(LUPAZA jabs FUREL in the side with her elbow, shushing him. KIRA and ODO are too stunned to hear what he said.)

(BASHIR glances at ODO and smothers a smile.)

(KIRA starts to shake her head negatively, then gasps and grabs ODO's hand as she feels another jab.)

(BASHIR injects KIRA with a hypospray, causing her to visibly relax. ODO, however, is visibly anxious, and LUPAZA is looking a little green. BASHIR notices their taut expressions and tries to be reassuring.)

(BASHIR pauses to think, ideas flitting like furies across his face. Finally his face sets resolutely.)

(ODO studies the notes.)

(ODO looks up at BASHIR and LUPAZA, glances aside at FUREL.)

(BASHIR nods, looks at LUPAZA.)

(LUPAZA looks aghast at the thought. FUREL steps up.)

(BASHIR, LUPAZA and FUREL exit, FUREL shutting the door behind them. ODO sits down on the side of the bed, taking KIRA's hand in his.)

(There is a soft knock on the door.)

(ODO leans over, kissing KIRA gently as another soft tap sounds on the door. ODO looks up, still holding KIRA's hands in his.)

(BASHIR comes through the door.)

(KIRA starts to rise; winces. ODO helps her up, BASHIR stepping in to support her other side.)

(KIRA glances at ODO, who nods reassuringly.)

(BASHIR injects KIRA with a hypospray. She promptly goes to sleep.)

(ODO moves toward the tub that stands ready; pauses)

(LUPAZA surprises ODO tremendously by coming to him and kissing him soundly on the cheek. FUREL solemnly shakes his hand.)

(ODO, embarrassed, mumbles an inaudible reply, before shifting into his natural gel- like form and depositing himself in the bucket. LUPAZA and FUREL watch, eyebrows raised.)

(Shaking his head, FUREL moves to BASHIR's side, where they both bend their heads over KIRA.)

(KIRA reaches out and takes BASHIR's hand)

(BASHIR nods towards a corner, where ODO's bucket is ensconced on a table, under a heat lamp.)

(LUPAZA enters, carrying a pitcher and a glass)

(KIRA sips at the water absently, staring over at the tub on the table. LUPAZA gives her shoulder a comforting pat before leaving the room.)

(BASHIR makes a point of studying the backs of his hands. Obviously there is a subject on his mind that he can't imagine how to broach. KIRA looks at him closely, and decides to put him out of his misery.)

(KIRA's face goes taut as she finally realizes what he's saying, although she gives no other sign.)

(They both laugh --BASHIR lightly, KIRA with an edge that warns of possible tears. KIRA lets out one little gulp before taking herself sternly in check. BASHIR reaches out and pats her gently on the arm, obviously at a loss for what else to do.)

(KIRA lies back against the pillow, completing the job of steeling herself to the worst. BASHIR, on the other hand, looks on the verge of tears himself.)

(KIRA closes her eyes to steady herself. BASHIR reaches out and takes her tightly clenched fist in a gentle, two-handed clasp.)

(There is enough of a lack of conviction in KIRA's tone to make BASHIR add:)

(BASHIR reaches down and takes KIRA by the shoulders, forcing her to give him her complete startled attention.)

(KIRA stares at BASHIR for a long moment, while he wonders if she's finally going to start crying. Instead she manages a half-hearted smile.)

(KIRA swings her legs over the side of the bed, getting to her feet.)

(KIRA is wearing a nightshirt of LUPAZA's, which she -- back to the camera -- pulls over her head before reaching for her clothes. BASHIR busies himself looking in the opposite direction.)

(When BASHIR turns back around to face her, KIRA is neatly dressed, her face set in a no-nonsense expression. She strides purposefully toward the door.)

(LUPAZA and FUREL enter the bedroom. Both are wearing packs, and are generally outfitted for traveling.)

(KIRA smiles a slow smile, amazed but delighted. BASHIR looks appalled.)

(LUPAZA comes to BASHIR's side, lays a soothing hand on his arm.)

(KIRA's face goes taut, while BASHIR looks like he's trying very hard not to be sick.)

(They all turn and look at ODO's bucket, sitting in the corner under the heat lamp.)

(KIRA walks slowly over to stand by the table holding ODO's tub. She looks down at it for a long moment, bringing her fingertips down to barely touch his resting substance. Then she removes her combadge and lays it on the table.)

(KIRA turns to FUREL and LUPAZA.)

(LUPAZA and FUREL shoulder their packs, and FUREL takes KIRA's smaller one.)

(KIRA lets out a snort of laughter and leads the way out of the room. LUPAZA hangs back for a brief moment.)

(BASHIR glances over at the bucket, looking anxious but forcing a smile. LUPAZA surprises him with a kiss on the cheek.)

(LUPAZA grins. BASHIR grins back at her. To his great surprise, she kisses him again, this time on the mouth.)

(She heads out of the room, smiling a promise of an amusing time to come if things go well. BASHIR looks after her, slightly bemused, before picking up his tricorder.)

(Good as her word, DAX materializes in a twinkling.)

(DAX can only stare at him, totally at a loss. It gives BASHIR an odd sense of satisfaction, like for once the shoe is on the other foot. Finally DAX manages to speak.)

(BASHIR tightens his jaw as he steels himself against what is obviously a very unpleasant memory. DAX reaches out and gently pats his hand.)

(A certain growl-ly, sandpapery voice causes both BASHIR and DAX to jump and swivel in their seats.)

(ODO enters the room slowly from the guest room, looking very much himself, only -- paunchy.)

(ODO lets out a little harumph! and settles himself in a chair, looking disgruntled.)

(BASHIR and DAX exchange looks. ODO's eyes narrow suspiciously.)

(More nervous looks are exchanged between DAX and BASHIR. Finally BASHIR bites the bullet.)

(They both look over at KIRA, who is lying white-faced and silent against her bedroll. LUPAZA crawls over to her side.)

(KIRA raises herself on one elbow and gulps down some of the water that LUPAZA gives to her. She then falls back, exhausted.)

(KIRA forces herself to sit up, hugging her knees to her chest.)

(KIRA, chagrined, lies back down on her bedroll. She looks out into the night sky above her.)

(KIRA laughs in spite of herself.)

(There is a sudden faint sound of discord in the distance. KIRA sits up, handing FUREL her tricorder and crawling with LUPAZA up the slope of the ridge they have backed their camp against. FUREL checks some readings and follows them.)

(The group peers cautiously over the ridge. At the foot of the hill a small cabin is clearly visible, a young woman standing in front of it. One child of about eight is pressed to her side -- another, perhaps six, has her arms wrapped around the woman's legs, face hidden against her thighs. The woman stands confronting three men and two women -- all threatening, all armed.)

(The 2ND MAN nods to his cronies, causing the 1ST and 3RD MEN to move forward and start pulling the CHILDREN away from their mother. The 1ST WOMAN moves to start pulling the MYRIN in the opposite direction. The 2ND MAN raises his phaser, changing a setting. KIRA takes her phaser from her belt.)

(LUPAZA unhooks her own phaser and FUREL unslings his phaser rifle from his back. With the ease of trained soldiers, KIRA, FUREL, and LUPAZA move rapidly down the hill, weapons poised.)

(Instead, the 1ST and 3RD MEN take pot shots at their unexpected assailants, who feint and dodge easily. KIRA, LUPAZA, and FUREL take out the 1ST, 3RD, and 2ND MAN, who go down, stunned, their weapons falling from their hands, but LUPAZA also goes down, stunned as well. The 2ND WOMAN takes the smaller of the two children and holds her tightly against her, arm around her throat.

(KIRA barely manages to duck out of the way as the 1ST WOMAN takes a shot at her. KIRA overbalances and falls, her phaser knocked from her hand. FUREL grabs the 1ST WOMAN and disarms her, while the 2ND WOMAN's arm tightens on the little girl's throat. With her free hand she takes a shot at KIRA. KIRA rolls out of harm's way, grabbing the first weapon that comes to hand. She fires off a head shot --

-- and watches the 2ND WOMAN dissolve into nothingness. The little girl crumples to her knees, sobbing.

KIRA staggers to her feet, walks over to the child. She picks up the phaser that the 2ND WOMAN was holding and checks it, before gathering the child in her arms and carrying her back to her mother, who receives her daughter gratefully. KIRA looks as though she's been stunned herself. She is clearly operating on auto-pilot.)

(She starts to reach for her combadge, realizes that it's gone.)

(MYRIN nods.)

Yes, Nerys?

(FUREL nods, before holding out his hands to MYRIN and her children.)

(MYRIN, followed closely by her son, follows FUREL into the cabin. As they walk away, FUREL takes the little girl from her arms, raising her to ride on his shoulders, teasing gently until both children manage to stop crying and laugh a little as they disappear into the cabin.)

KIRA walks over to check on LUPAZA, who is starting to moan and come to. So are the MEN and the 1ST WOMAN, a fact that KIRA takes care of with a phaser that she carefully checks to make sure it's on stun.

LUPAZA, as soon as she's able to do so, rolls into a more defensive stance. She then realizes that the fight is over as KIRA crouches at her side, balancing lightly on the balls of her feet, her arms resting across her thighs.)

(LUPAZA gets groggily to her feet, looks around.)

(KIRA moves away, walking purposefully back towards the ridge, and starting to climb back towards the campsite. FUREL comes back out and stands by LUPAZA's side, where they both watch KIRA's retreat.)

(This bit of information clearly rocks KIRA. She looks off into space for a long moment, and finally nods.)

(BASHIR throws up his hands in disbelief. DAX moves to stand at ODO's side.)

(They all pause to consider with horror the long term effects it could have on a Bajoran as deeply religious as KIRA should she feel compelled to assassinate the supposed spiritual leader of her people. DAX lays a gentle hand on ODO's arm.)

(ODO pauses to think, and nods slowly.)

(DAX catches sight of him in passing and detours to his table.)

(DAX seats herself across the table from ODO, bright-eyed and smiling. She waves to a waiter, who automatically brings her a cup of coffee.)

(ODO shakes his head.)

(Neither one of them wants to voice the "what". Instead DAX changes the subject.)

(DAX hesitates, then scoots her chair around so that she's sitting at ODO's side. She tentatively holds up a hand.)

(ODO looks completely startled but not offended at the request.)

(DAX unobtrusively but eagerly puts a hand on ODO's abdomen, her whole posture one of deeply attentive listening.)

(DAX finally straightens up and withdraws her hand, her eyes shining with excitement. ODO manages one of his rare smiles.)

(BASHIR approaches the table from the main Promenade.)

(BASHIR and DAX stare at him, eyes starting to widen in sudden comprehension.)

(DAX, who is fascinated, nonetheless dredges up her manners.)

(BASHIR looks stunned. DAX is just fascinated.)

(BASHIR and DAX are both clearly dying to know, but also knows better than to press the point, at least for the moment.)

(They draw their phasers, double-checking the settings before fanning out and slipping through the shadows into the courtyard, where the guards are quickly and quietly overcome. They go through the side door into the monastery.)

(FUREL and LUPAZA both look to KIRA, awaiting orders. KIRA stands silently, undecided, for a long moment. Finally:)

(FUREL and LUPAZA look at each other, nod in satisfaction.)

(KIRA looks at them, startled. LUPAZA lays a gentle hand on her arm.)

(KIRA manages a nod of agreement and thanks.)

(KIRA and LUPAZA both look stricken.)

(The three bring their hands together in a single clasp. KIRA straightens and nods decisively.)

(FUREL and LUPAZA nod their assent before heading out the door. KIRA hangs back for a brief moment, staring after them.)

(KIRA heads resolutely from the room.)

(KIRA takes out her phaser, changes the setting, and blasts the controls on the door. She does the same to the controls to the single window, after hitting a switch that causes metal shielding to slam down and cover it.)

(KIRA's voice breaks, but she holds her phaser aimed with absolute steadiness at WINN's head.)

(WINN knows better than to say anything. She is absolutely still where she stands behind her desk.)

(There is the sound of lasers cutting into the metal of the door. KIRA looks at it, then looks at WINN.)

(KIRA just stares at WINN, as though searching for the answer in her face. Finally)

(KIRA looks at the phaser she holds in her hand, before advancing on WINN. She reaches the front of the desk, raises the phaser slightly -- and then slams it down on the polished wood.)

(She shoves the phaser across the desk to WINN. KIRA then turns and faces the door, as the guards finish blasting through. WINN raises her hand to restrain them from firing at KIRA.)

Benjamin SISKO approaches the table with resolute strides. He is obviously not there for coffee.)

(ODO relaxes a tiny bit, before a startled look crosses his face, unnoticed by SISKO.)

(ODO's answer is non-verbal, but very decisive. Right then and there, he dissolves into a huge, pulsating puddle at the foot of his chair.)

CUT TO:

BASHIR comes running down the length of the Promenade from Sickbay, DAX hot on his heels. A small crowd has already gathered around ODO; BASHIR has to gently but firmly nudge his way through. QUARK is in the front row, shaking his head.)

(The crowd withdraws by several feet. SISKO is kneeling near the edge of the puddle, where DAX joins him. BASHIR yanks out his tricorder, scanning for all he's worth.)

(The puddle is clearly agitating -- something is definitely happening. Slowly it begins to separate, dividing into two distinct puddles -- a larger one of ODO's particular orange-yellow hue, and a much smaller one of a darker, redder shade.

ODO re-coalesces, with some effort, into his solid form, remaining slumped on the floor, as though he can't manage to stand and keep his shape too. DAX slides over and takes some readings, while never moving her eyes from the remaining puddle which BASHIR continues to monitor. ODO pulls himself into a seated position and reaches out a hand, which loses solidity as he touches the viscous gel.)

(The gel begins to move, to shift, to solidify. ODO draws back his hand, once again solid, as the gel touching it forms itself into five small fingers.)

KIRA, who has no intention of trying to kill herself, sits cross-legged on the bed, meditating, as there is a warning beep at the door. She looks up as SHAKAAR, the tall, handsome leader of the Shakaar Resistance Cell, enters.)

(KIRA starts to get up to go to him, then pauses uncertainly.)

(He spreads wide his arms in greeting, and KIRA hugs him thankfully. His face, however, is grave.)

(SHAKAAR pauses, unwilling to go on.)

(SHAKAAR looks away, obviously near tears himself.)

(KIRA stirs herself from her reverie and turns to place her hand in SHAKAAR's.)

(SHAKAAR presses her hand and releases it gently as he stands to go.)

(KIRA manages to smile and nod. She watches him as he leaves.)

(The buzz of the crowd intensifies sharply.)

(SHAKAAR manages to pull together a semi-gracious nod.)

(There is a decided snickering from a certain faction in the crowd, one featuring FUREL, LUPAZA, and their friends and neighbors.)

(There is further commotion in the crowd. Contrary to good judicial procedure, SHAKAAR just smiles and lets it pass.)

(KIRA looks up with pathetic eagerness -- this is the first word she's had of ODO since she left him in LUPAZA's cave. The questions practically tremble on her lips, but she resolutely forces them back.)

(There is a sudden disturbance in the back of the auditorium, and a rush of wings overhead. A large, white hawk flies over the heads of the crowd and lands on the floor near KIRA's feet. ODO materializes in front of her -- no longer fat. He gives KIRA the barest look of reassurance, before turning to face the judicial body.)

(Needless to say, excitement in the courtroom is reaching a fever pitch. Everyone is whispering, on the edge of their seats.)

(She looks pointedly at ODO's lean waistline.)

(Pandemonium reigns. KIRA stares at ODO, astonished and overjoyed. ODO, however, looks to the rear doors of the auditorium, with KIRA and much of the crowd following his gaze.

The tall figure of Captain SISKO comes through the doors. He is carrying a little girl who looks about two years old. Her hair is blatantly red, and the look on her perfectly Bajoran face promises a stubborn disposition. Her eyes are an uncanny shade of blue, reminiscent of a certain changeling. Other than that, she is remarkably like her mother, whose eyes lock on the little face in instant recognition.)

(The members of the Council watch in wonder, and Kai WINN in genuine horror.)

(SISKO climbs the stairs to the stage, and carefully sets the CHILD on her feet. She looks at him questioningly for just a second, and then turns to run to her mother. Kai WINN, acting on pure instinct, grabs the phaser from the table and fires at the little one.

The phaser hit misses the CHILD, but takes a good chunk out of the stage. The CHILD is merely startled, pausing to stare at WINN through wide, innocent eyes. SHAKAAR, appalled, wrenches the phaser from WINN's hand.

A hush falls on the crowd, the loudest sound being one anguished intake of breath from KIRA.

ODO sinks slowly to one knee. KIRA drops to both knees beside him.)

(KIRYS runs the remaining distance to be gathered into her mother's arms. SISKO moves to the center of the stage, looking around him, fixing his gaze on first this, then that, face in the crowd.

(The crowd listens expectantly. After all, this is the Emissary.)

(He turns to look at KIRA, who is still kneeling with her baby in her arms. Her eyes are fixed on his face, drinking in every word.)

(SISKO is obviously winning the crowd to his side, especially as they were all pretty appalled to see the Kai taking a pot shot at a toddler.)

(SISKO gives one last long look out at the quiet crowd, eyes roaming from one face to the next.)

(There is a hush, and then a cheer, admittedly led by FUREL, but enthusiastically taken up by the majority of the crowd. SHAKAAR does not let his opportunity pass.)

(KIRA, completely absorbed in memorizing every detail of her little one's face, seems perfectly happy with, if not oblivious to, the choice of names. Kai WINN is led away, respectfully but firmly, by the guards, and the crowd begins to break up. SISKO comes to stand next to KIRA.)

(KIRA's soft and fuzzy side is out there for the world to see. She rubs noses with her daughter, her entire face wreathed in smiles.)

(KIRA finally manages to tear her gaze away from her daughter to give SISKO a grateful look.)

(KIRA looks up, her daughter in her arms, across to where ODO is propped against the table, watching her. Her look speaks volumes, as does the slow, radiant smile that crosses her face. Never in the world can she find words adequate to all that she wants to say. Finally:)

(ODO smiles back.)

(KIRYS immediately disengages her arms from her mother's neck and holds them out to BASHIR, to KIRA's astonished chagrin. ODO shoots KIRA a look of wry apology.)

(BASHIR holds KIRYS comfortably in one arm while she explores the contours of his face with her fingertips. Finally, contentedly, with only a trace of an infant lisp:)

(She lays her head against BASHIR's shoulder and closes her eyes.)

(KIRA just stares at him, obviously not wanting to let her baby out of her sight.)

(KIRA chuckles, beginning to roam around and look into corners. She stops as she reaches the door to the bedroom, and turns around, a taut, anxious look on her face.)

(ODO crosses the room and takes KIRA by the hands.)

(KIRA just closes her eyes, speechless in her relief. ODO pulls her slowly against him, wrapping his arms around her and running his hands gently over the curves of her back. KIRA finally opens her eyes to look at him.)

(While KIRA watches, wide-eyed, ODO steps away from her and extends his hand over the desk, a rather anxious look on his face, and one of concentration. Two drops of orange liquid fall from his forefinger, and quiver on the desktop uncertainly. After a brief pause, ODO lowers his hand and the drops scurry towards his hand, where they are reabsorbed. ODO sighs in relief.)

(KIRA crosses the room to stand behind ODO, sliding her arms around him and resting her cheek against his back.)

(KIRA wears the tired but contented look of having survived a great battle with all her nearest and dearest left in one piece. ODO turns around so that he's facing her, takes her face in his hands, and kisses her.)

(ODO picks up a small box from the desk, from which he removes a silver bracelet. He fastens it carefully around KIRA's wrist.)

(KIRA looks at the bracelet more closely.)

(KIRA chuckles softly at the image. Then she steps back, taking ODO's hands and tugging on them gently.)

(KIRA gives ODO a dismayed look, realizes he's joking. She gives a wry smile, and then wraps her arms tightly around his waist.)

(ODO gives one of his rare smiles, and strokes the hair back from KIRA's forehead.)

(KIRA laughs and shakes her head at the pun. She tilts back her head to look at ODO, her eyes twinkling, while ODO gazes back at her, seeming remarkably pleased with himself, and even more pleased with the woman in his arms. Both are smiling as ...)