I always welcome comments via e-mail at lcooksey@mindspring.com. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. This story may be distributed freely, so long as no fee is charged and this header is preserved. Originally published 12 February, 1995.

This story takes place after the three-part opener of season two. It also has explicit sexual content -- you have been warned!

Field Trip

by

Laura Cooksey

"Neutrino levels are rising. Something’s coming through the wormhole," Lieutenant Dax said.

Major Kira shook her head as she turned to Commander Sisko. "No ships are scheduled to return from the Gamma Quadrant for another three days."

Sisko looked up at the large screen in Ops. The wormhole flashed in a spiral of blue light, opening and closing. A medium-sized ship oriented itself toward the station.

Dax’s fingers danced over her console. "It’s moving at one-tenth impulse, no sign of hostile activity. I’m reading more than fifty lifeforms. She’s about the size of a Federation light cruiser."

"Hailing frequencies, Major," said Sisko.

"We’re already being hailed, sir," Kira responded.

"On screen," he ordered.

The interior of the vessel appeared on the oval viewscreen. There were eight humanoids visible, and four large, yellow quadrupeds. Two of the humanoids stood in the center of the craft’s bridge. The male wore the same pale cream uniform as the other humanoids on the bridge. His female companion wore a green blouse and skirt. All of the humanoids were dark skinned, varying from a tan maple to deep mahogany. The woman's hair was long, gray striped with white, while the man's was shoulder-length and black.

"Su vish kadan Adjan-ke, Morai, Te balareh pil fali Bajora ‘k fali United Federation of Planets," said the man.

The woman also spoke. "‘From the trading vessel, Morai, of the Adjani Union, I send greetings to the people of Bajor and the people of the United Federation of Planets.’ As do I, my friends. It is good to see you again, Commander Sisko, Major Kira."

"Ambassador Mazjad," Sisko exclaimed with a broad grin. "This is an unexpected pleasure. Welcome back to the Alpha Quadrant."

"Thank you, Commander. This is the trader Loujad Mal, captain of the Morai. He speaks your language better than he thinks he does, so I’ll let him speak for himself." She patted the other Adjani on the back, then stepped to one side.

Mal gave Shayin a look, antennae dancing, then turned back to face the viewscreen. "The Morai requests docking privileges at Deep Space Nine, Commander Sisko. We are carrying approximately three tons of merchandise and raw goods, twelve crew, forty-six Adjani passengers, and four Rhik passengers. One of your docking pylons would be preferable." Like Shayin, he had a very pleasant accent.

"Yes, sir," Kira said, checking a readout. "Lower pylon two is available. I’m transmitting the coordinates now."

"Very good. We have them. I estimate that we will dock in sixty-eight of your minutes. Thank you, Major."

"We will meet you there," Sisko said. "DS9 out."

**********

The Morai docked and several aliens entered the airlock from the ship. Kira cycled the inner door and Shayin and Mal stepped out, along with three other Adjani. And four aliens of a species new to the Alpha Quadrant: canary yellow amphibians, their hides striped with light brown. Each was about two and a half meters long, with glossy skin, a powerful tail, wide flat head and two large eyes with oval pupils. Short legs supported muscular bodies, clothed in dark garments that wrapped about their waists and tails.

"Commander Sisko, I present to you the ambassadors of the Rhik: Ambassador Sup Tre, its mate Lit Tre, Assistant Ambassador Lithit Za, and Clerical Assistant Dev. I am serving as their translator. The Rhik are androgynous; you may use the title Ma’am or Sir when addressing them."

"Welcome to the Alpha Quadrant and Deep Space Nine," Sisko said to the Rhik.

"The people of Bajor welcome all of you, Ambassador Tre, ma’am" Kira added, nodding to each of the Rhik in turn.

The Rhik Ambassador Tre lifted itself onto its back legs, bringing its head up to the height of Kira’s shoulder. The rest of the Rhik followed suit, hanging back a step behind their leader. It spoke to Sisko and Kira, a long string of words punctuated by hisses and clicks that went on for over a minute.

Shayin translated, "We thank you for your welcome. Our people look forward to the exchange of goods and information with the species of this quadrant of our galaxy. We will remain quartered with the Adjani for now, since their ship is equipped to handle our need for large quantities of fresh water. I realize that it is getting late by your station time, so we will let Translator Mazjad arrange a meeting schedule with you for tomorrow."

Sisko nodded. "Very good, Ambassador Tre. Would you like a tour of the station tonight?"

A nictating membrane flicked over its eyes for a split-second. It spoke to Shayin briefly. She relayed, "No, thank you. I’m very tired. We will return to our quarters now. Commander, Major." The amphibians turned and walked back through the airlock on all fours.

The rest of the Adjani stepped forward, two men and a woman. Sisko and Kira recognized the first man as Mal, the captain of the Morai. He and the woman looked to be in their mid-fifties, but the other man was much older, perhaps around seventy (or it’s equivalent for Adjani), but in good health. Shayin introduced them. "Commander, this of course is Mal, and this is his spouse Zhin. This is my good friend Turek Vin, the senior ambassador of the Adjani Union. I will provide assistance to him when I am not serving as the Rhik’s translator."

Kira’s eyebrows went up with unasked questions at this change in Shayin’s position and a ripple of amusement passed between the telepathic Adjani. "Ambassador Turek, will you also be remaining on the Morai, or would you like us to prepare quarters on the station?"

"Due to my telepathic sensitivity, it will be necessary for me to remain onboard ship. However, I do appreciate your offer."

"And you, Translator Mazjad?"

"I will be staying aboard the Morai as well, but I would like to visit the Promenade this evening."

"Commander," Mal said, "I hate for all of us to leave so soon after meeting with you for the first time, but Zhin and I have much to attend to with the docking of my ship. I think it would be best for all of us to meet with you at your convenience tomorrow."

"Fine, Captain. If you or the Ambassador need anything, please don’t hesitate to contact Major Kira or myself, or our Operations Center."

"Of course. Thank you, Commander. Thank you Major."

The Adjani turned and walked back through the airlock, which cycled closed behind them. Shayin remained behind, smiling at the questions her friends had.

"One of you has to ask the first question."

Kira laughed. "So what happened? Why aren’t you acting as the Adjani ambassador?" She and Sisko started walking back to the turbolift, Shayin following.

"The past eight months have been very interesting, my friends. I think that I have talked to every single person on my planet at least once. I almost forgot what it is like to have a private life. More has been written and said about me than anyone in our recent history."

Sisko nodded. "I can imagine. Traveling to another quadrant of the galaxy alone…."

"It seemed like a good idea at the time. But I had no idea what I was getting into. It is quite a relief to be off-planet. I have taken a leave of absence from my position as an Adjani ambassador in order to get some time to myself. Besides, Vin is our senior ambassador, and I’m happy to help him out, even if it’s unofficial. I’m acting as translator for the Rhik mostly as a favor to them. Sup Tre is a friend, and an honorable creature."

They entered the lift and Sisko said, "Promenade." He turned to Shayin, "So, will you return to your post as an ambassador in the future?"

Shayin’s antennae fluttered. "Who can say? Yesa tal penna. The nine-year cycle."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Sorry, Commander. An old myth. It is nothing," she answered. Kira was sure there was a story behind Shayin’s ‘old myth’, but she figured Shayin would say more in her own time.

<<Perhaps, my friend,>> came Shayin’s telepathic comment. Kira blinked, a little surprised. Something in the tone of Shayin’s ‘voice’ indicated to Kira that she alone could hear Shayin.

"Major," Shayin said aloud, "tell me what has happened since I was last here."

"That’s a long story," Kira replied, "but we’ll try." The story lasted while the three of them walked along the Promenade, Kira and Sisko relating the story of the Circle’s attempt to take over the Bajoran Provisional Government. Sisko excused himself to have dinner with Jake, but Kira and Shayin had dinner in a Bajoran restaurant on the Promenade.

"You’re sure you want to try real Bajoran food?" Kira asked with a laugh. "I don’t know any Starfleet officers who like it."

Shayin’s antennae snapped down against her head. "I am not a Starfleet officer," she said with a smile, uncertain whether she should be insulted or not.

Kira laughed again. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you." She waved over a server. "Two hasparat, please. And two ginger teas."

"Yes, ma’am."

When the food arrived, Kira watched Shayin carefully as she took her first bite. Shayin blinked, then coughed. In a horse voice, she said, "It’s good."

"You really mean that, Shayin?" Kira asked.

Shayin nodded, chewing. <My race comes from the southern continent of Ralich on Adjan, and our food is usually elaborate but mild. Still, I’ve always preferred spicy food.> She continued, vocally, "I hope you don’t mind my communicating telepathically. I thought it preferable to talking with my mouth full."

"Not at all," Kira answered. "I hope that things go better for you during this visit than they did last time."

Irony, amusement. "So do I, Kira. I hope they go better than my life has gone recently."

"You said something about that earlier, in the turbolift. Do you want to talk about it?"

"That might be helpful," Shayin began to say, then suddenly looked up and across the Promenade. Kira shook her head as Dr. Bashir waved at Shayin and walked quickly over to their table. She had to laugh. The man’s timing was incredible.

Julian tried to shake hands with Shayin, but she swept him up into a fierce hug instead, which was fine with him.

"I am glad to see you, Julian."

"It’s good to see you, too, Shayin. When did you get to the station?"

"Almost an hour ago." Shayin sat back down in her chair. "Would you like to have dinner with us?"

"I’m not especially fond of Bajoran cuisine, but I’d be happy to sit with you for a while. Hello, Major."

"Doctor," Kira said with a nod of her head. She went back to eating.

"What are you doing back at DS9?" Bashir asked.

"We’ve got a whole ship full of Adjani Union traders, with their families. And four Rhik, three of them ambassadorial staff."

"Rhik?"

<Let me show you.> Kira could feel it as Shayin sent Julian an image of the amphibious species. She froze, startled, as a hazy picture of the Rhik took shape before her. Shayin’s antennae flew up into the air. "Sorry, Kira. I didn’t mean to startle you. I should have used ralleh keesi, the private mode of communication."

"Mode?" Bashir sounded puzzled.

Shayin nodded, antennae bobbing. She took a big bite of the hasparat and explained telepathically. <There are many modes of communication: ‘Open’, ‘private’, ‘intimate’, ‘subvocal’, ‘close’, ‘push’, and more. ‘Push’ is shouting, ‘close’ is talking, ‘private’ is whispering, and so on. Usually among non-telepaths I use ‘open’. It’s ‘louder’ than ‘close’. I don’t have any trouble hearing you, of course, but it takes a little effort to make you hear me.>

Kira grinned. "That must be a problem for other Adjani. You get into the habit of ‘raising your voice’."

Shayin grinned back at Kira. "The first trip I took to the Rhikir system, the rest of the Adjani staff had to keep telling me to relax and quiet down because I was giving them headaches."

The three of them chatted amiably for an hour or so, until Julian excused himself to get dinner. "It is good to see you again, Shayin."

"Thank you, Julian. I should get back to the Morai and help plan tomorrow’s schedule. It was very good to see the two of you." Shayin hugged each of them in turn; Kira shyly, Julian with more enthusiasm.

"Sleep well," Kira said.

**********

While the Adjani traders were easy to deal with ("Point them at the other traders and let them fly," Turek Vin said), the Rhik were less so. The discussions with both Turek Vin and Sup Tre were stiff and formal, but pleasant. But the negotiations with the Rhik alone were a trial. Their customs were complex, and Ambassador Tre was cautious, almost suspicious of the Federation’s interest in the Gamma Quadrant.

Three days after the Morai’s arrival, Sisko was beginning to run out of patience. "Ambassador Tre, I assure you that no insult was intended."

"Nonetheless, Commander," Shayin interpreted, "offense has been taken. These meetings are concluded for today." Sup Tre twisted off of its stool, dropping onto all fours, and left the room, followed by the two junior members of the ambassadorial staff. Even Shayin looked surprised.

The door closed and Shayin sagged down into a chair at the table. "Absolutely impossible. I don’t know what Tre’s problem is, Commander, but he is adamant about controlling the passage of armed Starfleet vessels through Rhik space."

"You don’t have any idea what’s wrong?" Kira asked.

Shayin hesitated. "I have sensed questions in your minds that you have not yet asked either myself or the Rhik. Questions about the Dominion."

Kira and Sisko exchanged glances. "Do you have any answers for us, Shayin?" the Commander asked.

Shayin massaged the root of her antennae with both hands. "No. But I am not certain what Sup Tre knows. We — she and I — have never discussed the subject. But the Rhik have been spacefarers longer than the Adjani. They made contact with a methane-breathing species, the Lakantlivtu, about two centuries ago. Rumor has it that the Lakantlivtu repelled an assault by the Dominion years before that. I’ve even heard that the Rhik themselves have been threatened by the Dominion. I think that Tre is nervous about the threat of so powerful an alien force as Starfleet passing through Rhik space."

"She must know that we are not conquerors. We wish only to explore."

"They wish to believe that, but they are afraid of being proven wrong. Because I know truth of your words, Commander, they trust you. But they do not trust the Federation, nor Starfleet."

Sisko nodded. "Very well. Let’s start again tomorrow, then."

**********

O’Brien was at the desk in his quarters, reviewing a technical manual, when the door chimed. "Just a minute," he called. He got up, walked around Molly — who was sitting on the floor in front of the couch, coloring line drawings in a book — and opened the door. He was very surprised to see Shayin standing in the hall. "Ambassador! I mean, Ms. Mazjad, please come in. What can I do for you?"

"Thank you, Chief O’Brien, but actually I came to speak with your spouse."

"Keiko? I’m afraid she isn’t here; she’s still at the school. But she should be back very soon. A couple of new students just transferred here from Bajor and she wanted to evaluate them before they started class next week."

Molly had gotten up and walked over to where the two adults were talking. "Hello."

Shayin looked down. "Well, hello. Who are you?"

Molly grinned and stepped behind O’Brien’s leg. "That’s our daughter Molly," he said, stroking her hair. "Honey, this is Ms. Mazjad. She’s from the Gamma Quadrant, from the Adjani ship."

"You look like a flutter-by," said Molly, from her place behind her father.

O’Brien looked a little embarrassed, but Shayin radiated humor. She stooped down next to Molly. "Is that a bug? Do I look like a bug?"

Molly shook her head. "No, you don’t look like a bug. Do you want to help me color?"

"I think we’ll have to ask your father, Molly. Chief, may I wait for Ms. O’Brien to return home?"

"Of course, but do you mind if I ask why you want to talk to her?"

"Oh, I’m sorry. I got distracted by Molly. I understand that she’s going to take her students on a trip to Bajor for the holiday in two days."

"The Festival of the Third Orb. Yes, she and Major Kira and Lt. Dax are going to take a runabout and take all the kids for a picnic."

"I wanted to see if I could accompany them with several of the Adjani children, and the four Rhik. It took us weeks to get here, and the station is a big improvement over the confinement of the Morai, but we would benefit from even a few hours planetside."

"I’m sure that would be fine with Keiko. Well, the kids would be," O’Brien said with some hesitation. "You’ll have to ask her about the Rhik."

Shayin nodded, understanding his hesitation. "The Rhik can be quite annoying. They have their own form of honor, but the older ones are somewhat egocentric. I love them dearly, but they are not humanoid, and they can be difficult to deal with."

Molly tugged on her father’s pants leg. "Is it okay if Ms. Mazjad helps me color?"

"Now, Molly," he started to say.

"Actually, Chief O’Brien I’d like to."

"Really? You don’t have to humor her."

"I know."

"Sure, go ahead then."

When Keiko returned a few minutes later, Shayin was sitting in the floor next to Molly. "Hello, Miles," she said. "How was your day?" Then she noticed the Adjani woman next to her child. "Oh, we have company."

"Hello, Keiko." He got up from his desk and kissed her on the cheek. "You haven’t met Ms. Mazjad yet, have you?"

"No, but it’s a pleasure. I’ve heard so much about you." She walked over to the table and shook Shayin’s extended hand.

"Is that good or bad?" Shayin joked. "You’ll forgive me if I don’t get up. Molly and I are coloring this Rigellian forest."

Keiko looked a little confused, but sat down on the couch to Shayin’s left. "That’s fine. Did you come here to talk to Miles?"

"No. I came to ask you about the field trip you are taking to Bajor with your students for the Festival. Could I and about ten of the Adjani children, and the Rhik ambassadorial staff, join you?"

"You and the children are certainly welcome, but would the Rhik want to travel two hours there and two hours back in a runabout with twenty kids?"

"You have to use red," Molly interjected.

"Are you sure? I think this tree would look nice with blue leaves."

"No, you have to use red." Molly shoved a red crayon into Shayin’s hands and took the blue one away.

Shayin talked whiled she colored. "Despite their cantankerous nature, the Tres have raised four children and have three grandchildren. Dev is pretty good with kids, too. I think they have more patience with the children of other species than they do with adults. Major Kira and Lt. Dax were talking about this trip earlier today, and mentioned that you were going to a fresh-water lake. I thought it would be great for the Rhik to get to swim in some real water. And the kids would love it."

Keiko nodded. "It’s fine with me, but you should ask Commander Sisko and Major Kira just to be sure. The safety of the Rhik and the Adjani is their responsibility."

"Yes, of course. Thank you."

"Have you had dinner?" Keiko asked. O’Brien looked up. He had hoped that the three of them would be having a nice quiet family meal tonight.

Shayin’s antennae did a little dance. "No, I haven’t. But I had planned to eat onboard the Morai this evening. Thank you, anyway. I should be going. Molly, can you finish the rest yourself?"

"Oh, yes," she said. "Bye, Ms. Mazjad."

"Good-bye, Molly." Shayin extricated herself from her sitting position on the floor. She shook Keiko’s hand, then O’Brien’s. "Thank you for your hospitality, Ms. O’Brien, Chief." She held onto O’Brien’s hand for a moment, her antennae motionless.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

Shayin released his hand. "Not at all. It’s just that you have an exceptional personality. Goodnight."

O’Brien stared at the door as it closed behind Shayin. "I wonder what that means."

"It means she’s a good judge of character. What are you going to fix for dinner?"

**********

The negotiations went a little better than they had the previous day, but they were still rocky. Sisko produced some representative agreements between the Federation and other neutral planetary systems. He discussed them with the Rhik, Shayin translating sometimes verbally, sometimes telepathically. Sup Tre suddenly decided that it wished to review the documents at length and also asked for historical database access via the station computers. Sisko complied eagerly, accompanying the Rhik back to their quarters on the Morai and making certain that the station computers could be reached via the ship.

"Thank you, Commander," Shayin said for Ambassador Tre. "You have been most cooperative. We will conduct our research now. We will contact you in the morning."

Sisko stifled his irritation at this sudden dismissal. "Very well, Ambassador. Have a good evening."

The eldest Rhik spoke again, Shayin translating. We appreciate your patience." Shayin paused, listening for a few more seconds. Then she said, "I will accompany you to the airlock, Commander. I have been dismissed for the day."

The two of them left the Rhik’s quarters, Shayin latching the hatch shut behind her. "Is it my imagination," Sisko asked, "or was the Ambassador actually polite to me?"

Shayin grinned broadly, antennae dancing. "I think you may be right, Benjamin. Sup’s head is very full, and I do not pry, so I’m not sure what her motive is. But she seems to have gained respect for you."

"I suppose I should take my luck where I find it," he said with a grin.

"Agreed."

Sisko and Shayin parted company at the Promenade, he returning to Ops and she heading for the Infirmary to find Julian.

Bashir looked up from his computer console as she entered. "Hello, Shayin. I didn’t expect to see you for a couple more hours."

"Ambassador Tre called a halt to the negotiations. He said he wanted to review previous Federation trade agreements, but I think he’s just being difficult." She walked over to Julian’s desk. "I wanted to talk to you about the computers on the station."

"Of course. Anything I can do to help."

"I’ve been studying Starfleet xenobiology texts, and I was wondering if you have any three-dimensional display units. I’m not getting a good feel for the structure of the Bajoran native species from these flat screens."

"I wish I could help you, but we don’t have any 3D units." He paused, looking thoughtful. "Then again, maybe we do. I’ve got an idea."

Julian confirmed with the duty nurse that he didn’t have any patients scheduled for the rest of the day, then took Shayin to Dax’s lab.

"Jadzia? Could you spare an hour or so to help me set up a three-dimensional display for Shayin?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"I thought we could program one of Quark’s holosuites to render biology data for Shayin. She’s studying Bajoran species."

"I didn’t know you were interested in biology," said Dax.

"Actually," Shayin said, "I was a paleontologist for several years before I joined the Ambassadorial staff."

"That’s quite a career shift," Dax said. "This sounds like an interesting project, Julian. I’d be glad to help."

"Splendid!"

The three of them went to Quark’s bar. Quark was intrigued by the idea, as well.

"All three of you want to use the holosuite? The more, the merrier, as the hu’mans say. Number one is available. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do."

Julian rolled his eyes, but Jadzia just laughed. When they entered the room, Shayin said, "I get the impression these holosuites are usually used for less advanced forms of education and entertainment."

Julian had sat down and was working on a computer pad. Jadzia pulled a chair over next to his and looked over his shoulder.

"That’s pretty accurate," Jadzia commented in response to Shayin’s statement.

Shayin looked the room over, noting its small size. "Have you ever been in one of these before?"

"I have," Jadzia said. Julian looked up, startled. "Quark overheard me describing my room in my parent’s house to Kira and tried to recreate it. He didn’t do a very good job, but it was a sweet gesture."

Julian didn’t answer the question, and Shayin sensed that he was hoping she wouldn’t repeat it because he didn’t want to answer it. So she asked something else. "What are you doing?"

"Setting up routines the holosuite can use to access the medical and scientific databases onboard the station. There." He handed his computer to Jadzia. "Jadzia can add in the modules to let it interpret the data for a three-dimensional representation."

Shayin nodded, moving around behind the two of them, watching Jadzia work. She rested one hand on the shoulder of each Starfleet officer. Julian glanced up at her for a moment, and she smiled at him. He could sense her mind through the physical contact, enjoying their company. He smiled back and turned to watch what Jadzia was doing.

"There," Jadzia said, after another minute. "Computer, download and run program Julian-Twenty-three."

The room seemed to triple in size, the walls going to a flat gray featureless surface. Shayin started, her antennae snapping back against her head. "Amazing," she breathed softly.

"This is nothing," Julian said. "You should see a real holodeck. It’s much more realistic. It’s very easy to find the wall of the room in here. See?" He walked over and rapped his knuckles on the air.

"Computer, display a Bajoran kalfon," ordered Jadzia. A large herbivore, about the size of a Terrestrial horse appeared in the center of the room before them.

Shayin stepped forward, laying one hand against the inanimate object’s side. "This is wonderful. Thank you. Would it be possible to display only the skeleton?"

Jadzia nodded. "Of course. Computer, display the skeleton of the kalfon."

The image wavered and reformed. Shayin inspected one of the leg bones carefully. "Ischay, ischay. You can see where the muscles attach. Just wonderful."

Jadzia suggested several other species from different worlds, which the three of them examined. She and Shayin stood up inside the ribcage of a Terran Asian elephant. Julian walked over and leaned on one of the legs, watching the two women.

"It’s fascinating that evolution comes up with a spine that can support this kind of land animal, isn’t it?" Shayin asked.

"Ah, if you want to see a spine, I’ve got one for you. Computer, display an adult Klingon female," ordered Julian.

The elephant disappeared, replaced by the imposing skeleton of a Klingon. Julian pointed to the pelvis. "This is especially interesting. Klingons have a secondary brain at the base of the spinal column. See how the bones are designed to accommodate the birth canal as well as protect the secondary brain?"

"Secondary brain?" Shayin knelt beside Julian.

"Most of a Klingon’s biological functions are duplicated. And look at the vertebrae, how they overlap to shield the spinal cord."

"Paj! They must lack a lot of the flexibility a less robust design affords."

"You’d be surprised," he commented, standing.

"See how the ribs are reinforced?" Jadzia added.

While Jadzia talked to Shayin, Julian got an idea. Smiling to himself, he worked on his computer pad. Shayin noticed that he was up to something, and she looked quizzically at him.

"What is it?" Jadzia asked.

"Just a moment. There. Computer, incorporate modifications to current program. Display a human skeleton."

The new skeleton replaced that of the Klingon, and the two women looked at it carefully.

"I don’t see any difference. Do you?" asked Jadzia. Shayin shook her head "What did you do, Julian?"

Julian shrugged, and the skeleton mimicked him. Shayin jumped, and Jadzia exclaimed, "Oh!"

"I thought it would be more useful to see a skeleton in motion," Julian said, the hologramatic bones following his every gesture.

"This is…." Shayin began.

"Creepy," Jadzia suggested.

Shayin nodded. "Creepy. Still, it is interesting." She observed how the ribcage flexed with Julian’s breathing.

Outside, Kira waited at a table in Quark’s bar. Quark sauntered over. "So, what’ll it be, Major?"

"Hello, Quark. Nothing yet. I’m waiting for Dax."

Quark grinned. "You might have a bit of a wait. She’s in the holosuite."

"Holosuite?" Kira looked confused

"With Dr. Bashir."

"Julian?" Now she was puzzled.

"And Ambassador Mazjad."

"All three of them?" Kira gaped, then shook her head. "You can’t be serious."

"Major, would I lie to you? They’ve been in there over an hour. No telling when they’ll be back out. Are you sure you wouldn’t like an appetizer, or a drink?"

"Uh, I’ll have a Bajoran lowland synthale." Quark nodded, then walked away, smiling to himself.

"Hold still, Julian. I’m trying to look at your shoulder joint." Shayin studied the area in question intently. When she looked up, the eyeless skull was looking down at her. She yelped and backed away.

Jadzia began laughing, saying, "I’m sorry, Shayin. I just can’t help it."

"Julian," Shayin said, emanating exasperation.

"What? I’m not doing anything." He shrugged.

The sight of the doctor and the holographic projection moving in sync set Jadzia off again. That got Julian going, which just made things worse. Shayin "laughed", sending out waves of amusement, leaning against one of the walls.

"Computer," Julian called, "end program." The room returned to normal.

"Oh! I’m supposed to meet Kira for dinner," Jadzia exclaimed, with a final chuckle. She headed for the door.

Shayin protested, "You aren’t going to leave me alone in here with him, are you?"

"Now really, it wasn’t that bad," her protested.

"Easy for you to say, Julian." The three of them made their way down the stairs and across the room toward Kira.

"Admit it, you thought it was funny," Julian continued.

"Sorry I’m late," Jadzia said to Kira.

"No problem," Kira replied, looking at each of them in turn. "Did you have a good time in the holosuite?"

Jadzia sputtered, and burst out laughing again. Shayin asked, "Who told you we were in the holosuite?" Julian just smiled and said, "Well, I certainly enjoyed myself."

"Julian!" cried Jadzia and Shayin in concert.

Kira shook her head. "I don’t think I want to know."

While Jadzia explained to Kira, Julian and Shayin examined the menu.

"It was really very funny," Jadzia insisted.

"I guess you had to be there," Kira responded, but she was smiling.

"Is it all right if they eat with us?" Jadzia asked.

"Sure, as long as they don’t monopolize the menus."

"What? Sorry. Here you go." Shayin handed her placard to Kira and leaned toward Julian to look at his copy.

Kira and Jadzia exchanged glances. Shayin noticed the exchange, and her antennae lowered shyly, but Julian missed the way the two of them were looking at him and Shayin.

"So, what’ll ya have?" Quark asked.

"I’ll have half a vegetable pizza and a glass of distilled water," said Shayin.

Julian made a face. "Ugh."

"Don’t you like pizza?"

"I love pizza. But what Quark’s replicators produce is not pizza."

Shayin grinned. "No-one’s going to make you eat any of it, Julian. I like the way Quark’s pizza tastes."

Quark beamed. "Obviously a woman of sensitivity and breeding. And you ladies?"

"Steamed danza and plomeek soup, with iced ginger tea."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Major?"

"A small meat pie and sautéed vegetables, with another iced tea."

"Excellent choice. Doctor?"

"Vulcan sea scallops, with the blue sauce. And a rak’ta’geno."

"Very good. Raum will bring these right out." Quark collected the menus and walked away.

Suddenly, Julian looked over his shoulder after Quark. "I almost forgot. I’ve been meaning to try that seafood appetizer they just added to the menu. I’ll be right back."

He stood up and walked after the Ferengi. Shayin watched him go, then turned back to Kira and Jadzia.

"He’s very nice looking, for a man."

"He’s too skinny," Kira said, shaking her head.

"He does have nice legs, though," Jadzia said. Shayin nodded. Kira looked at Jadzia with surprise.

"What?" Jadzia said.

Kira shook her head again, amused. "I’m beginning to worry about you, Jadzia."

Shayin seemed distracted suddenly, looking toward the door of the bar. Three young adult Adjani were headed toward them. They all looked to be the equivalent (in human age) of between sixteen and nineteen years old. Shayin stood, warily, causing Kira to tense. The three of them stopped in front of Shayin, antennae back, postures aggressive.

"If you wish to communicate, you will have to speak," said Shayin. "My mind is closed to your thoughts."

"Very well, Mazjad. You are a disgrace to the Anjin, lowering yourself to lie with a non-telepath. Which of them is it? This one?" The tall male in the center tilted his head toward Kira.

Jadzia put her hand lightly on Kira’s arm, warning her against interfering physically in the Adjani dispute. If all three of the young people were Anjin, they would be formidable fighters. "Perhaps it’s me," she suggested, knowing the nature of her binary mind would be disturbing to them.

The woman to Shayin’s left growled her unease at the idea. Shayin smiled coldly at her while answering the leader. "I don’t think, Valetskil, that you are in any position to judge my qualifications to be Anjin. I keep my own honor. Should you not keep yours?"

About this time Julian became aware of the commotion, coming up on Shayin’s left. The woman who had growled at Shayin took a step to intercept him, but Shayin moved faster, putting herself between the two of them. She raised one arm to ward the younger woman off, but her assailant grabbed her by the wrist. It was Shayin’s turn to growl with bared teeth.

"So," Valetskil said, "this is the source of our dispute." He blinked calmly at Julian, his face betraying no readable emotion. The third Adjani watched Kira and Jadzia carefully.

"Leave her alone," Julian said.

As Valetskil was forming an answer to Julian’s order, Odo stepped up behind the woman holding Shayin’s wrist and put his hand on her shoulder. "What seems to be the problem here?"

Shayin’s opponent let go of Shayin’s wrist and twisted out from under Odo’s hand violently, disturbed by the strangeness of his mind conveyed through his touch.

"It is a personal matter, Constable," Shayin answered. "I appreciate your concern, but I’m certain we can confine it to our ship in the future." She laid her hand on Odo’s arm briefly, flashing a look to Valetskil.

"We will see you later," was all Valetskil said in parting. He and his two friends turned and left the bar.

Shayin relaxed a little as they left, visibly showing her distress for the first time. "I need some time to myself. I’ll be back shortly," she said to Kira and Jadzia. She glanced at Julian, her expression unreadable, then left the bar.

"What the hell was that all about?"

Jadzia answered him. "Sit down, Julian. I’m not quite sure, but I’ll tell you what we saw."

Shayin wandered the upper level of the Promenade for a while, until she heard someone call her name.

"Ms. Mazjad?"

"Oh, hello, Jake." Shayin noticed the younger Sisko sitting in his usual location on the walkway. After a moment, she joined him, legs dangling over the edge, leaning on the railing.

"Is something wrong?"

She smiled with little humor. "Some people just can’t keep their minds out of other people’s business."

Jake nodded. "Some of the Adjani aren’t happy about your relationship with Lt. Dax and Dr. Bashir?

Shayin froze for a second, then looked at Jake in shock. "How could you possibly know about that? We only argued about it a couple of minutes ago."

"I didn’t know anything about an argument. But Nog told me at school this morning that some of the Adjani were in Quark’s yesterday complaining among themselves."

Shayin put her chin on her arms and stared down at the passing foot traffic. She was both dismayed and amused at the fact that the dispute was even more public than she had guessed.

"You sit here often?"

"Oh, all the time," Jake said. "Nog and I sit and watch all the people go by."

"Especially the women."

"Yeah. But I don’t let Nog say anything bad about any of the women. We just watch. Ferengi don’t have much respect for women."

"So I’ve heard."

They sat quietly for a few minutes.

"Ms. Mazjad? Why do the other Adjani care about how you feel about Dr. Bashir? Or anybody else?"

"An eternal question, my friend. Take a guess. You tell me."

"I don’t know. Some people just want to tell everyone else how to live. For their own good. Seems stupid to me. I don’t care what other people do."

"No? But what about the greater good? Shouldn’t you try to protect other people from harm, even if it is self-induced?"

Jake laughed. "Who’s side are you on? My dad says people have to make their own mistakes. If you think someone’s going to get in trouble, you can try to talk them out of it. But you can’t lock them up for their own protection. People have to be free to succeed and to fail."

"I think I agree with your father." Shayin touched her damper and closed her eyes, antennae searching.

"What is it?"

Her eyes opened. "Julian’s looking for me. What? Don't you like Julian?"

Jake shrugged. "He’s okay. It’s just that sometimes he can be a real jerk."

Shayin’s eyes sparkled. "Can he, indeed? I’ll have to remember that." She concentrated on the doctor and he broke stride, looking up. He waved at the two of them and headed for the nearest set of stairs. He was next to them within a minute.

"Hello, Shayin. Hello, Jake."

"Hi, Dr. Bashir."

Julian squatted beside Shayin. "Your meal is getting cold. I can’t imagine that will help the taste any."

The Adjani woman coughed softly (an Adjani sigh) and looked away for a moment, thinking. "Very well. If you will excuse me, Jake?"

"Sure."

"It was very nice talking to you. Thank you."

"You’re welcome," Jake replied, a little surprised.

Shayin let Julian help her to her feet. "Please say hello to Commander Sisko for me."

"Okay. Good-bye, Ms. Mazjad."

"Are you going to be all right?" Julian asked quietly as they walked back toward the stairs.

"I think so."

"I hope I didn’t intrude on your privacy, but I got worried when you didn’t come back to dinner."

"I was only gone a few minutes, Julian."

"It seemed longer."

She looked sideways at him. "Thank you."

They rejoined Kira and Dax at the table and finished their meal. Shayin left to return to her ship, promising to meet Kira and Dax at the runabout with the Adjani children around noon.

**********

Julian looked up at the sound of the door chime. "Just a moment." He suspended the display of the novel he was reading and swung himself up off the couch. Opening the door manually, he was startled to see Shayin.

"Oh! Shayin."

"May I come in?"

"Of course, of course. Forgive me." She walked into the room slowly.

"There was more trouble," he surmised from her mood.

The telepath dropped heavily onto the couch. "It was horrible, Julian. We had a huge fight."

"Are you hurt? Was anyone hurt?"

"No. It was only words. Only words." She hesitated. "I can’t stay on the Morai tonight."

"I can ask the Watch Officer to assign you a room."

"Thank you, Julian," she said softly.

He hesitated a moment, sitting down beside her. "Unless you’d rather stay here. You can sleep on the couch; it folds out."

"That would be better. I’d much rather not be alone tonight, but I can’t ask any of my friends on the Morai to stay on the station with me. It would just divide the crew and passengers further."

"Can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you."

Julian put his book down, glancing about the room self-consciously. The place was a little messy, and he got up and started tidying. He shoved his boots against the wall next to the bed, and recycled an empty glass in the replicator.

"Julian."

"Hmm?"

"Your quarters look fine. Really."

He grinned. "All right." He sat down on the couch sideways, facing Shayin. She was wearing a loose short-sleeved tunic of soft gray that matched her hair, and loose black pants with low shoes. He had on a black short-sleeved shirt and blue sweatpants.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked.

"Urrh. I don’t know." She looked up at him. "Julian, Mal and Zhin are my cousins; Valetskil is their second child. When I was younger, I worked with them several summers. I’ve known Valetskil since he was born. I thought we were close, thought we were friends." She looked away. "The anger in him."

"I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" He reached out and brushed her long hair away from her face. His fingertips stroked her cheek.

"No." Her voice was flat, yet somehow filled with pain.

He pulled his hand back self-consciously, and thought for a moment. "Isn’t your staying here overnight only going to make matters worse? Maybe you should talk to Jadzia; I’m sure you could stay with her. She isn’t interested in you the way I am."

"I’m almost beyond caring what anyone thinks of me. And from Valetskil’s viewpoint it wouldn’t matter where I stayed. Besides, right now I would rather be with someone who is interested in me."

"Is that wise?"

She smiled weakly. "No, of course it isn’t. But I’m tired of being wise, being noble. I want to be selfish for a change." After a moment she added, "But not at your expense. I’d really just like to relax for a while. You can go back to whatever you were doing before I came it."

"I was just reading. Nothing important."

Shayin nodded and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, putting her face in her hands. Her antennae settled into her hair. Julian put his PADD down and scooted across the couch, laying his hands on her shoulders. Shayin shifted to turn away from him a little as he began to massage her back. As she turned, he slid his right leg between her and the back of the couch so that he was sitting right behind her.

Shayin was very closed within herself, but Julian could still pick up traces of her anger and frustration. He thought back on what little training he had received in med. school on working with telepathic patients. With some effort, Julian focused on the feel of her tight muscles under his fingers, distancing himself from her problems.

Shayin murmured something unintelligible and sighed. <Thanks.>

"You’re welcome." As he was about to suggest that she try to relax, she took a deep breath and loosened up a little. With a chuckle, he said, "I wish all my patients were so cooperative." He ran his thumbs up and down her back, digging in at tight spots. After a few minutes, she began to purr softly and to stretch.

"Now how am I supposed to rub your back with you squirming around like that?"

"You aren’t." She leaned back against him, pulling his arms around her waist. He rubbed his cheek against her hair. "Your hair is like silk," he whispered, regretting the words almost as soon as he said them.

Shayin’s arms tightened around his arm about her waist. "You’re sorry you said that. Why?"

"I don’t want to take advantage of you. It’s not fair to flirt with someone who’s depressed."

"But I like it when you flirt with me." Shayin stood up, took both of Julian’s hands, and pulled him to his feet. She hesitated for a moment, then nuzzled his cheek. Julian turned his head and kissed her. Her eyes closed as she returned the kiss. An awkward silence then followed as they stood eye to eye.

"Julian, would you rather that I go somewhere else?"

"No, of course not. I just don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret later."

Shayin removed her damper and reached past Julian to place it on the end table beside him. She put her hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eye.

"I’m an adult. Paj, I’m older than you are by almost fifteen years. I think I know what I’m doing, and if not, at least I’m responsible enough for the consequences. I…." She looked away. "Your words are difficult for me."

He took both of her hands in his. "Take your time."

"I don’t want to marry you, or to remain here when the Morai returns to the Gamma Quadrant. But I care for you and I’m going crazy with frustration and curiosity. I want to be closer to you than just what you call a friend, Julian."

Julian smiled brightly, and Shayin grew shy, looking down. "I would like that very much, Shayin. I care a great deal for you, too, you know." He kissed her on the temple.

"Yes. I do know." She finally met his eyes and nuzzled his cheek again, twining her fingers into his hair, running her other hand over his face and down his back. He closed his eyes and pulled her close.

After a moment, he turned his head and kissed his way along her cheek and down her throat. She hummed, purring, and Julian could feel it through the kiss. He looked up in surprise, smiling.

"You like that?" she asked.

"I think it’s wonderful. You have the most beautiful eyes."

"I was just about to say the same about you."

She pressed her throat against his throat and shoulder and rumbled deeper. He laughed and she nipped at his ear, tracing the curve of it with her tongue. Julian slid his hands lower on her back and slipped one of his feet between her two, so that their bodies met from knee to shoulder. Shayin gave a little telepathic moan that went right through Julian, bringing a vocal moan from him. He slid both hands under her shirt, along her bare skin.

Shayin gasped, murmuring softly in her own language. "Do you want to stop?" Julian asked. He could feel both her uncertainty and her arousal.

<No, I just want to catch my breath. Julian,> she paused and the tone of her telepathic communication changed. Rather than sending him words in a language he understood, she was sending more basic thoughts: rich with emotion, tinged with Adjani concepts he did not understand. It was odd, both exciting and a little confusing.

<<It has been a very long time for me. I want to share with you. I want this to last.>>

"I’m not in a hurry," he whispered. "If you feel like I’m rushing you, or you decide you want to stop, you have to tell me. I want this to be a good experience for you."

"How can you talk so easily about intimacy? We ¾ we Adjani ¾ we know what our partners want and don’t want, like and don’t like. This, this discussion, is so awkward."

"It can be pretty awkward. But it isn’t fair for me to assume I know what my partner wants, so I have to ask. Actually, sometimes talking about it can be rather exciting all by itself."

<I don’t think I need to be any more excited, thank you.> But her words were a little bolder than her thoughts. "Why don’t we fold out the couch?"

Julian moved to do so, and Shayin added, "You should have seen what your aura did just then."

"I can imagine. There we go." He turned down the covers and sat on the mattress and Shayin joined him, pulling off her shoes after she sat down.

"Would you take your shirt off?" she asked. He did so eagerly, saying, "Computer, lights 10 percent."

Shayin stretched out on her side and Julian did likewise. She ran her fingertips down along his arm and up again along his back. Pushing gently on his shoulder, she rolled him onto his back and leaned against him, curled inside his right arm. He closed his eyes and relaxed, enjoying the feel of her hand as she traced the lines of the muscles and bones of his face and chest.

"I should date paleontologists more often," he murmured.

<Very funny.>

She bent down, her hair cascading over her shoulder, across his chest. Julian ran his fingers through it, up and down her spine. Shayin traced the circle of his left nipple with her tongue, then covered it with her mouth, licking and sucking, pulling gently on it. He arched his back, pushing against her leg with his hips, his left hand holding her head against his chest while his right stroked her back. After some time, she switched to his other nipple for a few minutes, then finally pulled her head away, both of them breathing hard.

<<You are very responsive. I like that,>> she sent to him, kissing him lightly. He slipped the tip of his tongue into her mouth, but she pulled back, so he nibbled on her lower lip instead, and kissed her closed eyes.

"You’re very easy to respond to, Shayin." He ran his hand along her side, caressing her breast. Her eyes closed and he nuzzled against her breasts through her shirt. After a moment, she put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Sitting up, Shayin turned away and pulled off her shirt. After a moment’s hesitation, she stood and removed her pants and undergarments as well. The soft light in the room played along her golden brown skin (two shades darker than his) and on the fine gray hair on her pubis and underarms.

She laid down next to him again, without looking at him. Julian tilted her chin up, making eye contact briefly before she looked away. <<It is too intense. Give me time to adjust.>>

"Take your time. I’m much more interested in looking at you than having you look at me." He touched the two dark scars on her torso: one on her chest, the other on her abdomen.

<<Ever the physician,>> she sent.

"A doctor’s hands are healing hands," he replied. Then, with some surprise, "You have a tattoo."

Shayin radiated humor, underlain with currents of nervous excitement and arousal. "It is a sign of my faith, of Anjin-veh." Julian traced with his finger the lines of the double-edged knife drawn on her right hip. It was as long as his hand, detailed in many colors.

"It’s beautiful," he whispered.

Shayin had stopped purring, but gradually began to do so again as Julian ran his hands over the rest of her body, learning her curves. Relaxing, she stretched out a little more on the bed, baring her throat to him, which he kissed eagerly before moving down to her breasts.

<<Yes.>>

As she twined the fingers of one hand in his short hair, she slipped her other hand down his back, under the waistband of his sweatpants. As Julian sucked on her nipples, he felt the echo of tingles in his own chest and groin through their telepathic rapport. He gasped and lifted his head. Shayin pulled him into a tight embrace and kiss. With a thrill, he realized just how strong she was, and felt again the echo of what she felt as he kissed her.

This is going to be interesting, he thought.

<<I thought it already was interesting,>> she sent in return. She hooked her thumb in the waistband of his pants, snapping it against his skin.

Julian smiled and slid out of his sweats. Shayin looked him over, antennae waving slowly in the air. <<Nice.>>

"Thank you. But nice doesn’t even begin to cover how beautiful you are."

Shayin stroked Julian’s side and hip. "Ih jalad. Thank you. I think you are beautiful, too."

Julian stretched out beside Shayin’s body, brushing his penis against her leg. "Ih jalad. I’ll have to remember that."

Shayin’s hips moved against him as he leaned his weight against her and he thrust against her in return. She rumbled deep in her chest and nuzzled his face and throat, murmuring softly in her own language. Julian slid his arms around her, kissing her everywhere he could reach. The telepathic exchange of sensation washed over the two of them, threatening to overcome them both.

Julian pulled away, breathing hard. "Don’t go away." Rising, he crossed the room to the side of his regular bed, fishing a condom out of the bedside table, as Shayin gave approving looks to the dorsal side of his anatomy.

"I haven’t seen one of those things in years," she commented. "Julian, you know from my medical records that I’m sterile, and our species aren’t genetically similar enough to interbreed anyway."

"That’s true, but I could easily be carrying a bacteria or virus you have no immunity to." He put the condom on. "Better safe than sorry. Now where were we?" In answer, Shayin pulled him down on top of her, kissing him hard. He thrust against her leg, both of them moaning — Julian aloud, Shayin mentally.

But when he licked one of her antennae, the reaction was remarkable. The sensations she felt, the sensations that echoed in his own body, made Julian’s stomach flutter. He traced the length of first one slender antenna and then the other with his tongue, as the tendrils trembled along his face. Shayin’s fingers dug into his back and he was grateful for her short nails. She writhed under him, moaning out loud.

Their arousal spiraled up faster, one building upon the other, telepathically linked. Julian gripped Shayin’s shoulders tightly, digging his fingers into her flesh, burying his face in her hair. Shayin moved under him as he moved against her, and he found himself inside her before he could even think about it, Shayin holding him in a painfully tight embrace. The ghostly sensation of being penetrated that he sensed through their connection went right through him and he made a strangled noise, but he was too caught up in the passion of the moment to let it slow him down.

Her alien rhythms were awkward and frustrating for him, and likewise his rhythms were foreign to her. But they worked feverishly through their incompatibilities. When they finally climaxed, Julian could not tell which sensations were hers, and which were his own, so intertwined were they. The sensations were relentless, wave after wave washing through them both. Shayin cried out, somewhere between ecstasy and pain. Julian collapsed on top of her, panting and exhausted, heart hammering in his chest. He could feel Shayin’s heart pounding, hear her labored breathing.

Shayin’s arms around Julian’s waist relaxed as she gasped for breath and pulled her mind away from his in shock. The loss of her presence stabbed into his heart. Overwhelmed by the disturbing turn their intimacy had taken, they both lay still for a few minutes, stunned. Julian swallowed hard as he realized how violent their lovemaking had been. He was sore all over and was certain that he had hurt Shayin. My God, he thought to himself.

<<Julian?>> Shayin finally ventured. "Julian, are you well?" Her thoughts brushed against his light as a breath.

Julian propped himself up on one arm, touching her face gently with his other hand. "I’m so sorry, Shayin. I’ve never, never been so rough …."

She interrupted him. "I was about to say the same. We got caught in a feedback loop. I lost control. I’m sorry." She nuzzled his shoulder, and Julian could feel an antenna sliding through his hair. Suddenly, she pulled back, inspecting his shoulder in the dim light. "Druven! I bit you hard enough to draw blood. I think you’re bleeding from at least a couple of sets of scratches, as well. I’m so sorry."

The pained tone in her voice prompted him to try to comfort her. "No permanent harm done, I trust." But his voice was shaky, as well.

Shayin could tell that he was asking about her, as well as referring to himself. She forced herself to look up into his deep, sad eyes. "Ycha, Julian. You did nothing wrong." With some hesitation, he kissed her gently, but she returned it with more force.

Julian smiled down at her, slowly starting to feel a little better. He cleared his throat. "Would you like me to move?"

"No," she said sharply, wrapping her arm about his back more tightly. "Don’t you dare," she said, a little softer, with some humor.

He winced a little at her grip, betting she had bruised his ribs during their frenzied lovemaking, and she eased up. He laid down on top of her again. "Trust me, I’m not in any hurry," he muttered into her pillow. "I…," he faltered.

"What?" <<Don’t be troubled.>> Her mind touched his reassuringly.

He continued, "It isn’t usually like that for you, is it? To feel so much of what your partner feels?"

"Absolutely not. I am used to feeling most of what my partner feels, but never as intense as that." She hesitated before continuing. "You seemed to be disturbed by sharing my feelings."

"I wasn’t disturbed."

<<Please.>>

"Well, it just felt so strange. I always wondered what sex feels like for a woman, but I never thought I’d find out." His voice was soft as he whispered in her ear.

Shayin scratched his scalp, running her fingers through his hair. "Your people are so strange. Adjani know what sharing feels like for their partners as well as for themselves. Males and females alike know what it is like to, to, well, to penetrate and to be penetrated. Perhaps that is why your species seems to be more strongly sexually differentiated than mine."

"So this was typical." Julian sounded a little worried.

She shook her head. "No. No, not at all. I’ve never felt anything that powerful in my life. You weren’t used to the rapport and I wasn’t expecting how strong your mind would be." She grunted and straightened out her left leg.

"Are you sore?"

"Not yet. I do expect to be sore tomorrow, however. I think I pulled a couple of muscles. I haven’t been that… energetic, in years."

"I find that difficult to believe." Julian kissed her cheek, propping himself up on one arm again. "You’re really serious, aren’t you? I don’t mean to pry, but…."

Shayin put her fingers on Julian’s lips to silence him. "No, it’s all right, Julian. It’s been, oh, three years since I was in a relationship. Almost four since I’ve been with a man. But I don’t mind telling you. I have shared my mind and body with you; it’s natural for you to want to know more about me. I have questions about you, as well. But not right now."

"Ih jalad, Shayin."

<<You are welcome, Julian.>> She rubbed her fingers together, smearing the drops of blood that she had brushed from his back. "I should do something about those scratches."

"It can wait," he whispered, kissing her. He settled back down against the pillow, nestled atop her body. Shayin snagged the covers with her toes and pulled them up to where she could grab them with her hand, pulling them over herself and Julian.

"I’m sorry that things didn’t go better, Shayin. I didn’t realize that it had been so long for you."

She growled and put her teeth lightly on his shoulder to get his attention. <You think too much, Julian. And you talk too much.> Shayin hesitated, trying to find the words. "We have shared," she said simply, with a smile. <<I am content.>>

Julian smiled back, not needing to answer. But in the back of his mind, he wasn’t sure if he’d want to repeat the experience they’d had.

**********

"You’re awake," Julian said, a little surprised, an hour or so later. "I shouldn’t haven fallen asleep on top of you like that."

"Why? You aren’t that heavy."

He leaned down to kiss her. "Was I keeping you awake?"

"A little. I dozed on and off. You were dreaming; I could feel it."

"Let me get your damper. I need to get up to go to the bathroom anyway."

"Yes, I know. I figured the need would wake you soon."

Reluctantly, Julian pushed himself upright. Shayin arched her back as he withdrew, grabbing a double handful of sheet, growling low in her throat. With a grin, he handed her necklace to her before going into the bathroom.

"I’m sure you say that to all the men," he said playfully. The sound of splashing water came from the bathroom.

"Actually, I say that to all the women, too." She could hear Julian laughing. "Be careful, you don’t want to miss the toilet."

He laughed even harder, protesting, "Oh, now, that’s not fair."

Shayin rolled to her feet, with a groan. "I’m getting too old for this, ycha." She walked into the bathroom to wash her hands.

"I sincerely hope not." He finished with the toilet and moved behind her, kissing the nape of her neck. Some of the initial shock of the night’s experience had faded, and Julian was feeling more hopeful about continuing their relationship.

"That’s just a figure of speech," Shayin replied. She slid to one side in the narrow confines of the bathroom so he could get to the sink. She gasped. <Julian! Your back!> "I am so sorry."

Julian turned sideways and tried to look over his shoulder into the mirror. Shayin pulled him out of the bathroom. "No, don’t look. You really don’t want to know." She was chagrined.

"It can’t be that bad. Can it?"

She ran her index finger along each of five different sets of scratches. "This one is the worst." He felt her finger slide from just under his right shoulder blade across to the middle of the left side of his back. "It looks pretty raw."

Julian felt for it, winced when he touched the scratches. "I didn’t even feel it when you scratched me. Hand me my medical kit, will you?" She did, and they both sat down on the bed again. He pulled a small bottle out of the case. "This is a mild antiseptic and wound sealant. Do you mind?" He handed the spray bottle to her.

"I owe you that much, at least." Her antennae were hidden in her hair, and she looked very embarrassed as she took the bottle from him.

"You don’t owe me anything, Shayin."

She didn’t respond, guilt lying heavily upon her. But her tone was light. "Lie down, stubborn man. How does this…, ah, I understand how it works. This will only hurt a little bit."

Julian grimaced. "Very funny." She sprayed a thin coating over the smaller scratches, and a heavy coating on the larger one, at Julian’s direction.

"There, all better." Leaning down, she kissed the back of his head, then worked down his back (avoiding scratches), kissing as she went, her antennae sliding over his skin as she moved lower. He sighed as she reached the small of his back. Sensing his thoughts, she made a clicking noise with her tongue. "Don’t get too enthusiastic; I’m not up to it."

With a laugh, he replied, "Neither am I. What we did was a little scary, to be honest." He turned over. Her face went unreadable and her antennae curled over his head as she kissed him, long and slow. <<I have no regrets, Julian.>>

Ih jalad, he thought to Shayin. Thank you.

**********

Kira was sitting at her desk, drinking ginger tea, when the comm chimed. "Ops to Major Kira."

It was very early; she still had over an hour before the morning shift started. "Major Kira here."

"Ensign Rou, Major. Sorry to disturb you so early, but the Gamma Quadrant ship, the Morai, just reported that Ambassador Mazjad is missing. She left their ship last night and has not returned. Should I notify Constable Odo?"

Kira was startled for an instant, then she had a suspicion of what might have happened. "Not yet, Ensign. Wait a moment.

"Computer, page Dr. Bashir’s room." The computer beeped in response, then there was a ten second pause.

"No response," said the station computer.

"Try again." There was a second beep, this time followed by Bashir’s groggy voice.

"Yes? This is Dr. Bashir."

Kira grimaced in distaste. "Doctor, the Morai reported Shayin missing. Have you seen her since dinner last night?"

"Missing? Uh, tell their captain that she’s all right, Major. Does she need to speak with them? I can wake her."

Kira shook her head in disgust and made no attempt to hide her irritation as she answered. "I don’t think that’s necessary, Doctor. Kira out. Ensign?"

"I’ll contact the Morai. What exactly should I tell them?" The ensign sounded nervous.

"Just tell them that she’s on the station and that she’s okay. If they have any more questions they can contact me."

"Yes, sir."

"And, ensign?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Let’s not make a big deal out of this. I’d rather spare the Ambassador any embarrassment."

"Yes, sir. Ops out."

**********

Julian groaned and let his head fall back against the pillow. "What’s wrong?" Shayin asked.

"Kira doesn’t like me. This has just irritated her further."

Shayin curled up against Julian’s side, resting her head on his chest. Her antennae fluttered up along his face. "She likes you. She just finds you annoying sometimes. That seems to be a common problem."

"Thanks," he said dryly. He nibbled at an antenna with his lips. She twitched and both slender tendrils jerked back out of his reach. She pounced on him, blowing belly-farts against his stomach. Julian gasped and twined his fingers in her hair, giggling.

"Shayin. Shayin, stop. I’ve got to get up and get to the infirmary for day shift soon."

"I know." She smiled, touching her damper, and propped herself up on one arm, leaning over him. Her long gray hair slid over her shoulder and draped along Julian’s stomach and chest.

<<It was good to be here with you,>> she sent to him. She bent down and kissed him. <<Whatever else happens, I love you, Julian.>>

His eyes went wide. I love you, too, Shayin, he thought to her. "But I have to go."

She blinked, and kissed him lightly on the forehead before sitting up. "May I come by later today and visit you in the Infirmary?"

Julian sat up and kissed the base of her antennae gently. "I’d like that." He stood and walked into the bathroom as Shayin laid back down. She was asleep again by the time he dressed and left.

**********

"Good morning, Major."

"Commander. Good morning, sir."

"Anything to report from the evening shift?" Sisko walked over to the replicator in Ops. "Rak’ta’geno. Hot."

"More of the same, sir. Primary life support regulation failed in lower pylon one. The backups are operating normally and a couple of techs are already on it. The Federation freighter Trillian says they will be a day and a half late arriving due to delays repairing their warp drive at Starbase 115." She hesitated and Sisko walked down the steps to her station. Dax looked up, curious.

"Go ahead, Major."

"There was a bit of a scare this morning when the Morai reported that Shayin was missing."

"Missing?" Sisko said, slightly alarmed.

"Everything is okay, sir. She turned up."

"I see. And precisely where did she turn up?"

"In Dr. Bashir’s quarters, sir."

Sisko’s eyebrows went up, but he didn’t comment on her news, turning to walk up the stairs to his office. "Very well, Major. Thank you."

"Yes, sir."

As the doors to the office closed, Dax turned to look at Kira. "I can’t believe you didn’t tell me."

"I didn’t get the chance, Jadzia. I’m almost surprised that you hadn’t heard already; it’s got to be all over the station by now. I hope Shayin knows what she’s doing."

"I’m sure she does." Jadzia looked down at her console. "Sensor logs show no anomalies."

Kira checked the night shift logs as well. "You aren’t jealous are you?"

Dax looked shocked at the question. "Of course not."

"No, of course not," Kira echoed in response, not quite believing her Trill friend.

A couple of hours later, Sisko’s voice came over the comm system. "Lt. Dax, may I see you please?"

"Certainly, Benjamin." She walked up the stairs and into his office.

"Have a seat, old man." He was playing with his baseball, so Jadzia knew he was concentrating on some problem.

"What’s on your mind, Benjamin?"

"Take a guess."

She smiled. "Julian and Shayin?"

Sisko shook his head in frustration. "I don’t want to interfere in anyone’s personal business, but this could seriously complicate our relationship with the Adjani Union."

"Shayin is no longer serving as an ambassador for the Union."

"Agreed, but she may wish to resume that position in the future. Being involved with a member of Starfleet could present a grave conflict of interest. After that incident in Quark’s bar, it could even present a threat to her safety."

"But what can you do about it." She made it a statement, not a question.

"Precisely."

Dax shook her head. "I’m not sure if there is anything you can do as Julian’s commanding officer without restricting his personal rights."

"Can you do anything as his friend?"

"I don’t know, Benjamin. I think maybe you should be the one to talk to him. He would be pretty uncomfortable talking to me about this."

Sisko tried to hid his grin. "I can imagine. Not that he would be any more comfortable talking to me. Still, I need make certain that he understands the possible consequences of his actions."

"Their actions," Dax corrected. "I can talk to Shayin this afternoon. She and some of the Adjani children are going with us to Bajor. I’m sure she thought about what might happen before she stayed with Julian last night, even if he didn’t."

"That would be very helpful, Dax." He tossed the baseball to her.

"Benjamin," she said, turning the ball in her hands, "be careful. You don’t want to alienate Julian."

"No, of course not. He doesn’t have to like me, but I’d rather that we got along. It’s not fun to command someone who has a grudge against you. I have to admit, this is one of the more awkward problems I’ve faced in my career."

"Would you rather face a Cardassian warship?" She flipped the ball back to him.

"Perhaps. Know where I can find one?"

She shook her head. "Sorry."

"Thanks, Dax." He plopped the ball back onto its stand.

"Anytime, Benjamin."

"Well, let’s get this over with." He stood up and the two of them walked back down into Ops. Sisko crossed the room and stepped into the turbolift. "You have the con, Major. I’ll be in the Infirmary."

Dax stood at the central console next to Kira as the Bajoran responded, "Yes, sir." After the turbolift disappeared, Kira asked, "Is Julian in trouble?"

"No. Benjamin just wants to talk to him."

"I’d love to be a spider beneath that table."

Dax grinned, despite herself. "So would I."

**********

"Nasty. What did you do?" Bashir was examining a cut on the top of the scalp of a middle-aged Bajoran tech. He worked over the wound with a glowing instrument.

"Stood up into an cross-brace inside a conduit. There was a sharp corner."

"So I see. Well, I’ve got the bleeding stopped and the laceration closed. You can go get cleaned up. Do try to watch your head for a few days."

"Don’t worry, Doctor, I will." He slid off the examination table, nodding to Sisko as he passed him just inside the doorway.

"Commander Sisko is here to see you," Nurse Ridel said.

"Commander. Nothing’s wrong, I hope."

"No, Doctor. I did want to speak to you privately, however."

Nurse Ridel, having heard the rumor about Shayin’s tryst with Julian, removed herself from the awkward situation. "I’ll be in the outer office if you need me, Doctor."

"Thank you, Nurse." The door hissed closed behind her. "What’s on your mind, Commander?" Julian seemed a little nervous.

Sisko crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "First of all, I’d like to say that I’m not here to talk to you as your commanding officer. I consider this off-the-record. But I do want to talk to you about your relationship with Ms. Mazjad."

Julian blinked in surprise. "You know about that?"

"I think pretty much everyone on the station knows by now."

A grimace flickered across Julian’s face. "I see." This is great, he thought to himself. What am I supposed to do, tell Sisko it probably won’t happen again because we scared ourselves witless?

Sisko continued, unaware of Julian’s frustration at the irony taking place. "And I can certainly understand the attraction. Shayin is a beautiful woman."

The door hissed open behind Sisko. "Thank you, Commander Sisko. Should I be part of this conversation?" Her antennae were hidden in her hair, and she was obviously irritated by what she had sensed as she entered the room.

Sisko held up both hands in a conciliatory gesture. "I just wanted to talk to Dr. Bashir about the consequences of your relationship."

"Commander," Julian started to say, but Sisko interrupted.

"Just hear me out, Doctor, Ms. Mazjad. What you do is your own business, but I want to be certain that you’ve thought it out and are aware of the effect it might have on everyone around you. You, Shayin, could be jeopardizing any chance of returning to your position as an Ambassador between the Adjani Union and the Federation by being involved with a citizen of the Federation."

Shayin stared at him for several moments, then seemed to relax, satisfied that his motives were good. "I know. I thought about that. It is my responsibility."

"I disagree. As a Starfleet officer, it is also Dr. Bashir’s responsibility to think about how his behavior reflects on Starfleet and the Federation, and about how it affects our guests."

Shayin crossed between Sisko and Bashir to stand next to Julian. "Did I assume more responsibility than I should have, Julian? Perhaps in taking on all the burden, I took away something that belonged to you."

Julian looked at the floor for a few seconds. "I’m not sure." He turned to Sisko. "We did discuss what might happen, Commander. I asked Shayin a couple of times if she was sure that she wanted to, to stay in my quarters. But I suppose that I might not have really looked at the whole picture."

Sisko nodded, uncomfortable with the discussion. "I just don’t want to see you hurt. Either one of you. And I don’t want to damage the ties between the Adjani and the Federation by an appearance of bias on your part, Shayin."

"My people would not be surprised at anything I do, Commander. I’m considered quite strange."

"Just be sure that you think this through."

"Yes, sir," Bashir said.

Sisko turned to leave. "Commander," Shayin said. She stepped forward and put her hand on his arm. "Benjamin, I appreciate your motives. I have no regrets, but I admit to being selfish. I have given everything for my people over the last ten years. I thought it was time to do something for myself. But not at your expense, or Julian’s. You’ve given me much to think about. I appreciate how difficult this was for you."

Sisko grinned. "You have no idea," he said (aware of the irony of making such a remark to a telepath) as he was leaving.

"Actually, Commander," Julian said to the closed door, "you have no idea." He sighed, sagging against his desk.

"Are you all right, Julian?"

"Yes. I’m just trying to decide if I should be angry that Commander Sisko is trying to interfere in my personal life."

"How can you say that? He was trying very hard not to interfere. I think he has a right to be concerned about the effect this might have on Federation-Adjani relations. You’re just mad because you don’t like being told how to live your life. I don’t think that is what the Commander was doing, however."

He took a deep breath. "I hope you’re right. Have you been by the Morai yet?"

She growled softly. "No. I thought I’d put that off as long as possible, until after lunch. Can you go to lunch with me?"

Julian brightened a little. "Of course. Let me tell my staff."

Shayin blinked. <You have the most beautiful smile.> She leaned forward, kissing him, a little nervously at first. Julian caught a flicker of her thoughts, an image of what had happened the previous night, sending a stab of guilt through him. But it faded as they both focused on the present. They were engaged in a lip-lock when Nurse Ridel walked into the examining room, and they separated quickly.

Julian cleared his throat. "Ah, Nurse. I was going to go to lunch with Shayin, unless anyone’s made a last-minute appointment?"

Ridel shook her head, trying not to smile. "No, sir. Our schedule is clear for the next hour."

"Good. Thank you. I should be back by then."

"Good to see you, Nurse Ridel. Are you well?" Shayin asked.

"Yes, ma’am, thank you. And yourself?"

Shayin looked away shyly. "Doing very well, thank you." She followed Julian out of the Infirmary. They walked along the circle of the Promenade.

"Nurse Ridel thinks we’re cute," Shayin said matter-of-factly. Julian burst out laughing. "Julian," Shayin continued, looking around. "Does everyone on the station know that I stayed with you last night?"

He shook his head. "I think maybe a couple of the techs in cargo bay two haven’t heard the news. Yet."

"Do you always attract this much attention when you’re involved with someone?"

"This is definitely worse than usual. Does it bother you?"

She put her arm through his. "No. I got used to being the center of attention on my homeworld over the last half-year. This is nothing. I think a lot of women are jealous of me, however. And a few of the men."

They had a quiet lunch at the replimat, then Julian accompanied Shayin to the airlock of the Morai to pick up her clothes for the field trip, and the children. "I think it would be better for you to wait out here," she said.

"If you’re sure."

"Yes. I won’t be long." She nuzzled his cheek, antennae flipping forward to arc over his head.

When she returned, five children were with her, and four adults. Two of the adults were Mal and Zhin. All of the adults milled about with the kids for a few moments, then seemed to come to some consensus and returned to the ship.

"What was all that about?" Julian asked.

"They wanted to get a look at you. Rissan and Pelleth are the parents of Pip and Arillith here. A couple of the other parents decided I was too irresponsible to take care of their kids and didn’t send them."

"That’s awful, Shayin. I’m sorry," he said.

"Thank you, Ycha," she replied. That seemed to amuse some of the kids.

"You’ve called me that a couple of times. What does it mean?"

"Ycha is a term of endearment for an intimate friend. The children find it a bit silly, I suppose. <<Okay, that’s enough you guys,>> she sent to them in her low-level telepathic mode.

They walked around the docking ring to Runabout Pad B. The Rhik were there already, as were Kira and Dax.

"Hello, Julian, Shayin," Jadzia said brightly. Kira nodded to them, a little more reserved. One of the Rhik hissed and burbled at Shayin and she walked over to talk to it.

Dax stepped to one side to speak quietly to Bashir. "Julian, I know Benjamin talked to you. I wanted to be sure that you understood that he did it because he felt he had to. He didn’t want to."

"I know that, Jadzia."

"He was pretty uncomfortable."

"That made two of us."

Shayin barked, said something loudly in Rhik, and bopped the amphibian she was talking to lightly between the eyes with her fist. She walked back over to join the rest of the humanoids. With a wry smile she said, "Lit Tre wanted to know when I would be digging a nest for my clutch of eggs."

Jadzia laughed and Julian blushed. "I think I should be getting back to the Infirmary," he said. "How late will you be returning tonight?"

"Good question. Major?"

"It will take us about two and a half hours to get to Bajor. We’ll have a few hours to go swimming, eat dinner around 1800, then return to the station about 2200."

"Should I call you when we get back?" Shayin asked Julian.

"I’d like that." He kissed Shayin on the cheek and she rubbed her face against his. Keiko came in with her students as he was leaving. Shayin gathered up the Adjani children, who were checking out the runabout excitedly, and they all boarded the ship.

Shayin and Keiko herded the children into the main room aft. "Okay," Keiko said, getting everyone’s attention, "let’s take inventory before we leave the station. I’m going to call off everything you should have brought. If you don’t have it, give a yell: Swimsuit. Sunscreen."

"We don’t need a UV screen, Ms. O’Brien. Bajor has a strong enough ozone layer for us," Shayin said.

"OK. Towel. Beach shoes."

"Nog and I want to go barefoot."

"O.K., Jake, but I don’t want to hear anything from either of your fathers if you cut your feet. Any special food or medicine should be with your chaperone. No last minute problems, complaints or delays?" No-one spoke up, so Keiko activated the comm panel. "We’re all set back here."

"Thanks, Keiko," came Jadzia’s voice. "Ops, this is the Orinoco. Request clearance to depart."

"Clearance granted," O’Brien responded. "Have a nice trip."

"Good-bye, Daddy," called Molly to the comm panel in the aft room.

"Bye, bye, honey," O’Brien said with a laugh. "DS9 out."

The Orinoco lifted off and headed for Bajor. "Now all we have to do," Keiko said to Shayin, "is keep them under control until we land."

Shayin smiled. "Kira said it would take over two hours."

"Yes. It’s just good that we were able to talk Commander Sisko out of a runabout. If we’d had to take a commercial Bajoran shuttle, it would have been five hours each way. I doubt we could have managed an overnight trip with this many kids."

"So you’ve got ten students?"

"Ages six to fifteen. And your five?"

"Four, the twins are six, eight and ten. Then there are the Rhik, who ought to be able to take care of themselves."

"I thought you were expecting more."

"I was. Three of the parents changed their minds, due to all of the uproar."

"Uproar?"

Shayin’s antennae rose up. "Ms. O’Brien, if you haven’t heard about me and Julian, you’re the only person on the station."

"Oh, that. Well, I’m sure that will all get settled soon."

Keiko got the children busy putting their gear away, and arranging the furniture in the room to clear a little more floor space. Kira came back into the room to check on them once the runabout cleared the station.

"Oh, good, Major. Everyone, Major Kira’s going to tell us where we’re going today. I know you had several spots that you were looking at, which did you select?"

Kira called up a diagram of Bajor on the computer screen. "The Southern Continent, about 40° latitude, 80° longitude. There was a large refugee camp there years ago, but it’s long since been moved away. Lake Marvich is located on the edge of a young forest. It used to be farm land before the Occupation. We finally got a datastream from the weather satellites a few minutes ago. This site had the best weather of the sites I’d considered. Bajoran Orbital Control cleared our flight plan, and we should be there in an hour and fifty minutes."

The youngest Rhik rumbled to Shayin, who translated, "What is the weather there today?"

"Overcast, but clearing. It should be about 24° C when we get there, going down to 15° C by the time we leave tonight."

Shayin continued to translate. "And the water is good?"

"It should be, but we’ll check it out with our tricorders before we let anybody in it."

"That is satisfactory. It will at least be good to be on real soil."

"I agree. If everything is under control back here, I’m going to return to the cockpit. Give Jadzia or myself a call if you need anything."

"We will, Major. Thank you," Keiko said.

The children threatened to get a little unruly late in the trip, but Keiko offered to hold a geography quiz on the topic of the Southern Continent, and they calmed down. Finally, they were skimming through the atmosphere, looking for a clearing.

"How does that look?" Kira asked Jadzia.

The Trill answered. "It’s about five hundred meters from the western edge of the lake. I don’t think we’re going to get any closer."

"I agree." Kira tapped the comm panel. "Prepare for landing. We’re almost there." The sounds of cheering came back through the intercom. Kira grinned at Dax. "O.K., Lieutenant. Set her down."

Several minutes later, the group of them were walking through the woods toward the lake. They arrived at the edge of the water and Jadzia pulled out her tricorder.

"This is beautiful, Kira." Dax scanned the area. "I don’t read any large predators or any contamination in the lake. But there are two humanoids in the woods on the far side of the lake. Bajorans, probably sixteen to twenty years old." She nodded to indicate the direction.

Kira stepped up to look at the tricorder readout. "Moving toward us or away?"

"Away, off to the north."

"Probably a couple of refugees who were camping on the north shore. They might have been scared off when they saw the runabout. Some refugee bands are still pretty suspicious of non-Bajoran craft. We’ll keep an eye out for them." She turned to Keiko, and the rest of their party.

"This is it. Everybody down to the beach!" The children ran past Kira and Dax, as best they could with their arms full of supplies. The Rhik beat them to the edge of the water, faster on their four legs. Removing what little clothing they wore, all four yellow creatures slid into the water with scarcely a ripple and vanished.

"Don’t let them get out of earshot," Kira warned Shayin.

"Why? I could reach them telepathically even on the far side of the lake. Jish! Kij’t! No pushing!" she shouted to the children.

"By the way, ladies," Shayin continued to Kira, Jadzia and Keiko, "don’t let any of these kids give you the ‘I don’t understand what you’re saying’ routine. Their telepathic abilities won’t peak until they’re about twelve or fourteen, but they can all understand you if they try."

Keiko picked out a flat spot a few meters from the water’s edge and put down her basket. She pulled out a thin shiny blanket and spread it out over the grass. Shayin put her damper necklace into her bag, dropped the bag and pulled off her jacket.

"What was that noise?" Kira asked.

Jadzia walked over to Shayin, looking at the seam of her jacket. "An interlocking slide-fastener. I saw one in a museum once."

"You Alpha Quadrant people," Shayin said in obvious amusement. "Keiko and I entertained the kids on the shuttle for about fifteen minutes with the fastener on my jacket, but honestly, you two ought to be a little old for that."

Kira seemed irritated. "I just wondered what the noise was." She dropped her own roll bag to the ground and knelt beside it, digging out her swimsuit and towel. Shayin threw a questioning look at Jadzia and Keiko, but each one in turn shrugged and shook her head.

Keiko, Shayin and the Adjani children were all wearing their suits under their clothing, and simply stripped down. Most of the Keiko’s students, and Kira and Dax, took turns going into the woods just behind their little campsite to change. They piled all the clothes up on some rocks that were in the sunlight on the edge of the woods, where the surface was a little dryer than the ground on the sparse grass of the beach.

"Stay near the shore until Major Kira or Lt. Dax tell us how deep the water is."

"Yes, Mrs. O’Brien."

Dax walked ankle-deep into the water, tricorder chirping in her hand. "It’s less than a meter and a half deep out to about five meters, then it slopes more sharply down to three and four meters deep. Out where the Rhik are, and on out to the center of the lake, it varies between twenty and forty meters."

As if on cue, a yellow-backed ripple shot in toward the beach, sliding to a stop in the shallow water. The youngest Rhik, Dev, spun around and dashed back out toward his companions at high speed. "It looks like it’s having a good time," Dax said to Shayin. "Nice suit," she added.

"Thanks," Shayin replied. "Yours, too." Dax was in a green and brown striped one-piece, while Shayin’s suit was a sky-blue bikini that contrasted nicely with her golden-brown skin. Shayin noted that Dax had a pattern of spots on her back, along both sides of her spine, disappearing under the fabric, and more spots down the front of both legs.

"Shayin, what happened to your shoulder?"

Shayin started. "What?" she asked, surprised.

"You’ve got a couple of bruises on your right shoulder."

"It’s nothing, Jadzia," she said, looking away.

Dax stepped closer to Shayin, whispering, "Shayin, did Julian hurt you?" Shayin winced at the shock in Dax’s mind. The Trill was torn between disbelief and suspicion, her voice full of concern.

"No, no, Jadzia. It was an accident." <<May we discuss this later?>>

Jadzia relaxed "We don’t have to, Shayin. I was just worried, for a moment."

"Actually, I really would like to talk to someone. I trust you."

"Thank you, Shayin. That means a lot to me. We can talk any time you like. Just let me know."

Relief. "Ih jalad." Shayin hugged Jadzia with one arm then stretched in the sunlight. <Wow.> she sent.

Dax looked over her shoulder to see that it was Kira who had caught Shayin’s attention. Or Kira’s red two-piece suit, to be more precise. "I heard that," Dax said, so that only Shayin could hear. Shayin’s antennae snapped down and she trotted into the water after the Adjani children.

<Very funny, Jadzia .> "No running!" Shayin shouted. "Whose idea was it bring all these kids?"

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Keiko shouted back, laughing.

Everything was going smoothly for about an hour or so, until Jake Sisko swam over to the deeper water where Kira and Dax were talking.

"Major? Didn’t you leave your uniform on those rocks over there?"

"Yes. Why?" Kira turned to see a pile of red-brown material on the ground in front of the rocks. "That’s odd. Maybe a redwing tried to pull off my communicator. They love shiny things." She dove toward the beach, gliding into shallow water, where she stood up and walked quickly across the sandy ground.

"Jadzia, could you come over here for a minute?" Kira called, after examining all the clothing pilled on the rocks. Keiko and Shayin both looked up, but kept the children occupied while Kira talked to Dax.

"Both of our communicators and both of our tricorders are missing," Kira said, pulling on her pants. "Your uniform is gone, too. Whoever took the equipment probably grabbed the whole thing because someone was about to notice them. I’m going to run back to the Orinoco, just in case that’s where they’re headed."

"Do you think it was those two young Bajorans I detected when we arrived?"

Kira nodded as Shayin walked up behind the two of them. "Dev should go with you."

Kira shoved one foot into a boot. "Why? I can’t even communicate with her."

"Major, if one of the Rhik came charging out of the woods at you at full speed, what would you do?" Dev looked up out of the water as Shayin caught it’s attention.

"I see your point. Okay, just be sure she, it, keeps up with me." Shayin nodded to Kira and looked out over the lake. The smallest of the yellow amphibians drove toward shore, charging up on the beach and following Kira into the woods at a trot.

Several of the children became concerned at the sudden commotion, and the three remaining adults were kept busy with them for the next fifteen minutes. Then the unmistakable sounds of the runabout’s engines were heard overhead.

"What’s wrong, Mommy?" Molly asked. "It’s okay, sweetheart," Keiko said.

Kira came back ten minutes later, Dev on her heels, both breathing hard. Dev slid into the water, and Kira motioned for everyone to gather around her at the edge of the water.

"We have a problem. Someone stole our communicators, our tricorders and the runabout. We’re going to be stranded here until the duty officer in Ops realizes that we’re missing. That won’t be until after 2200 tonight, well after it gets dark. We’d better plan on camping here overnight, just in case it takes them a while to find us."

"If we stay here late, do I still have to go to school tomorrow?" one of the human children asked.

"No, probably not," Keiko answered. "Can we go for help?"

Kira shook her head. "The nearest settlement is too far away to reach before nightfall with all these kids. And I’d rather not split us up, in case there are any other people around."

"Exactly how," Shayin said, "did a couple of kids steal a Starfleet runabout?"

Kira laughed grimly. "Starfleet isn’t nearly as suspicious as the Cardassians, and the underground still managed to steal their small ships from time to time. I’m willing to bet one or both of those people we scanned earlier decided that his talents as a hijacker were being wasted, now that the war is over. Standard procedure was to incapacitate the crew or the guards before trying to steal a ship, which is pretty much what’s been done to us."

"So what should we do?" Jake asked.

Dax shrugged. "It’s too early to eat dinner. I’m going to go back to swimming."

**********

Sisko’s communicator chimed. "Music off," he ordered the computer, which had been playing a jazz selection that had always been a favorite of his father’s. "Sisko here; go ahead."

"Yes, sir. This is Ops. The Orinoco is fifteen minutes overdue."

"Did you try to raise Major Kira?"

"Yes, sir. No response from the runabout. I called Bajoran Orbital Control, but their computers crashed two hours ago and they lost all their data for the last few days. They’re having a really bad storm in the capitol city."

"Notify Chief O’Brien and Dr. Bashir to meet me in Ops in five minutes. Sisko out."

"Yes, sir. Ops out."

Sisko met Bashir in the turbolift. O’Brien was already at the center station when they entered Ops. "Calls are already coming in from the other parents, sir."

"Ensign Rou, notify all of the parents and guardians that the Orinoco is overdue. Tell them we are investigating and that they should remain in their quarters so that we can contact them when we have more information."

"Yes, sir," the ensign responded. "Message coming in from the Bajoran Security Ministry, sir."

"On screen," Sisko ordered.

"Commander Sisko, a pleasure to see you again," the Bajoran official said.

"General, I hope that you have some news for us."

"Indeed we do, Commander. Are you missing a runabout, by any chance?"

"Yes, sir. I take it that you have located it."

A nod. "Yes. It set down on a farm some thirty kilometers from the capitol about half an hour ago. Two of my men are there now. The lock had been forced and there was no-one on board."

"Any other signs of violence?"

The General shook his head. "No, Commander. There were two communicators, two tricorders, and a Starfleet uniform."

Julian looked up in alarm at that last. "Jadzia," he whispered.

"The ship’s flight logs?" asked Sisko.

"Erased, I’m afraid. I understand that the runabout’s flight plan with Bajoran Orbital Control was also lost due to tonight’s power outages. The storms these last few weeks have been the worst in twenty years. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yes, sir. If you could post a guard on the Orinoco until I can send someone to retrieve it."

"As long as they can wait inside, out of the storm."

Sisko broke into a grin despite his mood. "Certainly, sir."

"Good luck finding your people, Commander. I’ll let you know if I hear anything. Please let us know when you get in touch with them."

"We will, General. DS9 out." Sisko turned to face O’Brien and Bashir. "All right. Where do we go from here?"

"If we were to scan the entire planet looking for them, sir, it would take approximately twenty-four hours. Given the fact that they would have set down on the daylight side of the planet at around 1400, and at a location with good weather, we can narrow that down to an area that would take about ten hours to search. If we could pick up the trail of the Orinoco in the atmosphere, and work back from that bearing, we could probably find them within a couple of hours. But that’s unlikely with the storm system over the Southern Hemisphere."

"What we need is something we can detect from a greater distance to differentiate our people from the native Bajoran population than just lifesigns," Julian said.

"Like what?" O’Brien asked.

Julian frowned, frustrated. "No communicators, no tricorders…what about Shayin’s damper? I don’t think any of the children were wearing one, but she was."

"We tried that last time.† There isn’t anything in its composition that would allow us to detect it at long-range. And it doesn’t give off enough of an EM signal to make a difference."

"No," Julian agreed, "but what if we could find an RF wavelength at which it resonated?"

O’Brien’s eyes lit up. "Send out a pulse that makes it light up on the sensors? That might do it, Julian."

"How strong of a pulse could you use without injuring Shayin?" Sisko asked.

"Good question, Commander. We’d have to do some tests on a damper with one of the other Adjani."

Sisko nodded. "Chief, you get any equipment you think you’ll need for your testing and prep the Mississippi. It’s going to take you a couple of hours to get to Bajor, so you may as well do your tests on the way there. Doctor Bashir and I will talk to the crew of the Morai."

"Aye, sir." O’Brien walked over to one of his Bajoran assistants. "Come on, I could use a hand."

"Ensign," Sisko said, getting Ensign Rou’s attention.

"Yes, sir?"

"Effective immediately, all Starfleet vessels traveling within the Bajoran system are to file flight plans with Deep Space Nine as well as Bajoran Orbital Control."

"Yes, sir. I’ll log that order for all hands."

**********

When Sisko and Bashir cycled through the station airlock, the airlock on the Morai was already open. Sisko greeted the two Adjani standing in the doorway. "Captain Loujad, Ms. Loujad, may we come aboard?"

"Of course, Commander Sisko, Doctor. Your ensign notified us that you were coming. How can we help?"

Julian explained their plan as they walked down the corridor into the Morai, adding, "We need to have the assistance of one of your people so we can determine how much power we can use without injuring Shayin." Zhin turned and looked at Julian over her shoulder, staring at him for several seconds as they walked before turning away.

They entered the large meeting room in the center of the Morai. Valetskil walked past Julian to stand by his parents, pausing purposely for a moment to glare at the doctor.

Mal and Zhin looked at one another, and at the small crowd of people in the room. The group seemed to be discussing the situation, telepathically, amongst themselves. Finally a decision was reached.

"Valetskil will go with you," Zhin, his mother, proclaimed. This was obviously news to the young Adjani, who started to protest. "Teshre!" she said, cutting him off.

"I will go with you," Valetskil said, radiating displeasure. Julian was no happier about the choice, but tried not to show it.

"Thank you," said Sisko. "We will let all of you know as soon as we have any news."

The three of them left the Morai, boarding a turbolift. "Runabout pad A," Sisko ordered. Turning to their reluctant companion, he said, "We appreciate your help, Valetskil."

"I want to get the children back," he said.

"So do we." The rest of the ride was spent in silence. All three of them entered the airlock for the landing pad, but Sisko stopped at the door of the runabout.

"I’m going to get back to Ops, Doctor. Keep me apprised of your progress."

"Yes, sir." He and Valetskil boarded the ship.

O’Brien was in the pilot’s chair. "We’re almost ready to depart, sir."

"Very good, Chief," Bashir said with a nod. "Please have a seat, Mr. Loujad. We’ll start work once the runabout’s cleared the station." Julian looked at O’Brien’s grim expression. "I’m sure Keiko and Molly are okay, Chief."

"I hope to God you’re right, sir." He powered up the engines and opened a channel to the station. "Mississippi requesting permission to depart."

"Permission granted," came Sisko’s voice over the comm. They lifted off and headed for Bajor.

A few minutes later, O’Brien said to Bashir, "Dr. Bashir, I’m going to try to raise Bajoran Orbital Control. Why don’t you take Mr. Loujad back to the galley, where I stored my gear, and get started?"

"Of course, Chief," Julian replied. He got out of his chair and walked over to Valetskil, reaching out to indicate that the Adjani should precede him down the corridor.

"Don’t touch me," Valetskil snapped, growling.

"Now, look," Julian replied, his own patience growing thin, and his voice rising. "I don’t know what sort of difficulty you have with my relationship with Shayin, and I don’t care. Chief O’Brien’s wife and child, the Adjani children, the station children, and my friends are all stranded out in the wilderness, without weapons or any means of communication. They’re trapped in the cold, in the dark, alone. We don’t even know if anyone was injured when the runabout was stolen. So I’m not interested in dealing with your personal problems right now. Are you going to cooperate with us or not?"

Valetskil stood slowly, eyeing Julian up and down. <You have more courage than sense,> he sent at Bashir. Still, he seemed to calm down a bit and went where Julian indicated.

O’Brien double-checked their course before turning the ship over to the auotpilot. He tried not to think about the dire description Julian had given to Valetskil of the conditions that the people on the surface were enduring, but the thought of Keiko and Molly alone, afraid, and in the dark was maddening.

**********

"Doesn’t anyone want this last fish?" Kira said, holding it out at the end of her stick. Dev, the youngest of the Rhik, raised his head off of the sand and hissed softly.

"That’s only fair, Dev, since you caught most of them for us." She pulled the fish off of the stick she had used to hold it over the fire, stood up and tossed it underhand to the amphibian. There was a loud snap of long white teeth, and a satisfied grunt.

"What did you say these were called, Keiko?" asked Shayin, holding up a gray tuber.

"Mullum roots. They aren’t digestible raw, but cooked they’re pretty nutritious. Mullum is a perennial member of the atang family, which is unusual because most of them are annuals."

Shayin nodded and used her knife to scrape the ashes and outer skin off of her piece. Wiping her knife off on her trousers, she sliced a bite-sized portion off and popped it into her mouth. "It’s good," she said after a moment.

"I’d almost forgotten what fresh mullum tastes like. I don’t think I’ve eaten anything but replicated, reconstituted or frozen for the last six or eight years," said Kira, who was scanning sky in the general direction of the station "And harvesting them kept the kids busy, too."

"See anybody yet?" Dax asked.

Kira laughed. "They should be figuring out we aren’t coming home right about now. Tracing from the route we gave Orbital Control, they should find us in another three, maybe four hours."

"Less than that, if those kids abandon the Orinoco and someone checks the flight log."

"I don’t think that would help, Jadzia. Standard practice is to wipe the computer memory if you have to abandon a vessel. Let’s be pessimistic and count on being here all night. Shayin and I will take the first watch. Dax, you and Keiko can take the second. That way we’ll have one officer per watch."

"I can help," said Jake.

"Okay, Jake. You can take the second watch with Dax and Mrs. O’Brien."

"What are we watching?" Shayin stood up and followed Kira as she walked along the edge of the woods. The four Rhik were arranged in a loose semi-circle around the humanoids, between them and the lake. The humanoids were clustered around a central fire, each person with a thin, but tough, emergency blanket.

"I don’t expect to watch anything except the stars and the moons, but as we’ve been rudely reminded once already, Bajor is still not a safe place to be. ‘Watch’ is just a term for standing guard, or for a work shift."

"Ah." Shayin thought for a moment, then changed the subject. "That story you told before dinner, of the orb and the holiday? It was very beautiful."

"Thanks," Kira grunted, without enthusiasm, cutting off further discussion.

"Kira," Shayin said after a few minutes of walking back and forth, "you’ve been very distant toward me today. How have I upset you?"

"It isn’t you, Shayin. I just, well, I don’t approve of casual sex. The Prophets teach that the body is a shrine, that sexual intimacy is only to be shared within a bond of trust and love."

"Our clerics teach the same lessons, Kira. What do you think I’m doing with Julian?"

"I really don’t want to know."

Humor. "That isn’t what I meant. Perhaps I haven’t known Julian very long by your standards, but I would not have been intimate with him if I didn’t love him. I’m rather insulted that you think I would share myself with someone I care nothing about."

"It isn’t really any of my business what you do." Kira stopped and changed direction.

Shayin stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "If that were true, you wouldn’t have been upset."

Kira shrugged. "Maybe you’re right."

Shayin stepped aside. "Of course I’m right." Her antennae fluttered. "But I am very flattered that you cared enough about me to be upset. Thank you."

Kira relaxed and smiled that devastatingly charming smile of hers. "You’re welcome." The two of them walked back over to where Keiko and Dax were talking. Jadzia was laughing, but trying her best not to laugh so loudly that she woke any of the sleeping children.

"Uh, oh. What did we miss?" Kira asked.

Jadzia shook her head, unable to talk. Keiko said, "I was just telling Jadzia about something Julian said to Miles a couple of months ago."

"Go on."

"He and Miles had been invited to a celebratory dinner that they didn’t get to attend. Julian told Miles that he didn’t think Miles would have enjoyed it anyway. For Julian, it would have been an adventure, but Miles is married. The most he could have looked forward to would have been a good meal."

"You can’t possibly be serious," Kira deadpanned. Jake sputtered, wrapped up in his blanket.

"I see his point," Shayin said, "but how incredibly tactless." Jadzia had rolled over on her side and was shaking with muffled laughter. Shayin’s comment set her off on another round of giggling as Kira shook her head.

**********

Julian checked his tricorder as O’Brien made another small adjustment on the makeshift transmitter. "No difference, Chief. I think that last setting is optimum."

"Good. Now we can start on the tests with Valetskil."

Bashir picked up the damper from the table and walked over to the dark-skinned Adjani. Valetskil was emanating distrust and irritation, directed solely at Julian. When the doctor offered the damper to him, Valetskil made a point of not touching the human’s hands while he accepted it, then put it on. He concentrated harder, actually causing Bashir some physical discomfort.

"I wish you wouldn’t do that," Julian said.

Valetskil growled deep in his throat and reached out and grabbed Julian by the shoulders. "I don’t care what you want, you brain-blind arrogant nobody."

O’Brien looked up at the commotion. "Hey! Let him go!"

Valetskil’s expression changed suddenly and he froze. Julian was also frozen, awash in a sea of strong, alien thoughts and emotions. It was very different from what he had experienced with Shayin. She was much more controlled about what she sent. Valetskil’s emanations by contrast were raw, jarring, even violent. Julian tried to pull away, physically and psychically, but could not.

But the sudden contact with Bashir had had a similar affect on Valetskil, unnerving him. His mood went from anger to surprise, then to curiosity. O’Brien stepped right up to where the two of them were locked together. "I said let Dr. Bashir go, Valetskil."

The Adjani snapped out of his reverie suddenly, releasing his grip on Bashir. "Don’t be foolish," he said to O’Brien, sounding more confident than he felt. "I could snap your neck in an instant." He stepped away from Bashir and O’Brien in a daze, antennae hidden in his hair.

"I wouldn’t take any bets on that. What’s gotten into you?"

Valetskil turned his head, refusing to answer. He spoke to Bashir. "You are worried about Shayin, and your friend, the other woman, the strange one."

"Jadzia. Yes," Bashir answered.

"I don’t like what Shayin did with you. I think it’s disgusting. But I had no idea your species was capable of feelings so much like our own."

Bashir rubbed his arm where Valetskil had grabbed him. "What did you expect?"

"I’m not certain," Valetskil replied with a twist of his head. "We may begin."

**********

"What time is it?" Shayin asked as Kira approached the woods at the edge of the firelight.

Kira looked up at the stars. "It’s well after midnight. Almost 0200."

"You thought they would be here by now."

"Yes. Something’s wrong. Our flight plan should have lead a rescue mission to this area already. Don’t alarm the others."

"I will not. Do you have a guess as to what might be wrong?"

Kira shook her head in fatigue. "Not really. The infrastructure of Bajoran technology is so fragile. It could be a communications failure, a power failure, almost anything. Or maybe there was a problem on the station and they weren’t able to send out another runabout immediately. We need to think about the possibility that we may have to be here for a few days. If they don’t show up by morning I’m going to head for the nearest settlement, off to the east." Kira paused at a sound from the woods. Something rustled in the trees.

Shayin’s antennae went up in alarm. <What?>

Kira grinned. "Calm down. It’s just some sort of small animal. There. See?"

Shayin strained, squinting. "See what?"

"The bird, in that evergreen tree on your left,