"I'm sorry about that little episode, Officer.
I apologize if you thought you upset me any way, I've been in a sensitive state of mind lately and I Just wanted to let you know that my little episode back there had nothing to do with what you said.
I'm sorting through a few things you understand.
I didn't mean to burden you with them".
Miles avoided eye contact with her to scan over to Odo and give him a severely skeptical look as if to ask him silently if he had put her up to this.
Odo crossed his arms rather regally and shook his head in denial of any sort of pressure or influence that would lead her to this heartfelt apology.
"Well that is a comfort to hear.
That's quite a heartfelt apology, I appreciate the sentiment and effort you put into saying...all this.
Um...Odo tells me you have a certain knack for engineering.
I wouldn't mind seeing a proper demonstration done some time, that is if you don't mind and as long as the Constable doesn't mind if I borrow you for a bit.
I don't know if Odo told you but I am a bit short staffed at the moment and so I could always use an extra hand around the station, that is If you'd be interested."
"Yes I'd be very much interested.
When will you need this demonstration?"
"Uh...there really is no specific time at least not yet, just whenever you're able to is fine by me.
You do approve don't you Odo?"
Odo brought his arms down and almost gave O' Brian a sharply disgusted look.
"Hpghh! Would the two of you lighten up?!Why does everyone assume I disapprove of everything that comes my way?
I don't disapprove of her working a few hours in here with you and I don't disapprove of any other demonstrations you wish her to perform for you later on... in the future.
Seriously, Miles, you act as if I'm her father.
I'm not a parent or a guardian to her, I'm just her employer.
Now as long as you know that I am her employer and as long as you understand that I am fully responsible for her and that you are not in charge of her in any way, then I don't mind at all what she does in engineering for you."
"I'm only going to be borrowing her Odo, think of it as her being on lease for a couple of days.
I'll send her back as soon as I'm done with her.
I'm not going to steal her away, I'm only asking for her help and I was running it by you to be respectful of you and your new employee.
Honestly I don't know why you are being so defensive and sooo possessive.
I have no claim on her, so you can stand down, Odo.
You want to be responsible for her you can go right ahead, I shan't stop you.
So yes I know and I completely understand that she's under your jurisdiction and authority.
I know very well that Sisko isn't in charge of the station right now.
So don't fret, I know my place and you know yours, let's keep it that way, alright Constable".
O' Brian sounded rather miffed and bothered by Odo's over protective nature but in reality he was only trying to smooth things over with the the Constable and somewhat appease him.
Miles was calm and mature, he was trying to be as non threatening as he could towards him and from what Taya gathered it actually worked to resolve the overly tense atmosphere.
"Thank you Officer.
We won't take any more of your precious time.
Your help with this device was much appreciated."
"No problem, Constable.
Don't be a stranger now Ensign."
O' Brian smiled for the first time and it was cheery smile, not cheery like Sunshine but cheery like a fire was during a long winter.
It was a warm smile that immediately gave her a deep sense of security.
She returned the kindness with a sheepishly weak smile right before she left with the Constable.
"Now where are we going?"
Odo heard the nervous strain in her voice.
"To the Holodeck or one Of them at least.
One that I know for a fact that no one uses on this station.
It's been abandoned for nearly 15 years since everyone is under the ridiculous impression that it's haunted.
Haunted by what I haven't figured out yet.
Nobody gives me a straight answer.
It's always a different story yet according to O' Brian, it probably is just has a simple malfunction, a short circuit or perhaps a slightly severed coupling that may be unsettling to some who don't understand technology all that well.
Who knows Maybe you'll actually be able to make sense of it all".
"Imagine that. Any other reason we're entering a run down and abandoned holosuite besides trying to get to the bottom of The Ghosts in the machine?"
"Well firstly as you probably already know, I want for you to fix this particular holodeck if it at all possible of course.
If it is possible, I'd like for you to somehow remove certain connections from the main computer, I wish for you disconnect the computer from the Holodeck in such a way that this little program can run all the way through without infecting or disrupting the rest of the station.
In other words that Holodeck needs to be disconnected from accessing anything vital in the computer, I don't want to be responsible for infecting the station with a virus, Taya.
Do you think you can do that?"
"I'll have to look at this particular Holodeck first but as long as I have tools, a bit of time and some light encouragement I should be able to fix it without any trouble, Constable".
"It's a tall order I know but it's not impossible is it?
"For O' Brian yes it would be but not for me.
I can fix literally everything except a broken heart of course.
I always used to tell Dukat that whenever I was asked to fix a certain thing for him.
Garak before he worked for the Obsidian Order, he used to always laugh at this but then he changed somehow; they both did.
Garak became cold and cynical, Dukat just became depressing and distant from me even when I was in the same room with him.
Anyhow that's enough about that.
Well this is exciting.
Let's go fix that Holosuite".
Taya attempted to hide the painful memories with a weary smile.
Odo yet again saw right through her ruse.
