Creek Johnson and Nance Hurt
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Disclaimer: We are but fleas on the elephants' posterior that is Paramount. No infringement on their rights is intended. We hope none is taken.
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In the two years that had passed since his father's disappearance, Jake Sisko had avoided returning to Deep Space Nine. He had convinced himself that it was because he had been too occupied with domestic matters, but in reality, the wounds of the past were still too fresh to make the trip bearable. He had spent a goodly portion of his young life on the Station and he knew that it would offer no place that did not bring back memories of his father, or of those whom he had lost. So, it was with some trepidation that he had agreed to return to collect his sister rather than trust her return to strangers. He was relieved to find that the trip was not as bad as he had imagined. The Station remained for the most part unchanged and he had found himself actually looking forward to introducing Sarah to his old home. That was, of course, before this. Jake looked around the crowded Promenade and cursed under his breath. It was bad enough, he thought, that he had been up half the night trying to think of what he was going to say to the man who had risked his own life to save his sister, but now this. He had just turned his back on Sarah for a moment and now she was gone.
"Damn," he said. "Not again."
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Jack came to a halt in front of the door and paused for a moment while he adjusted his 'clothing'. He couldn't remember the collar of his tunic feeling this tight before. He glanced at his companion and smiled to see that he looked as nervous as Jack felt. "Did anyone ever tell you, you look good in black?" he asked.
"Shut up," replied Pilgrim.
"No really. It goes with your eyes."
"I said, shut up."
"Someone got up on the wrong side of the Station this morning."
"It is entirely your fault I am in this predicament," Pilgrim reminded him. "I do not remember having to listen to your babbling as being part of my…punishment."
"Consider it a bonus," replied Jack with a grin.
"I should," growled Pilgrim. "Be light years away from here. I should be out there looking for…"
"Has it ever occurred to you," asked Jack. "To consider for one moment that Renegade knew what she was doing? That maybe, just maybe, she was sincere when she talked about finding some way to redeem herself?"
Pilgrim remained silent.
"If you ask me," continued Jack. "I think she spent all that time on Bajor making sure that the Book of Kost'amojin wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. I think that she knew Odo would be there in the end to deal with the situation. I think…"
"Have I mentioned I do not care what you think?" countered Pilgrim.
"Just something to consider while you mope around the Station," Jack reminded him. "Just remember, be pleasant. Odo's been through a lot the last couple of weeks. He doesn't need you to remind him…"
"And I do not require you to remind me…"
The door slid open and on the threshold stood Odo, dressed in the black uniform that marked employees of the Centurion Corporation. He said nothing but merely stepped past them and walked to the turbolifts.
Jack shrugged and fell into step behind him, Pilgrim following a step behind.
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Mikor Dukat stood in the ticket office on Deep Space Nine and for the first time in his life was at a loss for an answer. "Where to?" asked the ticket agent again, thinking that it certainly took all kinds to make up a galaxy.
"I have no idea," he replied thinking that there was no reason to return to his home of the last few years. There was nothing for him in the Deus System and now there was no reason to continue on to Bajor. "What would you suggest?"
"An adventure then," said the ticket agent, his interest piqued. "Let's see…"
Mikor became aware of a gentle tug on his trousers and looking down found a very small human child at this side.
"Meko," she said.
"Go away little girl," replied Mikor. He had enough of other people's children to last him a lifetime.
"Meko," she insisted tugging even harder on the leg of his pants.
"Cute kid," volunteered the ticket agent. "Is she yours?"
"Certainly not."
The door to the office slid open and on the threshold stood a young man about Mikor's age. "Sarah!" he said. "There you are. What do you think you're doing running off like that?"
"Meko," Sarah replied pointing to Mikor.
"You!" said Mikor having instantly recognized the young man as the human who had been in his…his…he really had no word with which to classify the experience.
"I was going to say the same thing," replied Jake Sisko offering him his hand. "You must be Mikor?"
"And you must be Jake Sisko," said Mikor realizing for the second time in his life that he was at a loss for words.
"Going somewhere?" asked Jake.
"Apparently. I believe I may have worn out my welcome on the Station."
"Sarah certainly doesn't think so."
"She is a special child isn't she?" asked Mikor reaching down to caress the top of her head.
"You have no idea,' replied Jake. "Say, if you have the time, can I buy you a drink?"
Mikor was about to object when he glanced down and saw Sarah staring at him with large solemn eyes that seemed to look straight through him. "If you wish," he replied.
"If you like," said Jake as they strolled towards Quarks. "Maybe later I could show you the Station. I grew up here you know."
"Perhaps," replied Mikor after a moment. "You could tell me about your father."
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It was the longest turbolift ride Jack had ever experienced in his life. Odo stood, ramrod straight, his features set with grim determination and refused to say a word despite Jack's best efforts to draw him into conversation. But if the ride had been bad, their march through the Promenade had been worse. If Odo noticed the number of people who scurried out of their way, he did not give any sign. Jack could not fail but notice the groups of people, mainly Bajoran, who stood around in clusters, pointing and whispering as they passed. He glanced uneasily at Pilgrim and realized he was just as aware of the mood of the crowds. Jack realized with a sinking feeling that word must have finally gotten out about their involvement in the matter of the Sisko kidnapping. Well, thought Jack it could be worse. He realized just how worse it could get as they passed the Security Office and there on the steps were Admiral Pendergast and D. McKinley in close conference with Flato Rey.
Well, thought Jack, I've been thrown out of better places. Hell, I've even allowed myself to be hung once of twice in the past.
It started just as they reached the steps of the office, tentative at first, but then growing louder as more people on the Promenade joined in. Odo halted before the doorway and turned to face the crowd.
"Are they clapping for us?" asked Pilgrim. "Why are they clapping?"
"I don't know," replied Jack. "But I'm not going to question it." He turned to Odo only to find him looking toward the upper level of the Promenade. There at the railing stood Kira Nerys in conversation with Lt. Commander John Marshall. Jack watched Odo carefully as the Colonel's gaze shifted in their direction. A slight smile crossed her face as she looked down upon Odo and she briefly placed both hands over her heart as she nodded in his direction. Jack's gaze shifted to Odo whose stern features softened briefly as he too placed a hand over his heart before returning the nod. Jack could not help but smile at this careful public recognition between the two lovers. Catching the stern look Odo gave him, he quickly wiped the smile off his face.