NOTE: This takes place after “The Begotten.”
They had been walking for what seemed like hours, neither saying anything or needing to. In truth, it had been all of half an hour since the transport had left, but time just didn’t seem to be all that important anymore, at least not in the short term.
Eventually they began to recount the memories they always cherish and the ones they would never be able to forget, no matter how hard they tried. The view from upper pylon two afforded them a few glimpses of the wormhole, adding to the reverent silence that occupied the time between few words.
“Did you make a wish?”
“Hmm?”
“A wish. On the wormhole.”
“Oh, I suppose I did. It’s almost becoming second nature to me by now.” Kira smiled sadly. “I never dreamed of having a child,” she continued, absently tracing a pattern on the window. “First, because there wasn’t any way in hell I was going to bring another life into existence under the Occupation, but, then, once things got settled down, once I got settled down, there wasn’t really anyone I wanted to start a family with.”
“You don’t need a family to have a child,” Odo interjected.
“I know, but . . . maybe part of it’s growing up without your basic “mother” and “father” . . . I’d want something better, more stable.”
“I know what you mean,” Odo agreed solemnly, gazing off at empty space.
“I suppose you do, don’t you. Funny, I never considered that you would want a family either.”
“At this point in my life, it’s top priority.”
“You know,” Kira chuckled light-heartedly, “it’s too bad you’re not human anymore; you’re probably the one person I know who I could see as a good enough father for any child of mine.”
Odo’s face widened with shock, but Kira was still looking out the window.
“What . . . what about Shakaar?” Surely there had to be someone else, not that she was actually proposing anything.
“I . . . he’s gone so much, and . . . well, he doesn’t seem to really care much about anything these days except for getting the support of every single person on Bajor and off.”
“I’m sorry, Nerys. I wish there was something I could do.”
“Yeah, so do I.” Kira moved off away from the portal and missed a chance at another wish. Odo, on the other hand, did not. And, hopefully, Julian could help him make it come true.
(-|-)
He sat patiently on the edge of the biobed, letting his feet kick back and forth ever so slightly. He was waiting, waiting for Julian to come back, waiting for the questions, but, more than anything, waiting for an answer.
Julian sauntered in, studying a PADD. Odo watched his face eagerly.
“Well, Constable, it would be possible to join some of your biological material with another humanoid’s. It would take a little work, some genetic manipulation, but it’s entirely possible.” Bashir tapped the PADD on his thigh before holding it behind his back. “Odo, can I ask you exactly why . . .”
“I’d prefer it if you wouldn’t, Doctor,” Odo said with a tired sigh. “At this point, I’m really not certain . . . I’m just investigating the possibilities.”
A look of consternation briefly crossed Bashir’s face. By the Gods, he wanted to know!
“Believe me, Doctor. If anything comes of this, you’ll be one of the first to know.”
(-|-)
She sat in shock, staring at her console. Genetic manipulation? Odo? A child?
A child. She had just come from visiting the O’Briens, all four of them, to find the most formal message waiting. Odo was suggesting they have a child . . . or was he? He had mentioned that she would be able to have the baby, but nowhere under the analytical precision and curt nature of the message was there any inclination as to whether or not Odo himself was part of the “deal.”
Kira leaned back in her chair and took in the absolute silence that surrounded her.
Would it really matter?
(-|-)
The response to his message was waiting for him two days later.
“All right.” From nearly anyone else, Odo may have considered such a curt reply to be only a whim, but he could hear the consideration in her voice, and he knew that there was no turning back now.
(-|-)
“Julian suggested we start the procedure soon while my body’s still receptive to the idea of being a mother. Otherwise, another drastic change could screw up my chemical balance seriously..”
“Hmph.” Odo took this all in. “Sensible enough. What about tomorrow morning at 0800?”
“I’d say it’ll make one hell of a criminal reports meeting . . . Oh, can you hang on a second, Odo? I’ve got an incoming message.” Odo nodded and Kira momentarily disappeared from his screen. Funny, they just couldn’t seem to talk about this face to face. “Odo, how’s Wednesday sound? I just got a message and…”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just . . . Shakaar’s visiting the station tomorrow and I . . .”
“I understand, Major. Wednesday it is then. I’ll inform Dr. Bashir. Odo out.”
Stupid, stupid, stupid girl! Kira’s heart screamed at her mind.
(-|-)
He would be on the station by now. He would be laughing and talking with her. He would be with her.
Odo reformed into a sphere and rolled around the room aimlessly. What was he thinking? That a baby could possibly make her love him?
No, that’s not why I’m doing this. She’s my friend, and I want to help her, give her something, even if it’s a part of me.
He continued to roll for many hours, letting his momentum carry him, bumping into things, slamming into corners. But it didn’t matter; he was a Changeling.
Nothing hurt him.
(-|-)
Kira stared silently at the man sleeping peacefully beside her. She hadn’t meant to end up like this; in fact, she had been planning to break up with him by the time the night was over.
But he had been so happy to see her, the first time in a long time that he had been genuinely so, and he had been a comfort even though he had barely managed to steal away for the day so shortly after his prolonged visit to the station. And she had been so lonely without anyone to just be there as the baby had.
And so she found herself staring at what she was beginning to consider harsh features. Not to mention that his eyes weren’t the right color; too dark.
“What time is it?” he asked groggily.
“Almost 0400.”
“Mmm.”
“Edon . . .”
“Hmm?”
“How do you feel about children?”
Shakaar blinked a few times.
“They’re all right, as long as they stay out of the way.”
“How do . . . how would you feel about having children?”
There was silence and Shakaar seemed frozen.
“It’s late, Nerys. Why don’t you get some rest.”
“I’m not tired,” she said, lithely slipping out of bed. She padded into the other room, slipping on her robe as she went. And Shakaar knew as soon as she ordered a raktajino that the conversation was not over.
“What’s this all about, Nerys? Why this sudden urging?”
“I just feel ready to start a family and . . .” He was sure to understand; she had seen the look on his face when young Jason Kiro O’Brien had been born.
“This is because of the O’Brien baby, isn’t it.”
“That’s part of it. Edon, to feel that life just . . . emerge . . . I . . .” How could she explain to him, the incredible loneliness she felt, how important it was to her that she have someone to love and not just be with . . .
“Nerys, that was due to hormones. You’ve got to get over that . . . I knew that was a mistake from the get-go.” A look of anger and aversion crossed his face, and Kira knew that the pregnancy had been the reason he had been so distant lately.
“Get out.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Edon. Get out, and I never want to see you again.” How could she have been so wrong?
“Whoa, Nerys, where’s all this coming from?”
“I can’t have a relationship with someone who thinks I’m out of my mind just because I want to start a family.” I can’t bring a child into the world with someone who had less enthusiasm for having a child than a Cardassian vole. She looked him square in the eyes and tried not to grit her teeth as she spoke, contempt virtually seeping from every pore in her body. “Now get out. Go back to Bajor; be First Minister. There’s no family for you to worry about getting in your way there.” She turned to the window and kept her back to him as he left, trying not to think of what good friends they had been.
Just before he left, he paused, hoping she would turn around. But she didn’t; she couldn’t let him think anything except that it was over between them.
“Good-bye, Nerys.”
And she cried as the loneliness enveloped her.
(-|-)
Odo sat impatiently in the Infirmary as Bashir prepared the DNA strand. With any luck they would be able to incorporate it into an egg and thus start a pregnancy.
That was, of course, if the prospective mother ever arrived. She wasn’t late but was dangerously close. Where could she be? Almost on cue, Kira walked into the Infirmary, but she was haunted by something and carried the air of a heavy burden on her shoulders.
“Good morning, Major.”
“Morning,” Kira said, forcing a smile. “Is he ready yet?” she asked, indicating Bashir.
“As a matter of fact, I am.” Bashir walked in carrying a PADD of information. “If you’ll just follow me, we can get started.
(-|-)
It took nearly an hour for Bashir to complete the procedure because of the lack of scanning ability due to the highly precarious nature of the DNA Bashir had managed to stabilize.
“Come back in about three weeks. By then, the genetic structure should have stabilized enough for me to chart the progress.” Bashir loaded a hypospray and injected it into Kira. “In the meantime, you’re free to do anything you like as long as it’s not jarring or traumatic and as long as you stay away from unprotected EPS conduits.”
“Guess that means I’ll have to tell the Chief I can’t help him with repairs,” she joked.
“Is that it?” Odo asked calmly.
“I believe so; you’re good to go.” Bashir watched the “couple” leave, completely perplexed by the relationship forming.
(-|-)
They strolled the Promenade giving Odo a chance to find out just what was wrong. Kira was depressed about something; he just had to find out what exactly it was.
“You know, Odo, I found something out last night . . . well, I suppose technically it was this morning.”
“And what was that?”
“That I was right.” She spoke with a tight control on the edge to her voice.
“How so?”
“Shakaar . . .” Did Odo straighten at the mention of that name? “. . . doesn’t want children.” Her head hung a little lower as the conversation floated back to her.
“That may pose some problems in your relationship,” Odo said cynically.
“Not as much as my kicking him out and telling him I never want to see him again.” The words slipped easily from her tongue.
“I’m sorry.” It was all he could think of. Break up with Shakaar? That was one thing he had not counted on Kira doing, not that he minded. It created all sorts of possibilities.
(-|-)
It had been almost a month by the time Kira went in for a checkup.
“Well, Major, everything seems to be in fine working order . . .” Bashir paused. “Except . . . well, now this is odd.” He looked at Kira with a look of puzzlement on his face. “Major, there’s something you should know . . .”
(-|-)
It had been five months since the beginning of the pregnancy, and Odo had been anything if not devoted. Anything she needed, she had. He helped her around, played games with her, and basically annoyed the hell out her, but, for a reason she found escaping her, Kira didn’t mind.
And part of that may have been due to the hormones which were freshly coursing through her body. She found herself longing for the next time she would see, the next time he would look at her with those crystal eyes of his, the next time those surprisingly tender hands helped her to her feet . . .
She had to get away. Maybe if she went to Bajor. Jalik’s offer still stood, and Bashir had assured her that the baby would not come for another two weeks. Plenty of time for rest and relaxation. It would be just the thing.
Everyone had been informed that she was taking leave on Bajor, and Bashir had her in for a final checkup. She could almost feel the sun on her skin.
“Kira, I’d like to suggest something.”
“What?” She didn’t quite trust that tone of voice.
“Some of the readings are a little askew, nothing to worry about, but I’d like to play it safe.”
“All right.”
“I think you should have the Constable accompany you.”
“Julian, I don’t think . . .”
“Kira, let me rephrase this. If Odo doesn’t go with you, you don’t go.”
Kira glared at him; it was defeating the purpose of her trip, but, then again, she could think of no one she would rather go with. She was caught, between want and avoidance.
“Fine.”
(-|-)
Odo was surprised to find himself on a runabout (which Julian had procured for them so that they could make a hasty return to DS9 if needed) headed for Bajor with Major Kira Nerys. It would certainly prove interesting.
(-|-)
Indeed, the “couple” had a relaxing time at Jalik’s. The fresh air seemed to have an invigorating effect on Kira, and Odo was just glad to see Kira relaxing.
“I’m glad you’re here, Odo.”
Odo smiled as he leaned back on his elbows to gaze at the fire. It may have been warm during the day, but the nights had been almost frigid. The tentacles of flame flickered constantly, almost as if they were trying to outdo their predecessors.
“So am I, Nerys.” He reached out a hand for one of hers; it was a common gesture of friendship and something else he dared not analyze quite yet. The tactile sensations were comforting more than anything.
They sat there for a long time, watching the fire, slowly inching closer as comfort dictated. Odo eventually held her in his arms, trying to make her more comfortable by morphing into a chair.
“Don’t. Just stay like you, like the Odo I see every day.”
The silence settled around the room, broken only by the slight crackles from the fire.
“Oh!” Kira sat up with a hand on her stomach.
“Is something wrong?” Odo asked, immediately concerned.
“No, no.” A smile spread across Kira’s face. “It’s just . . . the baby’s kicking. Here, put your hand right here. See?”
A look of amazement spread across Odo’s face before transforming into a smile.
“To think that part of me could help to create that!” It was one of the most thrilling thoughts he had ever had. Julian was definitely to be commemorated. But he couldn’t help but notice a look of . . . of what? Shame? Sadness? as it spread across Kira’s face. “Nerys. Nerys, what is it?”
“I . . . Odo, there’s no easy way to say this. Prophets know I’ve been trying to think of some way to tell you for about four months now.” She took a steadying breath and turned to face him, but found that she could not. “Odo, when I went in for my checkup, the first one, to make sure everything was off to a good start, Julian noticed something. He picked up traces of male Bajoran DNA in the embryo.” She needed to keep talking, rush through it, get it all out now. “He referenced it with the records and found that it matches Edon’s sequence. The baby . . . the baby isn’t yours. It’s Shakaar’s.” She looked up to find him staring impassionately at the fire. “Odo?”
“I . . . I think we should be getting back to DS9, Major.”
She nodded curtly, knowing the repercussions would surely shake the very foundation of her world because it had hurt Odo.
(-|-)
“You’ve been in labor too long again, Nerys.”
Kira took a deep breath and sighed. It was the fourth time in the two weeks since she had returned from Bajor, and, every time, she found herself thinking about Odo, whom she had seen very little of. How could anyone expect her to relax? It didn’t matter that there wasn’t any bickering going on this time, or whether the rhythm was constant or not. She needed Odo.
(-|-)
“Bashir to Odo.”
“Odo here. Go ahead, Doctor.”
“Constable, could you please report to the Infirmary?”
“Of course, Doctor.” Sweet Prophets, keep them safe.
(-|-)
“Now listen closely, Odo. This is the fifth time Kira’s gone into labor. I don’t know how much more her body, or the baby, can take. It has to be this time, but she can’t relax. It’s almost as if she won’t relax. I’ve been watching you two. I think it’s you she’s waiting for.”
“I understand.” He could help her deliver the baby, and then go back to his solitary existence.
He stepped quietly into the room, marveling at the peace surrounding it. Kira seemed relaxed enough . . . except for the set jaw. There was nothing he could say, he knew.
Kira gasped as she felt a warm comfort cover her like a blanket. She dipped her fingers into the shimmering substance and knew that it was Odo, that he had finally come, that she had not alienated her best friend.
From there, the baby came easy enough, and Odo was the first one after the nurse to hold him; he didn’t even mind the mess. The newborn infant was cleaned, dried, and swabbed soon enough, and Kira gazed lovingly into her son’s eyes.
And she gasped again.
“What is it?” Odo asked, alarmed.
“His eyes. Julian, how . . . Prophets, they’re the same color as yours, Odo. Exactly. How . . .”
Julian immediately scanned the child and conferred between these results and those of previous tests.
“I don’t understand it. Both you and Shakaar are homozygous for the trait of brown eyes; blue eyes shouldn’t be possible. Unless . . .” He tapped a few buttons to confirm his hypothesis before snapping his tricorder shut. “Well, it appears that this is a very special boy. Apparently, he has inherited the codes for basic humanoid structure from you, Nerys, and Shakaar. However, when we spliced in Odo’s DNA, it made itself a more forcefully known presence. It’s as if Shakaar was never involved in the first place; Odo’s DNA seems to have completely dominated all the traits, basing decisions on what the Constable here favors for himself . . . except for the sex of the child. That you can thank Shakaar for.”
Odo stared at the child incredulously. His child? Could this still really be his child? No. It was Nerys’ child, not his.
“Odo . . .” Tears of joy were streaming down Nerys’ face. This was what she had prayed for, for Odo to have a child. “Why don’t you hold your son some more?”
“My son?” He hesitantly reached for the child, but he paused. “No,” he said, and a look of fear and worry crossed Nerys’ face. “Not my son. Our son.” He laid a hand on her shoulder.
“Yes. Our son.” She blinked away the tears, and neither noticed that the room had been deserted except for the three of them. “So, Odo, I suppose the first thing we need to do for this family is give our son a name.”
“Koro Niral.”
Kira questioned with a glance the origins of the name.
“Koro is a mix of Kira and Odo.”
“And Niral?”
“Nerys and Ital. My original name was odo’ital. It’s what the Cardassians translated “unknown sample” to…” He paused, considering whether to share the true burden of his name. “But it literally translates to “nothing.” “
Nerys moved to comfort him.
“It’s all right, Nerys. I don’t mind anymore, because I’m not nothing.” He let Niral’s small fingers wind around one of his. “I’m something. I’m part of a family, and I promise neverto let you think that either of you mean nothing to me.”
“Odo.” She cupped his face with her hand before drawing him to her for a kiss, a kiss that sealed the promises of a trio of hearts for eternity.
(-|-)