-1I figured it was high time to re-visit the good folks aboard the Deep Space Nine spacestation. This story, Grief, is a sequel to my earlier DS9 story, Heart. Like Heart, it continues to explore the growing, and ever evolving, relationship between Odo and Kira Nerys, who were among my favorite characters from that series. But, unlike Heart--which was originally written for a contest, and had to be no longer than 2000 words--Grief had no such restrictions placed on it. And so I took advantage of the longer form to dig deeper into the world of DS9.

Like Heart, Grief is really a more personal story--call it a drama, if you will. And like Heart, Grief won't be an epic. I plan to end this within the next chapter. It takes place during the series' fourth season, when Worf was aboard the station. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: these characters are the property of Paramount, and were created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. I'm not making any money off of this.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Grief

Chapter One

Odo and his protégée, Élan Li, had decided to make another sweep of the Promenade before they returned to the main security office, and it was a good thing they did--for when they strode by Quark's, Odo heard a louder than usual commotion coming from within the establishment. It was still too early in the day for the Dabo games and other sordid entertainment to be running, so the yelling was definitely something that Odo figured he should check out.

When he entered Quark's with Deputy Élan, Odo found the bar's namesake, a short Ferengi who was clad in loud clothing, busy trying to calm the nerves of Major Kira and Lieutenant Commander Dax, who were both very angry and were not holding back in how they felt about the matter. Quark's brother, Rom, stood off to the side fidgeting nervously.

"It will be taken care of," Quark assured the women, "it will all be taken care of, Commander."

"The holo-suite ate our stuff, Quark!" Dax told him, still angry. She and Kira stood dripping wet, each clad only in one piece swimsuits. The meager hand towels that they had been given by Quark were obviously not large enough to dry them.

"Uh, that's not possible," Rom meekly interjected. "Most likely, your personal effects were swept away along with everything else…."

"Oh, really?" Kira said, her tone heavy with sarcasm. Like Dax, her hair was wet to the point where it was slicked back against her head. "Is that supposed to make us feel better?"

"Yes, Rom, what were you thinking?!" Quark said, abruptly turning on his poor brother.

Taking about as much of this scene as he could, Odo stepped over and said, "May I ask what is going on?"

"Now, now, Odo," Quark chided, as he quickly stepped in-between the Constable and the angry women. "There's no need for your services here. We have the situation well under--"

Odo placed a hand on Quark's shoulder and firmly shoved him to one side. "I decide whether or not my services are needed, Quark." Giving Kira and Dax a concerned look, he asked, "Are you two all right?"

"Yes, we're fine," Kira replied.

"Considering we've just had to practically swim out of the holo-suite," Dax added, shooting Quark an angry look. She held out her arms, indicating her dripping body, and added, "We were struck by a hurricane in there!"
"I take it that was not what you had planned?" Odo asked.

"No, see, the program was supposed to be the tropical beaches of Vaile," Kira explained. "And that's what it was at first--until the hurricane hit!"

"Without warning, I might add," Dax said. "One second, it was a blissful tropical paradise, and the next, we were in the middle of a deluge!"

"Before we knew it, the high winds blew all of our stuff away, and we couldn't even stop the program!" Kira added. "We were lucky to have found the door when we did, or else we would have drowned in there!"

"I already apologized to them," Quark told Odo. "There's really nothing more that can be done at this point."

"Well, for one thing, you could give the Major and Commander larger towels," Odo said. "And then there's the matter of their personal belongings. I take it the program is still running."

"I cut power to that holo-suite," Rom helpfully told him. "The program has shut down, but the place is still a mess."

Quark shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid your personal effects are gone, then, ladies."

"What?!" Kira cried, shocked.

"Oh no," Dax said, angrily shaking her head. "Wait one minute, here--"

They both grew quiet when Odo held up a hand. "Quark, that holo-suite shall remain closed to all until the personal effects of Major Kira and Commander Dax are found, understood?"

Quark shook his head. "But I have paying customers who're waiting to use that--"

Ignoring him, Odo promptly turned to Élan and said, "Li, inform the security office that we need a sizable force of deputies in Quark's on the double. They are to permanently shut down all of Quark's holo-suites, until-this matter is properly resolved."

"Wait! Wait!" Quark said, nervously, just as Élan raised her hand to her comm-badge.

Odo held up a hand to stop Élan. "Yes, Quark?"

"As I was about to say," Quark began, "the management here at Quark's will not rest until we find the belongings of Commander Dax and Major Kira!"

"And if the items can't be found, of if they are severely damaged, then you shall compensate the Major and Commander for them," Odo added.

Quark leaned over to Odo and muttered, "You're killing me here, Constable…."

"Am I?" Odo replied with mock concern. "Oh…good."

Quark just shook his head glumly. "Great doing business with you, as always, Odo...."

Dax came over and stuck her finger in Quark's face. "If you want to continue doing business, Quark, you'd better get your holo-decks in order!"

She then stormed out of the bar, angrily brushing past Chief O'Brien and Commander Worf near the entrance, who both stared after Dax in puzzlement.

As they walked over to the group, Worf took note of Major Kira's swimsuit and asked, "Was there an aquatic sporting event held here?"

"From the looks of things, it was a female aquatic sporting event," O'Brien said good-naturedly to Worf. "And we just missed it--pity!"

O'Brien visibly deflated when Kira shot him a withering look. "How's Keiko doing, Chief?" she pointedly asked.

O'Brien's face grew red as he sheepishly took a seat at the bar. "Uh, she's fine, Major."

Rom came up to Kira with several of the small towels in his hands. "These are the only size I could find," he said apologetically. "But if you could wait, Major, I could sew all of these into a larger size for you!"

Kira rolled her eyes upwards. "Never mind, Rom."

As she left the bar, Odo followed and Élan went with him--until she saw Quark make a broad welcoming gesture to O'Brien and Worf. "What can I get for you two fine gentlemen?" he said grandiosely.

Élan leaned in-between the Starfleet officers and said, "Whatever you two do, steer clear of Quark's holo-decks for the time being."

"Will do, Deputy," O'Brien said. "Thanks for the tip!"

"Do you mind?!" Quark said, annoyed. He glanced at Odo and added, "This is now bordering on harassment!"

"If I ever do decide to harass you, Quark, you'd know it," Odo muttered, as he strode out of the bar with Élan. He nodded at her. "Good move."

"It's what you've said yourself sir," Élan said. "We're more than security here, we're also public servants for the common good."

"Good to see you've taken to heart some of the things I've taught you," Odo replied, pleased. He searched the crowds for Kira, and quickly found her. Since she was presently the only person on the Promenade who was dressed for the beach, Kira stuck out quite easily.

"Major," Odo called, as he hurried to join her.

She stopped and regarded him anxiously. "What is it, Odo? Something wrong?"

"It's nothing, Major. I'd just thought I walk you back to your quarters," he explained.

"If you'll excuse me, Constable, Major," Élan said. "I think I shall report back to the office."

"You're welcome to join us, Deputy," Odo said.

"That's all right, sir," Élan replied, as she glanced at Odo and Kira with a slight smile. "I have some reports to make, anyway. I'll keep the desk seat warm for you."

As Élan quickly turned and walked away, Odo was about to ask her about the humorous look she had given them--until Kira leaned over and said, "It's just an expression."

Odo stared at her. "What is?"

"Keeping the seat warm," Kira said. "That doesn't mean she's actually going to sit in your seat."

Odo patiently nodded. "Yes, Major, I know."

"Sorry," Kira sheepishly said. "It's just that these human expressions are popping up all over the station lately--everybody seems to be using them, now, and I just wanted to make sure…."

Odo placated her by gently placing a hand on her arm. "I appreciate how you're always watching my back, Major, no matter what the situation. No, I was wondering what was the meaning behind that odd little look that Élan just gave us."

Now Kira abruptly gave him a broad grin. "Well, why are you walking me back to my quarters, anyway? Afraid I might lose my way?"

"No, I just figured you might like some company," Odo said, now wondering why he even bothered. "If you'd rather I'd not--"

"No, no, that's all right. You know I always love your company." As they strode down the promenade, Kira glanced back in the direction Élan had departed. "She's really come a long way since she first arrived at DS9, huh?"

"Deputy Élan? Yes, she has. In fact, she's become one of the best--if not the best--of my deputies. I've recently been giving some serious thought to promoting her."

Kira smiled as they ascended to the second level of the Promenade. "From what I've been hearing about her, she's certainly earned it. Élan handled herself very well during that Dopterian situation." Then she frowned slightly. "Do you know what the term 'bee's knees' means?"

Odo shook his head. "Can't say I've ever heard of that term."

"It's what Doctor Bashir said to me, regarding a new drink that Quark's got," Kira told him. "Julian said it was 'the bee's knees.'"

"If I'm not mistaken, a bee is an earth insect," Odo said.

"Yes. Apparently, Julian meant it in reference to the fact that the drink was very good." Kira just gave him a helpless shrug. "I'm still wondering what that has to do with the anatomy of a bee."

"Just another odd earth expression, I suppose," Odo said.

"Élan Li to Constable Odo," a familiar female voice said urgently over his communicator.

Odo tapped his comm-badge. "Yes, Deputy?"

"Sir, we've received reports of suspicious activity on one of the upper docking pylons," Élan reported. "Where the Tarkio is docked."

Odo exchanged a strange look with Kira. The Tarkio was an unarmed civilian transport of Kaferian registry--one of many that docked at the station on a regular basis.

"What kind of suspicious activity?" Odo asked.

"They appear to be making ready to leave without authorization," Élan said.

Kira's eyes grew wide with alarm. "They're not due to ship out until two days from now. Their passengers haven't even arrived yet from Bajor! What are they doing?"

"That's a very good question, Major," Odo said. "Deputy Élan, how are you situated to handle things?"

"I've got an armed squad of deputies with me, Constable. We're on our way up the pylon. We'd thought we would wait for you."

"Don't," Odo said, as he ran for the nearest turbo lift. "Continue ahead without me, I'll catch up to you."

"We'll catch up," Kira corrected him, as she ran by his side. "I'm coming with you."

Odo nodded. "Very well, Major."

When they entered the turbo lift, Kira instinctively slapped her comm-badge, only to roll her eyes in disgust when she realized she was still clad in her swimsuit. "Uh, Odo? Would you mind calling--?"

"Allow me, Major," Odo said, as he called Ops and informed them of the situation.

"All right, Constable," Captain Sisko acknowledged. "I'll meet you up there."

Once the turbo lift reached the top of the docking pylon, both Odo and Kira were startled when it felt as if the entire station began to shudder violently. A low pitched rumble could be heard--and felt--as the doors flew open to reveal several emergency klaxons flashing in the dim hallways. The entire structure of the pylon itself continued to shake violently as they made their way into the corridor, where Odo saw a trio of his deputies sprawled out on the floor.

Kira went to slap her non-existent comm-badge once more--until she stopped herself with an annoyed shake of her head. She quickly bent down to examine one of the constables.

"She's alive, but just barely," Kira reported, as she took the woman's comm-badge and placed it on her swimsuit. She then used it to call in a medical emergency to Dr. Bashir.

Odo checked the other two unconscious deputies and were satisfied that they were alive.

'But where was Deputy Élan?' Odo anxiously wondered. She was nowhere to be seen.

When he gazed through the window of the docking pylon door, Odo was stunned at the sight before him. There should have been a short corridor that contained two more doors just beyond this one, which led straight to the docked ship. But all Odo saw now was empty space. It looked as if the Tarkio, in its haste to escape, had ripped off this section of the docking pylon.

Kira let out a gasp of shock when she peered through the window. Then she slapped her comm-badge. "Kira to Ops, what's the status on the Tarkio? Did it get away?"

"Afraid it did, Major," Chief O'Brien reported, sounding frustrated. "It went to warp the moment it cleared the station. And the station's tractor beams are down, for some damn reason…."

Kira looked shocked. "You don't think they took Deputy Élan with them as a hostage?"

"That's a distinct possibility, Major." Odo was about to ask the station computer to find Deputy Élan, until he saw a body drifting in the void of space outside.

It was Élan Li. She drifted serenely with her arms spread out wide, as if ready to embrace a lover.

As Kira let out a horrified gasp, Odo called Ops and ordered an emergency transport lock on Deputy Élan's comm-badge. "Transport her directly to the infirmary! Medical emergency--exposure to space!"

Deputy Élan vanished within a shimmer of light, to reappear within the infirmary--where, Odo hoped, they could still help her.

Kira reached out and squeezed his arm in a comforting gesture. "Maybe you got to her in time. Maybe it wasn't too late."

Odo nodded grimly. He did not know how long she had been out there, exposed to the harsh environs of space. Odo forced himself to shove aside the nagging concern he felt for Élan; he had done all that he could do for her.

But right now, he had a job to do.

Captain Sisko arrived, along with Worf and a full medical team, and Odo and Kira gave them a run-down on what happened--at least as far as they knew. When one of the injured deputies was revived by the medics, he insisted on telling Odo and the Captain what had happened.

"It was Li, sir," the deputy said, as he struggled to remain awake on the gurney. He was in obvious pain. "We were in the docking corridor, when the ship began to take off--it was still attached to the pylon! The doors automatically began to close, sealing us in, but Li did a manual override at the console. She was still caught inside in the docking corridor just as it ruptured!"

"She's been beamed directly to the infirmary," Odo assured him.

"I'm sure they're doing all they can for her down there," Sisko added. Then he gestured for the medics to get the injured man to the infirmary.

Odo waited as Sisko glared out at the extensive damage to the docking pylon through the window. Then the Captain turned around and gazed at Odo and Kira. "The Tarkio, I assume it cleared the usual checks?"

"It did," Odo said with a nod. "It's of Kaferian registry."

"Although not members of the Federation, the Kaferians have been valued allies for more than two centuries," Worf interjected. "It is unlikely their government is behind this."

"They're a peaceful race. This doesn't sound like something they would do," Kira said in agreement. "So we're looking at a scenario where somebody other than the crew had taken over the Tarkio."

"Who?" Sisko wanted to know.

"The best way to begin to determine that is to first eliminate the crew as suspects," Odo said. "And the best way to do that would be to find out if the crew of the Tarkio are still on board the station."

"Chief O'Brien reported earlier that the station's tractor beams weren't working," Kira said.

"That is correct," Worf replied with a curt nod. "He is presently working with Lt. Commander Dax to restore power to the tractor beam system."

Kira slowly shook her head. "The tractor beams go down right when the Tarkio makes its big break? The timing of this is just too good to be true for me."

"We suspect sabotage," Sisko said. "Perhaps Dominion infiltration."

"That would narrow down the number of suspects greatly," Odo said. "However, I should still go and rule out the ship's crew, first."
"Do that, Constable," Sisko said. "Let's cover all the bases, first."

Yet before Odo could even leave to begin his investigation, his comm-badge chimed. "Bashir to Odo."
Odo acknowledged the call by touching his comm-badge. "Yes, Doctor?"

"I need to see you in the infirmary, Constable," Bashir said, sounding urgent. "Right away."

"I was just on my way down to my office, Doctor," Odo replied, as he continued walking. "I'll stop by on the way."

Once he arrived in the infirmary, Bashir greeted him in the outer office. The young doctor looked weary and downbeat. "Odo, I'm very sorry to have to tell you this, but there was nothing we could do for Deputy Élan."

Odo blinked at him, not comprehending what he meant. He was about to ask, since there was nothing Dr. Bashir could do, if this meant that Élan Li would be moved to Bajor, or to a Starfleet facility that could better care for her.

But then he glanced behind Bashir and saw the body that lay on the examination table. It was covered from head to toe with a sheet. And that was when it had finally sunk in for Odo: Élan Li, his favorite of all of his deputies, and the young woman whom he considered to be his protégé, was dead.

###

Kira Nerys emerged from her quarters fully dressed in her standard Bajoran military uniform. Although it had now been a few hours since the news, she still shook her head in disbelief at the fact that Élan Li was gone. So young, and so full of promise, Li seemed to Nerys as if she was a shining example of the new generation that came of age on Bajor; a child of war who--as an adult--now rose to help take charge of the future for herself and her fellow Bajorans.

'But the future is proving to be just as dangerous as the Cardassian occupation was in the past,' Nerys thought glumly. 'It's become sadly obvious that Li's generation will have their own dangerous challenges to face.'

Nerys paused in her stride when she heard a familiar voice behind her say, "Now that's more like it!"

Nerys turned and smiled in puzzlement at Jadzia, who caught up to her in the corridor. "What's more like it?"

"You've worn your swimsuit for so long today, I was starting to think you were pushing for a new uniform change," Jadzia replied, as they both entered the turbo lift. "Although, I've got to admit, the comm-badge was a nice look with that particular swimsuit."

Nerys smiled wanly at Jadzia's joke. She had actually been so busy working with Captain Sisko and Odo on setting up the investigation into who could be behind this incident--as well as coordinating the repairs to the docking pylon--that Nerys had completely forgotten she had still worn her swimsuit the whole time. Until just now, when she had stopped by her quarters long enough to change.

Still, the sorrow Nerys felt over the death of Élan Li had washed away any appreciation she had for humor right now.

Jadzia appeared to understand, for she somberly said, "I'm very sorry about Deputy Élan, Nerys."

"Thanks," Nerys said, as the sadness once more welled up within her. She took a deep breath and shook it off. There would be time to mourn later; right now, she had to stay focused on the tasks that had to be completed. One of which was a complete sensor sweep of the station that had been ordered by the Captain. They still didn't know why the Tarkio was in such a hurry to leave--but Sisko wanted to make sure it wasn't because the Tarkio crew had left a bomb behind on the station.

"Were you close with Deputy Élan?" Jadzia asked.

"Not really," Nerys admitted. "I mean, I liked her very much; but Odo was much closer to her than I was. I suppose I feel more sad for his sake than for mine. It's a terrible loss for him."

Jadzia's eyes narrowed. "Just how close were Odo and Deputy Élan, if you don't mind my asking?"

"It was strictly a mentor/apprentice relationship, that became a platonic friendship," Nerys answered. "Odo was very fond of her."

Jadzia nodded abruptly. The disconcerted look on her face was so troubling to Nerys that she asked, "Something wrong?"

"Well, it's just that…." Jadzia then paused, as if not knowing how to put her feelings into words. "From what I've seen of Odo, he certainly doesn't look very sad over Li's death."

Nerys understood what she meant. Odo was always so stoic regarding his feelings--almost to a fault. "Odo's a very private individual. Besides, he's been caught up in the bomb sweep of the station that the Captain ordered."

"Yes, of course," Jadzia said with a nod. The turbo lift doors opened and they stepped out. "All of us have been racing at Warp Nine since this happened. We haven't had a chance to do anything but focus on our work."

"Maybe that's for the best," Nerys said. The nonstop work Nerys had been engaged in kept her mind off of the loss of Deputy Élan; and she hoped it was the same for Odo--for his sake.

They entered the conference room, and around the table was seated Worf, Odo, Julian Bashir and Chief O'Brien. When she saw Sisko was not present, Nerys turned to Worf and asked, "Is the Captain still speaking with the Kaferians?"

"Yes, he is," the Klingon confirmed. "He shall join us shortly."

Almost as if on cue, Benjamin Sisko entered the conference room with a scowl on his face. It wasn't hard for Nerys to see there was something wrong.

Once he took his seat, along with everyone else, Sisko said, "I just got finished speaking with the Kaferian government, and they have never even heard of a ship named the Tarkio."

Odo leaned forward. "That tracks with the fact that the Tarkio's crew are nowhere to be found on the station."

"So the ship was never taken over by somebody else," Nerys said. "We were dealing with the original Tarkio crew all along--whoever they were."

"It gets even better," Sisko said. "After I checked with the Transport Authority on Bajor, they've discovered that the Tarkio's manifest was a complete lie. The passengers they were here to pick up from Bajor? They ever existed. What's the status on the sensor sweep, Old Man?"

"Completely clean," Jadzia reported. "We ran it twice, Benjamin. There's no explosive device present on the station."

"Just to be on the safe side," Odo interjected, "I've also had my deputies, along with Starfleet security personnel, search the various nooks and crannies where a bomb might be strategically hidden. We came up with nothing, as well."

"And, as you know, Captain," Nerys began, "the Tarkio was the only civilian vessel docked at the station within the last twenty six hours. The list of non-civilian ships docked here consists of just the Defiant, and the Safire."

"The Safire's an Akira-Class vessel undergoing an overhaul of her main engines," O'Brien spoke up. "Captain Hansen was kind enough to order a search of his own ship for us. Nothing unusual to report there."

"The Defiant has also been cleared, as well," Worf said.

Julian looked uneasy. "The fact that we haven't found anything amiss seems to be just as disturbing to me than if we did find a bomb. One of Odo's deputies lost her life because of this incident, and we still don't even know why."

"The crew of the Tarkio are the lowest form of cowards," Worf growled. "They are without honor, and shall be hunted down like the petaQ that they are."

"Constable," Sisko suddenly said, his tone soft. "I haven't had the chance to say this before. I'm very sorry for your loss."

Odo stared at him for a moment--and to Nerys, he looked momentarily caught off guard by the consolation. Then Odo grimly nodded his head. "She was an excellent deputy," he stated coolly, "one who knew very well the risks of her job."

He then sat back and primly crossed his arms, as if the subject was closed.

When Jadzia shot her an awkward glance, Nerys realized what she meant earlier--Odo certainly didn't appear to be too shaken over Deputy Élan's death. Nerys couldn't help but be puzzled at this revelation.

"So we have a ship and crew who weren't what they appeared to be," Sisko summed up, "who wanted to leave DS9 so badly they ripped off a chunk of the station in doing so."

"Not to mention they sabotaged the tractor beams," Jadzia reminded him.

"Yes, how's the investigation going on that front?" Sisko asked.

"Slowly," O'Brien replied. "Whoever it was--and we can assume it was the crew of the Tarkio--they hacked into the system with a computer virus." He gestured at Jadzia. "But that's really more the Commander's specialty than mine."

"I've located the virus within the central computer core and isolated it," Jadzia said. "The tractor beam system is back online. However, the computer virus, once it was isolated and locked out, immediately began to deteriorate."

"It self-destructed?" Sisko asked.

Jadzia nodded with an annoyed look. "Which prevents us from trying to track down whoever created the virus in the first place."

"And so we're back to square one," Julian said with a sigh.

"Perhaps not," Odo told him. He glanced at Sisko. "The Tarkio had a false registry, Captain, one that was listed with the Kaferian government. That sort of thing isn't easy to create; it takes a skilled expert to do it. If I can track down who created the illegal registry for the Tarkio…."

"You can track down the Tarkio and her crew," Sisko said with a nod. "Do it, Constable. And keep me appraised."

The conference broke up shortly after that, and Nerys hurried to keep pace with Odo, who walked briskly towards the first turbo lift in the corridor. Despite his behavior that she had witnessed before, Nerys refused to believe that Odo could just so coldly sweep aside the death of his protégé. She figured he must be in some form of shock, or perhaps it was denial.

He nodded at her as they got on the turbo lift. "You headed for the Promenade, as well?"

"Yes," Nerys lied. She was actually on her way to Ops, but she figured that this little detour--along with her white lie--wouldn't hurt. "How are you holding up, Odo?"

Odo glanced at her with surprise, as if that was the last question he'd expected to hear. "Quite well, thank you, Major," he replied amicably. "And yourself?"

Nerys stared at him, stunned. "I'm still deeply saddened by what happened."

"Yes, well, security breaches like this are always hard to accept," he replied, with a tinge of regret. "But they're a fact of life in a busy port of call like this station."

The turbo lift stopped and the door opened on the familiar noise and bustle of the Promenade. Odo strode out--until, noticing that Nerys wasn't with him, he stopped and glanced back at her. "Something wrong, Major?"

Nerys was about to ask if there was something wrong with him, because now Odo acted as if Élan Li never even existed. But then she realized that, perhaps this was Odo's way of dealing with Li's death--to brush it under the rug for now while he dove into his work. It seemed like a cold thing to do, but then, Nerys supposed that Odo really wasn't like the rest of them. Perhaps Changelings just had a different way of dealing with loss then she and the others did.

"No, nothing wrong," Nerys replied, as she stepped out of the turbo lift. She figured that, since Odo was so intent on proceeding with business as usual, she might as well accommodate him. "I know you're very busy, Constable. But we've also had another complaint about excess noise from the habitat ring."
"Not the Deltans, again?"

"Yes, them again."

"Very well. I'm on my way to speak with Quark, to see what he knows about illegal ship registries. So Deputy Élan can handle the noise complaint for me."

"Odo!" Nerys said, shocked.

He stared at her, not comprehending. "Yes, Major? What is it?"

Nerys shook her head, baffled. "You just said you would let Deputy Élan handle the noise complaint. But Deputy Élan is…."

"…gone," he finished for her, his voice intensely wracked with pain. "She's…gone…."

"Odo!" Nerys cried, alarmed, as he began to swoon. His head and shoulders drooped, as if a deep depression had struck him.

Then Nerys took a horrified step backwards as Odo abruptly melted into a large puddle on the floor in front of her feet.

To Be Concluded....