(Sorry it took me so darn long to update. The computer this chapter was on got fried, and it took forever to get it fixed. Sorry!

Ahem… Anyway… An old man in a gray robe runs across the screen carrying a sign that says "The End Is Near, But It's Not Here Yet!"… How I dread not writing this story anymore. sniff At least this isn't the very last chapter…)

Chapter Twenty-five

Marina did not sleep well that night, even though the bed was extraordinarily comfortable. Every time she closed her eyes, shadowy dreams filled her mind, dreams of illusions, of trying to find someone, something, and not succeeding. She welcomed the morning by leaping out of bed and running to the closet to change into something comfortable. As soon as she had changed into a pretty gray shirt and a pair of black pants, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Marina called.

Of course, it was Gentanar who came striding in, handsome as ever, arrogant as always. He made a sweeping bow, then straightened to smile at Marina, studying her form with his icy eyes. "Are you ready for breakfast, my dear?"

Marina looked around in mock confusion. "Who are you talking to? I don't see anyone you could call your 'dear' around here."

Gentanar stood akimbo and shook his head. "Tsk, tsk. So sarcastic this morning. You must not be a morning person."

"Actually, I am," Marina retorted. "There's something about this place that just makes me feel ill… and nauseous." She glared at him. "I think it's the company."

Gentanar was not phased. "I'm sure you will like the company at breakfast time. Come with me."

Marina slipped her socked feet into a pair of black shoes set beside the bed. Of course, they fit perfectly. "I'm coming. Do I have a choice?" She walked slowly to his side. "I thought we were going to meet in the holo-suite."

"We'll head over there after breakfast." He reached to place his hand at the small of her back, smiling crookedly. "Come on."

(LINE)

"I'm so worried about her." Kira, sitting at the long dining room table between Odo and Julian, peered at the arched doorway with narrowed eyes. "Who knows what she's gone through?"

Impulsively, Odo reached to take the Bajoran woman's hand and gave it a squeeze. "We have to trust that she'll be all right."

Kira turned to flash him a grateful smile. "I know. I'm just…" She sighed. "I hope we get a chance to talk to her. I'm so worried."

Odo noticed that she did not withdraw her hand from his. This pleased him immensely.

Julian raised his eyebrow at the sight of Kira and Odo holding hands, then turned to Miles, who sat on his left. "Somehow, we've got to signal to Marina to remove her hair clip," he whispered. He kept his eyes on the doorway, anxious to see Marina again, to know that she was well. If only he had known they would be separated, then maybe--

"Julian. Don't worry. I'm sure things will work out all right," Miles reassured him. "We've faced down lots of dangers before."

"I know, but…" Julian met his friend's eyes. "What if Keiko was involved? What if the woman you love was the one in the most danger?"

Miles frowned. "I see. That would make things different for me."

Suddenly, the two Cardassian guards under the arch stood at attention, and Gentanar swept into the room wearing black and gold and looking glorious. He was followed closely by Marina, who wore a blank expression on her face.

Gentanar pulled out a chair for Marina at the end of the table, then walked across the room to seat himself at the other end.

Marina's eyes scanned the occupants of the chairs--a few Cardassians, a Vorta, some Jem'Hadar--until she found her crewmates. Her eyes lit up when they settled on Julian, and she gave him a quick sad smile.

Immediately, Julian motioned to his hair and made a move as if removing a hairclip.

"She's got to get that," Garak muttered.

"It's our only hope right now," Sisko said.

There was an awkward moment of silence and stillness. The Deep Space Nine crew waited anxiously, hoping that Marina understood what Julian was trying to tell her. Gentanar just kept his eyes adoringly on Marina, and all the Dominion troops seemed utterly bored.

Marina smiled suddenly at Gentanar. "Well?" she spoke up. "Where's the food?"

"It should be arriving shortly," he replied, smiling brightly. "I'm so glad your mood has improved. I knew seeing your crew would do that to you."

"Indeed. So… what's on the menu?" Marina asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

Gentanar rattled off a list of various foods from numerous cultures.

"Fascinating. I'm sure there's something for everyone." Marina continued to play with her hair. "But I'm not sure I recognized one of the dishes. The name sounded Romulan… The one that you mentioned after the human food…"

As Gentanar went into detail about the dish, Marina inconspicuously slipped the clip out of her hair and set it on the table beside her plate.

"She did it," Dax whispered to Worf.

The Klingon grunted. "Of course she did."

"Now when do those Dominion idiots start falling out?" Quark whispered to Julian, leaning across the table.

"What are you talking about down there?" Gentanar called out suddenly, his voice echoing through the dining room.

"He was making a comment about the food," Julian said quickly. "You see, he is a bar tender."

"Ah." Gentanar seemed satisfied and continued smiling at Marina across the long table.

Soon, servants of various races, mostly races that fell under Dominion rule, brought out the dishes. As the meal began, an uncomfortable silence fell. Marina was not even sure she could eat. She was so nervous her stomach felt queasy. But occasional quick smiles from Julian renewed her strength, and she was able to finish the food.

Most everyone had finished their meal when the first Cardassian fell out of his chair. His comrades jumped to their feet and bent over him.

Gentanar stood up. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice sharp and taut.

"I don't know," one of the Cardassians replied. Marina recognized him as the one she had spoken to, the one who had led her down the hall the day before. "He's holding his head and he won't speak."

"Get him to the infirmary, Taron," Gentanar ordered.

The Cardassian nodded and with the help of another man, was able to carry his fallen comrade out of the dining hall.

Gentanar sat down slowly, wearing a strained smile. "Unfortunate."

Suddenly, one of the Jem'Hadar grabbed his head, wincing.

"Another one, sir?" the Vorta remarked.

"Get him out, as well," Gentanar snapped, pointing to the doorway. "To the infirmary."

The Jem'Hadar was escorted from the room by a few of his companions.

"What's going on?" Marina asked innocently.

"Yeah, I'm kind of scared to touch the food," Kira added.

Gentanar sighed impatiently. "I shall have to have the food examined. In the meantime, this meal is over." He stood. "Take the Federation officers back to their cell," he ordered his remaining men. "Lt. Richardson and I shall go to the holo-suite." He started toward the arched doorway, then stopped suddenly and spun around, looking hard at Marina.

Behind him, one of the doorway guards fell to the ground, groaning and holding his head.

Gentanar raised his eyebrows. "Marina?" He did not even have to give orders. Some other Cardassians carried the third victim from the room.

Marina copied his gesture of surprise. "Something strange is going on," she said, holding back a smile of triumph and walking to his side. She turned to look at Julian and gave him a half smile, mouthing, "I love you."

Julian nodded. I love you, too. Be careful. Now that some of the guards are down, we're going to try to breakout.

Good. Be careful. Oh! And I think maybe that Taron guy is having second thoughts about Gentanar. Maybe we've got something there.

Good.

"Marina? Are you coming?" Gentanar asked impatiently.

"Yes." Marina turned to face him. From the look on his face, she knew that he realized that she had been conversing with Julian in her mind. To distract him, she reached out and took his hand. "Lead me there."

Gentanar raised one eyebrow. "All right." He smiled. "Let us go."