LOVE ODO

Everyone started to crowd around her and congratulate her all at once.

“I am glad to see we did not scare you into stunning us all with your phaser when you rushed in here,” Bashir said.

After some time, Kira managed to make her way through the crowd to where the changeling was standing. She could feel the smile on her face from all the joy of this surprise from Odo.

“I hope to be able to inform Odo that you are indeed happy with his gift, and that we managed to take care of the urgent matter I spoke of,” he said.

“You can tell Odo that I loved everything, and surprise me he did; you all did, actually,” Kira said. “How did you manage this all in such a short period of time? I mean, the alarm to get me here, and all the decorating?” she wondered.

Bashir, Dax, and Quark joined her and the changeling as she asked her questions.

“Odo had been planning this for you for some time,” Dax commented. “We did not think he was still going to be able to pull it off with everything that has happened recently.”

“He even saw fit to make arrangements to pay me for catering this party, and with the time I’ve had I actually turned a profit from it,” Quark said. He rubbed his hands together, obviously thinking about how he cut costs where he could to keep any remaining proceeds for himself.

“When Dr. Bashir and I arrived at the infirmary yesterday, I explained to him the real reason that Odo had sent me,” the changeling said.

“Once I knew Odo’s plan was still on, it was just a matter of telling the others and setting everything into motion,” Bashir said.

“Odo had set up the program for the intruder alert when he first started planning this. He instructed me on how to initiate it,” Dax said. “Before I forget, I received a subspace communication from Chief O’Brien and his family on Earth earlier today for you. They want me to play it for you here at the party. Computer, play birthday wish,” she instructed.

The computer screen on the wall displayed the image of Miles O’Brien, his wife Keiko, and their two children, Molly and Kirayoshi.

“Kira, we want to thank you again for what you did for us. Carrying our child to term was the greatest gift anyone could give us. You gave us a reason to celebrate on the day of his birth, and now we are glad to see that you have the chance to celebrate your birth as well. We wish you well and happy birthday, Kira!” all four O’Briens shouted.

The screen went dark, and as Kira stood among her friends she stopped to think of what to say.

“Thank you…Thank you for being here and for all you have done today. I am not known for being able to celebrate; this of course is due to all the losses I have experienced throughout my life. I have found it very uncomfortable to be social with most people. We have all known loss; and with the end of the recent war still on our minds, we feel it even more deeply. I do feel that now is the time for all of us to celebrate births, lives, and even deaths. This will help all of us to heal from the war and to strive for a better understanding of one another. It is an honor that you are celebrating my birth; but I ask that you all honor yourselves as well. On a final note, let us all raise our glasses and toast Odo, for he made this gathering possible,” Kira said.

Kira still could not believe all the work that Odo and the rest had put into surprising her like this.

“I have completed my mission here, and my ship is prepared for departure,” the changeling said. “Will you accompany me?” he asked Kira.

“It would be my pleasure,” Kira replied.

As the two of them approached the docking ring corridor, the changeling stopped and turned to Kira. He removed an isolinear rod from a pocket.

“Odo asked that I give you this before my departure, and explain that you would need to view it in a holosuite,” the changeling explained.

Kira accepted the isolinear rod from the changeling, and held it for a moment before sliding it into her pocket. “Thank you,” she said.

“Before I leave, I would like you to know that it has been a pleasure to meet all of you here on the station, Kira. Odo’s experiences that have been shared with us did not seem real before. Now that I have spent time here, I am going back to help him show the others understanding and compassion,” the changeling said.

“Please tell Odo that I miss him and that I loved the surprise, and that I am proud of the work he is doing and that we all hope he can return to us someday. I also want to thank you again. It has been a pleasure to meet you as well,” Kira said. She waited as he boarded his ship, and as the airlock doors rolled closed she wiped away a tear.

Half an hour later Kira found herself standing on the same lone piece of land, in the sea of the Great Link. As with her own program, a form came to the surface and approached land. She waited to see a Ferengi body on the holoform, but to her relief it was Odo’s. The holographic Odo was wearing the same top hat and tails that he was wearing when she last saw him. She stood there staring at him and then noticed that several other changelings had also approached land dressed like Odo, each carrying an instrument of one type or another.

“Music, maestro,” the holographic Odo called out. The changelings started to play a waltz.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked Kira. Kira just smiled as he took her hand and they started to dance.

“I wanted to be here in person for you, Kira, but the Link needs my continued guidance to learn to trust others and accept coexisting with all other species of the universe,” he said. “I hope the planning and party I put together went well?” he asked.

“Yes, it was a great surprise for me, and I wish you were the real Odo so that I could say thank you.” she replied.

“I was programmed by the real Odo, and I can tell you that it was very important to him to ensure your day was special. He asked me to wish you happy birthday for him,” the holographic Odo said.

Kira thought about the party and all the joy she was experiencing. She realized that for the first time in many years she was actually happy on her birthday, and had celebrated it with people that not only did she know and trust, but she cared for like a family. She also realized that even though Odo was on his home planet with the Great Link, that his love and friendship for her still allowed him to be with her…maybe not in person, but in spirit.

“Thank you,” Kira said, and she and the holographic Odo danced the night away.