Newborn Decisions, Part II: The Sun, the Moon, the Stars…

It had been a few months since he and Kira had dined together, but he was still trying to cope with the change. Kira had known enough not to really say anything about it; she knew he was having a hard enough time as it was.

But small things had been making it easier…like the rumors circulating that Shakaar had a new girlfriend. He didn’t know if it was true, but if it was, then Kira either didn’t know, didn’t care, or was hiding it extremely well. It worried him that she might be hurting, and swells of protective anger sometimes manifested themselves in Odo’s mind.

It was something he hadn’t had to deal with, not since he tried to gain protection from the never-ending tests. Maybe a trip away from the constant strain of the station would be good. When he had first returned from his…judgment, the stability of his job had been one of the few things that had kept Odo going. Now that he was finding out and rediscovering who he was, Odo could rest somewhat easier. There was an upcoming conference on Bajor about strategic countermeasures against changeling infiltration. He didn’t need the conference, but it would make for a good excuse.

(-|-)

“Captain, I’d like to request leave to attend the upcoming conference on Bajor.”

“The one that starts tomorrow?”

Odo nodded.

“All right, Constable. I’m sure you have more than enough leave built up. How long does the conference last?”

“Four days…but I’d, ah, like to stay planetside for a full week.”

“Constable,” Sisko said, standing and walking over to Odo. He placed a reassuring hand roughly on his shoulder. “After what you’ve been through, I wouldn’t mind if you took seven months off..” He stepped back and went back to his chair saying, “But, I know Quark would probably be running the station in that much time, so a week it is.” Sisko ended with a smile.

“Thank you, Captain.”

The two exchanged nods, and Odo left to get things set for his short sabbatical.

“Sisko to Kira.”

“Kira here.”

“Could I see you in my office a moment, Major?”

“Certainly, sir.”

A moment later, Kira Nerys strode through the doorway to Sisko’s office.

“Major, I’d like you to attend the upcoming conference on Bajor.”

“Me, sir? Wouldn’t Commander Worf be better suited…”

“You wouldn’t just be going for the conference; you’d also be going for the Constable.”

“Odo?”

Sisko nodded. “He’s requested leave to attend but I think he just doesn’t want to admit that he finally needs a break. I want you simply to keep an eye on him, make sure he’s all right.” He could see Kira starting to protest and stopped her. “I know that the Constable’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself, Major, but this has been a rough few months. I just don’t want to have to worry about him.”

Kira silently agreed.

“When do I leave?”

“Tomorrow, but not on the same transport as Odo. I do want you on the first one after him though. That way we can claim that this was a last minute decision. I doubt the Constable would appreciate being looked after. Now then, Odo plans on staying a week. I’d like you to do the same if possible. I realize that with the baby and all, it may be a little rough. And you’re free to return at any time if you feel it’s necessary.”

Kira nodded, taking this all in. She’d do anything to see to it that Odo relaxed and felt even marginally better.

“Good luck, Major.”

(-|-)

The conference was almost over (thank the Prophets), and for Kira, it had been deadly dull. The weather had been terribly dreary as well, with thunderstorms peppering almost each day’s sky. She had talked to Odo a few times, about one of the points made in one lecture or another. And he seemed to be unwinding, ever so slightly.

Finally when the conference concluded, Kira found herself staring the next day at a lovely clear sky with the tell-tale promises of an extraordinary sunset.

“Would you care to go for a walk?” Odo asked, coming up behind her.

“Yes, I think I would.” She turned around, not even startled by his unexpected approach. It must be something about that voice.

They wandered through plazas and gardens in the city before following a stream up towards the foothills.

“Kira, are you sure you should? what with the baby and all?”

“Don’t worry, Odo. I won’t go trouncing around like I did during the Occupation.”

Slightly appeased, Odo told himself to lighten up. It was just a walk. What could go wrong?

(-|-)

They ended walking quite a bit. When they came to a set of boulders, Kira was adamant about climbing up to the next path.

“C’mon, Odo. You can even go first. Once you make it up, if you really don’t think it’s worth it, I won’t climb then. But I do think you’re being a little overprotective.”

Odo conceded and climbed up once, then back down again so that he could give Kira a hand on her way.

“Just give me your hand. All that’s really important is that you keep your balance.”

Kira agreed and turned out to be grateful for his presence for by the time they had scaled the mere five meter obstacle she was panting from the exertion. She didn’t even notice when they continued walking hand in hand.

“There’s a small plateau just ahead. We should be able to see the whole city, and the sunset, from there.” Odo pointed to a small bend in the path.

“Told you…that…it’d be…worth it.” Kira wiped a hand across her perspiring brow.

Odo stopped to look at her. “Are you all right?”

“Phew. I…don’t know. I didn’t…didn’t think I’d have that hard of a…time catching my breath again.” Kira swallowed hard, almost as if she were trying to eat the air.

“Maybe you should rest for awhile…How about on the side of this hill?”

He indicated a small knoll barely a meter away.

Kira could only nod.

“Okay, now just sit down, nice and easy. I’ll help you.”

Kira was about to thank Odo for his patience and help when a wave of pain hit her so hard her knees buckled. It was a lot like the smaller cramping she had had earlier that morning.

Odo readjusted himself so as not to lose his balance. Kira finally was seated, but she seemed to be even more uncomfortable than before. Her breathing had increased again and her hand had tightened a vise-like grip on his.

Another wave of pain hit Kira and she felt a wetness in her pants.

“Oh, Odo,” she said in a tone of disbelief. “We’ve got a problem.”

“What?” he asked, concerned.

“The baby’s coming.”

Odo crouched in shock next to Kira.

“Dr. Bashir…” he started.

“Is at least 2 hours away, if we contacted him now…I didn’t bring my communicator; did you?”

Odo shook his head, but was still running possibilities through his head.

“Then I’ll get someone from the city. You’ll…you’ll be all right, won’t you?”

Kira nodded, biting down hard on her lower lip.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Kira nodded, concentration written boldly across her face.

Odo was off, his mind a jumble of shock, fear, and worry. But there was also a sense of need…Immediate need.

The boulders proved to be more difficult to climb down than scale up, especially with the diminishing light, and he had just made it halfway when a scream of pain reached his ears.

He paused.

Surely, it was the labor pains but…but what if it wasn’t? He needed to make a decision, and fast.

It would take a good ten minutes to get to the city, perhaps another ten to find a doctor, and yet another ten to get back to Kira. That was, if he could find his way back.

Scaling the rocks a third time was as easy as catching Quark at something illegal. He was beside Kira again in a matter of moments.

He slipped his hand into hers, and eyes that had been closed in concentration snapped open in surprise.

“A…doctor?”

“There isn’t enough time, and I…just couldn’t leave you here alone. Not like this.”

Another wave rocked Kira and silenced any reply. Odo could tell she was starting to bear down. He only hoped he could remember the thing he had read on birthing.

“Here goes…”

(-|-)

An hour later Kira and the baby were snuggled tightly against Odo for any extra warmth they could get. The baby had been wrapped in the jacket Odo had been wearing.

He had managed, with much help from Kira, to build a small fire which provided not only heat but light as the sun had set early behind the tips of the mountains.

Odo held Kira to him with one arm as she slept, and poked somewhat restlessly at the fire with a stick he held in his other hand. He could feel her heartbeat, and fought to keep tears of momentary contentment from his eyes.

The stars glittered in the sky above; some sharply, others softly. It was beautiful, peaceful, and incredible. Odo let his head rest against the rock behind him. If only it could last…

By the Prophets, I wish this could last.

It was a good thing that night that the Prophets can hear wishes…especially when echoed by two people. For Kira was awake, and she too was thinking how right everything felt.

(-|-)

When dawn broke, the trio headed back to the city, slow as it was for Kira was still rather sore.

“I’ve felt worse and had to run with a fifteen kilo-pack on my back,” was Kira’s response to Odo’s query about how she felt and if she was up to walking back to the city.

By the time they reached the city, stores and such were just beginning to open up for the day. They quickly found a doctor, contacted Bashir and the O’Briens, and then waited.

They sat on a sofa outside of the doctor’s officer, and Kira let her head rest against Odo’s shoulder. It wasn’t all that comfortable but…

“What is it, Nerys?” Odo asked, moving his arm so he could pull her closer. After all, it was a bit chilly in the room.

“It’s just weird, I guess. I feel kind of…empty without that little rascal poking me all the time.” Kira smiled ruefully, and didn’t even notice the use of her given name.

“Well, it’s understandable, Nerys. You’ve lost something in a sense. But, in another, you’ve gained a lot as well.”

“Like what?”

“Like being able to sleep decently again.”

“That’s true,” Kira said, yawning at even the mention of sleep. Odo stroked her head, trying to get her to sleep.

“You need your rest, Nerys.”

Kira tried mumbling something but she was too tired, and Odo’s voice too soothing, to be coherent.

As for himself…maybe he would sleep the last day of his shore leave.

(-|-)

It was a crowd of commotion that put Kira on alert instantly, but Odo calmed her down.

“It’s okay, Nerys. It’s only our people.”

Kira’s body relaxed as she saw Keiko and Miles both adoring their new bundle of joy. Bashir was talking with the resident doctor but neither’s face showed any worry. Everything was as it should be.

Kira stood to go congratulate and talk with the O’Briens, but she was barely a step along when Odo was there steadying her.

“Guess I still need help with my balance,” Kira joked.

Odo just smiled.

“Major!” came the stern reprove of Dr. Bashir. “Just what do you think you’re doing! Sit right back down where you were. Now!”

Kira complied very willingly. The O’Briens came over to her to talk about Jason Kiro O’Brien.

“Constable, can I speak with you for a moment?”

Odo nodded and followed Bashir to the other side of the room. Odo ran a hand over his face, pausing to rub at his eyes.

“Odo, how long has it been since you slept last?”

“Two nights ago. About…um, 47 hours.”

“47 hours! Good gods, man! You can’t do that to yourself.”

Kira had politely excused herself from the O’Briens company to see what Bashir was talking about, and she had managed to catch most of the conversation.

“Odo! Didn’t you sleep at all last night?!” Kira was surprised, shocked, angry, and…touched.

Odo hung his head in both reproach and weariness.

“I’m sorry, Julian. I wouldn’t have kept him around here so long if I’d known.”

“Well, the important thing now is for both of you to get some rest. Now, there’s a transport car just outside waiting to take you to your hotel. So go, get some rest, and then,” he turned towards Kira, “we’ll talk about recuperation.” He then promptly shuffled them both out the doors. With a shake of his head and a smile, Bashir turned back to the O’Briens.

“So, how’s my newest patient doing…”

Babies were such a blessed thing, no matter how they came into the world.

(-|-)

It was 1800 hours by the time Odo and Kira reached their hotel. Both just managed to get to their floor.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Odo said, yawning, as Kira moved to open her door.

“Sounds like a deal. Good night, Odo, and thank you.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek before retreating back into her room.

The door closed and Odo felt suddenly awake as if he had been infused with new energy.

He got ready for sleep but even laying in bed didn’t help. He just stared at the ceiling and thought about the events of the past day or so. They brought an easy smile to his face.

A chime broke his reverie.

“Who is it?” he asked, even as he walked towards the door.

“Another sleep-deprived person,” answered the familiar voice.

Odo unlocked the privacy code and let Kira in. She was wearing loose fitting pajamas as was Odo, but they seemed to match the mood. The two spoke simultaneously.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“The baby?”

“I guess,” Kira said with a shrug.

Odo sympathetically took her hand, and they sat down on the couch. A shiver ran through Kira’s body.

“Are you cold?”

“No, no. It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

Kira hesitated. Was this simply the weariness she was feeling inside?

“Nerys, it’s all right.”

She looked up at the sound of her given name and saw blue eyes, sharp as if they had had a week of rest.

“Yesterday, when you left to get help, I…I was afraid.”

“That’s understandable.”

“No. It was different. I wasn’t afraid because of the baby or anything like that…” Odo’s face was a picture of confusion. “…I was afraid that you wouldn’t come back.”

“You couldn’t have thought that I would just leave you there?” Odo’s voice was plaintively hurt.

“No. But, I guess the last thing I wanted was for you to leave, and it didn’t really affect me till another contraction hit that I guess I knew…”

“Knew what?” Odo asked when Kira paused and looked away from him.

“That I never wanted you to leave me again.”

Odo was silent. Could this really be happening?

“Odo, say something…please.” Well, Nerys, you’ve done your part. Now we just wait and see.

When Odo still hadn’t said anything, Kira turned back to face him.

It seemed to break the shock, and a smile spread across his entire fears while tears streamed down his face.

“Oh, Odo, don’t cry,” Nerys said, a smile spreading across her face even as she moved to wipe away the tears.

Odo tried to stop his tears but only ended up having a coughing fit.

Once both of them were calmed down, eyelids started weighing heavily.

“Nerys, don’t leave. Not yet,” he said when she started to get ready to do just that. His face had turned serious. “What about Shakaar?”

“He and I are over. We’d been on the rocks for awhile there, but that Nizza girl was it. I guess I fooled myself into believing I loved him because…because he was in love with me and ever since Bareil died, I’d been missing that. The baby made me sort of reassess Edon. And what I discovered was that he wasn’t what I was really looking for. Trouble was, by that time, I didn’t know how to tell him it was over. Lucky me; he solved that one.” Kira yawned. “I’d really better go; otherwise I’ll never make it to my room.”

“Nerys, don’t. Stay here; sleep beside me. I…”

She answered him with a tender kiss. At the touch of their lips, Nerys found herself free. There was no fear, no regrets, no sorrow.

And as they went to bed, falling asleep in each other’s arms, Nerys knew that there never would be. As long as Odo was with her, and she with him, there would always be happiness and love.

And that would be all they needed, with enough extra to buy the sun, the moon, and the stars.

(-|-)

Continue with Part III: A Fool Among Fools