Chapter Two

Across the bar, Benjamin Sisko, Jadzia Dax, Julian Bashir, Odo, and Worf sat together at a large table recounting old legends from various cultures when Chief O'Brien showed up. He was about to launch into an old Irish legend when he noticed Dax squinting at a figure across the bar.

"Is something wrong, Commander?" He asked, glancing behind him at the object of Dax's attention.

Turning to Benjamin, she stated, "I didn't know there were any other Trill on the station."

"Ensign Tay?" The Chief quickly identified, "She just arrived this morning. She's my assistant." He thought that the captain would have told her, but it wasn't his place to ask.

"Tay?!" Dax exclaimed quietly, "What is she doing here?" and turning to Benjamin, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Benjamin and Odo exchanged looks, "Her request. She asked that nobody except Odo be told exactly who she was, unless they asked."

"So she can kill me again?" Came Dax's indignant reply, after which Worf sat up a little straighter.

"I've had security shadowing her since she's come aboard the station." Odo replied in monotone, "She won't be killing anyone on my watch."

"Hold on." Said Julian, "Who is this Tay?"

Jadzia didn't think twice. "A murderer."

"An old enemy of Dax's." Benjamin corrected,

"She killed Torias, and tried to kill Curzon!"

When a few heads turned their way, Benjamin motioned for her to keep her voice down. "And Joran killed Sharel and his sister."

"Wait," Interrupted O'Brien, "My assistant murdered one of your previous hosts?"

Julian furrowed his brow, and suggested, "Maybe you should start at the beginning."

"Tanel, Tay's second host, and Lela, my first host, were political rivals on Trill." Dax started, "Tay's fifth host, Tatai, was Audrid's husband's ex-fiance. Tay's next host, I don't remember her name, sabotaged Torias' shuttle, killing him. Joran retaliated by murdering Sharel, Tay's next host, and his sister. Tay's eighth host, Kete, tried to stab Curzon, but was arrested, tried, and convicted, or so I thought."

"Aidei." Spoke a calm, unexpected voice, stepping away from the post that masked some of her approach from Jadzia's side of the table. "Aidei killed Torias." She repeated matter-of-factly.

"Why do you sneak up on us?" Worf confronted, and Estal held her hands up in a 'I surrender' manner.

"I didn't really mean to sneak. I just heard you talking about me." She responded in a calm, quiet voice. "I know it doesn't change what I did, but I want you to know that I'm truly sorry." Dax's eyes narrowed. "But I can see that I'm not welcome here, so I'll leave." Turning on her heel, and clasping her hands behind her back, she took a step towards the door. Before she took her second step, she turned back, and opened her mouth to say something, but then looked to the floor, and walked away.

Only Julian heard her - with his genetically enhanced hearing - when she whispered, "Night, Lil' Cat." on her way out.