Kira sat, stunned into immobility by the statement the young woman across from her had just made.
How she really felt about Dukat? She hated him, of course! Didn't she?
Kira forced her suddenly stiff lips to move. "What do you mean?"
Ziyal sighed and leaned forward, capturing Kira's gaze with her own.
She spoke gently, "I think you know what I mean, Nerys. You may have managed to banish it to your subconscious, but I can see it. I know you and my father have had a turbulent history, to say the least. But I also know from experience that love and hate walk a very fine line. You might even say they're two sides of the same disk."
Kira looked away, uncomfortable with the direction this seemed to be going.
"So what do you want from me exactly, Ziyal?"
"I want you to be happy, Nerys and not so full of anger and hate. I want you and my father to make peace and I want you to help my father face his grief. Help him hold on to his dignity, to his sanity." Ziyal saw the stubborn yet wavering look on Kira's face.
"Please, Nerys, do this for me." and for yourself as well
Kira looked back at the pleading eyes of the spirit Ziyal. How could she refuse her? The answer was...she couldn't. And Ziyal knew it.
"All right."
"Promise?"
Kira sighed expansively, "Yes, Ziyal, I promise."
Ziyal smiled, a smile so full of love and gratitude that Kira almost started crying again. The spirit Ziyal suddenly cocked her head to the side as if listening to something. She then turned to Kira with a sad smile.
"It's time for me to go now, Nerys. Please, remember what I've told you. And please... remember that I love you."
Kira's eyes filled with tears at Ziyal's words. She tried to speak, but her throat was clogged with tears as well, so she said with her mind what she couldn't say with her voice.
I love you too, daughter.