Of course, any characters and places you recognize are not
mine. They were conceived by the brilliant Gene Roddenberry, and copyright by Paramount.
Here we go again! This is the second story in a series. You don't have to read the first story, but it sure helps! Believe me! There are spoilers for the first story in here, BTW, so be forewarned. Well, enjoy the story. Oh, and if you have any comments, critiques, flames, etc., you can mail them to me when I finally get an address. :) Have fun!!!
Dedication: This story is dedicated to Kira, without whom the Eysu Moraht would never have existed, not to mention to my prereaders, without whom this story would not have existed. Thanks for the death threats on the previous one. You've given me a goal to reach.
Also, this story is written in loving memory of Eloise and Jimmy Hill, and of Anne King.
The Things Which I Have Seen
by Yuuki Miyaka
Chapter 8
Arys didn't notice the figure in the doorway to her workout area. Her mind was taken up dealing with the very complex set of moves that she was currently learning. And the shadow had no intention of interrupting her. Finally, the set ended, and she looked up, seeing Nathan for the first time.
"Hello." Her voice was husky, dark with emotion. Nathan knew what that emotion was. Pain. It was with her constantly. Anyone could see that. But there was nothing more he could do about it, so he ignored it, like she would want him to.
"Arys, I need your help. I can't make heads or tails of Jake's office, and this is after two months of trying. I know it's probably going to be difficult for you to . . . "
She didn't let him finish. "Jake was on his own plan. The five of us . . . knew what it was, but only us. Anyone else who went into that office just stared." Her smile was sad, but without the pain that normally accompanied it. She was slowly becoming used to a life without Jake, Nog, or Ari in it. "Come on. I'll help you catagorize it."
Nathan nodded, leading the way out of the workroom, then waiting patiently while she cleaned up. Finally, they started down the hall, and Nathan cleared his throat. "Arys, what was he like? I mean, before the Eysu. Was there ever a time when he didn't have a grand plan?"
Arys looked thoughtful for a long time. "I don't think there was. At first, when we got to know each other, we had a project that he was determined to do better than anyone else. And then another one, and then another. Then he had a plan to rescue a friend in trouble, then we started building the Kumsahmi. It just built, one on top of another, until all of his thoughts were taken up by dreams larger than anyone. And he accomplished them. He did what he set out to do."
Nathan looked a bit surprised at that. "Do you suppose I could do the same?" He sounded young, green, and Arys grinned softly.
"Anyone could, if they know the secret. I'll tell you what it is, if you're interested." At Nathan's nod, she continued. "It's asking for help when you can't do something alone. It's being able to admit that you need friends, that you need others to help you out. If you can do that, you can do what Jake did. You can turn the Eysu into anything you want it to be."
"Do you really think so?" Nathan's eyes were alight with the ideas whirling around in his head.
"I do. And when you do find what you want to do, I'll be right here to help you, Nathan. Don't hesitate to ask." The doors slid open, and Arys' eyes widened before she turned away. She was not as healed as she had thought.
Nerys' almost silent arrival surprised Kira. The two stood in a part of the Promenade few ventured to. Kira was there for a reason. She had just spoken with Shakaar, had just changed her entire life, and she wasn't sure if it was for the better. But Shakaar was gone, relegated back to the position of Kira's friend, nothing more. And she was so afraid to talk to Odo.
"Hello, Kira. It's nice to see you again. We haven't gotten much of a chance to talk, have we?"
Kira spun, recognizing the voice but still wary. She had no notion of what her alternate was about. "Hi. I didn't expect you to come up here." The moment she said it, Kira knew that it would probably be taken the wrong way. Despite claims to the contrary, she was not, and never had been, particularly diplomatic. But Nerys only smiled.
"That's one way to put it, I'm sure. As it happens, I asked the computer where you would be. I wanted to talk to you for a while."
Kira nodded, waiting for Nerys to continue, which she did. "There is no reason for you to keep Odo hanging like you are. And if you don't say something soon, either way, you will run him off of the station and away from the only home he's ever known. How would you like to be responsible for that?" Nerys bit out.
Kira flinched at that, knowing that what Nerys said was the absolute truth. "What am I supposed to tell him? How am I supposed to say . . . what I'm thinking. I'd be a fool."
Nerys' anger grew. "And he didn't look like a fool coming to me? I didn't look like a fool telling him how I felt? What about what he did to me? He rejected me, dammit, because I was not the right Kira Nerys. I was not the one who left him trailing for days. I love him, just as I loved the Odo I lost so many years ago. And I could get him back, if Odo would only come with me. But I know better than to try, because he loves you, and you deserve some of the happiness that I've already had.
"The Odo I've always known was gentle, caring. Most people couldn't see that, but I always could. He protected me through so much, and there is so much to be thankful for. During the short time we were together, I was honestly content. I thought it was going to be the same with your Odo, but I saw immediately that I was wrong. Still, I had to try to regain that happiness. I had to. I've been . . . ." Nerys trailed off, realising where she was, and with whom. Her head fell, and she gave up. "Do what you wish, Major. I can't stop you. But I think, if you don't at least try to work it out with Odo, you'll be making a terrible mistake."
The Colonel turned, hurrying away, and Kira stared after her. There had been fire in that speech, Kira realised, fire that came from passion. Knowing that gave Kira the final courage she needed. She also turned, walking back toward the more inhabited parts of the Promenade. She was going to see Odo.
"There you are, sir. I thought you would like to read this before I sent it out." Arys placed the sheet of paper squarely on Nathan's desk. Two years had passed, and the two of them had become close friends. Never quite as close as she had been with the five, but close. She and Katassa rarely spoke anymore, and her other friends avoided much talk. She was finally, ultimately, alone in this world. And the pain had finally gone.
Nathan regarded the paper for a long moment. It was a form of resignation. Arys was resigning from the Eysu. He could only assume that she had finally given up, and he shook his head. She had tried, he knew. It was just that she had no one anymore. She was separated from all she had ever cared about. And he couldn't take the place of all of those, no matter how hard he tried. It didn't help that he was in love with her. That was why he hated to see her in such pain.
"I see. I'm sure you considered this thoroughly before you made the decision. You wouldn't do something like this half-cocked, am I right?" His voice was disapproving. He made it so in case she was wavering. Perhaps she would change her mind, after all.
But . . . no. "Yes, sir. I've thought it all through. I can't see myself continuing here. I've saved up enough to be happy, if I live frugally, and I want to see Bajor again, on a long-term basis. I'm sick of having to train all the younglings, and having to oversee the other security teachers."
Nathan nodded. It was as he expected. "If that is your decision, then we will live by it. Let me consider for a few moments, if you will. Feel free to roam around the room." Nathan waved a hand at her as he thought about what type of severance pay she would get. It would have to be something spectacular. They couldn't do less for the only one of their founders still alive and in the Eysu.
Arys roamed silently, seemingly avoiding the window. And Nathan could venture a guess as to why. That was where she had spent much of her time with Jake. His eyes closed, and he pressed a couple of fingers against his temple. This was going to be harder to do than he thought.
"Arys, I will send your letter in tomorrow morning. Your severance will come within the week, if that is acceptable to you." She nodded once, and he continued. "If there is anything I can do, any way I can help, just let me know. I consider you my closest friend, and if at all possible, I'd like to remain in touch."
Arys smiled sadly. "Of course, Nathan. It's the least I can do. And . . . thank you."
The chime rang. Kira looked up at the door, then down at her boots before looking around the hallway. She couldn't remain still for long. She was too nervous. The door slid open as she was looking to her right, and she glanced up at the unfinished face of the man in front of her. His eyes were solemn, his stance tense, and she finally knew why.
"Odo, we have to talk."
He waved her into the room, and she walked in, once more admiring the decoration. So much had happened since they had started avoiding each other, it was hard to begin. She started several times, only to cut herself off, and he just sat there, waiting patiently. Finally, she decided to cut to the chase.
"I talked to Shakaar yesterday."
Odo hung his head, and Kira realised what he thought. A small smile adorned her face. He still cared about her enough to be upset. She was safer than she thought. "He and I discussed everything, and agreed that it would be better if we didn't see any more of each other."
Odo nodded absently, not really comprehending for a few moments. When it finally hit him, his head snapped up, and he saw Kira's smile.
"Do you mean . . . ?" He trailed off, but Kira nodded, all the same.
"If you will still have me, Odo. I'm yours."
With trembling hands he reached out and touched her face, hardly daring to believe that it was real. And she did the same. She had loved him for so long, without knowing it, and now they were together.
"Kira," He spoke huskily, almost gruffly. "I know that this is sudden, but I'd like you to consider the idea. You don't have to answer immediately. Would you . . . would you marry me?"
Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked away for a moment, trying to take stock of the whole idea. Was she ready for this step? Could she bear to go that far? The answer to both questions, she found as she looked inside herself, was yes. A simple, unequivocable yes. And she told him that.
His eyes, as she said it, lit with a fire, a passion and joy that she had never seen before, yet one that seemed as familiar as her own soul. And she knew that she had made the right choice.
Their lips met, once, softly, before he pulled her to him in a tight hug. But instead of the hard chest she had expected, his essence flowed around her, creating a warm haven, a soft cocoon for her. She would be safe with him, the cocoon seemed to promise. And she smiled at that, snuggling closer.
"And the hero rescued his lady from the clutches of Furene. He carried her away to a distant planet, as gentle and kind as necessary. He tended her wounds and let her heal, knowing that she would need him, yet also knowing that she couldn't stand to be close to him for a while.
"When the time came for the two of them to join forces again, he left no one out of the band. He took everyone, and they began plotting and planning for the downfall of the prison the lady had been a part of. The lady did much of the work, but the others helped equally, and the hero led them all.
"And after a year, they brought the prison down, and they were hailed as a formidable group within the universe. They formed an alliance, and the alliance was recognized as a good one. And the hero and the lady grew closer and closer during all that time, pausing only to pursue other things for a time.
"Eventually, they got married, but they were only married a short time before the hero was eventually killed, along with two others in his party. The lady wanted vengeance, and went after the killer with an obsession. But her friend could see what was happening, and she protected the lady from harm. And eventually, the killer was caught. But the vengeance the lady had sought for so long was not a good thing, and the lady realised this. So she turned away from her quest to take justice instead of vengeance."
The story was finished, but the children were still awake. That was always the case. They had heard this story many, many times, and each time it was the same. But she continued to tell it to them, knowing that they loved it so much made it easier on her, and she could remember the good times this way.
"Tell us another story, Aunty Arys! We're not tired yet." The children had Cardassian blood in them, all right. How else could they be going after she was exhausted? Well, perhaps it was their age, as compared to hers. She was old, now. Very old, and very tired. But that didn't matter. She was about to start when two shadows fell on them.
She looked up, noting immediately that it was her closest friends. "Katassa, Nathan. What are you doing here?"
Katassa grinned. The two of them were finally back to being the closest of friends, as they had been once. "Just come to see if the little ones were in bed yet." Arys noted the melancholia Katassa held when looking at the children, and she smiled sadly. They had Ari in them, she knew. And they had Katassa in them. And she was their beloved Aunt Arys, full of stories and always ready to wrestle.
"How are you holding up, Arys?" Nathan, that time. He was in love with her. She could see it in his eyes, but she could do nothing about it. She had only loved three men in the entire world, of those, only two romantically, and they were all dead.
"I'm fine guys. The little ones are wearing me down, but they haven't done me in yet. I still have a story or two in me, and they'll get tired yet." Arys nodded confidently. This was tradition.
She would tell the first story, the kids would ask for another, Katassa and Nathan would walk in, stay for the second story, and then help tuck the sleeping children in. After that, they would all retire to the other side of the house, where they would stay up late gossiping.
And so Arys began another story, wondering if perhaps her life was complete, after all.
There were four figures at the airlock, all sad. Two of them were identical. Nerys and Keurithe were finally going home, after much trial and tribulation on Dax's part. And Odo and Kira had wanted to see them off.
"I'd tell you to write, if I could. But I don't know how it would ever get here," Kira said with a deprecating laugh. Nerys just smiled, and hugged her counterpart. Then Kira turned to Keurithe.
"Thank you. If it weren't for you, I never would have considered what was in front of me. I owe you my happiness, if not my life." The words were overwhelming, but Keurithe just smiled. There was no possible way that Kira would be able to pay up on this debt.
"I don't think you need to worry about that. And maybe, just maybe, sometime soon you will see a treaty being forged with your own Founders. I certainly hope so. Just remember to greet me kindly if you do meet up with me." Keurithe's eyes were mischievous, and she hugged Kira sharply before turning to Odo.
"Thank you, my brother, for everything. I hope that your life is filled with happiness and love, and that you want for nothing." That said, she held out a hand to Odo, who took it willingly, and the two hands melted into a single cylinder. The Link said everything that they could not, and they were happy with that.
Then Odo turned to Nerys. "Colonel, I'm . . . I'm sorry. I wish . . . ." He trailed off, not knowing entirely what to say, and she smiled sadly.
"I know. I've had my fun, and now it's time for you to have yours. I hope that once I'm gone you won't even remember me. Just . . . take care of her, Odo. And Kira, love him as much as I would."
Kira nodded solemnly, knowing that she would do nothing less, but wishing it could be less painful on her counterpart.
And the two of them turned, entering the airlock without looking back. Kira turned to Odo, blinking quickly and suspiciously. He held her for a long moment before tilting her face up to his to receive a comforting kiss. And when that was done, the two of them started to walk back, making the way to their quarters leisurely.
Katassa and Nathan sat by the bed, their hearts in their eyes. Once more, one of the five was leaving, only this time it could be seen beforehand.
"Oh, Katassa, he was wonderful, wasn't he?" Arys' conversation had become more and more incomprehensible over the past two months, but it usually revolved around Jake. And they both knew why. Before Katassa could answer her friend, though, Arys' eyes focussed on something beyond their comprehension. This was normal, though.
"Two months and twenty days isn't that long . . ." Arys muttered. Her mind was back in the past, remembering those good times when everyone was still alive. "The School of Hope . . ."
That brought a sob from Katassa's throat. She was losing her sister, and there was nothing that could be done. She clutched Nathan's arm, trying to deal with the pain and failing miserably. And even as this continued, Arys' memory moved on.
"Good morning, Captain Sisko. What time does our ship leave?" Arys smiled a contented smile, happy for the first time in years.
And to her ears, there came the most perfect sound in the universe. "It leaves now, Arys. Come." She looked up, seeing a hand stretched to her, and she took it in her own, allowing his strength to pull her up. Her eyes took in his handsome face, still young, and she glanced down at herself, finding to her surprise that she was also young. Then she saw the body in the bed and understood. One leg of the journey was over, but the real trek remained, and she would spend it with Jake, her one true love.
"Welcome home, my dear."