Ward of the Prophets

Scene 6

Based upon Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

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Odo sat in the chair behind his desk in his office. He was not doing anything. It was 0840, Kira was supposed to have been there ten minutes ago. He was beginning to worry. He had made it clear to Captain Sisko that he was going to accept full responsibility for Jeklyn, and now she was missing.

No, he corrected himself mentally, she was not missing. Kira was just running late. She had no experience with children; he had to give her some leeway. She was doing him a favor, inconveniencing herself on his behalf. He was grateful for that. That was one of the reasons he loved her, she was always willing to help someone out.

He kept his eyes fixed on his view of the Promenade. After another few minutes, he saw Kira heading towards his office with a bounce in her step. He shot to his feet when he saw that she was not carrying Jeklyn. From his standing position, though, he could see the girl walking next to Kira, holding her hand.

Her eyes were wide, and darting around with excitement. Odo smiled at her ecstatic face. Quickly sitting down, he picked up his PADD and pretended to read it as they approached his office.

As the door opened, he looked up, pretending he had not seen them coming. "Ah, Major, good morning," he greeted her smoothly. "Jeklyn," he said in a more playful tone, "did you sleep well?"

The little girl smiled and twisted around a little, maintaining eye contact with Odo. "Yes," she replied somewhat shyly.

"Good." Odo looked up at Kira with a smile. "Thank you for taking care of her, Major."

Kira returned the smile. "Any time, Odo." She turned to Jeklyn and crouched to her level. "I'll see you later, right?"

"Bye, Nerys," Jeklyn replied while nodded rapidly.

Kira hugged the girl before she stood, and headed out of Odo's office. She stopped in the Promenade, turned back and waved at Jeklyn.

Jeklyn climbed into the large chair on the other side of Odo's desk, and helped herself to the crayons Odo had already set out for her.

Odo watched her for a few moments before turning back to the work he had abandoned earlier. He looked up every few minutes to check on her, and to eye the Promenade. He also looked at her finished drawings when she held them up for his approval.

Her drawings became more diverse than a blue swirl in a black swirl. They evolved into passable images of the station, Captain Sisko, Major Kira, and himself. He told her they were lovely. There was on in particular that caught his eye, it was a small figure – mostly likely her – wrapped in some orange-ish scribble. When he asked her what it was, she giggle and said "It's you!"

After an hour or so, Jeklyn stopped coloring.

"Is there something wrong?" Odo asked when he noticed her inactivity.

Jeklyn frowned. "I'm bored," she replied.

Odo set down his PADD and regarded her carefully for a moment. "How about a walk?"

"Where?" she asked, wiggling around in her chair.

Odo shrugged. "Just around," he answered.

Jeklyn nodded excitedly. "Let's go!"

He got up from his chair, rounded his desk, took Jeklyn's small hand and headed out of his office.

As they strolled through the Promenade, Odo was reminded of the lack of fear in the little girl now. "Why," he asked, "are you not afraid anymore?"

Jeklyn looked the long way up to him. "Nerys and I had breakfast with some of her friends this morning. I didn't know them, but they were nice to me and I was safe. If I can be safe there with Nerys, I can be safe anywhere with you."

Odo smiled. "You are very right, Jeklyn." As they continued on their walk, his thoughts drifted back to Kira. He thought about what he would do if she had a child. He would love and care for that child as if it was his own . . . but . . .

If that child belonged to another man, he would not have the right to act in that capacity. He would have to fill the role of an uncle, rather than a father. He twinged at the thought of being an uncle-figure; that would place him as almost a brother to Kira. He wanted to be close to her, but brother was not what he had in mind.

"Let's go up there," Jeklyn pointed to the second level.

Odo looked up, slightly confused as his train of thought jumped the tracks. "Alright," he agreed and headed towards the nearby staircase. Odo found Jeklyn's hopping up and down the stairs frivolous, but amusing. She took two steps up and one hop down, dawdling and taking her time.

Normally, he would have been annoyed by such lolly-gagging, but he found Jeklyn's playfulness endearing. He found his affections for her growing swiftly.

He followed her up the stairs to the upper level of the Promenade, and to one of the large view ports. She stood on her toes and stared out at the stars. He picked her up and put her on the ledge for a better view. Odo stepped up behind her and she leaned against him, watching the space outside.

"Where's the wormhole?" she asked after a few minutes of absolute amazement.

Odo pointed to a general area. "It's out there, but you can only see it when it opens."

Jeklyn stared at the point he was gesturing towards, in fascination.

Odo, on the other hand, stared into eternity and saw what his life could be. He saw Kira and himself sitting at a dinner table. He had nothing before him, but she was enjoying something. He could see himself explaining something with excitement, and Kira smiling and nodding, trying not to send her dinner flying.

He could see himself sitting on a couch with Kira leaning up against him, her eyes closed and her posture relaxed.

He could see them dancing to a slow beat without a care in the world.

"Do you love Nerys?" Jeklyn asked, mirroring Odo's thoughts.

Odo jumped, startled and shocked by the girl's question. He looked around attempting to ascertain if anyone else had heard the question. When he was satisfied that everyone was continuing on their way, oblivious of them, he responded. "Why do you ask?" he asked, skirting around the question.

"I love her," Jeklyn answered, "but you don't feel the same way about her that I do. Is it the other kind of love?"

Odo sighed audibly, and nodded slowly. "Yes, I love her very much, and not the same way you do."

Jeklyn squeezed his hands on her shoulders, somewhat knowingly, but did not respond.

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