A week later.

"Do you know who's arriving today?" Jadzia asked as she helped Gaven look over the specs of the containment field they were calibrating to receive the carrier remnants currently en route.

"Honestly, I didn't bother to look. I of course know who could be arriving, but I haven't had time to check. I'm sure whoever it is will prove useful." Gaven replied.

"You know, this might be a chance for you to feel better for a while. If there's enough poly saturation, you could probably benefit from direct exposure." Jadzia pointed out gently.

Gaven scoffed. "I'm sure that's probably true. Though I'm not exactly eager to go crawling back into my would-be coffin for a radiation treatment anytime soon. Frankly, I was hoping I would never have to see the container again."

"Can I ask you something about that? Is launching undesirables out into space something that happens much or did your people make a special exception in your case? If that's too personal, you don't have to answer." Jadzia had been curious for ages, and she suspected she knew the answer but wanted to understand better what the motivations had been if it had indeed been unusual.

"No. My people don't make a habit of it. Part of the reason the Oum are isolationists is that we can't survive very well outside of the confines of our sun. The very thing that protects us from outside interference is the thing that also holds us hostage in the universe. My people are space capable despite this, and there have been historical instances of rebellion where others left either against the populaces will or through rare circumstances of leniency. What became of any of them over the centuries is unclear. My circumstances were unusual. My people found themselves in an uncomfortable position that I was kind enough to solve for them." Gaven said wistfully.

"The exile off of your homeworld was your idea." The subtext of what Gaven was implying seemed clear.

"As you've probably concluded by now the Oum is staunchly against destroying life. They are also staunchly for accountability in all things. When I broke with one of our most treasured and sacred cultural traditions, I knew I had to be accountable for that defiance. I…I am still what I am. Unorthodox as I may be, I do feel an amount of responsibility to uphold the honor of my people. By leaving me in space to die at my request, my people felt the conflict of my original defiance resolved. In turn, I also stayed true to my individual and divergent principles."

Jadzia nodded in understanding. "When your Bondmaster and mate died, you resisted the death rite of ritual suicide. Which created a problem because there was no social or cultural precedent for it. So, in order to save face and not create a bigger problem you worked out the idea of having them jettison you around the planet to die in space. You did it on purpose knowing there was a small possibility you might survive. You gambled."

Gaven nodded self-indulgently. "Yes. I was torn, you see. Between life and death. So, I left it up to chance and since the probability of survival was seemingly astronomical my request fulfilled the stipulations of the Oum death rites."

"As far as you know, at the very least." Jadzia pointed out.

There was no way of knowing if the Oum knew that the Vulcan's had interfered and that Gaven was alive.

May I ask you a personal question? I've been reading about the Trill recently. You're joined with a Symbiote as I understand. How many host lifetimes has Dax enjoyed, yourself included?"

Jadzia laughed. "This is my ninth."

"Fascinating. And you share all the collective memories of your past incarnations as I understand it?" Gaven asked.

"Yes. That's generally the idea." Jadzia smiled at his interest.

"Very interesting. I'd like to hear more about your people someday from your perspective. Alright, I think we've got the force field calibrated the best we can. The Vulcan team that is arriving can refine it further for you."

"I agree I think we've done about enough. At this point, I'm happy with it if you are." She agreed. "How about we take an hour and have some lunch. I could introduce you to some alien cuisine if you're feeling brave enough."

I think I can stomach some experimentation." Gaven agreed.

A little later Jadzia and Gaven we're situated at a discreet table at one of the best Klingon eateries on the station. Although Gaven politely declined consuming anything that just happened to still be alive, Jadzia found he was more than willing to try just about anything else.

I've meant to ask you something else. Knowing everything you know now? If you could go back to…You-know-where, would you?" Jadzia inquired after they got through the first course of Gagh and Krada legs.

Gaven thought the question over for a moment.

"You know, all my life, I've been naturally curious. I always wanted to know as much as I could about everything I could. I've always wanted to…feel connected to things greater than myself. My people's technology is on par and even rivals many other developed worlds in some instances. My planet and culture are as rich as any, so, over the years there was much I could study right in my back yard that I was content with. But there were limits as well. There were expectations of me on Oum that were less than flexible and enjoyable. While I ultimately still mourn my home and feel troubled over the circumstances connected to my departure, I've realized in recent times that I have more freedom now than I could have ever hoped for if I had stayed." Gaven admitted.

Jadzia patted the Doctor's forearm to show her solidarity though she privately reminded herself that Gaven had gone from being a kind of slave on Oum to an indentured servant of the Federation on Deep Space Nine. That wasn't precisely freedom and least not to the level she hoped he would experience someday.

"Staying, as I've said, would have meant forfeiting everything I still cared about and cherished. It was better to take my chances among the stars then die on my homeworld having only half lived." Gaven concluded.

"Here's a tidbit you might find interesting. I'm the first person to be expelled from the planet in over a thousand years." Gaven explained before popping a tomato like vegetable side into his mouth. "I must admit I feel somewhat proud of that accomplishment sometimes."

Jadzia laughed and encouraged him to clink his glass with hers.

"Thank you for this. For inviting me out. I know I can be…distant much of the time, but I do appreciate the friendship that's been extended to me here on the station. I just want you to know that if things get more difficult or complicated in the future and I'm forced into things I'd rather avoid…I'd like you and the others to know that despite everything I have found you all to be some of the most courageous and honorable people I've ever met." Gaven said.

Jadzia felt touched by his sentiment and conscious of the underlying implications Gaven was hinting. Sometimes it was hard to remember that the Doctor was not there helping them all by his own choice. Gaven was with them because the Federation wanted things from him and as tensions continued to mount it was unclear what could happen if Gaven suddenly stopped cooperating with them. Jadzia was not so naive to think it was always going to be as easy as it was now. If things went badly it was possible that the good doctor could wind up on a different side of the war field than the rest of them were if he lived long enough.

It was a sobering realization. "No matter what happens, Dr. Ore. I think I speak for more than myself when I say we will always think of you here as a good man."

Gaven raised his glass in a subtle solute. "May I always remain in the Prophets good graces."

As Dax and Gaven were coming to terms with the realities of their positions, Odo and Dr. Mora where about to do the same as they worked together trying to stimulate and encourage the infant changeling's development.

Up until now Odo and had come to an uneasy working relationship rooted in the understanding that Odo was ultimately responsible for the changeling's progress plan. Mora seemed to accept the arrangement for the most part though had anyone been watching it was clear to see that Mora was bored of and concerned by their lack of progress.

It was only a matter of time before the issue came to a head.

"What are you doing?" Odo demanded when he caught Mora running some scans without prior consent as they worked together in the isolation room.

Endlessly taken back by Odo's constant antagonism and suspicion of him, Mora stopped what he was doing and imploringly explained himself.

"I'm measuring its volume." Sighing in frustration, Mora stepped away to log the data on the wall console. "It's been here a week, and it's only grown seventeen percent. After three days in my lab, you were twice that size."

Annoyed by his tone, Odo lashed out sternly trying to keep his temper in check. Almost everything Mora said to him sounded like a criticism or a justification that Odo didn't want or need. "Well, maybe I was anxious to grow up so I could get OUT of there."

Mora ignored the dig and tried to sound more reasonable. "My point is, you've made no progress. By this time, I'd already gotten you to mimic half a dozen simple forms."

"I'm trying to gain its confidence, not teach it tricks." Odo insisted.

"It's a shame you're not a changeling anymore. You could link with it and teach it everything it needs to know." Mora said pointedly.

"You make it sound like it's my fault." Odo accused him incredulously.

"It might very well be," Mora said without pulling any punches. "Let's face it, Odo. Your shape-shifting ability was somewhat limited. Maybe that's why your people were able to force you to take a humanoid form."

"That is pure speculation," Odo said in defensive outrage turning away with anger.

"Let's run a few tests and see." Mora challenged, half hoping Odo might see the benefit of the exercise.

"Oh! You are just dying to get me into one of your contraptions, aren't you?" Odo was practically yelling now as he turned back around to confront the scientist.

"I'm trying to help!" Mora confessed hoping for once Odo would take him at his word.

"I am not about to submit myself to another round of your experiments," Odo said firmly.

"Everything I did to you was for your own good." Mora desperately reasoned.

"Ha!" Odo scoffed.

"True, some of the tests that I subjected you to unfortunately proved to be inconclusive." Mora conceded passionately.

"The vacuum chamber springs to mind." Odo reminded him. "The cytoplasmic separator…Come to think of it, the protein decompiler as well."

"How could I know until I tried?" Mora rationalized. "By the Prophets, Odo, I wasn't even sure you were a life-form."

"I wasn't sure about you either," Odo remarked as the men stood nearly chest to chest.

"Once I realized you were sentient, oh, the Cardassians wanted to know everything about you. I was under enormous pressure to come up with results, and I did. My techniques worked. The fact that you are standing here whining about it proves it." Mora proclaimed.

Seething inside, Odo made his most deeply held belief about his past known in the form of damning accusation. "You enjoyed watching me suffer."

"You really believe that? How pathetic." Mora countered. "If it wasn't for me, you'd still be sitting on a shelf somewhere in a beaker labeled 'Unknown Sample.'"

"If it wasn't for me, you'd be a nobody." Odo rebuked. "Starfleet wouldn't hire you to judge a science fair."

Their mutual fury was starting to wind down now.

"I'm getting a little tired of sitting around watching you, but I can't seem to pull myself away." Mora was steadily winding up for another strike. "I can't wait to see what next preposterous thing you're going to try."

Odo simply stared daggers at the man.

"Who knows? Maybe in a couple of months, it may get so tired of your incessant chatter that it might actually DO something." Mora said in exasperation.

"Oh, you'd just love to get your hands on it, wouldn't you? You could sell tickets on the Promenade. Dr. Mora's chamber of horrors. Open for business. Right this way!" Odo made a dramatic show with his arms like a man acting on a stage.

The dramatics promptly came to a close when Odo looked to the door only to see both Dr. Ore and Captain Sisko watching them. Neither Odo nor Mora could say how long the men had been standing there watching them go at each other.

"Captain. Dr. Ore." Odo straightened regaining his self-control almost instantly.

"How's it going, gentlemen?" Sisko said evenly with an expression that portrayed nothing.

Odo cleared his throat and squared his shoulders trying to regain some semblance of dignity. "Making progress, Sir."

"I'm glad to hear it." Sisko dismissively said as he relaxed slightly and entered the isolation room with a stoic-looking Gaven following a discreet distance behind. "I was just talking with Starfleet Command. They want you to establish communication with the changeling as soon as possible."

"At the rate we're going, that is still a long way off." Mora interjected.

"Better not be too long. Otherwise, Starfleet is going to want to take over the project." Sisko warned them impartially.

"Sir…" Odo was stunned by this threatening revelation.

"As long as your making progress, there's nothing to worry about." Somehow Sisko's words almost sounded sorry." Feeling his point had been made, Sisko began to turn, stopping to relay further orders. "Oh, by the way…Starfleet wants you to file daily reports for their review."

"Understood, Sir." Odo nodded.

Sisko then glanced over at Gaven. "See if you can give them a hand."

Gaven remained frozen where he was. A strange expressionless mask overcast his features that just half an hour prior had been full of warmth and camaraderie.

"Carry on." The Captain said finally departing from the room.

Both Odo and Mora glanced at the changeling in contemplation before Mora had finally had enough for one day.

"Now you understand the kind of pressure I was going through." Mora glanced at Gaven who was still a slight distance away and had yet to speak. "I brought my old equipment from Bajor. Maybe it's time we started unpacking."

Done, for now, Mora nodded to Gaven and took his leave to allow time for Odo to think about everything that had been said and revealed.

At a loss, Odo exhaled audibly and shook his head from side to side.

"It's going to get worse," Gaven said evenly. "You do understand that, don't you?"

Odo glanced sidelong at Gaven. "I…Think I'm starting to."

"If the changeling keeps developing here, it's only a matter of time before Starfleet will step in. Personally, I don't understand what they think they'll have to gain. This child knows nothing of the agenda of the Founders. It's just a baby. The Federation is supposed to care about the rights and wellbeing of other life forms. This changeling is not a threat to them, and it shouldn't be treated like a thing." Gaven said evenly.

"I know, Doctor. Trust me, I of all people know." Odo glanced back towards Gaven. "How much of all that did you and the Captain overhear?"

"We arrived about the time Mora remarked about you not being a changeling anymore. You know he's wrong, don't you? Just because you've temporarily lost your shifting abilities doesn't make you any less what you are." Gaven remarked.

"If you don't mind, doctor. I'd rather not talk about it further. For now, why don't we just focus on the most pressing problem at hand." Odo said.

"What isn't happening exactly?" Gaven asked flatly.

"Dr. Mora seems to think that the changeling isn't developing its volume as quickly as it should. Should we be concerned?" Odo asked.

Gaven approached the container the changeling was resting in and moved to place his palm over the top of the container, but just before he made contact, his hand began to tremor ever so slightly and Gaven pulled his hand away.

"Are you alright?" Odo asked bluntly.

"Yes. Sorry. Seeing a newling like this firsthand is still a little overwhelming. I am concerned it's not doubling its volume or showing any response to a stimulus. It may just not be strong enough yet, or there may be a more worrisome reason. It's possible for example that the radiation it was exposed to did more damage than Dr. Bashir thought."

"How can we know for sure?" Odo inquired.

"It's hard to say. 's done all the testing he can think of." Gaven admitted.

"Can't you just…" Odo asked, unsure how to frame his question.

"I don't want to link with it if I don't have to. At least not right now. I'll see what else I can do. If it's the damage from the radiation that's stunting its growth, I may be able to develop a new cellular regeneration technique. Changelings only need one cell to lattice off from to self-repair. Like I said before, solid or not, you're still a changeling and your cells are complete in regard to the data they carry. I'll need a sample from you to begin developing a treatment." Gaven explained.

After receiving a tissue sample from Odo, Gaven spent the rest of his day in his office diligently trying to create a new cellular regeneration procedure that could be utilized in an emergency. His door remained closed until much later when a call from Kira caused the Doctor to stir. The baby was coming for real this time, and both the O'Brien's and Kira wanted him there as a witness.

When Gaven arrived, he was met with the frustrated looking visages of Miles and Edon standing in the hallway instead of in the delivery room. It appeared as if they'd been thrown out.

"Gentleman. Everything alright?" Gaven asked.

"No, it is not. We've been bloody well banished thanks to big mouth over there." Miles muttered.

"It takes two," Edon said with an acidic tone.

"Give them a minute, and maybe they'll let you back in. Pregnant people are notorious for changing their minds." Gaven reassured Miles.

"If you're going in there could ya do me a favor and try to reason with them?" Miles asked hopefully.

"I'll do what I can. Have a heart. One way or another you're going to be a father again today." Gaven genuinely smiled and made his presence known before he was promptly let in.

Seeing this Edon turned in disbelief and neared Miles. "Why does he get to go in, just like that?"

"Don't worry. Dr. Ore is a good man. Trust me. He could be the best chance we have at being let back in." Miles muttered appraisingly.

Meanwhile, as one baby was making its way into the world, another baby was struggling to stay in it. True to Dr. Ore's suspicions the radiation had sickened the changeling more than had been known initially and Odo had been called away to the infirmary while Bashir and Dr. Mora raced to stabilize it.

"The radiation must have damaged its cytoplasm in a way we weren't able to detect," Bashir explained, all fire and passion as he did his level best to succeed.

"There must be something you can do." Odo insisted.

"You might try an enzymatic induction. That might stabilize the biometric fluctuations." Mora suggested.

It's worth a shot." Bashir said hopefully as Dr. Mora encouraged Odo to step outside so that they could work.

As they scrambled in another part of the station, Kira was entering the euphoric final stages of her delivery. Through all this Gaven remained in the background. Despite what he'd promised Miles, he had no intention of saying a word to the women seeing as he was quite convinced Kira would relent on her own and let the gentlemen back in. Something Gaven hadn't told either Kira or the O'Brien's was that every time he linked to check on the unborn child, he had been able to share in the biological experiences of the host as well. This had been especially true when Gaven had connected all of them the week earlier. For Gaven, it wasn't a detail that needed sharing. Even though he had privately benefited from the sharing, it would have been inappropriate to point it out to anyone.

He had looked forward to seeing the conclusion of the situation, and as he watched Kira bring the baby forward, Gaven could feel a twinge of sympathy from his womb that amused him.

"Here he comes." The midwife remarked with satisfaction.

"Keiko. Would you do me a favor?" Kira asked gently.

As Gaven had expected in the final moments, Kira had relented and asked for the others to be let back in.

"That's it Nyres. Relax. Let it come." The midwife coaxed.

Seconds later the sound of a baby's first cry made everyone present smile with joy and make faces of awe. Gaven's own eyes welled with tears that he held silently back.

Everyone was moved.

Just as the baby was being introduced, an electronic message broke through on the wall console.

"Would Doctor Gaven Ore please report to isolation room one. There is a medical emergency." The computer chimed.

Gaven's eyes went wide at the sound. Isolation room one was where the changeling was being kept.

"I apologize to everyone. Please excuse me and congratulations." Gaven swiftly headed for the exit as fear began to set in once he hit the hall.

Despite his lousy leg, Gaven practically jogged back to the infirmary catching Odo just outside the room looking grave.

"Odo." Gaven huffed.

"It's the changeling. Doctor, it's destabilizing." He explained.

"Come with me." Not wasting any more time, Gaven entered the room with Odo coming behind.

"Julian, where are we?" Gaven demanded.

"We've tried everything Dr. Mora and I can think of to do. The treatment you were developing is our last chance, but I didn't dare try to administer the protocol without you." Bashir said swiftly.

Gaven stepped to the side and pulled up the computer console beginning the process he'd developed as he injected something into the changeling's sickly form.

"Damn." He said, thirty seconds later.

"What's wrong?" Odo demanded.

" The cellular treatment is taking hold, but the newling is too weak now. It's immune system and cellular replication systems are shutting down."

"What can we do?" Odo asked desperately.

"Odo, we can't do anything. But you can. If you link with it, it may be able to piggyback off your immune system enough for the treatment to take full effect." Gaven said.

"But I can't. I've lost my linking ability. I'm not a changeling anymore." Odo protested.

"Yes, you are. You've never stopped being who and what you are. Now, damn it. I need you to try. Please. What do you have to lose?" Gaven reasoned insistently.

Mora took up the changeling's container and brought it quickly to Odo. "You can do this. I know you can."

Taking the container from him, Odo looked at the changeling and then up at Mora. "I'll try."

He then poured the sickly baby into his hand while the others looked on — Bashir with deflated sorrow, Gaven with flinty determination, and Dr. Mora with fatherly hope.

At first, nothing happened.

"Please." Odo implored it. "Don't die. There's so much I want to show you. I was going to teach you how to be a Tarkalean hawk, remember?"

As he spoke the changeling began to stir and slowly absorb into Odo's hands. For a moment, everyone but Gaven thought this was an indication of the end as Odo showed them his hands and Bashir hastily scanned them.

"What happened? Where did it go?" Mora asked in alarm.

"It somehow integrated itself into Odo's body," Bashir observed.

Suddenly Odo began to groan and pull away from them, his eyes going wide in pain or shock.

"It can't be!" Odo exclaimed.

"What?" Mora breathlessly said as he helped Bashir support Odo.

The men stared in wonder as Odo steadied himself and moved away from them towards the exit leading out onto the promenade. Seconds later he suddenly shifted out of his clothes and took off into the air in the form of the Tarkalean hawk. He was flying over the promenade majestically screeching his joy.

"It worked," Gaven said quietly behind them. "Watch."

As Odo landed and realization set in, he shuddered lightly cupping his hands as the newling separated from him pooling back into a slightly rounded form. "You've done it little one."

Being too far off for the others to see, Odo soon after returned to where the other doctors were.

"Odo," Bashir said.

"It's alright, Doctor. Everything is alright now." Odo said pragmatically.

"The Changeling?" Mora inquired.

"See for yourself…Grandpa." Odo mirthfully said as he held out his hands. "Come on. They want to see that you're alright too. Indulge them a little."

To both Bashir and Mora's relief and amazement, the baby changeling made itself known by gently shifting into different basic shapes in his hands like a child showing itself off.

"Don't let it get too excited. It's still weak and will need lots of care before its completely well, but I think it's safe to say that this crisis at least has been concluded." Gaven said. "Congratulations, Mr. Odo. I'm glad you've recovered yourself."

"This wouldn't have been possible without you, Dr. Ore. Thank you. Thank all of you for working so hard." Odo said earnestly.

"Since we're sharing the good news. Kira successfully delivered just before I was called away. It's a boy. Well, I think I've had just about enough excitement for one day. If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I think I will depart. I'll be in my quarters if anyone needs me." Gaven said, bowing slightly to all of them before he took his leave.

"Strange kind of man. You'd think he'd want to stick around." Mora remarked.

"He is strange indeed, but that's part of his charms." Odo quipped.

"If you'll excuse me a moment," Julian said. "I'll be back shortly."

Julian excused himself and tried to catch up with the other doctor.

"Gaven. Gaven, wait." Julian called as he caught the doctor idling through the edge of the promenade as he headed back in the direction of his quarters.

"Hello, Doctor. Coming along to walk me home I see." Now that he was away from the infirmary a tired, unhappy seriousness had overtaken Gaven's features.

"What you did back there was amazing. Aren't you happy about it? Why don't we get together later and celebrate?" Julian proposed.

"Of course I'm happy, Doctor. I'm happy that I could spare Odo the pain of losing something so important to him. I'm happy there was recourse this time and that I had enough time and opportunity to do something about it." Gaven said.

"So, what's gnawing at you then? And don't try to lie to me or sugar it. I know you better than that by now." Julian said as they continued to move together.

"I just can't help wondering if…" Gaven hesitated.

"Gaven, what?" Julian pressed, encouraging them to pause in place.

"If…It would have been better for the changeling to die. Think about it, Julian. Tell me honestly that you believe it's going to be allowed to learn and exist here with Odo and among all of you. Tell me that isn't going to be problematic. Tell me that as it grows and becomes its own person with its own wants and abilities that the people here won't secretly resent its presence. Don't you see? I may have just condemned that creature to a life that may never be fully its own. Now please, Julian. Let me go home in peace. I have had a long day, and I just want to not think about it all for a while. Is that alright with you?" Gaven said wearily.

Julian sighed. "Fine. Fine. Do as you like. Far be it from me to stop you."