Sisco looked at his watch. He sighed as he saw how long he would have to stay until that night. True at least he wouldn't have to hear Julian and Myles going on about the talent show for hours yet. Their excitement seemed to have passed on to Ezri as she was now only talking about that now! Typical! A ping came at the door. He looked up and saw Kira and Odo standing at it. He let them in.

"What can I do for you two?" Sisco asked, crossing his arms as he saw Kira trying not to laugh.

"We just came to check on what jobs were left around the station." Odo said even though the question had mainly been asked to Kira.

"There's obviously something else. Major Kira?" Sisco asked a bit more directly.

"Nothing sir." Kira managed to say.

Kira quickly left before she burst into laughter. Odo managed to keep back a snicker as she left.

"Odo what's going on?" Sisco demanded.

"I had a word with Quark a few minutes ago. It seems Kira finds him listening to me for once funny." Odo explained.

"Really?"

"It seems so."

"Ezri has told you about the talent show then?"

"I saw a blur that seemed to be Ezri. Kira told me it was going ahead." Odo smiled.

"Well, I'm sure it'll be a success."

"So are you getting involved sir? Maybe you should just come along to see how everyone does."

"It's not my sort of scene Odo. I'm sure everyone will do just fine without me being there."

Odo wanted to say more and try to get Sisco to come. A few years ago he would probably have done the same thing. After what was going on outside the station however, maybe it was time to have some fun. True Sisco probably wouldn't have a lot of fun considering how much he had on his mind right now!

"I'd better get back to work." Sisco broke the silence.

"Sir…"

"Goodbye Odo." Sisco ignored Odo.

Odo nodded faintly and then left Sisco's office. Kira was standing outside waiting for him. She had managed to contain her laughter and was now looking a bit more serious.

"Did he say anything about me?" Kira asked.

"He wondered why you were laughing but seems to be a bit distracted at the moment." Odo said leaving towards security.

"I won't talk to him for a while then." Kira decided.

"Best not to."

Kira looked back at Sisco's office one last time and then went back to her station in ops.

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Ezri kept an eye on Nog. He was sort of shaking and somewhat sturdy. Julian and Myles didn't seem to be concerned at least and as Julian was a doctor, she might be overreacting.

There was some shuffling backstage obviously from the stagehand and the band member. Then there was a familiar voice that talked.

"Vic?" Julian called.

And he was right. Vic emerged from the wings looking a bit more happy. Nog nearly ran to him to give him a hug and then remembered he was a hologram so didn't.

"Good to see you back." Julian nodded.

"It's good to be back. I'm afraid we're not open though." Vic answered, sounding cheerful.

"We were just keeping you informed about the talent show. We're free to do it, Admiral Ross doesn't need us." Myles told.

"Good to hear. Just are you sure you're not needed? I know what Starfleet is like." Vic moved his bowtie a little as he said this.

"Ross is normally trustworthy." Nog talked from experience.

Vic smiled at Nog. He trusted Nog the most and when he said this, he knew the talent show must be going ahead.

"So Friday then?" Vic asked, making sure he had the right day.

"Seems so." Ezri spoke for the first time since Vic had appeared. She had known Vic the least amount of time but she knew how much he meant to the others.

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Rom was hiding behind the bar. Quark had just had a massive go at him and he didn't want to set Quark off again. At least he could do the talent show though. He just needed some belief in himself apparently. True if Quark was also doing the talent show at least he might beat him for once.

"Rom." Leeta called, walking over to him.

"Hey Leeta." Rom smiled slightly.

"What's the matter? You seem really down."

"Quark is just being annoying. The talent show's kind of getting on top of me as well."

"Don't listen to Quark and the talent show is going to go fine."

"I don't know."

"Rom, no one is going to judge you. Well apart from Vic but he's really nice. At least it's not Odo." Leeta tried to joke.

"Most of the time."

"All of the time. Vic is the nicest person I have met and he's a hologram!"

"What if he's not very nice? I mean we're supposed to be taking over from him for a few nights. He might be a bit picky."

"That's Myles and Julian's job, not Vics." Leeta rubbed Rom's shoulder.

Rom looked Leeta in the eyes. His eyes were somewhat glazed over but she could see some confidence lying there somewhere. She hugged him tighter and then let him get back to work.

"Leeta." Odo called from over at security.

"I'll be right back." Leeta whispered to Rom.

Rom nodded somewhat and Leeta walked over to Odo. She was still getting used to Odo's attitude but seemed a bit kinder than Quark was!

"I was just going to ask if you're doing the talent show." Odo whispered out of Quark's earshot.

"I would but someone needs to watch over the bar. With Quark and Rom away it would be best for me to stay behind." Leeta admitted.

"Just pop your head in then. I'm sure Rom would like it."

"I'll try but don't be unhappy if I don't."

The holosuite program door then opened. Julian, Myles and Ezri spilled out of it chatting amongst themselves. Nog was nowhere to be seen. Leeta said goodbye to Odo and went back to her quarters.

"How did Vic take it then?" Odo asked the gang when they joined him.

"Good. He wasn't there for a bit thanks to him closing down the bar but he seemed a bit chirpier when he did arrive." Julian nodded.

"And where is Nog?" Odo looked around for the young ferengi.

"He's staying with Vic to set things up for Friday. Well as much as he can with it all being holograms." Ezri told Odo.

"Good. Nice to see him using his brain for once and helping out." Odo jokes.

The gang nervously laughed along with Odo. sometimes his jokes weren't even jokes just like this time. Well at least he wasn't telling them at the talent show.