AN: This is a little oneshot about something that Odo has never experienced before. This is just for fun. It can be read as part of the other stories I've written for Lwaxana and Odo, or it can stand on its own.
I own nothing from Star Trek.
I hope you enjoy! If you do enjoy, please do consider letting me know! It's wonderful to actually share these with people who enjoy Lwaxana and Odo as well!
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Odo had lost count of how many trips he'd made around the station at this point. If he tired in the same way that most beings did, he would be exhausted by now. As a general rule, though, Odo could maintain his stamina without much problem as long as he retreated to his bucket on time.
Odo normally made dozens of rounds a day around Deep Space Nine, so the pacing wasn't unusual for him. He did, however, normally take several breaks throughout the day where he spent time dealing with other problems or simply monitoring security from his office. Today, though, he'd stayed on his feet, and he'd kept moving from the start of the day onward.
Today, Odo's beloved wife, Lwaxana, was returning to the station with their six-month-old son, Veta.
Odo's marriage to Lwaxana Troi had been, originally, a marriage that was devised to keep her from losing custody of the boy-child she was carrying to his biological Tavnian father. According to Tavnian law, the child became the property, essentially, of its mother's husband, and Lwaxana became the property of whatever man chose to marry her—as long as she agreed to the marriage and the sincerity of the man's love for her couldn't be questioned.
At the moment of having to declare his love for Lwaxana, with the thought that he would be saving her from losing her son, Odo had truly realized that he did, in fact, love Lwaxana every bit as deeply as he professed to love her—and his love for her had only grown since she'd become his beloved wife.
Odo's very name came from the Cardassian word for "nothing." He had spent most of his life feeling just like that—like he fell short of being anything, really. He'd never had anything, either, to call his own. His life had been very empty—the epitome of nothingness.
Lwaxana had filled Odo's life, though, until he nearly felt like he couldn't contain all of his feelings—no matter into what kind of vessel he made himself—whenever he really sat and contemplated all the things she gave to him, simply by coming into his life and loving him in her all-encompassing way.
To Lwaxana, Odo was everything. She made him feel like he had never been "nothing," and he believed her.
To Odo, Lwaxana was everything. And, through her, he had also become a father to Veta who carried part of the Cardassian word for "everything" as his name—a simple homage to Odo's changing perspective.
Lwaxana Troi was the Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, and Ambassador to Betazed. Everyone who knew Lwaxana Troi knew that. What hardly anyone knew, though, because of the nature of her position, was that Lwaxana also worked with Starfleet Intelligence and the Federation. Lwaxana was one of the strongest telepaths known throughout any of the quadrants. Her warm, flamboyant, and overly-enthusiastic nature kept her from being suspicious to anyone, really, and it allowed her to get close to most beings—even though they may not trust too many other people. She had never been detected while on a job, and she was a highly valued Federation employee. Odo had been made privy to this information as her husband, but he wouldn't share it with anyone, ever, because it could put Lwaxana's safety at risk, and he would never allow anything to compromise Lwaxana's safety, if he could help it.
Most people knew that the Federation treated Lwaxana as a top priority, but they often assumed it was because the relationship with Betazed was important, and because, as a Betazoid, Lwaxana was a particularly convincing diplomat when they needed her to help with negotiations for new peoples looking to join the Federation.
Lwaxana had been granted the customary leave for the birth and post-natal care of Veta, but she'd recently been returned to active duty. Under the guise of a diplomatic meeting with the head of a somewhat militant faction on the planet Murdoch, Lwaxana had gone back to work. As a new mother, she'd taken Veta with her because he still required her care.
The mission, as Lwaxana's missions usually were, was a bit unpredictable. They hadn't been sure how long it would take—with Lwaxana coming up with one reason or another to prolong her visit to Murdoch as necessary—but she'd now been gone nearly a month.
For nearly a month, Odo's whole world had seem nearly bottomless. Days and nights had gone on for much longer than he'd ever recalled them lasting in the past. His time in his bucket was quiet and lonely. She wasn't there—talking to him while she tended Veta's nighttime needs or sitting with him while she had a cup of warm tea to help her rest. She wasn't there, sleeping peacefully, for Odo to slip out of his bucket as soon as he could and, puddling beside her on the bed, to vibrate with the soft rhythm of her breathing—his vibrations matching her perfectly.
Each night, after Veta's bath and before his bedtime, Lwaxana would tele-call Odo. In the time before Veta was too tired, Odo would entertain the baby by becoming things that amused him, and Lwaxana would show him the screen and tell him to look at how wonderful his papa was. Then, when Veta was tired out, Lwaxana would nurse him and talk to Odo, just as though they were side-by-side on the couch she liked having in the living quarters, until it was time to put Veta down. Then, she would blow Odo a kiss, promise him that she loved him more each night than she had the night before, and the screen would go dark.
Odo hadn't told Lwaxana that, many nights, he would sit and watch the screen in the dark, seeing his reflection looking back at him, and wishing she was on the couch she liked so much, waiting for him to come and cuddle close to her.
Today, a Federation shuttle would be bringing Lwaxana to the station as the ship she was travelling aboard passed close by the station. Odo would finally see his beloved again, and he had been told that Veta was starting to get two teeth to show him, though Lwaxana hadn't been able to convince the baby to let him see them over the screen.
And, after this trip, their separations shouldn't happen often or last nearly as long.
Odo had been hired to a new position by the Federation since his marriage to Lwaxana. He knew, of course, that his new position was probably given to him because of his wife, but it was a promotion, of sorts, and he was happy to have it for the opportunities it would provide he and Lwaxana. He would maintain his position on Deep Space Nine, but only in a part-time sense. They had already hired his second-in-command, who would take over for him whenever he needed to leave the station.
As part of his new Federation job, Odo would be a personal security officer to Lwaxana. Since she travelled undercover, in a sense, his role as her husband was a perfect guise for his position as a guard for her. In addition, he would help gather intelligence about the security of other peoples, and he would help to train others involved in Federation and Starfleet security.
Of course, due to the somewhat clandestine nature of the job, Odo's friends on Deep Space Nine only knew that he'd been hired by the Federation as a type of security guard. They understood it was a promotion, but they had no idea how much of a promotion it truly was.
Odo had hardly been excited about the position. Despite Lwaxana's profuse congratulations over the screen, all Odo had truly been able to focus on was her absence. His friends' well-wishes were also appreciated, but there was a hollow sort of feeling about everything that happened around him when he felt Lwaxana's absence so profoundly.
Today had been the first time since he'd kissed Veta and Lwaxana, and saw them both board the shuttle that had taken them away from the station, that Odo had felt the buzzing happiness that Lwaxana had brought to his life. It was the first time, since they'd left, that he practically felt like skipping around the station.
Tonight, Lwaxana would be home. Tonight, Odo's home would be full again. Tonight, his little family would be complete once more.
When Odo got the call that there were three Federation shuttles coming into the station at various docking locations—something that rarely happened, but wasn't entirely unheard of when the Federation had several diplomats that would be visiting various locations for different reasons—he chose the one closest to him and started there as quickly as he could.
He only stopped when he nearly ran into Major Kira, and she stopped him, more amused than offended.
"Whoa! Odo! Is everything all right?" She asked. She caught Odo's arms, stopping him from moving in any direction until he'd addressed her concerns.
"We have several shuttles arriving at the same time," Odo said. "I need to make sure that everything is as it should be."
Odo started to step around Major Kira, but she stepped with him, prolonging the conversation beyond what Odo would have originally chosen for the allotted length of time for a chat—especially when he hoped to be on his way to meet Lwaxana after what felt like an unbearably long absence.
"You're sure it's not that Lwaxana's on one of those shuttles?" Major Kira asked. Odo knew she was teasing him. Still, at the very mention of Lwaxana's name, his whole form seemed to quiver slightly.
"I'm sorry, Major," he said. "I really must be going."
Lwaxana wasn't aboard the first shuttle, though. Odo searched the area and, attempting not to look desperate, he greeted those around him. On his way to the second area, he nearly collided with Doctor Bashir who chided him teasingly, a lot like Major Kira had, about his hurry.
"There were several arrivals at once," Odo offered. "I have to hurry to ensure that there's no problem with so many new faces coming aboard the station at once."
Odo overheard Bashir's suggestion that he might be mostly looking for faces that he already knew, but he ignored it and continued on his way. Much to his disappointment, however, Odo found that Lwaxana was nowhere in the proximity of the second shuttle.
Odo made his way to the third shuttle with less enthusiasm than he had before. He felt himself growing heavy. He didn't care to rush, already feeling sure that Lwaxana wouldn't be there. When Jadzia Dax stopped him, Odo hardly had the heart to explain to her that he was on his way to make sure that there were no problems with the third shuttle that had arrived. She offered to accompany him, but he assured her that all was well, and left in the direction of the shuttle.
As he expected, there were new faces, but none of them were the face he most wanted to see. Odo started back toward his office. He would check his communications. He already knew what he would find, though. There would be, among the other messages, a communication from Lwaxana—she had been delayed again.
As he walked, Odo listened, half-hoping beyond any hope that he actually held, to hear her voice carrying over everything else.
"Odo! Oh—Odo!"
He could hear it in his mind. Unfortunately, though, her voice didn't actually carry into the space around him.
In his office, Odo sank into his chair. He nearly felt like puddling beneath his desk, where nobody would think to look for him, when he saw that he was right—there was a communication request from her. She was asking for a call, and he put in the call. A moment or two later, her face was on the screen. Odo felt his whole form quiver slightly with the joy of seeing her face, but his happiness conflicted with the ache of knowing that there was a screen between them.
She looked at him with a furrowed brow and sad eyes. She looked like she often did before one thing or another caused tears to spill from her eyes.
"Oh—Odo…" she said. "You poor dear! You look absolutely at the point of melting. Do I have the hour wrong? Am I interrupting your rest time?"
"I have hours before I need to go," Odo said. He heard his own voice. It sounded a bit hollow—much like he felt. "Where are you, Wife?"
She smiled at him.
"I'm sorry, Husband," she said. "Something's—come up. It'll be a bit longer before I can see you."
"When, Beloved?" Odo asked.
"Soon, Odo," she said. The tenderness with which she said it made Odo's body react with a small surge of joy. "I miss you too, Husband."
Odo smiled at her, despite the ache that permeated every part of his being.
"I do miss you, Lwaxana."
"Good," Lwaxana said. "We only miss what we love, and I'll never be sorry you love me, Odo—or that I love you."
"Even when it hurts?" Odo asked.
"Especially when it hurts," Lwaxana said. "Where are you? Are you still in your office? Odo—your shift has ended, hasn't it?"
"I have been waiting for you, Lwaxana," Odo said. "I've been—walking the station."
"Go home, Odo," Lwaxana said.
"Where is Veta?" Odo asked, noting the absence of their son. "If he's sleeping now, he won't sleep well tonight. You'll be up far too much, Lwaxana, and you'll be tired tomorrow. You don't want to be unwell."
"Veta is…being taken care of, Odo," Lwaxana said. "He's fine."
"Mr. Homn?" Odo asked. Lwaxana's valet travelled with her as something of a secretary and servant, but he was also a friend. He cared for Lwaxana, sincerely, and for that Odo appreciated the man.
Lwaxana smiled and nodded.
"Veta is in good hands," she assured Odo.
"Will you call me to tell him goodnight?" Odo asked.
"Absolutely," Lwaxana said. "Veta doesn't sleep well if his papa doesn't tell him to have the sweetest dreams."
Odo smiled. He couldn't help it.
"Will you be home tomorrow, Beloved?" Odo asked. He knew he'd already asked her when she'd be home. He knew he was belaboring the point, but he couldn't help it.
Lwaxana smiled at him and bit her lower lip. Her eyes glittered with tears she was holding back. She missed him as much as he missed her, and that made the ache intensify.
"Veta and I will see you so very soon, Husband," Lwaxana said. "And we can't wait. Go home, Odo. Relax. You can tell Veta and I goodnight later."
Odo nodded his acceptance. Lwaxana blew him a kiss and he signed off before pretending to catch it and wishing it could somehow be real. He finished what he needed to do in his office, left orders for the second-in-command that would take over now that his shift was done, and headed back to his quarters.
Odo pushed open the door to his quarters—his quiet, dark quarters. For a moment, he considered leaving the light off. The darkness went better with the way that he was feeling. He thought, though, of Lwaxana and how she always adjusted the lights to her various moods. She would have fussed at him for spending his time in the dark without reason. She would have insisted that he needed a little light. She would call him later, and he didn't want her to see him in the dark. He gave the command to the computer to raise the lights.
And, then, Odo was nearly surprised into losing his shape entirely.
All at once, every one of Odo's friends seemed to appear from behind furniture or from other doors. All of them, all at once, shouted the same thing—something Odo hadn't expected to hear at all.
"Surprise!"
Odo was very much surprised.
"What's this?" He asked.
Major Kira reached him before anyone else did, though the others were closing in quickly.
"We never celebrated your new job, Odo!" Major Kira explained.
"Congratulations on the promotion," Quark said with enthusiasm, slapping Odo on the back. "Maybe now you'll have access to a little more latinum. You know…I could acquire some things that Mrs. Odo might really enjoy."
At the teasing mention of Lwaxana, Odo's heightened feeling from the excitement of those around him fell a little.
"We noticed you were looking a little down," Bashir offered. "We thought—a little congratulations and a little celebration might cheer you up."
"Besides that—someone told me you've never had a surprise party before, and I thought—well—everyone should have a surprise party every now and again!"
As soon as Odo heard her voice, he searched her out. He vibrated in response to her voice. She emerged from the doorway to the bedroom with a smile on her face and her arms already out to welcome him in an embrace. Odo practically sank into her, holding back his desire to change his shape so that he could form to her, truly embracing her, as he might have done if they were alone. He settled for the less-encompassing hug that his friends would find more normal and acceptable.
"How did you get on the station?" He asked, not letting go of her just yet.
"Oh—I had a few friends help hide me while you were busy," Lwaxana said. "It was tricky, especially since you came to my shuttle first. I had hoped you might choose one of the others I saw when I was coming in—but you nearly saw me. If it hadn't been for Major Kira, we might not have been able to pull this off."
"You planned this?" Odo asked.
"Of course we planned it," Lwaxana said, finally pulling out of the hug. "Come on—enjoy your party, Odo. All your friends are here to celebrate you."
"Where is Veta?" Odo asked.
"I'll be right back," Lwaxana assured him.
For a few moments, Odo spoke to one person and then the next, until he'd heard congratulations from everyone who had come—everyone he counted a friend and, honestly a few people that he had only counted as acquaintances. Lwaxana had organized all of this, clearly with a little help on the station.
Still, the greatest sight of them all was when Lwaxana came back in the room with a baby on her hip that was only starting to show the first signs of getting cross at the hour—he liked his schedule very much, and this party was loud and beginning to encroach on his bath time.
Still, Veta smiled when he saw Odo, and Odo smiled to see the tiny white pearls of teeth on the baby's lower gum.
"Look at my Little Man!" Odo declared, accepting the baby from Lwaxana. "Oh—how I've missed you and your mother!"
"We've missed you!" Lwaxana assured him, touching his arm. "We're not going to hog you, though. Have you seen everyone?"
Odo looked around. Everyone looked happy. Everyone was talking to everyone else. They had seen to refreshments, and the living area was over-crowded with bodies and loud with noise. It wouldn't be long, and Odo would have to thank them for coming and ask them to leave because Veta's routine really didn't need to be interrupted.
What he wouldn't tell them was that, for as much as he appreciated the sentiment of a surprise party to celebrate his promotion, he was much more interested in the quiet after-time with his wife and son.
"I have spoken to everyone," Odo said, standing close to Lwaxana, "but, more than that, I have seen those who are most precious to me."
"Oh—Odo," Lwaxana said, breathing it out in the way that made him feel so loved and appreciated. "I have to admit that—I felt a little…inadequate."
Odo furrowed his brow at her and shifted Veta around, finding a comfortable position for him as the baby tugged at each detail of himself that Odo had created. When he was sure nobody was looking, Odo shifted just enough of himself to catch his son's fingers, and Veta howled with laughter, enjoying their mostly-secret game.
"Inadequate, Lwaxana? I've never known you to be any such thing."
Lwaxana leaned affectionately against Odo, her face close to his. She placed a soft kiss on his cheek and lingered there, so that her voice wouldn't carry.
"You see, Odo—if I were to celebrate a promotion with anyone other man that's ever been in my life, I would have offered a nice dinner. But you don't need nice dinners. I would have offered you…myself, Odo. My body. But—you don't need that, either. I'm afraid, I was feeling inadequate. I had nothing nice to offer you…to celebrate you."
Odo turned and brushed his face against her. For a brief second—so brief that anyone looking at them would have believed their vision had only blurred a moment—Odo changed his shape enough to truly rub against her, absorbing the feeling of her as entirely as he could. He had never craved affection, as he did now, until he had known Lwaxana.
"There's where you are wrong, Beloved," Odo said, keeping his voice as soft as hers had been. "I enjoy nice dinners when I can watch you eat them. Even more when you allow me to feed them to you and to care for you. And—while I may not have the same need for your body as others in your past have, I do love to have it near me. I love to have you near me." Odo glanced around. "Why don't we thank everyone for coming, and spend the evening playing a game with Veta?"
"You want to be anti-social, Odo? This is your surprise!" Lwaxana said, playfully scolding him.
"You are my best surprise, Lwaxana," Odo said. "But—we'll let them enjoy it a bit more, and then we'll send them home with the refreshments."
Lwaxana smiled and kissed his cheek again.
"You're such a diplomat, Odo," Lwaxana teased.
"I leave that to the professionals," he responded, holding Veta while Lwaxana slipped away to mingle. Odo hardly let his eyes leave her.
He was happy that all of his friends had come to celebrate the good things in his life. He was happy that he had friends, and that he had good things to celebrate—he hadn't always felt those things were true. He was happiest, though, that soon they would all go home, and he would be left to have a quiet evening peacefully celebrating the best things in life with those he held dearest.