Just a moment ago, the teeming crowds on the Promenade had been going about their business. Hardly anyone even noticed the animated conversation between the First Officer and the Chief of Security – it wasn't exactly an unusual occurrence, after all. Even as the First Officer stalled in her tracks and began to yell at her colleague, not too many people stopped to ponder.

But when the Chief of Security suddenly seized the First Officer by the shoulders and kissed her as if his life depended on it, a great communal gasp shockwaved across the Promenade as every single person turned and stared. The crash at the entrance to Quark's was Broik dropping his drinks tray on Morn's foot. The only person who didn't seem surprised was Quark himself, who was looking on with proudly folded arms and a beatific smile on his face, as if at a job with a healthy profit margin.

Dax had been a little disappointed when Kira had apparently run off to talk to Odo instead of pursuing her moment of clarity. She was about to get into the turbolift when a commotion behind her made her stop and turn. People were gasping, pointing, going "ooh!" and "look!" and there was a crash like someone dropping something. She made her way back along the Promenade until, craning her neck over a Bolian's head she saw two people in Bajoran uniforms, apparently oblivious to the crowds, kissing passionately right outside Quark's. A tall, slender red-head and a slightly taller, blond –

It couldn't be …

It was.

Kira and Odo.

Quark was watching them with an unbelievably smug expression on his face. She caught his eye and he winked at her.

Dax turned on her heel and hurried off to Ops. This was something to give the troops.

Slowly, very slowly, Kira opened her eyes. Her head was spinning, her legs had turned to kava jelly and her heart was pounding so hard it shook her whole body. She drew a deep breath, blinked mistily and gasped: "You're right. Who needs dinner?"

Odo didn't reply, because he couldn't speak. In fact, he could scarcely believe the evidence of his own senses. I've been waiting to hold you like this for as long as I can remember ….

But this time it was real. No-one was a hologram. She was really there, in his arms …

And all he could do was gaze blissfully into her eyes as absurd waves of happiness crashed through him and every molecule in his morphogenic matrix cried out I love you, Nerys, I love you … And as they sank into each other's arms and kissed again, slowly, tenderly and lingeringly this time, the crowded promenade faded away and all they could hear was music.

'Cause I've got you under my skin, yes, I've got you under my skin ...

Dax stalked into Ops with a mischievous look on her face.

"Good morning, Commander. Nice of you to join us," said O'Brien.

"Jadzia, you are late," snapped Worf.

"Where's the Major?" asked Captain Sisko. "It's not like her to be late. Have you seen her?"

"Yes, I have, actually, but I think she's busy." Dax's eyes were dancing.

"At this time of the morning? What was she doing?" Sisko stared suspiciously at his Science Officer. "There's something you're not telling us, Old Man!"

"She was with Odo when I saw her last."

"Ah yes," said Worf. "Reviewing the criminal activity reports."

"That's not what it looked like. Not unless Odo's taken to keeping them in his tonsils. If he has tonsils, that is."

"Tonsils?" said O'Brien. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Dax couldn't contain herself any longer. "They were kissing!"

"What? Kira? And Odo?" exclaimed O'Brien. "Bloody hell!"

"Kira and Odo," said Sisko softly. "Mmmmmmmmmm. That's nice."

Dr Bashir bounced out of the turbolift. "Do you know what I just heard?" he exclaimed breathlessly. "Dr Girani swears she saw Kira and Odo kissing! Right outside Quark's! I went to look but there was a huge crowd in the way!"

"I saw them too," said Dax.

To everyone's surprise, Worf drew himself up to his full height. "They are very well matched," he boomed. "I approve."

"You old romantic, you," whispered his wife.

It seemed like five years later, but was probably only five minutes, that Odo said softly, "Much as I would love to continue this all day, I'm afraid I need to get back to work."

Kira smiled groggily. "Oh my, I should go to work. Maybe dinner isn't such a bad idea after all. How about tonight? Say - 2100 at the Klingon restaurant on level 2?"

"Sounds just fine to me," Odo replied.

They kissed once more, just a short one this time, then let go of each other and stood up straight. Odo glared at the assembled crowd and growled "Yes? Don't you people have some place to go?"

Kira laughed and squeezed his hand. Planting a final kiss on his cheek, she added "I'll drop by Security as soon as I get a chance," turned and headed for the turbolift.

Odo stood and watched until the doors of the turbolift closed behind her. Then he leapt into the air, shifting into the form of a Bajoran kitehawk, and soared the whole length of the Promenade, diving and swooping in a mad dance of joy over the heads of the crowds. Finally he landed just outside the Security office, back in humanoid shape, and set off to walk along the Promenade, just as he always did.

But it still felt like flying.

When Kira stepped out of the turbolift into Ops she was greeted by a round of applause. She blushed the colour of her uniform and said "Well, I guess I don't need to explain why I'm late."

Dax sidled over to her. "So what was your 'moment of clarity" about, then?" she asked quietly.

Kira sighed happily. "Like I really need to tell you," she replied.