Chapter Nine: Housewarming

Chris is surrounded by white—pure, stark white.

Shit. Not this again.

Chris searches the sea of white for any sign of shape or shadow. Unlike his previous experience in the Celestial Temple, recognizable sounds fade in around him: cars on a street, snow crunching under boots, muffled voices, and a faint electrical hum.

The thick veil of white dissolves and lifts like a fog. Chris finds himself on a snow-covered sidewalk, looking up at the large neon sign of Phil's Diner.

Oh yeah… I was supposed to meet Mike for lunch! I hope I didn't miss him.

Chris approaches the door and kicks the snow from his boots. As he reaches for the handle, the entire door simply fades away. Unfazed, he walks calmly towards the counter which is grossly over-done with chrome, stainless steel, and neon.

"Hey Chris!" Mike's voice calls out. "You sure took your sweet time getting here! Hope you don't mind I started without you."

Without moving to take a seat, Chris is suddenly perched on a padded bar stool. He turns to face Mike, who is sitting next to him at the counter with a large cheeseburger in his hands—bits of bacon visible in the bun.

"That's OK, Mike," Chris says. "Traffic was killing me."

"It can do that if you're not careful," Mike mumbles with his mouth half-full. "Did you remember your list?"

"Yeah; It's right here."

Chris' spiral notebook sits on the counter in front of him. He picks it up with both hands and inspects it more closely. He recognizes the violent scribbles over his ex-wife's name and the sloppily-edited weight-loss goal. There are blurry markings on the lines that follow and, with some effort, he blinks them into focus one by one.

A drunk driver is coming.

They're running the light.

You're going to die.

Chris is startled by the sound of a car horn. Instead of his list, his hands now grip the steering wheel of his old Honda. His eyes snap to the rear-view mirror to spy the impatient driver behind, but his attention is quickly stolen by the sound of a roaring engine to his left. Chris turns his head just in time to see the chrome grill of a black luxury sedan barreling towards his driver-side door.

Chris grips the steering wheel to brace himself, but the violent impact dislodges his hands—his arms flail wildly. Shattering glass deafens as Chris' left arm is crushed by the crumpling door. He cries out in pain.

"Chris!"

Chris' eyes spring open to meet those of a startled Kira Nerys.

"Whoa!" Chris jumps from surprise and the fresh terror of impact. He looks down to find that Kira has a firm grip on his arm.

"It's OK! It's OK. It was a nightmare. You're safe." Kira's tone softens as she speaks—an effort to calm them both.

Chris' heart races and his hands continue to shake from the fright.

"Must've been quite a dream," Kira says as she nods to a broken glass on the coffee table. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Having followed Kira's gesture to the glass, Chris' eyes clumsily meander across her red uniform before making eye contact. "N-no. I'm fine. It was just a dream."

"You didn't answer your door," Kira motions over her shoulder with a twitch of her head. "I hope you don't mind."

Chris pries his eyes from Kira's to spy the open door to the hall.

Oh, right… she can override station locks.

Chris shakes his head in answer while placing a hand on the deceptively delicate-looking one still clutching his arm. He squeezes gently.

"Thank you, Nerys."

Even though the nightmare has passed, Chris' heart still pounds. He can only assume it's due to the compassionate act and intimate view of this 'fictional' character that knelt close to wake him. Everything about Kira is as he remembers from the show: an elaborate earring adorns her ear, red lipstick contrasts her fair complexion, and ridges on the bridge of her nose serve as a reminder that she's not exactly human. But her eyes… those big, beautiful brown eyes have more depth at this moment than the void of space beyond the windows. Kira Nerys is absolutely stunning.

Was Julian right?

Chris tries to shroud his enamored stare with an observation. "Your hair. It's, uh… more season six than seven. Did you decide to, um…?" He loses his words as he reconnects with Kira's eyes.

Damn, she's beautiful.

Chris' stare has been too long, too intense. He's begun to subconsciously caress the hand beneath his. Kira's brow wrinkles and the corners of her mouth curl downward.

Chris frowns at Kira's discomfort. "I'm sorry. I…"

Kira quickly pulls her hand away and stands. "I'll get something for the spill," she says as she turns and takes quick steps to the replicator.

Chris stammers as he tries to process what just happened. "Nerys, please," he manages as he sits up on the couch. "Wait a minute."

Kira halts with her back to Chris. She lowers her head and makes fists with her hands.

"I'm sorry," Chris apologizes again. "I-I'd like to explain."

"I'm pretty sure I don't want to hear it," Kira says without turning.

Chris sighs and speaks anyway. "You know… I love television shows, but something about them always frustrated me."

"Chris…"

"You watch people take on roles and play out scripted events. You see feelings hurt because someone opens their stupid mouth—or because someone doesn't. You're powerless as you watch them do all the wrong things because… it's just a TV show. All you can do is yell at the screen: 'Tell her how you feel, you idiot.'"

"Don't…" Kira says softly. Her fists tighten.

"As hard as it's been for me to believe it, this isn't a TV show—this is real. And I'm going to take my chances and open my stupid mouth."

"Chris," Kira turns to face him with a scowl. "I said…"

"Please," Chris plows ahead, "I have to, or I'm afraid this misunderstanding will only get worse." He stands and points to the couch behind him. "What just happened was unexpected—for both of us. Technically, I had no knowledge of your existence until this morning. I'm trying to process memories that aren't my own. I'm supposed to trust my feelings based on that?"

Kira relaxes her posture and lets out a sigh.

Chris spots movement beyond the open door to the hall. He chooses to ignore it.

"I have to wonder…" Chris continues. "The Prophets picked you to be my… guide, or host, or… whatever. Did they want me to like you, to be attracted to you? I mean… they gave me fake memories and dropped me in your bed naked for Christ sake. Are my feelings my own? Did they shove those into my head too? I don't know… but I hope you'll give me a chance to figure out my own feelings before you shut me out completely."

Kira takes a deep breath as she considers Chris' words. "I appreciate… how hard it can be to share what's on your mind. And you're right: I saw that as… some kind of stunt to lay on charm. I don't know you. I have no idea what kind of man you are. I was starting to question if you really had a nightmare or..."

Chris hangs on Kira's pause, again ignoring movement beyond the doorway.

Kira tilts her head back and sighs. "Look. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through. I'll try to keep that in mind. But I have a lot going on right now, and what just happened…" she wiggles a pointed finger at the couch, "…is the last thing I need."

"I'm sorry," Chris says after catching heartache in Kira's tone. "I know you miss him."

"You can't possibly…" Kira stops herself and rolls her eyes. "Of course you do."

Chris nods. "The two of you saying goodbye is one of the last memories the Prophets gave me. They made it seem like he wasn't coming back, but…" Chris shrugs, "I don't know. I'm sure it's what you hope for anyway. But that's… taking its toll. I think they'd agree."

Chris gestures to the bypassed door.

Kira's eyes widen as she twists to find four faces staring back at her. Ezri, Julian, Nog, and Quark are squeezed together, quietly peering through the doorway. Now that attention has been drawn to their presence, they all talk at once.

"If this is a bad time…" Julian says sheepishly.

"I didn't hear anything. Honest!" Nog blatantly lies.

"It was already open," Ezri shrugs with an apologetic pout.

Quark is surprisingly speechless. He blinks in disbelief.

"How long have you been there?!" Kira demands.

"You were in bed together?" Quark breaks his stunned silence, leaving no doubt they'd been there long enough.

Kira clenches her jaw and glares at Quark, but confusion quickly consumes her expression. She pivots back to Chris. "You knew they were there?!"

Chris raises his hands defensively. "I did, but I-I'd bothered you and... I had to explain."

Kira's brow furrows deeply as she looks between Chris and the others.

Chris looks down with guilt after upsetting Kira further.

Ezri steps in and walks straight to Chris. "He was just trying to do the right thing, Kira."

The others make their way inside as well, stepping clear of the angry colonel as she scoffs.

Still staring at the floor, Chris is startled when Ezri taps his shoulder.

"Hey, sorry," Ezri apologizes for the surprise and offers a nod of reassurance. "She'll get over it. Nice to meet you."

Chris nods at the greeting from another 'character' from his memories. "Thanks; I hope so. Likewise."

Ezri turns her head to Kira. Chris doesn't know what face Ezri makes, or what words she mouths, but it elicits a response.

Kira points back emphatically. "Don't you start."

Chris is at a loss. "I miss something?"

"No; I was…" Ezri shakes a fading smirk at Chris. "I was just hoping to lighten her up."

"Hello?" Quark raises his voice in frustration. "Is anyone going to answer my question? Was this hew-mon really…?"

Kira lunges and grabs Quark's jacket by the lapels. "Shut it, Quark."

"OK, OK," Quark submits as Kira's eyes leave little question that he needs to drop the subject. He squirms to break free of her angry grip. Kira releases him with a slight push for good measure.

"I guess I'll just have to get the details later," Quark says as he straightens his jacket and turns to Chris. "You'll give me details, won't you? I'll pay good latinum for details." After Chris responds with a subtle head shake, Quark counters with a nod and a point. "We'll talk later."

"Nothing happened, Quark," Kira growls. "Give it a rest."

Quark rolls his eyes and produces a bar rag from his back pocket. He tends to the spilled orange Juice on the coffee table.

As Kira retreats to a corner of the room to stew, Julian approaches Chris with a stack of PADDs. "As promised," Julian smiles, "material on diet and exercise. We've included lists of our favorite healthy foods."

"Pfft, 'healthy'," Ezri rolls her eyes at Julian. "Mine's the long one. I included desserts."

"Yours is the long one, dear," Julian says as he playfully nudges Ezri's shoulder, "because you included choices for all your hosts."

Ezri sticks her tongue out at Julian then winks at Chris. "And desserts."

"Thank you—both of you," Chris says graciously.

As Ezri steps away with a polite "excuse me", Julian leans close to Chris. "Is… everything all right?"

Chris shrugs as he watches Ezri approach Kira. "I'm not sure. I probably should've kept my mouth shut."

As the two men watch the women whisper and gesture, Kira shoots Chris an unpleasant eye over Ezri's shoulder.

"Perhaps you're right," Julian whispers. "And just so you know, the infirmary is staffed at all hours."

Waiting for an opportunity to introduce himself to Chris, Nog loiters too close to Kira. She breaks from her conversation with Ezri to collar the young Ferengi.

"Nog," Kira addresses the young lieutenant with lingering irritation, "what's the status of the Defiant?"

"Uh… installation of the cloaking device is taking longer than expected," Nog says with a slight cower. "I requested another team to take advantage of the delay and perform overdue maintenance. But… she could be prepped within minutes if you need her, sir."

"I want her fully operational as soon as possible. Just because the war's over doesn't mean this sector is secure. Did I hear correctly that an early test disabled the deflector grid? We can't have that happen in the Gamma Quadrant."

"The Gamma Quadrant, sir?"

"A treaty brings peace, Lieutenant; ships keep it."

"Yes, sir." Nog stands at attention briefly then turns to leave.

Kira sighs and grabs Nog's shoulder. "Nog, I didn't mean this very second. I'm sure the team can do without you for the evening. And… good work requesting the extra crew; she could use the attention."

"Thank you, sir." Nog smiles at the break in Kira's mood and joins the others.

Quark steps into the hallway and retrieves a cart holding two large bottles, several glasses, and trays of hors d'oeuvres.

"As usual, I was the last to be told," Quark complains, "but I came prepared. Happy to make your acquaintance… what was your name again?"

"His name's Chris," Julian answers.

"Tell me, Chris," Quark nods as his hands hover over the bottles. "How much latinum did the Prophets set you up with?"

Ezri shoots the Ferengi a shaming glare. "Quark!"

"What?" Quark shrugs as he gestures to the bottles in turn. "I want to know if we're celebrating, or if we're celebrating."

Julian grabs the bottle that Quark implies is the more expensive of the two. "We're celebrating, and I'm buying."

"In that case," Quark smiles and grabs the other bottle as well, "there's more where these came from."

While Quark fills glasses on the table, Julian pours a glass and hands it to Chris. He pours a second glass and holds it out to Kira.

Kira hovers at the perimeter of the group and eyes the glass with reservation. It's obvious she still has a great deal on her mind, but Julian sustains his gesture until she shakes her thoughts and closes the gap to accept it.

"Thank you, Julian," Kira forces a smile. "I could use a drink."

Chris sighs in relief. He hopes Kira's response means she's put the incident on the couch behind her—at least for now.

After more introductory small talk, the small group in Chris' quarters settles down. Nog and Quark transfer the contents of the catering cart to the coffee table.

With Chris in the middle of the couch, Ezri takes a seat to his left and Julian the armchair just beyond. Nog and Quark pull dining chairs to the far side of the coffee table and begin passing plates and trays around.

Kira is the last to sit. Chris is disappointed, but not surprised, when she passes on the vacant spot beside him and pulls another dining chair to the right of the coffee table.

Nog clears his throat to pull Chris' attention from Kira. "Jake says he's sorry for not being here. He went back to Bajor to learn more about his father. He said you'd understand."

"I do," Chris nods. "Did you say 'back' to Bajor?"

"Jake's helping Kasidy build a house that Benjamin planned," Ezri answers.

"Ah," Chris responds as he shifts in his seat and glances at the others.

"Are you… uncomfortable?"

"It's just, uh…" Chris makes a small gesture to the group. "This is a bit more attention than I'm used to."

"If this is a bad idea…"

"No," Chris shakes his head. "This is good. Thank you. I'm just… this is good."

"If you're sure." Ezri eyes Chris with uncertainty.

"I'm sure. Thanks."

Julian hurriedly swallows an hors d'oeuvre to jump into the conversation. "So… I think some of us here know a little about you but, this morning aside…" his eyes dart to Kira to gauge her reaction, "…why don't you get us all up to speed?"

"Well…hmm." Chris looks around uneasily. "There's really not much to say about me. I'm just an average Joe from Earth who's now… here."

"I thought you said your name was Chris?" Quark asks after swallowing a sip of wine.

"It's an expression," Julian answers

Chris nods. "I'm guessing most of the expressions I know are dated now. If you don't already know, this is 350 years in the future—from my perspective."

Chris looks around to see no surprised faces. "OK, so I guess you all know that part. And… I know all of you because the Prophets gave me seven years' worth of memories about this place."

Chris blinks and leans back as several voices overlap.

Ezri makes a sweeping gesture. "Guys, guys. Hold on." She shifts in her seat to face Chris more directly. "Before we get to that, tell us more about you. For starters… how were you… taken?"

Chris blows out a breath. "I, uh… I was just driving. I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch. Suddenly there was nothing but white—everywhere."

"The Celestial Temple," Kira speaks up.

Chris nods.

"Do you know why the Prophets took you?" Ezri asks.

"Jake shed some light on that when I spoke with him earlier."

Kira's interest is roused. "Oh?"

Chris eagerly turns to face Kira. "Turns out… me being taken, and me being here aren't as connected as we thought."

"The Prophets said they couldn't send you back. He explain why?"

Chris remembers the pain he felt in the sea of white—and Jake's mention of his 'death'. He decides to keep those details to himself and shrugs in a play of ignorance. "Seems they've taken many people while steering Sisko's fate. Most were put back but… I guess something went wrong in my case. I got stuck there."

"Something?" Kira prods.

Chris can tell from Kira's expression that she knows he's holding back. He looks away.

"You're not stuck now—apparently," Quark comments.

"Sisko found me. He's the reason I'm… anywhere."

"If he was able to get you 'unstuck', why not send you home?" Julian asks.

Chris' focus drifts to somewhere beyond the coffee table. "Because the butterfly effect."

"The what?" Quark asks.

"Another expression," Chris says. "It's meant to describe cause and effect taken to an extreme. A butterfly, a small insect, flapping its wings could theoretically trigger a hurricane—a large storm."

"I assume you're the butterfly in this story?" Quark rolls his eyes while shoving an hors d'oeuvre in his mouth.

Chris nods. "When Sisko found me, his past had already… happened. So, if they put me back home, my existence would inevitably affect 350 years' worth of… whatever they did."

"But they've done it before," Kira says. "Akorem Laan finished a poem after being sent back."

Chris shrugs. "Jake said his dad was frustrated about some consequences of that. All I know is: putting me back would've affected a lot of lives to 'correct' for my existence. He decided that affecting just one life was better, so… here I am."

"None of this explains why they stripped you down and put you in Kira's… Ow!" Quark grabs his lobe after a firm pinch from Kira.

Chris blushes at Quark's point. "Yeah… Jake said Sisko was sorry about that. He didn't exactly offer an explanation. But, to be honest, I'm glad it happened the way it did."

Kira's shocked expression begs for clarification.

"I don't mean…" Chris backpedals and struggles for words. "I don't think I would've liked being treated… like I'm special. I mean… they're your gods andI'm… nobody—a loose end."

"You're being too hard on yourself," Ezri comments.

From Kira's stare, Chris can't tell if she agrees with Ezri's assessment or not.

"How about we talk about something else," Ezri says. "Let's get back to the memories they gave you."

Quark rolls his eyes. "And feelings, if you expect us to believe that part."

Kira breaks her stare at Chris to narrow her eyes at Quark.

"Well," Chris says before taking a gulp from his glass to calm his nerves. "The memories they gave me start when Sisko came to the station..."

The group in Chris' quarters is both amazed and entertained during a long discussion in which they test the boundaries and nature of his knowledge. The bottles Quark brought are mostly consumed, and a third is delivered by a server from the bar.

Noticing an alcohol-induced trend, Chris does his best to stem the tide of risqué inquiries. "Hey, I don't know who's been with who. I doubt I know any relationship stuff that isn't common knowledge. And I want to be very clear on this point: at no time have I seen any of you naked."

Chris clears his throat and aims a grinning face at Kira. It may be the alcohol that prompted him to raise the issue, but he's tired of dodging the elephant in the room. The others fall silent as they anxiously await Kira's reaction. She'd only lightly participated in the group's discussion, and her refusal to entertain the topic earlier was quite clear.

Silence, and five pairs of expectant eyes, quickly gains Kira's attention. She'd heard Chris' words, but they take a moment to sink in. "Now wait a minute!" she returns several stares in turn with surprise and a short, uncomfortable laugh. "We've been over this!"

Chris smiles and shakes his head sluggishly. "No, I believe you were quite vague about what you did or didn't see."

Thanks to alcohol, the group's discussion takes on the tone of friendly banter.

Ezri chimes in. "That's right, Kira. I think you told me you… 'saw enough'. That's not very specific."

"You're taking his side?" Kira scoffs. "And I'm pretty sure what I told you is: 'I didn't see much'."

"Ooh… That's harsh," Julian cringes.

Chris laughs until he catches the joking insult. "Hey!"

Kira shakes her head at Chris to reassure him that she had, in truth, made no such comment. Having opened the door to the topic however, the group is treated to a dueling, light-hearted recount of the morning's events.

"I woke up and he was just… there."

"I was lying there," Chris says before striking a menacing pose, "but you loomed over the bed and started yelling at me! I about shit myself."

"He thought it was some kind of joke!"

"I do not recall laughing. And I thought it wasn't real; there's a difference."

"You had no clothes!"

"You shot at me!"

"You deserved it!"

The group's laughter aids in shedding the last of Kira's foul mood. She shakes her head at Chris with a grin.

Laughter slowly fades and a reflective silence fills the room.

"Well, Chris," Julian breaks the silence, "the hour is late, and I believe my wife is drunk."

Ezri blows Julian a raspberry. "I can drink you under the table, mister. Or was that Jadzia?"

Julian nods. "But… before we go and leave it unstated, I'd like to formally welcome you to the 24th century—and to Deep Space Nine."

Everyone follows Julian's example and raises what's left in their glass for a toast. Various welcomes are offered.

"Thank you," Chris says and nods multiple times. "Though I haven't truly met any of you before today, I feel I know you all. I'm glad the Prophets gave me that. I know you don't really know me yet, but I feel I already have friends here. Thanks for being here."

Chris is surprised to see Kira stand and shift to the seat beside him.

"I'm sorry," Kira says as she puts a hand on Chris' knee. "The Prophets told me to help you, and so far, I've done a lousy job of it."

"You command the station," Chris shrugs. "It's not like you can just drop that—not for me."

"The Prophets asked me, so I need to make a better effort. Shall we try again tomorrow?"

Chris puts his hand on hers and smiles. "I'd like that."

Quark stands to gather his things. "I'm heading back to my bar before we're subjected to a repeat of the last fiasco between you two."

Chris blushes and pulls his hand away as he mouths an apology to Kira. She nods a quick acknowledgement before standing and stepping away.

"Whenever you come into some latinum," Quark adds, "you know who to ask for quality refreshment. Replicators only put out synthehol, you know."

Nog gets up to leave but pauses to hand something to Chris. Chris stands to accept the data rod in Nog's hand.

"It's a collection of Vic's songs—in case it gets too quiet for you. I'll introduce you sometime." Nog proudly refers to the strong friendship he's formed with the station's most popular hologram.

"Thanks," Chris nods.

Julian and Ezri stand as Nog follows Quark to the hallway. True to Julian's observation, it's apparent that Ezri's had more than her share of alcohol. She wavers on her feet as they welcome Chris to the station once more.

Ezri leans over. "If you ever need to talk," she sloppily whispers and winks, "I know a great counselor."

Ezri immediately loses her balance. Julian steadies her and shakes his head as he leads her to the door. Once the couple leaves, Chris finds himself alone with Kira.

"Chris, I…."

Chris holds up a hand. "I don't know what was in those bottles or how much I had, but this probably isn't the best time to discuss anything… delicate. I'm sorry about earlier. All the things up here...?" he says as he taps the side of his head. "I… need some time to sort it all out."

Kira smirks. "You're a better liar when you're tipsy. But… you're right. You've had a rough day. We can talk about it tomorrow. Meet you for breakfast?"

"Sounds good," Chris smiles. "And I have my own bed now—should get off to a smoother start for sure."

Kira rolls her eyes. "I'll meet you at 0700. Goodnight, Chris."

Chris holds out his hand. Kira stares briefly before accepting it.

"Goodnight," Chris says with a smile and gentle handshake. "Thanks for not shooting me."

"Yet," Kira smiles. "I'll see you in the morning. Get some sleep."

Chris nods as Kira turns to leave.

As the door to the hallway closes, Chris stares at it and sighs. He eventually makes his way to his bedroom, going over the evening in his mind.

I looked at her every chance I got. Prophet mingling or no, I can't stop thinking about her.

Chris undresses and climbs into bed. Succumbing to fatigue and the growing effects of alcohol, he drifts off quickly.