Part One: The Mission

The music resonated through the air with each stroke of the Chief's bow as only cello music can. Jadzia Dax let her head fall back against the simulated wall, her eyelids drooping and a smile curling the corners of her lips. Of all the Earth instruments she was familiar with the cello was her favorite, and it had been a delightful surprise to discover that her friend Miles was so skilled at playing it.

The concert had, of course, been Julian's doing. If ever someone found themselves doing something they hadn't ever thought they would, you could be sure it was somehow Julian's doing. Aware of how the Chief missed performing as he had on the Enterprise, he'd set a date, booked the holosuite and sent the invitations...and only *then* had he informed the Chief that his presence was required. Miles had put up the obligatory objections before giving in and attacking the concert with the relish of one long denied a source of great personal joy.

Dax opened her eyes and glanced around the room at the assembled audience of forty or so friends and colleagues. The holosuite had been configured for a small concert chamber with three rows of seats arranged in a semicircle. She and Benjamin were in the back row...Worf was on duty, and grateful to be so, she suspected, so as to avoid being obliged to attend an event where no Klingon opera was likely to be heard.

Her eyes fell on Odo and Kira, also seated in the back row on the other side of the circle, and as she always did whenever she saw them together, she smiled with the satisfaction of seeing a great wrong set right. In the month since their very public embrace on the Promenade (the news of which had spread through the station with a speed that startled even Quark), scarcely a day went by when someone did not comment to her upon the changes in them both, which were evident to anyone with eyes. Never had she seen Nerys more relaxed, and as for Odo...well, she hadn't thought it possible for him to *be* this relaxed. Once upon a time, given that you could have even persuaded him to attend, he would have sat at this concert perched on the edge of his seat at ramrod-straight attention, perhaps with his arms folded over his chest and his face grimly blank. Today, he leaned back comfortably in his chair, his legs crossed and his expression one of appreciation of the Chief's talents. Kira would have been fidgety. She would have attended out of respect for her friend's concert but would have been thinking of other things she should have been doing. Today, she sat with one leg tucked underneath her, her arm through Odo's and her fingers twined with his. She was listening to Miles play with a contented smile on her face. As Dax watched them out of the corner of her eye, Kira let her head fall to Odo's shoulder. He released her hand and slipped his arm comfortably around her shoulders.

She nudged Benjamin. "Look," she whispered. He turned his head to follow her eyes, grateful that she could not see his pained expression as he realized at whom she was looking. "They certainly seem contented," she whispered with a smile.

Sisko nodded slightly. "Yes, old man...they do." Jadzia's expression flickered at his tone...he sounded downright grim.

"Benjamin...what's wrong? You almost sound as if you disapprove."

He cast a brief, neutral glance in her direction. "They're both adults, Jadzia. They don't need my permission."

"No, I suppose not," she said, straightening and turning back to the concert. A few seconds later she stole another glance at Benjamin. He was still looking at Kira and Odo, what she could see of his expression conveying something like sadness or resignation. Puzzled, Jadzia wondered what was going on behind that inscrutable face of his...but aware that she would probably find out soon enough.

The next morning, Sisko sat dejectedly in his office, tapping a PADD against his knee and waiting. They'll be here at any moment, he thought. You'd better decide how you're going to say it...but there was no way to say it that would make it any less distasteful to him.

The door to his office slid open at precisely 0900 hours and Major Kira entered, Odo following right behind her. They stood before him, expectant looks on their faces. He stared up at them helplessly for a few seconds, the words drying up in his throat.

They exchanged a brief glance as he sat there silently. "You wanted to see us, Captain?" Kira prompted him.

"Yes," he said, grateful for the clear-cut response. He stood up and pointed to the couch in the corner. "Sit down, please." Another brief glance passed between them and he could almost read their unspoken communication. What's going on? No idea. Must be serious if he wants us to sit down. They did as he asked. Benjamin picked up his baseball and perched on the arm of the chair opposite them. He sighed and plunged ahead. "I have here in my hand a communication from Starfleet," he said, holding up the PADD. "It's a request that they have asked me to convey to you," he said, almost spitting the words as if he was being asked to perform a morally reprehensible act.

"What sort of request?" Kira asked. Odo said nothing, just looked up at him calmly.

Sisko looked unnecessarily down at the PADD even though he had its contents committed to memory. "Understand that this is *not* an order. You are not a member of Starfleet and thus cannot be compelled to do anything for us." Sisko did not take his eyes off the PADD but Kira began to get the distinct impression that he was not addressing her, but Odo...a suspicion confirmed when he dropped the PADD and looked up into the shapeshifter's eyes. "Starfleet Command wants me to ask if you'd consider undertaking a mission...for the good of the Federation," he finished, the last phrase slanted with subtle sarcasm.

Kira was beginning to get that digging-in-her-heels look that Sisko had come to know...and fear. "A mission? What sort of mission?" Her voice betrayed her usual level of suspicion at anything Starfleet might come up with. Odo still said nothing but just sat there waiting, his posture suggesting that he could wait until the Bajoran sun went nova.

Sisko sighed again, then plunged ahead. "They want to know if you'd consider an undercover mission to the Gamma Quadrant. Link with the Founders, find out what they know and what they plan, and somehow get out. They don't know if it's even possible, but they can't ignore the potential benefits so they wanted me to discuss the matter with you."

Odo nodded calmly. He's been expecting this, Sisko thought, but that was all he had time to think. Kira was on her feet before he'd even finished his statement. "What!?!" she shouted. "That is the most ill-conceived, suicidally pointless, doomed idea I have ever heard in my life! I can't believe they even had the nerve to put it out over subspace!" She jabbed a finger at Sisko, forgetting all matters of protocol for the moment. "And I can't believe that you...yes, you...would even suggest it."

"You're absolutely right!" Sisko exclaimed. She drew back, surprised.

"Then why..."

"Kira, I debated over whether or not I should have even mentioned this. I could have very easily told them that the idea had been rejected and they would never have been the wiser. I think it's at best extremely risky, at worst counterproductive, prohibitively dangerous and most likely impossible. The bottom line is that I was ordered to convey this request, and now I've done it. I consider the matter closed."

Kira stepped back, mollified. "Well, I'm glad at least that you..."

"I'll do it."

They both froze and stared at Odo, those three implacable words still hanging in the air. Sisko found his voice first. "Odo, I..."

"I said I'll do it," he said, rising.

Kira was shaking her head. "Odo, there's no way you can..."

He looked at her, a pained expression on his face. "Have you forgotten what I almost let happen during the occupation? I almost cost the Federation the war, and the quadrant."

"That wasn't entirely your fault," she said tightly, a cold lead ball settling into the pit of her stomach. He couldn't mean it.

"Wasn't it? Does it matter? I may not always have been the Federation's strongest supporter but I have come to respect many of their ideals, and their citizens. At any rate, if I were to succeed it would benefit the entire quadrant, including Bajor. It might even be possible to drive the Dominion back to the Gamma Quadrant. I think that's worth some risk..." He hesitated and glanced down at his hands. "And it would give me a chance to make up for what I did."

"I don't believe I'm hearing this!" Kira exclaimed. Odo closed his eyes briefly but didn't look at her.

"When do I leave?" he asked. Kira had heard enough. She stepped in front of Odo and grabbed him by the upper arms. For a moment Sisko thought she was just going to shake him until he gave in, but she only held onto him.

"Odo, have you gone insane? This...mission, if you can even call it that...it's a futile exercise! There's no chance for success, none!" She let go of him and held up her hands in a frustrated gesture. "I'm...I'm stunned that you would even consider doing such a thing for the Federation."

He looked down at her. "Not for them, Nerys, for us. All of us here, and on Bajor, and for you and for myself." His face softened just as it always did when he looked at her. He laid one hand on her shoulder. "If I don't face them...I'll never be free, not really."

Kira looked like she had so many things to say that they were bottlenecked up in her throat and none could escape. She stared at him for a few moments, her head shaking slightly and her mouth open, then she turned and stalked out of the office. Odo's eyes followed her but he didn't move. After a moment he turned back to the captain.

"Let's not waste any time, Captain. We have preparations to make."

Odo let himself into Kira's quarters. He was anxious, tired, nervous and downright miserable...and he was dreading facing her. He flopped down in his favorite chair and let himself settle into the semi-fluid state that was the Changeling equivalent of dozing.

He had been in nonstop briefings for eight hours. Federation security, Starfleet special ops, Federation counterintelligence, Bajoran science academy, it never ended...and most of these meetings had consisted of himself and the Captain sitting in Sisko's office talking to someone or several someones over subspace. The final conference had been with the formidable Admiral Necheyev, whom Odo had never particularly cared for...and he had always gotten the distinct impression that the feeling was mutual, but today she'd treated him with a measure of deference. He put it down to the risk he was taking for what she perceived was her benefit.

The Captain had finally dismissed him...he hadn't *ordered* him to go find Kira but it had been tactily implied. He'd almost been out of the office when some impulse made Sisko blurt out the question that had been floating through his mind all day.

"Why are you doing this?" he exclaimed. Odo paused and turned back. Sisko looked embarrassed to have spoken but now that he had, he was determined to have his say. He came around the desk and sat on the edge in his "informal C.O." pose. "Forgive my intrusion, but...you've seemed so happy recently, and this mission..." He trailed off with a meaningless hand gesture. "You've got to know it's a fool's errand. Once you've entered the Great Link, how in the world will you conceal your true intentions from them? Moreover, how will you get out again? How will you make them trust you enough to learn their secrets, and once you've learned them, do you really think they'll let you leave? What if its pull overwhelms you?"

"I have considered the risks, Captain. The only one of your points I'm honestly concerned about is my ability to escape the Link once joined. Its lure is very powerful, I can't deny it...but I have to try."

"But why?" Sisko cried, frustrated. "Odo..." He sighed. "You're a very valuable officer, and...I hope you know that I consider you a good friend. I'm telling you, I don't want you to take this mission."

"I told you why."

Sisko nodded. "I know. Now tell me the real reason."

Odo looked patently miserable. "If you order me not to go, I won't go...but this is the chance I've been waiting for, the chance to..." He paused.

"To say goodbye to your people?" Sisko asked. Could that be it?

Odo walked to the window, his hands clasped behind his back. "For most of my life, all I wanted was to know who I was and where I came from. When I found out who my people were and what they stood for, I was so horrified that I turned my back on everything I am. You can't understand what it means for a Changeling to be separated from the Link. The Link is...pure harmony, total belonging. It's paradise."

"But at what cost?"

"Exactly. Captain...imagine if there were a place where you could be completely and utterly happy, but going there meant sacrificing everything you believed in and betraying the lives of everyone you cared about. Wouldn't you bolt yourself to a bulkhead to keep from going there? That is the situation that has faced me for years. I can abhor what my people stand for and still wish to be with them in the Link." He lowered his head and his shoulders slumped. "It's too late for me. I have cast my lot with the solids, I've fought with them and for them...I have even been one of them. I'm too foreign, too far gone to ever go back. I think they know that, but their arrogance will let them believe that I've thrown everything over to return. The idea that there is some force in the universe that could overcome the pull of the Link is completely foreign to them." He raised his head to look at Sisko. "That is the only edge I have, Captain...and the reason I have to go back. As long as they still believe that my place is with them and I might someday return, part of me will still belong to them. I want all of me to belong to myself, and to Kira." He went back to the door and almost left, but then turned back. "I don't particularly relish the idea of going on this mission, Captain. I'm aware of its marginal chances for success...but if I want to finally build a life for myself here, I have to try. Don't stop me."

Sisko's heart went out to the shapeshifter's dilemma. What a position to be in, he mused. "If Starfleet had not come up with this...would you have brought it up yourself?"

Odo looked away. "I don't know," he said quietly. "The thought had crossed my mind."

Sisko sighed. "I won't stop you. I'll do everything I can to help you. Anything you need, just say the word."

These images replayed themselves in Odo's mind as he rested in Kira's quarters, waiting for her to return, which she eventually did about two and a half hours later, looking just as ill-used and exhausted as he felt. She looked at him sitting there, no surprise at his presence evident on her face, her expression neutral. He braced himself for a tirade, but to his shock her face creased into a smile. "Hello, Odo." She went to the replicator, pausing to pull off her boots. "What a day," she said with a weary sigh. She ordered some tea and a sandwich and curled up on the sofa. "How long have you been waiting? I got hung up in Ops. Why didn't you call?"

For a moment he was at a complete loss for words at her casual manner. "Aren't...you going to try and talk me out of it?" he finally stammered.

Kira sighed and put her plate down. "When have I ever talked you out of anything?"

"Nerys, I wish you could undestand..."

"I do understand," she interrupted him. "Don't you know that? I know you, Odo. You feel you need this closure. If it means that much to you..." She stopped and looked away, biting her lip. He shook his head, still marveling at her simple tone. She'd summed up in one phrase what he'd had such trouble expressing to Sisko. Had he honestly thought he'd have to explain his motives to her, of all people? He stood up and went to the window.

"I really expected you to be angrier," he said, half under his breath.

She rose to stand at his side. "I am angry," she said softly. "I'm so angry that I can barely see." Her last words sounded strained and shaky, betraying the inner rage she was hiding. She paused and regained control. "I hate what you're doing and I hate you for doing it..." He looked down at her, alarmed. "...but I know *why* you're doing it." She reached down and took his hand in both of hers. "If you feel that strongly about this mission that you'll go ahead even knowing how I feel about it..." The muscles in her jaw worked for a moment. "...then I refuse to spend whatever time we have left arguing about it." Odo dropped her hand and drew her into his arms with a tortured half-sob, burying his face in her hair. How can I do this to her, he thought. How can I do this to *us?*

"Here's how this is going to work," she went on, looking up at him. "You leave in two days. I'm taking those days off, and so are you. If that is all the time we have, we're going to spend as much of it together as physically possible," she said, two tears leaking from the corners of her eyes to track down her cheeks. He reached up to wipe them away with his thumb.

"Nerys...how is it that just when I think I can't possibly love you more, you find a new way to astound me with your strength and courage?"

She sniffed and shook her head. "I don't feel strong. All I really want to do is put you in a stasis field and lock you up in your own brig to keep you here." Kira looked up into his face, and in a fraction of a second she saw it all. She saw herself waiting for a return that never came. She saw herself searching the Gamma quadrant for any sign of him, saw herself losing hope and accepting that he was lost to her, she saw the days marching on, an endless series of gray days, and worst of all, she saw herself growing old and moving on, trying in vain to forget him. These images came to her unbidden in lightning-quick flashes but with such conviction that for a second she almost believed in visions. She sucked in her breath and threw her arms around his neck, clutching him to her as if she feared he'd slip away and vanish right there. Odo held her as tightly as he dared, feeling her shaking and thoroughly despising himself.

The night shift on a space station is usually enough to dampen the spirits of even the hardiest of optimists. It's gray, it's lonely, and it's depressing...but it met its match in Lieutenant Nora Briggs, the DS9 Ops night duty officer. Every night for twelve hours, Ops was her kingdom, and she ruled it with a ready smile and a seemingly endless supply of jokes, card games and campfire songs. One might think such a relentlessly cheerful personality would grate on those most frequently exposed to it, but Briggsie (as she was known around the station, of course) was universally adored. No bad mood could long survive in her presence, no calamity could withstand her sunny outlook, and no one ever left her company without feeling better than they had when they met her.

Tonight Briggs was running a level-two diagnostic of the defense grid as per Commander Worf's request. In addition to her temperament Briggs was an excellent officer, trained as a weapons specialist. Captain Sisko had more than once commented that he dreaded the day she finally decided to accept one of the myriad of better assignments she had been offered, but here she stayed, showing no signs of discontent.

It was about five in the morning when the diagnostic was finally completed. "All systems read nominal, Lieutenant," said one of the engineers.

"Great!" Briggs said with a grin. "The Commander will be glad to hear it." She sat down at her station and glanced over the results. Everything seemed to be in order. "Okay...who's up tonight in the tournament?" she asked, casting an eye over the night crew.

"I won last night!"

"You did not, I had more space stations."

"But you owe me 200 strips in back rent, *and* you had to mortgage Starbase India."

"I'm still waiting to use my 'Get out of the Brig Free' card, dammit."

Briggs laughed as the officers squabbled. She was bending to retrieve the holoboard from under the console when the external sensors chimed. "Runabout coming in, sir."

Major Kira's voice came over the comm channel. "Tigris to DS9, request clearance to dock."

Briggs initated the docking sequence. "DS9 to Tigris, you are cleared to dock. Welcome back!"

"Thanks, Briggsie. Tigris out."

Briggs picked up a PADD she'd put aside and stood. "I've got to go meet them at the airlock," she said to Ensign Verdet.

"Them?"

"It's Kira and Odo, back from Bajor. They left this morning. Captain told me to give them this when they returned, so off I go."

"Hmm...romantic getaway?" Verdet mused with a raised eyebrow. Verdet was one of Dax and Bashir's many accomplices in the gossip business.

"None of our business, I'm sure," Briggs said as she boarded the turbolift, dropping a wink as it lowered out of sight.

The outer doors were opening as Briggs stepped up to the airlock. Kira and Odo came through the hallway, their arms about each other's waists. The inner door opened and Kira smiled to see Briggs standing there, PADD in hand. "Good morning, Lieutenant," she said. "You didn't have to meet us."

"Hello Major, Constable," she said. She held out the PADD. "Captain wanted me to give this to you as soon as you got back." Kira took it.

"What is it?" Odo asked, looking over Kira's shoulder.

"No idea. It's eyes only." Kira lowered the PADD and shouldered her bag. "Have a nice trip?" Briggs asked.

Odo said nothing, just took Kira's hand. She looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, we did," she said quietly. They moved off down the hall, leaving Briggs standing puzzled in the hallway. Something was going on, she thought. Kira's expression had been tender, but a deeper sadness had been lurking behind her eyes. Briggs returned to Ops, but her enthusiasm for the nightly installment of the famous neverending Monopoly tournament was somewhat dampened.

A few hours later, two normally ebullient breakfast companions ate in a morose silence, one trying to assimiliate what the end of the day would bring and the other wondering how in the world to offer comfort where clearly none was adequate.

Dax swallowed a mouthful of asna that tasted like sawdust as she watched Kira push the food around on her plate. She took a swig of raktajino to bolster her nerve. "Nerys, I'm so sorry about how I behaved at the briefing the other day," she finally said. "There's no excuse for it."

Kira glanced at her noncommitally. "You were angry, Jadzia, and you weren't the only one. Julian looked mad enough to chew duranium. Believe me, I sympathize."

"I just...I have trouble dealing with such cavalier attitudes towards life. Some things are worth dying for, but this..."

"Please don't," Kira said tightly. "I'm hanging on by a very thin thread."

Dax grasped her friend's hand. "I'm sorry. I know how torn you must feel."

She nodded. "I have to try to accept his decision if we're to part on good terms."

Sax started to speak, paused, then went ahead. "I guess I just don't understand."

"Jadzia...you're holding back. Tell me what you really think."

"I don't want to upset you." Kira just looked at her until Dax realized the absurdity of that statement. "Sorry," she murmured, then cleared her throat. "But...don't you have any part in this decision? If it were me, and Worf had taken it into his head to go on some insane, pointless mission for which the chances for success were almost nil...especially if he weren't under orders...I'd put my foot down."

"What if it were so important to him that he would go anyway?" Kira said.

"If he loves me, he'll listen!" Dax said shortly, then immediately regretted it as a look of pain crossed Kira's face. "Nerys..."

"No, it's okay. Don't you think I haven't wanted to demand that he decline?" Jadzia looked at her friend helplessly.

"Why don't you, then?"

"Because if I really insisted, he'd probably do as I asked."

Dax's brow furrowed. "Isn't that what you want?"

"Of course it is! That's just the problem...that's what *I* want. It's selfish, and it's a terrible abuse of his feelings if I turn them into weapons or leverage. I have to respect his wishes, because I respect *him.*" She paused. "If I were in his position, I'd want him to do the same...and I know that he would. That's why I have to."

Dax sighed. "You're a stronger person than I, Nerys. I'm not sure I could do what you're doing." They sat in silence for a few moments.

Kira finally put her fork down and crossed her arms on the edge of the table. "I love him, Jadzia," she said quietly, her eyes averted. Dax stared at her. It was the first time she'd heard her say it.

"Does he know that?" she asked.

Kira glanced up at her and sighed. "I think so. I hope so."

"But you haven't told him, have you?"

She shook her head. "I don't know what's stopping me. I've started to say it a dozen times, but it always sticks in my throat." She blinked a few times quickly, and Dax wasn't exactly surprised to see an unnatural shine in her eyes. "I'm sure that's hurt him...he's said it to me and I know he hoped to hear it returned."

There seemed to be no response to that, so they sat quietly for a time. Surely Kira knew how important it was for her to express herself to him before he left. "Is he regenerating now?" Dax finally asked.

"Yes," Kira said, sounding grateful for the change of subject. "We thought it would be most efficient for him to get some rest right before he leaves." She sniffed ruefully. "You know, I never thought that 'inability to pull an all-nighter' would be a drawback in a relationship."

"Hmm...that never occurred to me."

"Nor I, until now. I'd be happy to forego sleep to spend time with him before tonight, but he can't."

"Not unless you want to sit and talk to a puddle of goo," Dax deadpanned.

Kira stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. Dax couldn't help but join in. "Oh Prophets...I just got the funniest mental image."

"I'm right there with you, Nerys." Their laughter rolled down the Promenade, and to Kira, who had been forcing more than her share of smiles these last hours, it felt wonderful.

Kira got through the day one hour at a time. Although she had the day off, she went to Ops and took her station. Only the senior staff was aware of Odo's mission, so she was at least spared the sympathetic glances...though Jadzia did surreptitiously squeeze her hand under the console once.

As the officers began to scatter for dinner, Kira excused herself and headed for Odo's quarters. Jadzia's offhand comment about sitting with a puddle of goo had begun to seem less and less ridiculous as the day wore on, and by 1900 hours it seemed like the only thing to do. She let herself in quietly, not wanting to disturb him.

The floor of his quarters was mostly covered in an irregular patch of gently shimmering gold. Kira sat cross legged on the floor near its edge and just watched him sleep. It was an odd experience, and something she'd never done before. His natural state seemed so restful, she was almost envious...yet it was not entirely still. His surface rippled with subtle fluctuations that were quietly mesmerising. After a time, she was quite certain that she could still feel his calm presence even in this most alien of forms. The hours passed as she sat silent, deep in thought, trying to carefully catalogue every moment and every memory and retain it in as much detail as possible. She feared that these four weeks of memories would be all she'd have.

At 2145 the computer spoke up. "It is 2145 hours," it intoned in that maddeningly smug tone it had. "Repeat, it is 2145 hours." Kira came out of what was really a half-trance with a start. The edges of the golden liquid began to contract and in a few seconds Odo was crouching before her.

"How long have you been here?" he asked quietly.

She shrugged. "A few hours." He stood, took her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"It's time," he said simply.

They walked along the Promenade to the docking ring turbolift, their steps slower than usual. They didn't speak, the ebb and flow of passersby providing a comforting white noise.

"Odo!" came a too-familiar voice. Quark came hurrying up. "Glad I caught you before you leave."

Odo and Kira exchanged a neutral glance. "What makes you think I'm leaving?"

"I have my sources," the Ferengi said with a wink. "Can I expect the usual deputorial attention while you're away?" he asked.

Odo snorted. "Triple coverage, Quark. Don't you try anything," he said, poking Quark's chest. Abruptly, the self-satisfied smirk fell off Quark's face. Kira shifted uneasily. The air of make-believe had just evaporated.

"Odo...get yourself back to us, okay?" Quark said quietly. "I would hate to have to live with triple coverage forever."

Odo straightened. "I'm sure it will be business as usual before too long," he said...but Kira could tell that Quark's words touched him. The bartender glanced away and clapped a hand to Odo's upper arm, then turned and strode determinedly back to the bar. Odo just stood there for a moment until Kira slipped her arm through his and they resumed their course.

When they arrived at the airlock, the senior staff was already there. Kira wasn't surprised, but she could tell by his posture that Odo was. He still had trouble believing that he had become important to each of them, professionally and personally. She lingered by the airlock door as he moved to stand before them. Sisko spoke first, sensing the shapeshifter's discomfort. "We...wanted to see you off and wish you a safe return, Odo," he said...that their real purpose was to say good-bye was left unstated but understood by all. The words hung in the air for a moment...no one moved. Finally Worf, standing at the end of the rough queue, put out a hand.

"Q'a'pla," he said as Odo shook it. At the briefing, the Klingon had already expressed his belief in the glorious nature of this mission...and privately, had told Odo that he hoped his death would be honorable. Not the most comforting of well-wishes, but it was honestly intended. Odo shook hands with the Chief, and then Julian, both of whom murmured words of good luck and smiled warmly at him with sad looks on their faces. Dax made no such pretense, opting for an unrestrained hug. After a moment of startled paralysis when the Trill threw her arms about him, Odo returned the embrace.

"I'll look forward to your report when you get back," she said firmly, clapping him on the shoulder as she backed away. Odo smiled.

"You'll have it, Commander. In triplicate," he added, a bit of an injoke regarding his often-voiced disdain for Starfleet's recordkeeping fetish. He moved to the Captain, who clasped his hand firmly in both of his own.

"I still wish you'd reconsider," Sisko said quietly. Odo said nothing, he didn't need to. It had all been said. The Captain sighed. "Find your way home, Constable. We'll leave a candle in the window."

"Thank you," Odo said, his gravelly voice a bit rougher than normal. He looked at the faces of his friends, perhaps...or more accurately, probably...for the last time. "Thank you all, for everything."

He turned to Kira, who had stood silent and still by the airlock throughout these exchanges. The others shifted and exchanged glances...they knew they should probably give them privacy but it didn't feel right to leave before he was gone. Kira solved their dilemma for them. "It's all right," she said, looking past Odo's shoulder at them. "Stay." She stared at the floor for a moment, then reached into the neckline of her uniform and withdrew a slender chain. She picked up one of his hands and placed the necklace in his palm. "I want you to take this with you," she said.

"Nerys, it's your Orb charm..." Odo began.

"And you know how important it is to me." He nodded. She looked up into his face for the first time. "Then you'd better bring it back safely, hadn't you?"

He closed his fist around the necklace. "I'll guard it with my life," he said hoarsely.

"You'd better...or you'll have more to worry about than breaking up fights at Quark's," she said, smiling even as tears brightened her eyes. He laid a hand on the side of her face and kissed her softly. She covered his hand with her own and pressed her forehead to his, her breath rattling in her throat. He pulled himself away with what looked like a Herculean effort then was stopped halfway to the airlock...she still had ahold of his hand, staring at it with the pained smile frozen on her lips. She looked up into his questioning face and swallowed hard. "I love you," she said, her voice steady. Odo's eyes fell shut and he sighed from deep in his chest.

"Thank you," he whispered. She didn't need to hear him say it in return, not now....anyway, it was all over his face. He held her gaze for a few moments, then squeezed her hand one last time before releasing it and stepping through the airlock. He paused, then turned back to face them. "I'll be back," he said as he hit the airlock controls. "Count on it." The door swung shut and he walked determinedly to the other end and disappeared through the runabout pad airlock at the other end.

Kira's shoulders slumped as the others stood uncomfortably in a loose group in the hallway. Sisko laid a tentative hand on her shoulder...but it was immediately shrugged off. She turned to stare at him, all tenderness gone from her face and replaced with anger. "If he dies, I'm holding you responsible," she said flatly, through clenched teeth. "You and your Federation." She turned and stormed away. Sisko could almost feel the bulkheads shaking with each step.

"She's upset," Dax said quietly.

"She's right," Sisko said. "I shouldn't have let him take this mission."

"It *was* his decision," Julian added.

Sisko turned and looked at them, the burden of his command almost visibly weighing on his shoulders. "Precious little comfort that'll be to her...or any of us...if he never makes it back."

I'm imagining your frame, every angle and every plane
I'm imagining your smell, the one that mingled with mine once upon a time
I'm imagining your laugh again the one you save for your very close friends
I'm imagining the way you say my name I don't know when I'm going to hear it again
My friends can't tell my laughter from my cries
Someone tell this photograph of you to let go of my eyes...

-Ani DiFranco

Part Two: The Wait

Kira walked through Ops and into her office at 0330 hours, oblivious to the curious glances of the night crew. After her angry words to Sisko, she had stomped her way to her quarters as if she could hold off her emotions with a forceful enough stride. Once there, she had merely paced up and down the floor, too agitated to do anything else. All attempts at relaxing or even sitting still failed. Finally she'd decided she'd better at least try and get some rest, but after two hours of tossing and turning she'd given up and gotten dressed again.

Briggs was checking some sensor logs when this unexpected visitor arrived. She watched the Major clomp from the turbolift to her office, looking neither right nor left. "Been awhile since Kira came slumming," commented one of the crewmen after Kira's office doors had closed after her. "Slumming" was their term for those infrequent times when senior officers felt obligated to come and "visit" the overnight crew, perhaps due to some sense of noblesse oblige. Briggs smiled vaguely as the crew laughed, but she was more interested in Kira. She hadn't seemed to be slumming. Briggs walked across to Kira's office and rang the chime.

"Come," came the sharp reply. She entered cautiously, not sure what to expect. The Major was leaning forward with her elbows on her desk, turning a spun-glass paperweight over and over in her hands, her expression far away. It was one of the only nonessential items the Major kept on her desk, Briggs remembered it had been a birthday gift from Odo a few years ago. Kira spoke without looking up.

"What is it, Briggs?"

"Something I can do for you, sir?"

She looked up at her through narrowed eyes for a moment. "Have a seat," she said absently. She put down the paperweight and leaned back in her chair. "How's the sensor analysis coming along?" she said.

Okay, fine. "About as I expected, sir. Slow going."

"Ah." There was a long pause.

"With all due respect, you didn't come down here at three in the morning to talk about sensor logs, Major," Briggs said quietly. Kira looked at her sharply, then had to smile.

"You don't miss much, do you, Briggs?"

"What *can* I do for you, sir?" Kira sighed and plucked at invisible lint on her uniform. Briggs studied her expression. She wants to talk, but why to me? She's got friends.

Kira spoke quickly, as if embarrassed. "I hear you're pretty good at cheering people up," she said.

Briggs smiled inwardly. Ah. "You make it sound like some kind of superpower."

Kira looked at her. "Isn't it?"

"Maybe...but if so, I'm at low ebb right now."

Kira frowned. "Why?"

"Well..." Briggs paused and looked down at her hands. "I could use some cheering up myself these days."

"What's wrong?"

Nora kept her expression neutral. "You don't want to hear about my troubles, Major."

"No, I do. Tell me," Kira said, leaning forward on her desk, grateful for something...and someone...else to focus on.

"Well, this may sound silly, but I lost a crystal ball my mother gave me when I earned my commission."

"Oh no!" Kira was very sensitive to matters of family and ancestral history, having had her own destroyed.

"Yeah. I don't know how I could have misplaced it. I took it with me when I went to visit my brother on Luna a few months ago and I think it got lost in transit. On top of that, I recently ended a relationship that had been important to me for several years and I was passed over for a post at Starbase 15."

Kira frowned. "How could you have been passed over? You're a terrific officer!"

"Apparently there were others more qualified."

"I can't say I'm sorry. We'd hate to lose you here."

"Thanks," Briggs said with a smile.

"I don't know your relationship history, but if I you'll forgive me, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to associate with you."

"What a nice thing to say," Nora said with a smile, which Kira returned. "That helps."

"I'm glad." They sat silently for a moment.

"Feel better?" Briggs finally asked.

Kira considered, then smiled slowly. "Yes...I do," she said, sounding surprised.

"May I speak frankly, sir?" Briggs asked, feeling a little silly to be requesting permission after she'd just spilled her own guts.

"Of course."

"I think I know what's troubling you."

Kira blinked. "You do?"

"It doesn't take a Cochrane to put the pieces together. A runabout went through the wormhole earlier tonight, no explanation. I notice that Lt. Saunderson is listed as Security Contact for the next two weeks...and as I came to work tonight I saw two extra deputies at Quark's. That only means one thing around here."

"I'll say it again. You don't miss much," Kira said tightly.

Briggs looked at her sympathetically. "I won't ask what's going on, I'm sure it's classified or we would already know...but by your face it can't be good." Kira stared at the desktop, her hands laced together. She didn't answer. Briggs took that as her cue and rose to leave. "Major...you'll forgive my getting a tad personal, but if I know him at all, he'll get back safely...and if I know you at all, you'll find a way to make sure he does." Kira didn't move. Briggs sighed and went to the door.

"Briggs?"

She paused and turned back. "Yes, sir?"

Kira eyed her speculatively. "You didn't really need cheering up, did you?"

Briggs glanced away and pursed her lips together. "Nope. Best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up, Major. Works, doesn't it?"

Kira nodded. "Thanks, Briggsie."

"My pleasure." Briggs favored Kira with one of her trademark megawatt smiles and returned to Ops. Kira sat back in her chair, feeling admittedly better in spite of herself, wondering if what she'd heard about Briggs were really true. If so...it could be useful.

Odo came through the wormhole without incident, but as he'd expected was immediately surrounded by Jem'Hadar warships. He couldn't help a gasp of alarm...the Gamma Quadrant side of the wormhole was virtually swarming with Dominion ships. There were too many to count, almost too many for his mind to grasp. Their staggering presence was a chilling reminder of just how tenuous the relative peace of DS9 was. Were it not for the Prophets' interference, the Dominion would surely have overrun the entire quadrant by now. He made a mental note to himself...when he got back, perhaps he did owe a bit of thanks to the Prophets, even if he didn't follow their religion.

He felt a twinge of fear. He knew that as soon as he identified himself he'd be as safe as he was in his own quarters...he just hoped the Jem'Hadar weren't so trigger-happy that he never got a chance.

"Weapons lock detected," the computer said calmly. "Shields up." He opened a comm channel to the nearest battle cruiser.

"Ganges to Dominion cruiser, respond please."

"This is the Dominion warship Temok. Identify yourself."

"This is Odo, Chief of Security of DS9." He smiled as all weapons locks were immediately discontinued. The two Jem'Hadar fighters that had moved in backed off.

"Founder, we are honored by your presence," the voice from the Temok said, a note of reverence present where none had been before. "How may we be of service?"

Odo hesitated. I could just turn and run back through the wormhole, he thought. Forget this entire crazy mission, go back to the station, start my life. Go kayaking with the Chief, banter with Quark, take Kira in my arms and never let go again. He closed his eyes. "I am en route to the Founder's planet. I require nothing but unrestricted passage."

"Of course, Founder. We will escort you there ourselves."

He wanted to refuse the escort but decided that if he wanted to keep up his "I'm-rejoining-my-people" cover he'd better not. "Thank you. Odo out." He set course for his home planet and went to warp, followed closely by the Dominion cruiser.

Kira lay in her bed curled around one of her pillows, her eyes open and dry. It was 0545 hours. Sisko had given her the next day off over her protests, but she was beginning to think it hadn't been such a bad idea. After two days of almost no rest at all...and now this sleepless night...she'd need some time to catch up if she wanted to be functional upon return to duty.

The sadness she felt was too large for tears. Part of her wanted very much to cry or scream or throw things, perhaps it would help...but she felt numb, insensible. Even she was surprised by how his absence was already affecting her. For most of her life, she'd been forced to cultivate isolation to protect herself from the violent loss of friends, family, compatriots....but that had gradually been changing with her years on this station. It had been a habit she hadn't been sorry to break. Yet now look what had happened...she'd allowed herself to need him, and now he was gone...but (she told herself firmly) not forever. Not if she had anything to say about it.

Odo beamed himself to the surface of the Founder's planet. He felt no nervousness, no uncertainty. This *would* work. There was simply no other option. He paused before approaching the surface of the Link and reached up to slip Nerys' orb charm from around his neck. He stared at it, not seeing the necklace but her eyes when she'd given it to him, her face when she'd said those words he'd longed to hear for so long. He sighed and concentrated for a moment. The necklace slipped through the surface of his hand and disappeared into his substance. He made a fist and clenched it to his chest for a moment, then walked forward to the great ocean of Changelings that was both his heaven and his hell.

A column of gold rose from its surface and came forward, solidfying into a familiar but dreaded shape. Why is it always her? he thought. Why do they always speak to me through her? Then the thought occurred to him that what looked like the same Changeling he'd have previous dealings with wasn't necessarily the same one. It could have been a different Changeling each time, merely assuming a familiar shape. The thought disturbed him...he had thought of himself in many ways, but never as an interchangeable chameleon with no personal identity. He put on a smile for the Changeling before him and cleared his mind of all non-Founder-like thoughts as best he could. It was difficult. He kept seeing his friend's faces in his mind, and scenes of the station that was his adopted home. His quarters, his office, Ops, even Quark's, they all had to go if the Founders were to accept him. Kira's image was the hardest to banish. I have to do this for her, he told himself. It helped him bolster his resolve...and then he pushed all thoughts of her as far away from himself as possible and stepped forward to greet the female Changeling.

"Odo," she said. Her voice was pleased, but not surprised. "Have you come back to us at last?"

I am a glacier, he said to himself. I feel nothing. "I have. I am ready to rejoin the Link."

She nodded thoughtfully. "I admit this comes sooner than I thought it would. Why have you chosen to abandon your life with the solids?"

"I am not like them, I can never be comfortable with them," he said. "After experiencing such a small part of the Link when you were on the station...my existence seemed so empty and flat." He drew himself up. "I have tried to fight it, but I can no longer deny that here is where I belong."

"We'll see," she said, reaching out for his hand. He grasped it. "Come...come to the Link, and all your questions...and ours...will be answered."

She led him to the edge of the Link. He did not allow himself to hesitate, or consider, or resist in any way. He stepped into the living ocean of his people, his legs merging with their substance, and his humanoid form collapsed. He felt the electric shimmering of the linking spreading up through his body and then it consumed him, surrounded him and suffused his entire being. He was once again Linked...and the world beyond ceased to matter or even exist.

An uneventful week passed on Deep Space Nine. Traders came and went, passing ships stopped for a brief respite from their journeys, Quark served up gallons of synthale, the vedeks held their daily prayer services, things broke and were repaired, the nightshift Monopoly tournament raged into its third year and lives marched steadily onward...except for Kira Nerys'. She felt like she was in limbo the entire time. She went to Ops, performed her duties, spoke when spoken to, and went through the motions. She had lunch with Dax, spent an evening with the O'Briens, and went about her normal existence...but she was painfully aware that everyone was walking on eggshells around her, as if they were afraid she'd go into hysterics at any moment. Do they really think I'm that fragile? she asked herself. The worst part was that at times she *felt* that fragile. No one mentioned his name or wondered aloud how his mission was proceeding. Kira found herself going out of her way to avoid passing by his office and seeing Lt. Saunderson sitting in his chair. She wondered if he was in the Link, if he'd forgotten all about everyone here, even her...and she wondered if *she* had been there to greet him with open arms.

"Kira? Did you hear what I said?"

Kira jumped, startled, realizing that Julian had been speaking to her. "I'm sorry, Julian...my mind was wandering."

He smiled. "I can see that." He glanced down at her untouched lunch plate. "Not hungry?"

She considered the plate for a moment then pushed it away with a sigh. "No, not really."

His smile faded. "Kira, you haven't been eating," he said quietly. "And I'd wager you're not sleeping very well."

She shot him a warning look, but he wasn't impressed. "I'm fine, Julian."

"Nonsense," he said, leaning forward to look at her more closely. "Nerys...you look awful. You're pale and you've dark circles under your eyes."

She sipped her raktajino. "It's not your job to monitor my daily habits."

"I beg to differ. I'm the chief medical officer here and it *is* my job to look after the health of all the officers on this station." He smiled. "Besides, if he gets back and finds you wasting away of malnutrition in sickbay I'm liable to find myself missing several parts of my anatomy."

Kira looked at him flatly. "Don't say that, Julian."

His brow furrowed. "Don't say what?"

She swallowed. "He's not coming back and everyone knows it," she said in a rush.

Julian's expression turned horrified. "Nerys, you don't really believe that," he said intensely, reaching forward to grasp her hand. "We've can't let ourselves think that way!"

"What way? Realistically?" she exclaimed, pulling her hand away. "*He* always prepared for the worst, why shouldn't we?" She leaned her elbows on the table and scrubbed her hands up and down her face, exhaling with a shudder. She leaned back in her chair and looked at him sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Julian. I shouldn't..."

He squeezed her shoulder. "Think nothing of it, Nerys. You're not made of stone, after all." He gave her a speculative look. "Although you've been doing your best imitation of it of late."

She stared at him for a moment, then her shoulders sagged and she managed a tired smile. "I just miss him, Julian."

"Mind if I join you?" came a familar, deep voice. Julian looked up at the captain, standing there with a sandwich and a glass of what looked like iced tea.

"Please do," he said, motioning to one of the two vacant chairs at the table. He glanced at Kira...she had gone stiff as a board, her face a frozen mask.

"Excuse me, I have to be going," she said woodenly. She picked up her plate and mug and stalked off. Sisko sighed as he sat down.

"Well, you don't have to be Betazoid to sense those feelings," Julian said. Sisko watched her stride out of the bar then turned back to Julian. "It's all right, Doctor."

"But it's not your fault, Captain!"

"Come, Julian. She's sitting on a lot of anger. I'm a handy scapegoat."

Bashir shook his head, unconvinced. "I just wish she didn't feel she had to take it out on you."

Sisko tented his fingers under his chin and thought for a moment. "Have you ever lost someone you really loved, Doctor?"

"No," Julian admitted, picking at his orange slices.

"Well, I have. I understand how she feels. For a long time, I projected my anger over Jenny's death onto Picard. I blamed him for everything." Julian looked away, embarrassed. "If it will help her to blame me for a little while, I can take it."

The next morning Kira came into Ops, feeling considerably better. She'd managed to get a decent night's sleep for once...and if she'd done it by imagining that he'd escaped the Link and was on his way home, whose business was that? She smiled at Briggs, who handed her a raktajino just as she always did. "Morning, Briggs," she said.

"Good morning, Major. You look chipper this morning."

Kira shrugged. "I don't know if I'd go that far."

"No word from Odo, sir," Briggs said, no trace of hesitation or pity in her voice. Kira glanced at her as she continued the report. "Other than that, all's well. The docking schedule is at your console."

"Understood. Dismissed." Briggs dropped her trademark little salute and turned to leave. "Nora?" Kira said on impulse.

Briggs turned, surprised to hear the Major address her by first name. "Yes, Major?"

"Thank you."

She cocked her head quizzically. "For what, sir?"

"Do you know you're the only one who doesn't talk to me like I'm made of crystal filaments?"

"What good would that do, sir? You're not." She flipped a wink and a half-smile and hopped on the turbolift.

Kira watched the lift descend, her spirits buoyed by Briggs' vote of confidence, and called up the day's schedule at her station.

"Benjamin, how many chiles did you put in this omelette?" Jadzia spluttered.

Sisko grinned at her discomfort. "Too many, apparently. A bit spicy for you?"

"A bit spicy for first thing in the morning!" She took a big swig of milk and put down her fork, sobering."Julian told me about what happened at lunch yesterday...with Kira."

He sighed. "It's nothing, old man."

"It's not nothing. I'm worried about her."

"I don't think she'd appreciate that."

"I don't care whether she'd appreciate it or not, I'm her friend and I'm worried."

Benjamin tossed his napkin onto the plate and crossed his arms on the edge of the table. "Why? What has she said to you?"

"Nothing. I can't get her to talk at all. I think she's displacing most of her feelings, and Julian agrees with me."

"It's not our business to tell her how to handle her emotions, Dax."

She sat back, chastised. "I suppose not." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I just wish she'd realize she's not alone in this."

"No, she's not," he agreed.

Jadzia looked out the viewport for a moment, then spoke quietly. "All I know is...I sure feel a lot less safe with him gone."

Sisko smiled. "Odo does have a knack for making you feel protected, that's for sure." He stood up and began clearing the plates. "I hope he makes it back safely."

Part Three: The Partner

.............he returns link back here long link is ready are ready return to link home with solids home link no no no home with solids longing link he returns what of solids shallow meaningless solids link home belong link what of solid woman stayed for her link knows all she is nothing solids are nothing do you stay is he ready link sees all he lies he lies i do not lie there is no i there is only we we link we do not lie in link we feel you we hear you we know all i am home i am home i am home i am home you are home with link open up to us link sees all link knows all you love the solid what of this emotion not here not link no emotion she is nothing to me she is not we she is not link we are link i am link all is link nothing else is link you wish to know us you seek our power link sees he lies he lies he lies he is not ready i am ready i cannot stay there link pulls me link draws me nothing is link everything is link i am one of us i am in the link he does not lie he is home with link he returns with open mind he is one of us one of us one of us one of us link link link link linklinklinklinklinlklinklink..............

Dax stared at the information she'd just received. So far she was the only one aware of it, but it wouldn't stay that way. The images and data swam on her console but she didn't want to see them. She wished she could just delete them and that would undo the fact of their existence...but she was duty bound to report it. She cleared her throat. "Dax to Sisko, report to the bridge." Kira glanced up at her.

"What's wrong?" Dax just gave her a look as Sisko walked out of his office.

"Report."

"Sir, I just received this transmission from a cloaked Romulan vessel scouting in the Gamma Quadrant. They arrived at the Founders' planet this morning and have been surveying the area." She could see Kira tensing up out of the corner of her eye.

"What do their scans show?" the Major asked tightly.

"See for yourself," Dax said, and brought the scans up on the viewscreen. Everyone in Ops fell silent as they realized what they were looking at. Dax closed her eyes as she heard a choked, strangled sound come from her friend.

Kira gripped the edge of the console to keep her feet, her knuckles whitening with the effort. She wanted to look away but couldn't. The image wouldn't let go of her eyes.

They were looking at an orbital shot of the Founder's planet. Center screen, big as life and unmistakable, was the Ganges, or what was left of it. Half of it had been blown completely away, the interior exposed to space. Debris floated around the ruined hull which bore the marks of numerous weapons hits. "Odo's runabaout," Dax said unnecessarily. "It's been destroyed."

Slowly all eyes swiveled to look at Kira. She was standing there, still as a statue. She appeared to be deep in thought...so deep, in fact, that everyone jumped when she whipped her head towards Sisko and barked out, "Captain, request permission to leave the station."

He frowned. "Where are you going?"

"To Bajor."

"But why..." He stopped as he read the look in her eyes. "All right, Major, go ahead." He'd not even finished before she was on the turbolift and on her way to the airlocks.

The journey was something of a blur when she tried to remember it later. She didn't take a thing, didn't even change out of her uniform, just hopped on the first available shuttle to Bajor. She spent the entire trip sitting in the corner, her arms crossed over her chest, that image of his ruined shuttle hanging before her eyes. I have to know, the thought kept repeating across her mind like a feedback loop. I have to know.

When the shuttle landed she felt as if her feet didn't touch the ground between the landing pad and the ground transports. She wasted no time with the surface shuttles but instead had herself beamed directly to the temple.

Vedek Linay smiled to see her...at first. She took in Kira's distracted eyes and disheveled appearance and approached her, concerned. "Why, Nerys," she said. "Whatever is the matter?" She gripped Kira's ear and comprehension dawned in her eyes. "Your heart is broken, child."

"Maybe it doesn't have to be," Kira said. "I need to consult the Orb, Vedek. Please!"

"Child..."

"Linay...you've known me a long time. I ask for nothing, I try to accept the will of the Prophets, but...I need to know something, I need their help now."

Linay studied her face and decided. "All right, child. Come with me." Kira let Linay lead her down the circular steps to the Orb chamber. As always she felt a peculiar peace and awe steal over her whenever she was in the presence of this tangible symbol of the Prophet's power. "Try to clear your mind and let tranquility come to your pagh," Linay said as she guided Kira to the seat before the Orb. "Prepare yourself to receive what the Prophets send you."

Kira closed her eyes and tried to do as Linay said...it was easier than she'd thought it would be. She pushed her near-panic and her fear as far away as possible, taking slow, even breaths. She felt Linay moving to the Orb chamber. "I'm ready," she breathed. She opened her eyes as Linay opened the Orb cabinet. As always, the sight of it filled her with wonder just as its power flowed around her, melting the chamber into a vision sent by the Prophets.

...the orb vision...

Kira was standing on a rocky planet, bare and gray. The winds whipped at her hair and tore the words from her mouth as she screamed into the sky, "Where are you? Where am I?" She sensed that she wasn't alone...she turned around and gasped. Behind her was a huge armored figure, at least forty meters tall, carrying a spear in one hand and a shield in the other. Kira's fear evaporated as she saw it standing there, feet planted firmly and weapons held at the ready. It's here to protect me, she thought. It won't let anything hurt me.

She turned around and began walking, not needing to look behind her to know that the giant figure was following her. The landscape began to look familiar...she knew this place.

"Nerys..." She stiffened as she heard a very faint voice calling to her. It was carried on the wind as if from a great distance, but she'd know it anywhere.

"Odo!" she cried, and broke into a run. Her guardian's huge shadow fell across her path, pointing in the direction she was to run. "Where are you?"

"I'm here..." Louder, but still faint.

She kept running, a stitch planting itself in her side. The sense of familiarity grew with each step, and she slowed to a walk, feeling that she was close to something. The wind and swirling sand stopped and her field of vision cleared. She gasped...before her was an endless, rippling golden sea. The Founders. She was on their planet. She walked up to the very edge and cupped her hands around her mouth. "Odo!" she screamed with all her might.

"Nerys!" came the reply, much stronger now...but with no visible source.

"Where are you?"

"I'm home..."

"No! Home is with me!"

"I can't get away..." His voice was fading.

"Odo! No! Hang on!"

"Help..." She watched in horror as his head and upper chest broke the surface of the Link, one arm reaching up and out to her. She leaned forward as far as she dared but couldn't reach him. He began to sink back as if pulled from below, his fingers straining to reach hers.

"Odo I can't reach you...noooo!" she screamed as he disappeared beneath the surface again. She threw a glance back at her giant guardian, standing there still and silent. "Help me!" she implored it. It slowly shook its head. "Then I'll do it myself." Kira turned back to the Link, took a deep breath, and dove into the swirling ocean. She felt electric shocks coursing through her body as Changelings surrounded her, trying to expel this intruder in their midst. She struggled for the surface but they held her down...her lungs burned for lack of air and her hands flailed for purchase. She felt something touch her fingers, something foreign. She grasped at it and brought it to her eyes. It was her Orb charm.

Kira drew in a sharp breath and opened her eyes with a start, the vision pulling away to tatters and swirling back into the Orb cabinet as Linay closed its doors. She sat there trying to absorb what she'd seen.

"Did you find out what you needed to know, child?" Linay asked her.

Kira nodded. "Hang on," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the Orb cabinet. "I'm coming."

"But Major, he's not due to even attempt a return for another week."

"I'm well aware of that, Captain, but now he *has* no way to return."

"He planned for that contingency."

"I'm not sure he planned as well as he thinks he did."

"So you want to go after him on what basis? An Orb vision?"

Kira raised an eyebrow. "Begging your pardon...Emissary...but you've been known to listen to Orb visions yourself."

Sisko sighed. "You won't get past the Dominion fleet."

"I may have a way around that."

"Would you care to explain what it is?"

"I'm afraid I can't."

"I'd like to help you, Kira, but you're not making it easy."

She leaned forward on his desk and riveted him with that Kira stare he'd seen so often before. "Listen to me, Captain. All I'm asking for is a runabout, one officer to accompany me, and two weeks' leave."

He stood up. "I may have already sent one of my officers to his death, Major," he said savagely. "I won't send two others."

She straightened. "This mission and its successful completion is very important to the Federation, sir. I believe that Odo needs my help, and I'm in a position to offer it." The muscles in her jaw worked for a moment. "Benjamin...please. I can't sit here and wait for a return that's never going to come." He was weakening, and she moved in for the kill. "You know what it is to lose someone you love," she said quietly. "I have a chance to save him. Let me take it."

"There's something you're not telling me, Major. On the surface this looks like another suicide mission...but you've got an ace up your sleeve, haven't you?"

"Captain...you'll have to trust me."

He examined her face for a moment, then sat down. "Very well, Major. But this goes against my better judgment. Now, who is the officer you wish to take with you?"

Kira bit her lip. "You're not going to like this, sir..."

Kira stood in the corridor, her finger hovering over the door chimes. How can I ask anyone to go on this mission with me? But I have to ask, I need the help...*he* needs the help. She gathered her nerve and pressed the button.

"Come in!" came the response. The doors opened and Kira walked into Briggs' quarters. The lieutenant was fastening her uniform jacket and grinned to see her visitor. "Major! This is an unexpected pleasure." Her face turned sympathetic and she came forward to lay a hand on Kira's shoulder. "I heard about Odo's runabout. That's not good news, I'm sorry to hear it." The way Briggs said that made it sound a lot less like a platitude.

"Well, I'm not giving up yet," Kira said grimly.

"That's the spirit! Don't let the universe give you no crap, that's what I say."

"I don't intend to."

Briggs studied Kira's face. "You're going after him, aren't you? To the Gamma Quadrant."

"Yes, I am. I have reason to believe he needs my help." She looked into Briggs' expectant face. "I'm taking a runabout and one other officer." Briggs just looked at her for a moment, then light dawned behind her eyes.

"You want...*me* to go with you?" she said, incredulous.

"Yes."

Briggs chuckled. "Surely you have me confused with someone else, Major."

"I don't think so."

"Wouldn't Dax or Worf be a better choice?"

"No. I need *you.*"

Briggs's expression was completely baffled. She's good, thought Kira. Briggs spread her hands and shrugged. "But why me?"

Kira stepped forward and locked eyes with the lieutenant. "Because you're the deadliest person in the sector and we both know it."

Briggs blinked and her mouth dropped open. "Kira...look at me." She spread her arms and turned around. True, she didn't look the part. Average height, average build...very average. Unremarkable brown hair, pleasantly neutral features...in fact, now that Kira thought about it, she was perfectly average in every way. Intentionally, no doubt. "I'm not a security officer, I'm a specialized engineer. I'm not even combat trained. I think you'd better rethink your choice."

Kira was unconvinced. "I know who you are, Nora," she said in a low voice.

"And who am I, exactly?"

"You're Section 31, special operations." Kira smiled but there was no humor in it. Briggs' expression remained carefully neutral while Kira dropped this bombshell, but when she stopped speaking Briggs just stared at her for a moment, a rueful smile on her face, then she chuckled and walked to the sofa, raising her hands to her head to bind up her hair for duty. "You're not going to bother denying it, are you?" Kira asked.

"Nope," Briggs said. "Not considering the reliability of your source." The two women locked eyes and the tension evaporated. Kira sat down opposite her. "How long has he known?"

"He didn't say," Kira said. "I think at least a few years."

"I never really thought I could hide from him, but I knew he had enough sense to keep his mouth shut."

"He never actually told me. I found the information in some files he sent to my personal archive after he left. I think he suspected I might need your help." She leaned forward. "So...will you help me?"

Briggs thought for a moment. "Yes, Kira, I'll help you...for several reasons. One, because we can't really afford to lose him. Two, because if I don't I'm likely to find my little secret 'accidentally' discovered by some industrious ensign." Kira snorted laughter. "And three...because I want to."

"You want to?"

"Sure. I like him, I like you...and there's nothing like some good old-fashioned romance to give me goosebumples." She grinned. "If I can help someone be reunited with their true love, I'll do it, by God!"

Kira was surprised. "I didn't expect sentimentality to enter into it."

"What, a spy can't have a heart?"

Kira studied Briggs' face. It certainly appeared to be the same face that greeted her each morning. Open, cheerful, and honest. "What exactly do you do, Briggs?" she asked. "Odo's files were pretty sketchy on details."

The lieutenant sighed. "I guess it's pointless to lie to you." She hesitated, then plunged forward. "I'm what's called a 'discretionary free agent.' There are only twenty-three of us, stationed in highly sensitive areas. We're trusted to use our judgment to act in the best interests of the Federation." Kira was a bit taken aback. She'd known Briggs was a highly placed agent, but from that description she must be one of the very best. "As for me, I happen to specialize in intelligence technology, covert paramilitary operations, and selective termination."

"Selective termination?" Kira said. Briggs gave a brief smile that didn't reach the rest of her face. "You mean...you're an assassin."

"That's one word for it." Briggs smiled at Kira's expression. "You seem shocked, Major. Don't be." She rose to check her appearance in the mirror. "The unfortunate truth is that a civilization as complex and advanced as ours frequently has need for people like me."

"You're a professional killer," Kira said, trying to get used to the idea of this jovial, well-liked woman as a ruthless hitman.

"Kira..." Briggs said, her tone cautionary. "I see where your thoughts are taking you, but it's not like that. You were surprised a moment ago that I had sentimental reasons for wanting to help you."

"I just...would think that emotions would be a disadvantage in your line of work."

"A common misconception. The only one more common is that I must enjoy killing."

"Don't you?"

"God, no!" Briggs said, turning a shocked face towards Kira. "If I ever started to like it, they'd yank me off this posting and tie me to a desk." She sat next to the confused Major...it was important she understand this. "Kira, a enthusiastic killer is a dangerous thing. A reluctant killer is an efficient, effective killer. I despise violence...that's why I'm the best." She said this without a trace of hubris. "I can see that the fact of my existence...and the necessity of it...disturbs you. It disturbs me too, sometimes. Think of it like this: My professional skills serve many purposes, one of which is to keep more dangerous amateurs out of the arena. You were a resistance fighter, you fought the evils you could see. I am a covert operative. It's my job to fight evils you don't know exist and shouldn't. Dominion, Cardassians, Romulans, even Borg, it's just the beginning." She stood up again. "But that's a discussion for a later time. First, we have a mission to plan."

Kira nodded. "Indeed we do. It won't be easy."

"Nothing ever is."

"Problem number one: the Dominion fleet. They'll be on us the minute we get through the wormhole." She glanced up at her new partner. "Any ideas?"

"I can read your mind, Major. You're hoping I have some super-secret spy trick that'll grant us safe passage." She grinned at Kira's nonplussed expression. "But why use a super-secret trick when a plain old cloaking device will serve?"

"Can you get one?" Kira asked. She'd scarcely dared to hope Briggs had those kind of resources.

"Depends. Do you want a Romulan cloak, a Klingon cloak, a Starfleet prototype, a metaphasic cloak, or...hmm. I think 12R has one of those new wavelength stretchout models." She rubbed her chin, thinking, and went off to her communications console, muttering to herself. Kira watched her go, hope rising in her chest. I think I picked the right partner, she thought. She turned her face towards the windows, her heart swelling at the prospect of *doing* something for a change. I'm coming, Odo, she thought. They haven't beaten us yet, not by a long shot.

Part Four: The Rescue

Briggs came into the runabout bearing another two cases to add to the growing pile of equipment in the back of the runabout. Kira cast her an amused glance as she checked the ship's systems before departure. One thing she could definitely say about Briggs...she believed in being prepared.

"What is all that?" she finally asked.

Briggs was taking items...some familiar, some mysterious...out of the bags one at a time, examining them, and placing them on the shelves at the back of the runabout. "Oh, this and that...a few little items we might find useful."

Kira ran a diagnostic on the runabout's new cloaking shield, provided by one of Briggs' Section 31 associates...no questions asked, which Kira found revealing. It was an upgraded version of the Defiant's cloak and was, of course, extremely illegal. Kira felt a little shiver run up her back as she entered the commands...the fact of its existence, and that Briggs had installed it herself in two hours, was yet more evidence of the power and secrecy of Section 31.

"Take a look at this," Briggs said, handing her a small instrument that resembled a tricorder. Kira examined it, but couldn't discern its function.

"What is it?"

"It's...well, I guess you'd call it a changeling detector."

Kira gaped at her. "Really?"

"Yes. It can read the bioelectric signal of a changeling's silicon-based system. It's not perfect, but it's definitely useful."

"What's its range?"

"About 700 kilometers. Unfortunately it's quite sensitive to interference and cannot distinguish one changeling from another."

Kira raised an eyebrow. "How long have you had this technology? It could have saved us a lot of trouble!"

Briggs went back to her unloading. "We've been developing the instrumentation for about twelve years."

"Twelve..." Kira's jaw dropped. "But that's before we discovered the wormhole!"

"You sure about that?" Kira was speechless. Briggs shrugged and continued. "One of our jobs is to anticipate problems. The Founders are an example of a time where we were right on the money."

"But the only shapeshifter we knew about back then was..."

"Odo, yes. Some agents in our scientific division were planted in Dr. Mora's lab where they could study his energy signatures, and..."

"Stop," Kira said. "I think if I want to avoid completely scrambling my brain I should remain ignorant of some aspects of your job," she said.

"Fair enough." Briggs lifted a sleek, smooth case onto the shelf.

"What's that?"

"My personal sidearms. I designed and built them myself."

Kira was intrigued in spite of herself. "May I see them?"

"Sure." Nora unlocked the case and lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in custom-cut foam compartments, were a matched pair of sleek, delicate silver weapons. For objects intended to cause harm they were very beautiful. Briggs lifted one and placed it in Kira's hand. The weapon was surprisingly heavy, with a pistol shape that fitted the hand so perfectly it almost became an extension of it. It felt dangerous. Its surface was featureless and polished to a mirrorlike gleam...and at the end of the barrel was a hole where the emitter should have been. Kira frowned.

"This isn't a directed energy weapon?"

Briggs shook her head. "Nope. It's a forced projectile weapon."

"Those types of weapons haven't been used in centuries!"

"Modern defenses are designed to repel energy weapons, which makes this type of gun very useful. There are many species...Jem'Hadar, for example...who are pretty resistant to directed energy discharges, but I've yet to meet a lifeform that could withstand a bullet between the eyes. Of course these guns are far more efficient than the old-fashioned kind. Instead of conventional explosives, my guns use a plasma discharge to propel baffled tritanium bullets with a speed and accuracy far exceeding any other weapon. They're nearly silent and virtually undetectable to standard security sensors." Kira put the gun gingerly back in the case. It was a marvel...but holding it made her acutely aware of the fact that she was not qualified to fire such a weapon. She returned to the runabout's controls and continued the preflight check. "When are we leaving?" Briggs asked.

"As soon as you have everything on board."

"I'm ready when you are...but don't you want to say goodbye?"

Kira sighed. "I gave the captain a window of departure but didn't say exactly when we were leaving. I'd like to get out as quietly and unobtrusively as possible."

"Kira, I do believe you're cultivating a sense of outright paranoia."

"Can you blame me?"

"Not at all, in fact a touch of paranoia is a healthy thing."

"You think so?"

Nora sat down in the copilot's chair. "Well, it's the reason I'm still alive, that's for certain." She made a few preflight checks of her own, her expression thoughtful. "Kira...can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why did you ask me to come with you? And don't tell me you needed the help, you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself."

Kira smiled. "Thanks for the confidence." She hesitated a moment before answering. "I have a feeling that this trip is going to place us in some dangerous situations, I'll need someone to watch my back."

"That's not the reason," Briggs said, so quickly that Kira was forced to wonder if the woman counted telepathy among her many talents.

"No. The fact is...I was told that I'd need a powerful guardian to protect me on this mission."

"Told? In your Orb vision?"

"Yes."

Briggs nodded. "That's good enough for me." The computer bleeped at her. "Preflight sequence complete." She looked at Kira. "Shall we get underway, Major?"

Kira nodded briskly, her face flushed. "Affirmative, Lieutenant. Engage cloak."

The cockpit lights dimmed. "Cloak engaged."

"Open bay doors."

Briggs' nimble fingers flew over the kepyads. "Bay doors retracted. Launch sequence initiated."

"Set course for the wormhole."

"Course laid in."

Kira took a deep breath. "Engage." To the outside observer, nothing happened. The launch bay doors opened to reveal an empty launchpad, then slid shut again after a few minutes. Shortly thereafter, the wormhole opened and then closed again for no apparent reason. Benjamin Sisko, watching from his office window, silently wished his first officer luck.

"She went WHERE?!? And you LET her?!?"

Sisko winced and rubbed his temples. "Please, old man, my head is throbbing."

"I don't care if your eyeballs are melting, answer my question!" Dax was working herself up into a bona fide screaming fit.

"Yes, I let her go. You would have too if you'd seen her face."

Dax spread her arms and shrugged in a "it's hopeless" gesture. "Benjamin...Curzon warned you about letting sentiment interfere with command decisions."

"You don't need to remind me," Sisko said flatly.

"Good. In that case, perhaps you can explain to me how it serves *anyone* to let Kira take a runabout through the wormhole directly into the path of who knows how many hostile warships? She can't get to Odo, she won't be able to get back, all she can do is get herself killed!"

"My sentiments exactly."

"He sees reason!" Dax cried, more agitated than Sisko had seen her in a long time. "So you let her go because...?"

"I think I'm wrong," he said thoughtfully. "She knew all of that before asking me to allow the mission...yet she seemed very confident. She also refused to tell me *why* she was so confident."

"That doesn't sound like Kira," Dax said, her brow furrowing.

"No, it doesn't." He looked up at his old mentor. "I trust her, Dax. If she couldn't tell me everything, there was good reason. Kira can take care of herself, and I got the distinct impression that she had something planned she couldn't divulge."

Dax sighed. "This whole thing makes me extremely uncomfortable."

"Me too...but you and I both know that there are some things that people just have to do, whether they make sense or not. I looked into her eyes. This was something *she* had to do, so I had to let her."

She nodded, but didn't seem entirely convinced. "I hope you're right, Benjamin. I hope this fiasco doesn't end up costing us both of them."

Kira gripped the edge of the console as the runabout neared the terminus of the wormhole. "Relax," Briggs said. "There's no way they can detect us."

"They'll see the wormhole opening. Won't they be suspicious?"

"Of course. They'll probably even think a cloaked ship is coming through."

"Prophets, I wish I could be as calm as you are!"

"It's a survival skill." Survival skills notwithstanding, both women held their breath as the runabout emerged in the Gamma Quadrant.

"My God," Briggs breathed. Kira couldn't speak. The size of the Dominion fleet was overwhelming. "Computer, initiate navigational program Briggs One." Kira gripped her armrests as the runabout was sent into a pre-programmed series of dizzying spirals, dips and random zigzags. Briggs had every confidence in the cloaking device, but as her old mentor used to say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The erratic course would make it nearly impossible for any observing ship to discern their course if they should happen to pick up any residual energy signature.

After what seemed like forever, the runabout slipped between two large Jem'Hadar warships and was past the fleet. Kira exhaled and leaned over the controls. "Setting course for the Founder's homeworld, ETA eight hours twenty minutes." She sat back and blew air through her teeth. "That wasn't so hard," she said.

Briggs laughed. "The hard part's yet to come, I'm afraid."

"Don't remind me."

Nora studied Kira's face as she watched the stars rush by. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

Kira turned to her with an exaggerated "thoughtful" expression on her face. "Hmmmm. A personal question. You've only provided me with secret technology, trusted me with your deepest secrets and are risking your life to help me rescue the man I love. I think you can ask me anything you like."

"I'm curious about your relationship with Odo."

Kira looked at her steadily. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, tell me about it. What do you do together?"

Kira drew one knee up to her chest. "Oh, nothing unusual. Go for walks, listen to music, stay up late talking." She smiled to herself. "Sometimes he reads to me."

Nora smiled and leaned forward. "Yeah?"

Kira nodded, her eyes far away. "I have a wonderful reclining chair in my quarters, and he'll sit in it so I can curl up on his lap...he can fit his arms completely around me without even stretching...and he'll read to me, whatever I want to hear. He's got the most wonderful voice for reading, and it never gets tired...I could listen to it forever." She came back to the present with a start, looking up at Briggs' enthralled face. "I've had my share of relationships. Some of them were good ones...but no one was ever able to make me feel safe until I met Odo." A look of misery crossed her face and she turned abruptly back to the controls, even though there was nothing to do.

"I'm sorry," Nora said softly. She reached out and grasped Kira's hand. "We'll get him back."

Kira hesitated for a moment then looked at Briggs, her eyes clear but sad. "You know, I've heard people talk about loving someone so much that it hurt, but...I think deep down I always thought they were just being melodramatic." She swallowed hard and turned her eyes back to the viewport. Briggs took the hint and went to check the tools she'd brought with her.

After a few minutes she became aware that Kira was watching her with a good deal of interest. Here it comes, she thought. They're always curious about the spy toys...but Kira had other things on her mind.

"How many?" she asked without preamble. Briggs looked at her blankly, her hands paused in the act of recalibrating one of her guns.

"How many what?"

"How many have you killed?" Briggs looked away, but Kira persisted. "A dozen?"

Nora snorted brief, bitter laughter. "My first month, perhaps." She looked at Kira's stunned face and fetched a deep sigh. She might as well know. "I have 156 confirmed kills on file," she said in a steady, pedagogical tone. "I've successfully carried out 31 solo undercover operations and taken part in 24 covert paramilitary missions. I've been shot 7 times, had 38 bones broken, 12 serious knife wounds and been in more hand-to-hand combat situations than I'd care to count." She stopped and regarded Kira calmly. "Heard enough?"

Kira felt cold sympathy for this warm, vivacious woman who had the misfortune to have a talent for violence. "How do you stay sane?" she marveled. What she'd had to do during the Occupation paled in comparison to Briggs' resume...and she could guess there was a lot more she wasn't telling her.

Briggs shrugged and replaced her other gun. "I've often asked myself the same question. All I can say is that intense psychological scrutiny is part of the Section 31 screening process, and that I wouldn't have gotten to this position unless I were mentally strong enough to handle it."

"You're a very dangerous woman," Kira said softly.

Briggs looked sad. "When I have to be, yes." She stood up and placed her weapons case on the shelf. "But not to you, Kira." She turned and smiled, crossing her arms over her chest, and it transformed her back into good old Briggsie. "To you I'm the same goofy lieutenant who plays Federation Monopoly and sings showtunes while she runs diagnostics."

"Is it an act?" Kira asked. The answer seemed very important.

"Of course not! The quickest way to screw up while undercover is to start acting in ways you normally wouldn't. Nope, that's really me who hands you your raktajino in the morning."

Kira watched as Briggs' fingers moved skillfully over her weapons. "I once heard Garak say that a spy has no use for heart or conscience or remorse, only his sense of professionalism."

Nora paused and thought for a moment. "I disagree. A spy with no heart is a spy I wouldn't trust one bit...and if Garak says he has no heart he's fooling himself."

"Does he know who you are?"

"Yes. We even talk shop sometimes. He's been useful to me on more than one occasion."

"Like Odo." Kira sniffed, shaking her head. "I'm a little surprised he never told me you were friends."

"We're not friends."

Kira frowned. "But you said..."

"Kira, Odo and I have never exchanged so much as a single word. We share a common passion: justice. To that end, we help each other out. Let me give you an example: about a year ago I made contact with a very nasty Nossican who had some information I needed. I paid him more than adequately but he decided he felt like killing me, who can say why. As soon as the weapons fire was detected the station went into full security alert, so I found myself trapped in the docking ring with a bloodthirsty Nossican surrounded by force fields....yet I escaped without incident because exactly the right force fields would mysteriously deactivate for just long enough for me to get through, then re-establish themselves to keep the Nossican away from me."

Kira smiled. "That sounds like Odo."

"My thoughts exactly. On the other side of the coin, there's been more than one occasion where Odo's run into problems obtaining information he needed for one investigation or another...information which he later found coded in his personal archive." She idly toyed with another of the tools she'd brought. "Sometimes I feel like we're friends even thought we've never met."

"I think he must feel the same way. Why else would he have suggested you for this trip?"

Briggs smiled, feeling oddly pleased. "He did?"

Kira shrugged. "Well, he had the computer send me some files after he left. One was a brief description of your identity. His implication was clear...that if something happened to him and I needed help, I should ask you."

"I'm glad you listened," Nora said.

"So am I. I have a good feeling about this mission," Kira said with a grin, turning back to the controls to check their progress. Nora's smile wavered. She'd learned through bitter experience to be cautious of too many good feelings.

"Mommy, you look pretty!" Molly chirped from her perch on the bed.

"Thanks, honey," Keiko replied as she put in a pair of emerald earrings. She had to admit, Garak had done a fabulous job with this dress. She'd been a little dubious about patronizing his shop but it had turned out all right. Miles came into the bedroom, tugging at his suit.

"We don't want to be late," he said.

"Are we gonna have a babysitter tonight?" Molly asked.

"Yes, honey, remember I told you before?"

"Yay! Aunt Nerys is coming!" Molly shouted, jumping up and down.

Keiko and Miles exchanged a glance. It hadn't occurred to Keiko to tell Molly that Ensign Gomez would be watching her and Yoshi tonight...she should have known that Molly would assume that any babysitter would be Nerys. It was a safe assumption. Nerys loved to spend time with her "honorary" children and she'd been their usual sitter since Yoshi was born.

"Sweetie, a very nice lady named Sara is going to watch you tonight," Miles said, crouching in front of his small daughter.

Molly's face fell. "But...where's Aunt Nerys?"

Keiko pulled the distraught little girl onto her lap. "Aunt Nerys had to go on a trip," she said. "She said to give you a big hug and kiss goodbye and that she'd be back soon."

Molly's lower lip began to quiver. "I don't want no Sara lady, I want Aunt Nerys!"she whimpered. Keiko hugged her as she began to cry, whispering soothing parental platitudes in her ear as she looked at her own worried expression mirrored in her husband's face.

"Kira..."

"Scanning...dammit, give me a sign..." Kira muttered to herself. Briggs watched her with some concern. The muscles were clenched up in her jaw and her entire face was pulled taut. They'd arrived at the Founders' homeworld fifteen minutes ago and had been searching for some sign of Odo's presence on the planet ever since. It seemed clear to Briggs that he was in the Link, and she knew that it was probably clear to Kira as well. They had expected this, but Kira would hardly be normal if she didn't harbor the faint hope that he could have escaped the Link on his own power.

A brief blip on the sensor readings caught her eye. "What's that?" she asked, pointing.

Kira had seen it. "Zeroing in...it's something inside the Link." They waited as the computer analyzed the readings. "It's a small object...1.5 centimeters...composition latinum and iksarium, with an attached..." She stopped and looked up at Briggs' puzzled face. "It's my Orb charm," she whispered, her expression at once ecstatic and devastated. "He's still got it with him, in the Link."

"Is that a good thing?"

"It's got to be!" The two women stared at each other for a moment. Briggs nodded briskly.

"Then let's go get him."

Ahead to Parts 5-7

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