Odo was absolutely sickened by the fake smiles and phony laughter he to had use for Sisko to believe he was on good terms with Taya.

It was a rather painful experience for Taya to take part in as well.

It reminded her of the fake smiles she had to use for Madred.

"Cardassia is my home. Cardassia has saved me and redeemed me. Cardassia is justice, Cardassia is goodness, I owe Cardassia everything even my life."

She remembered repeating over and over until Madred was content with her performance.

It was exhausting and often she'd say those words through hot angry tears but she had to keep saying those words untill Madred thought she got them right.

It always had to be perfect with him and if it wasn't perfect then he didn't care if he kept her up all night just so she would reach that certain level of perfection.

"Well I must say that's wonderful news.

You must be excited to be taken on as Deputy of DS9.

Whenever do you start?"

Sisko who was restraining his enthusiasm because he knew something wasn't quite right with the situation.

He always had a sixth sense about certain people and he knew by her smile that she was clearly in pain.

"Early tomorrow morning."

Odo was yet again speaking for her which only served as another bright red flag for Sisko yet again.

Perhaps it was nothing ominous but he could tell by how that Tarlaxian Omelette hadn't quite settled in his stomach that something was seriously wrong with their present relationship.

"So the Tarklean Tea incident is resolved I take it?"

"Yes I was being-"

"She was being rather rude and petty but I can't say that I can blame her, I was being rather petty and impolite myself.

I clearly overreacted.

I have to be honest Commander, I provoked her, so I really was the one to blame for the incident.

I've been snippity all evening.

I wasn't even looking forward to coming here in the first place so I took it out on her.

It wasn't fair of me, so I told her I was sorry.

Naturally she told me the same so yes the problem is resolved just like you said."

Odo interrupted her yet again but Taya almost let it all go when she saw the heartfelt sincerity in his eyes.

She almost wanted to believe him but then she remembered this was all a ruse, it was just a play and she was just another character, a character yet again that was designed to take orders and never question things.

He was only pretending and as much as she wanted to believe that he had such tender compassion for her, she had to accept the heart crushing truth that Odo was not her friend and he probably never would be.

"That's understandable and that's very noble of you to admit that Odo.

We all make mistakes but it takes a brave man to admit them, move on and learn from those mistakes.

You can do the same Taya.

You'll never stop learning and now you can learn from all of us.

Don't be afraid to ask questions Taya, the only key to knowledge is a question.

So don't hesitate to reach out for Guidance."

Odo was getting annoyed how every word he spoke sounded like a inspirational quote from a coffee table devotional.

It was always a learning experience with him even before he decided to take on his duties as Emissary of Bajor.

There was always a lifelong lesson for every experience and it was beginning to irritate Odo to the point he wished he could retreat back to his personal quarters.

"I shall keep that in mind and keep what you say to me even closer.

Your wisdom is precious to me so I shall take all you say to heart".

Taya meant this and Sisko knew this.

Odo however was not impressed, he just saw it as her trying to get brownie points with the new commander.

"Well it's been a lovely evening, I'd love to talk till the morning comes but sadly I must head in as I have duties to perform tomorrow morning as I'm sure you both do as well.

It's a early start for the two of you.

I can't wait to hear of your first day as Deputy of DS9.

I bid you both goodnight and I look forward to seeing you two in the morning".

Sisko was as usual being superficial but not completely. He was merly trying to be positive and hopeful but he had a tendency to go overboard.

Odo finally sighed, shook his head and allowed his face to relax from all that smiling.

"I can't believe I agreed to come to this ridiculous get together.

I hate being that shallow and superficial.

I feel like my face is going to revert back to it's natural state, that's how much I hate smiling."

"How troublesome that must be for you.

How horribly inconvenient.

Why it must have been absolute agony for you.

Allow me to have a moment so I can shed a tear at your expense".

Her voice was hoarse but brutally shrewd and sarcastic much like his own surprisingly.

However Odo heard something beneath all that harshness, he heard heartbreak so he decided it was best not to be cross with her this time.

"I was just complaining so don't mind me, I'm just rambling."

Odo began to follow her and Taya was not too happy about that.

"Am I not to be trusted to find my quarters either, Constable?"

"No, I just thought it would be nice to escort you back.

I escorted you here and it's only right that I escort you back."

"Oh it's only fair and right.

Sure we'll go with that.

I never knew that your supervision was going to be this constant.

I feel soooo honored".

Odo was careful not to answer that as he didn't feel like competing with her sarcasm at such a late hour.

She was sure to lose anyway because he never slept or got tired at any given time and he'd been a sarcastic curmudgeon longer than she had.

It was almost not fair to compete with someone with so little experience so he refrained from challenging her.

Taya was surprised by his silence.

Somehow she had not expected to have this kind confrontation with him.

She had imagined he'd be more pleased to see her and that he would be more attentive to her emotional needs.

He imagined he'd be more like a older brother towards her but then again that wasn't always the role she had in mind for him whenever she appeared in her dreams.

Now that she was face to face with him her hopes were cracking at the seams as she realized that the Odo of her dreams was not the same Odo that stood before her.

Taya wasn't sure what to do except walk in her thoughtful silence as she returned to her quarters.

"You're awfully quiet.

Don't tell me this is what our working relationship is going to be like?"

Odo's voice was soft and not as edgy as usual.

"It very well could be.

We aren't really getting on that well as of late".

"You make it sound as if this has been a ongoing thing, ongoing as in going on for years.

You just got here, perhaps you should let yourself adjust first before you decide on anything too final."

"Oh I think I have a pretty good idea of what my final decision is.

It's not this place that bothers me, it's you.

I can adapt to this station with no problem whatsoever but adjusting to you, may actually be the real problem.

What I've concluded from the short time I've been here, is I don't like you.

I had high hopes and long expected dreams that I'd get along with you, may be even become your best friend but you aren't exactly what I imagined you'd be."

She glowered at him scornfully but yet again there was that heartbreak peeking through those hazel eyes of hers and he simply couldn't chastise her too harshly.

"I know you don't like me, right now Taya.

I don't like myself most days.

When I interrupted you back at Quark's, in front of Sisko, I meant it.

I meant, every word.

I did provoke you, I pushed you and continued to poke and prod you throughout the evening.

I wasn't playing fair and yes I clearly overreacted.

I suppose, in a way, I deserved it.

I was being snippity and overly accusing, honestly I was being the petty one.

I assumed when I pushed you, that you wouldn't push back but you did, so I'm really the one to blame for that incident.

Just keep in mind that if you do spill anything on me again, you won't need to take my suit in for dry cleaning, Alright".

Odo made both his gaze and present voice,soft and sentimental, a characteristic that was quite difficult for him to Express at first but he had greatly improved over the many decades of working on Deep Space 9.

"I might have overreacted as well.

The Tea wasn't that good anyway.

I think that replicator of his needs adjusting.

It had very little flavor and tea itself was far too bitter to be palatable.

So I'm curious if this isn't an actual uniform do you just absorb certain liquids or are you water resistant?"

"What an interesting question.

Well Normally l'm resistant to liquids, I rarely absorb it, if I can help it."

"Is it because you are an liquid yourself or is it because it's just uncomfortable?"

"It's uncomfortable, being a liquid has nothing to do with it.

I have no need for food or drink and there's really no point in taking part in such activities since I don't have tastebuds or a sense of smell."

"You're not missing much to be honest especially when it comes Quark's food and drinks."

Odo omitted a huffy laugh that sounded more like a closed cough.

"I'm sure.

Remind Sisko for me that we should really eat elsewhere, especially in the future, the company isn't quite as intrusive and its quiter, I particularly prefer the promenade but don't tell Sisko I said so.

Rest well Taya, it's big day tomorrow".

Odo Smirked as the doors of her quarters closed after her entry.

That night was peaceful yet her dreams were absorbed with only Odo.