Note: This story takes place six years after the episode "The Siege". Kira and Odo have gotten "together" and the war between the Federation and Dominion/Cardassian alliance is over. Um, what else, oh yeah, as in all my stories, Kira is a Colonel. Oh, I almost forgot, there are some vivid scenes with some blood, and one or two objectionable phrases, but I think you can handle it! =0) ************************************************************************** What Price for Revenge? ************************************************************************** "Are you telling me you feel, like you've never felt before? Uh Oh, my heart. Don't you know those famous words, be seen, but not heard, Taboo to love. Where's your lantern or candlelight, so to guide you through hidden spaces. Though it's said truth unveils all lies, feelings can be left to roam. So you say you've lost your head, but you use your heart instead, beware of love. This is not like you at all, you vowed to never fall, Taboo to love, taboo to love..." Stevie Wonder ************************************************************************** Part 1 Nerys gazed out of the window lazily. She heard her lover come up behind her, and relaxed as his arms enclosed around her waist. He began kissing her neck and shoulders. She turned around and looked into his blue eyes. "Good morning Constable. I trust you had a restful sleep." Sleep was not exactly the right word for Odo. Regeneration was more like it. "I had an excellent rest. It's a shame we have to go back on duty today. These last two days have been very, how should I put it, enjoyable." Kira laughed in response and broke from her lover's embrace. She let her robe drop to the floor as she headed for the shower. Odo gazed admiringly at her body. He loved her for her mind and her character, but he had to admit that her good-looks were an added bonus. She emerged twenty minutes later dressed in her uniform. Her chin length hair was brushed away from her beautiful face and he could see her earring moving as she walked towards him. Odo had also formed his uniform, and was awaiting to take her to breakfast. "Are you ready Odo? I'm starving." Odo inclined his head and offered her his arm, which she readily accepted as they headed out of her quarters toward the Promenade. The Replimat was packed to say the least. Odo knew that most of the occupants were tourists coming from all over Bajor to see the Gratitude Festival that was to be held the following day. "Well, it looks as if I am going to have to skip breakfast. I suppose it's for the best, I have a million and one things to do in preparation for tomorrow's events." Nerys said as she stood on tip-toe to kiss her lover. " I'll see you later on tonight." Odo merely grunted and headed off to his office. He also had many details to go over for tomorrow. For one, the First Minister was coming to the station to preside over the ceremonies. That meant security would have to be stepped up, and Shakaar was not one of the easiest men to guard. Even though he was the First Minister of Bajor, he continued to act as if he were a plain farmer walking around the station where assassins were no doubt lying in wait for him. It was infuriating. Also, this event would no doubt bring the criminal element into full swing. The dregs of the universe always showed up uninvited to functions such as these and due to seven years of experience, he had come to predict what security measures should be taken to insure tranquillity. He had already given his deputies their assignments and was sitting at his desk looking over the criminal report when Kira entered, looking visibly shaken. Nerys, what's wrong?" "Nothing is wrong Constable, don't be silly. I was just coming to check with you about the First Minister's security." "Kira, don't lie to me, I know something is wrong." "Prophets Odo, for the last time, nothing is wrong!" Kira said almost hysterically. "Nerys, please, I know something is wrong. I'm here for you, if something is bothering you, I want to know." "Odo, as I've said before, nothing is wrong. I just came to see about Shakaar." Odo knew that she wasn't going to tell him anything. At least not at the moment. He knew he would have to wait until later on tonight in her quarters before he pushed any further. So instead of pursuing the topic, he gestured for her to sit down whilst he explained the security details. When Odo entered Nerys' quarters later that evening, he found her sitting at the table drinking some Spring wine. He looked at the bottle and saw that it was nearly empty. *It had to be something bad to make her drink like this* Odo thought as he pulled out a chair and sat. She glanced up at him wearily and smiled. "Nerys, what's wrong?" "Odo, nothing is wrong! Can't I enjoy some Spring wine without you jumping to conclusions." Nerys said as she rose exasperated and headed toward the bedroom. " I am going to change, I'll be back in a minute." Odo was getting frustrated. Something was very wrong with Nerys, but she was trying to cover it up. As he stood to follow her, something in the wastebasket caught his eye. He bent over and picked up the lone item. It wasn't the fact that it was paper. No one used paper anymore, but it was the blood-red letters that caught his attention. If he had any blood it would have ran cold at the writing. Kira Nerys, traitor to Bajor, You have betrayed your fellow Bajorans by consorting with the off-worlders. You have tainted the purity of Bajor and you must be purged. You have one day to get your affairs in order. Tell no one of this, or they will be joining you. The Purifiers of Bajor Odo barged into Nerys' room and thrust the letter in her face. She looked up surprised, but then grew angry. "Tell me Odo, do you enjoy snooping around in other people's homes?" Kira asked icily. "Don't try to change the subject. What is the meaning of this? Why didn't you tell me of this? We need to arrange for your protection." Kira laughed bitterly before she responded, " You read the note. Anybody I tell will be joining me. You've already put yourself in danger Odo. I can take care of myself, so if you don't mind, I'm tired and would like to get some sleep, I'm sure you remember where the door is." "Are you insane? Do you really think that I am going to leave you here alone when you have received a death threat?" "Odo nothing is going to happen to me. Just because we sleep together doesn't mean that you have any right to dictate my life." "Is that all I am to you? A bed partner?" Odo's voice shook with rage. *Nerys, tell him that you don't care about him. It's the only that he'll let you deal with this by yourself.* Kira thought as she answered. "If you must know the truth Odo, then yes. That is all you are to me. I have never promised you anything, so don't look at me that way." "Oh, you don't have to worry about me looking at you like that anymore Colonel. As far as I'm concerned, our personal relationship is over. I can't believe you! I actually thought... well, it doesn't matter anymore. I guess the Founder was right, you could never love me, I'm just a Changeling." Odo almost yelled as he stormed out of her quarters. Nerys longed to call him back and tell him that she did love him, and that the Founder was wrong. But alas, she knew that she would only be endangering him, and she wouldn't be able to bear it if anything happened to him because of her. So instead, she sank to the floor and began to sob. Odo flew to his quarters in a rage. His whole being was consumed by conflicting emotions: anger, love, hatred, and disbelief. He had been almost certain that she loved him, but he had been foolish. He was actually shaking with rage, a first for him. He looked at the betrothal bracelet that lay on his computer console. He had been prepared to propose to her tomorrow. He now took the bracelet in his hand and studied it. It was very simple. A gold ban with four Bajoran gems embedded on it, along with Kira's sign. Since Odo had no clan of his own, he simply had his name, encircled by the Bajoran religious symbol engraved next to hers. The bracelet was very beautiful. He flung it across the room and turned to face the sculpture that had been Kira's favorite: a Bajoran couple engaged in a passionate embrace. Odo took the statue in his hands. *No, don't destroy anything because of her. It didn't do any good the first time, and it wouldn't do any good now.* Odo thought as he placed the statue back on the table and headed to his room to regenerate. "Damn you Kira Nerys." was all he said as he melted into a puddle. ************************************************************************** Part 2 As Odo approached the airlock, he saw Sisko and Kira chatting amicably. Kira looked beautiful. She was dressed in a soft pink dress that appeared to be made of silk. It fell a couple of inches above her knee and was covered by a thin blouse of the same shade of pink. "Ah Constable, just in time." Sisko said evenly. Odo knew that he had been a little late. He had had to go over some last minute details with his deputies, before rushing off to meet the First Minister. He was happy to see security already in place as he arrived. Before Odo could respond, the airlock's gears rolled away, admitting Shakaar and his adjutant Sarish Rez. "Peldor Joy Captain, Constable, Nerys." Shakaar said, inclining his head in greeting. "Peldor Joy First Minister. The ceremony is ready to begin, if you would just come with us." Sisko said, gesturing down the corridor. "Of course." Shakaar replied as he allowed the two security guards to flank him. Odo and Kira fell into step behind the contingent, an uncomfortable silence hanging between the two. Odo glanced sideways at Kira and saw that she appeared relaxed. Odo had vowed to himself that he would keep a close eye on her today. Not because of personal interests of course, she was the First Officer after all. They finally reached the Promenade and Shakaar mounted the podium. Odo scanned the crowd looking for any would-be assassins. All he saw were eager, smiling faces. Odo was brought back to reality by a thunderous applause. He realized that the opening ceremony was over, and as Shakaar stepped down, the crowd began to mill about the Promenade. Odo looked around frantically for Kira, but she had been swallowed by the crowd. He couldn't think of her now however, he had a duty to the First Minister. *If she had wanted protection, she would have asked for it," he justified as he led Shakaar to Quark's. For the fiftieth time in an hour, Kira patted the dagger she had strapped to her forearm reassuringly. She knew that her stalkers would move in for the kill soon, and she'd be damned if she went down without a fight. At first, she had wandered around the Promenade, stopping occasionally to chat with some friends and shopkeepers. However, she knew that she could very well be jeopardizing them, so she strolled to a deserted corridor and waited. She didn't have to wait very long before she heard a scuffling behind her. She turned around abruptly, dagger in hand. All she saw was a marble, very curious. Then she realized her mistake. *Dammed Nerys! You know better than to turn your back on an open corridor* Kira thought as her world became black. ************************************************************************** Part 3 Odo glanced around nervously as a hand touched his arm. He jumped involuntarily and saw that it was only Lwaxana Troi. "Odo dear, don't be so jumpy. Why do you look so angry? I think you are dampening everyone's mood." "Ambassador Troi. I'm sorry if my look is disturbing you, but I have a job to do, so if you would..." "Not anymore. I just finished talking to the Captain, and he wanted me to tell you to go enjoy yourself." "But the First Minister..." "Is in capable hands." Troi finished for him. "So tell me Odo, why aren't you with the Colonel?" "The Colonel and I aren't seeing each other anymore." "What? When did this happen? I just talked to you last week and you told me..." "I know what I told you. It happened last night. She told me in no uncertain terms that she doesn't love me." Odo cut in sharply. "Oh Odo, I'm so sorry. I know how much she meant to you. Come on, let's go someplace quieter and talk." Odo sighed heavily as he followed Lwaxana out of Quark's and to one of the empty corridors. As Kira awoke, she became aware of the fact that her hands and feet were bound together. She also had some sort of sack over her head. Her captors must have noticed the shift in her breathing patterns because she felt rough hands pull her into a sitting position. Those same hands also removed the sack from her head. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she was confronted by a face that she hadn't expected to ever see again in her life. "Jaro! I thought you were..." but before she could finish, a strong fist connected with her jaw. "Shut up bitch! You have no right to speak to this great man! You are an unworthy piece of..." "Seda, there will be time for that later. First we are going to let her know what her s ins are, and why it is necessary for her to die." Jaro spoke, placing a restraining hand on his companions arm. Kira looked at the two men. Jaro had grown considerably thinner and was now sporting a beard. She looked at his companion. The younger man had a stocky physique and dark hair. He glared at Kira as she spit out blood. Jaro motioned to the young man and he moved behind her and untied the ropes around her ankles. He lifted her onto her feet brusquely and pulled her to a set of chains that were dangling from the ceiling. That is when she realized where she was. It was the old Cardassian torture center, hidden deep in the bowels of the station. Kira had a feeling that she wasn't going to get out of there alive. Seda then untied her hands. She saw a window of opportunity, and hit him squarely in the jaw. She turned to run, but a hand gripped her hair and pulled her back painfully. Her head was jerked back, and she found herself staring into Jaro's eyes. "Tsk, tsk Colonel. You know better than to try to escape. Your destiny awaits you, there is no way to hide from the inevitable." Seda moved up from behind and grabbed her wrists, clasping the manacles tightly around them. Before he moved away from her completely, he slammed his fist into her abdomen, laughing as she vomited. "Kira Nerys, you are a disgrace to your entire race." Jaro said. Kira screamed in agony as fire raced down her back. She realized that Jaro held a whip in his hand. "You betray us by being a puppet for the Federation!" Another lash from the whip. "You are sleeping with a Founder, a sworn enemy of the entire Alpha Quadrant." Another lash. "You have become a plague to your world. The only way to save Bajor is to destroy this blight, destroy you, you treacherous whore." Jaro spat as yet again the whip tore into her flesh. ************************************************************************** Part 4 Odo sat beside Lwaxana on the windowsill and gazed at the wormhole. "Now Odo, tell me what happened. It will make you feel better if you talk about it." "I've already explained to you what happened. She told me she has no feelings for me. I've accepted it and so should you." "I'm sorry, but I simply can't accept that. Is there something else going on that you're not telling me about?" Odo stood up in frustration. He shifted his gaze to the floor and saw something glittering in the corner. He walked over and gingerly set the object in his hand. If Odo had a heart, it would have surely burst at that moment. It was Kira's earring. She was in trouble and she needed his help. Odo ran from the corridor and raced to Ops, Lwaxana following him the whole way. Kira's whole body had become numb. In addition to Jaro's lashings, she had also received numerous blows from a blunt object from Seda. She still hadn't figured out what it was and was still wondering as Jaro stopped his tirade, panting with exertion. "It's time." was all he said as he and Seda moved to a corner and pulled two shining objects from a bag. Kira glanced at the ground and noticed that the "blunt object" had actually been a steel pipe. She could hardly see out of her swollen face. Her legs had long since given way beneath her. She was hanging from the chains painfully, her wrists bleeding from her weight. In fact, she was covered with blood, her once-pink dress was now a dull red. Kira was fighting to stay awake. Several blows had come in contact with her head, and she knew she must have a concussion. "Kira Nerys, in the mane of the Prophets, I deem you unworthy of the life that has been given to you. You conspire with the Federation who is bent on Bajor's destruction. You sleep with a non-Bajoran and you have betrayed your people." with that, Jaro raised the shiny object, a knife she realized, above his head, and plunged it into Kira's midsection. Seda followed suit and she felt her life slipping away as her world once again became dark. "Why didn't you tell me? Of all the...No, never mind. We have to find Kira now. Does anybody have any suggestions?" Sisko demanded staring into his officers' faces desperately. They had already tried to use internal scanners, but it was of no use. "I have an idea." Everyone turned to the owner of the voice. Lwaxana Troi was still in Ops when the others had arrived and was standing in the corner unobtrusively. " I am a Betazoid after all. If I concentrate hard enough, I'm sure I can find out where the Colonel is." "Will this endanger your health?" Odo asked worriedly. "Don't worry dear, I'll be fine." Lwaxana patted his arm reassuringly as she closed her eyes. What she saw in those next few minutes would be etched into her memory forever. It wasn't long before pain screamed to her. She turned her attention to find the source and faltered as she was hit with an intense wave of suffering, anguish, and distress swept over her. She wanted to pull away, but she knew this was important. After two more minutes of the agony she opened her eyes. "I don't recognize the room. It is definitely on the station though. She is surrounded by chains and it's very dark." "Why I didn't think of it before! She's in the old Cardassian interrogation center. It's the only part of the station shielded from internal transporters and sensors. It is on level three. We are going to have to beam right outside of it and try to regain control from there." Odo burst out. "Bashir, I am going to beam you with a security team outside of the room. Get Kira out of there as soon as possible, but don't endanger yourself." Sisko said, then turning to Odo, he finished, " Constable, I want those bastards dead or alive, I don't care which at this point." Odo nodded as he and the rest of the contingent boarded the transporter pad. ************************************************************************** Part 5 As soon as Bashir re-materialized outside of the room, the stench of blood filled his nose, and it took all he had not to vomit. Odo gestured him to stand behind the two security guards. Odo opened the door with the outer control panel and almost died. Kira was hanging limply from two chains and was dripping in blood. He saw a sudden flurry of movement out of the corner of his eye. Two men came charging at him, knives raised high, still stained from Kira's blood. Odo watched with satisfaction as the two men were mowed down by his deputies. They had set their phasers to kill, and now the crazed pair lay in a heap, their bodies angled oddly. Bashir raced to Kira and cut her manacles with his laser scalpel. He gathered her crumpled form in his arms and raced out of the room. Odo saw the pool of blood below where his lover had been hanging and knew that she wouldn't survive. Bashir had been horrified at the sight of his friend. Her back had been torn open with a whip of some kind, as well as her legs. Her face was hardly recognizable, but it was the sight of her abdomen that sickened him the most. Kira had been stabbed numerous times and lay like a gutted fish. He knew he had to stop the bleeding immediately, or Kira would be gone in a matter of minutes. All ready, her body was convulsing with shock and he fought to stabilize her so that he could go prep for surgery. Bashir emerged from the operating room some three hours later, a grim look covering his handsome face. The others, Lwaxana, Dax, Sisko, Bashir, Worf, O'Brien, Shakaar and Odo looked up expectantly. "Well, I was able to stop the bleeding. I've patched her up and returned her blood volume to normal." The others began to cheer, but stopped as Bashir held up his hand. " She's not out of danger yet. Nerys received several damaging blows to the head, and suffered numerous contusions and concussions. She has slipped into a coma." The others sagged and moaned at this news, and Shakaar even covered his face with his hands. "What are her chances Doctor?" Odo rasped. "They're not very good I'm afraid. I can't believe she even survived long enough for me to treat her other wounds. The things those bastards did...I can't even imagine how she didn't just die from the shock. It's up to Nerys now, I've done all I can. Now, I suggest we all return to our quarters and get some rest." Everyone got up dejectedly and left the infirmary offering words of consolation to each other. All of this was missed by Odo as he raced to Kira's quarters. As soon as he entered, he collapsed on one knee. He didn't know why he had even bothered to come there, except, he needed to feel close to her. He gathered his strength and stood up again, heading for her bedroom, when he noticed a computer chip on the table, addressed to him. he took the chip to Kira's console and watched as her face appeared on the screen. "Odo, if you are viewing this, then I am either dead, or close to it. I want you to understand that I was lying the other night. Odo, I love you with all my heart, but I couldn't put your life in jeopardy because some fanatics were trying to kill me. If anything were to happen to you because of me, it would kill me, so I decided it would be best to lie to you. Prophets, there are so many things I want to tell you, but I feel stupid talking to a recorder. In the end though, I suppose it doesn't matter. I just want you to know that you are my heart and soul, I love you Odo, never forget that. One last thing, I have something in my top dresser drawer for you, just keep it as a reminder that I loved you. Walk with the Prophets." The screen blinked off and Odo sat paralyzed at the console. He had been such a fool. Of course Kira had loved him. Why had he been so blind? It was only a ploy, and he had fallen for it, and it had cost him the love of his life. He sat berating himself for an hour before he remembered the last part of Kira's message. He walked to the bedroom and opened the top drawer of her bureau and found a small box. He opened the box and found a note that read, " Odo, I've been meaning to do this for a while, but I never had the time, and now I never will. Keep this as a token of our love. Nerys." He glanced back into the box and found a bracelet. She had been going to propose to him. Odo sank to the floor and after a moments hesitation began to pray out loud. "I know that I've never been a religious man, but if what the Bajorans say is true, then you have the power to pull Nerys through this. If you let her live, I will be a true believer, I will never doubt you. Hell, I'll even go to the temple everyday. I'll do whatever you want, but please, please don't let her die." ************************************************************************** Part 6 Odo sat by Nerys' bedside and held her hand. He had been sitting with Kira for the past week, not even leaving her side to regenerate. He had also returned to his quarters and found the bracelet that he had lost in a fit of rage. It now sat nestled on Kira's slender wrist. Her condition hadn't changed in the past week. Bashir had suggested that he should talk to her, it might help her to hear a familiar voice. Odo threw himself into the task with a fury. He talked to her to his voice was hoarse, but there still had been no change. Suddenly, Kira's hand began to twitch. Odo leapt up and called for Bashir. As the Doctor entered, Kira's eyelids fluttered open. She tried to sit up, but Bashir gently pushed her back. "Nerys, you've just survived some pretty critical injuries. I want you to sit back and relax. I suspect you and Odo have some things to discuss, so I'll be back in about ten minutes." Bashir said leaving the room. "Welcome back Nerys. And my answer is yes." As a look of confusion passed over her face, Odo lifted his arm to reveal the bracelet and he also raised hers. "Oh Odo." was all she could rasp "I had been planning on asking you on the day of the Gratitude Festival, but some other things came up." Odo said sarcastically. "Odo, I love you. I was in a scary place there for a while. I was afraid I would never see you or the others again, but I heard your voice and it gave me hope." "Shh...Nerys, I know. You need to rest, I can see. I'll come back tomorrow. Go back to sleep now." Kira smiled and closed her eyes. Odo turned and walked right into Julian Bashir. "Odo, where are you going?" he asked curiously. "Oh I have to fulfill a promise to some friends." Odo said wistfully as he headed for the Temple.