Chapter Twelve

Odo was sitting in Quark's. It was busy night; Quark had been doing a great business since he'd returned; The dabo tables were packed, the tables full, the holo-suites booked. It was everyone's way of showing they cared. And thanks to Ishka, Quark had his Ferengi business license restored, the dreaded black notification posters gone from the walls.

He'd have thought Quark would be thrilled, and outwardly he was, as Odo observed him making drinks, waiting on tables, directing his newly restored Ferengi waiters. He was saying all the right things, making all the right gestures, but there was something… off about the whole thing. He continued to watch him, until he heard Commander Dax speak behind him, leaning close to make herself heard through the commotion around them.

"He's not quite himself, is he? May I join you, Constable?"

Odo turned to face her, and noticed that she too was watching Quark intently, though Quark himself was oblivious to their interest. Odo nodded to her, and she took the seat next to his.

"Have you been able to figure it out?" Dax asked, not bothering to wait for Odo's confirmation. He appreciated that, getting right down to business.

"No, I haven't. What have you noticed, Commander?"

"When I played Tongo with him last, he just seemed… like he didn't really care, to be honest. About the game, or even about trying to flirt with me. It's throwing me off. You know how much I enjoy the attention."

"Hmm."

"That last piece was a joke, Constable."

"Ah."

"What do you reckon? I wanted to ask you, because outside of his family, I would say we're the ones who know him best on the station. I'm stumped."

"I haven't figured it out either. He's running a clean business. By my knowledge, he has no side deals going on."

"You're kidding! This may be worse than I thought."

"It's quite bold of you, having a secret meeting about Brother in his own bar." Odo and Dax both startled at hearing Rom's voice, looking away from each other to see him standing at the edge of their table. "But I want in." he continued, taking a seat, "I'm concerned too."

"You are?" asked Dax.

"Of course! Brother is acting very strangely. Leeta told me that the dabo girls have all been very happy lately!"

"Why's that, Rom?" asked Odo, indulgently.

"Because Brother has been so nice to them! The dabo girls are always complaining about Brother! But lately, he hasn't bothered anyone about their clothes, their weight, their make-up, about not flirting enough with the customers, not flirting enough with him, not working enough. Nothing! He's left them alone to do their jobs!

"He's even been nice to Nog and I. He hasn't given Nog a hard time about ordering root beer, even by rolling his eyes, and he hasn't called me an idiot in five cycles. Five cycles! Something is terribly wrong with him!"

They all took a moment to process that. Yes, definitely not the Quark they knew.

"But… there's something else." Rom added reluctantly.

"What is it?" asked Dax gently, sensing Rom's trepidation.

"Well… don't tell anyone this, okay? I'll only tell if you this stays between us."

"Of course." Dax said heartily, while Odo nodded.

"Well, when Brother was in sick-bay… I stayed with him as much as I could, but he was in a lot of pain. He was unconscious mostly, but I knew he was still in pain. Sometimes he'd wake up, but he had a hard time talking. It was easier to write. He was delirious, mind you, I mean, he didn't know who Nog was, or the Doctor, but…"

"But…?" Dax prompted, after Rom faltered.

"He probably doesn't even remember this, but… he wanted me to let him go. He wrote it a few different times. I was scared, but I told him to hang on. It would pass. It did, but… he was really hurting. Brother's always been so strong; I thought he'd be fine, but now he's still acting weird."

"Well, we'll keep an eye on him, Rom. Some things just take time." Dax replied soothingly, grasping his hand briefly.

"You will?" asked Rom, relieved.

"Sure we will. I do enjoy my Tongo games, I won't have some identity crisis of Quark's getting in the way of them for long. I'll do what I can to help. And at this point, it's practically the Constable's job to keep on eye on Quark." she said, turning to Odo while he scoffed good-naturedly.

"Don't worry, Rom." Odo concurred. "I'm sure your brother will be back to his usual self soon. He's resilient. He always manages to bounce back. Like the Commander said, just give it time."

"Aww, thanks, I feel better already! Well, I'll leave you two to your conversation. I've got a date with Leeta tonight!" Rom said happily, excusing himself from the table. After he left, there was a moment of silence, until Dax spoke.

"Constable, I know from experience that things like this can be traumatic, even when you can't entirely remember it. My fifth host, Torias, was terribly injured in a shuttle accident, and following that fell into a coma for six months. When his condition deteriorated, the Dax symbiont was removed. Even though I can't say I am entirely aware of what happened, I remember the fear and disorientation of it all. It took Curzon some time before he could assimilate the experience. Though quite frankly, Curzon's tremendous appetite for life did wonders for the healing process. Quark has that too, that lust, but... you will look out for him, won't you? I always feel better, when you're on the job."

"I will." Odo said simply.

Dax smiled. "We're lucky to have you, Constable."

"Thank you, Commander." Odo nodded in acknowledgment.

"You are most welcome. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment with Worf in the holo-suites, and here he comes!"

Sure enough, Commander Worf was approaching their table. Odo gave a nod in greeting, and saw his relief that it was he Jadzia was sitting with and not one of her many admirers. Dax rose, waved farewell, and the two of them walked up the spiral stairs.

Despite his assurances, Odo was unsettled, after that conversation. He would have liked to have spoken with Quark that night, even briefly, but it was too busy.

He left the bar to take a walk around the station and pondered. He hadn't seen Quark much, since he'd started working again. He'd stopped by the bar after hours a few times, but Quark was basically asleep on his feet, and he had not visited him in his quarters.

But he decided to make it a point, over the next few days, to continually make an appearance after hours at the bar. Quark wasn't as fatigued in those visits, but Odo still detected a certain reserve on his part, and he started to notice it at the bar too. Quark spoke with him, but only briefly. Soon after, when Odo visited after hours, he would discover the bar already closed, Quark nowhere to be found, presumably asleep in his quarters.

It occurred often enough to become a pattern, not just a few random occurrences. Yes, Quark was definitely avoiding him. Odo knew Quark had doubts about them; Odo hadn't stressed it during his recovery; had given him space as he got back on his feet again; but the longer it went on, the more frustrated he became; though he didn't go so far as to visit Quark in his quarters, that felt too invasive. Now that Quark was up and able, however, it was fair time for 'negotiations' to continue; Odo was going to talk to him, one way or another, and it was going to be soon.

That's how he found himself late one night, a couple weeks after the talk with Dax and Rom, walking briskly along the Promenade to Quark's. It was after hours, and he planned to catch Quark closing up for the night.

He marched through the bar's first floor doors and looked around. Some of the lights were still on – someone was here – but the bar and dining areas were empty. He called out to Quark and got no answer, but as he listened intently, he detected the sound of rainfall, and followed it to the storeroom.

Quark was inside, his back was Odo. He seemed not to notice him- unusual with Quark's hearing. Odo called out to him again. Quark turned abruptly toward him, eyes wide, holding a dull bottle of some liquor, though in his surprise he lost his grip on it and fumbled trying to gain it back. When it became clear Quark was about to drop it, Odo stretched out one of his arms and caught it, bringing it back towards himself.

"Uh, thanks, Odo. That's worth more than the bottle would suggest."

"Are you alright?" This wasn't exactly how Odo imagined this starting.

"Yeah, yeah. You just startled me, that's all."

"You didn't hear me? I called to you from the bar."

"No, guess not. Just got carried away with my work."

That may have been true; the rainfall was intensely loud in the storeroom. Maybe on Ferenginar this was considered pleasant, and maybe Quark could hear outside the room with it on, but Odo could not. It drowned out even the ever present background hum of Deep Space Nine.

"So, what brings you here, Constable? I know I'm not in trouble with the law: I haven't done anything."

That was true. Quark had continued to stick to the safe streets of business. Odo wasn't sure if that had to do with Odo himself or if Quark was spooked by the poisoning, but he was more bothered by the casualness of the question and being addressed as 'Constable.' As if nothing had ever happened between them. As if he hadn't visited Quark's quarters almost nightly during his convalescence, among other things.

It made it difficult to proceed civilly, along with the long build-up to this conversation. Fortunately, this was something he was used to with Quark. Having to push, having to put the pressure on to get answers. He supposed it was only fair, he had done this to Quark after Klaris: avoided him, refused to discuss anything. The tables had certainly turned.

"You've been avoiding me."

"I've seen you. At the bar." Quark answered quickly, as if that settled everything.

"Is that so." Odo replied, nonplussed.

"Yeah, it is."

"So, you wouldn't mind if I kissed you?" Odo continued, detecting the slight surprise on Quark's face.

"Nope."

"No?"

"Come on, what are you trying to do, make me beg? Get over here." Quark said, stepping forward and pulling Odo's face down towards his, where they meet in a somewhat awkward kiss – Odo was surprised that Quark had taken the initiative, and Quark having moved too forcefully in his bravado.

Despite all that and the stunted lead up, it was immensely satisfying to be together like this again. It had been too long. Long enough that it took them awhile to adjust to each other. Or maybe, Odo realized after the initial shock wore off, it was that Quark was actually not cooperating as well as he first thought. Quark was keeping his hands on the sides of Odo's face, guiding them but also locking them in place, specifically locking them in a position where Quark did not have to tilt his head up to meet him, and Odo had to hunch awkwardly to accommodate him. It seemed the strangeness continued.

Odo had noted a storage container behind Quark of a size that if Quark sat on it, they would be level. He pushed Quark back a few steps, and when Quark pulled away, Odo indicated to him to sit up on the crate. Quark looked irritated, but Odo only raised his eyebrow, and Quark shrugged his shoulders, then pulled himself up.

Odo was pleased with the outcome, as he stood in the space between Quark's legs, and placed his hands flat on the crate, holding himself up as he leaned forward. Quark still didn't have to tilt his head – some sort of power struggle? - Odo wasn't sure, but he didn't very much care as it seemed they were finally starting to to warm up to each other. Quark wrapped his arms around his shoulders, and then as they continued, pressed his knees against Odo's hips.

On a related note – hearing the slight rustle of Quark's clothes against him – how did Quark stand wearing this much clothing all day? Odo had hated that, as a humanoid, having to put on actual garments. Apparently, Quark was thinking along the same lines, as he was now shrugging off his overcoat, and Odo made fast work of the buttons on his waistcoat.

Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to initiate this here, he mused, though it did hold a certain charm – the store room reminded him of Quark. Nevertheless, a bedroom would be preferable, but both of their quarters seemed too far away, and despite Quark's constant claims to the contrary, Odo couldn't help feel the holo-suites were a tacky location for something like this.

Odo leaned down to kiss along the side of Quark's neck, causing him to let out a breathy sigh and wrap his arms tighter around Odo's shoulders, which in turn caused Odo to press down harder on him. And suddenly, the holo-suites didn't seem like such a bad idea after all. Or even this storeroom, it didn't matter. Only that they were alone.

He was just about to suggest those tacky holo-suites – surely Quark wouldn't charge him if they were going together – when he felt Quark remove his arms from around his shoulders, felt the pressure on his hips fade. Odo would have contested this, if he hadn't noticed, in the dim light of the storeroom, the expression on Quark's face. Or rather, the lack of expression; how indifferent his eyes were they met Odo's, in such sharp contrast to how they had just been. Quark gestured him back with a wave of his hand. Odo complied – it seemed there were always unexpected difficulties when it came to Quark – stepping backwards as Quark slipped down off the crate.

"We shouldn't be doing this, Odo." Quark said flatly, re-buttoning his waistcoat.

"So, I was right. You were avoiding me." Odo returned.

"I thought you'd have come to your senses by now."

"I was rather enjoying it, personally."

"That's the whole point. You don't get it. You're confused. Sometimes when people have done this… when they've had sex, they think they're closer than they actually are. It's happened to me plenty of times, but Odo, you and I, we're not close. Yeah, I'll acknowledge there's a certain attraction going on here, but you don't like me. We fight all the time.

"So, just take my advice here. This kind of thing, in the long run, it's a lot easier if you actually like the person. Think of the Major; you're attracted to her, but you also like her. And you know what? I think she likes you too. There, I said it. She just isn't ready to settle down yet. This Shakaar thing isn't going to last. She'll come around to you, you'll see.

"As far as you and me go; I'm better now, you don't have to feel bad. Not that I'm not grateful. I'm happy you came to see my when I didn't feel well. How about this: I'll even compensate you for the time you've spent. Get you some interesting information, and we'll call it even. Okay?"

Odo sighed as he experienced a sense of deja vu, then spoke."Well, as stirring as that all was, I don't believe a word of it."

"What?"

"I don't believe you."

"I'm trying to be responsible. I thought you of all people could appreciate that."

"Spare me the self-serving dribble and tell me the truth. What are you really upset about?"

"You're not supposed to be arguing with me, you're supposed to be agreeing with me."

"You already tried to end this once before. You haven't caught me completely by surprise. Tell me the truth. Why?" Odo said, more forcefully than he intended to, and he was shocked when Quark's indifference crumbled into genuine sadness.

"I just wanted to walk out of this smoothly, Odo, but you won't even let me do that. You really have to hear me say it? Fine, here it is: we'd be miserable. Either I'd have to stop doing business, or you'd have to stop arresting me. There's no way around it."

"You know that the rules on this station are more gray than they are black and white." Odo countered. "I have thought about this, believe it or not. If we want to, I do believe we can come to some sort of compromise. Something that suits us both, and gets us what we both want. Negotiations are your specialty, remember?"

"Now you're trying to shame me, is that it? Just like on the mountain? That I've given up and you haven't? I'm telling you, it's not going to work. People get crazy about this. That's why you were reading the romance novels, remember? – to study 'violent crimes of passion.' It's why you ransacked your quarters when you found out the Major had gotten together with Shakaar. It's why I got so mad at you after the oo-max. It's one thing to have the Chief of Security haul me off to a holding cell, but my lover? I can't do it!"

This admission overlaid with those memories from the mountain, Quark yelling out that he couldn't continue, couldn't move. Even though there was despair in his voice then, he had not cried – due to sheer exhaustion, most likely – yet now his eyes filled with tears. It was silent at first, but then it became audible, and it was… heartbreaking. He had witnessed Quark in a plethora of different emotional states, the one constant being that whatever he was feeling – joy, anger, love, despair, contentment – he felt it intensely, and this was no exception: Watching Quark become aware it was happening, attempting to calm himself, the hiccuping breaths that resulted when he couldn't, his looking anywhere but at Odo – though he did briefly, when Quark started to bite his lip, and Odo stopped him by gently catching his bottom lip away – maybe some of the other humanoids could get away with that, but Quark would surely cut himself, and Odo didn't want that, especially because he was sure Quark would not have resorted to that if Odo were not here.

Rebuked from that course of action, Quark settled on holding his ears. Odo imagined this was a uniquely Ferengi self-soothing gesture. He remembered Chief O'Brien proudly proclaiming that Molly had stopped sucking her thumb, and the Major told him that Bajoran children often rubbed along the ridges of their noses when they were distressed, and that she had sometimes resorted to it herself, during particularly harrowing moments of the Occupation. Odo's own equivalent was to lie shapeless for awhile.

He'd been wary of crowding Quark – he'd already decided he wasn't leaving – but at this point he embraced him. He was glad Quark didn't push him away, and he just listened to the rain for awhile, until he heard Quark's voice, rough with emotion.

"I'm not that heartless, despite what everyone says, and I don't think you are either."

"I've known you a long time. You've changed – despite how often you rail against the Federation's corrupting influence – you've softened your ways. You won't do anything to make a profit, not anymore. And I've changed too. I know that… the law is more a set of guidelines than a set of rules. I think we can make this work." Odo said gently, changing his hand to a towel to wipe at Quark's cheek.

"There's that too." Quark muttered, gesturing to Odo's hand. "You're a shape-shifter. I get it, probably better than anyone else on this station. They haven't looked over their shoulder all the time wondering if you're a glass or a chair. You're not humanoid. You only look humanoid. Neither of us are doing you any favors by pretending you are."

Odo hadn't been expecting Quark to bring this up. Despite how often he reminded people he was a shape-shifter, he knew they didn't take it seriously. They thought he was making things needlessly difficult, splitting hairs. They wondered what his point was. 'Yes, you're not humanoid, but you're a person. Just like we are.'

"The fact that you acknowledge that – that you acknowledge me – is more than I get from most people."

"That won't be enough. I understand it, kind of. Being an outsider. No one likes the Ferengi, but we're still humanoid. That's nothing compared to how different you are."

"Again, I am pleased you acknowledge me."

Quark sighed. "You're persistent, I'll give you that."

"Well, I had to be, dealing with you."

"This does feel more like an interrogation than a discussion, now that you mention it."

"You know what they say, 'The more things change…'"

"… 'The more things stay the same.' Yeah, yeah. Oh, Blessed Exchequer, what have I gotten myself into…" said Quark, shaking his head.

"So, do you have any other objections?" Odo continued on, after a moment of rest.

"Yeah, I do, actually, but… come on, Odo. You already said it."

"Said what?"

"I'm… not great at this sort of thing. Even the people who love me, hate me. Actually, you'd fit right in."

"I do, you know."

"Do what?"

"Love you."

"You never said that. I never heard you say that."

"Yes, you did. How would your people say it, I treasure you."

"You've gone crazy. The Odo I know would never say that."

"Well, love does make one do crazy things."

"Well, fine, since we've both gone crazy: I love you, too. Still doesn't change anything."

"The future isn't decided, Quark. We won't know unless we try."

"We did try. It didn't work. I can't see any scenario where we don't come out of this resenting each other. You'll resent me for compromising your work. I'll resent you for interfering with my business. So, stop getting my hopes up, alright? Stop making me think this has a chance when it doesn't. Just let me go back to what I do best: running the bar and earning a bit of latinum on the side."

"… The riskier the road, the greater the profit."

"You have some nerve, you know that? Quoting the Rules of Acquisition to me at a time like this. What about what I just said was even appealing to you, anyway?"

"You told me the truth."

"And what would that be?"

"That you want this to work, but you're scared it won't."

Quark sighed. "Yeah. And that's an ugly thing to admit. I'd rather forget I ever said it."

"Maybe, but you are undeniably the best dressed man on the station."

Quark scoffed. "You, resorting to flattery?"

"It's the truth." Odo said, in total sincerity, but he couldn't quite finish with a straight face, and when he made eye contact with Quark, they both started laughing.

After they'd quieted down, Odo leaned forward. Quark leaned up to meet him, but instead of kissing him, Odo rubbed his nose against his. He'd seen Ishka and the Grand Nagus doing this, as had everyone else on the station. Then, once he'd been made aware of the gesture, he'd witnessed Leeta and Rom, then Rom and Ishka using it as well. Though it wasn't unique to the Ferengi, it seemed to be an especially meaningful expression of affection amongst their people. Quark sighed happily in response and reciprocated, brushing Odo's nose a few times before withdrawing with a small smile on his face, the first of the night.

"Odo… You really think we can do this?"

"Hmm." Odo toned warmly, leaning in to brush his nose again, before saying, "I do."

"Yeah?" Quark asked softly.

"Mmm-hmm."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Huh."

"Thought you were going to get me off the trail that easily, did you?"

"I did, actually."

"You should know better than to underestimate me."

"I should, shouldn't I?"

"Yes, you should." Odo smiled.

"Hey, Odo?"

"Yes?"

"Do you want to get out of the store room now?"

"Only if you invite me to your quarters."

Quark's eyes went wide. "Seriously? You… really want to?"

Odo nodded, and Quark pulled on his overcoat, closed up the storeroom, turned off the lights. Odo changed himself into a padd, that Quark carried with his accounting padd, and walked back to his quarters, seemingly alone. Odo could feel Quark's quickened heartbeat from where he held the padds against his chest. He heard the rush of the turbo-lift taking Quark down to the residential floors, heard his footsteps echoing in the deserted halls, the swoosh of his quarters' doors opening and closing. Quark set the padds down on a table, and Odo rematerialized himself.

The lights were dim, the room quiet. And it occurred to Odo with a small smile, that he had spent so many years thinking he was at a disadvantage, being a shape-shifter, when it came to relationships when in reality he was on the same ground as everyone else. Everyone had to take it one step at a time. Every situation was different, but it was quite funny that they were together. Quark, who indulged in everything he desired to the point where he appreciated very little, and Odo, who had denied himself all but his work, to the same effect.

Odo had to expand, while Quark contracted, and to his surprise, Odo seemed to be having an easier time of it than Quark was, but when they kissed again, he truly felt Quark present, the way he pressed every inch of himself against Odo instead of holding him at bay, the way he felt Quark's skin heating up underneath his fingertips. Quark pulled them to the bedroom, and then they separated briefly for Quark to again shrug off his overcoat, and undo his shirt buttons while Odo growled his impatience.

"Just give me a minute. Besides, you were just complimenting me earlier."

"While you're at it, you might as well get the pants too."

When that failed to get a smart response, Odo looked Quark's way, only to find he had turned his back to him as he undressed, yet Odo saw a noticeable blush appearing on the back of his ears. Odo smiled and pulled back the bedcovers.

It was strange to think, as they laid down together, the last time they had done this was back on Klaris, that tropical paradise. How beautiful it had been, so unexpected yet so obvious, like a bolt of lightning, like a river running its course. Their second rendezvous had been beautiful in its own way as well; it was not so instinctual as it was experimental, working towards getting to know each other, with all the hopes of what could be. This meeting, by comparison, was filled with intent: the result of many struggles, and the will power it took to get here again.

Though, he was struck by the a similarity. That first night, it felt as all their differences had melted away, so that he could see Quark with a new lens, and he felt that again. Seeing Quark bare, he did look different, not just in the obvious ways; he looked younger, softer, as though he didn't have to uphold all the many personas and masks he wore on a daily basis: bartender, businessman, older brother, uncle. He was just himself, as Odo supposed he too was just himself, without his Bajoran work uniform, without the Starfleet comm-badge.

Afterward, Odo looked up at the ceiling with the full weight of Quark's arm sprawled across his chest. They were both spent, yet Odo could not resist turning his head to kiss him once more.

"Let's not wait so long, to do this again." Odo whispered into his ear.

"Deal." Quark whispered tiredly back, pulling himself close and closing his eyes.