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.

2375

"Father's Day"

By Dramatic_Spoon

"It has to be something meaningful." Defiant pondered.

"Right." Rio agreed.

"But I can't cook."

"And Odo doesn't eat so it doesn't matter."

"And making something with the replicator is too impersonal."

"How much money do you have?"

"Not a lot. I'd have to ask Nog."

"What's Nog doing?"

"He ordered Hopper Steaks for Rom and Quark."

"Maybe Terok can lend us money."

"Only if it gets you out of my hair."

The other AIs turned to look at Terok: Molly sat on her lap, working on something.

"What are you doing?"

"Keiko is trying to cook one of O'Brien's favorite dishes from scratch and needed someone to keep Molly out of her hair for a while."

"Aunty Terry offered."

"She's drawing a picture for him. There. That should be enough."

Defiant and Rio quickly opened up a display, and stared.

"How do you have this much money?"

"the Bank of Cardassia accounts they set up when they retook the station. Everyone was so busy trying to escape, no one noticed when I looted them all. Had the money converted to Szeket for a decent exchange rate."

Terok paused as she look at Molly's drawing.

"Keiko's eyebrows don't look angry enough."

"Mom only makes that face when she sees you."

"Really, it wasn't necessary," Sisko chuckled.

"It was the least I could do."

The group came to a stop in the promenade in front of something covered by a tarp.

"Happy Father's Day!" Defiant tore off the tarp and revealed a-

Jake stifled a laugh as Cassidy bit her lip.

The painting was amateurish. Lumpy. Colors ran into each other, while the lines were uneven and crooked.
The smile was crooked, as was the nose.
The ears were on two different heights, while the eyes stared off in two separate directions.
The facial hair was wild and pointed, while several unsightly lumps stood out atop his bald head.

Despite all that, no one had any doubt about what it was supposed to be.

"I painted it myself!"

"It's lovely." Sisko smiled as an transfixed passersby walked into a wall.

"The craftsmanship is exquisite," Kira turned the bucket over in her hands.

"I thought all the masters of Bajoran pottery where wiped out during the occupation."

"They missed one. I made a generous donation and he was more than willing to help me."

"I think I shall give it a try tonight," Odo smiled.

"Thank you, Rio."

"Happy Father's Day."

Continuing Defiant's inability to do anything artistic.