Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Kirayoshi O'Brien

"This is what all that fuss was about?"

Terok materialized in the Suite, startling O'Brien. He waved his hands.

"Terok, what have I tol...wait, why are there Holoemitters here?"

"Cardassians have very different ideas of what should be off limits."

She peered into the crib at the sleeping baby.

"It's so pale and smooth," she frowned, "It doesn't look anything like you."

"Well, he has plenty of time to grow."

Kirayoshi began to squirm and whine.

"He's doing something!"

"On the side."

O'Brian pushed past her and scooped up the baby.

"You woke him up," O'Brian turned his attention back to Kirayoshi, as the baby began to wail.

"It's noisy."

"He's a child, they're supposed to be."

O'Brian began to pace around the room, trying to calm him.

"Major to O'Brian." His commbadge beeped to life.

With a grunt, he shifted Kirayoshi to one arm and tapped his badge.

"O'Brian, here."

"You're needed, we're having a major issue here."

"Be right there."

With a grimace, he held Kirayoshi out.

"What are you doing?"

"I have to go do my job, watch him for me."

"WHAT?"

"I can't exactly bring him with me, it's not safe. And I can't leave him alone, he's too young for that."

He passed the baby over to Terok, who held him at arms length.

"I don't know anything about human children!"

"Just make sure he's happy, if he's upset just feed him or get him to sleep. And check to make sure he doesn't have to be changed."

"Wait, Can'-"

Before she could finish, O'Brian left. Terok stared back at the sobbing baby, as he looked back at her through teary eyes.

"...What?"

"I don't particularly care who brought the damn voles back, but I want to make sure they're all gone," O'Brian grumbled.

"I assure you, I will find out," Odo grunted.

"Miles?"

The two spun around to see Keiko and Molly.

"What are you doing here? Who's watching Kirayoshi?"

"I left him with Terok Nor-"

"You What?"

Before He could say anything else, Keiko ran past him, towards their suite.

"Daddy? What's wrong with Mommy?"

"...Daddy might have made a mistake."

The door shot open, as Keiko frantically entered the room to the sound of someone softly singing.

"What..."

Terok looked up from the sleeping Kirayoshi in her arms..

"Shhh, I finally got him to go back to sleep."

Written by Dramatic Spoon.