Note: This story takes place five years after the episode Defiant. Also, I made Odo and Lwaxanna a married couple because this is not really a Kira/Odo story, but hey, I want the guy to be a little happy! Also, I made Kira a Colonel. P.S. when there is dialog in this<< >>, that means it is telepathic, but you already knew that, didn't you? =0) ************************************************************************** "You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged/ oh, I realize it's hard to take courage/ in a world full of people/ you can lose sight of it all/ and the darkness inside you can make you feel so small/ But I see your true colors shining through/ I see your true colors and that's why I love you, so don't be afraid to let them show/ your true colors/ true colors are beautiful like a rainbow..." Cyndi Lauper ************************************************************************** IMZADI Part 1 As Tom Riker stared out of the window, numerous thoughts raced through his head. He knew he was all alone in the universe, his comrades either dead or imprisoned. So much had changed during his imprisonment. There had been an undeclared war between the Cardassian/Dominion alliance and the Mauquis. Needless to say, the rebel force, as they were referred to, had been no match for their powerful enemies. His Cardassian "masters" had taken delight in telling Tom of all the destruction and murder that ensued because of the war, and Tom knew they were telling the truth. All his friends, gone, just like that, and he, Tom had been incarcerated in a Cardassian prison, on some distant moon mining minerals. More importantly however, there had been the war between the Cardassian/Dominion alliance and the Federation/Romulan/Klingon alliance. There had been no clear winners. The loss of life on both sides had been too numerous to count. However, the Dominion returned to the Gamma Quadrant, leaving the Cardassians to pick up the pieces of their shattered culture the war had left. Both sides were licking their wounds, but through many talks, the Cardassian Empire had signed a treaty with their enemies, ending all hostilities. Tom supposed he should be grateful. It was through this treaty that he would now be allowed to come home, what was left of it. He felt the transport shutter slightly as it docked to Deep Space Nine. He decided that the old Cardassian space station was as good a place as any to start a new life. He applied for a job with the Bajoran government. He was to be the chief cargo handler. He picked up his bag and headed to the docking ring. He glanced up from his reverie to see a familiar form in a rust colored uniform. He knew by the curves that it was Major Kira, well now actually it was Colonel Kira. She was as beautiful as ever. She had let her hair grow to her chin and it moved as she walked over to embrace him. " Tom, how are you?" Nerys said as she broke apart from him to look in his eyes. " I'm fine, just a little drained from the trip." Tom smiled back. " Well, come on then, I'll show you to your quarters." She laughed as she led him through the Promenade. The station had taken a beating as well, it was still undergoing repairs. She led him to a turbolift, and as the doors closed she turned to face him. " You know Tom, it's good to have you back." " Frankly Colonel, it's good to be back." " If I have to call you Tom, then you have to call me Nerys." She chided They finally reached his quarters and he smiled as he entered. There was a banner hanging from the ceiling that read: "Welcome Home Tom". He set his bag down beside the door and pulled Nerys into a bear hug. Nerys was taken aback and could only laugh in response. When he finally let go, she moved towards the door. " I know you're tired, but I thought that maybe later on tonight, we could have dinner." She asked nervously. " I would love to, I must admit, I got a little tired of Cardassian food after the first two months." Tom said lightly. He thought he caght something in her eyes, sympathy, or maybe it was understanding. " Great, I'll pick you up at 1800 hours." Nerys said as she walked out the door. *Maybe I'm not as alone as I thought* Tom said to himself as he went to the bedroom and fell tiredly into bed. ************************************************************************** Part 2 *Nerys is going to kill me* Tom thought as he raced back to his quarters. He had been delayed at work, and then stopped at Quark's for a drink, forgetting all about the romantic dinner she had planned for them. He jumped into the shower and finally arrived at Nerys' quarters a half hour late. However, when he entered, the room was dark an empty. *I am definately dead* Tom thought as he scanned the room for any remnants of a dinner. Suddenly, the door opened behind him, and he saw a very exhausted Kira enter. Her eyes flickered in consternation as she tried to figure out what he was doing there, then she remembered. " Oh, I'm sorry Love, I forgot about tonight. I had to stay late in Ops because of the Bajoran delegation, then I had to finalize some docking arrangements, and finally..." but she stopped in mid-sentence as Tom put his finger over her lip. " Nerys, I understand, really I do. You look exhausted, why don't you go take a shower, and if you're really good, I'll give you a massage." Nerys leaned on her tip-toes and kissed him gently on the lips, before heading to the bathroom for her shower. He watched her go and wondered, not for the first time, why an amazing woman like Nerys was interested in him. They had been seeing each other for five months now, and there was no end in sight. Not to say, they didn't have their fights, they had some damned good ones, mostly about his drinking or gambleing. He loved her more than any woman in his life, just as much as he had Deanna. Nerys had accepted him for what he was. She didn't want him to be something he wasn't, a good old Starfleet officer. She was his only friend on the station for a while. The other officers, Bajoran and Starfleet, had been wary. In fact, the Constable made it quite clear that he didn't trust Tom, and that he would be keeping his eye on him. Now though, he had numerous friends, many of them fellow cargo handlers, but they were great friends none-the-less. Just then, Nerys emerged from the shower looking refreshed. Her hair was still wet and she was clothed only in a very thin silk robe. He could see her body through the thin fabric and became aroused. " I'm not hungry, but if you want, I can replicate you something." Nerys said as she moved closer to him, running a towel through her hair. " No, I'm not really hungry either. Come on, I believe I said I would give you a massage if you were good, and you have been very well-behaved." Tom said suggestively as he took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed as Tom retrieved the oil he had specially ordered from Risa. When he looked back up, he saw that she had removed the robe. She sat naked, and Tom took some time to admire her body. He moved behind her and began to apply the oil on her shoulders. She shuddered a little at the coldness, but was soon moaning in pleasure as worked his magic. He finished her shoulders and moved her so that she was lying flat on her stomach. He moved so that he was straddleing the back of her thighs. He moved down her back and eventually across her buttocks. However, before he could move on to her legs, she turned around and seized his hand. She pulled him closer and kissed him deeply on the lips. He responded in kind and before he knew what was happening, she was undoing the buttons on his shirt. He took this time to remove the rest of his clothes. She brought him between her legs and he entered her, hearing her moan in pleasure. Their "massages" always ended in love making, as did their fights, and any night they spent together. After an indeterminable amount of time, he collapsed against her. She pulled him down so that he was lying beside her. She kissed him on his forhead and nuzzled his cheek. He had started shaving when he returned from the Cardassian hell-hole, and found that he liked it better that way, it was easier to feel her skin next to his face. He rested his head against her breast and soon fell asleep, still holding her waist. Tom jerked awake with a start. He had been having the same nightmare again. He was back in the Cardassian prison and they were torturing him again. He was panicking until he felt gentle hands around his chest. " Shhh...you're just having a nightmare. It's o.k, I'm here." Nerys whispered gently against his back. She pulled him back into her embrace and ran her fingers absently through his hair. " Do you want to talk about it b'tas?" She always used the Bajoran endearment to comfort him. " I was back in that damn place again. They were beating me with the energy whip." Tom had become very familiar Cardassian forms of torture during his stay with his tormenters. He heard a soft sobbing and glanced into his lover's face and was surprised to see the tears streaming down her face. " Nerys, what is it? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Tom said as he hugged her closer. " I hate them! Why did they do this to you? I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, I should have gotten you out sooner, it's all my fault." " No, no Nerys, don't you ever say that. Nothing that happened to me was your fault. Please don't blame yourself, it would break my heart." Tom murmured as he began to gently kiss her hands that had come to rest on his chest. He procceeded to kiss away her salty tears and made a trail to her mouth. They began to make love again and drifted off to sleep in each other's arms. ************************************************************************* Part3 Nerys and Tom were having breakfast in the replimat when thay saw Odo and Lwaxanna Troi enter. The couple had been married shortly after the war ended. She knew that Odo had been torn apart by his people's actions, but Lwaxanna had been there to pick up the pieces, and Odo fell in love with the woman who had loved him along. " Ah Colonel, Tom, how are you two doing today? Do you mind if we join you?" Lwaxanna called as she spotted them. Nerys waved the two over, and blanched slightly at Lwaxanna's attire. She was wearing a long flowing bright tangerine dress that was not very flattering. She looked over at Tom but he seemed lost in thought " We're fine, how are you two?" Nerys asked politely. " Oh we are excellent, my daughter is coming to the station for a few weeks to visit." This statement brought Tom out of his thoughts. *Deanna here?* It had been a long time since he had seen Deanna. Nerys caught the look on his face and was dismayed. She knew that things had never been fully resolved between the two. She also knew they had developed a bond that would link them forever, his Imzadi. She wouldn't have felt threatened if he didn't have that look on his face. He seemed to be happy that she was coming, almost ecstatic, but he'd been trying to hide it from her. " That's great, when is she coming?" Nerys asked " She should be docking soon, I have to leave to meet her. I'll see you all later." Lwaxanna said as she hurried to the docking ring, kissing Odo on the cheek. " Well, I better be getting to Ops. I'll see you later Tom." Nerys said as she left the Replimat, but she didn't think he heard her. Odo didn't like Tom, he didn't even trust him. But when he saw the pain on Nerys' face as she left the Replimat, he began to hate him. Nerys was his friend. Even though they weren't involved, he still had some feelings for her, and to see her in such pain was disturbing. What was more unbearable was the fact that Tom hadn't even noticed. " You listen to me Mr. Riker, if you hurt Nerys, I'll hurt you, is that clear? " Haven't we already had this discussion Constable? I believe my response was to mind your own business. I have no intention of hurting Nerys, I love her." Tom replied hotly. " Well, if you would stop thinking about Deanna Troi for one minute, you would see that you have already caused her pain you fool. How would you feel if one of Nerys' old lovers came to the station, and at the very mention of his name, her eyes glazed over?" Odo demanded. Odo noted with some satisfaction that the color drained from Tom's face as he realized his actions. " I really don't have time for this, I'm going to be late." Tom retorted as he jogged to the cargo bay. ************************************************************************** Part 4 <> <> <> <> The pair walked off arm in arm, leaving a very confused transport Captain who hadn't heard the two exchange a word. Nerys felt faint as she checked her console for the third time in as many minutes. She didn't know what was wrong with her. She felt awful, and she knew it wasn't just because of Tom. She knew that he loved her, but she didn't know if it was strong enough to last through a meeting with Deanna. Jadzia had been glancing worridly at her since her shift started three hours ago. Then it hit her. She began sneezing uncontrolably. Dax ran over to her and hugged her. " Congratulations! Now Curzon will have a playmate." Jadzia said referring to her and Worf's newborn son. " Jadzia, I don't think..." but she was interrupted by another fit of sneezing. " Come on, I'm taking you to Julian's to get it confirmed." But Nerys already knew. *Prophets, the only time I sneeze is when I'm pregnant* Nerys thought as Jadzia led her to the turbolift. " Well Colonel, it appears you are going to be a mother." Julian Bashir's soft voice echoed in the examination room. Nerys was speechless. She was happy, she was going to have a baby. Things were looking alot more stable in the universe lately, and she had been thinking about it, a family was just what she wanted. However, with the arrival of a certain Betazoid on the station, she didn't know if Tom felt the same way. " Julian, can you please keep this thing between us for the time being? You too Jadzia." Nerys asked as she hopped off the table. " Of course Nerys." Julian replied good-naturedly, while Dax only nodded. " Well, I am still on duty, so I'd better get back to Ops." Nerys said as she left the infirmary trailed by Jadzia ************************************************************************** Part 5 Tom stepped wearily into Quarks. He had an awful day. He had to break up a fight in the cargo bay between two of his best workers. He had an arguement with a freighter Captain who wanted more cargo space than he was assigned, and to top it all off, he had to spend the better part of his day filling out forms requesting more equipment and man-power. However, all of these thoughts dissipated as he saw Deanna sitting in a secluded booth in the rear of Quarks, nursing a drink. She seemed locked in thought, but when she "sensed" him enter, she looked up and waved him over. She stood up and hugged him. " Tom, it's been a long time. You look wonderful. How've you been?" Deanna gushed. *She's just as nervous as I am* Tom thought before he answered. " I've got no complaints. How have you been? You look beautiful as always." He looked into her dark eyes and lost himself. " Tom, why don't we go to my quarters and talk? This bar is getting a little loud.?" Tom stood up and offered his arm to her and they strolled out of Quark's leaving behind a very curious and confused O'Brien and Bashir who had been playing darts. Nerys sighed as she entered her quarters. She had been dealing with bad-tempered people all day. When she came home all she wanted to do was sleep. But as she fell into bed, she found she couldn't get to sleep. She looked at her chronometer and saw that it was 2100 hours. *Tom should be home. Maybe if I tell him the news, I can go to sleep* Nerys thought as she slipped on some clothes and headed for Tom's quarters. When she finally arrived, she didn't get any replies to her hails. " Computer, where is Thomas Riker." " Thomas Riker is located on level 16, in Deanna Troi's quarters." Nerys quelled the panic that had already started to surface. *Stop it Nerys. You trust this man. Deanna is his friend, they're probably just catching up. I'll just wait in here for him to return* Nerys thought as she sat on a chair. Tom and Deanna had indeed been catching up. He told her of the horrors of the imprisonment, and she told him of the horrors of the war. They had both been drinking and consoleing each other, when before either of them knew what was happening, they were kissing. Tom gathered Deanna into his arms and carried her to the bed. They made love passionately, still clinging to each other long after their tryst. " I love you Deanna. I feel like I belong in your arms." " I feel like you belong here too Tom." " Deanna, you've left Starfleet, marry me." " Oh imzadi, I thought you'd never ask. Ofcourse I'll marry you. But first, don't we have a little problem?" " I'll tell her tommorrow. I'm sure she'll understand, i mean, how often do people get second chances?" " I feel bad about how we went about this. From what you've told me, she seems like she's had a hard life, and she's been good to you. I don't know her, but I don't want to hurt her." " I care for her, but I love you, I need you, she will understand, I know she will." Tom said reassureingly, but he wasn't so sure. Nerys awoke with a start. Her neck ached from her little nap on the chair. She looked at the chronometer and saw that it was 0300 hours. Tom hadn't come home, and her heart sank. Her temper flared briefly. She left his quarters and arrived at Deanna's within five minutes. She rang the door chime. Two minutes later a short brunette answered the door. " Do you have any idea what time it is? Oh...you must be Nerys, come in, we have something to discuss." Deanna said guiltily. Nerys entered and through the doorway saw Tom getting up from the bed, her bed. " Prophets no." Kira breathed. " I know how you must be feeling but believe me, Tom and I had no idea this was going to happen. It was a complete surprise." " Nerys, never doubt that I loved you, it's just that Deanna and I have a link, something you and I could never have." Tom said trying to make things easier for all them. " No, you don't have to explain. Um, I have to go now. I can't be here right now." Nerys said as she backed away from the door fighting back tears. She turned and tried not to scream as she headed back to her quarters. ************************************************************************** Part 6 Dax glanced worridly at her friend. Kira had been staring into space for at least ten minutes. Her eyes were red and Jadzia knew that she had been crying. She wanted to comfort Nerys, but knew that it would do no good. The only other time Kira had been like this was after Bariel's death. Just then the turbolift opened admitting Odo. He walked over to Nerys and whispered something in her ear. She nodded and followed the Constable absently. There was definately something wrong, especially if Odo knew about it. " Nerys, I'm sorry. Lwaxanna just told me the news. They are going to be married as soon as possible as I understand it." Odo said as soon as the doors to his office closed. " Married? They are getting married? Prophets, I didn't know that. I just thought they were together." Nerys said as tears began to flow down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away. " Well, Odo, I guess I'll tell you now. I put in a transfer request this morning." " Colonel? Why? Don't let that bastard chase you from your home." Kira laughed bitterly before answering: " Home? This monstrosity, my home? No, I am going home to Bajor. I don't need to explain myself Odo. I just want to let you know that you've been a great friend, and I'll miss you, but I can't deal with this anymore." " Nerys, I don't understand. You've dealt with too much to..." " Exactly," Kira said interrupting him, "I've dealt with too much. I'm tired of the pain and hurt. I should have never left Bajor, I shouldn't have stayed away so long. Well, that's going to be corrected soon. I'm sorry Odo, but I've made up my mind." Kira sighed as she left Odo's office. " Colonel, I don't understand. You have never expressed any dissatisfaction about your position, at least not enough to justify this sudden change of heart." Sisko roared. He had been informed of the situation with Tom Riker earlier, but he still didn't understand his First Officer's decision. Nerys was a strong woman, and he knew she wouldn't leave because of a man. Kira had had enough of all the questions, she reached her boiling point and just exploded. " Fine, fine you want to know? I'm leaving because I am going to have a child and it's father doesn't want to have anything to do with me. I am leaving because I'm tired of being hurt, I'm tired of all the petty bickering by distraught freight captains. I don't want my baby to know that there's any such word as grieveing. I'm taking him home!" Kira screamed Sisko didn't know what to say. He was stunned. She had so much hate in her eyes as she glared at him that he was taken aback. She turned on her heel and headed back to her room to finish packing. He followed her and grabbed her arm and pulled her in an embrace. " I'm so sorry Nerys. But do you really feel that running away is the right answer?" " For the final time, I'm not running away. And yes, I believe that going back to Bajor is the right answer." " Then I support you. But if you ever get an urge to return, I'd be happy to take you back, both of you." Sisko sighed as he left her quarters. ************************************************************************** Part 7 (4 months later) Nerys inhaled deeply as she walked out in the night air. It had become a ritual. Whenever the baby got restless, she would go walking and by the time she returned he was asleep. She learned that the baby was a boy, and already knew she would name it Thomas, after it's father. For the past four months, she had been working very closely with the Cabinet of Ministers. She had been assigned Liason to the government in military concerns. She liked her job, not as much as she did at Deep Space Nine, but still, she had no complaints. Well, none beside the constant sneezing, the swollen ankles, or the added delay it took her to move around. Shakaar had been there for her all he could. After all, he had his own family to look after now. He invited her over to dinner often, but she continued to refuse. She liked his wife, and adored his twin sons, but somehow, she felt like a stranger. Edon was still her trusted friend, but things were different. Having a family had changed him, she liked the change, but still missed her old friend. She turned the corner of the street and came upon her house. She had decided to move to a remote area called Falana Province. It was right outside of the Capitol, and though it took her longer to get to work, she thought it would be a better place to raise her child. She was startled when she saw a figure on her porch. She relaxed a bit when she saw that it was only Odo. " Odo, I didn't think I would ever see you again, how are you?" but as soon as she saw his face, she dropped her playful banter and looked into his eyes. " Prophets Odo, whats wrong?" " I don't know how to say this. Lwaxanna, Deanna and Tom, they were going to Betazed for vacation. I was going to meet them there in a week because I had to have emergency drills with my deputies. But..." He faltered and Kira laid her hand on her belly as the baby began to kick. In all of Odo's angst, he hadn't even noticed the considerable gerth Nerys now maintained. " Odo, go on, finish it." Kira prodded, firmly but gently, as worry began to take hold. " When they were landing, there was an ion storm, and the transport was having difficulties, and the pilots lost control. The ship crashed, killing everyone on board." Suddenly, Kira rushed to her friend and hugged him, letting the tears stream freely down her face. " I'm so sorry Odo." The baby continued it's tirade and finally Odo felt the ripple and managed to look down at Kira's stomach. He stared in wonder and looked into her eyes for an explanation. " It's Tom's baby. That is the main reason I left Odo. I couldn't..." but before she could finish her sentence a pain so intense that it almost blinded her ripped through her entire body. She collapsed to the floor just as her water broke. Odo picked her up and carried her inside to her room. " Nerys, whats wrong?" " Prophets no, it's too soon. I have another month left." Kira said as another contraction sent her into a world filled with pain. " You're having the baby? Now? Who am I supposed to call?" Odo asked frantically. " Odo, the baby is coming now! There's no time to call anyone, you are going to have to deliver this baby." " I don't know the first thing about delivering babies. It can't be coming." But another shriek from Kira assured him that it was. Odo arranged the pillows behind Kira, so that she was in a semi-sitting position. He then lifted her nightgown above her knees and waited to see the first signs of the baby. He was so engrossed with waiting that he forgot to be embarrassed. " Prophets, isn't he out yet!" Kira screamed in mortal agony " Nerys, I need you to push for me. I can see his head, only a few more minutes." " Odo, I can't push any more, I'm so tired." Kira said as she lay her head wearily against the headboard. " Nerys, you've been to Hell and back, you can push one more time." And push she did, soon her cries were replaced by that of a baby boy with dark hair and blue eyes. Odo wrapped the boy in the blankets that had been laying by his side, and handed him to Kira. Kira began to cry, whether for herself or her child, Odo didn't know. He left her room and went to the communications console and called the hospital. When he went back into the room, he discovered that mother and child were sleeping peacefully. ************************************************************************** Part 8 Nerys was singing her baby to sleep when Sisko entered. He smiled at her, and nodded to Odo who hadn't left Kira's side since the birth, even if he was in his gelatinous state. Sisko had to admit that the baby was good looking. He looked just like his Father, but he had Kira's nose. Even though the baby had been born prematurely, he was healthy and well. Sisko took the tiny bundle in his arms and began to coo at him, feeling slightly foolish. Odo had come to stand beside Nerys and was holding her hand. " Well Colonel, I just came here to see if you were in need of a job, say at a certain space station called Deep Space Nine." " Ben, I really appreciate it, but I need some time alone, with my son. Maybe someday when he's older, I may take you up on it, but as for right now, I just want to be with him." " I understand completely Nerys, but you know, we'll always be there for you when you need us, so don't hesitate to call." " I know. Thank you for everything. Really, thanks." Nerys said as Sisko handed the boy back to it's mother. " Well Constable, I think it's time for us to return to the station." " Sir, if you don't mind, I'd like to take some leave. Nerys and I have discussed it and it seems she's going to be needing some help." " Of course Constable, just don't stay too long. If I can't have both of you back, I at least want one of you." They all laughed as Sisko headed out the door. He glanced back and saw that Odo held the child. Somehow, Sisko didn't think he would be getting his Chief of Security back. *I'd better start looking for someone* thought Sisko wryly as he closed the door. The End. ************************************************************************** Feedback: O.K. I wrote this in one night, so if it seems a little shallow, I'm sorry. Um, whatever you have to say, just e-mail me at bum1@erols.com, even if it is only to tell me how much you didn't like it! =0)