Ahn of Deep Space Nine
A fan-novel, based on Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud
Montgomery and STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE.
DISCLAIMER: This was written solely for the sake of fun. No
money is being made here, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Takes place after "What You Leave Behind," the final
episode of Deep Space Nine.
- - - - -
EPISODE XXX
The Homecoming
On the morning when the winners of the Opaka scholarship were to be announced, Ahn and Leslie walked towards central campus together. Leslie was smiling and happy; the school year was over and she was sure she had done well enough to pass. The thought of not getting top marks did not trouble her at all; she had no competition to contend with and no driving ambitions to speak of. A wise person once said that a price is paid for all in this universe, taken and received. And while ambitions are well worth having, they are not cheaply won, their dues are extracted through hard work, self-denial, anxiety and discouragement. Ahn was pale and quiet; in ten more minutes she would know which two students would be receiving scholarships. Beyond those ten minutes there did not seem, just then, to be anything worth being called Time.
"Of course you'll win one of them," said Leslie, who couldn't understand how the faculty could be so unfair as to order it otherwise.
"I don't think I'll make it," said Ahn. "Evron's a sure pick with his paper on Nash's Theorem and I heard that the results of Denovad's warp field project made his professor's heart flutter! My research on intergalactic education techniques looks like a grade school book report in comparison. There's no way I can stand in the middle of campus, with everyone staring at me, while they announce the results. I haven't the courage. I'm going straight back to my room. You can come and tell me what happened when it's all over, Leslie. I beg you in the name of friendship to do this one favor for me. If I wasn't chosen, just say so, without trying to break it to me gently; and whatever you do DON'T sympathize with me. Promise me this, Leslie."
Leslie promised solemnly; but, as it happened, there was no need to do so. From a distance, they heard, then saw, a group of students approaching. They clapped, and yelled at the tops of their voices, "Hooray for the winners! Hooray for Evron and Denovad!"
Ahn felt a sickening pang of defeat and disappointment. So she had failed and Evron had won! Well, Mr. Quark would be sorry - he had been so sure she would win.
"Oh Ahn," Leslie said, lending a comforting arm. "I'm sorry you didn't win. But friend, let's not think that one failure is the end of all things. "You still did a lot better than I could ever hope for."
Leslie stepped back, and with a smile, started to clap.
"Three cheers for Kor Ahn, a winner, no matter what!"
Ahn went home for summer vacation the next day. She had not been on Deep Space Nine for a year and she felt that she could not wait another day. Nog was the first one at the airlock to greet her. With a sense of relief, Ahn greeted her cousin with a long embrace.
"Oh, it's so good to be back again. It's so good to see the stars and the ships and the uniforms. It's so good to hear the voices of all the different people. It's so good to smell the hasperat and the blood pie and the pizza cooking. And it's GOOD to see you again, too!"
"I was wondering if you'd come back," said Nog reproachfully. "A lot of people don't, once they've experienced life planetside."
Ahn grinned and gave Nog a playful tap on the shoulder.
"The University of Bajor is the finest school there is," she declared. "but Deep Space Nine is home to me, and I love you and Mr. Quark more than ever. I intend to spend as much time as I can with you both during my vacation. I also intend to spend as much time as I can doing, and thinking of absolutely nothing."
"You've certainly earned the right, Ahn. Do you still intend on becoming a teacher?"
"Yes, I'm certain of it now more than ever. Since I didn't win the Opaka, I'm going to finish my second year, graduate, get my teaching certificate, and apply for a position on Bajor. Perhaps I can work at one of the orphanages. It seems only right, after all they've done for me. Things are really falling in place for me now. I'll be completely refreshed after three glorious, golden months of vacation. Leslie has chosen Bajoran Literature as her major and B'Toreth is considering Psychology. I didn't see that one coming, especially since he had such a low opinion of his instructor that first week. But isn't it splendid how all our lives are moving forward?"
"Tared Gison says that her brother will be working in the Economics department next year. Evron will be an instructor's assistant. After graduation, he's sure to land any position he applies for. Opaka winners are highly sought after, as you well know. She says he's even shown an interest in teaching at the University."
At that moment, Ahn felt a strange sense of dismay. For the first time, she realized that Evron's life was heading in a different direction from hers. What would she do next year without their inspiring rivalry? Would her drive to succeed, sharp as it was, grow dull without her beloved enemy?
The next morning at breakfast it suddenly struck Ahn that Quark was not looking well. He appeared to be much thinner than he had been a year before. After Quark left for the bar, Ahn helped Nog with the dishes. As they were finishing up, Ahn had to raise the subject.
"Cousin," she said hesitatingly, "is there something wrong with Mr. Quark?"
Nog put the last plate away, then slowly turned to face Ahn.
"I'm afraid so," said
Nog in a troubled tone. "His headaches are getting worse,
and Dr. Bashir can't find the cause. He insists that Uncle take
some time off work, but he refuses. Everyone's very worried about
him. I've been helping out at the bar when I'm not on duty, but
I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I've been living
on four hours of sleep a night for months."
Ahn was stunned. "Why didn't anyone tell me this was happening?"
"You were doing so well, and he didn't want to ruin it," Nog replied. "Uncle felt it was more important that you focus on your studies. He also said that he didn't want to see his money go to waste. The University of Bajor doesn't believe in refunds."
Ahn nodded her head in understanding.
"Now that I'm back," she said. "I'll make sure that he gets some rest. And you need to rest as well. You can't serve Starfleet on four hours of sleep a night. Take care of yourself, Cousin, and I'll take care of Mr. Quark."
Nog smiled, giving Ahn a look of relief. "I know that you will. If anyone can reason with him, it's you. He trusts you."
After visiting Nurse Peters, who gave Ahn copies of Becky's piano music from Jilliard, she walked across the Promenade towards Quark's bar. Inside, she spotted Quark behind the bar, slowly pouring drinks; Ahn, tall and erect, stepped behind to join him.
"You've been working too hard Mr. Quark, " she said, reproachfully. "Why don't you take a break?"
"I don't know how," said Quark, with a weak shrug. "I've spent my whole life working to build something and I'd rather die in the middle of it than to step aside and give it up."
"If I had been the boy you sent for," said Ahn wistfully, "I would have been able to help you so much now and spare you in a hundred ways. I could find it in my heart to wish I had been, just for that."
"Well now, I'd rather have you than a dozen boys, Ahn," said Quark patting her hand. "Just think of how much that would've cost me! No, the girl turned out to be the right investment. The fe-malethe girl.the WOMAN is the one that I'm proud of."
He smiled a sly smile at her as he walked past. Ahn took the memory of it with her when she went to her room that night and sat for a long while with the stars at her window, thinking of the past and dreaming of the future. Ahn always remembered the dark, peaceful beauty and silent calm of that night. It was the last night before sorrow touched her life; and no life is ever quite the same again when once that cold, sanctifying touch has been laid upon it.
- - - - -
EPISODE XXXI
The Place To Where We All Return
"Unclewhat's wrong? Uncle Quark, are you sick?"
It was Nog who spoke, alarm in every jerky word. Ahn was coming down the Promenade, pinning her long hair into a bun - which she often did before work - in time to hear Nog's voice from inside the bar. Ahn rushed in, and saw her cousin cradling Quark in his lap.
"He's not breathing," gasped Nog. He hit his comm badge. "Dr. Bashir to the bar, medical emergency!"
The Dabo girls helped to clear space for the medical team, while the waiters rushed to clear out the morning patrons. When Dr. Bashir arrived, he found Nog and Ahn desperately trying to resuscitate Quark.
Dr. Bashir pushed them gently aside, pulled out his scanner, looking for a pulse. He shook his head, and asked one of his assistants for a hypospray. He checked for signs of revival. There were none.
"We need to get him to the Infirmary, NOW."
An hour passed, and the whole station heard what was going on. While an anxious crowd converged outside the Infirmary, Ahn, Nog, Commander Kira, and Counselor Dax waited silently in the lobby. When Dr. Bashir finally emerged from the treatment area, his face was drawn and beaded with sweat. He came over to Ahn, taking her hands in his. There was no need to explain what had happened. Ahn knew that her Quark was gone.
"I'm so very sorry," he said gravely. "We worked on him for over forty minutes. We did everything to try and revive him. It just wasn't medically possible."
Nog slumped into a chair, a look of pure shock on his face. Commander Kira went to console him, though her own face was rapidly streaking with tears. Ahn stood in frozen silence for a long while. Counselor Dax stepped forward, placing her hands on Ahn's shoulders.
"If you want to cry, or say anythingit's ok." Ezri said. "Don't feel that you have to hold anything back."
"I'd like to see him." Ahn said firmly.
"Are you sure you want to do this now?" Ezri said.
Ahn nodded. "Yes, I'm ready."
Dr. Bashir led Ahn and Nog into the treatment room. There lay Quark on the center table, covered to his chest by a pale grey sheet. Wide lobes framed a placid tan face on which there was a little smile. His eyes were closed and his hands folded as if sleeping, dreaming of all the latinum the Divine Treasury.
Are you sure about this, I meanhe doesn't lookhe doesn't look" Ahn could not say the dreadful word; she turned sick and pallid.
"I'm afraid so. Look at his face. When you've seen that look as often as I have you know what it means."
Ahn reached out, gently tracing Quark's face with her hand. Then she leaned forward, and planted a kiss on his forehead.
Dr. Bashir ruled that Quark's death had been instantaneous and probably painless, caused by respiratory failure. The underlying cause was discovered months later, when post-mortem research revealed a tumor on the area of his brain that controlled breathing. Normally, tumors are detected by medical scanners, but there are rare cases in Ferengi where they can 'cloak' themselves against such detection.
News of Quark's death spread quickly throughout the station, and all day friends, neighbors, strangers, and patrons came to offer Ahn and Nog their condolences. Ahn's schoolmates - former and current - brought sympathy cards. Tared Evron's family sent a large, hand-made wreath of flowers, and from Earth, a sorrowful Becky sent words of support. That night, Nog stayed with Ahn, sleeping on the couch in his Starfleet uniform.
A few hours before dawn, a sleepless Ahn wandered into Quark's room. She had shown virtually no emotion the previous day, and was hoping that the tears would come in solitude. It seemed a terrible thing that she could not shed a tear for him now, the one she had loved so much, the one who had been so kind to her. Less than twenty-six hours before, Ahn thought, she was standing next to him, engaged in conversation. Now, she would never be able to do that again. No tears came at first, even when she opened the closet, catching sight of his brightly colored suits - no tears, only the same horrible dull ache of misery that kept on aching until she fell asleep, worn out with the day's drama and pain.
She awakened a few minutes later, with the stillness and the darkness about her. In that moment, the full force of what had happened came over her like a wave of sorrow. She could see Quark's face smiling slyly at her as he poured drinks that last evening - she could hear his voice saying, "The WOMAN that I'm proud of." Then the tears came and Ahn wept her heart out. Nog heard her cries and crept in to comfort her.
"It's going to be alright, Ahn. It's a part of life, and we have to accept it. He was a good Uncle to me, and I'm going to miss him. But life must go on."
"Oh, just let me cry," sobbed Ahn. "The tears don't hurt me like that ache did. Stay here with me for a while. I don't want to be alone. It's our sorrow - yours and mine. Oh, Cousin, what will we do without him?"
"We've got each other," Nog said. "No matter what. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here - if you'd never come."
Two days later, a public memorial service was held on the Promenade. It was an impressive yet touching service. Commander Kira officiated, the waiters from the bar served as pall-bearers, and the Security team served as the honor guard. After the ceremony, as Ferengi custom dictated, Quark's remains were desiccated and divided into several portions. They were to be sold off, but to everyone's surprise, Grand Nagus Rom purchased the entire lot. He kept one for himself, then divided the rest amongst family and friends. Moogie received a share, as did Nog, Commander Kira, Morn, and Ahn. Ahn took some of her portion, and had it placed in a locket, which she wore on her neck every day.
As the summer passed, life slowly settled back to its usual placidity. Even at the bar, for the time being run part-time by Nog, affairs slipped into their old groove. Work was done and duties fulfilled with regularity as before, although always with the aching sense of "loss in all familiar things." Ahn, new to such grief, thought it almost sad that it could be so - that they COULD go on without Quark. She felt something like shame and remorse when she discovered that the sight of the stars and the wormhole opening gave her the old inrush of gladness when she saw them - that cleaning tables and talking to the Dabo girls was pleasant to her and that Morn's jokes moved her to laughter and smiles - that, in brief, death did not destroy the beauty of the universe. Despite all that had happened that summer, life still called to her with many insistent voices.
"It seems like disloyalty to Mr. Quark, somehow, to find pleasure in these things now that he has gone," she said wistfully to Counselor Dax one evening when she came by the bar for a drink. "I miss him so muchall the timeand yet, Ezri, life remains so beautiful and interesting to me. Today Morn said something funny and I found myself laughing. I thought when it happened I could never laugh again. And it somehow seems as if I shouldn't."
"When Quark was here, he liked to hear you laugh and he was glad to know that you found pleasure in life on the station," said Ezri gently. "He may be gone from this place now; but I'm sure he likes to know it just the same. We must not shut our hearts against the healing powers that nature offers us. But I can understand your feelings, Ahn. I think we all experience the same thing. We resent the thought that anything can please us when someone we love is no longer here to share the pleasure with us, and we almost feel as if we are unfaithful to our sorrow when we find our interest in life returning to us."
"I want to move on with my life," Ahn said. "But I'm worried about what will happen here. Cousin Nog can't run the bar and be in Starfleet at the same time. He's going to have to choose one, and neither choice is going to be easy. The bar is a family tradition, one that he will never let fall into a stranger's hands. But Starfleet is his life's dream, he's come too far to just walk away."
Erzri had no easy solutions to this dilemma, but Ahn didn't expect any. She knew that there were some things just had to be worked out on their own.
Later that evening, Ahn met Nog by the window on the third level of the Promenade. She had just finished closing up at the bar, and Nog was taking a break in between rounds of updating the station's computers.
"So, Cousin, have you decided what you're going to do?" Ahn asked.
Nog sighed. "I'm afraid not. It's going to be a lot harder to keep up when you go back to Bajor. I may have to enter into some kind of business partnershipan arrangement where I would still be in charge, but with someone else managing the day-to-day activities. I figure one of the waiters would be an ideal choice, since they already know how things work."
"You know," Ahn said. "I was thinking that maybe I should take a year off from school, until everything is settled. I mean, the University isn't going anywhere."
"Absolutely not!" Nog replied adamantly. "I'll be fine. Uncle Quark would not have wanted you to fall behind. Besides, you'd be miserable, wondering what's going on down there. In spite of what's happened, they're all expecting you to come back. You wouldn't want to disappoint anyone even Tared Evron."
Ahn responded with a sarcastic roll of her eyes.
"Think what you want, but I always thought he was a nice person." said Nog absentmindedly. "I saw him yesterday, walking with his family to the temple. He stopped me, and asked how you were doing."
Ahn looked at him with swift interest.
"Oh, and what happened?"
"I told him you were doing fine." Nog replied. "You know, I never understood what you had against him all these years."
"We had a fight. It all seems so foolish now, but back then, it was a matter of honor. He apologized, but I wouldn't forgive him. I meant to, but I was so angry I just wanted to punish him. He never asked again, thoughthe Tareds are all such proud people. I always felt sorry that things had gotten so out of hand. I've always kind of wished I'd forgiven him when I had the chance."
"So you HAVE had a bit of romance in your life," said Nog teasingly.
"I suppose you might call it that," Ahn said with a shrug. "You wouldn't think so to look at me, would you? But you never can tell about people from their outside appearances."
- - - - -
EPISODE XXXII
The Dreamer and the Dream
The summer had come to an end, and the University students were preparing to return to Bajor. Ahn had gone shopping for supplies with Alice and Leslie, and had come home to find Nog at the dining room table. A stack of data padds lay before him, and he leaned his head on his hands. The dejected look in his eyes sent a chill to Ahn's heart. She had never seen her cousin sit limply inert like that.
"Are you alright, Cousin?"
Nog wearily looked up. "Oh...yes. I just need to get some rest."
"Have you found anyone yet? asked Ahn anxiously.
"I'm afraid not. I spoke to the waiters, and none of them seemed to want that kind of responsibility. I think they're afraid the stress will kill themthey think that's what killed Uncle Quark. I want to keep bar, but I have my own life to live too. Starfleet is very important to me. If I don't find someone, I'm afraid I'll have no choiceI'll have to close it down.
For a minute Ahn, after her first
quick exclamation of dismay, was silent. It seemed to her that
she could NOT speak. Then she said:
"Close the bar? Close the bar?" Ahn wondered if she
had heard aright. "Oh, please don't do it!"
"Ahn, I don't know what else to do. I've gone over it in my head a million times. I just can't seem to find anyone trustworthy. Believe me, I never thought I'd live to see the day. But things will only get worse and worse, and I'd rather go out on top than to slowly watch everything collapse. Now, there's no need for you to worry, Ahn. Uncle Quark set aside funds for your schooling a long time ago. It's in a separate account. I'll make sure it's transferred to your name before you leave. I'll also make sure you get an equal share of the proceeds from anything sold."
Ahn broke down and wept bitterly. "You mustn't close the bar," she said resolutely.
"Oh, Ahn, I wish I didn't have to. But you can see for yourself. I can't run things alone."
"Then you won't have to do it alone, Cousin. I'll stay here. Let me manage the bar."
"YOU manage the bar!" Nog said in disbelief. "You know Uncle Quark would have never allowed it!"
"Only because of some STUPID
Ferengi tradition!" Ahn blurted out. "That's right,
I meant what I said! If I were a male, there wouldn't be any question.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but the utmost respect for
Ferengi culture, but things need to change. It's time to let go
of these outdated beliefs about females. We can do anything a
male can do. Some of those things we can do even BETTER."
"That may be true," Nog said. "But you're barely
eighteen. Hu-mans can't even drink liquor until they are twenty-one.
I'd love for you to be able to help, but I can't let you sacrifice
yourself for this."
"I know I'm young, but I have years of experience on my side." Ahn insisted. "Who knows the people on the stationwho gets along with the waiters and the Dabo girlswho knows more about the inner workings of that place? Cousin, nothing could be worse than giving up the barnothing could hurt me more. Quark's Bar must stay open. My mind is made up, I'm NOT going back to Bajor; Kor Ahn is here to stay."
"But your future"
"My future is as bright as ever. Besides, no one's path is etched in stone. I'm going to be an excellent businesswoman, and you're going to make it to admiral! I will change my major to business, and take correspondence courses. Oh, things will work out for us both, Cousin Nog. I have been given so much in this life, it's only fitting that I give something in return. Do you know that when I first left for vacation, I thought my future was like one straight road. I thought it went in only one direction, and that I could see the end in the distance. Now, I realize that the future is infinite space. I don't know what lies ahead, and I'm not sure which direction to take. But no matter what path I travel, I'm going to believe that the best awaits."
"I still don't believe you're making a wise decision," said Nog, "but if I don't let you try, I know you'd never forgive me. We'll do it your way for a year, and if it doesn't work, you have to promise me you'll go back and get your teaching certificate."
"I solemnly promise," Ahn said, placing her hand over her heart. "And ifWHEN things work out, I get to stay on as manager."
"Better yet," Nog said. "You make this work, and I'll sign the while thing over to you."
When it became known that Kor Ahn had given up the University of Bajor for Quark's Bar, there was a good deal of discussion over it. Dr. Bashir thought she was being foolish. Counselor Dax felt she was making a courageous move. Commander Kira thought it was none of her business. But that didn't stop her from visitng the bar one morning before opening. She found Ahn inside, going over the monthly business reports.
"Mind if I come in...why thank you, AhnI've been on my feet all night in Ops. Well, I hear you've given up teaching. To each their own, I suppose."
"But I'm going to study accounting and finance just the same, Commander," said Ahn with a smile. "I plan to take correspondence courses, and study everything as if I were at the University."
Kira raised her eyes. "Isn't that a bit much under the circumstances?"
"Not a bit. I thrive on challenge. I'm not going to overdo things. I'll start slowly, with one or two courses, then I'll work my way up."
"I wish you all the best," Kira sincerely replied. "and I WILL remain a loyal customer."
With a pat of the hand, Commander Kira rose and headed for the door.
After the lunch rush, Ahn took a break and walked over to the Arboretum. She lingered there for an hour, liking the peace and calm of the place, with the exotic trees whose rustle was like low, friendly speech, and its whispering flowers growing at will around the small, mirror-like pond. When it was time to leave, she picked a purple hyacinth and stuck it in her hair. Completely refreshed, Ahn made her way back to work. Halfway there, a tall young man came whistling from the opposite direction. It was Evron, and the whistle died on his lips as he recognized her. He prepared himself for the cold shoulder once again, but to his surprise, Ahn stopped and held out her hand.
"Evron," she said, smiling awkwardly, "I want to...THANK you and your family for the wreath you sent. It was beautifulI really appreciated it."
Evron took the offered hand eagerly.
"It was sorry to hear about Mr. Quark's passing. I know you loved him dearly and I just wanted to let you know I sympathized. So, does this mean that our little war is over? I know I started it, but I'm ready to lay down my arms."
Ahn laughed and tried unsuccessfully to withdraw her hand.
"Actually, the war ended some time ago...I just didn't want to admit it. I forgave you that day when you rescued me in the holosuite. What a stubborn fool I've been!"
"Don't dwell on it anymore," said Evron, finally letting go. "Let's put it behind us. I'd like it very much if you would now consider me a friend. If you need help, advice, or just someone to talk to, feel free to come to me."
"That's nice to know," Ahn said. "But won't it be hard to put into practice? I'll be here on the station, and you'll be on Bajor."
"You didn't hear? I'm not going back to Bajor until next spring. I accepted an internship with the Bajoran Consulate. I know, it doesn't have much to do with economics, but it will make for an impressive addition to my resume'. I'll be working on the first level. Come walk with me, I'll tell you all about it."
When Ahn returned, over an hour later, Nog noticed a curious look on her face.
"You're late," he said. "and I need to show you how to check the inventory before I go on duty. Did something happen out there? You have a weird look on your face."
"Me?" answered Ahn, vexed to find herself blushing. "Well, I did run into Tared Evron. We ended up having a long talk."
"I didn't think you two were on good terms." Nog remarked.
"We haven't been. In fact, we'd been nothing but the best of enemies. Today, however, we decided it would be much more sensible to be friends. It seems like a logical course of action, since I'll be seeing a lot more of him."
"Do I detect romance in the air?" Nog inquired with a dry smile.
Ahn smirked, and walked past him, towards the stockroom.
Hours later, Ahn stood alone in the center of the bar. The holosuites and gaming wheels were powered down, and the staff had just filed out the door. It had been a hectic day, and yes, some mistakes were made. But It was all part of the learning process. Ahn took everything in stride, and her heart was filled with a feeling of glad content.
Kor Ahn had travelled many roads in her journey from girl to woman. Some of them were smooth and tranquil; others were riddled with thorns. Ahn was at the fork in the road now, and there were many different paths that lay ahead. It was a daunting thought, but Ahn believed that no matter which road she travelled, the stars would help light the way. The fruits of hard work, worthy aspiration, and congenial friendship were going to be hers; nothing would stop her from achieving the life she envisioned.
"I am the dreamer," whispered Ahn softly. "And the dream."