. Odo's is dropping, too."
  Ralin laughed out loud, "Tickle."
  Part of Jhyrl's face twitched a smile. She disengaged her link with
the infant shapeshifter. Kira gathered the baby up without a second
thought.
  Odo and Jhyrl remained linked for a frighteningly long time.

To Be Continued...