Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Vamshi stared aimlessly at Weyoun's drawing, trying to quell the heartache inside her. Despite plans for a wedding, two births and a complete rearranging of the shop, she still couldn't keep her mind off the Vorta. Once or twice she entertained the thought of stealing a runabout and heading off to Cardassia Prime. Just yesterday, one of the only traders still working with both the Federation and the Dominion docked at the station. Vamshi was sorely tempted to book passage aboard his ship and be picked up by a Jem'Hadar fighter in Cardassian space. But thoughts of Odo and Kira and Jake and Ziyal brought her back to her senses. The Cardassian woman may have been killed had Vamshi not intervened, and thanks to her quick actions, Ziyal was alive and well, splitting her time between Garak and her incarcerated father.

The door chimed, and she called for her visitor to enter. It was probably Jake or Kira to ask her when she was going to go to the shop today.

But to her surprise, Dr. Bashir walked in, carrying a box.

"Hello, Vamshi. How are you?"

"I'm fine," she replied blandly. "What's in the box?"

He set it down on the floor. "I just finished cleaning out my quarters. I found some things in there that might interest you."

She looked in the box and lifted out some art supplies.

"What, did an artist set up shop in your quarters?"

Bashir smiled. "That's what I thought at first, but then, the quarters were much too neat for a studio. Everything was perfectly arranged in exacting order. The stranger part is that I offered these supplies to Ziyal, but she said she gave them to you almost a month ago."

Vamshi had to hold in her sigh as the most likely answer came to mind. She took a blue-gray shirt out of the box and examined it.

"Who was in your quarters?" she asked quietly.

"Weyoun."

He left her alone again, and she buried her face in Weyoun's shirt.

After a while, she got a grip and looked inside the box for more of his things. Bits of broken glass, shoe strings, small lengths of brightly colored cloth and the like filled the box to halfway. The rest was taken up by a few of his clothes (Bashir seemed to have fed the rest to the replicator) and the art supplies.

Vamshi smiled at the collection as it fit Weyoun so well. She could see him, magpie-like as he collected interesting trinkets, trying to understand them and assess their value. The thought was so endearing and yet so heartbreaking. Weyoun was gone, and the only thing she had left of him were pieces of broken glass.

She fetched some things of hers and lovingly added them to the box, but not before dumping all the glass. She put that aside for another day, then filled the box with her art. She looked down on it, proud of the effort she had put into the various pastels and watercolors. Then she took a small wooden pendant with a leather string, all wrapped in tissue paper, and placed it on top of the lot and closed the lid.

…

Damar looked sidelong at Weyoun, who was busy at a console beside him. The Cardassian took another sip of kanar and had to restrain himself from sighing. The Vorta was usually incredibly annoying, prattling on as much as the most talkative Cardassian, but ever since they had returned from the station, Weyoun had been quiet and sullen. Damar would have expected a steady resolve to win this war since the loss of the station must have bruised the Vorta's pride, but even though he rarely spoke, Weyoun was obviously fiercely determined to return to Deep Space 9. Damar would catch him staring at its position on the map in Central Command, and once he could have sworn be spied him tearing up. He suspected Weyoun was getting hell from the Founder, and that might be driving him to the verge of tears, but that explanation didn't quite sound right to Damar. There was something else that was special about Deep Space 9...or someone. He grinned in realization; Dukat had told him the story of how he had been thrown from the Changeling's quarters when he had gone in there to taunt Weyoun. Vamshi had even threatened Dukat against touching the Vorta.

"Damar."

He turned to Weyoun. "Yes?"

The Vorta's pale eyes roamed over the Cardassian, as if he were sizing him up. "I need you to make a speech."

…

Weyoun practically trembled with excitement as the ship docked at Deep Space 9. He was so excited to see Vamshi again, so ready to fall into her loving, accepting embrace. The airlocks opened, and he allowed the Jem'Hadar guards to go first. They stationed themselves outside, and Weyoun walked out with Damar to see Major Kira waiting for them.

"Ah...Major," he said with a grin. He was in such a good mood, he couldn't help but feel happy in the Bajoran's presence.

"Welcome to Deep Space 9."

"How nice to see you again."

Kira paused. "May I give you a word of advice, Weyoun?"

"By all means." He smiled diplomatically up at her.

"You're welcome to play your 'we're all friends here' game with me, but I wouldn't try it with Captain Sisko, he's not in the mood."

"We're on a mission of peace, Major," Damar said irritably. "Maybe he should get in the mood."

Weyoun frowned at Kira's nearly hostile tone of voice and turned away to walk down the corridor. He stopped dead.

Vamshi was leaning against the wall at the end of the corridor, a knowing smile on her face. She uncrossed her arms and held them out to him, inviting him into her embrace.

The moment he had been dreaming of for a month and a half became reality as he slowly walked toward her. She took a few steps toward him, then, when he was close enough, pulled him forward into a tight embrace.

"Oh, Weyoun..." she whispered so that only he heard her. "You can't know how much I missed you."

Weyoun forgot about Damar, the guards and Major Kira as he buried his face in her shirt and fought the tears that threatened to spill from his closed eyes. She kissed his cheek and rubbed his back, rocking him from side to side as she squeezed him tightly.

Damar watched the whole scene with a mix of irritation and amusement. It was satisfying to see his prediction come true, to see that he was right about Vamshi and Weyoun. Both of them were glowing as they held each other, and it annoyed him.

"Weyoun," Damar said softly but forcefully, bringing the Vorta back to reality. He quickly broke away from the Changeling as if ashamed, and after soft reassurance from Vamshi, he led Damar and the guards down the corridor.

"Make me proud," she called softly after him. He turned and caught the small wink she threw him, and she waved as he turned away.

Kira stood at the airlock, bewildered at Vamshi's behavior. She couldn't see how a such a sensible young woman could be so kind to a rat like Weyoun. She had seen other instances like this, but she had had other things on her mind and no time to contemplate their meaning then. She recalled the day on the Promenade when Vamshi, glowing like the warm Bajoran sun itself, had pulled Weyoun into a joyful embrace, running her hand up and down his back. She also remembered the way Vamshi had stared at Weyoun when they had gone to beg for Rom's life, how she had knelt before him with pleading eyes. She hadn't thought much of it at the time, but now the memory of that day came back to her: while begging on Rom's behalf, the Changeling had rested a hand on Weyoun's thigh. Her thumb had swiped back and forth over the material of his pants...if that wasn't a caress, Kira didn't know what was. And then Vamshi had kissed his cheek when the Vorta agreed to lower Rom's sentence. And now today, the Changeling had been pacing at the airlock when Kira showed up.

"Vamshi, wait!"

She was about to walk off toward the Promenade, but she turned at Kira's voice and smiled. She waited until Kira had caught up with her, then they walked together through the deserted corridors.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" the Bajoran asked quietly. She gently grasped Vamshi's arm to prevent her from going any further.

"Sure."

Kira sighed. "It's about Weyoun."

"What about him?" The Changeling turned to face her.

"What are you doing?"

Vamshi frowned. "I don't understand."

"Why are you being so..."

"So nice to him?"

Kira nodded, and Vamshi gave her a grave smile.

"Please understand, Nerys, that I know everything he's done. I heard it all from his own lips. But...I can't help but feel obligated to give him what he's been denied for five lifetimes."

"That being...?"

"Attention. Love. Call it what you will."

Kira frowned. "Vamshi, he doesn't deserve your attention."

"Major, how can you say that? How would you feel if the Prophets ignored you for 200 years?"

Kira stood there, dumbfounded at Vamshi's outburst. She hadn't seen the Weyoun Kira had seen, the conniving, cold Vorta plotting away with Dukat to conquer the Federation. What did Vamshi see in him?

Vamshi glared at her for a minute, then her gaze softened.

"Let me put it this way, Nerys...do the Prophets love you?"

She nodded. "Of course...I'd like to think so."

"I'm sure they do. It's a good feeling, isn't it? Being loved by your gods?"

Kira considered what she was saying and thought she understood the Changeling's point.

"What the Prophets so readily give you, Weyoun will never have. The Founders ignore him...he's just a tool in their eyes. Just a replaceable, disposable clone."

Unbidden, Kira's eyes almost watered. For the first time in her life, she almost felt pity for Weyoun. She could see that had Vamshi been able, she would have been crying.

"He's not disposable to me, Nerys...I'm his god, whether I want to be or not. And trust me, I'd rather he look on me as an equal. I hope someday he'll see that."

Kira breathed in. "Because you love him." She said it as a fact, not as a question.

Vamshi bowed her head. "Don't tell Odo, ok? I don't think he'd understand."

Kira laughed. "Oh, he understands more than you give him credit for. He's known something was up between you two for a while, I think."

"Really? Was I that obvious?"

The Bajoran shook her head. "No, he's just very protective of you." She reached out and touched Vamshi's shoulder. "Take care of yourself, Vamshi. And I'm sorry for being so harsh, it's just..."

"I know. But maybe I can help make a difference in the highest-ranking Vorta in the Dominion, and who knows? Maybe what I do now will help us later."

Kira smiled. "I hope so...for both your sakes."

"I'll see you around, Nerys." Vamshi returned the smile, then walked away.

…

Weyoun stood and inclined his head to Sisko, making a small speech about how happy he was that they were at least talking and trying to reach a peace. He knew Sisko was only tolerating his presence, but he remained cordial anyway. He left with Damar.

The Cardassians stopped off at their quarters and Weyoun continued around the corner to his. He smiled graciously when he saw Major Kira waiting for him.

"Hello, Major. What can I do for you?"

"May I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course," he said, "come in, please."

She followed him in, and he turned around and clapped his hands together. She recognized his mannerism and shook her head when he offered her something to drink. He ordered water for himself and took a sip.

"I apologize, Major, but I've been talking all day and my throat is simply parched. Please, have a seat!"

Again, she shook her head. "I won't be here long."

He put his glass down and gave her a polite smile. "Then please tell me why I was graced with your presence."

Kira could almost hear the undertone of sarcasm in his voice, but she ignored it.

"It's about Vamshi."

The smile faded from his face, and she knew she had his undivided attention.

"Look...I don't know what you said or did, but I've got one thing to say to you. If you even think of using her for one of your little schemes, or trying to manipulate her to further your own ends, you'll be hearing from me. Let me put it this way: break her heart...and I'll break your neck."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode from the room, leaving him stunned. Use her for a scheme? Manipulate her? Break her heart? The Bajoran must be blind! After all those months working with him, and she hadn't figured out his most basic need? It was instinctive to only serve Vamshi, to give her his all. The idea of using her was ludicrous, blasphemous even! He owed her his life and Kira thought all he wanted was to use her! The thought...

The very notion of using a god...he had infected Odo, yes, but that was the Founders' plan, not his. He was simply obeying orders. It was a painful memory...not only did he deceive a god, but Odo's dismissal had been just as cold as any other Founder. His gods seemed cold by nature, he guessed...

But not Vamshi.

The door chimed and he called for his visitor to enter. He smiled widely at her and motioned for her to come in. She hurried toward him and gathered him into her arms, and before he knew it, he was kneeling on the floor, laughing and crying into her neck. She sighed contentedly.

"I've wanted to do this for a month and a half," Vamshi whispered to him. Weyoun silently agreed as she kissed his tears away, then caressed his back. He closed his eyes as her lips roamed over his skin, but they snapped open when they brushed his lips.

Like the day so long ago in the wardroom, she smiled at him, but did not move away. Her hand lightly touched his cheek instead, and her finger traced the ridges on the point of his ear.

"Stay the night with me." The words spilled from his lips before he could consider them, but he couldn't bear to be on this station and not feel her touch as he gave into sleep.

And why is that? the defective voice inside him said knowingly. He banished it to the back of his mind and awaited her answer with trepidation.

"As you wish," she whispered. "I was about to ask permission to stay."

He smiled in relief and bowed his head, and inside his heart was singing.

"I have something to show you," she said softly, bringing his attention back to her. She pulled something small from her pocket and handed it to him.

It was a small wooden pendant on a leather string, like the one she made for Kelaren. Raised on the 2 inch square was the likeness of a Vorta in the arms of a Changeling. Tears filled his eyes again.

"Who is this for?" He already knew the answer.

"It's for you...my faithful one," she whispered in his ear. She took it from him and put it around his neck, then wiped the tears from his cheeks.

"Thank you," he breathed, tucking the pendant beneath his clothes.

She was sorely tempted to kiss him as they sat there in a comfortable, understanding silence, tempted to throw everything out the window and confess to him just how much he meant to her. But to reveal that to him now would be cruel. He was leaving as soon as these peace negotiations were over, and they wouldn't last much longer, if the rumors were true. To kiss him now would not only confuse him, but it would give him something precious, only to snatch it away from him again when he left. As much as she loved him, she wasn't leaving this station.

So instead they moved to the bedroom and sat together in the peace and quiet of each other's presence. Weyoun couldn't hold back the tears of joy that streamed down his cheeks, but Vamshi understood and simply held the Vorta in her arms. He cried and squeezed her hand, not wanting to let go, not wanting to leave this place, this little world of acceptance and hope. It was far too comfortable in this bubble where every day was bright and every night a fantasy, where the warmth of Vamshi's affection permeated his very being.

He was starting to drift off to sleep when he felt her move. He sat up and let her get off the bed, and she grabbed something out of the other room and came back. It was a piano, identical to the one she had given him.

As he laid back against her chest, she placed the piano on his lap and began to play. He didn't recognize the tune, but it was soft and soothing, and he closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. Vamshi, on the other hand, was struggling not to sing to him. The lyrics to the old Earth classic played in her head, but she didn't allow them to pass her lips.

Maybe I didn't hold you quite as often as I should have

Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could have...

Weyoun's breathing settled down to a soft and steady rhythm, and he shifted into a more comfortable position. Although a part of him was apprehensive, he went ahead and let his fingers gently explore her skin. She kissed the top of his head and murmured in approval.

If I made you feel second best

Boy, I'm sorry I was blind...

He finally gave in and slipped into dreamland, and his entire body relaxed against her. Vamshi continued to play, and the last lyrics of the song were no more than a whisper as she sang them.

"You were always on my mind...you are always on my mind."

In his sleep, Weyoun felt something gentle press to his lips, and he moaned and shifted, then was still.