Into The Night
by Fliss Carthew

The standard disclaimers apply. Paramount is a God, and I am but an unworthy earthworm who merely toys with their possessions. They own everything but this idea, and characters not already copywrited by them. Thanks to Cath for the idea of the labyrinth, and thank you also to Susan for proofreading and the occasional plot assistance-- When it absolutely, positively has to be finished overnight!! And for putting up with my pacing and firing plot lines at her rapid-fire.

This, by the way, is part one of a two part series, my first attempt at such a monumental task. Part two will be available in a few months. Sooner if I get enough encouragement!!! (hint, hint!)

Quark polished a glass absently and tried to ignore the tray that held two glasses and an unopened bottle of Romulan ale. Suddenly, two Human's swaggered into the bar and plunked themselves down at an out-of-the-way table on the bar's second level, motioning for the Ferengi to bring them the pre-arranged drinks. Picking up the tray, Quark tried to look nonchalant as he gingerly placed it on the table, then made good his escape.

"He says the equipment will arrive tomorrow." One of the men, the one with the straggly beard and bright green jacket, poured the drinks and smirked at his companion. "The program will be up and running within the month."

"How long will it take to get a result?" The other man, clean shaven with blond hair, sipped at his drink and wondered how the master of the bar managed to get around the Federation regulation banning Romulan ale to be sold within its borders.

"Professor J'lar estimates a year, possibly less. It depends how many Cardassian subjects he gets to work on." Green jacket smiled evilly. "We're going to have to go hunting for him."

"No problem. Just as long as the virus only exterminates Cardassians, I couldn't care how many he needs." The two men laughed between themselves, then gasped as the tray on the table heaved itself into a tall column of amber liquid, before turning into the all too familiar visage of Security Chief Constable Odo.

Odo allowed himself a small smile as he clamped the hands of the two Human's to the table, while another three Bajorans at a nearby table, really a group of Odo's deputies, came over and handcuffed the Humans. "Gentlemen, you're under arrest for the illegal procurement of genetic manipulation equipment. Take them to a holding cell." Odo nodded as his deputies dragged the swearing Human's away, and turned to Quark, who had mysteriously appeared at his elbow, as soon as all the danger was over, of course. "Anybody else I should arrest tonight?"

"No, now go away! You're scaring my customers." The Ferengi turned back to his bar and tried to look busy, while Odo harumphed and marched down to his office where the usual Starfleet arrest forms would wait to be filled out - in triplicate, of course.

Half an hour later, all was dark on the promenade, as the last of the shopkeepers closed for the day. Odo was still working doggedly at the reports when his office door *whooshed* open and Major Kira strolled in, dressed in her springball practice shirt and pants. Odo smiled faintly and waved Kira into the opposite chair. "What can I do for you Major?"

"I was just on my way home and thought I'd drop in and say hi." Kira smiled sunnily and Odo felt a warm glow start at the bottom of his feet and continue all the way up until it hit his hair-line, making his smile even deeper.

"I appreciate the thought, Major, I've had a busy evening." Odo's smile vanished as the Bajoran's smile turned into a scowl. "Have I said something wrong?"

"Yes." The constable looked closer and was relieved to see the woman's eyes still creased in a smile. "You called me 'major'. You always call me 'major', and I'm tired of it." She leaned forward as Odo leaned back. "Off-duty, everybody else calls me Nerys, even Sisko. Now I think it's time you started doing it too."

Odo gazed steadily at her while she continued to gaze at him expectantly, before finally smiling shakily. He hadn't been able to force the words past his lips in four years, so by all the Prophets, how did she expect him to do it now? Somehow, he found the courage. "Of course.....Nerys." Hmm, that wasn't as bad as he'd thought it might be, and now, he could call her by her name without giving his feelings away.

"Much better!" Kira stood, pleased with herself for finally getting her friend to relax, and strolled out the door. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, for our weekly security reviews."

"Weekly...." The Changeling was flustered. "But we don't have those meetings anymore, we haven't had them in a year."

"As of tonight, we do. I'll make it official if I have to." Kira had that warning look in her eyes that told Odo she wouldn't take no for an answer.

"No, it's no problem. I'd like to resume our meetings Maj....Nerys."

Kira nodded. "Good. There is another thing. The First Minister is arriving in twenty minutes, for an overnight stay here, before continuing on to the outposts tomorrow." As Odo started to stand, she shook her head. "No, no security will be necessary. I’ll meet Edon at the airlock, and he’ll be will be with me all night, until I escort him to his ship tomorrow. I doubt if we’ll leave my quarters." Her eyes shone softly. "No-one knows he’s coming here, and the less security around, the fewer people will get suspicious. I’ll alert you if anything strange happens. Promise."

Odo slowly nodded. "Very well. I’ll record his visit, but won’t place security on your quarters, as you request." Kira grinned broadly, and vanished towards a turbolift as Odo sat back down and stared blankly at the reports on his table.

"More wine?" Shakaar’s threw his lover a devilish smile and refilled her glass. Kira sighed and relaxed further into the spa, enjoying the feeling of the bubbles thrumming against her naked body. It was two in the morning, and the Bajorans were in the new station gymnasium, christening the spa that had just been installed. Until a month before, this part of the station had been empty corridors and cargo bays that had been so badly damaged they were unable to be secured anymore. Bashir had grown increasingly disturbed with the fact that crew members had to use holosuites for training purposes, and had eventually managed to persuade Sisko to set aside an area for a physical fitness center.

Hence Kira and Shakaar’s moonlight bath.

"Mmm, I could definitely go for more of this." She rolled over and trailed her hands through the water, occasionally splashing some of it onto his chest. "Are we going to have a bath like this on the farm?"

The smile broadened. "Of course. An outdoor bath, with a transparent ceiling so we can look out at the stars." He captured her fingers and raised them to his lips. "Can I assume that that’s a yes, then?"

Nerys had the good grace to blush as she grinned. "Yes, I guess it is." Wrapping their arms around each other, the two kissed passionately for a long time, before eventually separating, still holding the other gently. "So when do you want to announce it?"

"I thought in three days, after I return from this tour of the outposts." Shakaar reached over to the nearby bench where there clothing lay, and felt in his trouser pockets for a moment, before pulling out a long flat box. "Meanwhile, can I give this to you now?"

Kira opened the box and blushed again. The ancient, ornate betrothal bracelet lay inside, the clan symbols of hundreds of generations of farming caste families embossed on its surface. She would be the first of a new line, that of the first generation where caste and clan no longer governed the right of marriage.

Taking it from the container, her fiancé gently placed it around her wrist, locking the clasps in place then kissing her again. "Hide it for now, but when I return, we’ll let the entire universe know."

"Do you think the Kai will approve?" She felt his desire growing again, and knew that she would never have anything to complain about in the passion department.

"Her Eminence, Kai Winn, will probably have a fit." He manoeuvred the woman under him, enjoying the look on her face as she opened to him , the deep groan as he entered her. "Don’t worry. You’ll be able to gloat at the wedding. It’ll be a major event, she’ll have to attend."

Kira reached up and brought his face down to hers, ending any further conversation. "You talk too much."

"You are?" Dax reached out and held her friends hands tightly. "I’m happy for you Nerys, I really am." Kira blushed and gazed at her coffee, so completely missing the sad look that her lunch companion gave her.

"Well I’m trusting you to keep this quiet for a while yet. We aren’t planning to make it official until Edon returns from the border tour." She stared at her drink, suddenly nervous. "I...we want to get married here, since after the wedding I’ll only be coming back here as visitor."

"And as the wife of the Bajoran First Minister." The sad expression in Jadzias eyes deepened a little more. "Are you going to tell Odo before the formal announcement, or let him find out when the rest of Bajor does?"

Kira’s head snapped up at the slight trace of sarcasm in her friends voice. "I was going to tell him tonight. This is something that he needs to hear from me, he's been a good friend over the last few years." She would have continued, but the beep of her combadge interrupted. "Kira here."

"Major, are you and the commander coming back to Ops today?" Sisko’s dry voice was tinged with humour, and the two women could easily imagine his smile as he spoke.

Simultaneously standing, the women dived towards the nearest turbolift, realising they’d overstretched their lunch-hour. "We’re on our way captain." She grinned herself. "And I’ll need to talk to you as soon as I can, sir."

Moments later, Sisko smiled as his second in command and science officers stepped into the command centre, and indicated for Kira to precede him into his office. "Now, what can I do for you Kira?" He motioned for her to sit before his desk, then smiled curiously.

"Before Edon left to tour the outposts, he asked me to marry him." Her eyes flashed with laughter and a soft blush eased over her face. "I said yes. We’ll be announcing the engagement when he returns tomorrow."

"Congratulations Nerys." Ben was beaming with happiness. "I hope that you and the First Minister have a long and happy life together, with maybe a small Bajoran or two for you to deal with?" He raised his eyebrows and was rewarded with a nodding laugh from the woman opposite. "Have you talked about when you’ll get married yet, or is that further down the line?"

"In around a month, after I’ve arranged a replacement for here. I recommend Major Peldar, personally. She’s tough, won’t stand any nonsense from anyone else, and she’ll learn the ropes fast." Kira’s smile faded a little as the reality of what she had just said sunk in. "But you might want to meet her first, do you want me to arrange an interview?"

"Of course, but if you recommend her, then I’m sure that the major will be just fine." He caught the fading expression, and guessed that she was only just realising that she would soon be leaving the station, and her friends. "Nerys, you’ll always be welcome here, officially of course, but don’t forget to drop in and visit us occasionally, just as a friend."

"I’ll make sure of it." The smile returned. "After all, I have to make sure that you fully understand Bajor’s position on important matters of state, don’t I?" She winked.

Sisko grinned widely. "Of course. Just as long as you don’t mind arguing over a bottle of Terran vodka."

She stood, grinning, and moved towards the door. "I’ll bring the Hasperat." She stopped suddenly, and turned back. "Captain, if you don’t mind, could you please not tell anyone else about this yet? I’m going to tell Odo tonight, and I don’t want him hearing rumours from anyone else before then."

Sisko nodded. "I understand. Until further notice, my lips are sealed."

Shakaar hated shuttle trips. Yawning, he glanced over the documents in his lap again. He’d just spent two days, allegedly visiting the furthest Bajoran outposts, and essentially this was true. But what had also happened was several high-level top-secret meetings with the Marquis. With the Dominion now running things within Cardassian borders, it had become obvious that for everyone’s sake, they all had to fight together, not against each other. The Marquis had realised this, and had agreed tentatively to a mutual defence policy, in that they would help defend the Bajoran settlements if attacked, and the Bajorans would do the same for the free states close to their borders.

Any more than that, and he feared that the Federation would make loud noises in disagreement, but a pact like this would go a long way towards a lasting peace with the Marquis.

Moments later, the man was flat on his face on the deck of the shuttle, as the vessel lurched to a stop. Getting to his knees, he barely had time to clear his head, before transporter beams shimmered, and five Jem’Hadar soldiers appeared. They looked at him coldly, as one lifted his rifle butt, before firmly hitting Shakaar on the head, sending him into a mercifully painless void.

Shakaar moaned and raised his head. His skull felt like it was about explode. and his arms felt like they were about to be ripped from their sockets. Looking around, he saw that he was hanging by his arms in a rough-cut stone cavern, with several Jem’Hadar soldiers while a very professional-looking Vorta ran a tricorder over him.

"Well Minister, you’re awake and alive."

The voice came from his left, and the figure moved around to stand before him, as his blood ran cold. He gathered what few wits he had left and smiled tightly. "A Founder, I presume. I’ve already met one of your kind, Odo. He is a very honourable man." His smile faltered. "He tells me that you, however, are not."

"We are only interested in survival, minister. We have no time for solid philosophies." The Changeling’s expression seemed to harden, and Shakaar became very afraid. How could you hurt someone who didn’t have a body? He became even more afraid as the Changeling stretched his form until his ‘face’ was level with the Bajoran’s. "If you have anything to say about your people, I suggest you do it now." The Changeling waited for a moment, while the Bajoran simply shook his head. "No? Then I wish you a pleasant evening."

With that, the shape-shifter turned away and nodded to the now alert Vorta and Jem’Hadar. "You may begin. Call me when he mentions something of interest." The Vorta pressed a button on his tricorder, and searing pain spread from Shakaar’s chest though his entire body.

He screamed. It was all he could do. And in his ears, he heard the Changeling laugh.

"Nothing unusual to report, Captain." Kira smiled tiredly and turned off her console. "It’s been a quiet day for a change."

"Nerys! Don’t say that!" Dax glanced around expectantly as the others laughed. "You know that whenever someone says that, all hell breaks loose."

"Well, it seems that the curse isn’t working today." A grin split Sisko’s dark face, and he turned and nodded to his second in command. "Dismissed Major. I’ll see you and Dax at tomorrow’s staff meeting."

Just as Kira and Dax reached the turbolift, a loud beeping noise filled room, demanding attention. "Quick!" Kira hissed at the other woman. "Let’s make a break for the stairs."

"Major." Sisko’s voice made the woman swivel and return to her post with a sigh. "It’s a communication from one of the Bajoran outpost’s, Prophets Landing."

"On screen." Kira’s smile faded as the frantic expression of Leader Hasad flickered onto the viewscreen. "Leader, what’s wrong?"

"Major, I....we...." He closed his eyes and fought down what was evidently rising panic. "Major, I regret to inform you that we have received information that the First Minister has been captured by Dominion forces while returning from his visit to the border outposts." Fear and sorrow crowded his face. "Our information is that he and his aide have been tortured to death."

"Prophets have mercy." The Bajoran ensign manning the engineering station whispered the words as silence crashed into Ops.

Kira stood deathly still, her face bloodless and immobile. "Major?" Sisko cautiously placed a hand on her shoulder, but she neither moved nor spoke. He turned to the screen. "How...reliable is your information?"

"Very. It comes from a Cardassian who has been pressed into working for the Dominion. His information has proved accurate in the past." Leader Hasad took a deep breath, and Sisko could almost see his blood pressure rising again. "I’ll contact the Bajoran Government now, but I thought it wise to inform you first, since any form of retaliation or response will probably be passed through you anyway."

"A wise choice, Leader." Kira still hadn’t moved, and Sisko was becoming very worried. "I will talk to you again later. DS9 out." He turned back to Kira as the image winked off. "Major?"

"No." She whispered the word through barely parted lips. "No, he can’t be gone."

"Kira, sit down." Dax came to stand next to her friend. "Why don’t I get Odo to bring--"

"No!" Kira screamed the word at the top of her lungs as she lunged towards the stairs, easily avoiding a surprised Sisko. At the doorway, she turned slightly and choked out a few words. "If he’s gone, then Bajor’s gone."

Spinning, she vanished down the stairs leaving a stunned Ops to watch her go.

The dark empty corridors echoed with the sound of erratic footsteps. They would run maniacally then pause, before continuing their flight. Kira Nerys had ceased to function on any level except the most basic. The fear screamed at her that if she stopped too long she would be forced to think, something she wanted to delay as long as possible. Somewhere in the back of her mind there was the knowledge that by now she had ventured into the dangerously disused section of the station, but the need for flight and to be alone had pushed any thoughts of safety from her mind.

She paused, leaning on a wall as she took deep gasping breaths, pressing a hand to the pain in her chest, not sure whether it was physical or emotional. On that thought, she began running again, blindly hurtling around yet another corner and suddenly finding herself falling and moving forward with her momentum.

Rusty metal had given way under her light weight and Kira felt the blow to her midsection as she connected with the duridium deck plate as she fell through. She landed awkwardly on her right leg and felt more than heard the sickening crack before pain blocked out the need for thought.

She must have moved as a red flash of pain pierced her skull, she groaned with the pain. Survival instincts set in as she tried to take stock of how bad her injuries were. Breathing hurt, not good. She couldn’t move without extreme pain and her head swimming, so the only thing she could do is wait and hope she hadn’t wandered too far away. The only problem was, now she had all the time in the world to think.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about Shakaar, and what his death meant for Bajor. He’d been the driving force that was bringing Bajor into a new era, one where children could be born without their parents fearing what would become of them.

Kira pulled herself up with a start.

"Is that all he was to me?" She whispered into the semi-darkness. And then began to laugh, until the pain made her catch her breath. He’d been her betrothed, the one man she’d promised to spend the rest of her life with, but at his death her main emotions were for Bajor.

She looked inside herself. Yes, she loved him. He is......was... a wonderful lover. Considerate. Charming, definitely. Kind and gentle with a good sense of humour. And his body! She smiled at the thought.

Yes, it would have been a good marriage. Good for Bajor as well.

Damn, was she such a patriot that her main reason for marrying Edon was for the good of her home? What about me, she thought, as the tears tracked their way down her face and her body shivered as shock set in. Is it what I really wanted? He had his faults but his hugs were almost as good as that one she’d gotten from.......

What? The pain must have made her brain act strangely, but she was coldly aware of how clearly she was now thinking after her earlier emotion driven retreat. All of her emotions had been released from the strict hold she normally kept them under, and at the thought of him she was genuinely surprised at the deep emotions she held for the other man.

But she was marrying Shakaar! How could she have this deep well of feeling for another that she hadn’t even known she’d had? Then she paused. If she was honest with herself, and as she seemed to be dying it was probably a good idea, a part of her had known. But self- preservation had kept the love from her conscious mind. Love. She rolled the word around in her mind. Yes. I do love him. But being who he is, he would never want her. And now she would probably die, and he would never know.

Odo raced through the station corridors like a demon, his eyes pinned to the tricorder he was holding, trying to work his way down the station towards the woman who'd buried herself in 'The Labyrinth', the part of the station that had been so badly destroyed that it would never be useable again. Normally, it was locked away from access to all but the Engineering crews, but Kira in her mindless agony had torn an access panel away from a conduit and crawled in.

The constable was pretty mindless himself by this time. Over an hour had passed since the Bajoran outpost 'Prophets Landing' had contacted the station and informed them that First Minister Shakaar and his aide had been captured and tortured to death by the Cardassians, and Kira had charged out of Ops, and every officer on the station was involved in the search.

Racing down a corridor, Odo almost missed the small doorway that led further down into the bowels of the station. Retracing his footsteps, Odo slowed his pace to a crawl, checking his tricorder every few steps. But it was a muffled sob that finally led the shapeshifter to the tiny alcove where Kira was huddled, bloodied, and shivering, her uniform torn.

Reaching out slowly, Odo gently brushed his hand along her shoulder, shuddering himself as Kira whimpered and tried to draw herself deeper into the alcove. Gathering his strength, Odo spoke, softly "Nerys. Nerys, it's alright, it's me. Odo." Opening the medkit he was carrying, the man scanned the woman carefully, noting her oddly angled leg, and the blood that was pooling around the boot. Glancing around, he saw the broken decking, and guessed that it had fallen apart under the Bajoran’s weight, sending her crashing to the deck below with the landing breaking her leg. Studying the tricorder readings carefully, a shiver ran through his liquid form as he saw the massive internal injuries she'd sustained. Steadying his shaky hands, Odo concentrated on trying to wrap a thermal blanket around the resisting woman.

Nerys could feel gentle hands touching her, and tried to fight them off, but she had no strength left, and finally gave up. Turning to face whoever was with her, Kira gasped as she realised that it was Odo, and almost launched herself into his arms. "Odo? Odo, don't leave me, please don't leave me alone." Kira wrapped her arms around Odo's neck and felt him draw her in against him, straightening her leg as slowly as he could.

"Shh, it's alright. I'm here now, I'm not going to leave you. Not now, not ever." Waiting until the woman’s sobs calmed a little, Odo ran a dermal regenerator over the small wounds the Bajoran had sustained during her fall, before injecting her with a shot of painkillers, and creating another two arms, he gently splinted her leg, Kira unable to do anything but groan with pain. "I have to get you out of here. You need to see Bashir, and soon."

"I can't walk, it hurts." Kira tried to wrap herself in the man, the fear freezing her heart.

"It's okay, I'll carry you." He gently picked Kira up and began the slow walk back to the promenade, stopping every few metres as she moaned in pain. "It's all right Nerys, I'll take care of you from now on." A few more steps, then another pause.

Kira began shaking uncontrollably, her previously muffled sobs becoming louder with every second. "I....I can't believe he's gone, Odo, I can't believe it--" Kira's voice stopped as she tried to burrow into Odo, away from the universe that was filled with pain as she once again mourned a lover and a friend.

Odo decided he had a choice; He could keep walking slowly, inexorably, towards the promenade and Bashir, or he could stop for a while and let Kira try to regain some self-control while Bashir came to them. In the end, his love and concern for the woman in his arms won out, and he continued walking.

"I'm sorry Nerys. Maybe the minister didn't live long enough for the pain to be too intense." It was a desperate hope, but it was all the officer could offer his friend for comfort. "Don't think about it now, just worry about getting better." A few more steps, and then they were out of the Labyrinth and back in the main part of the station, just a turbolift ride away from the Infirmary. "Nerys, we're almost there, just hang on."

"Odo?" Kira could only whisper the words, her eyes closing as her limbs grew numb. Odo saw the pallor of death beginning its slow steady tread across Kira's face and lengthened his strides to the lift. "I'm dying. Need you to know something 'fore I go."

"No, don't die Nerys. Not now, we're almost there." The lift doors closed behind Odo and he sent it shooting towards the promenade at full speed. "A little longer beloved, that's all."

"Need.... to tell you...." Kira forced her eyes open and gazed at Odo with an unbelievable tenderness. "I love you, Odo. Have for years, but you didn't love me. Every time you told me how much you despised Humanoid relationships and coupling, it almost killed me. 'S why I gave everything to Shakaar, why I said I'd marry him." Kira didn't understand the man's shocked expression, and thought he was repulsed by her words, as her eyes closed again. "I wanted you to know before I died, that you were loved by one person in this universe."

"Prophets forgive me." Odo couldn't think straight. She loved him. The most beautiful woman in the universe loved him, had loved him for years, and he'd driven her to another. Odo made a solemn promise to the Prophets and any other Gods that might be listening, that if they spared Kira's life, he'd spend the rest of his making sure she was never hurt again.

Doctor Bashir looked up as he heard a commotion on the promenade, and was amazed to see Odo running towards the infirmary, Kira in his arms. Seconds later, Odo laid her gently on a stretcher and stepped back as Bashir and his medical team rushed her into another room for surgery. Feeling suddenly drained, Odo sat and prepared for the long wait until Bashir finished surgery.

He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts, that he didn't realise Sisko and Dax had arrived until the Human placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Well done, Constable." Sisko's eyes shone with pride for his security chief's actions, but the light dimmed as he looked into Odo's, and sat down. "How badly hurt is she Odo?"

"She...." Odo couldn't think of a gentle way to describe what had happened to the Bajoran. "She fell through some rusty decking. Her right leg's broken, and she has massive internal injuries." Two sharp gasps let the Changeling know that the others had got the drift. "She was in the Labyrinth, hiding. I couldn't stop the blood."

"You did all you could, Odo, and you got her here alive. That's all that matters." Dax glanced towards the closed door that led to the surgery and sighed.

"The authorities on Bajor called a few minutes ago. They want us to take the Defiant to the border and see how much truth there is to this report about the first minister. It seems that the outpost authorities might have jumped the gun a little by declaring Shakaar dead so quickly. Apparently the Cardassian government has denied all knowledge of any such affair." Sisko gazed at his security chief compassionately.

"I'll be ready to leave within the hour Captain." Odo's voice was flat and unemotional as Sisko glanced at Dax and shook his head.

"No. You'll be staying here with Nerys, while Dax, Worf and I will be taking the Defiant. We'll be leaving immediately, and I want you to send a full report as soon as the major is out of surgery."

"Yes sir." Odo lapsed back into silence, but looked up again as Dax sat beside him after Sisko had left the medical centre.

"Odo? What did she say to you? You look like you've been shot."

The Changeling thought for a moment, then shrugged and looked Dax fair in the eyes. "She told me she loved me, but because I didn't seem to want a relationship, I'd driven her into Shakaar's arms." If he could have sobbed he would. Instead his face seemed to turn to glass. "Did you know Shakaar had asked her to marry him?"

Dax bowed her head. "Yes. Nerys told me yesterday, they were planning to announce the engagement when he arrived on the station after the conference. I'm sorry, Odo, she wanted to tell you herself tonight. She wanted you to be happy for her."

"Instead Shakaar's dead, and she might die as well." The man straightened and his stance was one of pride and hope. "She loves me, Dax, and with Shakaar gone, I'm all she's got now. I'm going to make sure I don't let her down anymore."

The grin on Dax's face was probably visible on the Tholian homeworld as she stood and walked to the door. "Then I'd better get to the Defiant. Odo, just a word of advice from an old man. Take your time, no matter what Kira demands. She needs to be sure of what she wants, otherwise she'll regret it in the morning, trust me."

"I promise I won't lay a finger on her." Odo smiled at Dax's disappearing form, before slumping back in the uncomfortable chair, confident that whoever was on duty in Ops would be able to handle the station for the moment, at least until he knew how Kira was.

An hour later, Julian emerged from surgery, his face grim. "She'll live, but I want to keep her in sickbay for a few days." Bashir looked like he'd been dragged backwards through a hedge. "The damage was dangerous, if you'd brought her in any later I doubt whether I could have saved her, but I'm confident that the major will eventually make a full recovery." Julian sighed and sat down.

Odo rumbled quietly. "Doctor, is it possible for me to see Nerys yet? The captain has taken the Defiant and left to patrol the border while he attempts to help the Bajoran government discover what really happened to Shakaar."

The doctor nodded tiredly. "Just don't tire her out, Kira needs a lot of rest for the next few days." Odo nodded and quietly walked into the recovery room.

Kira opened her eyes slowly and moaned. Her head felt like there was very large piece of cottonwool buried inside, and her mouth had that distinct morning-after feeling. "Nerys?"

A quite voice sounded to her right, and the Bajoran painfully smiled at the man. "Odo." Hurt to talk, hurt to move, hurt to--. "I can't feel my legs."

"I know, Julian has a neural blocker on you. You're blocked from the waist down, just until your body finishes healing itself." He held her hand gently. "It's okay, I got you here in time."

Kira sighed and tried to move, but nothing wanted to obey, so she settled for lying still. "Odo, the things I said to you when you were carrying me back here....I get the impression I embarrassed you. I'm sorry, I won't say it again, promise."

"I wasn't insulted, just surprised. I care about you too, but I've always been afraid you'll reject me if I told you how I felt." He bowed his head, to Kira it seemed almost in shame. "The female Founder told me you never could care, and like a fool, I believed her."

"Odo, I haven't lied to you for years, and I'm not lying now. I love you, I just wish you'd told me years ago." Kira's voice was harsh as she gritted her teeth at the pain, both from her body, and in her heart. "But I need time to think, to make sure of what I'm doing." Kira's eyes began to close, she felt so tired, but there was still something that needed to be said. "Just give me time, that's all I ask, Odo."

"Of course." He rose to leave, a finger trailing in her palm, her fingers closing over it tightly.

"No, don't go. Stay with me tonight. Please." She was lying there, in pain and feeling it in her very soul, and no matter how scared he was, he couldn't refuse those big brown eyes that reflected the agony inside. Sitting down, Odo smiled as her eyes closed with relief and she finally slept.

Sisko sat in his Captain’s chair on the Defiant, and thought deep thoughts about what he would do to the people who had ripped out Kira’s heart. He had no doubt that the First Minister would have put up a courageous fight before he died, since he knew that you didn’t get Kira’s respect by buckling under pressure, but at that moment he didn’t mourn for the lost politician. He just felt the agony he’d seen on Kira’s face as she’d raced out of Ops.

"We're coming up on the outpost, Captain." The professionalism that was never far from Dax had given way to cold anger, directed, Sisko hoped, against the Dominion and not anybody else. He'd sat in on one of Kira and Dax's regular combat sessions, and had seen the Bajoran teach Dax manoeuvres that were more lethal than any Klingon martial art.

"Inform Leader Hasad that we will be requiring all information on the alleged death of the First Minister, and that I will want to personally interview everyone who has talked to this spy of his."

"Understood." Dax turned back to her console, fighting the urge to glance at the weapons console where Kira usually sat, and where Worf now was. She might have been Worf’s lover, but she didn't think he looked right in that chair. "The information is being transmitted now."

"Have it sent to the console in the mess, and then you and Worf join me there." Sisko stood and left, part of his mind still thinking up inventive things to do to whoever had killed the Bajoran leader.

"Odo?" Kira’s voice was quiet, as she half-sat on the bio-bed, her back resting against the wall.

Odo looked up and smiled. It was the stations night-cycle, and he had dropped by the infirmary, his arms laden with PADD’s, which Kira had demanded to make sure she stayed up to date with the station’s status. The companionable hours that they had spent together in the last day was reminiscent of old times, for both of them. "What is it, Nerys?"

"I just...." She reached out and held his hand gently, squeezing a little. "I just want you to know that I appreciate your helping me like this. Really."

"It’s all right, Nerys. I enjoy helping you." A smile twinkled in his eyes. "Hadn’t you noticed that by now?"

She laughed, and Odo felt his heart leap. "Yes. I guess that I’m just pretty thick when it comes to seeing the motive behind actions, that’s all." She blushed as Odo raised their joined hands and gently kissed her fingers.

"I forgive you." The smile in his eyes had spread across his face now, and Nerys wondered why she had ever thought it and expressionless visage. Odo stood and collected all the PADD’s, and placed them well out of her reach. "Now, I believe that Doctor Bashir has insisted that you get some sleep before you return to duty, so I will leave." He manually turned off the lights and nodded. "Sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow."

Kira felt suddenly tired as she watched the tall, lanky figure quietly leaving the infirmary, and smiled into the dark. "Good night, Odo." She paused for a moment, then whispered as she closed her eyes, "I love you too."

"And you have nothing else, Leader?" Hasad shook his head sadly.

"The only information we’ve got is that our contact saw Shakaar hanging by his wrists from the ceiling of a Founder Interrogation Centre, on one of the nearby Cardassian outposts." He sighed. "Our informant fled the area before she could see anymore, but what she did see would make your blood run cold."

"What, exactly." Dax stepped forward intently. "We need all information if we’re going to avoid a civil war between Bajor and Cardassia again."

"I know." Hasad took a deep breath. "My informant says that the First Minister was still alive when she left, but that he....he was being assaulted by a Changeling." His hands were shaking, and the Starfleet officers faces were turning grey. "Apparently Changelings like interrogating their subjects by...encasing them. My spy tells me that it appears to be a very effective method."

"I imagine." Sisko’s expression was one of horror. "So your Cardassian doesn’t know whether the First Minister is alive or dead? Just that when she left, he was being interrogated?"

"That’s right. But she did say that everyone else she’s ever seen taken to this centre have never been seen again." Hasad faced the Human bleakly. "I think our best decision would to be to assume that the First Minister is dead, and prepare for war."

"That’s a rather pessimistic attitude, isn’t it?" Dax’s voice was steady, giving no indication of the turmoil inside her.

"But one that we Bajorans are rather used to I’m afraid." He lifted his chin defiantly. "We have fought before, and we will fight again. But this time, I’m afraid we will most certainly lose."

"Well, before you contact the Bajoran government and suggest that they make a formal declaration of war," Sisko rose and gathered the data PADD’s with all the available information that the leaders spy was able to provide. "May I suggest that you give us another three days to make our own inquires."

"Certainly Captain." Hasad stood as well and nodded glumly. "Since the government will wait for your recommendations anyway, I can wait until then. But you’ll forgive me if I start preparing my colony for the worst."

Sisko nodded, waved his crew onto a transporter pad, and they disappeared in a swirl of golden light.

"Well Major, you’re free to go." Bashir glanced at the shadowy figure of Constable Odo in the Infirmary’s doorway. "Provided you don’t over strain yourself for the next week."

"Don’t worry Julian," Kira stood and smoothed down her jacket. "I don’t imagine that I’ll have a great deal of excitement in the next few days." She smiled tentatively at Odo.

The Changeling had been her almost constant companion for the two days she had been in the medical centre. He had attended to Ops, and returned to the infirmary at regular intervals laden with data PADD’s. He’d seen to station security, compiled all incoming reports from the Defiant, and kept her up-to-date on the smooth running of the station. In short, he’d been her strength and her refuge while she had mourned her lover’s death, and recovered from her injuries.

Odo smiled back. Kira had given him complete control over the station, and he’d done all he could to the best his ability, and she had seemed to approve. At least the warmth in her eyes as she looked at him seemed to bode well, and he fell into step beside her as they took the short trip to Ops.

"Welcome back, Major." Captain Tombs Sebas, Bajoran Militia, smiled cheerfully and stood away from the main Ops table, where he had been using the station that Kira normally occupied. "Captain Odo has been making sure we do our duties. Everything is quiet."

Kira smiled and nodded as she stepped up to her console. "Any word from Captain Sisko?"

"No." Tombs’ smile faltered. "They went under silent running an hour ago. Captain Sisko said that he would contact us when he had some news."

"Understood." She nodded to the Ops crew, both Bajoran and Starfleet. "Right. According to incoming reports, we have a lot of work in the next few days, between incoming ships, grain transfers, and trading vessels. Let’s get to work."

Odo saw her take charge again and smiled. "Well Major, I’ll get back to the Promenade if you don’t need me up here anymore."

She smiled. "Thanks Odo. I couldn’t have made it without you." She watched as he left the room, and wondered about the tight feeling in the pit of her stomach, then put it down to nerves.

Dax was at her quarters computer console when the door chime rang and Sisko hesitated in the doorway. "May I come in?"

"Of course." She sensed that this conversation was going to be very personal and drew her feet up to sit cross-legged on the chair, while he sat on the lower bunk. "What’s wrong Benjamin?"

"If this was a Dominion attack, then there’s going to be hell to pay." He saw her nod slowly, her expression as grave as his. "A Dominion force, operating under Cardassian jurisdiction, kidnaps, tortures, and murders the Bajoran First Minister. Old Man, we’re going to be the front-line defence in a war zone."

"With the Bajorans pitted against the Cardassians again. Except that this time, the Cardassians are going to be backed by the Founders." Jadzia shivered momentarily. "What will Starfleet do? Abandon them again?"

"They’ll probably order us to withdraw immediately from Bajoran space, citing it as an ‘internal dispute’, and therefore clearly within the Prime Directive." He looked totally defeated, and silence reigned for several moments, before Dax spoke again.

"If it comes to that, will you leave?" Her eyes were unreadable.

"No." The admission came as a surprising relief. "I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now, ever since it became obvious just what sort of danger this posting was--and when I realised just how important Bajor has become to me." He smiled slightly. "Besides, I made Nerys a promise, and I intend to keep it."

Dax grinned. "That’s what I was going to say. About making her a promise, I mean." She sighed. "It’ll mean then end of our careers in Starfleet I suppose."

"Since we’ll probably be dead within a week, will it matter?" He smiled the sad smile of a person who has seen too much battle and death. It was the same smile that she’d seen Kira with, and Dax wondered yet again if the two officers realised just how much they had in common. "But first we have to clarify what happened to Shakaar. I received a message from Dr. Bashir just before we went under silent running, and he’s said that Kira is back on duty. Odo apparently took control of the station until she returned to duty."

"I bet she couldn’t wait to get out of the infirmary." She grinned impishly. "Nerys has this idea that if she’s breathing, she can work."

"I know," Sisko’s smile bloomed again. "But apparently she’s been a model patient this time."

"Then I’m worried." They both nodded, before silence fell again, each wrapped in their own thoughts of their friend and the potential upcoming battle.

Kira sat in front of her duranya, praying for Shakaar’s spirit as he stood before the Prophets. Finishing the prayers, Kira tried to ignore the hole in her heart, that dark, black place that she’d always known, and that she was afraid would one day swallow her. Trying to ignore the feeling, she was just sitting down to light meal, nerves holding back her normally huge appetite, but before she could take a bite, the doorchime rang. "Enter."

Odo stepped into the room and smiled gently. "Good evening Nerys. I just need to collect the Bajoran crew rotation roster that I asked you to sign today, so I can send it to the militia."

A small, sad smile flittered across Kira's face. "Sorry Odo, it slipped my mind. Have you heard from the government yet?"

"It seems that they are going to wait for the captain’s report before announcing new elections or any official position if the Dominion turns out to be involved." He took the PADD she handed him while watching her intently.

She smiled wanly. "Is there anything else, Constable?"

"No, nothing official." Casting around, Kira indicated that they should sit on the couch, as Odo tried to find the right words for what he wanted to say. "Nerys, I just want you to know that...... that I’m sorry, Nerys, I really am. Shakaar was a good First Minister, and I know that you and he were close friends as well as lovers."

"Thank you, Odo." Kira reached out and held Odo's hand tightly, to the man her touch burned him like fire. "You're opinion means a lot to me." The silence fell again, but this time it was Kira having trouble speaking. "I wish that I'd known how you feel about me before all this, before Shakaar and I..." Her voice trailed off, as they both stared at the floor, knowing that even though it had been the death of her lover who had forced them to face their hearts, that same demise had also driven them apart.

Daring a split-second glance up, Odo caught his breath, figuratively speaking, at the look on Kira's face. It was one of sheer, unadulterated lust. And it was directed straight at him. "Nerys?"

"Odo, I know that there are people who will say that this is wrong, that it’s too soon, but I’m tired of pretending." She moved closer to him, clutching both his hands tightly. "Shakaar’s not coming back Odo, and I need you." Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her voice became a whisper. "Is that wrong?"

"No." Events moved rather quickly from there, and afterwards Odo was never completely sure who grabbed who first, or who's mouth latched onto the others. They just knew that a lifetime’s worth of passion was playing itself out, and neither could, nor wanted to stop it.

"Have you been able to decipher the co-ordinates that Leader Hasad gave us" Sisko leaned over Dax’s shoulder and peered at the console she was working on. "We need it soon, or this will all mean nothing."

"I think he’s referring to a planet name ‘Enola’, it’s around two days away from here, and thirty-two hours from the station. The planet is just inside Cardassian space, and if Shakaar ordered his pilot to head back to the station by the most direct route, they’d pass close to the border near the planet."

"So we should be heading in that direction, Commander?" His voice had an undercurrent of tension to it that Dax knew well.

"Yes. It would be my first guess, and any Bajorans we do find there aren’t likely to be on the planet by choice anyway." She stood and returned to the navigation console, and set a heading for Enola. "Course plotted and laid in Captain."

Sisko sat smoothly in his chair and steepled his fingers. "Engage. Continue silent running, and long range scans for any enemy ships. I don’t want anyone to catch us out like they did the First Minister."

Hours later, Odo's hands were tracing aimless patterns over Kira's skin while she gently ran her fingers through him, sending shivers through them both.

Sighing, Nerys pulled herself back up to the pillow, and turned to face Odo, who had retained his face as the only part of his humanoid shape during their love-making. "I wonder why I never noticed how you feel about me before?"

"I hardly gave you much encouragement." He kissed her deeply, an action that the changeling was learning to enjoy greatly. "It doesn’t matter now."

"No, I guess not." She gently ran a finger along his unfinished face. "I must have been blind, but I think you have a beautiful face. Very loveable." She kissed him again as if to emphasise her words.

"I never thought you’d say that." He trailed his way to her ear, nibbling tenderly. "Odo, what we just did..." A distinct chuckle entered her voice. "Four times. That was the most incredible sex I’ve ever had."

"Good" She felt a shiver of tension run through his frame and forced him to face her questioning gaze. "I’ve been terrified that you wouldn’t like me in my natural form. But that’s the only form I feel comfortable making love to you in." He chanced a quick look into her eyes, and was surprised to see loving acceptance there.

"Odo, I love the way you love me. Other men can only touch a woman at one point. You touch me all over." She drew him over her, and smiled seductively. "But just in case I forget anything...." Her voice trailed off as he once again took her to the stars.

Shakaar’s head lolled forward, his breathing was rapid and laboured. He was lying on the floor of the cavern, not knowing whether he’d been here for a month or a year, all he knew was that he was alive. He heard a faint beeping noise and knew that the Vorta doctor was scanning him, assessing whether he was able to stand another round on interrogations.

Shakaar had been in tough spots before, even been ‘intimate’ with Cardassians while he was being held in their infamous torture centre, Narik Dur, although it hadn’t been by choice. But he’d never felt like this before. In some ways, what they did to him there had simply made him more of a man, able to understand his fighters better than before. But now, now he prayed he would just survive what they were doing to him, and if not, that he would die soon. And that if he did live, that Nerys would still love him. That was assuming he left alive.

"My doctor thinks that you would benefit by being rested for a day, Minister." The Changeling he had come to loathe with a passion stood in front of him, and nodded to the nearby guards.

A Jem’Hadar officer came forward and dumped a plate of food in front of Shakaar, and then threw down a flask, obviously filled with water. The Changeling smiled. "Food and water. I suggest you try to regain your strength. You’re going to need it." The Founder strolled out of the room, ignoring the swearing that Shakaar screamed at it as loudly as his hoarse throat would allow.

"Coming up on Enola now, Captain." Dax glanced behind her and saw Sisko smiling in the dim light. The Defiant was cloaked and everything but essential systems had been shut off.

"Excellent." Sisko’s voice was barely above a whisper, which simply added to the notion that he was a very dangerous man. "Run scans in the area designated and look for Bajoran life forms."

"What if he’s not alive?"

"Then we’ll take his body back to Bajor--and prepare for war." The steadiness of Sisko’s voice surprised even himself, but he continued to carefully maintain his outwardly calm appearance. "Any luck?"

"Two life-forms, both Bajoran." She turned again. "Shakaar and his pilot maybe?"

"Sounds good to me." Sisko nodded. "Commander, you will have exactly five seconds to de-cloak, beam them up, and re-cloak. As soon as they’re here, I want us heading in the opposite direction at warp eight. Understood?"

"We’re already facing towards home, Captain." She took a deep breath and punched the button. "De-cloaking now." She hit another button. "Beaming up. Successful, sir. Now re-cloaking"

"Get us out of here, Commander." Sisko was examining in scans of the surrounding space and shuddered as he saw two Cardassian warships show up. "We have company. Keep up full speed, but ready aft torpedoes."

"Aye sir." Dax checked her console and smiled. "The enemy is still behind sir. Commander Worf reports that our guests have been escorted to the Infirmary, and that they appear to the Minister Shakaar and his pilot, Jul Nagel."

"Good." Sisko tapped his commbadge. "Doctor, have we established the identity of our guests yet?"

A calm, Vulcan voice game floated through the air. "Yes sir. They seem to be exactly who they claim to be. I have taken cell and blood samples from several different bodily areas, and all have passed as Bajoran."

"Good. I’ll be there soon."

Dax smiled slightly and leaned back a little. "The warships have dropped further behind. I don’t think they’re going to engage us today."

"Good." Sisko checked his readings and smiled. "Continue at current speed, and under silent running and cloak until we’re back in Bajoran space. Dax, you have the bridge, I’m going to contact Major Kira and appraise her of the situation as soon as I’ve checked on our guests."

"Aye sir." She really wanted to be there when Sisko talked to Kira, but orders were orders, after all.

"He’s all right Major." Ben’s face was smiling as he watched his first officer’s face washed with relief. "We’ll be home tomorrow, and we’ve also brought back his pilot as well. Would you like me to talk to the Bajoran government?"

"No, I’ll talk to them. It’ll be better coming from a Bajoran." She smiled, almost bitterly. "How is he Ben, really?"

"He’s physically all right, but mentally...." Sisko stopped being a Captain and became a friend for just a moment. "He might not be ready for what you’d planned, Nerys. Just give him time to adjust, that’s all. As soon as we return to the station, I’ll give you indefinite leave. He’s going to need you to be there for him for a while now."

"I know." She smiled, and thought, ironically, of the warm liquid man who had been her beds constant companion since the night she’d left the infirmary. "I’ll be as gentle as I can, I promise."

"Good, he needs that." Sisko leaned back, and the Captain returned. "Then I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, Major."

Kira nodded, and turned off the comm. She sat, thinking, for a long time, before opening a channel again. "Kira to Odo."

"Yes Major?" That voice, so soft and yet so gravely, answered her immediately, and she smiled as she recognised the tightly controlled eagerness in it.

"Odo, Captain Sisko and the First Minister will be returning tomorrow. Can you come to my quarters tonight so we can discuss security requirements?"

"Of course, Major." His voice had lost the eagerness, and her heart plummeted. He believed she was going to reject him.

"Odo," Her voice was soft and gentle, as it always was when they were together, "Don’t think things about me before I say them. We’ll talk tonight, okay?"

"Very well, Major." His voice was still depressed, but not as bad as it was before. "I’ll see you about nineteen-thirty."

"Till then, Constable." She closed the channel, and leaned back in the chair in Sisko’s office and sighed. How could she comfort Shakaar, when she wasn’t going to marry him anymore?

Kira stretched luxuriously and snuggled deep into the man next to her. "I wonder how Edon will take the news? I hope he’s not going to be too upset, after all, he was dead."

"What news?" Odo's heart plummeted, and he quickly formed the rest of a normal Bajoran male body, even with ridges in all the right places.

"That he and I aren't getting married, of course!" Kira laughed cheekily. "You don't really expect me to get married to another man after this, do you?" The laughter died as she looked at Odo, her expression becoming one of disbelief. "You.... you don't really think I could marry him now?"

"You’ll have to." Odo's voice was neutral and low as he gazed steadily at the shocked woman next to him. Taking her hands in his, he tried to explain. "Tomorrow, you are going to become officially engaged to the most powerful man on Bajor--"

"What about the Kai?" Kira was trying to lighten the air. It didn't work.

"I said man." Odo continued smoothly. "And it's vital that you do marry him. He needs to hear an honest voice, one that won't hesitate to tell him what's really going on, and what Bajor really needs." Tears were forming in Kira's eyes, but Odo pressed on regardless. "He needs you, your love, and your strength. You have to marry Shakaar, Nerys, for Bajor's sake you have to."

"And what about us, about what we’ve done?" Kira ignored the tears that fell from her eyes, as she sat and wrapped a sheet around her. "Am I just another 'Experience' for you, something else to stow away in your mind for future reference?"

Kira was angry, and Odo didn't blame her. In her place, he'd probably be screaming and throwing things. Sighing, he tried again. "Nerys, what we had will be the first and only time I will ever do this. You're the only woman I've ever wanted to make love to, and now I know that no other woman could ever make me as happy as you have." Pulling her gently towards him, Odo cradled her to his shoulder. "One day perhaps, when the Prophets will it, then we will be together, and nothing will tear us apart again. But until then, Bajor needs you and Shakaar needs you. And I think that somewhere deep inside, you know it too."

"But I want you." Kira's crying had subsided to muffled sobs. "All I want is you."

"It's not our time yet, Nerys." As the tears faded, Odo picked up the box of face wipes that Kira kept next to her bed, and gently dried his beloved's face. "One day. But not today."

Kira stared at Odo longingly, then nodded slowly. "I know." Lying down, she drew Odo back into her arms. "But we have tonight."

Odo smiled sadly, and let his form dissolve around Kira again, making her fly higher and higher until the only memories they later had of that night, was complete ecstasy, total fulfilment, and a brief recollection of starbursts lasting for hours.

Kira stood nervously in front of the airlock in her dress blues, and tried to ignore her sweaty palms, as well as every minister from the Bajoran government who had made the journey to the station to welcome back Shakaar. Glancing sideways, she saw Odo’s expressionless face, and smiled as his eyes told her that he was here if she needed him.

The hiss as the door rolled back captured her attention again, and Kira quickly wiped her hands on her trousers before stepping forward as Sisko stepped onto the deck, followed by Shakaar. He was walking unaided, but Bashir was close behind, obviously still worried about his patient.

"Minister, it’s good to see you back safe and well." Kira spoke firmly, barely a trace of the emotion she was feeling breaking through. "All of Bajor has been very worried about you." Whether lover or friend, she still cared about him.

"I’ve been pretty worried about me too, Major." Shakaar wanted to gather his lover into his arms, but knew that it would have to wait at least a little while. Turning, he greeted his cabinet ministers, before Julian put his foot down.

"Minister, I’m ordering you to bed, for at least two more days. You may return to Bajor then, and not before." Julian frowned at the other ministers and after a few quick words, the other Bajorans filtered away, leaving just Kira, Odo, Bashir and Sisko with the man.

"Well Minister, I’ll leave you in Major Kira’s hands. I’m sure she’s anxious to make sure you’re all in one piece." Julian smiled and left, followed by Sisko, who simply smiled warmly.

"Come on, the guest quarters are all organised," Nerys slipped her arm around Shakaar’s waist and felt him lean against her tiredly. Walking slowly through the corridors, Nerys knew that Odo was only a heartbeat away, and could have sworn that she could feel heat radiating off him.

Moments later, they arrived at the quarters, and turned to see Odo watching them gravely. "Minister, there will be two guards stationed out here at all times, but I’m sure that your fiancé will inform me immediately should anything happen." Odo would have swallowed tightly if he were still Human, but instead he settled for extending a hand and shaking hands with the other man. "I congratulate you and Major Kira on your upcoming marriage."

"Odo." Kira whispered the single word as her heart threatened to burst through her chest.

Shakaar completely misread the situation. "Thank you Constable, I appreciate your congratulations. I hope you will be attending the wedding?" He looked inquiringly at the Changeling and smiled as Odo slowly nodded. "Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow sometime. After a long sleep, I think."

Odo watched as Shakaar and Kira walked into the room, then took up position next to the door. He would guard them as he had many times before, and probably would in the future. And knowing Kira, her husband would never know how close he came to losing his future wife, to a man without a face.

Kira carefully set the two glasses down on the low table and smiled tentatively. "Edon, how are you feeling? I mean really feeling?"

He picked up a drink and sipped tiredly. "Very....tired, and very sore. The Founders are extremely efficient at interrogation." He watched her and saw the sympathetic expression.

"Edon.." Words failed her, and all she could do was reach out and gently hug him, feeling him tense beneath her and knowing she would have to be extra gentle. "We can put off the wedding for as long as you like. The engagement too, if you want." She hoped that her enthusiasm for the idea didn’t resonate in her voice.

"No, I want to marry you, Nerys." Shuddering slightly, he cautiously stroked her hair, the very act comforting him and breaking through just a little. "Just....be gentle with me, that’s all. These things can take a while, remember."

"Just remember I’m here for you." She held his face in her hands and kissed him gently, torn between not wanting to pressure him, and wanting to let him know she still accepted him. "You let me know what you want."

He leaned back and brushed a loose lock from her forehead and smiled. "I want to marry you, like we planned. And I want a family with you, and everything else we talked about. All with you."

Kira nodded and smiled, setting her heart and her mind firmly on Bajor. "Then let’s do it."

"Now, by the laws of Bajor, and with the blessings of the Prophets, I declare these people joined." With these words, Vedek Griff ended the marriage ceremony, and suddenly Major Kira Nerys became Mrs Shakaar Nerys. Much cheering and congratulating began, from all but one of the guests in the station shrine.

Odo stood at the back of the crowd, watching as Nerys blushed and smiled her way through the people pushing forward to wish the happy couple all the best, while Shakaar tried to steer his new bride towards the exit and the party at Quark's.

Dressed in his formal amber-brown uniform, Odo smiled slightly and walked out into the promenade, and dissolved back to his normal uniform, before beginning his regular patrols again. Oh, he would look in on the party, purely as a matter of course, and he would be at the airlock that night when Kira left the station as Shakaar's wife, no longer an officer in the militia.

And died a thousand times as she told him that she, Nerys, loved him.

Much later, at the airlock, a smiling Shakaar threatened Sisko with dire consequences as the jovial captain threatened Shakaar with kidnapping his bride if the new first officer didn't live up to Kira's high standards, while Dax, the O'Brien's, and Bashir all offered tons of advice and friendship to Kira. All of which, she took in good humour, even though she rolled her eyes at most of it, and all of Julians.

Laughing, Kira glanced up the corridor, and smiled softly as she saw Odo standing in the shadows, watching the group. Touching Shakaar's arm, her eyes begged his indulgence. "Husband, would you mind if I walked a little with Odo? I have some things that I want to say, in private."

Shakaar sighed and smiled. He had never been able to resist those eyes. "Of course, just don't be too long. The shuttle won't wait forever, not even for me."

Nodding, Nerys turned and caught Odo's arm. "Let's go." Waiting until they'd turned the corner just down the corridor, she stopped and gazed into the shape-shifter's deep azure-blue eyes. "Odo, I'll never forget those nights, I promise."

"I know." Odo's fingers brushed Kira's cheek before his hand dropped back to his side. "I'll never forget either, Nerys. But if you'd stayed, it would have been wrong, we both know that."

"I know." Nerys simply looked at Odo for a moment, then reached up and grazed her lips along his. "Just to make sure you'll never forget, that for a little while, a Bajoran loved you."

"Nerys!" Shakaar's voice sounded down the corridor, and Odo offered Kira his arm. Wrapping her fingers around his elbow, she even managed a decent blush as the Changeling escorted her back to her husband.

"Well, Constable." Shakaar spoke heartily, while Odo thought he detected a distinctly interested look in Kira's eyes that was directed at him. "I hope you'll come visit us whenever you’re on Bajor."

The mans words seemed honest enough, but Odo didn't believe in taking anything at face value anymore. "I'll try, Minister, but I don't often visit Bajor. The station takes up a great deal of my time."

"Well, the offer is always there." The man offered his hand and Odo gave it one firm shake, before returning his hands to there usual position behind his back, just as the last boarding call was made.

Suddenly Nerys and Shakaar were in the airlock, and the last glimpse Odo had of her was Kira smiling at her new husband as he bent to kiss her. Then she was gone, and only minutes later, the shuttle was on its way to Bajor.

One by one, the others filtered away, back to their duties or private lives, but Odo stayed, looking out at the path the craft had taken for a long time. "Odo?"

Turning, he smiled at Dax's concerned face. "What can I do for you, Commander?"

"You can tell me why you let her get away, when you knew how she felt about you." Jadzia couldn't feel anything but sorrow for her young friends. They had come so close, but been too afraid to take the chance, and now, it was ripped from them forever.

"Dax, whatever makes you think that Nerys and I didn't take the chance?" Odo enjoyed the expression on the Trill's face. "But Bajor needs her more now, and she can do much for Bajor and us married to Shakaar." Odo turned back to face back out into the stars and smiled at his secret memories.

"But one day, there will be a time for us, Nerys. I know there will."

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