It had been a long time since Nog had gone down to see Vic. It wasn't like he didn't want to see Vic but he just hadn't found the time recently. After all the times Vic had helped him, maybe he should be more active going to Vic's bar. He stopped just before going into the holosuite where the Vics program was. Julian nodded at Myles and Myles went in. Julian stayed outside with Nog to see what was wrong.

"What's the matter?" Julian asked.

"Maybe I should go back to the bridge. Captain Sisco probably needs me to look at something." Nog shook his head.

"No, there's something else wrong." Julian folded his arms.

Nog sighed.

"I don't know whether Vic wants me in the bar anymore. I haven't visited in ages." Nog admitted.

Julian shook his head and rolled his eyes at the same time. He put his hands on Nog's back and pushed him forward to the door. Nog couldn't turn back so walked into the holosuite program after O'Brien.

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Kira was making her way to the security HQ. She had left Ezri on the bridge as she wanted to go and see Odo alone. Ezri would want to know everything about what they talked about later so she would have to remember everything they were saying.

"Major Kira." Odo nodded as arrived.

"Can I talk to you? Alone." Kira looked around at the other security officers gathered.

Odo pointed his head to the other officers. Some of them smirked but they all left. Odo welcomed Kira in and they sat down.

"Now what can I do for you?" Odo asked, making sure none of the officers were listening.

"It's about the talent show. I heard Rom might be getting involved." Kira muttered.

Odo already knew what Kira was going to say. The whole station had heard about Rom and his last audition for Vic's bar. Vic had been mostly positive about it but had told somewhat of what happened.

"Do we know what he's doing or is he just making jokes?" Odo sighed.

"No but Quark warned us that it might be singing again and with Vic in the way he is…" Kira drifted off.

"We don't know how Vic is. You're making it seem like a big deal that he's having a night off!"

"True. I just wish Julian wouldn't make everything seem so disastrous!"

"Maybe I should go and make sure Rom won't sing. We don't want other people put off by it."

"Odo!"

"What? Too much?"

Kira smirked and then stood up again. If Odo was going to talk to Rom about the talent show, then maybe a softer hand may be in order. Odo watched after her and then followed her.

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The holosuite doors opened. Vic's bar was quite dark which was odd but everything was still in place so nothing had gone wrong. The band's instruments were still there and the bar was still full. O'Brien looked around for the band. No one was in sight and they couldn't hear any voices either. The band obviously weren't there. Vic wasn't there either but Myles was sure that he would appear soon.

"It's too quiet in here." Julian shuddered.

"I'll go look for Vic. You two stay here just in case he comes before I get back." Myles said before going up the stairs to Vic's apartment.

Nog went over to the bar. Julian sat down at one of the tables tapping his fingers on the table in front of him, trying to make sound again. He kept an eye on Nog just in case anything happened.

"Anything?" Julian asked, knowing fully well there wouldn't be.

"Not a soul. I've never known the bar so quiet and so gloomy." Nog sat on one of the bar stools.

"I hope Myles finds Vic. I could do with his smile right now."

"Do you think the Defiant will really be needed? I don't want to miss the talent show."

"The talent show won't happen if we're not here. Most of the acts will be missing and Vic won't do it without us."

"How did you get Vic to agree to it?!"

"I don't really know."

Nog smirked thinking of the many reactions Vic could have given to Julian and Myles' idea. Julian had had enough of the silence and made his way to the stage. He couldn't play any of the instruments but it was worth a go.

"If you break something, Vic will kill you." Nog made sure Julian knew.

"He'll have to join the queue. Kira and Ezri seem to be first." Julian tutted.

"What have you done this time?!"

Julian shrugged and picked up the cello that was leaning against the piano. It looked intact so no one had meddled with it. He strummed the strings through his fingers. The tune that came out wasn't too pleasing but at least it worked.

"Any requests?" Julian asked as a joke.

Nog got down from his stool. He was still thinking over what to do for the talent show. Julian had already told him he couldn't be master of ceremonies as Vic was doing that.

"What do you think I should do for the show? I mean I can't sing and I don't really know any jokes." Nog wanted a second opinion.

"You have loads of jokes!" Julian patted Nog on the back.

"Everyone will already tell them before I can. Plus if my dad is telling jokes he would be upset if I did it too."

"It's good to know your dad isn't singing again! I mean no offence." Julian said seeing the look on Nog's face when he said about his dad's singing.

"I mean, I know it's bad but just don't tell him that."

"I won't. The only person who will is Odo and I'm sure Quark won't let him in the bar without good reason."

Nog was wary of Odo thanks to working in his uncle's bar. Not that he's been on the bad side of it but he knew to keep out of Odo's way. Not only that Quark had been on the bad side of Odo quite a few times already, he wasn't going to do the same.

The door then opened and Myles came through it. He shook his head and re-joined the two.

"No Vic?" Nog asked, worried.

"I can't find him. His apartment is empty. I mean his stuff is still there but he's not in there." Myles made Julian and Nog worry more.

"Vic wouldn't just leave like that!" Nog continued.

"I know. Let's just hope the holosuite is just getting cleaned or something." Myles tried to find an answer.

Nog went silent when Myles had said this. Cleaning on holosuites barely ever happened. Maybe it's a jack in the box or something like that. Nog was literally clutching at straws trying to find an answer.

Before the three could discuss the matter anymore a band member came from behind the stage. He smiled when he saw the three men gathered. It was nice to see someone in the bar.

"Hey guys." He said walking over to them.

"Hey. We were just wondering where everyone is." Myles asked him straight up.

The band member looked around the bar. His face didn't look like the ray of sunshine it normally did. Something was wrong.

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Kira and Odo carefully stepped into the bar. Odo wasn't technically allowed in the bar until something had happened that needed his attention. Quark had made this a thing since the last time Odo had strayed into the bar. Kira would have to take it from there if they were seen by Quark.

"Just keep out of sight." Kira pushed Odo back a little.

"Okay okay." Odo put his hands up and stayed out of the bar and Kira's way. An angry Kira was something he didn't need right now.

Kira could see Rom out of the corner of her eye. She made sure Quark wasn't watching and then went over to talk to him. Rom didn't even look up from his work because he knew Quark would be watching. He would talk to Kira but still work hard.

"Hey Rom. Working hard then?" Kira tried to get him to stop working.

"Yeah. Was there something you wanted? I just got a lot of work to do." Rom carried on.

"I wanted to know what you're doing for the talent show. Julian wanted to write all of the acts down." Kira lied a little.

"I haven't chosen yet." Rom moved onto another table.

"Singing possibly?"

"Like I said, I don't know yet. Now can you let me work?" Rom sounded a bit more frustrated.

Kira nodded and let Rom get back to work. It was obvious Quark had said something to him. Normally Rom would be all smiles and all for talking to her. This time however, was different.

"That's not like Rom." Odo said, stroking his chin.

"Maybe Julian and Myles can get through to him." Kira shrugged.

Kira shrugged again and then went back to the bridge. Odo looked over at Rom and then at Quark. Quark was counting up the takings. His face looked more angry than ever but as he couldn't take a step in the bar, he wouldn't learn why just yet.