Odo was arranging the furniture to the millimetre. "One raktajino, extra hot, two measures of kava. Time?"

"Oh seven fifty nine hours." the female computer voice told.

The Changeling placed the mug precisely, with the handle towards the chair. Then, he waited a few moments.

After those moments, Kira entered.

"Good morning." She greeted him.

The security chief gave her a nod, acknowledging her presence. "Major."

Nerys sat down and took a sip of the drink. "So. How many have we got?"

"Sixteen items."

The Major rolled her head. "The station's criminal element has been busy this week."

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Three petty thefts, two incidents of disorderly conduct, one assault." Odo told, handing her a PADD.

Kira pulled a difficult face. "Ijarna's wife hit him again? Why does he stay with her?"

"Skip to item twelve."

The redhead frowned. "Public lewdness."

"The same night Ijarna reported the assault, I found him and his wife behind the information kiosk on the second level." as he said the last part of the sentence, he made a gesture.

The Bajoran skipped through to the other items on the list. "That answers my question. What about item seven?"

"One of my deputies caught Ojuy Gel scrawling political graffiti on a wall in section four."

Kira rolled her eyes. "He's always riled up about something, isn't he? What is it this time?"

"He was protesting First Minister Shakaar's upcoming visit to the station."

"He's been handing out leaflets saying Shakaar should drop the petition to join the Federation." the redhead mentioned.

"Leaflets are one thing, vandalism is quite another. Ojuy spent a night in a holding cell for his trouble, and I understand the Arbiter has sentenced him to three weeks community service on sanitation duty."

Nerys laughed. "Just make sure he scrubs that wall clean."

"Right."

*//*

The senior officers had gathered at the airlock dressed in their dress uniforms to greet the First Minister.

"I don't see why Captain Sisko insists on having me here. I'm not a senior officer." the Chief Engineer complained to the Doctor.

Bashir just smiled. "Maybe he just wanted to see you in your dress uniform. It does show off your figure."

"Why, thank you."

Just that moment, Dax arrived.

"Good of you to make it, old man." the Captain greeted the Trill woman. "Shakaar's transport just docked."

Jadzia sighed. "Sorry. There were so many people on the Promenade it was hard to get through."

"I hope Shakaar's gotten better at speaking in front of groups. He used to mumble his way through mission briefings. Everyone in our resistance cell had to learn to lip read."

Just after the Bajoran was done speaking, the airlock opened up.

"Welcome to Deep Space Nine, Minister." Sisko greeted.

"Thank you, Captain. I've been looking forward to visiting the station and meeting the Emissary." the Minister said with a genuine smile.

Benjamin mentioned to the people with him. "This is part of my senior staff. Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax, Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien, Doctor Bashir, and, of course you know Major Kira."

"Nerys." he said.

Kira nodded at him. "Good to see you again, Edon."

"Well, I guess I should introduce my senior staff. There he is."

The other Bajoran bowed lightly. "Sarish Rez, the First Minister's adjutant."

"A pleasure. Come this way. There's quite a crowd waiting for you on the Promenade."

"Can't wait." Shakaar said as they moved down the corridor.

The Trill looked at her fellow woman. "Why didn't you tell me?"

The redhaired woman frowned. "What?"

"He's so good looking."

*//*

There certainly wass a crowd around the airlock entrance on the Promenade.

"The guards will escort you to the podium whenever you're ready." Sisko said.

The adjutant stepped in that moment. "Don't forget to mention the transit subsidies you just allocated. Tell them they can expect the price of transport to Bajor to start dropping within a few months. And remember, enunciate."

The First Minister nodded. "Let's go."

Then, the comm went off. "Odo to Captain Sisko."

"Go ahead, Constable."

"I've just received a disturbing communication. I have reason to believe someone is planning to assassinate First Minister Shakaar."

*//*

The disturbing news was only distributed among the senior officers.

"As far as I'm concerned we should've gotten the First Minister off that podium as soon as we received the information." the Chief of Security said.

"If Shakaar cancelled his public appearances every time someone threatened his life, he would never leave his office." Sarish disagreed.

The Changeling looked offended. "We're not talking about some disgruntled shopkeeper who writes a letter threatening Shakaar for raising taxes, we're talking about a Cardassian extremist group that's already succeeded in assassinating two Bajoran officials."

"I know all about the True Way and what they're capable of."

"My sources in the Cardassian Civilian Government believe the True Way already has an operative in place aboard the station. I suggest you cancel the First Minister's conference and reschedule it at another location.

"Absolutely not. Nothing is going to keep Shakaar from meeting those delegates tomorrow. Bajor's effort to join the Federation hinges on what happens over the next few days."

"Shouldn't the decision be up to the First Minister?" the Captain asked.

"It will be. But I already know what he's going to say."

Sisko thought for a moment. "I suppose if I were in his position I'd do the same. Constable, I want station security stepped up for the duration of Shakaar's visit."

Odo nodded. "The First Minister will have round-the-clock protection. I'd like to deploy Starfleet security personnel in addition to my own deputies."

"Of course. Just ask Mister Worf.

*//*

"I've cleared the rooms above, below and to both sides of the First Minister's quarters." the head of station security told as he met up with Commander Worf in his office.

"I would recommend clearing that entire section of the Habitat Ring."

Odo shook his head. "I'm afraid that isn't feasible. There are over twelve hundred people living there."

The Klingon grumbled. "Providing security was difficult enough aboard the Enterprise. It appears to be next to impossible on this station."

The light orange skinned man sighed. "It isn't easy."

"I prefer a more orderly environment."

"We have that in common. My people have an innate need for order."

"How do you tolerate living here?"

The alien sighed as he laid down the PADDA. "I make order where I can. For one thing, I have a daily routine which I follow unwaveringly. Shopkeepers on the Promenade joke that they can set their clocks by me."

"Unfortunately, I have found it difficult to establish a routine here. And with this child coming... it will even be more a mess."

"I can only imagine that." the Changeling commented. "How does it feel to become a father?"

"I find it more difficult than I ever found a crazy situation on the Enterprise." Worf said with honesty. "Soval is anticipating the birth soon."

"I saw him drop in at Sickbay a few days ago. He looked ready to give birth then and there."

"Admiral Kirk told me it had something to do with further brain development, that is why the pregnancy is taking so long."

*//*

Shakaar came out of his assigned quarters, Sarish right behind him.

"You must be Odo." he said.

The Changeling acknowledged him with a nod. "First Minister."

"I was hoping I'd get to meet you. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances. We're ready to go."

Odo looked on his watch. "Yet the reception doesn't start for another-"

The First Minister held up his hand. "I know. I want to stop by the Promenade and visit the Temple first."

The security deputy sighed. "Why wasn't I told about this?"

"I didn't know myself until a moment ago. Why? Is there a problem?"

"I would have posted extra security on the Promenade."

Th taller man smiled. "We'll just slip in, I'll stay for a few minutes, and then we'll slip out."

"With all due respect, sir, now that you're First Minister you can't slip in or out of bed without people noticing."

"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stay in bed all day."

Thus, the alien commed Worf. "Odo to Worf. There's been a change of plans."

*//*

The First Minister was greeted with a lot of noise once they recognized him and all wanted a handshake.

"Worf to Odo. We have secured the Temple."

"I'll try to get him inside as soon as I can." Odo said, searching for a way to get through the crowd.

Shakaar himself was busy with greeting as much people as he could, as he didn't have much of a chance to speak to his people. Though he saw many faces, most of them indistinguishable, he found a few he would remember afterwards.

Further on the Prominade, he saw a Bajoran woman dressed in non-Bajoran clothes that distinguished her from all the others. She looked like a golden haired porcelain doll in the big dark yellow dress she wore. The woman was petting the cheeks of a young man that had some of her features, probably her son.

The young man was quite handsome, Edon did recognize that. The kid had enrolled in Starfleet, as he wore a Starfleet Command uniform. The only thing that puzzled him was why the youngster's belly was so swollen.

Well, that was a question to answer later. And he entered the Temple.

*//*

The grey haired man saw Nerys at the reception. First she'd been talking to his adjuntant, and when he left she made her way to the man with the swollen belly.

"I suppose it won't be long now." the Major said, pointing at the stomach.

"Doctor Bashir says it will be here within two weeks." the young man told, struggling to sit down on one of the chairs.

The former Resistance fighter helped him sit. "You shouldn't have come."

At that, the Command officer snorted. "And lay down on my bed like a helpless toddler? You seem to forget that I'm as fierce as a le'matya and as stubborn as a Klingon."

The Bajoran woman laughed at the comment, seemingly understanding what he meant with the first thing. "Yeah, you really look like a cat."

The unknown Bajoran shot her a look.

Then, the man he recognized as the Fleet Admiral approached the two of them. "Major Kira, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing great Admiral." Nerys replied.

"Please, just call me Christian. You lot have become family to my children, I believe I can regard you as my own children."

"Sure, but you call me Nerys."

"I will endavour to do my best, Nerys." and the Vulcan-looking male looked upon the blonde haired Bajoran. "Hello, my son."

The First Minister just got the shock of his life. That boy was the Fleet Admiral's son? 'By the Prophets!'

"Any idea on how the baby will look like?" Kira then asked.

'Baby? Could that be the reason the man's belly was that swollen?'

The Admiral almost immediately replied her question. "Considering the genetics, we can expect a somewhat more human looking Klingon then special emissary K'Ehleyr."

"Worf's gonna be so whappy with that." the Major said with a large smile.

The apparently half-Bajoran laughed.

"Your wheelchair is just outside the doors. Zophar got it ready for you to use."

Nerys leaned towards the sitting man. "I'll get it right away. Do you wish to go somewhere?"

"Observation Deck would be nice for once."

*//*

The Observation Deck on Deep Space Nine was located two layers beneath the Promenade and looked out over Bajor's northern continent and a vast amount of space.

"You really have something about stars." Kira commented as she stopped before the enormous window.

"My entire family has had an affinity for the stars. There is no place on land that they would call home. Only their ships were ever their homes. The stars call out to us, ever since we have been children." Soval said it with a smile on his face, something rarely seen when he was on duty since he kept his emotions quite in check. "The first time I heard their call, I was standing with my father on our roof garden of our vacation house in West Virginia. It was summer, all the plants were growing and four blaziers were lit up to shine light on the game we were playing. Then, I looked up to see a falling star... and my heart was caught."

The Major was smiling as well. "You've had quite a few nice dreams from the time you were a kid. Life must've felt perfect."

"It wasn't perfect, as nothing is perfect. But yes, we've had moments that it did feel that way to us." and the pregnant man looked to the planet. "From up here, Bajor looks like Earth. All oceans, the green landmass... reminds me of it."

"Maybe, I'll see San Francisco. You can show me that garden roof you just told me about."

"Yeah, one day."

*//*

"Nerys." The First Minister spoke once he saw her again the next day.

Kira turned around. "Oh, Edon. Do you need anything?"

"Well, I would like to know who the guy is who's going to have a baby."

"Oh, you'd mean Soval. His mom's a Bajoran, his father was here during the occupation and initiated the resistance cell you later on led."

That surprised the older Bajoran even more. "Really? So he's Luma Shikahr's son?"

The redhead nodded. "I was surprised too. I knew as soon as Madam Ro revealed her portrait she made of the man."

"Are you busy at the moment?" Edon asked.

"Not really."

"I was wondering if you could give me a tour around the station."

"Of course, just let me inform Captain Sisko that I won't be on duty."

*//*

"The upper pylons have the best view of the wormhole." the Major said

"I've never seen it, actually." Shakaar said as he looked up into the space.

Kira crossed her arms"Why don't we stay a few minutes. May a ship will go through. You can see it open."

"You're the First Officer, can't you order a ship through?"

She let her head hang sideways. "Well, you're the First Minister, you should be able to order a whole fleet through."

He suddenly remembered something. "The other day I heard someone say that if you happen to see the wormhole open, you get to make a wish."

The woman nodded. "That's been going around the station for a while now."

Just then, the wormhole opened wide.

Nerys pointed at it. "Look. Did you make a wish?"

"Yes." and he leaned in to kiss her, but she pushed him away.

"I can't." she said. "Not while I know I belong with someone else."

*//*

The silence in the turbolift was a stinking mess.

Though Odo hadn't seen the scene, as he had been waiting around the corner, he knew something had transpired.

Suddenly, the lift stopped mid-level.

"Worf to Odo, a turbolift is stuck on level forty one. We're going to have to re-route you." said Worf's voice through the comlink.

"Kira, I'm sorry." the Minister said, sadness apparent in his tone.

The woman held up her hand. "It doesn't matter."

"I'd congratulate you on finding him

"Verify your security code and I'll release the controls to you." the Changeling replied as he put his code in.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang.

"We're falling! Kira to Worf." No reply on the other side. "Someone cut our comlinks.

"Controls aren't responding." the chief of security said before morphing his arms into steel piledrivers which pushed out the turbolift sides so it started to rub against the side of the shaft and eventually came to a halt.

Shakaarwas quite shaken. "Well, I guess this means my tour is over."    

*//*

Sisko leaned over his desk. "You're telling me someone overrode the station's comm. system, faked Worf's voice, and then sent one of our turbolifts into a free fall?"

Odo nodded. "I'm afraid so, sir. Apparently they tapped into the comm. system with a voice synthesizer."

The Captain then looked out of the window. "What I want to know is how they got Worf's security code."

"The code did look authentic enough to me. I'll ask him if that was his code or not."

*//*

"It is a Starfleet security code, but it is not Worf's." Soval said, as he looked at the code that was being displayed on the PADD.

"And how do you know?" Saresh asked, eyeing the man suspiciously.

"I am his husband." the half-Bajoran replied. "He trusts me with his codes."

The adjuntant's glare was only hardening. "Do you have anything against the minister?"

Sisko stood up. "Adjuntant, Lieutenant Kirk is a respected member of Starfleet and a fourth generation of his family to serve."

"You do not need to defend me." the Lieutenant said. "And since it is a valid question, I shall answer it."

The grey haired man looked pleased.

The part Vulcan sat back in his wheelchair. "I have nothing against the Minister, why should I? I have never met him until now and any Cardassians I have contact with do not support this movement called the True Way."

The Captain looked pleased enough. "Worf, Odo, any leads?"

"It appears that they accessed the turbolift control system through the ODN relays." the Klingon replied. "There might be a trace of the access signal left in the relays. If we can isolate it, we might be able to follow it back to the source."

"Good. Do what you have to do."

*//*

"I hope you still want to see me, after that mistake." Shakaar said, still apologizing. "I didn't know, I should've asked first."

"It doesn't matter." the Major said. "I must say, I was quite surprised when the Prophets showed me everything of a traditional Bajoran wedding."

The Minister smiled. "I hope they treat you well."

"I'm almost sure they will."

*//*

By the end of the day an alien had been arrested.

"Take him to a holding cell." Worf commanded.

"Is that him?" the Adjuntant asked.

The Changeling nodded. "He was indeed responsible for the attack on First Minister Shakaar. He has admitted to being a True Way operative. They provided him with an isolinear interface to access station systems. He was attempting to use it to depressurise Shakaar's quarters by sabotaging the environmental controls.When he tried to access them, Worf traced the signal path back to him. He was operating out of an abandoned cargo hold on level thirty one. "

"I see." Savesh said. "Why didn't you call me before you made the arrest?"

"We didn't want to worry you, and we had to step in on time."

*//*

Quark's wasn't busy at this time, since it was around lunch.

"I am satisfied to hear that the Council gave you more time before you actually join the Federation." Soval said.

"Bajor needs a bit more time to adjust to the upcoming situations. How did you mother ever settle in a world so unknown to her?" Shakaar asked.

Sayal replied to this. "Well, she was initially there to write about our father's life. She later began to feel more at peace in San Francisco, most possibly because she already had some period to review her new situation."

"Bajor will need that too."

"Understandable."

Just that moment, someone new entered the bar.

No one would make a notice of him, weren't he having the looks of a Cardassian.

All Bajorans in the bar gave the man a glare as he made his way to the group of Starfleet officers, he himself was a Starfleet Engineer.

"Chief, Engineering report of Stardate 48957.7." he said, handing over a PADD to the Senior Chief Petty Officer.

O'Brien skipped through the report. "Once again, very thourough. If you go on like this, you'll most likely replace me!"

"Though that is not my intention, I believe I would like a position as Chief of Operations one day." the man said. "I will leave you to your drinks."

"He's Cardassian." Shakaar stated, after the guy had left. "In Starfleet."

Kira sighed. "He's not bad once you get to know him. He's often with us up there in Ops to fix our stations when they don't work. His mother hacked into the Cardassian Database once, passed her skills on to him."

"How can you guys trust him?"

Soval hang his head sideways, glaring at the Minister. "The Federation does not tolerate narrow-minded assholes, just to warn you there."

"Are you accusing me?!"

The Lieutenant huffed. "Of course I am."

No one dared to interfere, not even the crowd around them.

"To point it out to you, the people of Aurora-Penthe Seven are citizens of the Federation, as are their Cardassian spouses and part-Cardassian children. They have the same rights as any other citizen to enter the ranks of our organizations. And if you cannot see that they are not your enemy, the Council will turn your request down. Have a nice day, Minister."

But before he could roll away in the wheelchair, the man felt a heavy pain in his abdomen.

"Soval! Are you alright?" Nerys leaed over his shoulder, then seeing the large wet spot. She quickly turned around. "Doctors! He's in labor!"

"Prepare the Sickbay and lock it once we're inside!" Bashir yelled as he and Sayal hastily ran towards the exit, following the Major who pushed the pregnant man to the rooms.

"I'll go inform Captain Sisko and Worf." Jadzia then said.

"And I'll get the family down." Miles nodded and ran to the Promenade. "Chief O'Brien to Admiral Kirk."

"Go ahead." Came the deep voice.

"Your son's just gone into labor, thought you wanted to know."

There was a small second of silence. "I am on my way."

**////**

TBC