A/N: I should have included this in the last chapter. It is a short update, as far as I have taken it. But Happy Holidays all.

For the reviewer who felt the outing of Thomas Riker was forced or Mary-Sue-ish … I don't know. I do know that Harry has more experience with people impersonating others because of his background (Crouch Junior, etc.). He knows about changelings. So, he is more sensitive to people who are not who they appear to be. Dobby and Winky could do the same thing for familiar people by "feel." The Marauder's Maps makes changelings not as effective. Harry is also paranoid.

I always planned on Harry tripping over Riker – I planned that way back when I started writing the first story two years ago. Harry, in my opinion, and given the enemy he was worrying about, would have been watchful of people being faked.

I will say that one thing I absolutely despised from the original was how much information Sisko gave up to Dukat and the Obsidian Order to bring back the Defiant. He had to give up a lot of information, including the theoretical to knowledge of being able to locate a cloaked vessel with an anti-proton scan. And then Tom Riker was convinced to 'nobly' give himself up to save his fellow Maquis members.

Harry sat in his office brooding about Thomas Riker and the Maquis. He might have defended the idea of them but he did think they were, to a degree, responsible for themselves. The truth was that the beginning of the conflict was a compromise between governments, where a more defined line of authority would be instituted.

And then the non-Cardassian settlers refused to leave and put themselves under the authority of the Cardassians, with all that entailed.

If they hadn't announced themselves with terrorist actions at Deep Space 9, it would be easier to support their position and status. Despite his own protests against the colonists being labeled as traitors, they did operate against the legally constituted government.

Harry had done a similar thing. His own government had been taken over by terrorists and had been unfairly labeled a criminal, but he had rebelled. He had then fought in defense of innocents.

If the Maquis had only done that, he could be more supportive. Riker had planned on stealing a Federation vessel, one that was needed where it was deployed.

Finally, Harry decided he didn't have the moral or legal authority to made unilateral decisions.

The Bruce was still on its way back to Federation space when he had Sal bring Riker to his ready room.

"Commodore," Riker said with a polite if distant tone.

"Mr. Riker. Please, have a seat." The man did as requested. "Would you like refreshment?"

"I'm fine. Thank you."

Harry nodded. "I've asked you here because I don't know what to do with you."

Riker stilled. "I was under the assumption I was going to be let go."

Harry sighed. "I did imply that. And my word is my bond, for a number of reasons. But I do not know if that is what is best for all involved, including you."

Riker looked at him for a moment and asked, "What do you mean?"

Harry tried to explain. "You were caught about to attempt to steal a Federation warship. For a noble purpose, mostly, but still … theft. You were impersonating another person. I burned a lot of goodwill to keep you safe. And I am willing to release you, and inform Sisko as I promised to do. But consider this: What would have happened had you succeeded?"

Riker looked away thoughtfully. Finally he looked back. "I would have had proof of the buildup, but I wouldn't have done as you did and stayed long enough to get a real idea of what is happening."

Harry said, "No. You would have been destroyed by the Cardassians with Sisko's help or been sacrificed to the Cardassians to recover the ship. Sisko would have had no choice, and considering how the Federation feels about the Maquis, they would have rewarded him for doing so."

Riker looked mulish for a moment, and then relaxed with a slightly pained facial expression. "Possibly."

"Probably. Almost guaranteed," Harry said with a slightly harsh tone.

Riker's face became more neutral. "What of it?"

"I would like to do what's best for all parties. I have a question, if it's not too intrusive."

Riker looked dubious. "What?"

"Did you get extensive counseling after being retrieved from Nervala IV?" Harry asked with a curious tone.

"It wasn't needed," Riker replied in his neutral tone.

Harry snorted. "I know about being able to say 'I'm fine' convincingly. I lived a good twenty years fooling myself that I was healthy, until a Vulcan healer forced me to confront my issues. I'm only in this universe because I was willing to die because of my issues. I didn't ask if you needed it; I asked if you got it."

Riker finally said, "No."

Harry nodded. "I would like to have you examined by T'Has, my CMO's niece and the ship's mind healer/psychologist. She was hired because I needed work but has stayed as counselor." Harry noticed Riker's look. "I know about your former girlfriend on the Enterprise. I would guess she was one reason you were willing to hide your mental trauma to jet off into another assignment rather than accept that you needed treatment."

Riker actually paused at that. "You might have a point with that."

Harry stood up, with Riker following. "After the exam, we can talk more and make decisions."

Two days later, still a day and a half away from Deep Space 9, Harry set up a call to Sisko in his office via Mirror Relay.

"Commodore Potter," Sisko said almost formally when he observed the setting. "How can I be of assistance?"

Harry replied, "Commander Sisko. I would like to know if you have ten minutes to review a legal matter involving a Federation citizen which has direct bearing on Deep Space 9?"

"Of course."

"Good. I have set this up to discharge the issue of Thomas Riker's fraudulent access to Deep Space 9 with the intent of committing Felony Larceny. Despite my defense of his status as a member of the Maquis, he did commit a crime and the matter needs to be handled."

Sisko raised one eyebrow. "I agree."

Harry said, "Despite his reasons having validity, Thomas Riker has agreed to admit to misdemeanor fraud. In the normal course of dealing with the issue, I had him examined medically to verify there weren't extenuating circumstances behind his actions. Are you ready to receive the testimony of T'Has, a licensed Psychiatrist, regarding her examination of Mr. Riker?"

Sisko nodded. "I am."

T'Has listed out what she had done and the Federation laws which applied. Finally she concluded, "It is my professional opinion that the individual, Thomas William Riker, former Lieutenant of Starfleet Command and former member of the Maquis resistance, be considered unfit for criminal trial due to the laws as stated. Mr. Riker has agreed to submit himself to formal treatment on Vulcan and then community service, once his treatment has been declared completed."

Sisko asked, "Are you willing to submit these findings and recommendations for the record?"

"Yes."

Harry interrupted. "Before that is done, I would like to make a suggestion."

"Go ahead."

"I would suggest submitting this information rated as top secret to Starfleet Security and the Federation Council. I would recommend the Cardassians be apprised of what has been found with them being informed the invididual who instigaged the clandestine surveillance has been tried and the matter has been resolved by a Federation tribunal. The Federation was following an investigation against Maquis collaborators and you encountered the information. The Federation, in the spirit of good faith, is willing to unofficially inform them so they can deal with their internal issues but a formal acknowledgement or turning over the prisoner officially would lead to embarrassing information about the Cardassian Empire being revealed."

Sisko asked, "Why do you suggest informing the Cardassians?"

"Because they likely have spies who have or will report the incursion," Harry answered.

Sisko considered that. "I agree. I will submit the information and will have a reply soon. When do you return?"

"One and a half days."

"You might have another day or so to wait for an official reply."

"Understood."

"Thank you, Commodore Potter, for your assistance in resolving the matter."

"You're welcome, Commander Sisko."

Later, Harry was having a drink with Bill Dawkins. Dawkins enjoyed the tequila that Harry had from his own Earth. Bill took a good swig of his drink and said, "Boss? I have a question."

"Which is?" Harry asked.

Bill asked, "Why did you get so hard-assed about Riker? You caught him before he could really do anything and he was right. Seeing how you sometimes run fast and loose when it comes to local laws – well, I'd of thunk you'd be more sympathetic."

Harry looked at Bill and said, "Your accent is sometimes wretched."

Bill smirked and then said, "Just answer the question."

Harry nodded and took a drink. "If he had any sense of remorse, I'd have likely been more forgiving. I do like flexible minded people. But unlike that guy, Paris, who disappeared with Voyager, Riker only fessed up when forced to. He's a bit arrogant, like the Riker on Enterprise is. They have the skill to back up the arrogance, but he seems the type to be unwilling to admit to being wrong. I didn't feel comfortable just releasing him back into an unsuspecting universe."

Dawkins considered that and then said, "You can be a bit arrogant too, boss." His tone had a bit of humor.

"True. But I have you and the rest to keep me in line, and if all else fails, you can call King George to reel me in. He's got other people who are just as willing to be criminal to act as his moral compass or the people to fall back on. That does not make a good situation."

"Point." Dawkins drank more of his drink.

The Bruce stayed at Deep Space Nine long enough to get a reply from the Federation. They agreed with Harry's suggestion, with Sisko being the one to inform the Cardassian Central Command with what had been found. In addition, Starfleet Security was more than willing to accept the sensor readings which pertained to the situation at hand.

Riker was allowed to inform his compatriots of what was known and found and that he had been caught. He was not allowed to inform them as to where he was being sent.

Harry set course for Vulcan on his way to meet up with the Griffon again.

Benjamin Sisko stood behind at his desk waiting for his visitor.

The door chimed. "Open."

Gul Dukat appeared at the door. "Commander Sisko." He walked in and looked around. "It's always interesting to be on this side of the desk when I come here."

"I'm sure," Sisko replied. "Please have a seat. Would you like refreshment?"

Dukat sat down. "No. Thank you. The Central Command was quite curious when your request for a meeting was received. What does the Federation need of the Cardassian Empire?" he asked in his overly servile tone indicating mockery.

Sisko didn't let it get to him. "Recently the Federation captured a Maquis member. The information he had was quite interesting. Our interrogation indicated it was obtained from Cardassian space. And considering what was found, my superiors felt that an unofficial meeting to inform you would be preferable."

Dukat affected an incensed tone. "You admit a Federation citizen spied on us and you feel this is a matter for a quiet admission?"

"Yes," Sisko replied without responding to the tone of accusation. "We didn't think it wise to widely inform any who asked that a Maquis spy confirmed a war fleet being constructed in Cardassian space."

At that, Dukat's tone became more honestly incredulous. "A war fleet?"

"Yes." Sisko hit a few buttons on his desk and called up screen shots. "This is what was recorded in the Orias system, in the middle of Cardassian space. We have quite a lot of footage and sensor readings."

Dukat came and peered at the screen from a close distance. His anger was obvious though he tried to hide it. "And when was this supposedly recorded?"

"Ten days ago," Sisko replied.

Dukat turned. "The Empire demands the chance to interrogate this spy."

Sisko's tone became slightly apologetic. "I'm sorry. But the witness was made unfortunately unable to give further testimony after the information was found." Dukat shot him a look. Sisko continued calmly, "You understand that sometimes information recovered is politically inconvenient. Steps must be taken for the greater good of the body politic."

Dukat peered at Sisko. "I am aware. I am just surprised to hear you admit that."

Sisko said, "I assure you: That gives me no joy to say."

Dukat nodded. "You are constrained by orders you are in no position to disregard."

"Exactly."

Dukat sighed. "What do you intend to do with this?"

Sisko pulled a data device and held it out. "We're giving it to you."

Dukat was almost incredulous. "This includes ..."

"Everything. Sensor logs, visual recordings, our suppositions."

Dukat slowly took the data device. "Why?"

Sisko replied, "Our observations were based on what we found. Yes, there is a fleet being built. Apparently in conjunction with the Romulans." Dukat was surprised. "The Maquis assumed it was a new fleet to destroy them. What is being built far exceeds what would be needed for that. So we assume it is to attack the Dominion, likely in an attempt to destroy the threat before they come to attack int he Alpha quadrant. We can't officially protest, though we are against precipitous action on the part of the Romulan and Cardassian empire. But the nature of how this information came to us means we can't really do a damn thing with it. So we are at least informing the Central Command. We also intend to quietly voice our concerns to the Romulans as well."

Dukat paused for a long moment. "I will review this and then inform my superiors."

"Good."