Disclaimer:
Paramount owns all characters within this story trademarked to its company.
I own this concept and characters I created especially for this story. This
story may not be archived or linked to without my permission. Please do not
steal this story, either all or in part. Thank you.
By: Felicity Carthew (dakhur@iinet.net.au)
The nurse smiled worriedly as Odo hurried down the corridor, his silver hair awry. "It's all right sir, she's still here." She ushered him into a room then left, closing the door. Odo slowly moved over to the single bed, its occupant asleep. Reaching out, he gently brushed a stray lock of the faded hair off her forehead, disturbing the woman.
She opened her eyes, blinking, and smiled. "Odo." Her husband of nearly one-hundred-and-seventy years smiled and held her hand gently.
"I'm here." A hint of the old Odo came into his eyes. "Your latest great-grandchild has been named 'Nerys'." His smile saddened as he gazed at her, at the decrepit, broken, figure that had once held herself proudly, the woman who had had authority and power such as others could only dream of. And the woman who had been the mother and inspiration of their family.
Now, this same person, this woman he loved with every fibre of his being, was dying, and there was nothing he could do to save her. She saw his expression fade and sighed--then coughed uncontrollably.
Odo hurried to soothe her, knowing that nothing could help her now, that their time together was now a matter of minutes. Kira smiled eventually, ignoring the blood from her protesting lungs. "Odo, what are they saying?"
He stiffened, then sighed, knowing he couldn't lie to her, not like this. "It.... it won't be long now, Ale'al. They think you'll..." he paused, then forced himself to continue. "It won't be long now."
She coughed again, more blood appearing this time. Odo wiped her mouth gently and gazed at his dying wife, his hands shaking helplessly. Kira looked back at him, tears falling. "Odo, could you.... would you change back to how you were?" Her eyes pleaded with him. "Back when we were young?"
He nodded gravly and shifted, his face and form becoming that of a young Bajoran man about fourty. He grinned. "is this what you had in mind?"
"It's perfect, Ale'al, just perfect." Nerys reached out a hand and touched her husbands arm. "Promise me you'll love again."
"I promise." They were empty words though, and both knew it. Still Nerys smiled at him.
"I love you." The words were whispered as Kira's eyes closed for the last time, her husband the last thing she saw as she joined her parents with the Prophets.