(To KIRA this is clearly inexplicable behavior. DAX decides to avoid conflict.)

(KIRA slumps over the table, conceding defeat. DAX dredges up a certain level of compassion.)

(KIRA looks up from her study of the tabletop; elbows planted on table; fingertips laced behind the back of her neck)

(Not a soul in the bar has indicated hearing a word -- certainly not MORN, slurping down the drinks in his usual single-minded fashion. DAX ignores KIRA's reluctance to continue the conversation and continues to stare at her questioningly.)

(There is a world of meaning in her use of the word "interesting".)

(DAX smothers a grin at the military analogy.)

(KIRA's mouth opens, but nothing manages to come out. She stares fearfully into her drink for a moment. DAX gives her a few seconds before saying:)

(DAX gives a bright, hopeful, encouraging smile, and shrugs off KIRA's disbelieving stare.)

(The room is plunged into blackness).

(The lights come up to a pleasantly low level.)

(KIRA goes and pokes around aimlessly in her closet. She can't bring herself to change into "something more comfortable", as her uniform is as comfortable and familiar as a second skin to her. She stares at her wardrobe, defeated, until the door buzzer sounds.)

(ODO enters cautiously.)

(ODO stands rooted a few feet from the door. He is noticeably tense.)

How can I be so uncomfortable with someone I'm usually so comfortable with?

(KIRA manages a laugh and steps a little closer to ODO, daring to bring her hands down on his arms, but not quite managing to let them come to rest.)

(KIRA manages a half-hearted smile, throwing up her hands as if acknowledging defeat).

(ODO gently takes KIRA's face in his hands and starts to kiss her. After a startled pause, she kisses him back, stepping into his arms.)

That's ... very good. (Smiling) Who have you been practicing on?

(hastens to answer the look that crosses KIRA's face) Not at Quark's! On Bajor -- I was only observing -- there were some programs that -- (words fail)

I see. (Reassuringly) That was a good idea. Very ... resourceful. (suddenly overwhelmed; she backs out of his embrace.) Odo, I'm not worried that you can't ... that you won't be able to ... well, actually I am worried about it, but ... (pauses, collects herself) Odo, I don't know what kind of satisfaction doing something so -- physical -- can possibly give you.

(KIRA looks away in confusion -- confusion exacerbated by the fact that she liked his kissing her. A lot.)

(ODO catches KIRA's chin in his fingertips and turns her face towards his.)

I know what you mean.

Was it really? You wouldn't just say that?

(KIRA nods assent. ODO runs his hands lightly over KIRA's hair, then her face and her neck; like a blind person endeavoring to "see", only the touch is far more sensual. One can almost see him drinking in the feel of her through the delicate contact. His hands continue slowly down the length of her back.)

Mmm ...that feels nice.

I did something today that I've never done before.

(KIRA forces a laugh. ODO remains solemn.)

(They both stand awkwardly for moment. KIRA decides that it must be her turn and takes the vole by the snout.* )

(Looking anywhere but at ODO's face, KIRA starts fumbling at her collar. ODO is absolutely dumbstruck for a moment; then realizes that participation on his part may be called for.)

(ODO carefully unfastens the uniform tunic, his face -- as viewed over Kira's shoulder -- taut with concentration and anxiety. She shrugs it off and then pulls off her white undertunic so that the camera sees her bare back. ODO's eyes move over her body, studying it intently, and then up to her face.)

(ODO nervously starts wrestling out of his clothes. He is even more fumble-fingered than KIRA, who reaches out to help him with some of the clasps. Throughout the sequence that follows, the camera focuses on KIRA's face, which is a study as she watches ODO, her eyes getting wider and wider as she dares to let her gaze travel downwards. She involuntarily takes a step back.)

(When KIRA finally dares to once again lower her gaze, certain adjustments have been made. Her look, while still dumbfounded, becomes cautiously appreciative.)

CUT TO: 2-SHOT, EXTREME CLOSE-UP.

(ODO finally relaxes enough to glimpse the underlying humor of the situation. He gathers KIRA against him, holding her until she also begins to relax.)

(After a shocked pause from KIRA, they both start to laugh, ODO in little short chuckles; KIRA uproariously.)

(There is a pause while ODO judges the sincerity of KIRA's words. KIRA stiffens in rapt concentration as ODO shifts into a golden gel that surrounds her.)

CUT TO: Extreme close-up, KIRA's face, astounded and ecstatic.

CUT TO: Shot of KIRA, by now covered with Odo's liquid form rather than blanket, her hands slowly trailing through the substance that covers her.

CUT TO: Some time has obviously passed before ODO's form once again coalesces into his usual humanoid appearance in the bed beside KIRA. Both are taut in the aftermath of what was clearly a deeply ecstatic experience felt on a variety of levels.

For a moment it is all they can do to lie there, individually evaluating what they've shared. They move simultaneously to face each other, their foreheads almost touching on the pillow.)

(Odo's features, while still uniquely Odo's, are decidedly clearer cut, more Bajoran in nature. There is still a hint of no-not-quite-a-Bajoran, but the mouth is more clearly defined and --)

(They kiss -- a kiss that is finally spontaneous, as well as meaningful. They are consequently both embarrassed by the breakdown of their tough-guy approach to life into -- gasp! -- verbalized expressions of sentiment.)

(KIRA laughs in sudden delight, her physical satisfaction secondary to her sense of overall relief that everything has gone a thousand times better than she ever dared hope. Her expression grows softly seductive.)

(KIRA smiles invitingly, gathering ODO into her arms.)

DAX, coming up behind KIRA, catches sight of her. She hurries to catch up, taking KIRA's arm and steering her into the Replimat before KIRA can protest.)

(This argument is inescapable; KIRA sits down at the nearest table.)

(DAX stares at KIRA interestedly, obviously awaiting a more detailed response.)

(DAX's eyes widen; then she leans over the table and squeezes KIRA's hands in a sort of "hug". They both laugh.)

(KIRA freezes as BASHIR comes up behind her. She gives DAX one appalled, pleading stare.)

(KIRA sits mute, a rabbit caught in headlights. BASHIR smiles as understanding dawns; DS9 really is nothing more than a small village in the way that news travels.)

(ODO comes up behind KIRA and rests protective hands on her shoulders while she sags back against him, relieved. DAX and BASHIR sit slightly abashed, like guilty children.)

(BASHIR nods an enthusiastic affirmation. ODO looks carefully from one to the other.)

(KIRA stands up to join him, and ODO stops the others from attempting to follow with a single look.) Alone.

(KIRA stands; hesitating only a second before reaching up to give ODO a brief but pointed kiss on the mouth, to numerous stares. She then tucks her hand into the crook of his arm, and they leave the coffee shop, heading back into the mainstream of the Promenade. DAX and BASHIR settle down for a cozy "dish" about their friends.)

(BASHIR holds up a PADD. DAX is up behind him and reading over his shoulder faster than a vole can eat through a conduit.)

(The camera angle shifts to an unfamiliar BAJORAN sitting two tables away, listening unobtrusively -- an older man, of medium build and with a generally innocuous appearance. His eyes narrow thoughtfully.)

FADE OUT.