What If?

by Vulcan Android

The Dominion war was finally over. The alpha quadrant were safe to rebuild and mourn over their losses. Many doing so faster than others. Kira seemed to have lost one too many people close to her heart. Spending most of her time with Kasidy and Jake talking about Sisko, but no one to talk with about Odo. (Kira/Odo, and Kasidy/Sisko) (I'm bringing Odo and Sisko back.)

1. Chapter 1

I do not own Star Trek or its characters. (and neither should JJ- what did I say that out loud?)

Thanks for reading, I'm going to REALLY write more for the next chapter, I promise!

There they stood on the once popular and thriving promenade. Looking out that window, eyes glued to the amazing site they often saw, same each time. This time was different. That wormhole had new meaning- new significance. There have been many losses, much anguish, and much pain, but never has it been alongside such a positive outcome as an end to a war. Bajor was free to grow again, the federation safe to rebuild, and relations between the factions in the Alpha quadrant finally had their breathing room back without the clutter of the Dominion.

Despite the final outcome- peace, safety, and a stronger bond between the races in the alpha quadrant, the thought of going back to the start, or even destroying that beautiful celestial temple in the beginning, sounded like an attractive alternative. Was that a selfish thought? Most definitely, but that didn't stop them from thinking it.

The hours seemed to fly by fast in front of their eyes, like they were outside looking in from their own little time bubble. People running around like ants, it seemed they'd already lived through half the day before the first cup of Raktajino had been replicated. Jake, Kira, and Kasidy had been spending a lot of time together recently. Yeah everyone lost something or another in this war, but to them it felt like more than just a person. While others were getting better and dealing with their losses, these three couldn't heal enough to shed a smile to a passing friend. The fact of the matter is, everything seemed a little less fair for them. Of course everyone knew the risks, and nearly everyone was willing to give their life to this war, but instead, they felt like their loss was too abrupt or everything was left open with loose strings.

Captain Benjamin Sisko, the Emissary, friend, father, Starfleet officer, and lover, and then there was Odo. Their exits were unmistakably different, but that didn't help Nerys sleep any better at night. When with Cass and Jake, they most often talked about Sisko. Kasidy and jake occasionally felt the need to bring Odo into the conversations because they knew Kira was hurting more than she let on. Not many people were close to Odo, so there was no doubt that when talking about losses, Sisko was the main topic, and Odo, the less popular.

That didn't bother Nerys, really. At least she wouldn't admit that it did. She was perfectly fine with how Odo kept to himself from others most often, but it just gave her a deeper loneness. It felt, to her, that she was suffering just a bit more than everyone else. No one else felt for Odo like she did, and yes, people were sad about him leaving, but it didn't affect their everyday lives.

Kira stood in front of a console in the Command center, sipping on the oh-so popular Klingon coffee. Days now seemed to have a dull, repetitive aspect to them, not dissimilar from when the Dominion had taken control of the station and she couldn't do anything except for her job as Liaison to Bajor and a colonel to the Bajoran militia. Of course, she stopped herself from exaggerating in her mind. This wasn't as bad, at least not physically on the station. Though, that feeling never ceased, and that wasn't her fault.

"Colonel?" Asked from behind her, she didn't budge. "Colonel Kira?" Followed by a tap on the shoulder. She flung her head up from the depths of her coffee cup and turned to see a newer Starfleet officer whom she had no doubtedly forgotten the name of. "Ah, uh, yes..," she paused, taking a quick look at her pips so she could at least call her by rank rather than you officer whom I've already forgotten the name of, "Ensign?" "The admiral is on a secure channel wanting to speak with you. Shall I forward the call to your office?" the ensign asked politely as how one would after being assigned to one of the most exciting locations in the quadrant. "Yes, do so." She commanded not as politely as she once did. The ensign understood though. She did not endure the loss and battle that took place here, so she easily took whatever attitudes were given to her, only running on the drive of that of an ensign fresh out of the academy, being one of a handful in the top of her class.

Kira sat at her desk, though in her mind it would never be hers. The iconic baseball that sat upon the top of it never let her forget that. She proceeded to answer the hail coming in, with premonitions that this was going to be about a new commander and she wasn't too happy about that. She pressed a button on the console and there appeared the face of a Vulcan admiral. 'Oh good,' she thought, I don't have to be extra polite, A Vulcan wouldn't care.

"Hello Admiral, what can I do for you?" Kira asked with no enthusiasm. "Hello Colonel. Now as you know, we haven't assigned a Starfleet command officer to DS9 since Captain Sisko left 6 months ago. We hear you've been doing a fine job at keeping things in check for the time being, in which we here at Starfleet command are grateful." Kira nodded and replied, "I'll pass that on to the Bajoran government." Not exactly embracing the compliment. "You may be relieved to hear that we have just assigned a Commander to take Sisko's place." Before she snapped in her head with sarcasm and hatred for this replacement of Benjamin, she also thought, Actually, this WOULD give me a break from the heavy workload, despite how much I hate a replacement for someone no one could EVER replace.