16

After the morning staff meeting, Ro walked slowly to her office, thinking over the events of the last few days, both good and bad.

The Allied task force had agreed to stand down in the early hours of the morn ing, which was good news for everyone. Ro could feel the relief in the air, could see it in the faces of the people she passed. Most of the ships had already left, although a few would remain in Bajoran space, to be on hand for any other surprise visits from the Gamma Quadrant. The news that the Dominion had agreed to allow exploration on their side of the wormhole was already spreading throughout the station; Ro was cautiously optimistic about it, along with just about everyone else.

Three of her officers were dead, killed by Kitana’klan … who had been killed in turn by another

Jem’Hadar, who would be staying on the station. Kira had assured all of them that Taran’atar was

atypical, and from his actions so far, there was no argument-he’d saved Dr. Bashir’s life and kept the station safe, four times over. Lieutenant Nog had strenuously objected, but after Kira played Odo’s message, he’d lapsed into quiet grumbling. The colonel made it clear that she expected all of her senior staff to meet and work with Taran’atar, pointing out that the station population would be looking to them-that his being accepted would depend in large part on how the officers treated him.

Ro had to admit, she was looking forward to meeting him-because of how much she wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow’s memorial service, for the civilian tech and the deputies Kitana’klan had murdered. Wasa, Devro and Cryan had all been good young men, and she’d gladly shake the hand of the man who had taken out their killer, Jem’Hadar or no.

Ro reached the Promenade and started for her office, wondering if Yevir Linjarin was still around. Probably; the prophecy upload debacle hadn’t been resolved so far as she knew, and Yevir was definitely not one to let something like that rest. She still planned on filing a report with the Ministry of Justice, but that seemed minor next to Kira’s act of defiance. Ro never would have guessed that the colonel had it in her to challenge a vedek, or to choose truth over faith. She knew she was simplifying, knew that Kira still didn’t entirely believe in Ohalu’s prophecies, but the colonel’s belief in the Bajoran people was admirable …

… though I doubt Kasidy sees it that way. Unlike the rest of Bajor, Ro didn’t particularly care where

Kasidy chose to live, but she sincerely wished the

woman luck; she seemed like a good person. If Ro had been in her position, she probably would have lost her mind by now.

Word was going around that Shar’s mother had the Andorian seat on the Federation Council, which was kind of a surprise since he’d never mentioned it. Obviously, he hadn’t wanted anyone to know. He’d been uncharacteristically subdued at the meeting, and had seemed reluctant to make eye contact, which suggested he was embarrassed, though Ro couldn’t imagine why . She decided she’d seek him out later, just to make sure he was okay.

Ro was so preoccupied with the ongoing complications of life on DS9 that she was actually walking through her office door before she realized that Quark was inside, waiting for her wit h a steaming mug in hand. She’d been expecting a visit for a couple of days, ever since she first noticed his recently acquired habit of watching her from outside his restaurant.

“Lieutenant, good morning,” he said, charmingly formal as he extended the cup to her. “Forgive my presumptuousness, but I’ve noted that you have a fondness for hot tea, and I’ve been told that this is an excellent blend. It’s very expensive.”

Ro paused in reaching for it. “Does that mean I have to pay for it?”

Quark looked faintly wounded. “No, no, of course not! It’s a gift. Call it a token of my appreciation for your superb work with the evacuation last night. You know, you really know how to pack a crowd.”

She accepted the mug and walked to her desk, smiling at him as she sat down. “Thanks, Quark, that’s very considerate of you.”

The bartender smiled back, bowing a little and looking up at her over his lashes. “You’re welcome … Laren.”

She sipped the tea, and nodded her approval. “This is good; what’s it called?”

He hesitated for so long that she was about to ask him again when he suddenly blurted out,

“Darjeeling, would you have dinner with me?”

Even knowing that it was coming, Ro felt her heart beat a little faster. How long had it been since someone had asked her to dinner, or looked at her the way Quark did?

“Quark …” Ro set her mug down, feeling a little awkward. She was terrible at romantic dealings, having never really practiced. She also actually liked Quark, and didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

“Never min d,” he said briskly, nodding at her, the open look of hope giving way to a half scowl.

‘Forget I asked.”

“No, wait,” she said. “Listen … right now I’m going through a kind of-self-evaluation period, I guess you could say, and while I’m flattered by your invitation, the truth is, I really don’t want to be involved with anyone right now.”

For a split second, she thought she saw disappointment-but then he was grinning, shaking his head.

“Involved? Who said anything about getting involved? I’m talking about eating together, you know, as friends.”

Ro was pretty sure she knew better, but if that was how he wanted to handle it, she was willing to play along.

“Oh. In that case, yes. Not tonight, though, I’ll be too tired. I’ve got a lot of work today. In fact, maybe we should wait a couple of days, until things calm down around here.”

Quark was entirely too casual, but his eyes were gleaming. “Sure, tonight’s bad for me, too. Maybe in a couple of days. Or next week, even.”

“Maybe,” Ro said, wondering if she’d made a mistake. He was entirely too happy for having just been turned down. “As friends, though, right?”

“Absolutely, you bet,” Quark said, backing out of her office, showing most of his teeth in a sharpened grin. “Friends, got it. You won’t regret th is.”

He was gone before she could say anything else. Ro sighed, staring down into her mug of tea, regretting it already. Oh, well; she’d made her position clear, and he’d just have to”May I come in?”

Ro looked up, and saw Captain Picard standing in th e entrance to her office.

Ro stood up quickly, almost upsetting her tea. “Captain. Yes, of course.”

He stepped into her office, standing stiffly as he looked around, and she was more than a little astonished to see him looking uncomfortable. Jean-Luc Pic ard was never uncomfortable.

“So,” he said, finally looking at her. “A Bajoran Militia lieutenant, special forces, and chief security officer for the station. It’s good that you’re putting your tactical training to good use.”

There was no spite or animos ity in his voice, or in his coolly appraising gaze. Ro nodded, finding that she was still completely intimidated by the man.

“Yes, sir. The rank is honorary. I was appointed here, after the war. Recently, I mean.” She mentally slapped herself, her heart pounding.

Picard nodded, still studying her face. “I see. Do you think you’ll stay here?”

Again, Ro searched for the anger she expected and again, came up empty. He was simply asking. She thought about his question, thought about telling him she was fine and happy and all settled in, but found that she didn’t want to lie. He hadn’t come here to condemn her; this was her chance to be honest with him.

“I don’t know,” she said uncertainly. “I think so, but sometimes … sometimes I’m not sure if it’s what

I want.”

“Commitments can be difficult,” he said, nodding again. “But there are benefits to following through. You’ve done well for yourself; perhaps you should stay for a while.”

Ro swallowed heavily, no longer able to stand it. “Captain, about what happened-” she began, and he raised one hand, silencing her.

“Everyone has regrets, Lieutenant … and the consequences of our actions, of the choices we make, can stay with us for a long time. I only stopped by to say that I hope you won’t let your past dictate your future-and to wish you well.”

Suddenly, Ro found herself perilously close to tears. She’d betrayed him … and it seemed that he had forgiven her.

“Thank you, Captain,” she said, struggling to keep a tremor out of her voice and failing, horrified by the thought of breaking down in front of him.

Picard took pity on her. “Well. Good luck, Lieutenant.”

He nodded once, then turned and walked out, straightening his uniform as he disappeared into the crowd on the Promenade.

Ro sat down, elated and weak with gratitude, depressed and uncertain of everything. She stared at her cup of tea until she felt the threat of tears pass; it was ice cold before she felt ready to move on with her day.

After saying good-bye to Colonel Kira in her office-and receiving more of her sincerely felt appreciation for the delivery of the Orb-Picard headed for the Enterprise, thinking that he was glad he’d gone to see Ro Laren. There had been a time when he’d felt only anger and disappointment at the thought of what she’d done; after the faith he’d placed in her, her abrupt decision to join the Maquis-and to sabotage a Starfleet operation, in the process-had been a surprise, to say the least.

Something about her had always appealed to him on some fundamental level, though he’d never been able to quantify those feelings to his satisfaction … and still couldn’t, not really. The need for second chances, perhaps. All he knew was that when he’d seen her yesterday, when he’d seen the open self -doubt and shame in her eyes, he’d realized that he didn’t want her to carry such sorrow on his behalf. It was as simple as that.

An exciting and unusual day, all in all, he thought, stepping from the pylon turbolift to head for his waiting ship. From the Orb to an evacuation, to a Je m’Hadar ambassador and the changes his presence

had wrought, Picard was quite satisfied with their stop at DS9. He was sorry they couldn’t stay longer, but the ship needed a more extensive maintenance than DS9 could currently provide; Starbase 375 wasn’t too far away, and the crew still needed to stretch their legs. He thought they might stay there for two or three days, let everyone take a few deep breaths before they continued on with Starfleet business… .

“Captain, would you mind if I walked you to the bridge?”

Vaughn was standing just inside the outer docking ring, smiling. Picard shook his head, glad to see him; he’d planned on asking the commander to come to the ship before they disembarked, knowing that Will and Deanna, at least, would want a chance to say good-bye. And he was to know if his suspicions about Vaughn’s future were correct.

“Not at all,” he said, and the two men stepped on to the ship, heading for the turbolift. They stood side by side, speaking without look at each other as the lift ascended to the bridge. “I suppose you know what I did,” Vaughn said.

Picard smiled. “I had my suspicions,” he admitted, “especially once you mentioned having ideas about testing the Dominion’s sincerity. This puts you in quite an extraordinary position, Elias. You’ll be taking point in the renewed exploration of the Gamma Quadrant, if Starfleet approves it.”

Vaughn grinned. “Hell, even if they don’t approve it,” he said, as the lift halted and its doors opened.

They strode together to the center of the bridge, Geordi reporting from the aft engineering station

that the Enterprise was in good shape for their trip. All of the senior staff was present, and when Vaughn revealed his plans, the reception was overwhelmingly positive. Even Data turned on his emotions just for the experience; he put on a grin and warmly shook Vaughn’s hand, congratulating him heartily. Elias Vaughn had obviously made an impression on the crew that wouldn’t soon be forgotten.

After Deanna had embraced Vaughn, promising to keep in touch, only Picard was left to bid the commander farewell. They walked back up to the turbolift together, neither speaking until they reached the doors.

Picard smiled, extending his hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Elias. I sincerely hope we’ll have an opportunity to work together again.”

Vaughn reached out to clasp Picard’s hand with both of his own. “As do I. Jean -Luc, thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

With a final grin, the commander stepped onto the lift and the doors closed, taking him to his future. Picard went to his chair, and Will began the process of leading them away from Deep Space 9, communications calling ops, Data laying in a course for Starbase 375.

A remarkable man, the commander; Picard decided he’d have to make a poin t of bringing the Enterprise back this way in a year or so, time and circumstances allowing. Elias, Ro, the colonel, Taran’atar; it would be interesting to see what developed.

“Take us out,” Riker said, and Picard leaned back in his chair, wishing he’d taken Elias horseback riding

deciding that he would indulge himself soon after they were under way; life was too short not to take full advantage.

After Picard left Kira’s office, she decided that it was time to reveal the Orb to Vedek Capril. With all that had happened since the captain had presented it to her, there’d been no opportunity-and though she’d wanted to track down Shakaar and tell him first, she now thought that it might be best to let the station’s vedeks handle the revelation. Her plate was full enough without having to manage the fervor that a returned Orb would create.

Kira stepped off the lift onto the Promenade, and headed straight for the shrine. She could hardly wait to see Vedek Capril’s reaction, or Vedek Po’s, or that of the ranjens who assisted them. The Orb, Kira was certain, would bring some much-needed harmony to her people, as a sign that the Prophets were still with them.

An account from the Bajoran Chamber of Ministers had come in just before Picard had stopped by, reporting that mass gatherings were being held all over the planet, confused and worried citizens meeting to talk about Ohalu’s book. It had been fourteen hours since she’d uploaded it, and although the prophecies had apparently stirred up plenty of unrest, no one was panicking, or rioting in the streets, contrary to Yevir’s assertion. A new dialogue had been created, that was all, and Kira believed that the returned Orb would ease any turmoil in that dialogue. She was grateful to the Prophets for allowing the Orb to be found and brought back to Bajor; it

was one of the few bright lights in days of darkness, along with the message from Odo… .

Kira wasn’t ready to let Odo in, not quite yet. The feelings were simple but the thoughts weren’t, and she’d have plenty of time to miss him in the days to come, after the station was repaired and its population was at rest. She pushed the image of his well -loved face out of her mind, thinking instead of Taran’atar, of how to introduce him to the station”Nerys.”

Kasidy was standing near the doors of the temple, her arms crossed, her shoulders hunched with tension. Kira looked around, and saw that a number of Bajorans had stopped in the middle of the

Promenade, talking to one another softly as they stared at Kas. Kira felt herself flush with guilt, and hurriedly stepped into the temple, beckoning for Kas to join her.

The shrine was empty and quiet, the attendants apparently all in the back offices, the lights low. Kira turned, looking into Kasidy’s face, and saw a careful guardedness in her usually mild brown eyes, a caution that had never been there before. Knowing that it was her fault made Kira’s heart ache.

“Kas, I … I’m so sorry,” she said, wondering if she’d ever be able to make it up her.

Kasidy nodded. She didn’t seem angry so much as resigned, which was much worse.

“You did what you had to do,” Kas said calmly. “I wish you hadn’t, but I understand why. I might have done the same thing myself, if I were you.”

Kira shook her head. “If I’d known what this would do to you, I would have thought twice,” she said, hoping that Kasidy believed at least that much.

“But all of this will go away, I promise, and sooner than you think. The people of Bajor care about you, Kas, they’re not going to turn your life into some kind of a … a religious attraction.”

“You’re right,” Kas said, still calm and matter -of -fact. “Because I’m going to Earth, to be with Jake and Joseph, at least for the duration of my pregnancy. I’ll be leaving day after tomorrow … and I may not be coming back. I don’t know yet.”

Kira felt her stomach clench, a rush of desperation and denial moving like heat throughout her body.

“Kasidy, no! Your house is finished, and all of your friends are here-please, please don’t go, not because of what I did. What can I do, how can I fix this?”

Kasidy reached out and touched Kira lightly on the arm. “I don’t blame you, and you shouldn’t blame yourself. It’s just-I woke up this morning to find something like eleven thousand messages posted to me, on the communications net. I read about fifty of them, but it was enough-Nerys, some of those people were offering to die for me, to be part of the sacrifice for the Avatar. For my baby.”

Kira felt sick. “Oh, Kas, I’m so sorry. I’m sure that it’s just a few people …”

She trailed off, realizing that it wouldn’t make a difference. Even one was too many.

Kasidy smiled faintly. “It’s okay. I wish I could stay, but I just can’t handle this kind of stress, not now. My body can’t handle it. This is for the best. And maybe I will come back, once things die down a little.”

Stricken by the hollowness of the statement, Kira

searched for something else she could say, something to make things right again, but she was grasping at air. Kasidy gave her arm a squeeze before turning and walking out, leaving Kira alone.

Kira sat down on the back bench, closed her eyes, and started to pray.