There was a Hall of Heroes in her mind. It was a sacred place where she drew her strength from, when her faith in the prophets weren't strong enough on its own to override her instinctual need for self-preservation in dangerous situations where her life was at stake. She always could bring forth the names of the heroes who gave their all for Bajor and Bajorans, and she had wanted to emulate them and be with them so badly that it gave her just enough to fight one more fight, pull one more trigger.

But now one more of those pillars in her hall had crumbled, and in its wake a shadow had emerged and was sharing those sacred halls. He wasn't welcome there. And she wasn't sure she could banish him like she wanted.

What was it Gul Dukat had asked her? Whether Aeroin Primm had lost his pedestal now that she knew he was the tailor? Damn that rat-faced son-of-a-bitch; Dax was right. It killed Dukat to think another Cardassian man was the recipient of her adoration - even if it was unintentional. He had to ruin it.

She needed a place to go, somewhere to clear her head. Somewhere to cool off, to be alone, to have something to break, to have a mandala to pray to. But there was no place where she could do all these things at once. Was there anyone Good Enough to hear what she had to say and how she felt?

She could go to Odo; he had always been the outsider. He knew how to keep secrets. That's it. She would talk to Odo.

She had made her way down the promenade and nearly triggered Security's automated doors when she turned around and left. No, not Odo. He had feelings for her, and it might upset him to learn that Aeroin had manifested from legend to flesh-and-blood who frequented the promenade as often as anyone else.

Sisko. He would listen. He was the Emissary! And no one could listen with sensitivity and professionalism like he could.

She walked to the Turbo-lift, placed her hands on the rail, and before she could shout 'Ops!' she had changed her mind again: It was too much for her to swallow the fact that the entire resistance - the resistance that she had dedicated her very life, and the lives of her friends - had been compromised from the very start and they had all been tricked by their mortal enemy.

Dax. She would listen. She had seven lifetimes and knew when and when not to gossip. She was already partially aware of the circumstances.

And as luck would have it, she was passing her by. She was unmistakable with her pulled-back dark hair, confident stride and arms held behind her back. Kira was about to call her name when something inside her forced her mouth shut. She couldn't trust Dax wouldn't just challenge her for denying the guilt she felt in refusing a species his own place within.

O'Brien was too biased. The doctor was out. Quark was definately out.

The temple. The Vedec would let her in. She'll just pray at the temple. Maybe the orb would bless her with a vision?

So pre-occupied with her own shattered sense of pride that she had turned around and bumped into her Kai and caused both women to catch their footing lest they fall.

She hadn't been expecting Winn to be on the station. But there were times when impromptu visits were necessary. And it wasn't as if she wasn't a spectacle when she was here, with her train of Vedecs. She should have known.

"Kai! I am so sorry." Kira blurted in shock. The Vedecs had seen the whole thing; The disrespect was undeniable. She felt her face flush.

Kai Winn's eyes were scanning Kira's face. "Child," She said firmly, "I don't know what has you so troubled." She reached out to touch her ear gently. "But nothing happens that the prophets haven't intended for you."

Kira's vision blurred. She stifled a cry and nodded, then wrapped her arms around the older woman in an embrace. To hell with propriety; she had already messed up. Besides, if the Winn had been surprised by this uncharacteristic display of trust, she didn't let it show; and it was good publicity to be pass forgiveness from time to time anyway. She returned the embrace.

"Accept their hardship, for they give us nothing we can't handle. And we will be stronger and wiser for it."