Chapter One: Enter, An Unhappy Man

Doctor Gaven Ore. The alias was not particularly comforting to Gaven since he felt it was misleading to pose as a Federation doctor when he wasn't one. But given the testing he'd undergone to measure his aptitudes; a medical doctor and researcher was the closest equivalent to his personal and professional capabilities and something that Starfleet was confident he could carry out provided his tasks were monitored by an accredited doctor.

Gaven was uniquely capable of identifying and treating people's ills. Being a biological empath had unique advantages built into his standard skills and it was believed that his unique insight would prove to be especially useful among a diverse alien population. Nevertheless, he had made it clear to Captain Benjamin Sisko that he preferred to keep his hands off unless there was an emergent situation involved. That is what he told himself.

emotionally. He had been traveling for nearly three weeks and was already thoroughly sick of the relentless and lonely darkness of space. Besides his short few months as a galactic refugee on Vulcan and wherever he had been held shortly after when he'd been taken hostage for several months by some nameless human, Gaven hadn't been on solid ground in more than eighteen months. It was a far cry from the fifty-some years he'd enjoyed on his reclusive and obscure homeworld of Oum.

Gaven sighed deeply. His fingers rubbing gingerly along his face and scalp. He still wasn't used to it. The obvious changes to the topography of his face. The now small, reconstructed human-like ears. The semi-permanent lenses over his eyes to hide his brightly colored and oversized irises. His suppressed skin pigment gave him a pale if more human parlor. Not to mention the clothes which clung too tightly to his broad frame and to sensitive places along his abdomen where his differing anatomy was less concealable.

Gaven was supposed to appear like a human but he certainly was not one and he mourned the necessary masking of his alien features which had been done at his insistence in a feeble attempt to uphold his Oum obscurity. Ever since being forced from his homeworld mourning seemed to be the only consistent emotional state he had and once more the perfect memory of his lost mate swam in front of his vision.

Lopel Ner's face had been ghastly alert as if death had come as a surprise when he'd fallen senselessly from the cavern wall they'd been scaling. The thought caused fresh thick tears to well and slowly stream down his face. It seemed as if grief was all Gaven was good for anymore.

Reflecting on everything he desperately wondered if choosing to survive his expulsion from his homeworld and resulting exile in space really was better than what the alternative had been. The Oum had not seen one of their kind leave the planet surface in over a thousand years. The Oum were isolationists and had long ago turned their eyes away from the wonder of the stars. And yet, when Gaven had been facing his death rites fore he had been bonded in servitude to his mate and thus his life should have been rendered forfeit when Lopel Ner had abruptly died; Gaven had chosen the one means of death that held an obscure possibility of survival.

If he had known then, what he knew now, he might have chosen to die a more conventional and assured death on Oum. His mistake of course had been his honesty once he was plucked by bizarre chance from space as he orbited the outskirts of the planet's gravitational pull and questioned. But those reflections were not chief in his mind. For now, he felt only misery, confusion, and fear of the unknown.

What he did know was that there were people in the galaxy who were desperately interested in where Gaven had come from and his seeming unprecedented connection to the Changeling species. Had he known ahead of time the scope of the oppressive activity by the modern-day changelings in the quadrant he might have held his tongue, but the Vulcan's had come to the knowledge on their own through their ability to see transparently through his mind and feelings. What they had done with the information and whether it connected back to his kidnapping and torture, he did not know. But it was his species' ancient relationship with the changeling culture that had fascinated his captor for months before Gaven had been abruptly released as if nothing had happened. At the vivid memory of these experiences, he rubbed absently at his wrist where faint scaring was detectable under his fingers where his binds had hurt and chaffed.

Since Gaven had been made aware of the appearance of the Dominion, Starfleet had been putting pressure on him to join the cause in finding ways to repel them. No doubt Starfleet wanted to try and utilize his cultural knowledge and unique expertise to help develop strategies to combat the Vorta and Jem'Hadar if not the Changeling Founders themselves someday.

While Gaven sympathized with those opposing the Dominion based on what he had learned about what was happening in the quadrant, he didn't agree with using biological or genetic warfare to achieve those ends. But as the threat to other intelligent cultures increased, he wasn't sure how long he could avoid compromising his principles. The more desperate the Federation of Planets got, the less choice he knew would be afforded him if he continued to live and work in the Federation's shadow. He'd also learned firsthand that Starfleet and others outside of them had ways of leaning on him that could ultimately force him to relent. He was still a refugee after all. A man with no homeworld to advocate for him and no one who could claim him as their friends.

For the time being, it seemed that Gaven was merely being asked to be open to the Federation's requests while he continued his work out on the frontier. In exchange, the Federation was prepared to allow him access to Starfleet's resources and protections as a Federation asset which afforded him a meager means of consistent support and a handler designated to see to his needs. What better place to keep an eye on him than a remote, if strategically placed, space station out on the edge of the frontier of Federation controlled space?

One thing he was happy about was that by all accounts Deep Space Nine was said to be such a melting pot of humanoid species. During his time with the Vulcans, Gaven had read about and studied the common species represented among the Federation of Planets. It would be an undeniable opportunity to live among such a diverse population and that, at least, gave him some amount of personal satisfaction.

It was nearly dinner time on his final day en route when Gaven arrived at the station.

Since both Jadzia Dax and Doctor Julian Bashir were away on Risa vacationing with their respective partners, the uncomfortably pregnant Major Kira had agreed to rendezvous with Gaven and get him situated until the others returned and he could enjoy a more expansive introduction to the other officers on the station.

Personally, Kira was glad of the assignment. Pregnancy wasn't proving to be her favorite state of being, and although she was gracious about carrying the O'Brien's human baby for them despite being Bajoran, she imagined that she would feel tremendously better once she could put the experience behind her and get back to her normal life.

Arriving in the docking bay just as Gaven was gathering up his carry-on things, Kira quickly took the Doctor's appearance in since there had been an unusually small amount of personal information in his file to inform her about his character. Gaven was tall, dark-haired, and handsome. Kira decided there was a decidedly severe edge to him that made his defined sharp features look more imposing than his temperament was. He was dressed conservatively in a dark monochrome uniform without any identifiers. Kira noted a plain black armband on his left upper arm with a white circle upon it. Though its meaning, if any, was mostly lost on her. If she'd had to guess she supposed it meant he was in mourning. Of whom or what Kira didn't know.

"Hello, Doctor Ore. Welcome to Deep Space Nine. I'm Major Kira Nerys. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Kira said once Gaven had straightened and turned in her direction.

"Hello." He said curtly nodding to her.

A man of few words, Kira noted.

"Well, shall I show you to your quarters first? I'm sure you'd like to settle in." She offered.

"I suppose that would probably be wise. Please, lead the way, and thank you." Gaven smiled at the Major in a manner that showed he was trying to be polite.

Kira and Gaven didn't speak again until they arrived at his quarters in the habitation ring near the infirmary.

"I hope you'll be comfortable here. The replicator is there for your use and if you need anything else or have any questions just let one of our people know. Here's your datapad that has some basic information about the layout of the station. You've also been given full access to the general information banks and access to the infirmary's non-classified files. That's pretty much it. If you want, I can give you the grand tour of the station before we meet with the Captain and the rest of the senior staff." Kira offered.

"That won't be necessary," Gaven remarked, sounding ragged and looking grave and travel-worn. "I'm quite tired."

"Right. Of course. OK then." Kira was trying to be polite, but the truth was she found Gaven's somber demeanor a little off-putting.

"Thank you Major for your consideration. Before we go on with all this, I must say you look very uncomfortable right now. I was reading in the dossiers that Captain Sisko sent me about you and your fellow officers that due to certain circumstances the station's doctor performed an emergency fetal transfer and you are now carrying a human child on its parent's behalf. Perhaps you'd like to sit down and rest for a while." Gaven offered evenly before putting down his things. "May I replicate you anything to refresh you?"

Gaven's unexpected concern for her comfort caught her by surprise, but then Kira reminded herself that he was supposed to be a civilian medical doctor and probably had some amount of experience dealing with pregnant women. It wasn't true, but Kira assumed without bothering to check for herself.

"You know what? Actually? I would love to sit down. Thanks. This pregnancy has kind of thrown me for a loop." Kira said, letting down her guard just a little. "And since you offered, I would love some…"

Before she could finish her sentence, a sneezing fit began to overtake her much to the Bajoran's embarrassment.

"Here. If you'll allow me." Gaven stepped forward. "With your consent, I would like to place my fingers along the side of your throat in order to assess something."

When Kira agreed with a wave of her hand since she was still caught up in her involuntary sneezing fit, Gaven lightly pressed two fingers to the side of her throat, closed his eyes, and inhaled sharply. A few seconds later he pulled his hand away and turned heading for the replicator. Once he was before it Gaven muttered the name of something he'd discovered while being harbored by the Vulcan's on their homeworld.

To his satisfaction, the item he wanted was in the replicator's database and, once it materialized, he brought the offering to the small table the Major had dropped down nearby. "Chew one of these a few times and then let it sit under your tongue. It'll help reduce the sneezing fit and it should be particularly good for the baby. I promise."

Gaven offered her what looked like a small fibrous oblong burgundy colored tomato.

Desperate to stop her sneezing, Kira followed his instructions, and a moment later to her amazement and relief her sneezing fit subsided. "By the Prophets. It worked. What is this and why haven't I found it sooner?"

"It's called a Capya fruit. It calms the nasal reflex, and it's got plenty of nutrients in it that your baby should like. It's not native to Bajor, but I've found it to be effective for similar involuntary afflictions. Plus, I happen to like the way they taste." Gaven took a second one out of the bowl he'd offered her and popped it into his mouth.

"I think I love you a little bit." Kira quipped, unable to contain her sense of gratitude.

"A small occupational hazard, I'm sure." This time Gaven shrugged and did offer the Major a genuine dry smile.

"If you don't mind me saying so, you seem pretty far along for a pregnancy. You must be near the end of it by now. I would think you'd be at home during this time resting. I'm surprised that you're allowed to be on duty in your present state. " Gaven observed.

"Yeah. In other words, you're saying I'm as big as a house." Kira joked as she leaned back in the chair a little to give herself more room. "Anyway, I've got a lot more time to go. I'm carrying this baby for a human friend of mine like you said and, as you probably know, human pregnancies take a lot longer to develop than Bajoran ones do."

"I see. That would explain it then. Can I get you anything else?" He offered.

"No, thanks. Trust me. You've done more than enough. Remind me to return the favor sometime. I think I'm ready to go now." Kira said while trying to prepare herself for the effort that it took to get up out of her chair.

Gaven nodded and helped her up so that they could get on with their rendezvous with the Captain whom he was to privately conference with before he was formally introduced to the rest of the senior officers.

Later that evening, Kira was enjoying a welcome home dinner with Jadzia Dax who had finally come back from Risa.

"Did you and Worf have a good time on Risa?" Kira asked knowingly.

"The trip certainly had its moments. Frankly, I think it was exactly what we needed to get back in touch with each other. I know for a fact Worf had a good time." Dax replied. "How's the baby?"

"Fine. Everything is right on schedule. More importantly, I finally found a natural remedy for those terrible sneezing fits. I think I might finally be able to get some work done now." Kira proclaimed.

"I heard the mysterious Doctor Ore arrived while I was away. What's he like?" If there was one thing Dax enjoyed, it was idle gossip.

"He's a little reserved, but he seems nice enough. What I can't figure is why there's so little in the computer system about him. From what I understand he's supposed to be a brilliant research scientist and medical doctor." Kira said.

"I know. I've read some of Doctor Ore's recent contributions. He's been systematically helping to update the Vulcan Science Academy's alien anatomy files for the last year alongside some of the Vulcan researchers spearheading the project. Some sort of specialty assignment. His research is groundbreaking. In a few years, we may be able to develop new treatments for all kinds of diseases and conditions we haven't understood before. Not to mention clear up some mysteries about the biological workings of certain alien species. I've heard from the Captain that his radiation work may also give us a serious advantage when dealing with the Dominion." Dax speculated. "Benjamin promised he would brief everyone in the morning about what Doctor Ore plans to do while he's here."

"Well, he's got my support If he's half as well informed as all of that. If it's true about the scope of his knowledge, then we may have just hit pay dirt." Kira muttered.

"So, tell me. Is Doctor Ore cute?" Dax asked eagerly.

Kira's mouth dropped open and then promptly closed as she took up her teacup. "I hadn't noticed."

"You liar!" Dax said grinning wide. "Come on; don't hold out on me."

"He isn't unattractive, but I promise you he isn't my type, and anyway you'll see him for yourself tomorrow. Miss Looky-loo." Kira remarked.

"What? I can look. I may be with Worf, but I'm not blind." Dax grinned even wider.

Early the next morning, everyone gathered for the briefing.

"Good morning everyone. I want to introduce Doctor Gaven Ore. Doctor Ore is going to be working with us for the foreseeable future. Doctor? I know you've already met Major Kira. I want to introduce you to the rest of my team and some of the people you'll undoubtedly be working with while you're here on the station. Starting at my left is Jadzia Dax my Science Officer and my Strategic Operation officer Commander Worf. To your right is our Chief Medical Officer Doctor Julian Bashir, Miles O'Brien Chief of Operations, and, last but not least, our Security Chief Odo." Sisko began.

"Hello," Gaven said this in the same manner of voice that he had greeted Kira in when he had first arrived.

As his eyes surveyed the room Gaven's gaze lingered a fraction longer on the non-human officers stopping just short of Odo whom he looked in the direction of but not directly at as he had the others.

"Well, I suppose we should get started. It would seem Starfleet has taken some interest specifically in Doctor Ore's genetics and radiation research and Starfleet Command has invited him to the station in the hopes that he can assist us in some of our difficulties with the Dominion. To date, Starfleet has had some trouble devising efficient ways of identifying Changeling operatives, and Doctor Ore has been asked to develop a better medical detection method, if possible, for doing so. Doctor Ore. Would you like to go on?"

"Huh, yes. Thank you. I must admit that although such work is not my preference, I have agreed to assist Starfleet with their objectives so far as my conscience and personal convictions will allow. Besides my more specific tasks, while I'm here, I am at your disposal as an additional doctor and research assistant. Though, I understand that Doctor Bashir is more than capable of handling most of your medical needs." Gaven explained.

"If you don't mind me asking. What are your areas of expertise, doctor?" O'Brien asked.

"Exobiology and the study of alien anatomy and physiology, mostly," Gaven replied.

"Doctor Ore has also done some incredible work with radiation research," Dax added.

"Do you have any existing leads on your detection solution?" Doctor Bashir inquired.

"Yes. I've identified a type of radiation that most organisms are sensitive to when exposed. My research has concluded that, specifically in Changelings, limited exposure to this radiation type renders them incapable of taking additional form outside of their natural state." Gaven explained.

"Really?" Odo interjected incredulously. "And how did you manage to come to that conclusion?"

This time Gaven did raise his gaze to look directly at Odo. "It's common knowledge on the planet Oum of the Omni system. Their scientific centers have documentation dating back centuries on the subject."

"Oum? I've never heard of it," Bashir remarked, wrinkling his nose.

"That's not surprising. Oum isn't a Federation planet. As far as I know, they're space-capable isolationists and typically won't communicate with other species." Dax explained.

"Yes. That's correct. The planet has enjoyed a unique level of isolation due to the high levels of poly radiation exposure the planet enjoys. Most species can't tolerate being near the system's sun or the planet's surface even with protection. Of course, there are a few exceptions. The Oum themselves have evolved in such a way where they have a natural resistance to the radiation exposure allowing them to exist and thrive all over the planet." Gaven added.

"I must be missing something. If the planet is so toxic and the Oum don't like to encounter other species, how did you get your hands on this wealth of information?" O'Brien asked.

"As I said, the effects of the radiation on foreign species and on the changelings, in particular, are common knowledge. I know because Oum is my mother planet and these subjects are part of what every Oum is trained to know. Allow me to be blunt, I am not what I appear to be." Gaven replied somewhat tensely.

" Doctor Ore is a refugee of Oum. The nature of his origins and the circumstances around how he came to be here should be considered restricted information privy only to our officers and is at the discretion of Dr. Ore to reveal," Sisko interjected. "As far as anyone else on or off this station is concerned, Doctor Ore is human."

"So, he's a government operative of some sort working under Starfleet's thumb. I'm sorry but are you even a certified Doctor or is that just part of the cover?" Julian felt he had a right to know.

"Doctor Ore has proven that he has credible knowledge and experience in the fields he has mentioned, and Starfleet has cleared him to work in the capacities being outlined here. While he is a civilian and not a member of Starfleet, he is considered a medical professional and scientist by both Earth and Vulcan measurements.

"What of your people's connection to the Changeling culture in specific?" Odo asked.

"Historically, my people have had limited encounters with several species. But the changelings have been the earliest and most impactful. While I'm sure the Dominion would be curious about Oum, my planet appears to have become a no-contact zone long ago and has been forgotten by the Dominion and just about everyone else." Gaven remarked.

"How…Fortunate for you," Worf commented unhappily.

"In any case, if I can find a way to isolate the radiation exposure we could, in theory, render areas of the station or any other contained space virtually impossible for changelings to infiltrate. Naturally, the problem is a matter of ensuring that the radiation doesn't sicken or kill anyone else exposed to it in the process." Gaven looked increasingly unhappy as he talked. "Anyway, that's the gist of what I'm here for."

"Thank you, Doctor. If everyone is through with their questions, then I'll adjourn this meeting. You're all dismissed."

Having no further comment and reading the mood in the room Worf and O'Brien departed quickly. Bashir was kind enough to stoically shake Gaven's hand and tell him he looked forward to working with him before leaving as well. Odo remained in the room for several minutes as if he were considering something before a call interrupted him and called him away.

Captain Sisko, Kira, and Dax remained behind.

"I'm sorry. But if I may speak plainly Captain, I hate this. No offense to everyone." Gaven muttered unhappily.

"I'm sorry if that was more uncomfortable for you than you wanted it to be," Sisko said compassionately.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" Dax inquired. "In all the years I've heard mention of Oum, I've never heard of the culture allowing its people off the planet. How is it that you've come to be here?"

Gaven didn't answer but looked at Sisko as if to permit him to respond on his behalf.

"As I've said, Doctor Ore is a refugee of sorts. For various reasons he's been expelled from the planet and isn't permitted to return. Due to the sensitive nature of his off-world status I've agreed to protect his privacy regarding his origins and observe his rights until such a time as he either leaves Federation space or settles on a Federation world." Sisko explained.

"That must be difficult for you. I'm sorry." Kira remarked.

"It is difficult. I love my people and my homeworld. But I've reconciled with the reality that I can no longer be a part of it. For as much as I've lost, I like to think I've gained infinitely more. Being here among all of you means a great deal to me and my work. I'm honored to be a guest on this station even if some of my reasons for being here are not particularly to my liking. As I promised Starfleet, if I can do something to help all of you, I'll do it. But I do have limits to what I'm willing to allow the Federation to do with my discoveries. I know someday that may not make me extremely popular, but it's a risk I'm willing to take. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get started. Thank you for your time. It was a pleasure to see you again, Major."

Shortly after, Gaven found himself left to his own devices for the rest of the day. Although he wouldn't be set up with Doctor Bashir until the next morning, Gaven still felt his business for the day had not entirely concluded. His thoughts drifted back upon his meeting earlier and how under normal circumstances he would have been beyond ecstatic to meet a Klingon, a Trill, and a Changeling all in the same room. It almost sounded like the opening of some amazing dream. Instead, he only felt miserable, guarded, and intolerably alone.

Gaven swallowed all of this forcing his feelings into a series of boxes in his mind to be reopened later when he had the time to meditate back in his room and purge what would not emotionally serve him.

It was time to focus on his unfinished business.

Abandoning the small table that he'd taken at Quirk's to have something to drink, Gaven departed intending to seek out the one person that Gaven felt he owed a conversation.

Odo was in his office looking over reports and trying to ignore the fact that his lower back was killing him. The idea of relaxation had always seemed silly to the shapeshifter when he could still change his form, given that his natural gelatinous-like state was about as relaxed as any organic life form could get. Until now Odo had preferred the expression of rigidity whenever he took a humanoid form. Now that the Founders had revoked his shapeshifting ability in punishment, he was starting to have to rethink his standards and behaviors if he wanted to go on being…Comfortable in his new skin.

Gaven was similar in mentality when it came to his self-expression. But he, perhaps, came off more reclusive and secretive than rigid.

"Yes? Come in." Odo muttered when he heard the signal on his closed office door sound.

"Mr. Odo. I do apologize for disturbing you, sir." Gaven came into the room with all the strange assertiveness of someone used to adapting to strange and unusual environments.

Slightly surprised by the identity of his visitor Odo promptly put down the report he was reading to address Gaven. "Was…There something I could do for you, Doctor?"

"I was hoping I could talk with you for a few moments," Gaven said evenly.

"Of course. Please, SIT." Odo's tone was a little less casual and a little sterner than he wanted. "What was it you wanted to talk about."

"I want you to know that…that…" Just then Gaven found himself struggling to spit out his own words. "I feel exceedingly strong about your position here on Deep Space Nine. I have a great deal of respect for you and your origins, Sir. And I must admit I didn't want to say some of the things that had to be said earlier in the briefing about repelling your people. It is important to me that you know that my people and your people have always held a unique fascination for each other. When your species made first contact with ours many centuries ago, we welcomed them, and when we realized our planet could hurt the changelings, we attempted to help get them off our world. When I think about what both of our people have become, I can't help but feel…A great sense of loss and personal disappointment. I feel as if you and I are similar in the sense that in our hearts we both wish everything could be different. From what I've gathered, your views and experiences have served to put a rift between you and your people in the same way my views and experiences have put a rift between my people and me."

Although Gaven was doing an excellent job at keeping his tone even and open, Odo could perceive a deep churning turmoil in his eyes and briefly entertained the notion that in truth the strange doctor was probably very nearly on the verge of tears.

"I need you to know, Mr. Odo, that someday the Federation may push me to use my work against the Dominion. If that day comes, it is important to me that you understand that hurting the changelings in any lasting way would never be something I would choose to do." Gaven insisted.

"I see. May, um, I ask you something?" Odo asked lightly.

Gaven nodded.

"I've been looking over your classified information files. It's vague as I think was your intention. Considering what you've been willing to confide about your actual identity as well as the circumstances behind your arrival on the station and your desire to speak to me in person like this, it leads me to the conclusion that you feel a certain connection to me. Correct me if my deduction is wrong, but it seems to me that your people have forced you off your planet as a form of punishment for some unknown reason. Is that about right?"

This time Gaven's eyes noticeably welled but no tears escaped, and he didn't reply.

Odo scoffed slightly and folded his hands together upon his desk. "It's never an easy thing when one's ways force a wedge between themselves and their people. That, we do seem to have in common. I suppose it is true that, although you love them, you can't come to terms with some aspects of your people's beliefs which likely conflict with your own. I can imagine how painful that must be for you even if I don't know the specific details of your situation. I can tell you're still grieving and that you'd probably rather that others not know how much you're suffering. Though it is of little consolation I'm sure, know that in imagining a different way of being for yourself you are remaining true to what you know you can never be, as well as honoring what you still are."

"Yes." Gaven agreed, pressing his damp eyes to his sleeve and finally gaining back his full composure. "Thank you."

"Mm. Give yourself time, Doctor. And try to focus on the positives of your situation. In one way or another, many of us on Deep Space Nine are…Without country, so to speak. You'll find many examples of people here who break the expected norms of the cultures they were born to." Odo remarked thoughtfully.

"I do look forward to that aspect of being here, Mr. Odo." Gaven agreed.

"As for your troubles with the Federation and your work, let us address those concerns as they become apparent," Odo muttered.

"Yes. Thank you for being willing to speak to me. If there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask." Gaven offered.

" Actually. Now that you mention it, I could do with some medical advice. Due to some unfortunate business with the Founders, I had my shapeshifting ability tampered with, you see. Dr. Bashir is still trying to find a way to reverse the effects, but in the meantime, I've become more-or-less flesh and blood in the human style. The experience has been an interesting ordeal so far, but I must admit I'm still having problems adjusting to my physiological limitations. I tend to frequently pull muscles and develop aches due to…how I tend to carry myself. I've been trying to work on it, but relaxation was never my strong point." Odo explained.

"Are you in pain now?" Gaven inquired.

"As a matter of fact? My lower back is killing me. Doctor Bashir said it has to do with having a spinal column and carrying myself too rigidly or something. I'm trying to find other solutions, and I was wondering if you had any recommendations given your specialty in anatomy." Odo finished.

"I see. Well, assuming the Founders saw fit to keep your solid form in line with humans there are a few things you can do to help. For one, you might consider getting a better chair with lumbar support. You could also try inversion. That's when you hang upside down. It helps to decompress the spine. Warm baths before bed, proper rest, and an occasional massage wouldn't hurt either." Gaven suggested.

"Humph. I see. I'll think about trying some of those sometime." Odo said.

.

"Do let me know if they help," Gaven replied.

The next morning Gaven was due to report to the infirmary and meet the rest of the medical staff.

Dr. Bashir was, of course, in charge of the introductions which amounted to a lot of nodding and stilted but polite conversation on Gaven's part. Gaven was surprised that someone as young as Julian was in charge of the space station's medical team and he was also slightly taken back at first by the man's natural emotionally driven exuberance. It seemed to clash in an almost comical way with Gaven's minimalism and his firm emotional control that came off much more intense and quieter by comparison. However, in observing how the rest of the staff interacted with the young doctor and the affection his patients felt for the man, Gaven couldn't help but smile to himself internally a little. Doctor Bashir certainly seemed like the right man for his position after all.

"So.' Bashir said once all the initial introductions had concluded. "What do you think of our fair Station, Dr. Ore?"

"It's…Very nice, Doctor. You have an impressive set up here. I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect." Gaven said. "I've been conducting my work mostly out of a Vulcan freighter and then an isolated Vulcan science station on their homeworld. Gaven neglected to include his sporadic episodes in captivity. "It wasn't exactly an ideal place to do my research compared to what I've been used to, but the Vulcans were accommodating enough. This place is certainly an improvement."

"Oh. yes, I'm sure it would be." Although externally Julian radiated all goodness and light, internally he was secretly taking stock of the other doctor in a manner of detail that no one knew he was capable of analyzing.

Julian noted, for example, the subtle signs of stress that came upon the other doctor's features every time he was forced by social decorum to react to someone and return their communication. He also noted how the man tended to plant his feet in such a way that felt fortifying and unmovable as if he were always prepared to resist being pushed over. Frequently, when others were speaking to him, Gaven would glance distractedly to the left. His subtle behavior implied that he was linking something in the present to his memory of the past. Of course, that was assuming he was like humans. The fact that Gaven wasn't human and that they had orders to not raise any flags about that fact also tugged at Julian's overactive imagination. A part of him wondered who the doctor was beyond his falsified identity and why it was that the Federation was trying so demurely to tuck the man into their back pocket as if he'd been there all along.

Gaven could feel Julian's masked scrutiny of him which the doctor was particularly good at hiding under the wicker basket of all his jovial friendliness. So, Gaven thought. The young doctor was not exactly what he wanted others to assume him to be. Gaven wondered if Julian came by his advanced abilities naturally or if he was genetically enhanced somehow. Given the Federation's policies on genetic resequencing and enhancement, the possibility that Julian was harboring secrets about the nature of his being would have explained why he was working so hard to cover what he was thinking and doing when people interacted with him. Gaven could tell that Julian was downplaying himself. It was subtle, but Gaven had spent his entire life on a planet where subtlety was a primary language. Well, Gaven had no intention of bothering the doctor. He was no stranger to wanting to keep aspects of himself a secret.

"Well, should we step into my office now? I know you wanted to brief me about some things before I let you loose, as they say." Julian offered.

Gaven nodded, and the men proceeded to head to the CMO's office where they could speak in private.

"Now, what can I do for you," Julian said, finally settling happily into his office chair while he waited for Gaven to sit down.

"I feel I need to alert you to my medical needs. As you know from my private file, my homeworld is subjected to a unique kind of radiation exposure." Gaven began as he settled on the arm of one of the office chairs so that he could semi-stand without making the doctor uncomfortable.

"Yes. I believe your people call it Poly radiation. Something to do with the unique elemental makeup of your planet's sun." Julian recited.

"As I've stated, my people have developed a unique tolerance for the radiation, and most of the time we're exposed to it all of our lives. The truth is our bodies are designed to tolerate the exposure, and without it, our species systems can break down to the point of being debilitating over a long period. Now normally radiation treatments are not uncommon on most planets and places like this station, but in this case, I'm concerned that standard Poly radiation treatments of this nature may not be containable. Considering how toxic Poly radiation is to most life forms, you can understand my deep concern." Gaven's tone was somber.

"Yes…I was wondering about that. How long have you gone without exposure?" Julian was trying to calculate the possible ramifications Gaven was implying as well as how a lack of exposure could negatively be affecting the man.

"Around eighteen months. Since I left the Omni system." Gaven said.

"Are you experiencing health concerns now?" Julian asked.

"Not yet. But I can tell you, doctor. It'll only be a matter of time. Eventually, my nervous system will start to deteriorate and then other systems will start to shut down. Without exposure, I estimate the result would be terminal within three years." Gaven explained evenly.

"I see. That is quite a problem. May I?" Julian got up and came around his desk intent on doing some preliminary scans with his medical recorder.

Several minutes later he finally stepped back. "I suspect, doctor, that there's something we can think up. You're clearly able to metabolize the radiation into something benign given that if you couldn't, just being in the same room with you would likely start negatively impacting those around you. So, I suspect if we can get the radiation in your body somehow, you would then be able to absorb it naturally. The question is how do we deliver it without causing cross exposure." Julian couldn't resist a good old fashioned medical conundrum.

"Well, we have some time yet to figure it out. Until then it stays between us." Gaven sighed. "On a professional note, Vulcan would like me to keep updating their anatomy files and Starfleet medical is interested in using the data to revise some of theirs as well should the information prove beneficial. With your permission, I'd like to invite members of the station to undergo some basic physicals. I'd also like to be as useful to you as possible while I'm here so if you want any help on anything, I'm at your service. With your approval, I would like to eventually be allowed to take on some rounds. I feel compelled to do my part here, and I'm a quick study." Gaven offered.

It was the warmest thing the strange man had said so far.

"I think something could be set up. Your tests are certainly on par with most experienced medical doctors as far as I can tell. What was it you did on your homeworld if you don't mind me asking?" Julian inquired.

Gaven didn't respond right away.

"Right, sorry. Need to know. I almost forgot." Julian backtracked as he dismissed his question. "Look, I could use some help in the early morning and some evenings. I really do look forward to working together."

"Yes. I'll be here, doctor. I'm sure you'll have a great many things to teach me." Gaven agreed.