A/N: That's all folks!

The next day Nerys didn't see Odo during her shift. She went about her business and didn't say much to anyone. No one said much to her. They all knew Odo was back and those close enough to her to make small talk knew better than to initiate it on a day like today. Her being prickled with suppressed anger. She carried twice the anger as usual today. Not only was she angry at Odo for what he did to her, but she was angry at herself for yelling at him. Mostly she was angry at herself for not just leaping into his arms. Then again, it was her self respect that kept her from doing that. Her heart did jump at bit when she got a message near the end of her shift. It read, "Dinner tonight? You deserve an explanation. –O" Nerys didn't even need the initial to know who it was from. She picked up her padd and typed in "yes" and sent it to Odo. She didn't make any attempts to ask about plans. Instead she just went to her room trust he'd come for her.

She paced, anxious. First she picked out a dress to wear then, deciding she was more comfortable in her uniform, she put the uniform back on and began to fresher her makeup. Just as she started to anxiously run her fingers through her hair in an attempt to freshen it, the door sensor beeped. With a shaky breath she responded.

"Come in." Odo stood in the door.

"Nerys…Kira…Captain now, I guess, I'm sorry." He fidgeted.

"Before we get dinner just answer this for me. If you lied to me to protect me from grieving for years then why did you even come back to me? You got here and didn't tell me. You made it seem like you planned on never coming back to me." Odo's face tightened. Nerys noticed how well formed it looked.

"It's a bit of a story." Nerys just cocked a hip and raised her eyebrow as she looked at him. He sighed, "All right. I was, I am, in love with you. But I was deluded. I used to sit in my office and watch everyone walk around and talk to their friends. I always saw people with their own species. It wasn't purposeful separation, but just a natural one. People tend to flock to their own kind. It used to pain me. Once I found out I had a species and a home world I finally thought there might be a place for me. When I joined with the female changeling," Kira's face twitched, making Odo stutter, "when—when I joined with her it felt like coming home. It felt amazing. It was not, however, better than being around you and being in love with you. But she lied to me. She told me joining with the rest of the link was a thousand thousands times better than joining with one changeling.

"I was scared. I was scared that if I stayed here I would begin to resent you which is the last thing I wanted. So I lied. Just in case I didn't want to come back." He looked up at her. Nerys looked heart broken and offended. Odo realized the subtext had never been made clear. He stepped toward her as he spoke again. "No, no you don't understand. I was a fool. It was a thousand thousands time better than joining with one changeling. But it wasn't love. It wasn't you. One moment spent near you, just in your presence, it was better than being in the link. I was haunted by this. I came on the transport with the intention of never going back to the planet because it just reminded me of how much better my life with you was. I stopped by Quarks just to see you one last time. But he told me you still loved me and…and" Odo trailed off and looked down.

Nerys reached out and took Odo's hand. He looked up at her.

"Your shifting abilities are so much better." Odo just nodded, a scared but hopeful look in his eye. Nerys sighed and looked down. "Odo you acted like a child. I want to be angry and I want to blame you. But, the thing of it is you behaved like a person. Like a solid. Being entirely idiotic is part of life. I…I don't want to forgive you and I hate myself for not being more angry. But the sight of you. My heart is singing and I feel. I feel awake for the first time in a year."

Odo just looked at her. Her eyes had welled with tears. With a huff Odo stepped forward and took her face in his hands.

"I love you Nerys."

"I love you too Odo. Just, please. Please, never leave me again."

"I don't think I could if I tried." Nerys smiled and leaned into his hands, turning to kiss his palm like she did when they said goodbye. Odo softly huffed a chuckle and brought his face close to her. Nerys stopped breathing as he brought his mouth to cover hers. His shifting abilities had improved so much. His lips were formed and strong but still as inconceivable smooth as always. Nerys moaned softly into his kiss and opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. Odo pulled her closer, allowing his hands to hold tight to her lower back. After minutes of this Nerys finally had to pull away and gasp for air, pressing her forehead to his. She smiled but he couldn't see it.

"You know, Odo, I'm the CO now." He nodded against her head.

"Mmmm I noticed."

"And that means I'm in charge of crew."

"Mmmmhmm." Odo was still lost in the bliss of having Nerys in his arms once more to follow her trail.

"I still don't have a chief of security."

"Yes?" He was beginning to catch on.

"And you were a part of the Bajoran Militia which means you can become a Starfleet Officer without jumping through any hoops." Odo leaned back and was looking into here eyes, his own full of hope. "You didn't really have a rank before and seeing as how Chief of Security is usually held by Lieutenant Commanders I think I can give you rank until Starfleet officially approves it."

"Are you offering me a job?"

"Yes." Nerys smiled in a way she hadn't in a year. Her eyes, her soul smiled.

"I had one demand though."

"Oh?" Nerys tried to look serious but failed.

"I don't want any quarters."

"No?" Odo let go of her and started to look around her rooms.

"Yes, I think these will do quite nicely for me." Nerys smiled at him and threaded her hand into hers.

"I think that can be arranged Commander. Now, dinner?" They left her quarters, their quarters, hand in hand.