The Last Temptation of Odo – Epilogue
By
Creek Johnson and Nance Hurt
Disclaimer: We are but fleas on the elephants' posterior that is Paramount.
No infringement on their rights is intended. We hope none is taken.
The Promenade was crowded with revelers. Kira stood in front of the Temple and held aloft the ceremonial flasks.
"Tersa Peldor impatri bren," she announced. "Bentel vetan ullou sten."
As she poured the oils, a stream of burning fluid poured down the spout into the brazier below setting the contents alight. The crowd erupted into applause.
"And now, I give the honor of placing the first Renewal Scroll to our special guest this evening, Tesla Freedom, the first child to be born on Bajor after the Occupation."
Kira stepped back to allow the somewhat awkward ten year old girl access. Amid applause, she tossed her scroll into the fire. "And now," announced Tesla in a voice that cracked with nervousness. "As the scroll burns, may all our troubles turn to ashes with them."
From his vantage point of the second floor, Odo's eyes never left the object of his affection. He watched as she surveyed the crowd, bestowing smiles to some, nodding in acknowledgement to others. Noting her reaction as she caught sight of Julian and Vivian in the crowd, he found himself giving in to an unworthy impulse. As he watched her eyes eagerly scanning the crowd on the upper level for sight of him, he took a step back and disappeared from view.
Kira dejectedly wandered down the all but deserted corridor, her Renewal scroll hanging limply in her hand, her hopes dashed. Ever since they had received the message from the Vulcan science vessel she had lived in anticipation of this day, of being once more in the shelter of his arms, only it appeared she was once again destined to live with disappointment. She wondered idly what she had ever done to the Prophets to make them determined to keep her from attaining any sort of balance where her heart was concerned. Approaching a brazier, she contemplated the scroll and with a shake of her head started to toss it in.
"You might want to reconsider," said a voice nearby -a voice that caused a slight thrill to run through her body.
"Constable?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Colonel," he replied stepping out of the shadows beyond the brazier. To her heart sore eyes, he looked different somehow. Tired yes, but some how, more in command of himself. They stared at each other in silence, the fire flickering between them.
"The Vulcans said that only three of you were returning," she stammered. "Since you didn't send a message, I assumed you had decided to stay."
"Quark stayed behind," replied Odo. "Julian introduced him to some of the local wine merchants, last time I saw him, he was knee deep in negotiations."
"Oh." She bit her lip and stared into the fire for a moment deep in thought. Sweet Prophets, thought Odo, she is lovely.
"Odo," she said suddenly and meeting his gaze for an instant stopped and lowered her eyes again. "If I ever did anything…if I somehow wasn't…if I let you down…"
"I'm a fool," he announced cutting her off. "And I never have deserved you."
Relief washed over her as her eyes scanned his face. All the anger, fear, bewilderment and frustration that had marked his features since his return to the station were gone to be replaced by eyes that only gazed upon her with tenderness. "I don't think either of us should talk about what we do or do not deserve," she replied, suddenly feeling shy.
"No," he agreed. "I suppose not."
"But Odo," she continued, not looking at him. She was determined to clear the air between them, despite her overwhelming joy at his return and the apparent change in his mental state. "You've been so unhappy for so long, and while you were away things have occurred that will most likely just add to that misery, I can't help but feel…"
"Nerys," he said softly interrupting her. "Just hear me out, please."
She nodded in agreement.
"All my life," explained Odo. "I've only truly believed in three things: Justice, you, and that one day I would return to my people. The order of importance of the three changed as I changed. Then over night everything was turned upside down. The people I thought were mine weren't. No matter how hard I sought it, there was no justice to be found as far as what the Dominion did to me or to the Alpha Quadrant. And that left only you."
"I see," she said softly.
"No, I don't think you do," he continued. "The thought of there only being you, terrified me."
"Odo," she said taking a step around the brazier toward him.
"No," he pleaded taking a step in the opposite direction, determined to keep some distance. "What I suffered I can only describe as a crisis of faith."
"You?"
"Yes. I knew what I believed. I knew you loved me, but I also knew the fear and anger that had built up inside of me could destroy us both. I was terrified not that you would leave me, or that someday you would die, but that some dark day I would destroy us both. Not physically, I could never do that, but emotionally. That one day, we would look at each other through a veil of anger and resentment and it would be my doing."
"And what's changed?" she asked, knowing that she had left the same fear lingering in the back of her mind.
"I did," he replied with a slight smile. "I have come to accept that as long as I recognize the possibility it can happen, only then, can I can prevent it from happening."
"I see," she replied. "Must have been some trip then?"
"It was."
They smiled at each other across the flames.
"I almost forgot," said Odo eventually. "I brought you this as a souvenir." He extended his hand and in it she saw a small green stone strung on a length of leather. In the light of the fire, the stone glowed as green as artic ice. As she watched a small shower of golden sparks swirled above the stone.
"Odo," she breathed almost afraid to touch it. "It's the most beautiful thing I've seen."
"Thank you," he replied and for a moment she could have sworn he blushed.
"It's incredible. What is it?"
"It's supposed to be my soul," he replied softly. "Not that I believe I possess one, but if I did, it would be yours."
As she reached out to take his hand, he heard her quick inhalation of breath as a wave of pure and perfect love washed over her.