Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

"But all you need is in here!" the Founder insisted. "Why do you want to go outside?"

"Founder-"

"You should not call me that. Only servants refer to me as such, and you are not a servant."

She nodded sadly. "All right...I want to find new things, new people. There are so many things out there to explore! I want to touch and feel and hear, not just read. You've taught me so much, but I want to start learning on my own!"

The Founder sighed. "I guess you are no different than any other child. You desire independence, and I will not hinder it. But you will realize that the Link is all you need."

"I know," she replied, "but you told me that our people sometimes exit the Link and shapeshift."

A small smile graced the older Changeling's face, and she nodded. "True...very well. I'll call the guards."

The young Changeling grinned. "Thank you."

She shook her head. "No, it was wrong of me to coop you up in here. You are still very new to things, and of course you want to explore."

Her grin widened. "I won't disappoint you. Besides, you claim the Jem'Hadar are the best soldiers in the quadrant. Why should you be afraid?"

…

Weyoun turned at the sound of the door opening, and quickly bowed to the Changeling as she walked in. Damar had already returned to his quarters, and there weren't any but a few Jem'Hadar in the corners, absorbed in their work. They saluted the Founder, then returned to their consoles. But she ignored them and came straight up to him.

"You never did tell me your name," she said softly.

"My name is Weyoun," he replied. "I live to serve you."

She stayed silent for a moment. "Then...maybe you could help me again." She looked uncertain, but at his smile, her expression brightened.

"Of course."

"Will you walk with me outside? I've never seen Cardassia except for out a window."

He nodded, and she mentioned that she did not know the way out. Weyoun led her through the corridors and out the exit, and soon they were roaming the night streets of the capital city. A fiery sunset was sinking toward the horizon, and she was amazed at the sight. She stopped and watched it for a full fifteen minutes, completely enthralled with the changing colors and the soft patterns of light on the clouds.

"It's like the sky is..." She trailed off, unable to find the words to describe how she felt. But Weyoun could see she was moved by the sunset, and he wished for the hundredth time that he could see what she saw. After she had complimented him profusely on his appearance, he had stared in his mirror for hours trying to appreciate what she so found so highly attractive. He could not see attractiveness, beauty or exquisiteness in himself; he only saw a Vorta.

"You look sad," she murmured. He noted that so far in her company, her voice was very soft, as if she feared raising her voice above a slight murmur. When she was excited, her volume increased, but he sometimes had to strain his ears to hear her. He sighed.

"No, I am not sad," he said softly, looking back to the dying sunset.

"Then why don't you smile? You are not angry, are you?"

"No," he replied, laughing a little. She shook her head and walked up to him, touching his lips with a gentle finger.

"What can I do to make you smile?"

He blushed; he had never received such an odd request from a Founder. "My happiness is of no consequence, Founder," he murmured demurely.

She seemed like she might argue, but then she sighed. "If you say so." Then he saw a question light up her eyes, and she circled him again.

"You are attractive...beautiful...exquisite...but what am I to you?"

He looked at her in awe. "You are a god come down from heaven to be with us lowly Solids. There is nothing more beautiful than that," he breathed, speaking sincerely from his heart. He believed every word he said, and it made him want to dance with joy when she smiled at his words. He smiled back in return, and her eyes lit up.

"Being with me makes you smile?"

"What cause have I for sorrow in the presence of a god?" he replied with rapture. She laughed.

"Then I should be around you more, so you will smile."

She didn't miss the way his entire face lit up at the thought, and she laughed again.

"Yes, I will be with you more...you have an...alluring smile. It pleases me."

He blushed profusely and murmured out a thank-you, and she took his hand and began to drag him along the city streets like an eager child.

"Come on!" she cried, letting him take the lead.

He showed her the city, from the quiet parks to the bustle of the still-active marketplace. The parks gave her a good view of the sky, and the lights of the city did not dim the glory of the stars. She stared at the vast expanse in wonder, speechless. He stood beside her and stared up with her, though he could not see the stars at all.

They moved on to the marketplace, and he wondered why so many people were out tonight. He asked one of the nearby Jem'Hadar guards, but the soldier did not know. He led her through the busy streets, and it was very slow going because she stopped and looked at anything that caught her interest. As she examined everything from the city benches to the pottery of a street merchant, he tried to see what she found so fascinating in it all.

The Jem'Hadar discreetly paved a clear path for the two of them to tread, though the Changeling insisted that she didn't want to disturb anyone. But Weyoun would not have it; he ordered a path cleared through the marketplace to the other side. But halfway down the plaza, she stopped dead.

An old Cardassian man was sitting on the ground, and he was playing a lively melody on a woodwind. The Changeling froze and watched him in awe as he filled the air with music, and soon she began to sway. Weyoun frowned at first, but when it became evident that she really enjoyed the song, he smiled instead. When the song was over, she noticed how tired Weyoun looked, and they exited the plaza and headed back to Central Command.

"Oh," she breathed to him as they walked on quieter streets, "that sound...what was it?"

"I believe the instrument is called a kembat, but I could be mistaken."

"No, Weyoun, the sound."

He frowned. "I don't know the name of the song, but-"

"Song?"

He nodded. "A series of musical notes that form a melody, um..." He trailed off with a nervous laugh, as he was lacking in musical education.

"So that was song?" she asked, her eyes wide.

He finally understood. "That was music, Founder," he said with a smile. She closed her eyes.

"Music..." she murmured to herself, as if trying to commit it to memory. "It was..." Her eyes snapped open and she frowned, then sighed in frustration. Her gaze found his, and he stared at her with concern until her face brightened. She took a step toward him.

"You...your voice is music, Weyoun. It is pleasing."

He bowed his head low, not sure how to reply. She seemed eager to compliment him, and it made his heart feel wonderfully overwhelmed. It was a true honor to spend time with her, this Founder that looked on him with approving eyes. If she only knew what she meant to him...

It was nearing midnight when they entered the political district, the highest point in the capital. From this point, they had a good view of the city, and Weyoun thought that the usual glow was missing for some reason. They continued along the streets until they were two blocks from Central Command, and the buildings were low in the street they were on. They had a fair view of the sky, and Weyoun glanced up at it when he heard a great whooshing sound. The Changeling gasped.

"Weyoun," she breathed as she looked up at the stars. "Why are they falling?"

"It's a meteor shower, Founder. I'm guessing that's why so many people were out tonight."

She gasped in wonder as the shooting stars streaked across the black sky, her expression as eager and awe-struck as a small child. Even Weyoun could see streaks of light as they fell toward the planet, and although he could not see the beauty in it, something about the phenomenon made his heart pound a little faster. And standing there in the dark with a Founder at his side...every color in the street seemed a little brighter tonight.

His gaze was suddenly directed downward as he felt a hand slip into his and hold it tight. He realized she was clutching his hand, and her grip was firm, nearly uncomfortable, as if she feared he might wander off or disappear. But he stayed stock still and stared at her in wonder; no matter how many lights streamed down from the heavens, it would never compare to this moment for him.

She sighed contentedly as the whooshing sound died, and she turned to him with a smile. But it faded into a confused expression, and she did not break his gaze for a full minute. He realized her hand was still clutching his, her grip tighter now. Her body grew tense and stiff, and he frowned in concern for her.

"Founder?" he whispered, tilting his head.

She stepped closer to him so that they were inches from each other. "How do Solids display affection? There is a gesture, a sort of...touching..."

She came even closer and wrapped her arms around him. "Like this, yes?"

He nodded slowly, too caught up in the feel of her arms around him to even attempt speech. Before he could blink, he was pressed to her body, his chin resting on her shoulder. He gasped, then closed his eyes, savoring every second of this divine embrace.

After a few moments, she broke away, then glanced down.

"It's getting late...she'll be expecting me."

He nodded and led her back to Central Command. He didn't dare dwell on what had just happened lest he burst out into joyful tears. They wandered the dark corridors in silence, and she stopped at the end of her hallway. She turned to him and wrapped her arms around him again.

"Thank you. That was pleasing, being with-" She broke off her sentence and her eyes grew wide for a moment, as if she was afraid to finish her thoughts. But then she smiled.

"Good night, Weyoun...I'll see you again sometime soon."

He smiled back in utter joy, causing her grin to widen.

"And when I do, you will smile for me?"

He laughed. "If that is what will please you, then of course I will."

Her hand found his and she squeezed tightly before letting go and disappearing down the corridor. He stood there in the dim moonlight and stared after her, taking in several deep breaths before he dared to move. Then he quickly strode toward his quarters and did not think until the doors had shut firmly behind him.

He sat on the edge of his bed and closed his eyes tightly. If he tried, he could still feel her hand in his, her tight, almost desperate embrace, her finger on his lips...In one evening, he had received more attention, more affection from a Founder than he had ever received in five lifetimes. She was so new to things, so naïve, stepping cautiously into the world of the Solids as timidly as a child. He wanted to help her steps to be more confident, to make this odd transition easier for her. She seemed eager for his help, moreover, for his...approval, and he was desperate for hers.

He began to undress, his movements automatic, and he laid down in the darkness, breathing slowly, holding in the joyful tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. But he could not hold them back, and he gasped as the wetness soaked the pillowcase.

He had been honored tonight, and he would cherish this evening for the rest of eternity.

…

He was standing in Central Command, working on something that was due very soon. He had to give a report to the Founder, and his report would not get done. He worked and worked on it, but nothing appeared on the PADD.

He felt arms wrap around his core, and for some reason, he felt safe in the newcomer's embrace. He sighed and leaned back against the stranger, but they twisted him around to face him.

The young Changeling smiled at him and put a hand on his cheek-

He snapped awake, his skin tingling with instinct: he knew that there was someone in the room with him. It was still dark; even with his eyes closed he could tell that the moonlight that usually filtered through his small skylight was missing. Apparently, it was early morning.

Panic started to creep into the edges of his nerves as a dark shadow leaned over him. But then a warm hand pressed to his cheek and stroked his face. The intruder's touch was familiar somehow...

The edge of the bed beside his waist sunk a little, and his visitor did not remove their hand. Rather, they let it trail down his bare chest, feeling every inch of him. A light finger traced the outline of his muscles, and he had to hold in a gasp. Not only was his skin hyper-sensitive, but he realized who was visiting him in the middle of the night.

He opened his eyes and stared into wide blue orbs. She smiled at him, then directed her attention back to his chest.

"Your skin is so smooth..." she commented lightly. She removed her hand as he sat up, and he leaned back against the headboard before bowing his head and spreading his hands.

"Forgive me, Founder...I did not know you were going to visit."

The joyful light in her eyes died. "Oh...did I do something wrong?"

"No," he whispered sincerely. "You just...took me by surprise is all."

"I apologize, I...I was done regenerating-I have a room to myself now-and...I was walking around, looking at the moon...and I saw the Jem'Hadar and they told me these were your quarters...so I came inside to see you. But you were asleep...for a moment I thought you were dead," she murmured, her eyes wide and fearful, "but then I remembered you Solids require sleep. I watched you...you looked so peaceful...and your skin was glowing in the moonlight and I..."

She trailed off as if unsure of what to say next, but her hand reached out again and lightly touched his chest. Her hand pressed against his breastbone until it was flat against his skin, and her warmth seeped into his now-cool skin. Her hand was resting right over his heart, and his heart thundered in his chest at her touch. She gasped and pressed harder.

"I feel something," she breathed. "It's..."

"My heartbeat," Weyoun finished for her, carefully adjusting her hand a little so she could feel it better. She closed her eyes and stayed silent for about five minutes, and his pulse slowed slightly in that time.

"It slowed down. Why?"

"I am not as...surprised as I was a minute ago. The fear is gone."

She opened her eyes. "You fear me?"

"Yes...no...I don't know."

"I don't want you to fear me..." she whispered, trailing her hand up to his collarbone. Another minute of silence passed before she sighed.

"You need more sleep, yes?"

He nodded sheepishly.

"Then I will go."

"You don't have to," he murmured, his voice barely audible. She looked back to him, and a smile grew on her lips.

"Then I will stay. For you."

He raised his eyebrows in surprise before laying back down. She stroked his hair and face again, then traced the muscles on his chest. He sighed contentedly and fought the sleep that darkened the edges of his vision, but eventually he fell asleep with her hand resting over his heart once more, a smile on his pale, soft lips.