He was relieved when they picked up the Jem’Hadar ship as soon as they came within sensor range of the rendezvous point. Relief had been short lived though when their hail had not been acknowledged. They waited in anticipation. Speculation was pointless and inevitable. What if it was the wrong ship? What if Gus and their prize were now blown to bits and this ship was full of Jem’Hadar looking for the rest of them.

"Should I try again?" asked Judy, her voice somewhat subdued.

Jack nodded in reply, his eyes never leaving the view screen.

"Hail acknowledged," said Judy. "Incoming transmission. It’s Gus."

The crew breathed a sigh of relief. "Put him on screen," said Jack.

"I can’t. He’s gone."

"What do you mean, he’s gone?"

"It was a voice transmission only. He said, welcome back and get your butt over here as soon as you were in transporter range. He had something important to show you."

The transporter beam slowly vanished and Jack stepped onto the bridge. "Gus, what the hell…" He stopped in mid-sentence his hand immediately reaching for his disruptor. There on the bridge stood Gus and a complete stranger. And the stranger had his hands wrapped around Gus’ throat.

"Thank you, doctor," replied Marshall. "The Nausicaan did tell us something after all, colonel, but not what we wanted to hear."

"What exactly is that, Julian?" asked Kira.

"I’ve never seen it in this form before, but it’s a very strong nerve agent. Fortunately for the constable, as he has no nervous system, it had no effect on him."

"May I be released then?" asked Odo, sliding off the biobed.

"I don’t’ see why not. Although, you will come see me if you start to feel unwell." It was an order, not a request.

The changeling merely nodded in reply. "Now, Mr. Marshall, if there are no further interruptions, perhaps we can get back to work."

"Certainly, sir." said Marshall and the two men left the infirmary. Kira turned to follow but found herself stopped by a hand on her arm.

"A word, colonel, if I may," said Julian.

Here it comes, thought Kira. She hadn’t really supposed they could put anything by Julian. It was only a matter of time before he figured out their little ruse.

"Look, Julian," she said. "I know what you are going to say…"

"Odo, said the same thing," he replied. "But I would really appreciate it if you could convince him to at least consider coming by for a few more tests. We know so little about changelings and the effect the Link has on them…."

"What?"

"Odo - coming in for a few more tests. What did you think I was talking about?"

"Ah. Nothing. Sorry I brought it up."

"Well, perhaps we can work on him over dinner. Ezri would kill me if I brought it up, but if you were to mention it."

Now Kira was really confused. "Dinner?" she asked.

"Yes. Dinner. Tonight. 1900 if that’s okay with you. Odo said…."

"I’m going to kill him," muttered Kira.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Never mind."

"Yeah," replied Gus scratching his head. "Honest to God, Jack, it surprised the hell outta me too. Here I goes to sleep and when I wakes up there’s this exact copy of me sitting in the room a starin at me. I damn near had a heart attack on the spot."

"He doesn’t look like you now."

"You’re right, he don’t. It got kinda spooky having two of me runnin around, so I showed him a picture of my Uncle Jim for him to imitate. The only other picture I own is of my mother, and believe you me, you don’t want a copy of her around."

"Well, what’s he got to say for himself?"

"Nothin. He ain’t figured out how to yet. That was what we were doin when you showed up. All he’s managed to do so far is make a sort a growling noise."

"I guess there’s no point in asking you if you are crazy. You don’t even know what it is."

"I got my suspicions." Gus whistled a sharp note to get the alien’s attention. "Buck," he said. "Go on, get. Jack and I need to talk - official like."

Buck, uttered a low growling noise, but left when Gus insisted.

"Buck? Jesus, Gus, does it know you named it after your dog?"

"Yes, he does. I told him, although I doubt he knows what a dog is, and I’ll thank you not to refer to him as an it."

"You are certifiably insane aren’t you?"

"Listen to me, Jack. I didn’t want Buck to hear us, because he don’t have any idea what he is, and I don’t want him findin out neither."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"He’s a changeling, Jack. Maybe even a Founder, I’m thinkin."

"What! You knew and you didn’t kill him?"

"I couldn’t. Believe you me, Jack I thought about it once I put all the pieces together, but I just couldn’t."

"And just how long do you think it’s going to take him to figure out what he is, if he doesn’t already know and is playing you for a fool?"

"He doesn’t know, believe me. As far as him findin out on his own, well we’ll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it."

"We? Oh, no, Gus. We are doing nothing of the sort. We are going to head straight to DeLok Station, sell this god forsaken ship and him with it."

"How just hold on…"

"No. I’ve had enough, Gus. Look, there’s talk all over the Nosnhoj System about trouble brewing with the Dominion. If it’s true, there’s no way in hell, I’m going to get caught with a Jem’Hadar ship and a Founder for christssake. We sell the ship, we make repairs and we get the hell outta here, understood?"

It was the first shore leave the crew of the Jersey Lilly had enjoyed in months and this particular shore leave was made even sweeter by the knowledge they would be soon going home. Judy Baker pushed through the crowds gathered at the entrance to the bar, greeting friends and avoiding the eye of those who wished for more than friendship. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to find the tall Andorian at her side.

"Rosko," she said. "I thought you would be busy with repairs?"

"I finished replacing the primary couplings this morning and I was going to help Gus with the secondary couplings, but Gus said he didn’t need any help. So, I thought I’d stop in for a drink before starting the warp system upgrades. Hey, there’s a table opening up over there."

"I’m worried about Gus, Rosko," remarked Judy as they sent the waiter off with their drink order. "He just hasn’t been the same since we got back from T’ruh. We’ve been here three days and Gus hasn’t left the ship unless Jack orders him to."

"I know, something’s bothering him, but I have no idea what. I’m guessing it has something to do with that damned ship."

They were both startled as a tankard was suddenly slammed down upon the table.

"That damned ship is correct," said Kroloff pulling up a chair and bellowing for the waiter to bring him another drink. "Good riddance, is what I say. If I were on a proper vessel instead of that freighter, I would blow that damned ship to hell where it belongs."

"Kroloff you’re drunk," replied Rosko. "And keep your voice down. How much have you had to drink anyway."

"Not enough," muttered Kroloff leaning back in his chair and nearly falling to the floor. "Do you realize, I have been in this Quadrant for over two years and the only enemy I have fought was time. What honor is there in keeping to a schedule?"

"Here we go again," Judy muttered into her glass.

"Jack said he thinks he’s lined up a buyer," remarked Rosko, ignoring the drunken Klingon. "If that’s the case, then we should be on our way home this time tomorrow."

"Here he is now, ask him."

They waived Jack over to their table.

"Everyone else is in on board and asleep in their bunks. I’m glad to see the three of you enjoying yourselves," said Jack. "Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t you stand watch in about thirty minutes?"

"Were you born a killjoy Jack, or have you just gotten that way with age?" asked Judy.

"I don’t recall. Must be the company I’ve been keeping over the last couple of years."

"Understand you might have a buyer," said Rosko.

"I might. Do me a favor will you, Judy," asked Jack. "Tell Gus to meet me here. He knows Ognij better than I do."

"Ognij?" asked Rosko. "I understand he’s loaded. I hope you’ve adjusted the price accordingly."

"A bit."

They rose to go, taking their drunken companion with them. Jack took a seat and waited.

By all account he should have been the happiest man in the Quadrant. He had enough money on hand to take care of all the immediate repairs to his ship. His ship was once again sound. His crew safe and happy. In a few hours, if all went right with the sale, he would have enough money to upgrade his engines and he could return home with enough cargo to retire in style. And yet there was still one cloud on his horizon - Gus and that damned changeling. He regretted having to leave the changeling behind, he admitted as much to Gus. He had a ship and a crew to think of and that took priority over anything and everything else. Life was not fair and that was all there was to it. Try as he might, he just could not forget the look Gus has given him when they left the Jem’Hadar ship and her changeling stowaway safely adrift in an asteroid field a couple of light years from the Station and well out of traffic lanes. Besides that, Ognij was a good man. Jack had explained the situation to him and Ognij had sworn an oath to take good care of the changeling, and to Ognij’s people an oath was a sacred thing. That was the best he could do and if Gus didn’t like it, well, that was just too damn bad. He pushed his glass away from him. If he was doing the right thing, then why did he feel so disgusted with himself?

"Is the drink not to your liking?" asked a voice.

He glanced up to see Gus and two Zunigians standing beside the table.

"These two stopped by the ship," said Gus. "They wanted a word with you, sir."

Jack did not fail to notice Gus’ formality. Great, he thought, with Gus still mad at him things couldn’t be going right. He motioned for them to sit.

"Zit. Grgor. I take it this isn’t a social call."

"How many verses are there in this song?" asked Judy.

"About a hundred, I think," replied Rosko.

"Oh, wonderful. Any chance he’ll pass out before the end?"

"Probably not."

Back in his cabin, Kroloff suddenly sat up and reached for his disruptor. Pulling himself to his feet he lurched toward the small mirror over the sink. He took a long, although rather blurry, look at himself and then started unsteadily towards the door of the cabin.

"Today is a good day to die," he muttered.

"After all," remarked Grgor. "You two are our favorite wumons."

"It’s human," replied Jack. "And whatever it is you want, we aren’t interested."

"The Boss won’t be happy to hear that, Jack," said Grgor leaning closer. "He specifically asked for you to do this little job."

"He would consider it a personal favor," agreed Zit.

Jack leaned back in his chair. "Cut to the chase, boys. What’s this all about?"

Grgor cleared his throat. "There is a visitor from the Alpha Quadrant on tour of the Zunigian Territories who will be arriving on this Station at any minute," he said.

"A Farrin Guy," volunteered Zit.

Jack glanced at Gus who was mouthing the words Farrin Guy with a puzzled expression on his face.

"A minor functionary," continued Grgor. "Looking to open trade between the two Quadrants. As a favor to a friend of a friend, the Boss, has agreed to arrange transport. All the Boss wants is for you to provide transportation from this Station to his next stop in the Teplan System."

"Why us?"

"Well," said Zit. "You are the only Alphas in this sector. The Boss thought it would be a nice touch - a bit of home away from home for our guest."

"Rusawa knows our policy. Nothing illegal. Nothing funny."

"We assure you, the Boss is well aware of your policy."

"As a matter of fact," volunteered Zit. "That was the other reason he chose you. You could be trusted."

The whole proposal stank to high heavens, but Jack couldn’t quite put his finger on why. He glanced at Gus for guidance, but Gus was still obviously still trying to figure out exactly what a Farrin Guy was.

"Okay, boys," he said at length. "We’ll do it, but on one condition. We meet his fella from the Alpha Quadrant first and if we don’t like the look of him, the deals off."

"The Boss will be pleased," said Grgor as he rose to go. "Just one more thing."

Damn, thought Jack, it was always just one more thing with these two.

"Word is you just finished a supply run from Japata to T’ruh."

"Yeah, what of it?"

"You didn’t happen to come across any stray Jem’Hadar ships along the way, now did you?"

"Hell, Grgor. The border worlds are always seeing Jem’Hadar ships where none exist. Do you really think if we had run across any stray Jem’Hadar we would still be alive and sitting here talking to you?"

"You are probably right, Jack. But in these troubled times, you can’t be too careful."

You can’t be too careful, thought Jack. That’s what’s bothering me.

"So you’ve made a deal with Ognij?" asked Gus as they left the bar. Not wishing to draw attention to themselves, they had waited until the two Zunigians had vanished from sight. "And you told him about Buck?"

"Yes. And he swore an oath to treat him well. Hell, if I know Ognij, he’ll adopt Buck before they can reach Yestovia. It’s the best I could do, Gus."

"I know, Jack, and Ognij is a good egg, but still…"

"Yeah, I know. Anyway, Ognij’s gonna meet us on the Lilly in a little while and we’ll take him out to see his purchase and that should be that."

"What about this job Rusawa wants us to do for him. It don’t smell right to me."

"It doesn’t smell right to me either, but Teplan’s on our way out of this sector, so we won’t be around for any repercussions. Can’t hurt is the way I see it."

"I guess you’re right. But I still can’t quite figure out exactly what a Farrin Guy is. Never heard of any people called the Farrin have you?"

"Can’t say that I have…."

Their way was suddenly blocked by a small being who resembled nothing short of an egg with arms and legs. "Yak. Goose. May Yestos with blessings many enfold you most heartily," said the being.

"Ognij," said Gus. "You’re looking well."

"Yes, yes," replied Ognij slightly bouncing up and down in his enthusiasm. "Forget me, please. Gentleman I have brought you who wishes most to meet." He gestured to a short figure a little further down the hallway who was apparently engaged in an argument with a porter over something to do with the pile of luggage surrounding the airlock.

"Shit," said Jack.

"No. no. Farrinkey" urged Ognij. "Kvaarrrkkk."

Jack and Gus exchanged looks of disgust. "Ferengi," they said in unison.

"They are a nice couple," said her companion. Kira glanced at him with a newly formed sense of appreciation. As much as she was loathe to admit to herself, there had been times during the evening she had forgotten the being with her was not Odo. Dinner was over and they were walking back to her quarters, the security detail, a discreet distance behind them.

"I never realized how much Changelings and Trills had in common," said Kira.

"Neither had I." He laughed softly to himself. "I did feel sorry for the doctor, though. It must be frustrating to desire knowledge about something you will never understand. How many times do you think he worked the Link into the conversation?"

"I lost track after the first fifty attempts. Your playing with your drink didn’t help matters much."

"I think that is what you would call a parlor trick. As long as I kept at least one finger on the glass it was a simple matter to make the fluid do whatever I wished and it did distract Dr Bashir long enough to change the subject."

"I remember the first time, Odo…" she caught herself. "I remember the first time you, learned to form a cup with liquid - ‘to share in the dining experience’."

"You know, colonel," he said after a slight pause. "You have a nice smile. You really ought to do it more often."

She sobered immediately and began to walk a little faster until she felt his hand upon her arm.

"You really should not be so hard upon yourself, Kira," he said softly. "By enjoying my company you are not being disloyal to Odo."

"That’s not the problem and you know it," she whispered.

"You really don’t like us much do you? Changelings. How are you able to resolve being in love with one of us and yet despising us at the same time?"

"Do you really have to ask?"

"Ah, well." He drew a deep breath. "I do admit from the very beginning, we handled the Odo situation poorly and subsequently we handled your situation poorly as well. We are not used to complications."

"And is that what the entire "Odo" situation is to you?" she said fighting to keep her temper from rising any further. "Nothing more than a complication?"

"No. Of course not. You have to understand, we expect to be challenged by outside forces, but it came as quite a surprise to be challenged by one of our own. Wouldn’t you agree that Odo is a delightfully complex person?"

"Of course."

"We have lived in isolation for so long, colonel. You have no idea how refreshing it is to have such an aggressive intellect among us again. Just when we think we know exactly what he thinks, he takes a totally unexpected turn and completely challenges our perspective. But what I think is most unique is that he’s never cruel or abusive. There’s always an element of kindness or caring about him. Even the harshest subjects are treated with gentleness. Why do you look at me like that? Is something wrong?"

His sudden and unexpected insight into Odo's personality momentarily took her off guard. She found herself fighting to control the renewed sense of loss that welled up inside her. "My room," she said with a feeble gesture. "We’re here."

"And it’s late. You have a big day ahead of you, no doubt."

She nodded.

"Very well, then," he said taking her hand and raising it to his lips. "I will bid you good night."

Her heart was pounding so she was convinced the guards would hear it down the hall. As the door to her quarters slid shut, she leaned against it and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to cry.

"Somethin wrong?" asked Gus, his hand resting lightly on his disruptor.

The Ferengi recovered nicely. "Not at all. My names Quark." He waited for further introductions and realizing none would be offered, he continued. "If you’ll show me to my cabin?"

"Just through that air lock," said Jack. "The crew will show you to the spare cabin." With that he turned to Ognij, only to be interrupted by Quark.

"Excuse me, ah, Captain? What air lock would that be?"

"The one with all your luggage in front of it," replied Jack registering his disdain by failing to even look at the Ferengi.

"Ah. And your ship will be arriving shortly then?"

"The ship’s already there," said Gus. "What are ya, blind?"

"That one?" The Ferengi started to walk away only to return after having taken a few steps. "There aren’t any other humons on this station are there? I mean, you are the right guys?"

"What’s your point?" asked Gus.

"Silly of me, I know, but it’s just that there’s no ship on the other side of that air lock."

Jack and Gus exchanged a look and then pushed past the Ferengi at a run, the Yestovian close on their heels.

"Shit," said Jack as he skidded to a stop before the air lock doors.

"Kroloff," said Gus. "Damn his drunken hide."

"Gus," said Jack grabbing him by the sleeve. "Are you thinking what I’m thinking?"

"The ship!"

They turned to the Yestovian.

"Yes most by golly," agreed Ognij. "Quickly please. Take if you must my ship, this way."

The three took off at a run down the corridor, leaving the confused Ferengi behind.

"Wait," shouted Quark. "What about my luggage?" He glanced longingly at his possessions. "Oh hell," he muttered and took off after them.

"Right you are, Jack." Gus pushed the Ferengi out of his way. "Just what the hell are you a lookin at squirt?" he asked.

"It’s Quark. In my line of work, I’ve seen a lot of Vulcans and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a red headed Vulcan before."

"Well, take a good look, cause this red headed Vulcan is the last thing you’re gonna see, ifin you don’t get the hell outta my way. He’s bringin warp engines on line, Jack."

The small Yestovian ship was fast, but not fast enough.

"Ognij," said Jack. "Fire a warning shot across their bow. Let’s see if we can’t distract him a bit."

"Most certainly, Yak."

"She’s goin to warp!" called out Gus.

The phaser blast had just crossed the bow of the Jersey Lilly when she started to leap to warp. The freighter appeared to stall in space for an instant. Jack and Gus breathed a sigh of relief as the freighters engines powered down and slowed her forward motion.

"That was close," said Gus.

"Too close, Gus. Too damn close for comfort."

Before another word was spoken, before either man could blink, there was a flash of light and the Jersey Lilly disappeared in a ball of fire.