Shakaar and Bareil boarded a shuttle bound for Deep Space Nine. Bareil greeted Shakaar by saying, "First Minister."

Shakaar responded, "Eminence."

They headed to the back of the shuttle and sat down. Shakaar said, "I apologize for not contacting you to congratulate you on your election. I've been quite busy with the details of Bajor's entry into the Federation."

"That's quite alright," Bareil said. "I've been busy getting re-acquainted with my life. I have a lot to catch up on."

The pleasantries out of the way, they began to talk shop. Shakaar said, "I've come up with a few recommendations for Bajor's representative to the Federation council. Minister Rozahn would be my top pick. She has been the Minister of Foreign Affairs for three years now, and before that, she was Minister of the Interior. I think she would be perfect for the job. She opposed the non-aggression treaty with the Dominion, which will make her popular on the council."

"It's my understanding that the Emissary himself supported the treaty. Won't that make it difficult for Minister Rozahn's support at home?" Bareil asked.

"Captain Sisko only supported the treaty in name to help Bajor stay out of the line of fire. He was very much a player in the war. He even called on the Prophets to destroy a Dominion fleet. Which they did, I might add," Shakaar countered.

"I would recommend Vedek Tonsa. He has served in the temple on Deep Space Nine for many years and has a great deal of experience interacting with various species," Bareil said.

"With all due respect, that's a really bad idea. Starfleet almost flipped a lid when they found out one of their officers was the Emissary. The Federation has many virtues, but religious pluralism isn't one of them. I think sending a Vedek to the Federation Council would only reinforce their belief that we're a provincial people."

"Surely other Federation worlds have religion as well. I recall meeting a Vulcan priestess once, in fact. Nobody would accuse the Vulcans of provinciality," Bareil said.

"I have another idea," Shakaar said. "Odo."

"I thought he returned to the Dominion," Bareil said.

"He came back yesterday. Captain Kira offered him a position in Starfleet and he turned it down. He would be a great representative. He has shown that he can get along with humans, Bajorans, Klingons, Romulans, even the Cardassians respect him. He could be a great force for good," Shakaar said.

"I doubt he'll do it," Bareil said.

"Why not?" Shakaar asked.

Bareil responded, "Odo is very much a police officer. He has no patience for political niceties. He won't want to sit around debating trade policy with a room full of dignitaries."

"True, but I used to be a soldier, and now I'm the First Minister of Bajor," Shakaar countered. "People can change."

Changing the subject, Shakaar off-handedly mentioned, "I'm really looking forward to this trip. I miss Nerys."

"I didn't know you were close," Bareil responded.

"Yes. Very close," Shakaar said.

Bareil spent the rest of the shuttle ride trying to figure out exactly what Shakaar meant by that remark.


The senior staff of Deep Space Nine, attired in their dress uniforms, assembled in front of an airlock. The airlock opened, and Shakaar and Bareil stepped out.

Putting on her best ceremonial voice, Kira said, "First Minister, Eminence, on behalf of the United Federation of Planets, I welcome you to Deep Space Nine. I apologize for Admiral Ross not being here to greet you as well. His ship was delayed."

She turned to her officers and said, "I would like to present my senior staff. Lieutenant Ezri Dax, my executive officer, Lieutenant Tora Niva, chief of security, Lieutenant Nog, chief of operations, and, of course, you've met Dr. Bashir."

Bareil and Shakaar greeted the officers, and then Shakaar walked over to Kira. He gave her a big friendly hug and said, "Now that the formalities are out of the way, it's great to see you, Nerys!"

Kira returned the hug and said, "Edon! You're looking well. I hear the transition has been keeping you busy."

They stepped apart and Shakaar excused himself to go speak to Dr. Bashir. Kira turned around and saw Bareil standing next to her. She gave him a chaste kiss and said quietly, "I missed you."

Kira addressed Dax and said, "Lieutenant, will you please escort First Minister Shakaar to his quarters. I'll show Kai Bareil to his."

"Of course," Dax said.

Dax turned to Shakaar and said, "Right this way, First Minister."

Kira and Bareil arrived at Bareil's quarters and went inside. As soon as the door shut, Bareil gave Kira a passionate kiss. Kira returned the kiss enthusiastically before saying, "Admiral Ross is holding a formal reception for you and Shakaar at 2100 this evening. Do you want to grab dinner beforehand?"

"Sure."

"Great. I'll see you at 1930. I have to get back to work now," Kira said.

"I'll see you then," Bareil said.

Kira stopped by her quarters and changed into her regular uniform before heading to ops. About an hour later, Admiral Ross arrived and rang the chime on Kira's office. Kira let him in and said, "Good afternoon, Admiral. What can I do for you?"

"I've got a few questions for you in preparation for my meetings tomorrow," Admiral Ross said.

"Sure, no problem."

"I've met First Minister Shakaar a few times, and relations have been cordial. Kai Bareil is an unknown quantity. What can you tell me about him?" Admiral Ross asked.

"He's a man of peace. He has served the Prophets his entire adult life, although he had planned on becoming a gardener. He's brilliant and personable. Even the Cardassians respect him," Kira said.

"And politically? I understand he was an advisor to the late Kai Winn," Ross asked.

"He's a friend to the Federation. You'll find him to be the polar opposite of Winn. The two of them were always at odds; they could barely stand to be in the same room together."

"Thank you," Admiral Ross said before departing.

Kira went back to her reports, and her door chimed again. She looked up and saw Shakaar standing there. She smiled and said, "Come in."

Shakaar walked in and said, "So, this is your office."

"Yes." She picked up the baseball and said, "Though sometimes it still feels like it belongs to Captain Sisko."

Shakaar got slightly nervous as he said, "I understand the reception tonight is to be a formal event. The kind of event where it's best not to attend unaccompanied. I was wondering if, since you'll be going anyway, as the commander of the station, if you would like to go with me."

Kira said, "I've already got a date to the reception."

Shakaar's face fell. "Oh," he said. "Well, how about dinner tomorrow night? I've missed you."

"Edon, what do you want from me?" Kira asked.

Shakaar was startled by the directness of this question. He said, "You never were one to beat around the bush. When we were at the signing ceremony, I realized that I still have feelings for you, Nerys. I got the impression that it's mutual. Was I mistaken?"

"I consider you one of my closest friends, and I won't deny that there's still an attraction there. However, the Prophets told us we're not meant to walk the same path. I'm not going to disobey them," Kira said. "I'm sorry."

"I understand. I'll see you at the reception. Odo is a very fortunate man," Shakaar said.

Before Kira had a chance to correct Shakaar's misunderstanding, he had left her office and entered the turbolift.

Kira finished her work and went to the temple for services. After services, she stopped by Bareil's quarters to meet him for dinner. They ate and talked. Bareil said, "Nerys, there's something I want to ask you."

"Sure. What is it?"

"What's your relationship with First Minister Shakaar?"

Kira almost choked on her springwine at that question. "Why? What did he say to you?"

"Nothing. He insinuated something on the shuttle ride from Bajor, though," Bareil said.

"Edon and I have known each other for years. I was in his resistance cell during the occupation. Once the Cardassians left, I didn't see him for a long time. About three months after you died, Kai Winn, who was acting First Minister at the time, ordered me to arrest him over a soil reclamator dispute. I went and talked to him, and we, along with other former members of the resistance, decided to fight back. Shortly thereafter, he was elected First Minister," Kira said.

She continued, "Several months later, he came to Deep Space Nine to negotiate Bajor's entry into the Federation. During that visit, we became romantically involved. We broke up two years ago because the Prophets told us we weren't meant to walk the same path. Just a few hours ago, he told me that he wants to resume our relationship. I told him no, but he left my office before I had a chance to tell him about you."

Bareil looked visibly relieved. "I see," he said.

Kira gave him a playful kiss as she said, "Jealous?"

He kissed back and said, "Maybe a little, but I trust you."

"There's more," Kira said. "After Edon and I broke up, I started seeing Odo."

"Are you still seeing Odo?" Bareil asked, fearing the answer.

"Not anymore. He left me to go be with the Founders," Kira said.

"Shakaar told me that Odo returned recently," Bareil responded.

"He did. I've been doing some serious introspection. You're the one I want to be with. I wouldn't have come to the monastery otherwise," Kira said earnestly.

"Odo is the man you were talking about when I returned, isn't he?"

"Yes," Kira said. She took Bareil's hand and said, "I promise I will always be faithful to you."

They shared an intimate kiss before cleaning up the dishes. It was 2040, so they headed to Kira's quarters so she could change into her dress uniform. Once Kira had changed and freshened up, they walked arm in arm to the wardroom.

Shakaar was already there standing next to Admiral Ross. When Kira and Bareil entered the wardroom, Shakaar saw them and frowned. He quickly regained his composure as they approached.

Kira turned to Admiral Ross and said, "Admiral Ross, I would like to introduce you to Kai Bareil."

Admiral Ross said, "It's an honor to meet you, Eminence."

Bareil responded, "Likewise, Admiral."

Nog and Niva entered next, followed by Julian and Ezri. Rom and Leeta came in a few minutes later, and Kira introduced them to Bareil and Shakaar. Upon meeting Rom, Shakaar said, "Congratulations on your selection as Grand Nagus. Bajor's loss is Ferenginar's gain."

"Thank you, First Minister," Rom said politely.