Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters and setting of the story. My own
twisted mind provided the new sets, situations and story. They'd probably
reject this if it was a script. Please send me money so I can afford a literary
agent :)
Credit given where credit's due; Carolyn originally thought of the "demon
offworlder" thing [Hi there! :) ] and I thought - what the hell, it's a good
plot device :)
Disclaimer#2: This story was started before I saw _Second Skin_; so therefore
I'm assuming that everything Kira said to the Cardassians in that ep. was
a big fat fib :)

                       Forty-Three Minutes, Twenty Seconds

by Catherine Weller

	Odo scowled at Major Kira's empty quarters. She hadn't been captured
easily. All her furniture was overturned, her altar smashed. At least four
phaser marks scored walls. _Significant signs of a struggle. Prophets,
that's *her* blood..._ He scanned the area. Changeling DNA in
association with the damage, not his, one of the Founders.
	The Founders had Nerys. Odo snarled just under his breath. There was
a piece of paper lodged under a significant fragment of the shattered glass
altar. Odo plucked it out. A note. They wanted to make their presence known.
	_Arrive alone at airlock five before 13:00 hours, or in Forty-three
minutes and Twenty seconds, your Major will die a horrible death._
	There were four left minutes until 13:00 hours. That made it Forty-
seven minutes, or less, now. What could happen to a humanoid in Forty-seven
minutes? _A horrible death - in less than an hour. They mean it to linger.
It takes seconds to suffocate..._ Odo mused even as he trod the path towards
airlock five. If he wanted to hurry, he could cut through the still-
unrepaired Dead Zones. His Changeling form would be unharmed by the
sharp, torn metal, likewise the absence of heat...
	_Heat._ Realisation dawned. _A humanoid can die of hypothermia within
that time limit, especially if they're wounded._ "MAJOR!" he called.

	It was cold. Kira had encountered freezing cold before, in mountains
and once, in a bare, rocky desert at night. Her blood had stopped flowing,
thereby ceasing to warm even that small area. She wished she'd worn her long
nightshirt, last night, instead of the short thing now stretched beyond
repair around her bare thighs.
	It was dark. Dark and cold, the very image of her personal hell. Kira
wished, not for the first time, that she hadn't fought when the imposter-Odo
had told her she was going with him whether she liked it or not. Her broken
hand throbbed where he'd squeezed it, just for trying to hit him when her
phaser was crushed. Instinct had flared then, when she tried to kick a groin
that wasn't there, and she'd broken her left shin.
	The fight had only gone downhill from there. Kira could no longer feel
the bruised side of her face. She could hear the founder, begging her to 
cry out. Stuff him. She wasn't going to die begging to live.

	Odo tore into the bulkhead. There, the medkid he'd stowed there as 
both bait and emergency necessity. Intact, thank the Prophets. "Major!" He
roared, "I know you're here! Cry out, *please*! I need to find you!"
	Nothing, save his own echoing words.
	"Odo to Ops, I believe Major Kira's been thrown into the Dead Zones -
follow my signal. I'll need a medical team, ASAP." Odo engulfed the kit, 
storing it Aside, with the rest of his total mass. "Major, *please*, call my
name if you can hear me!"
	Again. Nothing.
	Odo consulted his tricorder, set it to scan for Bajoran lifesigns.
Below, Twenty meters or more. In a cavernous place the maintenance techs that
worked here called the Labyrinth. Odo let his body dissolve, pouring down
as fast as he could to the Labyrinth level. From there it would take time to
find her. Signals tended to bounce in the Labyrinth.
	He reformed into his customary Humanoid shape, and strode cautiously
through the maze of various props, walls and integrity shields, following what
he could read. "Major Kira!" He tried again, "Call out, Major! We don't have
much time!"
	Again, nothing. Odo began to pray that she was still alive.

	He was persistent, she had to give him that. But, if she hadn't -
couldn't; moved, then why would he need to find her? Part of the pretense?
Make her think it was the real Odo trying to find her? Kira winced as she tried
to huddle a little more. Her fingers were numb, a blessing, since she couldn't
feel them screaming pain as she cradled her shattered hand.
	Weeping was pointless, she was going to die, but Kira wept anyway.
	She could hear footsteps, coming inexorably closer. Kira closed her
eyes and prayed that this time the bastard would just kill her.

	It had been decades since he'd even bothered to pray aloud. The right
words skittered away from his thoughts even as he fought to remember them.
"Holy Prophets..." he murmured, "guide my feet - steps; in this... path.
Help me find - find safe; my - friend. No." The Prophets wanted truth. That
was the price of a successful prayer. You had to be completely honest. Aloud.
"My love. Help me find the one I love; Major Kira Nerys."

	_What the hell?_ Kira blinked muzzily. _I must be halucinating. Or
something._ She could hear Odo, chanting High Bajoran, if haltingly, praying.
For her safe return. _He loves me? This has to be that Founder..._ 
	Something in the tone of the voice caught her heart. Some indefinable
inflection made her whimper, "Odo?" Then she wanted to bite her tongue.
	If a Founder wanted to imitate Odo, it could. It could imitate
everything he did. It could even make up something to make her believe.

	"...Odo?"
	He turned towards the sound. He was lucky to hear it, her voice was
so soft. She must be in pain to allow her voice to squeak like that... The
signals were stronger that way, too. He strode towards them. "Major, answer
me; how bad are you hurt?" He shined his palm light about, trying to find
a visible clue to work with the auditory one.
	She wasn't answering again. An eerie feeling crawled through his
being.
	"Major - did the Founder that did this to you imitate me?"
	Nothing.
	"If he managed to fool you, then I can't convince you I am who I say
I am. But *please*, you're going to *die* if I don't help you. Ask yourself -
would a Founder *care*?"
	"How do I know it's you?" Whispered, almost croaked. 
	Odo narrowed his search radius again. "I'm afraid I can't prove 
anything, Major." He told her, "Before you went missing, I - was attacked
by the Founder. He - linked with me... I managed to force him off, but by the
time I recovered--" He couldn't speak. Words failed. He'd failed. "I'm sorry
this happened to you, Nerys."
	There. In an alcove, huddled against the chilling metal and clutching
the last shreds of her nightshirt against her. He'd almost walked right by her.
Odo exuded the medkit. Not caring that she saw him do it. "I know. You don't
know if I'm me or that Founder that attacked you. All I can do is try to
help you. I can't carry you back up while you've got unset broken limbs;
and that hand needs tending, if I'm any judge. Please, Kira. Talk to me."
He set the light on a wall, opening the medkit. There, splints and emergency
casts for triage cases. There was the dermal regenerator, the heat blanket.
Odo draped the blanket around her first, setting it to a slow warm. "Please,
I need to set that hand before I do anything else."
	"Izzit true?" Kira slurred, "What you w're sayin'?"
	"Yes. It's true. It's just - always seemed to be a bad time to try
and tell you." As if handling a newborn, Odo held her broken hand. Most
of the bones were aligned. He still had to re-align some of them. "I'm going
to have to reset your hand. It will hurt." He winced in sympathy, placing her
hand together. Kira only stared. The cast went on easily, without catching
on anything. Odo made sure it was snug without restricting her circulation.
Scanning the result, he discovered her other broken bones. His hopes fell.
"Even after I set your leg - I daren't move you. You've - sustained a lot of
damage..." He wanted to weep. He wanted to scream; but he didn't stop his
ministrations. The leg was a clean break, easily set in its cast. But he
couldn't put a cast on her head, on her fractured skull. All he could do was
keep her warm. The blanket wouldn't do that long, here. Slow-voiced, and 
writhing inside at every word, Odo told her what damage she had.
	"Thought so. Felt wrong."
	"You can't stay warm here, with the blanket only. I'll - have to share
my warmth with you."
	If she could have, Kira would've flinched. "If you're Odo; all you'll
do is keep me warm. If you're not, you'll strangle me." The unbroken side of
her face smiled, "Tha's what I call an acid test..."
	Odo melted again, surrounding her, softly cradling her ruined body,
careful of her wounds. He lifted her away fron the chilling metal, nanometer
by nanometer, so as not to jar her.
	"Unh! You're hot."
	"No - you're too cold." He replied, "Don't worry, you'll adjust without
too much pain; that anesthetic I gave you should be kicking in soon."
	"How can you talk without a mouth?"
	"I deliberately vibrate some of my molecules. It's an old trick." Freed
of his one, heavy secret, Odo felt compelled to reveal others. His sense 
membranes shied away from cold metal, clustering around Nerys instead. Odo 
began forming a network of hollow chambers in his being, as insulation, and to 
filter the cold out of the air Kira needed. Then he produced an extension,
the image of his normal self, extruded from the rest of his being. "But
since you feel comfortable talking to me when I'm humanoid, I'll keep you
company like this." He pushed the medkit into Kira's new nest, "And I'll see
what I can do about your wounds."
	"'S hot..." Kira complained, "'M burning."
	Odo checked his tricorder, "I know - I'm too hot at the moment. There.
The anesthetic's starting to work. Your pain should be fading, now. Am I right?"
	"Yeah; 's goin' now. Fadin' away."
	"Good. I'll fix your jaw. If I can work out what the healing matrix
field emitter is..." He consulted a datapadd, picking up various instruments
to check the details listed in the instructions. *That* was it. And it's
signal boosters. Odo began setting it up. "It'll be at least a quarter of an 
hour before I can let you eat anything, I'm afraid."
	"Great... 'M starving..." Kira risked a half-smile, "What y' got?"
	"Ration biscuits and water..." Odo appologised, "I'll have to soften
the biscuits for you, though."
	"Ration soup? Lovely." Kira winced at the harmonics from the device,
"Times like this, I miss hunting Pulaku in the old bases."
	"I promise I'll make up for this - somehow." Odo vowed, "Perhaps -
an old-fashioned Pulaku hunt? Followed by an old-fashioned Samatt?"
	Kira laughed, softly, so nothing hurt, "I'll settle for the Samatt,
thanks all the same. I'll let you catch your own Pulaku."
	Odo ran the dermal regenerator over her cuts, "Very well, Major."
	"Constable," Kira chided, "You just admitted that you love me, you
can at least use my given name."
	"If I did that, you'd have to use mine." Odo breathed deep. This was 
another weighty secret. Buried under years. "I was originally called Odo'ital.
Because - it was what they labled me. What they put on the specimen container
I rested in when I was newly found."
	"Odo - Ital..." Kira sighed, "It may be Cardassian f'r 'unknown 
sample'; but in B'joran, Ita'al means 'pure love'. 'D rath'r you were Ita'al."
	"Thank you, Nerys." Odo ran his fingers over her whole hand, "You
have to stay awake, though; sleep at the moment is hazardous. Talk to me."
	Kira focussed on the words. "When I was little, Mama always used to
tell me, when I w's afraid 'f the dark, that th' stars were the eyes of
the Prophets. That they'd keep me safe fr'm evil while I slept... It w's such
a beautiful fairy tale... 'Til I woke up 'n' Mama was screamin' - th' rape
gangs got her... then th' Cardassians--" A deep breath, "They kill'd her
for screaming."
	"You're - still afraid of the dark?"
	"Mm-hm. When it's cold 'n' dark, I 'memb'r. Mama..." She returned Odo's
grasp, "Papa went quiet after that. He didn' wanna eat. Didn' wanna do anything
'xcept kneel wh'r she w's buried..." Tears shed, "I couldn' keep him alive,
Ita'al... Tried m' best..."
	"It's all right, Nerys. Things like that - happened to all of us."
	"You nev'r had a Mama." Kira wept, "Or a Papa."
	"No, but I did have a little Bajoran daughter."
	"*What*?"
	"It was up in the Jo'keril mining complex. On my first day, I pulled
this little girl - no more than three years old; out of a minor cave-in."
He had to keep Nerys' attention, now. "She clung to me like I was her only
chance. Her name was Lijah. I carried her over the camp, looking for her
parents. No-one seemed to want her, not even the man who claimed to be her
genetic father. I took her up to the Gul of the place, asked him what I should
do... He said that I dug her out, she was mine. But I wouldn't get any extra 
rations because of her. Well, you know how little I need - they still rationed
me like a Bajoran; so it all went to her. After a day or two, she came out of
her silence; told me what an animal her father was. How he'd beat her mother...
She used to call me 'Papa Odo', never left my side if she could help it." Now
it was his turn to blow a sigh, "No child should be afraid of their parents."
	He told her of Lijah's shy smiles, that quickly turned into eager ones
when she discovered Odo wasn't the monster she feared he was. Of her need to be
held and softly sang to when she woke up with nightmares, of her complete
unwillingness to be left alone, even for a moment. Odo told Nerys of the
surprising new sensation he'd encountered, being needed, of being vital to one
little girl's life; of being valued.
	Then came the day that Lijah's mother demanded her back. Odo fought to
keep custody, arguing that the girl's father was nothing but a brutal thug.
Her mother argued that all that had changed, that he was a better man. The Gul
settled the matter by forcing Odo to hand Lijah to her mother. He was rostered
in different areas, away from where Lijah's parents worked, and was to be
kept away from them for a week. It was unnecessary. Returning to the camp one
evening, Odo found her body.
	Lijah had been beaten until she died. The sheer ugliness of the act 
chilled Odo beyond the depths of his core. Why would anyone beat a helpless 
baby? He was the only one to touch her body with any care after she died; 
carrying her remains right up to the Gul and demanding justice.
	Said the Gul, "What is justice to the dead? It's just a Bajoran. Bury
it and go away."
	Odo asked what the man would do if it was *his* daughter found dead 
like that. The Cardassian told him. "Good," Odo had said, handing her body
into the Gul's confused arms, "Because you won't stop me doing just that." He
didn't get as far as the Gul's suggestion; but it did feel good to knock the
brute down. Odo imagined that the reciprocal blow would have killed an ordinary
Bajoran, but Odo had just let his head dissolve, then used the opportunity to 
break the man's arm.
	Odo caught Major Kira's gaze. Apparrently that was similar to what the 
Founder had done to her. "I'm sorry, Nerys. It's - what happened. I was ready 
to kill the man... then I heard his wife begging me to stop - on behalf of her
new child..." he shook his simalcrum of a head, "I let him off with a warning 
that probably scared the hell out of him... At least their baby got to grow up.
I'd never even *considered* killing before. It scared me more than I thought."
	"What you did," Kira said eventually, "was justice. What you were 
thinking of doing - maybe it was a little Cardassian. Not that some of us 
didn't do worse... During the Occupation, a lot of insane things happened..."
	"I know," Odo smiled. Then winced. His exterior was slowly freezing.
	"Ita'al? Are you all right?"
	How could he explain without giving her concern? He could not lie to
her, either. "It's - cold here. Some of me is - freezing."
	"Prophets... Is there anything I can do? Do you need anything?"
	"I need you to live, Nerys. Stay calm. Doctor Bashir will find us, 
soon... He'll move us somewhere warm. It's going to be all right." He grasped
her good hand, wishing he could hold her like she needed to be held, "You'll
see."
	"It better be all right," Kira sighed, "I'm gonna kill you if you die."
	"I'll be fine. It's only a small amount of damage."

	Julian Bashir sighed, his breath clouding in the cold. Odo may have 
told them the *area* in which Major Kira was, but the precise location was 
another matter. Especially in the Dead Zones. He twitched his anorak hood up
and cautiously stepped forward, behind his guide; who also used a tricorder to
track Odo's signal.
	"That's odd," Bashir murmured, reconsulting his, "There's something
big down in the Labyrinth... it's right near Odo's signal."
	"Hell, it could *be* Odo," muttered the tech-guide, "There's some 
stairs this way." They detoured past a gaping hole with particularly 
sharp-looking edges.
	Bashir remembered to watch where he put his feet.

	Odo could feel his temperature drop. On one hand, it helped him maintain
his shape, but on the other - it was threatening his continued existance. He
could feel/hear dull vibrations of footfalls far above. "They're coming."
	"About time," Nerys smiled, "My leg's hurting like fury."
	"You know I daren't give you any more anesthetic," He fed her a little
more ration-mush. "Not until you've eaten a proper meal."
	"I'm sorry, Ita'al... I get bitchy when I'm in pain."
	"I undestand perfectly, Nerys," Another pseaudo-spoon-full of mush,
"You still need to eat."
	"I'm glad only you can see me like this," Kira grumbled, "Don't think
I could stand it if *everyone* saw me weak."
	"I'm afraid Bashir will have to see you."
	"Bashir doesn't count - he's a doctor."
	"Do I count?" Odo wondered, still feeding her.
	"Of course you count, Ita'al," Nerys gentled, "That makes it bad enough
for me. If anyone else saw - I'd want to curl up and die."
	"Please don't, Nerys. It'd be - tragic." Damn it - this was starting
to hurt... His outer cells were *dying*. _Hurry up, Bashir,_ he mentally
begged, _We need you._
	"Ita'al?"
	"Yes, Nerys?"
	"What songs did Lijah like to hear? When she was hurt, or crying."
	Odo launched into a version of _Dear, Green Place_.
	Nerys began to laugh, "I used to love that when I was a child..."

	Juian shivered. Time was running out, and the Labyrinth was up to its
usual tricks of disorientation and illusion.
	"Do you hear that?"
	"Hear what?" Julian asked, straining his ears. 
	"Some lunatic's singing _Dear, Green Place_... Down *here*?"
	"*Two* lunatics, if I'm not mistaken," Juian frowned. "That way - I
think I know who it is..." The source of the sound was a lumpish sphere five
meters wide. Bashir scanned it - cell structure similar to Odo. "Eureka..."
	His tech-guide shined a light on it. "Doesn't look like them."
	"Odo's encased Major in himself - I don't know whether that's 
phenominally brilliant or stupid. This outer structure's dead, brittle."
	"Better beam it out, then. Straight to medical?"
	Bashir nodded.
	The tech tapped his comm pin. "Petersen to Ops. Emergency beam to 
medical for three. Co-ordinates 3 by delta-five-seven, two." He watched the
beam-out. "They there?"
	>We got them there, safe and sound.< Dax's voice acknowledged, >You 
get out of there safely, too.<
	"Right-oh." He silenced the link, ambling out of the Dead Zones like
it was just another ordinary stroll. For him, it was.

	Odo was experiencing a whole new world of pain. Thawed somewhat, he
still *missed* the frozen, dead mass he'd shed as soon as the beam-out had
finished. His entire form throbbed. 
	It was a small price to pay, he decided, for Nerys' life. And love.
	"Don't you *dare* leave the infirmary," Bashir snagged Odo's arm, "You
still have some healing to do."
	"I won't heal until I have that extra mass back, doctor," Odo informed,
"And I'd rather absorb it *alone*, thank you all the same."
	"There's a quarantine room, back there, you're welcome to it."
	Odo growled, tucking the sample container of his former matter in his 
arm as he headed where directed.

	"Don't mind him, Doctor," Kira grinned, "Odo's just a bad patient. 
Years of practice."
	"Well, if you're both *good* patients, I might let you out on medical 
leave. That means a *holiday*, not shoving off to work somewhere else." Bashir
made notes on a padd, "And I'll be *checking*."
	"Damn it - you know us too well."
	"Not as well as I'd thought, it seems." Bashir sat by a terminal, "Were
you calling him 'Ita'al' when you came in? I thought Odo'ital meant --"
	"Not in Bajoran." Kira growled, "Don't forget that."
	Bashir knew when to drop a matter that Kira was savage about. It had 
kept him whole sometimes.

                                  * * * O * * *

	Kira let herself drop into the copilot's seat on the runabout Sisko
had given them, letting herself breathe. So far, the Founders had made no move 
to recover the agent currently in a secure holding cell. Its calm acceptance of 
that fact made her hackles stir. She wasn't going to let that bother her today.
	Today she was going to spend some serious quaity time with Odo, who
continued to try and pamper her. Not that she minded being pampered, it was 
just that - whenever Odo tried to cook for her; she'd end up in fits of 
laughter over something he attempted. Like most things, Odo mastered the 
theory rapidly, but lacked practice.
	What made it worse was she absolutely *adored* his cooking, regardless
of his awkward movements preparing the food. She could grow quite ridiculously
fond of everything her Ita'al did.
	"How are you holding up, Constable?"
	"Much better, Major," his voice was calmer, much less stressed or angry
as it had been - during her very much short-lived romance with Shakaar. Odo's
civillian clothing was the same blue-grey and brown-grey ensemble she'd
first seen him in. It suited him better in Earth-normal light, "And we're on
leave, there's no need for rank-calling."
	"I'm sorry, Ita'al... It's just - I'm *used* to you being 'Constable'."
Kira sighed, "It's - going to take some getting used to."
	"Did I ever thank you for my name? Or rather - its new meaning..."
	"Frequently - although not so much how I'd like."
	"Nerys?"
	"We've spent a *week* locked up in medical, and after that, another
one confined to 'rest' off duty. After all this time together - you're
still like a nervous teenager on the first date. When are we going to get used
to this?"
	His blue eyes filled with a mixture of shock and sorrow. "I - Nerys..."
He was obviously disturbed, confused, "I've been in love with you so long -
used to the concept of being apart from you; hiding how I feel..." he shook
his head, "I don't know what to do, now. I never thought about - what happened
*after* you knew... I never thought you'd want me."
	"Ita'al..." Kira soothed, just brushing her fingers against his cheek,
"All you have to do is turn that to automatic pilot, then we can go into the 
back, and sit together and talk. Touch..."
	"We've already talked, remember? I - told you things only one other
knows; and that's *Dax*..." His hands danced across the controls, "But I gather
it's a start."

	Kira forced him, rather unfairly, to sit next to her. A proximity they
hadn't shared very much since his desperate attempt at rescue. Odo began to
fear - not Nerys, entirely; but what *might* occur. He kept wanting to stand 
and pace, to work the fear out of his form. It wouldn't work even if he did.
	"Relax, Ita'al," Kira soothed, draping an arm around his shoulders, "I
don't bite. You know I won't hurt you."
	"I'm - not accustomed to this much..." he faltered, searching for the
word, "intimacy."
	"It's okay, Ita'al. Really. Just try and relax a little. All I'll do is
hold you like this for a while."
	Her words, rather than her actions sparked a terrible memory, from
his younger, stupider years. She must have seen him wince.
	"Ita'al? What's wrong?"
	"Just - an old memory." He almost waved her off, "Nerys. I've never 
told you about anything that happened to me while I was in the Research 
Centre."
	"I didn't particularly want to hear about it," Nerys confessed, "I 
always liked to assume you'd just - grown up in an abusive family. It seemed
more honourable, somehow."
	This loan of honour shook him to his core, made him wonder exactly how
much she'd felt for him before she realised her love. "That's - rather a good
analogy." He began, "For a long time, I was relatively isolated; I never 
lacked for people, but... there was no *company*. They just probed - analysed.
They never spoke *to* me..."

	Odo'ital knew he was alone. He'd realised that moments after he woke
in pain facing a humanoid, with no memory of how that came to be. The 
scientific team allotted to him constantly changed, the one constant in his
life was Dr. Mora Pol. He also became something of a model, in both body and,
to a lesser extent, behaviour.
	He'd already decided that if he never became a scientist - it would be
too soon. Odo'ital developed an early and passionate hatred of doctors, 
hospitals and tests. He especially loathed the tests.
	Today was different, one of the new members of the team, another doctor,
had finally arrived from Cardassia. The Cardassian was different to all the
other scientists, physically speaking. Smaller than the Cardassians he'd
seen, with an odd chest, and Dr. Pegal's hair was impractically long.
	It was the first time he'd seen a female, of any species. He'd asked,
quite innocently, why she was different, and she'd laughed. "Have you never
seen a woman before?"
	"What's a 'woman'?"
	A smile, Odo'ital took it as a good sign, "I'm one of them." She 
toured around him, "Are you curious?"
	Odo'ital nodded, "Yes... What are they for?" He gestured at her chest.
	"You'll see soon enough." The Cardassian promised, "Later."
	Odo'ital nodded. Later was usually too soon when experiments were
involved, and way too late if it was a promised treat. He simply sat on the
biobed and observed her. "You walk differently."
	"Yes? You don't blink, either."
	"I don't need to."
	"Please, try and blink. It's unsettling to see someone *not* doing 
that..."
	It was the first time someone had *asked* him to do something, instead
of an order to do it or else. He attempted a few while she watched. "Better?"
	"Much." Pegal started some notes on a padd, "How much social 
interaction have you engaged in?"
	Such a confusing question. Odo'ital tried to remember to blink while
he thought. "I - go to parties... and sometimes I try conversation with the
scientists."
	It seemed to satisfy her, "And how old are you?"
	"Old?" A confusion. His form distorted temporarily, "I - It's been
almost fifteen years since I was found. I have no idea how - old I was then..."
	"Almost fifteen." Pegal quirked another smile, "Even for a 
fifteen-year-old, you're very inept."
	"I - don't understand."
	"That's my point. What sort of - parties; were you attending?"
	"I didn't - attend them. I was the entertainment."
	"*Ah*. Well, I'll need to do some remedial work, but I should get you
up to speed in a month, or so."
	"Remedial? What have I missed?" Odo'ital hopped off the biobed to
pace over to the computer, "I've read everything in the library."
	Pegal 'tsk'ed, "Now, Dr. Mora has agreed for me to set up some late 
night tests and experiments with you," she ignored his slight shudder, "You're
going to make a visit to a prominent Cardassian in a few months. You'll be
there without your usual horde of scientist/interpreters, so I'm here to teach
you how to start coping on your own." Pegal glared at him, "You're staring 
again."
	"Oh. Um." He made himself remember the ideosyncratic rythm of humanoid
eyes. "This is - new for me. It will take a few days for me to adjust."
	"Very good. Now; basic ettiquite..."

	Midnight. Odo'ital had rested an hour before. Pegal was starting to
look more than a little wan. Ill. Pegal had been surprised to find that he
knew Cardassian after she started cursing him in it, and had been grateful
to skip that chapter.
	He tried his latest lesson again.
	"*NO*! That's a first-level gesture. You're far *lower* than that."
Her hand dug into her head, "How many times do I have to tell you to remember
your *status*?!"
	"You need a break, Dr. Pegal," He noted. "Whenever it gets this late 
with the others, they want mild stimulants. Which do you prefer?"
	"Your use of words need some attention. You *list* the stimulants by
their common form."
	"My appologies." Odo'ital journeyed to the replicator, remembering
the right phrases, "May I offer you a Raktagino? It's getting late."
	"Better." Pegal sighed. "I *need* a Raktagino, thank you. With milk.
And lots of sweetener."
	He brought it to her. She put the mug down and grasped his hand, "Do
you know what to do if a Carassian Lady wants to use you?"
	"...no?"
	"She'll take you by the hand, like this," Pegal demonstrated, "And ask 
you into her bower. You do not refuse. You've studied anatomy texts?"
	"Of course."
	"Form a nude Bajoran male body."
	He did his best. Pegal aired a dissapointed sigh.
	"It'll do, I suppose. If you want to be accepted, you'll have to 
practice with me a *lot*. Now, lie down with me - on this sleep pallet; you
understand that a ladys' bower is far more - comfortable."
	Odo'ital began to panic. Nothing of his reading covered this. Nothing
of his experience encompassed this. He told her of this.
	"Nervous? Afraid?" Pegal teased.
	He nodded, watching in sudden concern as she stripped. 
	"Don't be afraid, I'll just lie with you a little, and hold you. I'll
even let you grow accustomed to the sensation." Pegal settled next to him,
running her hands over his new form. "You may run your hands over me, if you
wish."
	Not wanting to be unacceptable, Odo'ital cautiously explored her,
intrigued by the changes in her body. She was snarling. "Am - I doing something
wrong?"
	"Not doing something is more like it," Pegal growled, "Why aren't you
erect by now?"
	"Should I stand?"
	Pegal groaned, "No. Just - *that* part of you." She indicated a so-far
unadjusted portion of his anatomy. "Then you lie on your back."
	Odo'ital obeyed. The sensations involved after that were - best 
forgotten as far as he was concerned; it frightened the hell out of him. Lying
back, pinned by her jouncing weight and experiencing something - he was *sure*
he shouldn't be doing, or feeling. On the whole, it was - uncomfortable.
	Motivated by fear alone, he re-dressed her while she was unconscious,
then fled up to the very top of the storage lockers in a far corner. She was
awfully still for a very long time... Odo'ital held his knees, watching
with relief when she finally stirred.
	"Get back down here." She demanded. "*Now*!"
	"Are you - well, now?"
	"Yes, but I won't be for long if you don't come down."
	Odo'ital slid down, reforming. "I was - concerned."
	"What happened last night - won't be mentioned to any of the others,
understand? If you say *anything* to any of them, I'll personally make you wish
you'd died at birth."
	He'd foolishly agreed, already beginning what he'd later recognise as
an abusive relationship cycle. He was *desperate* for any kind of acceptance,
he needed it more than he needed what they did together when she was tired of
trying to teach him Cardassian ettiquite.
	In the second month, Pegal began punnishing him for not sating her
desires. It involved a shock-stick at first, then twin metal plates she made
him place his hands on. Odo'ital developed an intense fear of intimacy, and of
anything involved with electricity.
	As a result, however indirect; his all-important meeting with 
Cardassian dignitary was a dismal failure. He returned to his lab on Bajor
with a sense of impending dread, and before anyone began experimenting on him
again, he moved his pail up to the top of the aforementioned lockers, and 
spent a great deal of his time up there, holding his knees.
	Mora noticed, eventually; even asked him what was wrong. Odo'ital
merely whimpered, and huddled even tighter...

	"It took him a year to work it out of me - after Pegal had gone. After
I was sure she'd gone." Odo sighed, "What made it worse was I thought I needed
her. I was so - *alone*... I missed her and feared her return. When I heard
what had happened when she returned to Cardassia..." Odo bowed his head, "it
was the first time I tried to die..."
	Nerys hugged him, "It's all right, Ita'al... It's okay..." she was
weeping for him, he realised, "You don't have to do anything you don't want to,
it's fine. I just - want to try and find what *you* enjoy. Is that all right
with you?"
	Mute, now, Odo only nodded.

	Nerys ran her hands over his body, exploring the feel of him, searching
for something that illicited a positive response. Nothing worked until she
tried to sneak her hands under his tunic.
	His eyes flew open in shock, his gasp almost made her retreat and blurt
a hurried appology. It was Ita'al's sigh and soft, pleasant moan that made
her realise she'd found what she was looking for.
	Ita'al moved, very softly, against her, reaching out. Touching her own
hip as if in response.
	They kissed. It was electric. Nerys suddenly realised the stupidity of
keeping her clothes on. But doing otherwise may have scared him off. Cautious,
she removed one of her hands from his substance and began fumbling at her
civillian clothes.
	Moistening slowly, Odo followed her lead, helping her out of the
suddenly restricting Bajoran Linnen, brushing his softly melting hands against
her receiving skin.
	Nerys experimented, moving her captured hand through his softening
form; she was rewarded by another quiet moan something more akin to a purr,
and the sensation of half-molten Changeling running across her body. Now it
was her turn to gasp. To think she'd been so dumb as to pass him by so often...
	Ita'al was tembling, more often leaning against her for support than
helping her out of her clothes. "Nerys..." he gasped, "Nerys... please... 
slow-(Ooohhh...) Slowly..."
	It was then that she opened her eyes to see the fear in his, 
"Prophets..." she whispered, slowing her movements within him, "I'm sorry..."
Some of him found an erogenous zone that was still clothed, Nerys arched,
sighed, "Let me get out of these, will you? Then we can get - more 
comfortable."
	Ita'al released her, in more ways than one. He leaned back into the
alcove/bed, shaking all over, "You'll - forgive me," he panted, "If I don't
help..." he sighed, "All I can think about right now is being all over your
skin..."
	Kira shucked her pants with renewed speed, hands trembling a little
more at that thought. "Did I hurt you, Ita'al?" Nerys worried.
	"No. That was definately *not* hurt... It was just - a little fast
for what I'd like."
	Nude, now, Nerys slid into the alcove with him, closing the door for
the semblance of privacy, or perhaps to help prevent her lover from leaking 
out. "Can I try again?"
	"Absolutely." Ita'al smiled. They kissed again.
	Nerys dipped slowly into his chest, rewarded by the feel of Ita'al
half-melting against her, of his ripples of pleasure washing against her skin.
She made a supreme effort to move through him slowly, but by the time his hot
mass entered her, Nerys had lost control.

                                  * * * O * * *

	She woke up covered in a tightly-clinging living blanket. "Ita'al?"
	He purred, moving against her lazily. Feeling shapeshift into 
something near to humanoid from inside was - spectacular. "Yes, Nerys?"
	"I - hope you - um... that is - was it mutual?"
	"*Very*..." Extensions of his form moved all around her, "Do you mind
if - we get mutual again?"
	"Actually - I'm starving... Can I save it for later?"
	"Do you want me to make you something?"
	"All this and a great cook, too..." Nerys sighed, wondering if she 
could risk standing up, yet. "Do you think you can do one of your *marvellous*
omlettes?"
	"Just try not to spring a rib, this time." Odo slid off her, "If you
hadn't told me you enjoyed the technique as much as the food... I'd have 
changed it by now." He was already 'dressed' by the time he reached the 
'kitchen' facilities. One of the advantages of being a Changeling.
	"I just get such a kick out of watching you do things, Ita'al." Nerys
smiled, deciding not to get up, but rather to lounge on the bed. "Can I
help it if I think you're funny?"
	"Probably." He grated. That didn't stop him smiling as he gathered
the things he needed for an omlette - Odo style. "I got very used to 
associating laughter with my own humilliation when I was younger... I'm -
growing accustomed to being 'funny', thanks to you, Nerys."
	"I'm glad I'm broadening your horizons."
	"Just wait until we get to Risa," Odo began whipping the eggs in his
own, unique way, while the hotplate slowly warmed, "I hear the horizons are
*very* broad, down there."
	"Mmmmm..." she purred, "sounds like the kind of place the doctor 
ordered; just what we need."
	"Sounds like we over-did it," Odo mused, now beginning to fry the 
mixture, taking up the spatulas like an artist, "I hope I don't make you an
addict."
	"Why would that be, Constable? I thought you'd like it, going without
me so long..."
	"Because, *Major*," Kira blushed at that, "If you became an addict, it 
would be my sad duty to help you kick the habit. I love you as you are, Nerys;
strong, independant, beautiful... An addiction would change what you are."
He moved into his cooking, distracting himself from the topic.
	"I'm sorry about that, Ita'al," Nerys sighed, "I keep forgetting you
probably saw worse things than I did, in that  - *place* of yours."
	"You mean the Research Centre." He carefully dropped ingredients onto
the surface, never quite letting randomness have its chance. Ita'al's precision
made her smile despite the serious turn this talk was taking, "I can 
understand why you refuse to name it, Nerys. It was - pretty awful. You're
right. I did observe things that I didn't particularly want to; just so they
could do psych-evaluations..." Careful attention was applied to a side dish
while some cheese melted, "I do *not* want to repeat that series of tests in
the remainder of *my* time. The point is not what either of us saw, it's that
we remain in love." The omlette was complete, and transferred to a warm plate.
Her side-dish followed. "Here you are, Nerys; you'll have to move, now."
	She sighed, stretching lazily as she grabbed a loose shift to pull
over her head. Nerys yawned, "You make me feel *so* wonderful..." She inhaled 
a lungful of air from over her plate, "Smells lovely; I wish you could share
that with me."
	"There might be a way I could do that - I'll discuss it with you 
later." Odo seated himself opposite her, "I hope you don't mind if I watch."
	"Not at all, Ita'al," Nerys smiled back. "I just feel a little awkward
with you having nothing."
	"I do take in a supplement every now and again," Odo told her, "But 
usually I just absorb background radiation."
	"Sounds like you'll be doing a lot of sunbathing," she shrugged, 
tasting and savouring her first mouthful. Beautiful. Just like him. "What?"
	He was watching her with a beatific smile, "Did I tell you you're
beautiful?"
	She rolled her eyes at him. "Of course. Now, do I get to eat this
wonderful meal you've prepared before it gets cold?"
	"Maybe."
	"You're incorrigable," she grinned, rapidly processing forkfuls. "And
I love you too."
	His grin suffused his face, "I *adore* the sound of your voice when you
say that."
	Nerys realised she was scraping the sauce from the plate. "Oops." 
	"Now, madam," Ita'al smiled as he took her hand, "May I lure you into
our boudois?"
	She allowed him to, and they were mutual for a very long time.

                                  * * * O * * *

	Risa was a beautiful world, full of sights and sounds to marvel at.
Kira realised she was gawking like a tourist, only to discover that her Ita'al
was doing exactly the same.
	"Calm down, Nerys," Ita'al smiled, "Only the natives aren't tourists,
here."
	"I just realised how dumb I look, that's all."
	"You look wonderful." He stated, "Now, shall we check our reservations,
or wander around and spend our Latinum?"
	"Reservations first, I think; I heard things about last minute 
surcharges."
	They went the long way, not caring because of the pure beauty of the 
sculpted gardens, bright stalls, and even brighter visitors. Fortunately, there
were information kiosks every two hundred meters. They aparrently made a brisk 
trade from maps; Ita'al then memorised the one she purchased in under five
seconds.
	"It was pointless buying this, wasn't it?"
	"No. You only need one map, if we become seperated, somehow, you could
find it useful."
	"In the meantime, I just shove it in my bag and feel like an idiot."
	"Nerys," Ita'al soothed, "we're here to relax, remember? I'll cook you
something when we get to our rooms."
	"Villa resort home." Nerys corrected, "And thanks, dear. This 
marketplace just reminds me of the last Ferengi trade-ship that came by."
	"Cheer up, we're almost at the transport centre."
	Their reservations were in order, and in moments they were carted off
to a seemingly out-of-the-way cabin, that was, in fact, in amongst a labyrinth 
of twining roads and other secluded cabins. It was also just down the road from
yet another marketplace.
	"Isn't this nice?" Odo attempted, surrupticiously checking for illicit
holo-imagers. "Almost like home."
	"Now who's being uptight?"
	"Seems like we could both use some relaxation." Odo began to smile a
now-familiar grin, "Shall I cook something, or run you a bath?"
	"Ooo... tough choice."
	"Or share the bath with you?"
	Nerys smirked, "How much worse are you going to get by the honeymoon?"
	"Is that a proposal, Kira Nerys?"
	"Let me think on it in our bath."

                                  * * * O * * *

	He must have gone shopping while she was asleep, if the unfamiliar, but
delicious smells were any indication. She opened her eyes to discover him 
cooking up a figurative storm.
	"Aw, you didn't wake me to *watch*." Nerys pouted.
	"You looked so happy, I daren't spoil it," Ita'al arranged items on
plates, "And seeing as our activities whet your appetite, I thought I'd make
a celebratory feast for us."
	"You mean for me." Where *did* she throw her shift? Ah, there it was.
She wriggled into it, "You don't eat."
	"I know. I told you what I do; and I happen to be hungry, too, thanks
to our efforts."
	"So what do you - absorb?"
	"Minerals and nutrients in a silicate paste, plus the occaisional
mineral composite crystal."
	"Sounds - unappetising."
	He spared her a glance and a smile, "It looks it, too." Ita'al finished
the last of his cooking, "But it's what I need, and some sunlight."
	"Sorry," Kira threw the curtains aside, letting the light stream in. 
Only then did she notice that the table had been rather accurately placed.
	"Ready," Ita'al grinned, ferrying plates to the table. There was also a
strange, opaque tankard and a bowl of crystalline things; those were set in
his place. 
	Kira sat to the feast with an odd feeling, "This - this is the first 
meal we've actually *shared*..."
	"It's not very romantic, I know," appologised Ita'al, "I don't need
very much, very often. Although, lately..."
	Nerys giggled, then commenced to gorge herself on his wonderful cooking.
"I believe," she said when she finally slowed a little, "That we were going
to discuss how you could learn to smell things."
	"It - involves a rather unpleasant experience on your part, I'm afraid."
Ita'al allowed, popping a crystal into his mouth. He swallowed, "I'd have to
shapeshift, in detail, over your olfactory receptors." He caught her look of
concern, "I *would* let you breathe, of course, but - it would still be 
frightening."
	"So why *me*? Why not sedate some other victim and learn from them?"
	"Because it's a bonding experience." His head bowed, a sign of some
deep shame, "When I could open my visual membranes, the day after I was found,
I - adopted; the first being I saw. It wasn't exactly imprinting, it was...
bonding. Fortunately for me, he knew I was an infant, and was patient. He let
me explore - which is how I learned to hear." Here, Ita'al grasped her hand,
"To this day, his voice will *always* gain my attention."
	"Doctor Mora?"
	"No. A Vedeck, Tabrin. He was - sent away from the lab just after I
managed walking..." An ocean of sorrow filled his eyes, "That was - a rather
traumatic episode, for me."
	Nerys waited. There was more he had to explain, yet.
	"When I learn from you, my first experience of that sense will be *of*
you. It'll fill that new sense so completely that I'll want nothing more than
to experience the scent of you, the taste of you, for a week or so... After
that, I'll - always notice you first; before anything else. I may seem 
hypnotised by you for a while. I - don't know how long it'll take to wear off.
If it wears off."
	"Then I guess I'd better marry you. After all that." She smiled, 
despite the tears falling from her eyes.
	"Nerys..." He could say nothing more, words escaped him, who had been
so eloquent before. He simply watched her eat; having finished his own meal,
and gently caressed her skin.

                                  * * * O * * *

	Odo moved carefully, thin extensions of himself explored the delicate
structure of her sinuses, touching nerves here and there. Other parts of him
washed softly over her taste buds, investigated her soft palette. His sense 
membranes expanded so he could gain a more intense understanding.
	Nerys' breathing was accelerating, close to panic rate. One hand 
attempted to soothe, while the other endured a vice-grip from her own hand.
He could not speak, engaged in such careful exploration of her. It might hurt
her. So many little capillaries...
	He expanded his membranes again. Almost.
		Almost...
			There!
	She was everywhere around him. Nerys' scent was equivalent to bliss,
her taste was exquisite. His world was her, through these wonderful new
senses. Odo Ita'al didn't want anything else but Nerys.
	And she was afraid of what he was doing to her. He withdrew with even
more care than he'd explored, senses open only to her.
	She rejected his kiss. Understandable, given recent circumstances.
	Half-wild with his new sensations, Odo explored her skin, just briefly,
then simply rested his head against her chest. Her heartbeat. Her scent, close
to him, he could explore her tastes later...
	She was weeping. "I know," Nerys managed, "I know you warned me... I
never expected that much."
	"Shh... shh... please," Odo begged, "all I want is you... your skin 
near mine... let me sense you? Please?" His hand, unbidden, sought the texture
of her thigh, he wanted to see how much her body would please him now, with
two more ways to share her. "...prophets, *please*... i need you..."
	Her kiss was like a nova in his mind. Her taste. Her touch. Her scent.
Something wonderful was all around him, and it was Nerys. His sense of her
filled him. Was him...
	_Everywhere!_
	*Ita'al?* Nerys was even in his mind.
	_Prophets, you *are* beautiful_ His body's passions seemed to look
after themselves.
	*You were right... this is bonding. Oh! Prophets... Only want you...*
	_Only ever wanted you... want to be with you. You!_
	A shock of pleasure ran through her, Odo shared it, involuntarily, and
reacted in kind. It only got better from there. Building. Sharing.
	Bonding.

	He was only aware of the lateness of the day when the sun wasn't there
anymore. Nerys was unconscious, blanketed in his own, relaxed form.
	_I never expected this..._
	*Neither did I.* Nerys' mind responded, *Can we rest now? Hungry!*
	He stirred, forming his humanoid body with only a minimum of his own
twinges. It was night, outside. Late night. "I think..." he managed, "we better
jus' replicate some things. 'S almost midnight - I think."
	"Yeah," Nerys stretched, the musky after-scent of her arousal wafted
in the air, "But what day?"
	Odo staggered to the replicator, ordering items rapid-fire. "Today.
Almost tomorrow... Here." He fed her first, and only then realised that he, too,
was starving.
	It came as quite a shock to see Nerys offer him food. His food. It was 
something that was just - never done before. He took it with surprising 
gratitude. 

	Nerys watched Ita'al absorb his food in a very distracted way. "Taste
good?" she managed around a mouthful of breadroll.
	"...yes?" Ita'al replied, "I know I need it, but I seem to need you
more."
	"You," Nerys announced, "Need a full day of sunbathing at least. Look
at you! You're barely able to stand straight." She ordered more of his 
supplements, and handed them over.
	"Neither can you." He grinned. Gods, she loved that smile. "Although I
think that might be more my fault."
	"You're changing the subject, Ita'al," she soothed, "We're spending 
tomorrow sunbathing on the roof."
	"As you wish." Ita'al absorbed the last of his meal, appearing stronger
than before, "But you need sleep, too."
	Nerys let him usher her to bed. "You just make sure I stay asleep until
at least sunrise, all right?"
	Sigh, "Yes, Nerys."

                                  * * * O * * *

	Nerys unfolded the chair, welcoming the fact that the roof of their
little chalet was as secluded as the rest of it. Distant noises off to her 
right indicated that someone else was enjoying *their* roof - under different
circumstances. She reddened, despite what she and Odo had been up to during the
past few days.
	Still, the sun was warm and Odo was already sighing with small 
gratification in the light of day. She made herself comfortable and watched.
	"It's okay, Ita'al," she smiled, "no-one can see us, relax if you
want to."
	"I'll miss touching you," he said, grasping her hand.
	"I'll keep a hand in you while you sunbathe," she offered, "And if I
don't, you can wake me up and remind me."
	He kissed her hand before allowing himself to melt, then spread over 
the entire surface of the roof. She could feel his sluggish pleasure at the
sunshine, sense his joy of being with her at long last, for life. At last he
had his own kind of justice, that of happiness after a life of such pain. A
bond, a link in defiance of the Founders' statement that it wouldn't last. 
Love when he never expected it, coupling without compromises.
	Prophets, what was it going to be like when he was back to what was
going to pass for normal? If he could be so focussed on her *now*, with his
new senses, how would it be when he realised he could use all five?
	Nerys lay back to doze and decided she'd find out when she got there.

	She woke only when the clouds passed by, or when her skin felt too
hot and she needed to turn over. Ita'al remained content throughout, his 
thoughts almost subliminal against her own.
	They mostly concerned the sun, and her.
	_I'm glad I make you happy, Constable_
	*Me too, Mrs. Constable* His mind was as smug as a cat, *Remember,
when you first called me that? I was shocked out of my skin - thought I had
a new name... what did you smell like, then?*
	_Sweat. Dirt. They didn't let you bathe much in those days._ Nerys
smiled, _Yeah, I remember. I thought you were some offworlder wierdo after
some tail. 'Pretty girl like me...' hah! I was a scrawny thing back then._
	*You were beautiful. Are beautiful. Will be forever, in my heart.*
	She spent the rest of the day basking in his love, then most of that
night sharing hers with him, in all the ways she could.

                                  * * * O * * *

	Sunlight hurt. So did just about everything else. Nerys had come away
from the previous day with a vicious sunburn, and only realised it now, feeling
every thread of the sheets like a hot wire. Ita'al touched her and she almost 
screamed.
	"Nerys?"
	"Sunburn..." she managed, "hurts like fury to twitch, hurts to touch..."
	He withdrew a sheet, cool air only augmented her pain. Judging by Odo's
face, it wasn't good news. "You're as red as a lobster," Ita'al winced, "Your
skin's *bubbling*..." He practically hyperventilated on the spot, wanting to 
help, forbidden to touch for fear of causing pain.
	Nerys risked a look. Weals puffed up, yellowish against red-raw skin,
except the still-pale area where her swimsuit had been. "Prophets..."
	"There should be a dermal regenerator here..." Ita'al searched, frantic,
through their luggage, "Ha! Looks like this is the second time I bail you out
of a painful fix."
	"Just don't make it a habit, Ita'al," Nerys sighed, her hand had now
ceased being agony, followed by her wrist, then Odo changed his mind and did
her feet.
	"It must hurt to lie there on more damaged skin... at least you'll be 
able to stand. Prophets, you smell burned; *scorched*."
	"Ice and fire," she mused, standing hurredly to avoid drawn out agony,
"Let's hope the rest of our lives together remain pleasantly inbetween."
	"Is that a proposal, Kira Nerys?"
	"I think it might be, Odo Ita'al..." she sighed as the beam washed over
tender skin, making it bearable to touch again. "What do you say?"
	"I say 'Yes', undoubtedly." Ita'al reached her arms again, smiling as
the reddened skin turned vaguely tan, "I'd be happy forever, with you, Nerys."
	"Good." Kira smiled, then forced herself to stay deadpan as the beam
went over her face and neck, "Because I think I'd be devestated if you'd 
refused me."
	"There." Ita'al grinned, "Better."
	"Not quite, yet." Nerys winced, dreading Ita'al's reaction, "This top 
layer of skin's dead, look." She ran a finger down her forearm, the skin peeled
off like dead leaves, some hung in tattered shreds. 
	Ita'al stared in horror. "Does it - hurt?"
	"No. Humanoids shed their skin - in smaller flakes than these, though;
all the time. It's dead skin, that's all."
	"I'd have to re-absorb it, in the same situation. Regardless of whether
it's alive or dead; shed mass *hurts*... Do you need help? Anything?"
	"A shower. If it bothers you, maybe you can fix us breakfast."
	"Good idea, Nerys. I might even go shopping for fresh ingredients."
	_Poor Ita'al,_ Nerys mused, stepping under the flow of water, _Well, at
least I know the view from where he stands..._ She made sure every last flake
of old, sun-scorched hide was off before emerging to towel herself dry. Which
sounded better, to her inner ear? Odo Nerys, or Kira Ita'al? They'd solve that
problem, later, too.
	Cynching her robe shut as she emerged from the bathroom, Nerys 
discovered Odo cooking up his usual storm. And smelling *everything*.
	"Found any substitutes, yet?" She grinned.
	"Perhaps fresh bread," he replied, "I'm not sure, will you help me 
with comparison tests, later?"
	"Absolutely, and with *pleasure*!" Kira smiled. Maybe they wouldn't
*want* to come back from Risa.
	He offered her some fresh Hotpat on a slice of the aforementioned
bread. It certainly smelled wonderful enough, and she was starving.
	"How was it?" Ita'al asked.
	"Mmm? I didn't notice. 'M sorry, Ita'al, I'm just so *hungry*."
	"I can understand." He handed her some more. The Hotpat had been made
from unexpected ingredients, it was more like the Earthish 'Beef Patty' than
the hurried 'cake' of everything a resistance fighter needed to eat while
fighting off Cardassians with their other hand. "I won't let you starve, Nerys."
	"Very funny." She sighed, sawing of more slices of bread to chew on
while Odo continued his analysis and cooking. "What do you prefer? Odo Nerys,
or Kira Ita'al?"
	He shrugged, "Whatever you prefer."
	"If I didn't love you so much, I'd strangle you," she joked, "I can't
make up my mind, either..." She paused to practically inhale a good bowl of
Samatt-ala-Odo, "I thought maybe you could -- what are you staring at?"
	"Are you well, Nerys? You usually don't eat like that..."
	"Like what?"
	"Like it's your last opportunity to eat." He handed her another bowl
of Samatt without appearing to think about it, "You haven't tasted anything
I've given you for breakfast."
	"Maybe." She scraped the last of the sauce out of the bowl. It was
true. "I'm just too hungry to savour your cooking, right now. I feel fine."
	"If you say so." So meek it struck her dumb, Ita'al fixed another 
feast, which she gobbled down.
	"And what's wrong with you, Ita'al? I haven't seen you acting like
that since the occupation..."
	"It's just - I - don't know how to cope. If you are ill. Maybe when
we go back to DS9, I could ask Bashir for lessons?"
	Nerys started on the fruit bowl, "Might not be a bad idea, Ita'al, but
I said I feel fine. All right?"
	He relaxed, back to the Odo she was used to. "All right." He ate his
own 'food' with every sign of happiness. "May I - try some of that?"
	Nerys gave off chewing an apple down to its core to offer some to
Ita'al, "I thought you said your last attempt to eat was - 'messy',"
	"It was. I just want to - taste a little of what you enjoy." A tiny
nip, and he was happy. "I can see why you usually savour things, now. It
never made sense before."
	"Glad I'm such a good teacher."
	"Now, dearest Nerys, may I enjoy some more lessons from you?"
	"That would be *perfect*." 

                                  * * * O * * *

	Her head pounded. Nerys moved carefully, hoping Odo wouldn't burst
in bearing armloads of food before she made it to the replicator. All she 
needed was a big glass of cool water. It had worked in the past three days,
even though she felt sick enough that she just wanted the headache back, 
afterwards. Her Ita'al was being a saint, carefully concocting meals that made
her mouth water without causing her now-tender stomach to churn.
	Just a meter more, and she could have her head back to its usual self.
Just a little further.
	"I'm back, Nerys. I have all sorts of things for you."
	"...ouch," she managed, wincing, "not so loud, *please*, Ita'al..."
	He dropped his voice to a whisper, "I'm sorry, dearling. What do you
need?"
	"Just a cold glass of water." It was in her hands before she could
bring herself to take another head-jarring step. And his shopping was on the
floor.
	"Why didn't you tell me about the headaches?" Ita'al asked, still
whispering.
	"I didn't want to upset you... I'm sorry."
	"Here. Just drink. Slowly, now." A saint made Changeling. Just for her.
"I'll cook you something nice when your poor head's back to normal."
	"Don't mention food just yet..." Nerys winced.
	"It's getting worse, isn't it?" Worry that she hadn't wanted to cause
now creased his face, "Maybe we should go back, Bashir will be able to help
you."
	"What's wrong with the doctors here?" Nerys asked, sipping as directed.
	"They charge too much. After all the food you needed - sorry; until a
few days ago... I don't have that much left."
	"Let's just wait a couple of days, okay, Ita'al? Maybe it'll go away."
	"It hasn't been - 'going away' for *five* *days*. You need a doctor.
That's final."
	Her stomach churned. Nerys swallowed the last sip of water hard. "You're
right, Ita'al. It is getting worse... I just don't want to ruin a perfect
holiday."
	"It is't a perfect holiday if you're unwell." Ita'al soothed, moving a 
chair to where she stood. "Sit, try and relax a little. I'll start packing for
you, and then we'll see what you can have for breakfast, eh?"
	"Bless you, dearling..." Nerys sighed, placing the cold glass against
her temples. Had it been over a week? She hadn't noticed when Ita'al's
instinct-driven devotion to her had been replaced by his true feelings. True,
she was a little dense when she came to noticing him, but she was sure that had 
passed. Maybe it was just that he was that devoted to her for good.
	That was what love was for.

	Odo piloted the runabout back to DS9 at maximum speed, a worried
rush compared to their relaxed amble towards Risa. But then they hadn't needed
anything on Risa except the rest. And each other. Now Nerys was ill. On top
of everything else that had gone wrong in his life, his beloved Nerys was ill.
	His message had reached them, he was sure. He hoped they weren't
battling something or rather when it got there. The wait for any reply was
terrifying. Meanwhile, he had Nerys to care for. A few replicated foods managed
to stay down, which was fortunate, he hadn't been able to afford much real
goods before they left, and now they were gone.
	The sound of her being sick again was heart-wrenching. He trembled
with guilt even as he helped her upright, gave her another chilled glass of
water, asked her what caused the problem this time. He was *sure* it was his
fault. Something he had done, or not done, was making her ill.
	At last, DS9 called back. Bashir almost chided him for heading back so
soon, but one look at his concern changed the young Doctor's mind. He informed
Odo that he was going to prep the infirmary immediately, that it was better
not to transport her until they knew for certain what was wrong. In the 
meantime, Odo was to keep her comfortable.
	He did his best, tried his best, but whatever was wrong with Nerys made
her extremely uncomfortable.

	Julian Bashir wished Odo wouldn't hover like that. "Will you *please*
sit down, Constable? You're not helping by getting in my way."
	"I'm - just concerned about Nerys."
	_First name terms, eh? I wonder what they did down there._ At least
Odo was seated, if highly nervous. Whenever Odo was nervous, his movements were
either nonexistent or sudden and twitchy. He was extremely still at the moment,
forgetting to imitate both breathing and blinking. He tried to ignore the
Changeling and get on with the job at hand. Virus-free, good. Temperature 
slightly elevated, heart normal, breathing normal. No intestinal trouble...
Now that was odd. Bashir double-checked that reading. "Major," Bashir murmured,
"have you been keeping up with your shots?"
	"Dunno," she managed, "y'r the doctor."
	"Then I'll have to check your blood." A quick sample, he made sure to
stun her shoulder before drawing it, given Odo's protectiveness earlier when
the runabout had docked. An equally quick run through the haemaliser. "Aha."
_So that's what they were up to... Maybe._
	The Constable came out of his trance, "What is it, Doctor? What's
the matter with her?"
	"Just a few more tests and I'll be sure." Bashir told him, just the
elevated hormones alone was no real indicator. A check of her records had 
revealed that Kira had missed *those* shots. A few more adjustments of the 
biobed scanners and - oh dear.
	"Is that - what I think it is?"
	Mute, Bashir nodded. Congratulations were in order, but he couldn't
work his mouth.
	Odo was by Kira's side, grinning like a fool. "Nerys, dearling?"
	"What is it, Ita'al?" Nerys croaked, tired and dry, "What's wrong with
me?"
	"You - I --" It seemed tied tongues were going around, "*We're* having
twins."
	"Is that all?" She started laughing and crying at once. "Winn's going
to be *pissed*..."
	"Winn?" Odo blanked a moment, "Oh. Yes, I forgot about that." For
Bashir's benefit, he added, "Kai Winn brought back that old law about 
forbidding Bajoran/Offworlder marriages - unless they could reproduce."
	"All we have to do is wait until I'm obvious before making it 
official." Kira hugged Odo, "*Now* can I have that drink?"
	Bashir retrieved it while Kira and Odo shared a congratulatory kiss.
"This should help replace some of the minerals your babies have been needing.
It's harmless." He told Odo, "And I want to see both of you here tomorrow
for a thorough work-up. I want to at least have *educated* guesses at what to 
expect."
	Odo was holding Kira up while she drank, "And the exhaustion?"
	"It should pass. I'll see if I can come up with an improoved diet during
the work-up, reduce Kira's discomfort. In between now and then, just keep
doing what you've been doing to help; I couldn't think of *any* better care."

	He was extremely careful around her now, as if her slightest discomfort
would endanger all four of them. It annoyed her, and she told him so.
	"I'm - sorry Nerys. It's just - it isn't 'just' anything. I never 
thought I'd live to be a father... Especially not with *you*. Now - twins; I -
don't know how to handle this."
	"Relax before you break something, dearling," Nerys soothed, "Bashir's
going to do his best, and you're the best person to look after us. Julian
said so."
	Odo sighed, "Perhaps. I - can't help shaking the feeling that all this
is - hurting you." He managed to sit on her couch, beside her, for all of five 
seconds before rising to pace again, "Your pain is my pain, Nerys."
	"Then calm down *please*, Ita'al... Prophets, how bad are you going to 
be when I'm *due*?"
	"Oh, I can handle *that*." He stated, "I've been a midwife, in the 
mines and so forth, lots of times. I haven't cared for anyone this far - ahead
of the event... I don't know what to do..."
	"Welcome to life, Ita'al." Kira sighed, "No-one knows what to do, we
all just fake it as best we can."
	He sat down again, this time remaining by her side. "Can I get you
anything?"
	"Actually, I wouldn't mind your cooking a little something. Maybe we
can go shopping for the ingredients?" She stood up before he could try helping
her, "Come on, it'll help us both relax."
	"Perhaps we should stop by at the Infirmary for - instructions. I -
want to know what to expect. At least roughly." Ita'al eyed her waist, perhaps
reminding himself that it wasn't quite time to panic just yet.
	"If it'll stop you wearing holes in the floor, fine." Nerys took his
arm, "Now, please, for the love of the Prophets -- *relax*."
	"I'll try."

                                  * * * O * * *

	Odo had relaxed significantly since he'd recieved what he referred to
as 'the manual'. He also refused to leave Kira alone since the discovery of
his progeny. Not that she seemed to mind.
	He sat, now that Julian had finished with him, watching with intense,
if restrained curiosity. Bashir sighed, this wasn't going to let up until he
figured out exactly what was happening with the Major.
	In the meantime, he resorted to explanations, translating medical
techno-jargon to lay terms if the Constable looked lost. "According to their
cellular mitosis, the foetii are about a week or so old, give or take a few
days. They're healthy - as far as I can tell... Don't - panic, Odo. This is a
first for me, too."
	"I'm aware of that, Doctor." Odo grated.
	He turned back to Major Kira, "Well, You should be fine. I'm going to 
prescribe a dietary supplement. I want to see all of you back here next week,
for a double check. After that, we'll work up a schedule for the visits."
	"Why should I come back here?" Odo asked, "It's Nerys who's pregnant."
	"Yes, but you're the only Changeling I have on hand for cellular
comparison, and to only cue I have to determine whether this is normal 
development." He made notes on both their files, "In the meantime, I'm 
assigning lighter duties for you, Major, to avoid stress."
	"I'm fine, with Ita'al doing all the worrying for me." Kira grinned,
dressing with casual ease, "And thanks for that mineral drink, yesterday, I'm
feeling a lot better."
	Bashir made another note, "Well, see you next week, then," and returned
to the projections the computer was running. So far, so good. Only so far.

	Kira sighed at the Ginger tea, remembering the time before she'd even
encountered coffee. Not that she hated Ginger tea, now, but she missed coffee.
	"Is it too sweet?"
	"It's fine, Ita'al, I just guess I'm more of a caffein addict than I
thought..." A sip of the tea, it was just the way she liked it. "Thanks, love."
	He sighed, "I'll be glad to be married... don't get me wrong, Nerys,
it just seems more - right; rather than all this waiting."
	"So impatient all of a sudden?" Despite her current moods, she smiled,
"These things take time."
	"I just want to tell the world I have the most wonderful wife in the
known galaxy. And the unknown, of course."
	A passerby frowned at them before moving on. An isolationist of the
old school, if the robes were any indication. Kira ignored them. "What am I
going to do about you?"
	"Marry me?" Odo smiled.
	"Give me - ooh; four months to think about it."
	They laughed, tension draining from their minds.
	"I suppose I'll have to build them a cradle, too," Odo mused, "once we 
find out who they take after."
	Nerys smiled, "I never thought it'd make much of a difference, until
now... I wonder what our path together holds?"
	"Twins, for a start," offered the Constable, "Perhaps a home, down on 
Bajor?"
	"Is that all you want, Ita'al?"
	"It's all I ever wanted, Nerys. A home, and you. Family - was only an
optional extra..."
	"In that case, beloved, we're going to have lots of little extras."
	Odo was smiling a peculiar, embaressed smile. Gratitude? "I - think
we'd better decide that later, after our children are born, Nerys."
	"Yeah, right. We've barely started." Nerys chewed at one of Bashir's
supplements, "According to our manual, I've got mood swings, morning sickness,
metabolic changes, foot cramps, back pains and the eventual birth to go 
through, yet."
	"I'll see you make it through them all, Nerys." Ita'al promised, 
"Thanks to our link together, I can promise you'll get nothing but sympathy -
or empathy; from me." He watched her face, "And help, of course."
	"Of course." Nerys sighed, "I guess we'd better go break the news to
Captain Sisko."

	Sisko wondered why Kira strode into his office, emenating smugness, and
why the Constable was involved. Perhaps they'd resolved things between 
themselves. Odd... Odo's body-language was more guarded than normal - but 
guarding *Kira*.
	"Sir?" Kira managed to wipe the smug grin off her face, "I'm afraid
Ita-- Odo and I will be needing an extended leave in a couple of months or so."
	"Extended leave?"
	Her face regained the grin, "Well, honeymoons take a while; and after
that's over, it'll be time for my maternity leave."
	"*Fi*nally!" Sisko laughed, "I was wondering when you two would work
it out."
	Odo sighed, "Did anyone on this station apart from Nerys *not* guess?"
	"Look, I know I was a bit dense before - but I couldn't have been
*that* dense." Kira snarled.
	"At ease," Ben soothed, "I've been there, so I know all the signs. 
Unfortunately, the Prime Directive forbade me to interfere."
	"Thank you *so* much for that; *sir*..." Odo grumbled.
	"Well, in the meantime, should I arrange joined quarters for you?"
	"You'd do that?" Kira grinned, "Hell, why not just announce it for
everyone to hear?"
	"It'll be about soon enough, Major." Odo informed, "Right now, Bashir's
probably talking to Dax, who's basically the Station News Service masqerading
as a Starfleet officer..."
	Ben shook his head, if Odo wasn't so accurate, sometimes, he'd be up
for libel. "I'll tell Dax you said that, it should quiet the old man down for
a while. If she doesn't invent worse rumours about you two." His terminal
bleeped. What now?
	Kira and Odo watched his face, "Bad news?"
	"Depends on where you stand," Ben murmured, "The Kai's going to visit
the station in two weeks or so."
	"Great." Odo scowled, "I barely come back and Security's going to be
under more stress..."
	"Odo? We have something else to worry about, too, you know."
	"Well, it's not as if we have to tell her anything, yet," Odo stated,
"You won't have to worry."
	"Someone's bound to tell her, and we have to suffer the 'demon 
offworlder' line..."
	"Perhaps," Odo grinned, face transmuting, becoming far more Bajoran,
"and perhaps not."
	Sisko became aware he was staring, and promptly closed his mouth.
	"I thought you couldn't do that..." Kira touched his right ear, the
earring he'd chosen for himself was the symbol he'd seen at the peak of a
Founder monolith, a diamond-shaped flicker of mirror hung from its chain. 
	"But, since I told you that, I've been in - very close contact with
a Bajoran." Another smile as he caressed Kira's ridges, "I still learn by 
touch."
	Kira was blushing, to the roots of her hair.
	Ben thought it time to clear his throat, "Now that that's been solved."
He said, pretending to ignore that rather broad hint at what they'd been up
to, "I need both of you back at work, I'm afraid."
	Odo sighed, reverting to his usual face, he 'kept' the earring, though,
"I though that'd happen. See you at lunch, Nerys?"
	"I wouldn't want to miss it, Ita'al."

                                  * * * O * * *

	Kai Winn wished to meet Kira, and her new 'paramour' as she called him.
Nerys, however, just wanted to eat anything offered in the booths set up to
honour the occaision.
	Odo was on guard, of course, for any threat to either Nerys or the
Kai. Kira was pleased that she had precedence, but only slightly. The last
thing Bajor needed was the death of another Kai. He maintained his new, Bajoran
face for her benefit, thus reducing the likelyhood of incidents that could
endanger Nerys or the twins.
	"Ah, *there* you are, Major Kira. I'm so pleased you've found love 
after the unfortunate incident with Shakaar Edon."
	Odo frowned. The 'unfortunate incident' had hurt Nerys deeply, so much
so that she didn't like remembering. He'd been there, equally shocked, to find
Shakaar in his office with at least two naked enterprising young women. *Very*
enterprising, *very* young women. He'd been there, afterwards, holding her 
upright, so drunk and miserable she couldn't tell which way was up; making 
sure she didn't try falling down the stairs to lower pilon 2, all the way 
from upper pilon 2.
	"Good day, Kai." Kira managed, tearing at a stuffed bread roll like
she wished it was Winn's neck. "You haven't met my Ita'al, have you?"
	"Such a nice, *upstanding* Bajoran man," Winn smoothed, "How fortunate
the reports I heard aren't true."
	"That's what you think," Odo grated, "*Eleka*."

	Nerys watched Winn stiffen as if shot. This was fascinating. "You know
each other? That's wonderful!"
	"No." Winn hissed, "It isn't."
	"Back in the Jo'Keril mining complex, I managed to come to the rescue
of a young 'lady' named Eleka Winn." Odo said, relaxing into an amused posture,
"Things were different back then, I could tell you. In fact, Eleka was--"
	"That's all in the past, isn't it, now; *Ital*?" Winn almost snapped.
"There's no need to dredge up the past."
	_You started it, vole-bait._ Kira mentally interjected.
	Odo produced a very nasty smile, "Just remember who owes who, Eleka.
Our dealings have been - *professional*; before, they can remain that way."
	_I think,_ Kira grinned, _I sense a scandal..._
	Winn sneered at them, her words turned ice, "I must perform some 
blessings at the temple. Good *day*."
	Nerys could have sworn her eyebrows had reached her hairline, "What was
that about, Ita'al?"
	"Not in public, Nerys. This is something that might impact on all 
Bajor... I'd rather not announce it with an audience around."
	"You were going to tell all, back there," she objected.
	"No, I merely *looked* like I was going to tell all. And since you
were grinning like I'd already told you, we managed to fluster her into making
a mistake."
	"Did I blink and miss it?"
	Odo smiled, "It's all very subtle, Nerys. She *acknowledged* her past,
therefore she can't deny it if it comes up later." They entered a turbolift,
which Odo programmed for a short trip to the habitat ring and back, "Basically,
when I first encountered her, Eleka Winn was the camp prostitute."
	"Flakk!" Kira blurted, "No wonder she was so uptight about it..."
	"It gets worse." Ita'al informed, "Her main business was with the
Cardassians."
	Kira shrieked, "And she thinks she has the *right* to feed the whole
of Bajor that 'demon offworlder' line? I'll give *her* a demon to cope with and
it won't be a flakking offworlder..."
	"Nerys, *please*!" Ita'al soothed, "Calm down - remember the children."
	Kira sighed, "I still want to tell that old vole queen off. Of all the
hypocracies!"
	Ita'al held her, soothed her ruffled feathers, "I don't think Kai Winn
is going to object so loudly to blessing our betrothal bracelets, now, Nerys. 
It's enough. At least, it's enough for now."
	Nerys calmed, sighed against his chest, "All right. You have them?"
	"Of course I have them. Dear Nerys, don't let Winn bother you; she
won't bother us, now."
	"She'd better not." The turbolift opened onto the Promenade again,
"Is there time for a Jumja stick?"
	Ita'al nodded, again wary of the crowd, for her sake. She knew why,
a very simple reason, a high proportion of cross-species pregnancies aborted
during the first two months, after that, the likelyhood of accidents reduced.
Nerys spent a great deal of her time praying for the two fragile lives that
were causing so much trouble, praying for happiness for the both of themselves
as well.
	Sometime soon, she'd have to be measured for a looser uniform, one
with comfortable shoes, and a belt that wasn't so damn tight. Nerys smiled at
Odo as she bit into the moulded sweet, she'd have to try calling him 'daddy'
just to see how he'd react. He'd probably get even by calling her 'mom'. Better
not experiment, just yet. The path ahead was looking to be a long one.

                                  * * * O * * *

	The twins, apparrently, were trying to make more room for themselves,
judging by the repedative 'thumps' in her abdomen. She could do without it in
the middle of the night, though.
	"Nerys?" Great, now she'd woken Odo, "Is something the matter?"
	"Twins are acting up again. *Why* must they always wake up in the
middle of the damn night?"
	"They wake up whenever they feel like it, you just notice it more, 
now." Odo moved, reforming into his normal humanoid body. "Hush, now," he 
whispered at her slightly-distorting belly, "Your Mama's trying to sleep," she
could feel his fingers gently tracing patterns and whorls across her skin where
the twins were impacting, hear a gentle humming of an aimless little tune. The
twins quieted, "There. Asleep." Ita'al was beside her again, warming the slight
chill of her skin again.
	"Ita'al, I'm worried. Julian said they're developing faster than he's
ever seen. It's just past the two-month mark and they're starting to show..."
	Ita'al purred slightly, spreading his form over her skin, "They want
room to grow in," he said, "They told me that they're going to get bigger
for a while, before they slow down."
	"Did they tell you anything else?" Nerys smiled, his link with the 
twins through her was amazing, she could feel a subliminal hum from them, but
nothing more.
	"They - we; want you to dress warm and eat more. I think they're in
love with you, too." Odo smiled, "They like the warmth you feel, when we 
touch."
	"I just wish I could hear them, too."
	_Don't concentrate so hard,_ Ita'al's sleepy mind informed, _Relax,
let your mind - drift... goodnight, beloved._
	*Good night.* Nerys mentally sighed, lapsing into sleep, too tired to
try anything new.

	Julian scanned again, they were very active today, almost hyperactive.
"Anyone would think they liked me," he grinned.
	"They don't," Odo stated, "because you make Nerys miserable."
	Kira sighed, "Ita'al... he doesn't *make* me miserable, I get miserable
after all the news he gives us."
	"That doesn't matter to the babies."
	Bashir prepared a hypospray, "This should help their - accomodation 
trouble; it's basically hormones, they'll encourage you to - ah; show more,
sooner."
	"Just what I needed," Kira griped, shivering slightly, "This uniform's
tight *now*."
	"Then I'm going to prescribe a refit for you - perhaps a dress or 
something that you'd feel more comfortable in."
	"Something warm." Odo prodded.
	Julian wished he wouldn't do that. He'd almost forgotten the Constable
was there. "And dress warm; your circulation system seems to be favouring the
uterus first."
	Kira gasped, a hand flew to their abdomen. "Prophets..."
	"What is it?" Bashir scanned, no signs of internal trauma, premature
labour or anything likely to endanger the infants or Major Kira.
	"They linked! We linked. I can 'hear' them!" She smiled at Odo, "Do
they always complain?"
	"Not that much," Odo smiled, "They're just making sure you know how
they feel about you neglecting yourself."
	"And a list of demands for themselves, too." Kira smirked, "All right,
little ones, I'll take care of it. I promise." 

	Garak winced, watching Odo and Major Kira stride directly towards his
shop. The Major was a particularly fussy customer, demanding a perfect fit
or else; and now the Constable was tagging along, probably to investigate
some completely ficticious complaint.
	Wonderful. As if he needed any of this after the Isolationists last
week. Garak forced a smile, "Good day, Major," The Cardassian tailor smarmed,
"And what can I do for you, today?'
	"I want a looser uniform."
	"One that's warm." Added the Changeling.
	"All right, dearling," Kira sighed, "What the hell. Odo and I are 
getting married. Make it public, see if I care."
	There was a strangled shriek from a fitting room. Followed by muffled
caughs, splutters, and noises of indignation. This caught Odo's curiosity, 
"Were you - serving anyone else before we came in?"
	"Just a Ferengi..." Garak soothed.
	"I'll 'just' you in a second!" A very familiar voice growled, 
half-muted by several layers of cloth, "My money's paying for this abomination 
of a coat." Eventually, Quark emerged, in significant dissarray. "I *knew*
I shouldn't have conducted business on B'ehr's Day... This is all your fault!"
	"Mine?" Said Garak.
	"Who's B'ehr?" Asked Kira.
	"The Ferengi Trickster-God. Conducting business during his day results 
in - unusual circumstances." Odo informed.
	Quark was muttering to himself while attempting to covertly re-arrange 
his clothing into a semblance of order, "I know I'm going to regret this...
What about Winn's *law* forbidding cross-species marriage?"
	"Oh, that's - taken care of," crooned a suddenly glib Odo, "Nerys is
currently carrying twins."
	The bartender had gone pinkish-white, apparently visualising too
accurately what their progeny was going to be like. "One would be bad 
enough..."
	"You're telling me," Kira said, folding her arms in a very Odo 
mannerism, "Those little tykes are hyperactive."
	Odo twisted the knife a little, "Are you all right, Quark? You're 
looking - unwell..."
	"That does it," Quark muttered, tossing Garak's creation back at him,
"from now on, I'm hiding under the bed every year." As he passed Kira, "And
this one, too..."
	"Well, that's at least one day in the year I can take off," Odo 
smirked.
	Kira sighed, "Enough, dearling. We came for a uniform, remember? Not
to annoy Quark. Even if it was fun."
	It was the most *disturbing* smile Garak had seen on the Constable's
face in his memory. So much for his claim not to understand - coupling. They'd
evidently coupled a lot, and with much joy, judging by the results. He 
remembered, just in time, to make allowances for more impending room about her 
abdomen. The last thing he needed was more of that *smile*. _'Dearling?'_ He
wondered, _Must be a Bajoran thing._

                                  * * * O * * *

	Dax tried not to stare at Nerys as they and Odo shared lunch on the
promenade. Just two weeks to go until their official wedding, and Kira was
*showing*. Not that any of that bothered Odo. He was extatic, between caring
for an increasingly wide fiance and planning matrimony, Security was the least
of his concerns, so he'd made sure it could function without him.
	"Haven't you figured out *all* the details, *yet*?" Jadzia joked. It
was still wonderful to watch them together; she'd been right about Odo, ever
since he was Curzan for a while, she'd guessed he was a nurturer waiting to
happen. Kira and her twins were going to be thoroughly nurtured.
	"Almost there," Odo smiled at his bride-to-be, "We still haven't 
decided on names."
	"For us," Kira supplied, sipping Bashir's latest formula, "What do you
think, Jadzia? Odo Nerys? Kira Ita'al?"
	"Actually, they both sound nice." Dax said, "Why not just swap?"
	"It - isn't traditional," explained Odo.
	"Neither are they," Dax pointed at Kira's swelling belly, "Every 
tradition has to start somewhere. Do you know what they are yet?"
	"Twins." Understated Kira, "Bashir *thinks* one of them is taking 
after me, but he can't be sure."
	Odo grinned, "They want to keep it a surprise."
	Kira rolled her eyes, "As if they weren't a surprise in themselves."
	Dax laughed, "Well, I don't think you surprise people any more. Did you
know Quark is running a betting pool on what they're going to be?"
	"That would be Quark." Odo sighed, "I heard he was also wagering - on
how large Nerys would get before the birth."
	"What?" Dax was more stunned by their mutual nonchalance, "What did you
do?"
	"Put down a bet." Kira grinnned, "I have a little inside information
about it."
	"Quark will be furious if he ever finds out." Odo supplied.
	"Ah, but it will help pay for the nursery."
	Dax started nodding. _Aha..._ "And that will irritate Quark even
further. I *see*." She polished off her lunch, "So what are you going to
call the children?"
	"Definately *not* Winn!" They chorussed.
	Their laughter was interrupted by a stranger's approach. Odo tensed,
gripping Kira's hand with sudden desperation. "Nerys." He whispered, "Founder."
	Kira followed, one hand guarding the children, the other gripping Odo's
didgits, tight. Both glared at the Founder, who seated itself without 
invitation at their table.
	"What's it going to be *now*?" Odo asked, "'Come back with us, Odo, all
is forgiven'? I'm not purchasing. Leave us alone."
	"You've made a grave mistake, Odo," said the Founder, "This solid will
not stay bound to you for long. After that? Will you believe us then?"
	"Believe what?" Kira interrupted, "That I won't love him? You're too 
late for that, *Founder*. We Bonded three months ago."
	"With happy results." Odo smirked, then prompted, "You should be 
offering congratulations, now, and well-wishes for our children."
	The Founder scoffed. "They're not *yours*. Don't you see this solid is 
fooling you? Betraying you? There's no such thing as a solid-changeling 
halfbreed."
	"Then why do they Link?" Demanded Odo, bursting the Founder's impetus,
"Why can I 'hear' them louder than I 'hear' you?" Odo started nodding
to himself, "Go sow your suspicions somewhere else, Founder. Solids and 
Changelings *can* Link, and we've developed a bond stronger than what
you claim you have over me."
	"You're lying." Stated the Founder, "If this *were* true, I'd at
least be able to feel them through our Link with you."
	Odo scowled, then seized a hand, which promptly melded with his. 
"No-one can *lie* in the Link, is that correct?"
	The Founder was immobile. Shocked. "*Two* voices... and the solid's?
There has been - some error."
	Odo released his Link, "On your part, I believe." He, too, protected
Kira's swelling abdomen, "Now, I gather, you're going to have to go
home to discuss the matter."
	"What is there to discuss?" The Changeling blinked, confused, "All 
children are valued... there have never been *two*... We will re-
evaluate the necessity of the Solids, of course." Trembling fingers
barely touched what both Odo and Kira protected, then the Changeling
left.
	"I get the feeling," Kira breathed, "that no matter what happens, our
children are going to be blessed from one side and damned from the
other..."
	"They'll be loved by enough of us, Nerys. That's all that matters to 
me."

                              * * * O * * *

	Nerys seemed to find the object on his right ear fascinating, just as
he continued to stare at the almost-circle on hers. A mixture between
her family crest, and the symbol he'd adopted as his own. The symbol
found peaking the Founder's monoliths.
	Odo smiled to himself. Husband and Wife. How nice it sounded. It was
almost a pity they'd elected not to change their names. Let their
earrings symbolise their union. That, and the children currently
bumping at her stomach.
	Family sounded even nicer to his ears, as he held her and their young
safe in the night. Four months since that horrible night when he
thought she was going to die; and now he was sure he was dreaming.
	"I'm not going to sleep until you are, Ita'al," Nerys smiled, "and
that's final."
	Odo sighed, "You need your rest, Nerys. Please? I - like to watch you
sleep..."
	"Aren't you going to keep us warm? They love it when Papa covers
them, and me."
	"And you like it when I soothe your back pains. Admit it."
	"Okay. All right. You're my favourite masseuse," she kissed him, "and
I think I will let you watch me sleep - *if* you get that little knot
*right* in the small of my back."
	Odo laughed, glad to be of service. Family was wonderful.
	"Ita'al? If they're girls, I'd like to name one after my mother."
	He involved himself in his work at massage, "I never had a mother...
Perhaps we could name one after Lijah. Kira-Odo Lijah. Sounds nice."
	"And if they're boys, we both honour our fathers."
	"I don't think little Kira-Odo Tabrin would thank us, somehow."
	Nerys laughed, "Maybe. Tabrin's a nice enough name, though. I'll be
glad to meet them face-to-face."
	"They want to see you, too," Odo informed, "They're just not ready,
yet."
	"Ooph... quiet down! I'm trying to relax. They like the names,
dearling."
	"Ah. That's good." Odo soothed her aches, careful not to be rough.
	"Are you always going to be afraid I'll break, Ita'al? Bashir said to
avoid sharp jolts - for last month."
	"Just - being safe."

                              * * * O * * *

	Dax had got used to the look Kira got when she was listening to the
twins. The serene smugness of it made her remember her former parenting
experiences, and wish she could achieve that level of interaction
herself.
	"Jelous?"
	"Hmm? Oh, just daydreaming," Dax lied.
	"Stop trying to hide it, Jadzia," Kira crinkled her nose at her, "You
want to share the sort of bond we have, don't you?"
	"Well, I - yes. Absolutely."
	"You could try finding a nice Founder somewhere... Or one of the ones
like Odo; they claimed there's ninety-nine more, somewhere out there."
	Dax let herself imitate Kira's smugness, "Who says I haven't found
one?" She laughed, "They're a bit rare on the ground, Nerys. And the
Founders aren't exactly the worlds' nicest people."
	She was going absent again, drifting into a little telepathic
communion, "Odd, you're the only other one I've heard who refers to them
as -- prophets..."
	"Kira?"
	"OW! Oof... Call Bashir. They're *due*."

  Odo had been trying to manouvre Quark into revealing something at the
time. He'd had the Ferengi wondering just how *much* he already knew.
  And then he'd felt Nerys start into labour, up in Ops.
  The next thing he knew, he was staggering towards the infirmary with a
babbling Ferengi trying to hold him up. He was dimly aware he'd broken
something. "...I'll fix it lat'r..." he promised. Odo's entire being
ached. Nerys was nearing him. Held up by Dax.
  "Don't worry about it," Quark interrupted his babbling, "I'll make
enough out of the betting pool to cover it. Trust me."
  Their twins were about to arrive. He could 'hear' very little else
going through his mind but a continuous stream from the babies. _Papa!
We're coming now! We're coming now! Mama needs! Now!_
  Bashir seemed surprised about his arrival. "What's the problem?"
  "He doubled over and crushed my bartop," supplied Quark, "I thought
I'd better get him out of there before he broke anything else."
  Starting again. Odo was only marginally aware that Quark was
retreating.
  "Nerys!" He flew to her, aided her with their Link as she and Dax
lurched towards where his body remained inert. This is what the twins
had meant...

  She straightened the very instant Odo's form had fallen. "He's
brought his strength with him..."
  "Kira?" Dax's face was pure concern.
  "We're fine. All four of us..." She had to stop while her abdomen
pinched. "Ita'al's helping me -- best way he could. Sent all his
strength to me."
  Finally, they made it into the Infirmary. Bashir had somehow managed
to colect Odo into an adjusted biobed. A shock-wrought Quark stood,
stunned, nearby.
  Odo was more than comatose, he'd reverted into his natural form. Only
Nerys wasn't frightened by the unnatural stillness she saw there.
"Birthing chair." She gasped, "This is gonna be quick."
  Dax helped pull the Major's uniform off as she climbed into
Starfleet's rather sensible equipment.
  Bashir barely had time for an initial tricorder reading. He swore even
as he moved to capture the first babe.
  "Healthy lungs," commented Dax.
  "It's a boy," Julian was grinning, presenting Nerys with her humanoid
son.
  It was Quark who held out the towel for Dax to wrap the baby in. He
wasn't looking too happy about it. "I should be asking for last bets in
th' bar," he murmured. "I'm loosing anyway."
  "Hello," Kira grinned at the squalling child, "Sorry I can't hold you
-- just yet. UNH!" 
  "Here comes twin two," Bashir announced, positioning himself.
  "...place your bets... no more wagers..." Quark whimpered, "Odo's
going to strangle me."
  "What the--?" Julian didn't know quite what to do when a baby
Changeling slithered into his hands. It took three of them to convince
it that the blanket was a good idea.
  By that time, Odo had re-formed himself, and sat on the edge of the
biobed. "Let me -- see?"
  The Changeling infant squirmed a great deal more than its humanoid
sibling.
  Odo smiled, cooing at the little bundle. "Welcome, daughter. Your name
is Kira-Odo Lijah."
  Quark's eyes had gone very wide. He made a half-strangled croak.
  Nerys held the other baby, "Welcome, son. Your name is Kira-Odo Hain."
  Dax was grinning, not bothering to stifle her illogical tears.
  "They - *knew*! And I let them place th' wager--" Quark hissed. "I'm
*ruined*..."
  "You're also their uncle," Odo smiled, allowing his daughter to wrap
herself around his hand, "Just like Julian, and Dax is their aunt."
  "I'll make you *pay* for this." Quark grumbled.

                              * * * O * * *

  "OUT!"
  Both children giggled as they scurried away from Uncle Quark. He
hadn't taken their ideas of fun very well at all.
  Odo gathered them into his arms, lifting them with care. It didn't
matter that one was more Bajoran than the other, nor that the other was
more Changeling. They were his *family*. "Now, you should *remember*
what we agreed?"
  "Yes, Papa."
  "Sorry, Papa."
  "Lijah, you remember the rule, don't you?"
  She looked like her mother, more than her father, a conscious decision
she'd made before she could talk that he was outstandingly proud of.
"Never bother Uncle Quark," she recited.
  Hain, who bore a more Bajoran resemblance to Odo's usual face, chimed
in, "Unless Mama and Papa are there to watch."
  "Very good." Nerys managed to startle them. "Try doing *just* that,
next time, okay?"
  As a family, they strolled, happy, down the Promenade.

END