Hi, everybody. Sorry this has taken so long to get up. I'm just lazy by nature. I'm a teen! Gimme a break! Just kidding. :o) Anyway... please enjoy this addition to my story!

Chapter Nineteen: Docking Bay 3

Dax

"You are clear for docking," Dax told the captain of a freighter.

"Thank you. By the way, you might want to send your commanding officer to the docking bay," the freighter captain said. "We've got a passenger that would like to see him."

"I'll let him know." Dax was confused. Who could that be? "Dax to Commander Sisko."

"Sisko here."

"Sir, someone in Docking Bay 3 wants to see you. They just arrived aboard a freighter, the Sheb'imosia'keYu'depul'kasIchredoU'igh."

"That's a mouthful," Sisko commented.

"It's a Gravijoweafohilifapian ship," Dax told him. "Their language is rather complicated."

"Well, that explains it," Sisko said. "I'll be there in a moment."

Sisko

"Welcome to Deep Space Nine," Sisko greeted the freighter captain. "I'm Commander Sisko."

"Captain Phyn," he said. He shook Sisko's hand, which had three less fingers than his own. "We're glad to be here."

Sisko was wondering how a Gravijoweafohilifapian could have such a simple name, but he decided not to ask. "I hope you enjoy your stay," Sisko said courteously, not rushing to the subject of the mysterious passenger. He had his hopes about who it could be.

"I'm sure we will," said Captain Phyn. "Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I've asked you to meet me here. We picked up a tagalong on the way here. He said he worked on Deep Space Nine. The weird part was that he knew we were en route to DS9 before we told him. But... anyway, here he comes now..."

Odo exited the vessel, smiling. "Commander!" he said, walking briskly toward Captain Phyn and Commander Sisko.

"Odo," Sisko said in disbelief. He had begun to give up hope, but Odo was right here! He had survived! Sisko broke into a wide grin of relief. "Constable!" He was so happy to see that Odo was well.

Then he remembered Captain Phyn. "Thank you for returning my security chief to the station," Sisko said. "I greatly appreciate it."

"It was no trouble," Phyn answered, smiling. "But he did give us a bit of a scare when he just appeared out of thin air."

Quark

It was the best thing that had happened to Quark since the last time someone had actually tipped him. Sisko strode into the bar, Odo following behind him. "Another round for everyone, Quark... on me!"

A chorus of appreciative cheers echoed through the bar. Then they realized Odo was the source of Sisko's generosity. Yes, this certainly was cause for celebration. People gathered around Odo, asking questions about what had happened, where he had gone. Of course, Sisko said, he could reveal nothing until he had been debriefed.

Quark prepared drinks for everyone in the bar, grinning as he thought about how much latinum Sisko was going to owe him. After Odo and Sisko had conversed at tables for some time, they made their way to the bar.

"So, Odo," Quark taunted. "I guess I'll have to stop taking bets."

"Bets?" Odo repeated.

Quark nodded. "On when you'll get home. I think I had a couple who bet on today..."

Odo shook his head. "I am not in the mood to be angry with you, Quark."

"Oh, good!" Quark remarked. "Then I'd better confess a couple things..."

"Don't go there," Sisko warned. "Anyway, the Constable and I must be off." Sisko stood and turned to go.

"Commander?" Quark said and waited for him to turn around. "Here's your bill. I will expect that to be paid by next week."

Sisko took the padd Quark handed him and and strode off with Odo. Quark smirked after them. But behind the mischief on his face, Quark was just relieved that Odo wasn't dead after all.

Okay, so I know you waited a long time for a very short chapter (sorry about that), but I'll try to get the next and final chapter out more promptly. Cross my heart and hope to not die! Now please review! I would really appreciate it if you would tell me your opinion. I love reviews!