Always
 Jazz Man 

Part 1 - Before "The Begotten"
 

	"Finally," she sighed.  The shift seemed to have taken forever and now it was finally over.  She
had agreed to meet Odo for lunch and had been looking forward to it all morning.  Hoping for a quick 
getaway she crossed to the turbolift as fast as she could with her added bulk.  In her hurry she didn't
notice who got in the lift with her.
	"Okay, Nerys, spill it."
	She looked up at the Trill, her expression startled, "Spill it?"
	Dax shook her head, "You know, tell me what's going on.  What's got you so excited you can't 
wait to get out Opps?"
	Kira rolled her eyes, "Nothing's going on."
	"You can't lie to me, I know you too well."
	"But you don't know what's going on, do you," said Kira impishly as the turbolift came to a 
halt.
	"So there is something going on," said Dax grabbing Kira's arm as she pulled her onto the 
Promenade.
	"Well . . . Yes," she said looking down almost shyly.
	"Come on, you can tell me all about it over lunch."
	"Hmm, okay."
	Dax kept hold of Kira's arm just to be sure she wouldn't get away.  As they walked into the 
Replimat Odo got up from where he had been waiting for Kira.
	He looked at her taking in Dax and her determined expression, "Are we still on for lunch, Nerys?"
He paused slightly over her name, uncomfortable using it in front of others.
	Kira smiled at his growing confidence, "Of course we are." She paused, "Jadzia would like to 
join us."
	Odo chuckled, "I can see that.  Now why don't you two sit own and I'll go and get us some 
lunch."
	"Good idea," said Dax sitting down.
	Odo nodded, "What can I get you?"
	"Rokeg blood pie," she said immediately.  Seeing Kira and Odo's looks she said, "What?  I like 
Klingon food."
	"Rather you than me," said Kira under her breath.
	Odo turned to her, "What would you like?"
	She looked down, considering what to have, "Surprise me, Odo," she said looking up at him.
	He nodded and turned away to the replicators.
	As soon as Odo had left Dax pounced, "There's no escape now, you've got to tell me."
	"I'm seeing someone," she said quickly.
	Dax's eyes burned with curiosity, "Who?" she asked leaning over the table.
	Kira sighed, where was Odo? "I . . . Well," she staled.
	"Come on, you can tell me," she said not noticing as Odo silently returned to the table.
	"What can she tell you?" he asked setting down their lunches.
	Dax jumped, "Odo.  Just when I was making progress."
	"At what?" he asked innocently.
	"She," Dax pointed accusingly, "Is seeing someone and won't tell me who it is."
	Odo's face fell, "Oh," he murmured sliding into a seat.
	Kira glared at Dax, "I was about to tell you, but I thought I might at least wait until he 
turned up," she looked at Odo who was now smiling up at her.  She reached over and took his hand, her 
fingers intertwining with his.
	Dax gasped staring at their joined hands, "You and him?" she asked. "Well all I can say is that
it's about time."
	"I'm glad you approve, Commander," said Odo dryly.
	"Approve? Odo, do you know . . ." she would have continued, but a comm badge chirped.
	"Security to Odo."
	Odo tapped his badge, "Odo here."
	"Sir, there's a problem in Cargo Bay 6."
	"All right, I'm on my way.  Odo out." He turned to his companions, "If you'll excuse me, duty 
calls."
	"I'll see you later?" Kira asked hesitantly.
	"Of course," he said kissing her hand before turning away.
	Dax grinned, "I've got to hand it to you, you're one lucky woman."
	"Don't I know it," said Kira returning the grin.



Part 2 - After "The Begotten"


	It seemed to her that every time she was happy there was always something lurking round the 
corner waiting to spoil it all.  She hadn't expected it to be so difficult to give up the O'Brien's son.
She felt empty and strangely alone.  Odo had tried his best, but still reeling from his own loss he 
couldn't really help.  Even so she still wanted him close.
	It was thus that she sat in her quarters, on the floor and in the dark waiting for him.  He had
to give information about the baby changeling and had spent most of the day locked up with Admirals and
doctors.
	When he finally came she could do no more than sit there.
	"Nerys," he asked, "Where are you?"
	"Down here, Odo."
	He crossed to her and sank down by her.  "Nerys," he said.  The longing and need in his voice 
matched that in his eyes.  There something else hid, he was afraid.
	"Odo, what's wrong?" she asked moving her hand to his face and slowly running her thumb over his
cheek.
	"You know what's wrong.  I've just had to sit and discuss him as though he was a scientific 
experiment that went wrong.  Sisko was the only one in the room who seemed to realise what I had lost."
	She leaned forward and kissed him, "I know what you've lost."
	"You would," he said kissing her in return, the need was apparent there also.  Too quickly he 
ended the kiss.
	"Odo, what are you afraid of?" she asked quietly.
	He pulled back from her, "Me," he said closing his eyes, "Me."
	She studied him trying to find a reason for his words.  "Why?"
	He opened his eyes and looked at her, "Because I want you, I need you and I'm afraid of what 
might happen."
	"I don't understand."
	He held up his hand and it shifted into golden gel, "This," he said simply as though it 
explained everything.
	"Oh, Odo," she said reaching out to him and grasping his 'hand' before he could reform it.  "I
love you, all of you.  I don't care if you're a changeling.  All I want, all I need is you."
	He looked up at her, "You mean it, don't you?" 
	She nodded her eyes brimming with unshed tears, "Yes."
	"What did I do to deserve you?" he asked.  "I love you, Kira Nerys."
	She smiled, "Then show me, Odo," she pleaded, "Love me."
	"Always," he said a smile breaking out on his unformed face, "Always."

End

Please send any feedback to <bajor_wings@excite.com> - thanks.