"Hello there Odo".
Odo nearly froze as he noticed Kira for the first time.
" You seem surprised to see me. It's all very sudden isn't it? You know I've actually been considering for a long time now to come and visit you. I just wasn't sure how well received I would be if I came as you know I wasn't everybody's cup of tea".
Odo could not deny how subtly seductive her voice was to his ears, He could hear the surreptitious tones of delight and the Swift fall of amusement that overcame her voice towards the end.
" I admit, I am surprised, actually Just not in the way you might think. Mostly I'm surprised that you would think of me in the first place. Your arrival here is quite unexpected so you have to forgive me, It's been a long time... a very long time."
" I know it's been a while. How long has it been, 23 years?"
"43, Kira, I've been keeping count. in fact, I haven't lost track of time since you left the station."
"Good old Odo always hyper vigilant and overattentive to every single detail.
You know I've missed you and I have had my fair share of thinking about you. I often would imagine what would happen if we met up again, you know in the future."
" How did that turn out in your head that is?"
" Well that all depends on the day and how I was feeling at that time. Sometimes our meetings would go along just swimmingly. While other times you ended up breaking pieces of furniture".
"Oh So you know about that?"
Odo breathily chuckled as you remembered the time when he had torn apart his entire living quarters because of her rejection of him.
"Half the quadrant knew about it metaphorically speaking of course.
Quark told me all about it before I left and I suppose I owe you an apology. I'm sorry that I hurt you like that.
I had no intention breaking your spirits Odo and really, I had no idea that my ignorance would affect you in that way."
"No there is no reason to apologize, I've moved on Kira and I forgive you. I know you didn't mean it and there was no way that you could have known what was going on inside me.
I was conflicted So I pushed you away. It was all my fault Kira You weren't the one to blame.
You shouldn't be too hard on yourself. You did your best and I couldn't seem to match that".
"No, Odo, I am to blame and I understand why you pushed me away. I wasn't always the easiest to talk to and I wasn't always that approachable especially when I first came here. I mean I admit I was a road raging nerve-wracking uptight And stubborn Bajoran, I was very overwhelming and I think I overwhelmed you a lot. So it really was all my fault. The way I see it is, I was so emotionally charged when I was on the station. I don't think anybody could match my energy.
I was a mess, Odo.
I was too much of a mess to see how absolutely amazing you are.
I was too stubborn to see it. I was too stubborn to see you.
So you shouldn't be too hard on yourself either".
Kira appeared to become more tearful with every word she spoke.
" Well... anyway, what brings you to Deep Space 9?"
" I came here to consult me the emissary."
"Sisko. I should have known".
Odo flatly replied.
" What do you mean you should have known? Oh I see you think I came here for selfish purposes. You probably even think that I came here to spite you in some way.Odo I wouldn't have requested to meet with you here if I didn't want to see you. I do want to see you.
This might be a quick trip but I was thinking of you when I came here.
I know you seem surprised that I would ever think about you in the first place but I think about you all the time".
Odo noticed a queer looking shadow creeping behind them as they walked further away from the loading bay.
He queerly craned his neck to the side slightly so he could recognize who exactly was pursuing them at the moment.
" What are you looking at? Is someone following us?" Although she appeared deeply concerned, amusement seemed to overcome her expression of anticipatory dread.
" I thought I saw a shadow. It's nothing I'm sure."
" Do you usually see shadow people? should I be concerned?
You're not on any new medications are you?"
Kira teased him as she knew that Odo had no need of any medical attention let alone any type of medication.
" No, I don't usually. I'm sorry I'm a little bit on edge; you see one of my Ensigns is in Sickbay at the moment and I'm rather unsure and uncertain if she'll make it out alive."
" Oh my, that sounds serious. Is she all right? Is she alive right now? maybe you should go check on her".
" Oh I apologize. I may have over exaggerated slightly, She was alive when I last saw her. I'm sure she'll be just fine, but there is that lingering bit of doubt that she may have to head into open surgery".
"Oh wow... I don't think you were over exaggerating Odo. I think the situation may be just as serious as it sounds. You should go to her, check in with Dr. Bashir, See how she's doing."
"No... I can't do that now. I am presently escorting you".
"Odo I know my way around so I don't need an escort service haha". Kira while she crossed her arms.
" I can't just leave you here... around the airlocks, or the corridors or wherever this place is.
That would be rude and irresponsible, I have a duty to perform and that is too safely escort you to your quarters."
" I can find my way home Odo.
I'm good at that and you know I always have been".
"Are you sure you'll be all right on your own?"
"Odo I was part of the resistance since I was 13. I confronted Dukat More than a dozen times and I even survived an entire evening with you on the holodeck. I think I can handle myself. don't you worry about me."
"Well as long as you are all right I suppose I can drop into sick bay for a few minutes.
If you need me, I'll be on the Promenade. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything alright?"
"Alright Odo. Perhaps we could catch up over at Quark's That is if you're up for it".
" Yes, I look forward to it".
Odo smiled casually as he awkwardly lumbered towards the lift.
Odo felt his insides liquify and then he drew back his elbow and drove his fist into the turbo lift wall.
There were tears that teemed up in his eyes.
"I can't do this but I did it. Why am I so disgusted with myself?
I didn't want to talk to her, I didn't even want to see her but I acted as If what she did to me meant nothing.
I catered to her, I laughed with her and I pretended that I believed her when She said I wasn't to blame, when she claimed That she thought of me and that she wanted to see me yet deep down I don't believe a word of it. not one word of hers did I believe yet still
I smiled and waved as if nothing had ever happened between us.
Then I read those entries, as risque as they may be I can't deny that I enjoy them that I hang on every word and I know that my duty isn't escorting that Dukat Loving Queen around this station, I know my job and duty is to be in that sick bay right by Taya's side.
Who knows, maybe I'll never leave her side but I am so exhausted from having to cater to her every whim.
I Just want to be free of her. I don't want her in my life. I did before but not now So the next time I see her I'm going to tell her the truth. I don't love you any longer Kira And neither do you.".
Odo reflected out loud while awaiting the turbo lift doors to open once more.
Odo rushed out from the lift and gallantly strode into Sickbay.
"How is she?"
Odo addressed Bashir intensely.
"She's in recovery. I was able to successfully remove The Synaptic disrupter from her brain but she has sustained some rather serious scar tisse as a result."
"Can I see her?"
" What part of recovery do you not understand Constable?"
Bashir pleadingly gazed at him.
"Julian...Please just give me a few minutes with her... That's all I'm asking from you. I won't touch her I won't bother her, disturb her, pester to her or mess with her in any way. I just want to see her. I need to know if she's all right you understand?"
"Yes Odo I understand. She's in the back room in ICU, same medical observation room she was in before. you can't miss it."
"Thank you Julian. I owe you one".
Julian was. beside himself as he had never seen Odo so emotionally distressed and desperate before.
Odo saw a dark form hunched over the examination table and as he approached closer, he realized it was merely Taya curled up on her side.
"Taya".
Odo's voice nearly trembled with trepidation.
"Odo What are you doing here?"
Taya's eyes betrayed her accusing voice by igniting passionately with a new kind of delighted joy.
" Do you not want me here?"
" No that's not it at all. I'm just surprised to see you here."
Odo checked her face for cuts and bruises by placing his hand a few inches away from her skin as if etching all the perfections on her face.
His hand finally froze right above her scar.
" You still have the scar I see".
His fingertips fully descended upon her phaser burn.
" How else would you recognize me?"
" Oh I think I'd manage. I am very observant after all".
"Yes I know. Um... I don't mean to be rude, but was there a reason that you rushed in here while I was in recovery?"
Taya bit her lip while She asked this.
" It suddenly dawned on me that you would probably have to go through open surgery. so naturally I rushed in. I didn't want to do anything that I would regret so I came to see you."
"Wow... So you thought that I was going to die?"
" I didn't know what to think so I came. I had no idea if I would ever see you again, let alone that you would make it out of here alive.
I was worried. I was concerned that's not a crime now is it?"
"No Of course not. It's just I find it rather strange that you would come to see me while I was in recovery. Okay I admit that's not exactly the strange part. what's really odd is the way you're acting right now".
" How am I acting exactly?"
" I don't know, It's weird but I feel that you're not really acting like yourself exactly.
I don't know quite how to put this into words but I'll do my best. Your whole decorum has changed and your eyes, are they bloodshot?"
Odo furiously blinked his eyes to hopefully remove the angry tears but it was already too late for that.
"Odo, Have you been crying?"
"No Don't be ridiculous. I'm a shapeshifter, shapeshifters don't cry".
Odo Then furiously avoided her gaze.
"Look Odo It's okay to be emotional. there's nothing wrong with that and there is no crime in being emotionally vulnerable every once and awhile."
" Oh so you think I came here to the ICU because I am emotionally vulnerable?"
Odo nearly shouted at her.
" No, I think you came here because you were previously emotionally vulnerable".
" So you think I came here because of you?"
Odo's voice was dry thin and cruel.
"Wow... That hit a nerve. Funny thing is I don't think it hit one of yours,it hit mine instead."
Taya made her face stand still as if to hide her inner pain from him.
"Taya I didn't mean it like that".
Odo's expression was mildly pained despite the fact that he knew that he had emotionally wounded her far deeper than he could ever fathom.
"What did you mean then? Did you come in here just to insult me or did you come to me in actual genuine concern?"
"I came out of genuine concern Taya.I felt that I needed to be here and that I owed it to you to be present and available, so you wouldn't feel...you were alone."
His voice became soft and pleading just as before.
"I don't feel alone right now of course I never feel alone whenever you're around, Odo".
"So how are you feeling? Do you have a headache at all?
Are you dizzy, nauseated, or feverish?
Do you feel any discomfort...at all right now? How about your pain levels? You know if you're uncomfortable at all I can request the doctor to give you more pain meds. Would you like that?"
"Odo I'm fine and besides that Pain meds don't really work on me too well anyways."
"How about an extra pillow? Oh I know you probably need something to settle your stomach.
I could go get something for you if you'd like."
"Odo I don't need anything right now, all I need is rest... okay".
"Okay... But you know all you have to do is ask and I'll give it to you".
Odo gave Taya a boyish smile.
"Thank you... Odo...You know you've really changed... since I came here... I've seen you become more... casual and compliant. I'm sorry compliant isn't the word I'm looking for, I meant you've become more compassionate, doting and even nurturing in some way. I'm wondering though why were you crying, Odo?'
"Oh...I suppose there's no harm in telling you since you probably already know...the truth is Kira is here, Taya. She just arrived a few moments ago in fact and Well I guess you could say I'm not taking it very well".
"Oh... I'm so sorry... I had no idea. I didn't mean to pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable.
Is there anything I can do to help, Odo?"
"No not really not unless you can recreate history and change the entire timeline of the universe at will".
"Um yeah about that Odo as impossible as that might sound, I can actually help with that".
"What? Oh no...You don't need to do that... for me... no...not for my sake. That was stupid of me to say. What I meant is unless you can somehow throw her out the nearest air lock there is really nothing you can do".
"Odo a little word of advice you Really you need to stop making suggestions right now because every single one of them I'm pretty sure I'm capable of doing."
"So the airlock is not a option. Got it. You know what? I think it's best if I just handle this myself.
I need to do this on my own, I'll manage alone and I'll deal with it all by myself. You won't have to worry. I'll be fine. Just fine... I think".
Odo lit up with a false sense of pride.
"No you're not going to be just fine,Odo. I can tell that you're screaming inside, so you don't have to put up a brave front for me. I know it's terrifying to face your fears but you don't have to brave them alone."
"I know, I know, but this is just like that incident in the Holodeck, I need to brave this alone. I need to do this myself."
"I understand but the real question is what are you braving alone Odo?"
"I'm braving her. I'm braving Kira...alone and I'm planning on telling her the Truth".
"The Truth about what?"
"The Truth about the fact that I've moved on".
"Thats it? That's all you want to tell her?"
Taya challenged him to open up more.
"Well no... I also want to confess to her that I no longer have feelings for her".
"Whoa that's a big confession Odo. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
"NO... I'm not sure at all but I am certain that I am no longer in love with her".
"Is that true or are you just saying that because you feel you have to?"
"Of course it's true. I'm over her! I'm finished! I'm DONE! I'm fed up with her! I don't want to live in her shadow anymore! Don't you see?
I want to be free of her!!!"
"And I don't doubt your sincerity Odo but I think you may not be ready to face the truth about her".
"And why is that Ensign?!
What is the truth about Kira? Tell me! I can take it! Lay it on me! Just try me!"
"Well um the thing is Odo I just told you that you weren't ready to hear the truth so I don't think you deserve hear the truth from me. I really don't have any right to tell you. I'm not even the right person to tell you and also I don't want to hurt you".
"Just tell me the truth and get it over with".
Odo said that with as much personality as a stone.
"Kira isn't here for you, Odo".
"Oh that's now there's a real shocker. Don't you think I know that by now, Taya?!!"
"She isn't here for anybody on this station. In fact she isn't even here for herself. She's here for an old debt, an old guilt she can't seem to get rid of."
"How very surprising! Please do tell me more Ensign!"
Odo snarled at her.
"She's angry with herself but she's also angry with you."
"Can you please tell me something I don't already know?!!!
"Fine...I won't hold back then!
That woman out there is not the Kira you know and love. She is deceptive, she is cruel and she extremely perceptive not just about who you but about Exactly how you feel.
She knew how you felt! She still does! What's worse is she knew all along".
"Oh wow...Taya...I had this sense that you were probably going to be jealous but I never thought you would stoop down to this level where you actually felt you had the need to destroy the very image of her existence".
"What? No...Odo I'd never destroy the memory you have of her. I would never even destroy her existence. She is important to you so I would rather destroy myself than have to destroy you internally.
You have to understand that I would rather die than see you suffer because of anything I had done. I'd rather perish than hurt you, Odo. This isn't about jealousy this is about telling you the truth".
"Yes your version of the truth. The Truth you've probably imagined in your head a million times over.
The truth is you don't want her to be the hero in your sick and twisted fantasy life. You want her out of the picture, that way you can enjoy the view".
"The view of what Odo?".
"The view of me, of course Taya. You want to see me and me alone. You don't want to have to compete for my attention and my affection so by telling me she's nothing but a heartless sea witch, you think you can gain my favor.
The view of me, of course Taya. You want to see me and me alone. You don't want to have to compete for my attention and my affection so by telling me she's nothing but a heartless sea witch, you think you can gain my favor.
I have a news flash for you taya it isn't working!"
Bashir nearly banged his head on the door as he rushed into ICU.
"Odo! Would you keep it DOWN!
I have patients out their that need just as much closure as you do!
Now if you do not lower your voice right now I will have you removed myself!"
"Oooh I'm terrified Doctor!
I had no idea you were a professional line backer!"
"I am a professional Medical provider Constable. I am responsible for saving lives which is more for what I can say for you. The only lives you've been saving thus far, is an occasional Ferengi!
So keep it down or I will personally remove you from the premisis!"
"Very well, doctor, I'll keep it down".
"Thank you for your kind consideration. Now one more word out of you and I swear Odo, that your next regeneration period will be permanent!"
"Understood".
Odo sheepishly responded with his elbows up against his chest.
Odo couldn't help but chuckle a bit as he left.
Taya gave him a questioning look.
"I'm sorry... I really can't help it. It was just his expression. Don't mind me".
However he didn't stop there, he couldn't seem to stop himself from laughing.
"What is so funny, Odo?"
"That's just it. I don't know.
I suppose it's because I just need to laugh".
Taya decided to let him have his moment of amusement as she curled up even further into a fetal position.
" I suppose there's no shame in that, Odo".
She responded glumly.
Odo grasped onto her shoulders once more so that she would turn around to face him.
" What is it Odo? What do you want?"
Taya sounded strained and forlorn.
"Nothing. I guess I just wanted to say I was sorry."
Taya said nothing in response to his weak attempt of an apology.
"I really am, Taya. I'm sorry. I've been nothing but cruel to you. I have chastised you, I've mocked you, I've reprimanded you, I've even humiliated you on several occasions. I've treated you as if you were nothing more than a prisoner on this station, I treated you as if you were nothing but a servant or an common employee. You really are so much more than your past, You are more than just an employee aboard this station and you are so much more than a Cardassian slave, Taya.
I realize I haven't been much better than Dukat. I've been nothing but a villain to you Taya.
I've been a villain towards others as well."
"No, Odo, You've never been a villain, not to me. You've always been my hero."
"Really?! Even after how I treated you?"
" Don't worry, I've been treated far worse".
Taya smiled encouragingly at him.
"But still I've been a grumpy old tyrant ever since you arrived here".
" You know you sound just like my grandfather".
" Was he a grumpy old tyrant like me?" Odo appeared to be unimpressed.
" He was at times yes but when it came to his friends, his family, his community, and all that he cared about, He didn't care what he had to sacrifice for their safety and happiness,he was always fiercely loyal to those he loved."
" He certainly seemed like the generous type".
" Oh he was so generous always so stubborn like I am and kind of like you too".
"Perhaps we all have more in common than we might think. I personally think you are a lot like Kira or how she used to be. She was stubborn too, fiercely loyal to all she cared about yet she knew how to hold her own, She had remarkably incomparable combat skills, She was always so fearless, It was almost like she could brave anything alone I remember I once strived to be like her but I never did succeed in that So eventually we drifted apart. The funny thing is It was all my fault. I was the one to blame for things turning out the way they did. I wasn't available to her when she needed me, I neglected her and I abandoned her, I didn't look out for her like I should have. I'm sorry I don't even know why I'm saying all this. I don't mean to burden you with any of this. I'll stop talking".
" No, I think you need to talk. I think you've needed to talk for a long time Odo. I admit I don't know everything, but there's one thing that I know for sure is whatever happened between you and Kira, that wasn't your fault and you weren't to blame. I've learned that no matter how disciplined an iron willed you may be There are some things that we cannot prevent from happening.
Even if you're like me that has the whole universe at their fingertips. I couldn't control my reality. I could control other people's reality but when it came down to it I never had much control of my own."
"welcome to humanity, that or welcome to the solid world".
" I am very solid unfortunately, but what I found is that When it comes to your true inner emotions they are never usually solid in any way and neither are our thoughts."
" Yes that's very true. It's a struggle between the mind and the heart. Although technically I don't have a heart since I'm naturally a liquid".
" You could have fooled me".
" Well you might be the first then."
" I doubt that I'm the first."
Taya began to chuckle softly at first but then her laughter became more genuine and much more audible especially in volume.
" You know I think Bashir almost knocked His teeth out when he came in here. I mean seriously He nearly rammed his head into the door frame and those eyes they reminded me of Garak during an interrogation session."
Odo couldn't help but find the humor in her observations So he laughed along with her.
" Those eyes are something else, aren't they?
They remind me of that Klingon Chancellor Gowron."
" You mean the great and mighty Gowron Who brought on her to all the Klingon empire?"
Taya mocked Gowron's high strung and manic voice.
" Yes, if he's the one that looks like he's strung out on too much ketrical white then That's him".
" He was quite short for a Klingon if I remember".
" Oh he was much taller in person".
Odo joked around even more.
" Did you ever meet him?"
" Oh yes, I had the privilege of meeting him face to face."
"However, did you manage that one?"
"Compliments of Klingon cosmetic surgery from Bashir.
It was a undercover mission, O'Brien and Sisko were there too.
Although to be honest Sisko really was the better Klingon. He had the voice and mannerisms down to a T.
I was never a dramatic enough to be a truly successful Klingon.
You know me, I don't express my emotions very well especially in public."
" I'm sure you did just fine. although now I think I might have to give Sisko a visit soon".
" Why is that?"
"So I can get the whole story of course".
Taya grinned mischievously.
"Oh I don't know about that especially if I get there first".
Odo playfully challenged her.
" You wouldn't dare."
They exchanged glances and then began to laugh again.
" You know I'm actually quite daring once you get a chance to get to know me".
" I have no doubt of it. You should put that daring attitude to good use and take it out there to Kira".
" Yes I probably should but what about you?"
" I'll recover. I'm recovering right now as we speak actually So if you leave now I might catch up with you later".
"About that, Kira wanted to catch up over at Quark's, I really don't want to go but I was wondering if you would be interested in attending?"
" Is that an invitation I hear?"
"Well yes I believe it is. So Would you be interested in... joining me?"
"Does Kira know I'm tagging along?"
"No, do you think I should inform her?"
"That's entirely up to you".
Taya spoke blandly.
"Well in that case, I'll tell her later".
"How much later?"
"How does after Quark's sound?"
"No, you wouldn't, Odo". She sounded so insulted but her uncomfortable laughter gave her away.
"Oh yes I would. Watch me hehe".
Odo etched the outward imperfection underneath her left eye once more.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to, Taya".
Odo's gaze was steady and contrite.
"Yes but you'd feel better if I did, right?"
"Well obviously yes but there's no pressure and you shouldn't have compromise your own comfort for my own.You can do what you want You are your own person after all and you still have some... recovering to do".
"Don't you worry, I'll be there".
" You see as much as I enjoy your company I'd feel terrible if I was responsible for you compromising your health. I mean you just got out of major surgery, I'd hate for you to risk your health for my sake."
" I won't be risky anything and I am responsible for my own health not you. rest assured I won't be compromising anything for your sake. I want to go In fact, I am determined to be there this evening".
" I never said that it was this evening but if you really are that interested, I'll be heading down there at around 8 o'clock."
" Did you say around 8 o'clock?"
"Yes I did. Why?" Odo gave her a rather snobby dude glance.
" Oh it's nothing. I just thought you would be far more precise, you know with you being the overly professional and punctual constable."
Odo bent down slightly and stroked her brown burgundy tipped hair and gave her a brief peck on the top of her head.
"Well then That should give you more flexibility so...You can show up at any time...just drop by when you have a chance or whenever you are able."
Taya was absolutely bewildered by his sudden display of affection.
" I'll do my best." She said hesitantly as he walked away.
" I would expect no less especially from you".
Odo simply had to have the last word before he left the ICU observation room.
Taya then begin to wonder If there was a certain dress code and If so, she juggled her options, but after careful contemplation she finally came to the conclusion that she really didn't have very many options available to her. She had just arrived there a month ago and she hadn't really acquired any outfits of her own except the honorary Bajoran security uniform that Odo had presented her on the day before her promotion to Ensign.
"So am I cleared?"
Taya inquired of Bashir as he kept repetitively flashing a red light in her left eye.
"Yes, as far as I can tell, you appear to be in perfect health. all except the minor scar tissue of course".
"Why did you tell the constable that I had major scar tissue?"
" Well that was before you just gotten out of surgery so the damage was a bit more shall we say extreme".
"Julian I know you are prone to over exaggerate but you don't usually over exaggerate those kind of details".
"All right, I may have accidentally on purpose over exaggerated the details of your surgery"
"How do you do something accidentally on purpose Bashir?"
Taya squinted quizzically
"Well originally I wanted to ease him into it but after seeing the Constable all choked up with concern over you I just couldn't resist. It just came out of me, Plus I do have a hippocratic oath to respect so legally I don't really have to tell him anything about the surgery".
Bashir feigned his coyness, his eyes wide with innocence and his mouth perked up to form a mischievous grin.
"Julian!! You are horrible!"
Taya attempted to chastise him but instead She couldn't contain her amusement.
"I know, I know but one of these days you are going to thank me".
"Oh I'm sure... and when will I be thanking you again?"
"Well, I prefer you to thank me before your honeymoon on Risa".
Taya whipped her hand across his green starfleet uniform So she could smack him.
"I'm kidding. seriously, I'm only joking.
You are going aren't you though?"
"Hey how did you know about that?"
"Oh that's Need to know information. anyone That is that is anybody around here knows about that".
Bashir professed over confidently.
" Who told you about it anyway?"
" My sources would like to remain anonymous for the time being."
" It was Jadzia wasn't it?"
"Alright yes, it was Jadzia. I don't know how she hears about these things but she does and I can't help but listen to her.".
"I hope you know that there's a special place in hell for people like you".
Taya made her face as pleasant as possible.
" I know and I don't disagree with you infact I'm probably living in it right now as we speak but just remember I'll probably be taking you with me".
" In the meantime, can I leave now?"
"Yes very well. You are a clean bill of health... go on... be free.
Don't do anything that I wouldn't do."
" Then how will I ever have any fun?"
Taya was obviously being facetious.
" You'll think of something...
you always do.
Tell Odo I said "Hi".
" I'll pass the message along, Bashir."
Bashir waved at her shruggingly.
Taya took the turbo lift to the habitat ring so she could prepare herself for her evening outing.
When she arrived to her quarters, she found a strange dark shadow resting upon the couch in her main living area.
"Computer Turn on lights by 60 percent".
She saw a sparkly blue dress, the same one that Janice Rand wore aboard the USS Enterprise.
She didn't understand the significance at first, but when she picked it up and put it up to the light it soon became apparent that this wasn't just any ordinary uniform.
It shimmered and glittered whenever the light touched it, her eyes were mesmerized by the incandescent quality of the material and as she stared at it Even longer she began to remember those old journal entries.
She vaguely remembered the entry in which he had presented her with a gift and this had been the gift He had given her.
She thought it was just a dream. not so much a dream, but just a fantasy or something that she had imagined due to stress and her overall depression within confinement on Cardassia.
She was finally beginning to realize that those journal entries weren't just lies or stories, they were real and if they hadn't already happened perhaps they would happen later. Although she already knew that she was capable of predicting the future, it was finally beginning to dawn on her this ability was a lot stronger than she gave herself credit for.
She had written truths, not stories, not lies, not fallacies, fantasies or fictional depictions, They were real, however she was unaware that Odo knew all too well of this.
He knew the truth and as much as she strived to keep the truth from him He already knew far too much In fact he knew far too much then he himself was comfortable with.
Still Taya slipped on the dress without question and she wore complimentary clothing to complete her overall ensemble.
Taya used her telepathic abilities to style her hair, It was a rather curly perm that laid high upon her head with a few loose ringlets cascading around her forehead. The style was nearly identical to that of Deana Troi and she had done that on purpose because she had wanted her hair to resemble that of a starfleet officer. the whole preparation process however, only took her about 45 minutes And soon she was slipping into Starfleet regulated boots and trudging out the door towards the turbolift so that she could finally leave the habitat ring and head straight for Quark's bar.
However, the moment she saw Odo at the bar counter staring miserably at his drink, She wanted to hide, She wanted to slip behind a corner, melt into some abandoned crevice and disappear for the rest of the evening. She still hadn't caught sight Of Kira but even the thought of her,made Taya extremely nauseous.
Although Taya admired Kira, She didn't quite know what to expect and the greatest fear of all was that Kira wouldn't like her. She suddenly realized why rejection was so absolutely terrifying To Odo.
acceptance was a rarity and rejection was something that happened far too often yet even after the millionth time of not being good enough for someone, it still didn't prepare her for the rejection that came ahead.
She knew there was no real way to prepare for rejection even if you had experienced it numerous times. It was always terrifying and always extremely degrading and humiliating and it didn't matter who it was that was rejecting you or humiliating you in public. the pain was usually the same and the pain still left a irreparable scars behind very similar to the one that was under her left eye.
Odo scanned the bar and glanced over the entrance once more, hoping to find a familiar face. He had been peering at that entrance for the last 2 hours and it had not escaped the notice of Quark.
Odo saw a familiar silhouette slide in front of the entrance of the bar, Then he saw shimmer of blue flash before his vision and he smiled at what he saw.
"Taya".
Odo rushed out his seat as if his life depended upon it which startled Quark to the point that he almost dropped the glass in when he was cleaning with a thread bear rag.
"Wow... Somebody cleaned up nicely".
Quark was actually impressed but as usual, his high nasally voice just made him sound like he He was mildly considering taking her to his own personal quarters later that evening.
"You...look... different".
Was all Odo could say at that moment.
"Is it the hair? Do you think it's too much?"
"No not at all. The hair is fine... the hair is nice...I mean it's perfect. You...are... perfect. Overall, the whole get up is...lovely.
You...look... lovely... If you don't mind me saying so".
"No I don't mind. I just was curious if you left that dress for me?".
Taya approached the barstool that was nearest to him.
"I did drop it by yes. It was something I found lying around in my quarters. It wasn't just lying around of course I actually found it hidden someplace in my closet if you must know.
I don't look in my closet very often because I don't really have any need for clothes So that's why I Just now came across it but when I saw it I thought of you and I thought you might like it".
Taya kept her glaring gaze on him while he explained this to her.
" I do like it. I was just wondering how it came into your possession exactly.".
" Oh that's where things get kind of tricky. I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to tell you about that."
Odo wore a pained expression.
"Don't tell me Janice Rand gave it you herself?"
" No, don't be ridiculous, It was given to me, it was a gift...from Lwaxana Troi...if you must know".
"What was Lwaxana Troi doing with it?"
" She had connections, Not a lot of them, but a few at least enough to procure that little number that you're wearing right now and no, she never wore it, She bought it from an auction, due to its historical value. It's technically a collector's item. It's not even really supposed to be worn but then again she isn't here and neither is anybody else who would understand the significance of that particular uniform."
" I'm sorry. I'll stop asking questions. I'm far too inquisitive tonight. I didn't mean to pry or make you uncomfortable.
It is a very thoughtful gift and I appreciate it".
"I'm glad...that...you think so.
Oh You can relax by the way, Kira isn't here yet fortunately for you".
"Why is it fortunate for me?"
" Because now we'll have some time to talk before She gets here."
" What do you want to talk about?"
" You know I've been thinking about that for the last three and a half hours. probably even longer but The thing that bothers me the most is what I'm going to talk about with her".
" Just talk about your feelings and then move on from there".
" You know that's a sensitive issue as well as I do."
"Then just tell the truth like you had originally planned".
" You know the one thing I don't get about you solids is your obsession with a pursuit of the truth, You're either pursuing it You're telling it to someone. Truth will set you free. they say to you,it never does, In fact All it ever does is make things worse or make you feel more guilty or terrible about yourself. It's never a liberating feeling.
What I've found about the truth Is that the truth is never easy and the truth is rarely something anybody wants to hear.
The truth in this case is probably going to ruin our friendship."
" The truth might be hard and it might ruin all of your relationships, but the truth is usually the right thing And it's usually worth the risk."
" No, you don't understand if I tell her the truth of how I feel, how I felt and of how I'm still feeling she will lose all respect for me."
" Will she or will you lose respect for yourself?"
"Both actually but that's not really the point. the point is when she decides she wants to tell me the truth and that's not going to be pretty. the way these solid conversations work is you open up and then the other person opens up as well. that is just the way of things that is the system in which solids revolve around.
So I can't avoid it and I can't escape it. so if I say nothing she will say something. if I say everything she will probably meet me halfway.
so It's a Very awkward predicament that I have found myself in at the moment and I can't seem to back out now. I could but I doubt if I could live with myself afterwards".
"I think you're worrying too much. When words fail She will know how you feel and she will respond accordingly. all you have to do is open up to her just a little bit and she'll do the rest".
"You seem like you've done this before".
"Oh I have but mostly it was as the third wheel, You know I saw it from a distance, I was usually never right in the middle of it like I am now but then again, I don't mind a little bit of a challenge now and again".
" That's because you are a challenge".
" Yes I suppose I am but so are you.
So about that kiss in the observation room, are we going to talk about that?"
"This is not the time or the place to discuss that". He replied back coldly.
"Okaaay...moving right along... anything else you don't want to discuss right now?"
" Not that I can think of no."
Odo hunched over his drink miserably.
"How's that drink going for you?"
Taya attempted to ease the tense atmosphere between them.
" It's going horribly if you must know. I don't drink. I actually am not anatomically designed to consume any sort of food or drink."
"Must be nice. You know I think just about every woman out there would give their left arm Just to have that ability. I mean there are so many diet plans out there but imagine what they could do if they didn't have a diet at all.
Life would be so much simpler So you're actually one of the lucky ones, but I suppose it depends on your perspective. Have you ever had a drink before?"
"Yes on numerous occasions but I found it to be rather unsatisfying, I have no sense of taste and no sense of smell, so the overall experience was unsatisfying and rather unappetizing. I have a sudden feeling that I've had this conversation before".
" You probably have. I don't mean to pry yet I'm just curious Why is it unappetizing whenever you consume food or drink?"
"Because I don't consume it. I can't consume anything, I have to sort of absorb it Which requires me to Liquify certain aspects of my anatomy more specifically This poor excuse of a mouth that I am currently wearing at the present time. So as you can imagine, if I was to do that within a public place I would probably clear out this entire bar and that wouldn't be good for business now would it?"
" You don't care about business or about Quark's business for the matter but that does give me some ideas. I mean for instance, if Sisko we're going to go off on one of his long monologues He definitely would haul ass if he saw you doing that".
"Oh goodie, I simply can't wait, but don't worry, I'll save it for your next award ceremony".
" You're simply too kind. I think I Kira. Why do you keep staring at your drink like that?"
"Oh...its..uh... it's the bubbles... they amuse me somehow It's kind of hard to describe... It's more of a sentimental thing. I doubt if you'd understand".
"Try me".
Taya nudged his shoulder playfully just as Kira came walking through the door.
Kira stared at Odo in disbelief as he saw him chuckle chummily with this strange woman, a woman She had never seen ever in her life and what was worse is this mystery woman was actually pretty. She noticed that she was more than pretty, She was absolutely gorgeous.
"Kira... I'm glad you could make it."
Odo nearly hollered over to her despite the fact that she was only 5 ft away.
Kira composed herself blinked a few times and unlocked her obsessive gaze that had been hovering over the two of them when she had first walked in.
"Kira this is Taya, she's one of my Top Security Deputies and my official technical advisor".
"Ooooh Sounds fancy. I'm afraid I don't have any fancy titles, at least not anymore.
Now I'm just Kira but anyway it is awfully nice to meet you Taya".
Taya rose to her feet and struck out her hand so that Kira could shake it.
"Well it's a honor to finally meet you Just Kira".
Kira let out a unkempt and hysterical laugh.
" She's funny. You didn't tell me she was funny. Of course you didn't really tell me much of anything but no matter. I do hope that you are keeping on his toes. He needs that stability you know, Because I'm warning you, you simply cannot leave him alone for a moment".
Kira smiled warmly yes condescendingly.
"Oh I know and that's why I don't ever give him a moment peace.
It is my duty to provide him with that kind of stability, So I take pride in keeping him on his toes. after all it is my duty to do so".
"And she's smart too. wherever did you find her, Odo?"
Odo was still unsure if she was being serious or merely just facetious.
"Oh I didn't find her, She found me".
Odo's eyes were dark and humorless despite the fact that his mouth was upturned into a casually coy smile. He was well aware that he had said the wrong thing but the moment he said those words he immediately embraced them as if he had meant to say them all along and Kira understood this perfectly.
Kira stared at him obsessively once more but this time with a flare of rage which would crept up into the corners of her eyes.
"Don't mind him, he's joking.
He just found me in the cargo bay, It was a few years back, I was stow away you see and I really didn't have any place to go, especially after escaping Cardassia and he was kind enough to take me in, give me a job and introduce me to the rest of the crew."
"Cardassia eh? You came from Cardassia? How very interesting. What part of Cardassia are you from?"
Odo looked at Taya with pleading eyes as if to express to her not to say anything more on the subject.
"The part of Cardassia where the labor camps are".
"Oh...That is... unfortunate. I didn't realize you were a prisoner of war."
Kira dipped her head down to her chest to express her inner shame.
" Oh that's quite alright In fact, that is a rather nice way of putting it. I was actually a slave procured from a Cardassian Conquest."
"In what Quadrant?"
"Kira I think that's enough... questions. She's obviously uncomfortable by your questioning.."
Kira leered at Odo furiously.
" Why don't you allow her to speak for herself? She's certainly capable of it".
"Kira... That's besides the point. I know she's capable of speaking for herself and I haven't interfered until now. You are hitting a little too close to home. Please don't over step your bounds Kira".
" I just asked a question. it's not a crime to be curious. I just want to know if you were involved with the occupation in any way".
Kira's jaw tightened up dangerously to the side.
Odo nearly knocked his bar stool over as he rose to defend her honor.
"Kira! Stand down! You are overstepping your bounds! I suggest that you Do not overstep mine!"
"Odo, it's fine. You can sit down. She's right. I am capable of defending myself and speaking for myself and there's no shame in being curious.
I am from the Gamma Quadrant. I was born there but due to a war between the Dominion and the Cardassian Empire I lost my home and I lost my entire planet, I then was taken from the outskirts of my village that had been destroyed and I was stationed as a slave on Cardassia.
I was meant to be the comfort woman of Gul Dukat but since it was clear that I was far too young for such a position I was bought by another Cardassian benefactor.
I was held captive on Cardassia for over 40 years. I hope that cleared everything up for you".
Taya smiles sweetly.
" You were meant to be a comfort woman? I am so sorry... I had no right to push you into answering me but yes, that cleared up things rather nicely. obviously you were not involved with the occupation. at least not in the way that I suspected".
" I am so glad that You too have come to an agreement. Kira could i speak with you for a moment...in private".
" Yes of course. excuse me"
Odo Hurried outside The bar doors .
"Kira What were you thinking?!! Why are you acting like this?!! This is very unlike you! What has gotten into you? That is my Chief Deputy officer, She is not a play thing, She's not a pawn, a toy, or robot or an AI in which you can program to answer you in the way that you see fit. She's a person, a person that is deserving of respect, I respect her and I expect you to do the same".
" Oh I'm sorry I didn't realize that she was that important to you otherwise I wouldn't have come to this station at all!"
" So you're saying that if I hadn't made myself available tonight You wouldn't have bothered to come at all?"
" No, I'm saying that I wouldn't have arrived here to this fine establishment If I knew that you were already involved with somebody else!"
"That is the same thing Kira,You just worded it differently!
I'll have you know, I'm not involved with her, She is one of my deputies, she is my employee, she works for me She works under me, So I'm technically her boss. The only involvement and association she has with me is with my job, She works in the same department as I do, She works on the same station, She does security as do I and I consider her to be a friend and a valuable ally."
"For somebody who means so little to you, you sure have a lot to say about her, In fact, I haven't heard you talk about anybody at such a great length before.
Look Odo If you say nothing is going on between the two of you I will let it go but if there is something going on just tell me so I don't make a further fool of myself out there".
"There is nothing going on Kira".
Odo's voice was stiff as a Robot.
" Then why is she here?"
"Because I asked her to Kira.
She's only doing this as a favor to me".
" Why?Does she owe you a favor?"
" Yes actually she owes me quite a few but she's usually quite compliant when it comes to ny requests".
"Odo, that is disgusting".
" It wasn't meant to be. it was meant to be a joke."
" If that was meant to be a joke it was in very poor taste especially after you ranted and raved about How much she deserve to be respected."
" Yes and I mean that too. really I meant it. I expect her to be treated fairly equally and with the utmost respect".
"There you go again, ranting and raving about That woman.
Why can't you just be honest with me and Just tell me exactly what's going on?"
"Nothing is going on. Why must you be so infuriatingly difficult?!"
" Look I came here to find closure, to find peace both mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
You know maybe visit the temple, reconnect with old friends and perhaps reminisce about old times over a drink at Quark's bar.
I didn't ask for this And frankly, I'm surprised that you would invite someone like her without even telling me. That's the main thing that concerns me is the fact you invited someone you knew was a perfect stranger to me and then you expected me to be all right with it."
" Oh so that's what's bothering you. I suppose that's understandable but still this is a rather unacceptable way of going about it. You could have just told me what was on your mind."
" That's all I wanted to do since I came here but then I saw You and her together, She was giggling and you were laughing. You looked so happy. I just didn't think it was the right time to be honest with you".
" Oh here it comes. I had expected this. You want to tell me the truth, don't you? The truth about our relationship?"
"Well yes I wanted to tell you eventually but I want to catch up with you first and I didn't feel that I could with her hanging around".
" That is absolute nonsense. She is a reliable woman and very discreet and to be honest, she's not usually this talkative. She is more of The silent type, She's quiet and shy, She prefers to listen rather than give advice, really you can trust her, Kira."
" I will certainly try to but first things first, You deserve the truth. the truth about me, the truth about you and about us."
"I'm listening."
"The truth is... I've moved on Odo".
" That's your big reveal? It's been 43 years, Don't you think I know this by now?"
" All right, let me be more clear. I've met someone".
"That's better but it's still not clear enough".
" I've met someone special someone I probably would like to spend the rest of my life with".
" let me guess, It isn't me is it?"
"No... I wish it was but it's not. I had hoped it would be you but things didn't exactly go according to plan, Now did they?"
"No, they certainly did not. So who is this special person?"
" He's what you would call a old childhood friend. we've met before, much like Shakaar but what's unusual about him is he's not Bajoran".
"And I suppose I don't get to meet him do I?"
" Well he's around, he's nearby so to speak and I didn't think you wanted to meet him. I thought it would be cruel and uncomfortable for you if I introduced you to him".
" Well that was... thoughtful of you. Now I have something to say to you but first things first, Let's let's head back inside. I don't want her to worry".
Kira smiled at Odo after which they both sat down at the bar next to Taya.
