Disclaimer: I own only the OC, nothing else. Star Trek does not belong to me, nor do any characters within.
She leaned against the railing of the upper level of the Promenade, right above the Bajoran temple as she always did. It fascinated her to watch the Bajorans go in and out, and to see how their faces changed once they emerged from their services. She could tell that many of them were pious, steadfast believers in the Prophets, and she smiled as she saw the contented look on a little girl's face as she walked out with her mother.
Her attention shifted as he walked by down below. Jake was talking pointedly with him, making emphatic gestures, but the Vorta seemed unmoved. She knew Jake had been trying to arrange an interview with Weyoun ever since the Dominion took over the station, but from the looks of things, it wasn't going well.
She was glad that Weyoun didn't notice her up here watching him. It was disturbing enough to see the Jem'Hadar give her odd looks, but whenever the Vorta caught her eye, he bowed low and stared at her in awe. It was as if he was peering into her soul with those pale purple eyes, and it made her slightly uncomfortable.
But then again, it wasn't his fault he had such...striking eyes. From what Odo had told her, he was born that way, or made that way, like all Vorta.
Her mother's voice rang through her head. It's better to grow cold than to eat cruel words. She meant that it was better to be polite to people, no matter how strange they may be, than to treat them unkindly and then discover that they are good people. Ravneet had taught her to "look beyond the skin", and she realized she hadn't given Weyoun fair chance, as she had been so caught up in his eyes. The next time he looked her way-
"Vamshi!"
She turned at Jake's voice and smiled. "I saw you talking with Weyoun. How did it go?"
He shook his head. "He hasn't even sent out my articles. He said he won't agree to an interview unless I write a more 'balanced perspective' on the occupation."
She sighed and clapped him on the shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze. "I'm sorry to hear that. Wanna get some lunch?"
"So you can just sit there and watch me chew? No thanks," he teased. He laughed and gave her a playful punch on the arm. "Come on."
They headed down the steps to the Replimat, heading to their favorite table. Jake ordered spaghetti and sat down next to Vamshi. She was painfully aware of the empty chair.
"I miss Nog..." she said softly. Jake nodded absentmindedly.
"I'm sure he's doing just fine, Vamshi. Captain Sisko and Chief O'brien will take good care of him."
"I hope so."
Jake ate in silence and she watched the various people on the Promenade.
"Wait a minute."
She turned to him and frowned. "What?"
He smiled at her, and she immediately shook her head. She had learned to mistrust that smile.
"No. Whatever you're planning, no."
"You haven't even heard what I was going to say!" he exclaimed.
She sighed and slumped her shoulders, cocking her eyebrow.
"You still owe me from that time I covered for you. I still avoid Odo's office."
"Great...another payback."
He grinned. "Maybe I can't convince Weyoun to give me an interview...but I'll bet you can."
"Me? Are you crazy?"
"Come on, Vamshi, you're a Changeling! He'd do anything you asked him to do!"
She shook her head. "Fine. But this is not payback, Jake. You owe me big time for this."
…
Rahaat and Ravneet came through the door to their apartment and, had she been able, she would have been smiling to herself. Ravneet would be so proud when she saw what Vamshi could do.
She transformed herself off the couch and stood smiling before her foster parents, but her mother's forced smile confused her.
"Ravneet?"
She sighed. "Starfleet informed us that there's another Changeling on Deep Space 9. They want us to send you there so you..." Here she trailed off, and Vamshi could tell she was very upset.
"But why? I've been learning just fine on my own! I shouldn't have to go!"
Rahaat stepped in. "They were very adamant about this, Vamshi. We don't have a choice in the matter."
Vamshi sighed. "Ok. When do we leave?"
Both her parents stood silent.
"Ravneet...when do we leave?"
She shook her head. "You leave tomorrow morning, 1000 hours."
"You mean-" If Vamshi had had a beating heart, it would have stopped then and there.
"I'm afraid we can't come with you, Vamshi. I'm sorry, but Starfleet wouldn't allow it."
She frowned and stood speechless, and Rahaat came forward and held her to his chest.
"It'll be alright, little one. They told us this Changeling can teach you things we cannot. And we'll be in constant contact with the commander of the station...and with you. This is not goodbye."
"Then why does it feel that way?" she whispered. It was times like these when she envied her parents' ability to cry. From what she could tell, it was a great release of pent-up emotions, and she felt tight and tense inside.
"I didn't say it would be easy, little one," Rahaat responded. "But I know you. You're tough as nails, and you'll be just fine."
Four days later, she stood on the Promenade before the other Changeling's office, and after a few minutes, she took a deep breath and walked toward it. It wasn't as if she needed to breathe; she had picked the habit up from her father, as she noticed it seemed to calm him. But today it wasn't helping her.
He looked up at her as the door opened and he stood.
"Commander Sisko told me you'd be coming. Vamshi, if I'm not mistaken?"
She nodded and tried to smile. She was amazed at how much he looked like her, but her "skin" was a little more tan, as she tried to replicate her mother's skin tone. She never could get it right, but she found she liked the color she had chosen. This Changeling was much more...orange.
"I understand this must be difficult for you," he continued, throwing her a gruff smile, "but I hope things will get easier for you later. If you need anything..."
She nodded and smiled in earnest. He held out his hand and she shook it, as was custom on Earth. But when her hand touched his, she gasped. For the first time, the full realization of who she was crashed down on her, and here was one like her, older, wiser, but just like her. And for the first time, she felt excited about what he might be able to teach her. A delighted grin broke across her face, and he nodded in understanding.
"I know you've got a lot of potential, Vamshi. I look forward to working with you."
"So do I...Odo."
…
She took a deep breath as she approached the Vorta, who was sitting alone in a corner of the upper level of Quark's. She noticed several Jem'Hadar in the vicinity, and she wondered if she would even be able to talk to Weyoun. People were avoiding that corner like the plague, but she took another deep breath and walked up to one of the Jem'Hadar.
He bowed slightly. "Founder...how may I serve you?"
"May I speak to Weyoun?"
He nodded solemnly and she thanked him. The Vorta looked up at her approach and stood, spreading his arms wide and bowing his head.
"Founder...it is an honor to stand in your presence. Is there some way I can be of service?"
"May I sit down?" she replied demurely. He bowed deeper and only returned to his seat when she was seated. She smiled, as it struck her as gentlemanly behavior.
"How may I serve you?"
She giggled, then sobered quickly and looked him pleadingly in the eye. "You know Jake Sisko?"
He nodded.
"He's been a good friend of mine for a while now, and I know you didn't let him have the interview he wanted. It would mean a lot to him...and a lot to me...if you would do this small favor for me. He really is a good writer and he doesn't mean to be biased. Please...give him a chance?"
She knew just from his expression that he wasn't going to refuse her. She was grateful that Nog had taught her how to smooth talk her way into something, and it seemed that gift had come in handy.
"Of course. I'll arrange an interview with your friend as soon as possible. Is there anything else?"
She took a deep breath and nodded. "I want to apologize, sir. I've been avoiding you ever since the Dominion took control of this station, but I realize that's not fair to you. So...do I have your forgiveness?"
His eyes widened. "There is nothing to forgive! You may do as you like, I live to serve you. And...if it's not too much to ask, would you please refer to me as Weyoun?"
"Of course," she said with a warm smile. "Would you please call me Vamshi?"
"As you wish," he said with a bow of his head.
She nodded cheerfully and her smile widened. "I work in the music shop on the Promenade if you need anything. Thank you so much for the interview, that means so much to me."
She stood up to go. "Thank you, Weyoun. Please...come visit sometime. I want to make things up to you."
He stood and bowed again, and she smiled brightly at his expression. He was positively glowing, and she nodded politely and left him alone again.