Chief O'Brien and Dr. Bashir hesitated. The two men stood a few meters away from the door of Quark's. They were nervous, and unsure how to approach the task at hand. The two tried not to stare at the bulky figure seated at the first stool by the door, but their attempt to hide their ulterior motive made it all the more obvious.

"She said we should just talk to him," Miles O'Brien whispered. "Make him feel like he's one of the family."

"But I don't really like my family…" Julian joked. At least Miles thought he was joking.

"Come on, now. He's feeling a bit down lately. As if people don't trust him."

"Well, do you blame them?" the Doctor replied. "Talking with Morn is … well, it's like being the lead story for the Federation News Service."

"Come on, now! Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit?"

"Tell me, Miles, when you need to know the latest gossip on the station, who do you ask?"

"I don't need to know the latest gossip."

"But if you did, who would you go to?"

"Well…" Miles agreed.

"You see," Julian cut in. "You'd go to Morn. Everyone knows he can't keep a secret. Lieutenant Dax says he is trying… but… I don't know what kind of secret I'd be willing to trust him with."

"Well, who would YOU go to, to learn all about the station's gossip?" the Chief asked his friend, with a slight chortle.

"That's easy," Julian responded. "I'd ask Garak."

"Be serious, now."

"I am being serious. You'd be amazed how much he observes, hemming trousers."

"Bollocks."

"Well, it's true." The Doctor stretched his neck, just a bit, to see past a group of Pakleds blocking his view of Morn. Miles harrumphed.

"Seriously, Miles, what do think we should say?" the Doctor whispered back, emphasizing the last word.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe you can just tell him about your latest miracle in the infirmary." Miles was being sarcastic. But only slightly.

"Well, that's no secret."

Miles shook his head. It was not so long ago when he would have completely misinterpreted the Doctor's conceit.

"Well, you could tell him about… your relationship with Leeta!"

"I'm sure he's already heard all about it."

"Sure, but not from your side. And I bet she tells it better." Miles smiled, finally getting the upper hand in the conversation.

Not to be outdone, the doctor countered.

"Well, maybe you could tell him about how much you miss the Major."

The Chief shot a dirty glance towards his friend.

Julian had obviously hit a nerve.

Since Nerys left for Bajor - No, since Major Kira left for Bajor, several days ago, things just didn't feel right at home. He tried to hide the emptiness from his wife, Keiko. But it was clear that he missed her. He really missed her. She was, after all, the woman who was carrying his child. No. Wait. She was, after all, the woman who was carrying his and Keiko's child.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Julian shrugged his shoulders, glanced back towards the bar, and began to move in that direction.

"Now, wait a minute. Are you suggesting…"

"Look, there's nothing to be ashamed of…"

"I'm not ashamed…!" Miles shot back, defensively.

"And there's nothing to be defensive about!"

"I. Am. Not. Being. Defensive."

"Then, go on and tell him." Julian gestured towards the door, and the two men slowly began to walk towards the bar.

"Well, then," Miles finally responded, taking a deep breath. "Maybe it's not such a bad idea."

"Wait, what did you say?" Julian froze in his footsteps. "You can't be serious?"

"Maybe you should go, Julian." Miles said. "This is probably something I should do alone. I'll catch up with you, later."

Julian's expression turned from playful teasing to a combination of surprise and disgust. It wasn't a reflection on the Major – an attractive woman, if ever he did see one. It was the mere thought of – no, it was the mere possibility of - his friend having feelings for any woman other than his wife, Keiko. Miles O'Brien was, after all, the very model of a happily married man. But in this case, he was a happily married man who also shared his quarters with the surrogate mother of their child.

"Miles, are you really serious?" Julian asked his friend, once again. This time he was genuinely concerned. "I mean, this is… well, serious."

"Well, why don't you come by and ask Morn about it. Tomorrow. After all, everyone knows he can't keep a secret."

The Chief smirked, and headed toward Quark's.