Odo was encouraged by the breakthrough he had managed to make with his elder son. Now it was the middle child's turn to be confronted. He had been told by others and observed himself that Taban was a gentle and patient boy. He was the most religious and lighthearted. Those sounded like excellent traits. However, he realized that while the problem with Pohl was that he was too much like his father, Taban was the opposite. Odo knew these differences could make bonding trickier.

Taban was sixteen, a man according to Bajoran standards. He had strawberry blonde hair and the smoldering brown eyes of his mother. He had come to the station to meet his father and visit for a while, but now that near a month had passed, he was ready to return to Bajor.

"How long until you return to the space station?" Odo asked when he saw Taban take up his acolyte robes.

"I don't know. Is there a reason I need to stay?" he shrugged. "Otherwise I'll return for Iliana's piercing ceremony when her fifteenth birthday comes along next month."

"That's right, that is a monumental moment in a Bajoran's life, isn't it?"

"Well, I'd say so," Taban touched his own earring with fondness. "I have my grandfather's earring, you know?"

"Pohl didn't want it?"

"Pohl had a hard time with his earring," Taban explained. "Mother tried to give it to him. His ear swelled up and looked something awful. Some of the Bajorans whispered that it was because we are only half Bajoran. You were human like the Starfleet people. They wondered if the Prophets would reject us as aliens."

"Those fools!" Odo growled.

"Forgive them, father," at least Taban had no problem calling him that. "They realized soon enough they were being judgmental and erroneous. The Vedek that performed it thought it was an ear infection. Mother had the good sense to take Pohl to Julian. He identified quickly that it was not an infection at all. Pohl was allergic to the particular metal used to make the earring! Mother crafted him a new one and so I got this one! I had some pain, but no infections or reactions!"

"I suppose it was meant for you after all then."

"Well, I bear the previous owner's name."

"And a striking resemblance, so I have been told."

"He died in the Occupation, may the Prophets keep his pagh safe," Taban made a gesture of reverence for the dead.

"I would like to join you on Bajor for a while, son. Is that acceptable?" Odo braced himself.

"More than acceptable!" Taban cried. "I insist you come along! The other acolytes and monks will be happy to see you!"

"Other acolytes and monks? But-"

"I must tell them you are coming!"

Before Odo could stop him, he bolted to his room to send messages. He let Nerys know that he was going to be gone for at least a few days. She could certainly handle the station and the other two children for that long!

On the shuttle ride, Taban meditated the whole time. They landed near Bareil's monastery. Although Odo had always had a special affection for the planet of Bajor, he felt extremely uncomfortable in a monastic setting. He had only come to spend some time with his son. They were immediately separated instead. Odo had to go out of his way to avoid being drawn into proselytizing lectures and clergy either attempting to convert him or worship him. It was bad enough the Jem'Hadar and Vorta treated him like a god.

Odo had no idea that acolytes and monks had such a Spartan lifestyle and grueling schedule. He thought they simply sat around all day before shrines praying and sleeping in a sitting position. When he asked for Taban, he was told that he was terribly busy. His schedule demanded that he rise at dawn, exercise, aid in communal cooking and cleaning, and then he spent many hours attending the countless trees, shrubs, flowers, and all the other flora and fauna within the arboretum. At dusk Taban took an evening meal and helped clean. Finally he was allowed to bathe and meditate again before real sleep.

"When does my son get free time?" he asked. "Is he never allowed to be social?"

"Fellow brothers and sisters work and worship beside him all day," he was told. "And there are plenty of feast days and celebrations."

"Well then allow me to work beside him in the gardens! Is that not allowed?"

"Do you have knowledge of Bajoran plants and soil?"

Odo almost puffed up with indignation and replied, "I was raised by a botanist and I have shifted into every species you can think of native to this planet. I could even shift into species that have been extinct for millennia!"

"As long as you don't become an invasive or harmful species, do as you will. We didn't mean offense, Changeling."

"I prefer to be called Constable Odo."

"As you wish, Constable Odo. We ask that you be mindful and respect the Prophets and that is all."

He wandered the rock gardens, passed pools of clear water decorated with lily pads and algae, and he moved aside branches of trees gently as he searched for his son. He found him planting special grass along the banks of one of the larger ponds with a lazy trickling waterfall. A teenage girl with honeyed hair and freckles was giggling at his side and playing with the water.

"Excuse me?" Odo announced himself immediately. "Will you introduce me to your friend, son?"

"Yes!" Taban was exuberant. "This is Lelu! Lelu, this is my father Odo!"

"THE Odo?" she was impressed.

"The one and only. Are you the girlfriend Nerys mentioned?"

Lelu blushed and Taban explained, "She is one of them."

"One of them?" Odo was confused.

"We were paired together in this year's fertility festival," Lelu explained. "I am one of the acolytes here too. You weren't actually raised up in Bajoran culture, were you?"

"I am afraid not."

"Father, most Bajorans don't marry and become strictly monogamous until our thirties," Taban continued. "Did mother never tell you that?"

"Taban, things were exceptional during the turbulent times of the Occupation!" Lelu scolded him. "But Bajor has always been a culture very liberal when it comes to romance and love. Our teen and tween years are for exploring and pleasure. When we are ready for children that is when we usually settle down with a compatible partner and produce families. Monogamous marriage is ideal for happy and healthy families. Until then, both men and women are allowed to be polyandrous."

"Are you saying that you have multiple girlfriends, Taban, and Lelu has many boyfriends?"

They both nodded.

"Does that mean you need to introduce me to another girl? Or two? Or ten?"

Taban sounded hurt and said, "I'm not a philanderer if that's what you are getting at, father! I don't hide any of my partners from the others!"

"No, I am sorry. That was meant to be a joke," Odo tried to smooth things over.

"I need to get back to work," Lelu said awkwardly. "It was nice to meet you, uh, Odo."

She was eager to leave and Taban gave his father a dirty look, "I didn't realize you were so ignorant of not only Bajoran religion but our customs as well. You embarrassed Lelu and I'm not convinced you don't think I'm some sort of crazy hormone-induced teenager."

"Well, you are still a teenager, Taban. I'm not judging your choice of partner or partners, and you are right. I never was included in Bajoran society. I was raised in a lab until I became Constable on Terok Nor. I thought your mother told you all about my history."

"She did. Honestly it was easy to forget."

"Do you enjoy working here?"

"Immensely!" Taban went back to grinning. "I have a green thumb just like my grandfather! Bajor is sacred and that's especially true of her soil and animal kingdom!"

"Can't you work the land as a farmer or botanist and not a monk?"

"I am a devoted disciple of the Prophets, father."

"When did you decide that? You are quite young to commit yourself to a monastic order."

"Well, unlike priesthoods on other planets, it doesn't restrict me from things like sex, obviously, and I can have a family when I choose to," Taban clarified. "What makes you think I don't want this?"

"It seems like a hard life."

"Not at all! That's funny coming from you! I was sure Pohl gave you the impression that I was lazy and had no purpose in my life! Joke's on him! I live for the Prophets. There is no higher calling than that!"

"If you say so."

"Would you rather I live on the station?" Taban was confused. "I get the feeling you don't like the Prophets. Mother said you always respected her faith but never actually cared for the faith itself. That's ironic since you practically are a Prophet."

"Oh no!" Odo rumbled. "Tell me you don't believe that new theory that the Founders are the Prophets!"

"I do!"

Odo shut his eyes or he would have rolled them into the back of his head and really insulted his son! He remembered all the debates he had with Nerys about religion. He hadn't always been civil about it. His son might be even more devoted and defensive. He must tread carefully here.

"Do you really think I am some sort of god?" he asked.

"Is that so terrible?"

"I don't like it, truthfully."

"But you did such a selfless and sacrificial thing returning to the Great Link the way you did!" Taban insisted. "You were like a Messiah!"

"Don't say that!"

"Why do you deny your divinity? Mother told me that when the Weyoun that defected was dying he asked for your blessing. You gave it to him. You did the right thing."

"I did that to comfort a dying man!" Odo corrected him. "I have never thought of myself or my people as gods! Why do you want to be a monk? Why do you need the Prophets so badly?"

"It was a way to be closer to something meaningful. It was a way to be closer to you."

Odo sighed, "Son, I want to be your father and nothing more. Do not put me on a pedestal. You do not need supernatural intervention to feel important or special. In my eyes, you are precious and miraculous because you are human and mine."

Taban didn't know how to respond for a moment. Then he said, "Can't you admit that the Prophets are teachers and there is no fault in me for admiring them and devoting myself to them?"

"That's fine. I just want you to know there are options in life. I made a speech to your mother about this subject once and I will give you gist of it now. Don't be slavish to the Prophets and remember your own worth and let your conscience guide you."

"I know my worth, father!" Taban replied. "Do you know yours? I don't think you do!"

"I don't want to be worshiped or feared. I want you to love me and know me as a person and not a god. Can you do that?"

"To a child "Father" and "Mother" are nearly the same as 'God'," Taban argued. "You created me. You are my Maker."

"I made you as a father. Look!" Odo shifted into a jumja tree and back to demonstrate his power. "I copied the form of that tree! I didn't really become it. I could never produce acorns or fruit and pass on genes. I am borrowing a form. I didn't create the tree or the seed that came before. The Founders had nothing to do with that either. Did the Prophets? The answer is that no one knows. Not a single Kai could declare it and the Prophets love to refuse answers. They share their knowledge in crumbs slowly over time."

"That's because our people aren't ready for it. I certainly can't shift! That alone is a miraculous feat!"

"You can create fire, Taban. You planted grass just now. Would you call yourself a god? When you have a son of your own would you claim to be his Maker and demand unquestioned obedience and dominion over him?"

Taban's ears reddened like his mother when she showed the first signs of getting truly angry and trying to suppress it, "Of course not!"

"Have you had an Orb experience already?"

"No, I am not allowed," Taban sounded disappointed by that. "I am far too young. Vedeks must determine when a man or woman is ready for such a profound experience."

"Maybe when you meet them you can ask them directly if they were Founders once upon a time. I doubt they will give you a straight answer."

"Religion is a personal understanding between a worshiper and their deity. It can't be explained or made scientific."

Odo smiled, "You echo your mother."

"And she is a Vedek now," Taban said proudly. "And someday she'll be Kai. I have faith that she will be."

"Kai?" Odo frowned. "She would fit the role well, I think."

"You do?" Taban was surprised. "And you wouldn't mind?"

"She is a mature woman that has had far more experience than you. The only reason I sound doubtful is not because it is doubt in her ability. She would make a wonderful Kai. I just wonder if she would accept such a position. She saw how power corrupted Winn. She saw how pursuing it ultimately destroyed her beloved Bareil. Are you pursuing such an occupation?"

"Why not?"

"Being Kai is more than having unshakable faith in your personal gods, son. A Kai is a servant of the people of Bajor. It is just as important as Prime Minister. It would also require sacrifices and a lifetime of work."

"Do you think being a simple priest isn't as important as being a security officer or a soldier? I would settle with remaining a monk or Vedek."

"Do what you like," Odo said. "I am certainly not here to stop you. I only wanted to spend time with you, Taban. I wanted to know that you had accepted me, really accepted me."

"Father, I am happy you are here," Taban said sincerely. "I just hope you will accept me!"

"Why wouldn't I accept you?"

"Because we are so different. I worried I would disappoint you. I know I am young and flawed. I feared you would disapprove of my choices and actions. I know Pohl often does."

Odo clucked his tongue, "Pohl is not my clone! It is good that you are different! It doesn't change the fact that I love you unconditionally! That is what fathers do! You don't have to earn it or beg for it or pray for it. It is offered freely with no conditions. If you failed in all you did I would accept you. If you decided to pursue a different path, I'd be proud. As long as you are happy and thriving, I am happy."

"That means a lot to me," Taban was biting his lip.

"I ask your forgiveness now."

"For what?"

"You're not the least bit angry I was gone?"

"No because unlike Pohl, I accept that it was the will of the Prophets. By that same will, they gave you back to us! I know better than to question such a blessing!"

"Then I suppose that is all that matters, son," Odo smiled. "And since you are something of a priest, will you marry your mother and me?"

"What?" Taban tried not to choke on emotion.

"Is that something only a Vedek can do?"

"No, I will do it!" Taban blurted. "I would be honored!"

"You will have to instruct me on how Bajoran ceremonies are properly done."

"You will have to step into the temple. Is that going to be too much for you?"

"No. I am at peace with the Prophets, I think."

"Does that mean you might become a believer?"

"I'm at peace. That is all and that is enough."