Chapter 20
Later that evening, after the authorities had all gone and a low-key dinner with Julian and Ezri had ended, Odo walked Kira back to her rooms at the hotel. They had checked in to their friend's hotel after the initial enquiries were over, neither wanting to spend another night in Rathaus' mansion. In the morning, they were due to travel to a Federation starbase, as a requirement before Kira returned to command on Deep Space Nine. The official inquest was scheduled to be held during the same time. The particular station chosen by Starfleet specialized in post-trauma recovery. Both people deeply dreaded the thought of a long stay under the scrutiny of Federation doctors and therapists. Odo especially hated the idea, but agreed to go so that he could spend the time with Nerys.
The planet's huge orange moon held sway over a vivid, starry night as the two slowly walked in silence along the wooded path towards Kira's rooms. They held hands, each mutually lost in their own conflicting thoughts, but taking comfort in their togetherness. Finally, they reached her door and stopped. "I hope you sleep well, Nerys. I'm afraid I haven't been much company tonight."
"Neither have I. I think that was what always made us so good together. We both know how to be quiet."
He looked around him, stiffly, not wanting to leave just yet and knowing that she needed rest. "I should be going. We've both had a long day. My rooms are just up the path."
She took both his hands to stop his leaving. "Odo - I know we've both been through a lot in the last few weeks, but we may not see each other much once we reach the station and then you'll go back to your people. Would you stay with me tonight? I'm not asking you to make love to me or spend the night reliving this horrible mess or do anything that would make you uncomfortable. I just want to be with you."
He looked steadily into her eyes. "I would like that. Not that making love to you could ever make me uncomfortable, but I know what you mean. Tonight I just want to be with you."
She smiled slightly, for the first time in many weeks, and led him inside. The room was large and comfortable, decorated in sweeping white with dark wooded furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows swathed in white gauze dominated its otherwise unadorned walls. It was beautiful and simple, nothing like the oversaturated luxury of Rathaus' home.
Her things, her old things, had been left in the room and she stepped out the room for a quick shower while he entertained himself by wrapping himself around one of the bed's four heavily carved posts. She smiled again when she returned, clothed in one of her own comfortable nightshirts, and saw his golden form. Walking over to him, she gently stroked his surface. "I've missed watching you shapeshift. Somehow I can sense your joy just by watching you. You sparkle more, I think."
He unwrapped himself and reformed in front of her. "I didn't mean to disturb you," she explained. "I find it so soothing to watch you, to touch you."
"It's very soothing for me, too. It's funny, I feel so raw, so violated right now. I can't imagine wanting anyone to touch me, and yet, the feel of you next to my natural form seems so right that I can't help feeling more secure."
"I know just how you feel. The thought of going to a starbase and allowing doctors to probe my body and mind, after all this, is revolting. But, you're different from anyone else. I want you to hold me. I want to fall asleep and know that you're next to me."
He gently pulled her into bed and called for the lights to go out. She snuggled into the deep mattress, pulling the covers snugly around her. Odo returned to his gelatinous form and slipped under the sheet, settling close around the curves of her body, enjoying her soft warmth. Her fingers lightly caressed his surface until she fell asleep.