[230] Nog maneuvered the shuttlecraft in for landing. He knew Keiko was watching, as he carefully set the ship down.
“Nice landing. Your instructor would be proud of you,” she said. Whatever else she had said, he had still impressed her with his flying. He would prove that Ferengi belonged at the academy as much as the other races.
“Thank you, Mrs. O’Brien, uh, Keiko,” Nog said. He shut down the craft’s engines and stowed the gear for the return flight, then retrieved the small sack from a cargo compartment.
Keiko watched his movements with growing admiration. He would eventually make a good Starfleet officer, if he just grew up.
“What’s that?” she asked, gesturing at the sack.
“Just something I’m delivering for the doctor,” he said. When he didn’t offer any further explanation, Keiko shrugged and followed him toward the door. Glancing at her chronometer, she was surprised to realize she had arrived nearly two hours ahead of her planned flight. Now, instead of being late, she had a few hours to spare before the conference opened.
“What is it you’re delivering?” she asked.
Nog looked sheepish. “I have to take this to an orphanage outside G’rbaldi. It’s some kind of medicine the doctor got for them.” He shrugged. “I told the captain I’d deliver it, since I was headed this way.”
Keiko nodded, not believing a word he said. A Ferengi never did anyone a favor without getting something in return. She saw Nog watching her reaction, clearly registering her disbelief.
[231] “Well, actually, uh, the doctor was supposed to deliver the medicine, so I told the captain I’d deliver it if he’d let me use the ship.”
Keiko considered the situation, then nodded, her decision made. “Well, since the delivery was part of the cost of my transport, I should accompany you to your delivery.”
Besides, she could fill those extra hours learning more about how Bajorans raised their children. If her children had a Bajoran stepmother, she wanted to assure herself they would be cherished as they should be.
Nog couldn’t believe his good fortune. Although she hadn’t responded to his invitation on the shuttlecraft, things could change. After all, she had offered to go with him, without even being asked. He smiled broadly at her.
“I’d be honored to have you join me,” he said, not bothering to explain that they already were at his destination. He had planned to make the delivery quickly, then spend what remaining time he could with Keiko before he took her to her conference.
As they left the shuttlecraft, he gingerly took her hand again to steady her through the door. Her skin was soft and warm, so very different from Ferengi skin. Of course, the only Ferengi female he had actually touched was his mother, and that was when he was a small child. But he knew Keiko’s skin felt so much better than any Ferengi female’s possibly could.
As soon as she was outside the Goddard, she disengaged her hand. It didn’t matter. He could feel the softness of her skin even when he wasn’t touching it. He would remember that feeling for as long as he lived, maybe longer.
“It seems,” Keiko said to him, a hint of asperity in her [232] voice, “that we are already at your destination. It certainly doesn’t look like the conference center in J’raal.”
Nog winced. Maybe he should have explained. But a Ferengi never explained if he could avoid it. Knowledge was power, and power was profit.
“This will only take a minute or two. Then we can continue to your conference.”
Keiko nodded, and the two of them started across the field toward the modest entrance to the building. The sign, in Bajoran and Cardassian, marked it as simply “Orphanage Office.” Nog heard Keiko sigh, and looked in her direction. He saw her square her shoulders, as though preparing for a difficult task, and he wondered once again what was causing her unhappiness.
He didn’t have time to think about it, though. A short, heavyset woman wearing a traditional Bajoran robe and ear cuff met them at the door.
“Welcome,” she said, although her voice faltered slightly at the sight of the Ferengi. “I am Kataal Dion. How may I help you?”
“I am Nog, Starfleet cadet. I am here on an errand for Doctor Julian Bashir of Deep Space Nine.” He extended his hand, in the approved hew-mon way.
The woman did not take his hand, but her attitude relaxed a little. “Welcome, Nog,” she said, this time as though she actually meant it. “Captain Sisko told us to expect you.” She turned to Keiko. “And you, my dear? What can I do for you?”
Nog watched Keiko’s face as she answered the woman. Her feelings were deeply hidden, but he could see traces of the odd mixture of fear and confusion he had seen in her all [233] day. Perhaps, he thought, it all had something to do with what he’d seen in Quark’s bar earlier. Her husband was there with another female, something the hew-mons seemed to find objectionable. Nog considered the possibility, but his thoughts were interrupted by Keiko’s reply.
“I am Keiko O’Brien, botanist assigned to Deep Space Nine. I am here for a conference this afternoon, but I was curious about your facility, so I joined Nog on his visit.” She shot Nog a glance that let him know she was fibbing about that last part. “Since we have some time,” she continued, “perhaps it would be possible to see how you operate here.”
“I’m sure that could be arranged,” Kataal Dion said. “If you will follow me to the director’s office, we will see what we can do.”
Nog could do nothing but follow the two women. For the second time today he was certain he would never understand women. Keiko had offered to accompany him on his trip to the orphanage. That was good. But now that she was here, she actually wanted to look around. That was bad. How could he get her to pay attention to him if she was “touring” the orphanage? He would have to get them out of there as soon as he could.
Kataal Dion led them down a corridor and into a small office. If this was where the director worked, there were no signs of power or status, just a cluttered desk, a few worn chairs, and lots of files. She gestured them to a pair of chairs.
Nog sat in the indicated chair, grateful for its childlike size. Most hew-mon chairs were too tall for him, and his legs dangled ludicrously above the floor. But this chair, at least, was a better fit. Still, he was not comfortable, wishing he could just put the bag on the desk and leave with Keiko.
[234] He glanced at Keiko. Her posture was erect, her hands folded in her lap. She looked like the pictures he had seen at the academy of attentive students in class. Of course, none of his classes looked exactly like that; there was always some undercurrent of chaos, some hint of movement about to erupt.
As he watched, he realized that Keiko was the same way. There was a hint of something deeply hidden, some turmoil that threatened to break free and engulf her. He longed to help, but she had pushed away all his offers so far. He would have to try harder, to convince her he could comfort her.
“Welcome.” A soft voice with a strong Bajoran accent came from the doorway. Nog turned to see a woman dressed like Kataal Dion, but about half as wide, come into the office.
She offered her hand to Keiko and Nog in turn, then circled behind the desk, and settled her spare frame in the chair. Obviously, this was the director.
“My name is Kataal Patiens. I am the director of G’rbaldi Orphanage. I understand you have a package for me, from Doctor Bashir.”
Nog rose from his chair, as he had been taught at the academy. This was a person of authority, and deference to her rank was necessary. He took the small bag from where he had set it beside his chair, and extended it to her.
“Doctor. Bashir asked me to give this to you, and extend his sincere hope that it will help control the problems you are having.” Nog reeled off the speech he had prepared in the captain’s office back on Deep Space Nine. “He also asks you to accept his apologies for not delivering it personally. He is extremely busy with station matters at the moment and felt [235] that a prompt delivery would be appreciated more than a personal one.”
With the formalities concluded, Nog resumed his seat His part of the bargain was complete. All he wanted to do was get out of here. This place gave him the creeps. He could feel all the children around him, reminding him that they were growing up without the benefit of a father or uncle to instruct them in the ways of life. Keiko had better be quick about her “tour.” The sooner he could fly out of here, the better.
Keiko studied Kataal Patiens as Nog presented the medicine from Dr. Bashir. She had a kindly face, but her deep-set eyes spoke of a depth of pain and sorrow such as Keiko had never seen. Her business with Nog concluded, Kataal Patiens turned those eyes on Keiko.
“I understand you would like a tour of our facility, Mrs. O’Brien. I would be happy to oblige your request, but unfortunately I already have commitments that will prevent me from doing so.”
Keiko felt a stab of disappointment. She had come far enough to consider the possibility of a stepmother for her children. Now she needed reassurance that a Bajoran would make a good mother, and the opportunity seemed to be slipping away.
She glanced at Nog and saw a look of undisguised relief. For an instant, she was reminded that he was still a young boy, in spite of his posturing. The orphanage probably was an incredible bore. That would explain his reaction. But the [236] director was continuing, and Keiko turned her attention back to her.
“If you don’t mind, I can have one of our aides give you a tour.” the director continued. “We have only a small staff, but the older children assume many of the duties that would otherwise get little attention.”
Keiko saw Nog roll his eyes, so like his Uncle Quark when he didn’t get his way. The thought both amused and appalled her. Nog would be highly insulted that she saw the parallel, and she hoped for his sake that he could learn some patience.
The director turned to the communicator on her desk. “Just let me see who is available.”
Keiko waited, while Kataal Patiens checked and arranged for an aide to meet them in the director’s office. When she signed off, she turned back to Keiko. “I think you’ll find Gai Valina an acceptable guide. She is very knowledgeable and should be able to answer any questions you may have. I’m afraid you will have to excuse me now. I have a meeting.” She rose from her chair.
“Thank you again, Cadet Nog, for delivering this.” She picked up the bag from her desk. “We appreciate your kindness.”
Keiko suppressed a smile. She wondered if the director actually meant what she said, or if she knew the Ferengi cadet must have gained something in return for his actions. Perhaps she had never had any contact with Ferengi. Or did she see something in Nog that Keiko didn’t? Keiko still saw him as the young boy who almost didn’t attend school because the Ferengi didn’t value education. But he had come a long way from that frightened and defensive young boy. All the way to Starfleet Academy.
[237] She shook the director’s hand before Kataal Patiens left the office. Alone again with Nog, Keiko studied him from the corner of her eye. He had matured over the months he’d been gone. His jaw was firmer, and his posture was straight. Self-confidence had replaced the combative arrogance that had covered his fears. There was still a lot of that little boy in him, but he was becoming a man.
That realization brought her up short. She stared at her hands, and thought back over Nog’s behavior on the shuttlecraft. Nog had made a pass at her! How could that be? Lately she had felt unattractive, and sometimes invisible, as Miles’s attention had focused on Nerys. Now someone noticed her, someone found her attractive. Her sagging spirits revived a little. At the same time, she hoped Nog would get over his crush. The return trip to Deep Space Nine was going to be uncomfortable.
The door opened, and a young Bajoran woman entered the room. She had long brown hair in soft waves, and eyes that sparkled with intelligence. Although she wore the traditional ear cuff, she had forsaken the robes the older women wore. Instead, she wore a soft shirt that flowed gracefully over her torso and tucked neatly into a pair of tailored pants.
The effect the Bajoran’s appearance had on Nog wasn’t lost on Keiko. He stared, momentarily forgetting his training. But then she could see him shift into his cadet mode, averting his gaze and rising to formally greet the newcomer.
“I am Gai Valina,” she said in a voice light with youth and good spirits. “Kataal Patiens asked me to show you around the orphanage.” She extended her hand to Nog. “You must be Cadet Nog, who brought us the medicine. I’ve never met a Starfleet cadet before.”
[238] Keiko watched as Nog accepted her offered hand. She could see his lobes flush when he touched her, and his composure slip.
Valina turned away from Nog, oblivious to the impact she made on him. She extended her hand to Keiko and repeated her name. Keiko rose and took her hand. It was work-roughened, with nails cut efficiently short. This was a girl used to hard work, but she had seemed impressed by Nog’s uniform.
Keiko smiled warmly at Valina. She could be the solution to her problem with Nog. “Shall we begin?”
Nog quickly jumped between them and offered Valina his arm. She touched the sleeve of his uniform, and Keiko could see the delight in her face. Still, Valina remembered her duty as guide. She released Nog’s arm and turned back to Keiko.
“What would you like to see first, Mrs. O’Brien?”
What did she want to see? Somehow, her intentions had changed. No longer concerned about a stepmother for her children, she was free to explore whatever caught her attention.
“Actually, I’d like to see your school,” she said. “I was the teacher at the school on Deep Space Nine. In fact,” she gestured to Nog to follow as they started down the corridor, “Nog was one of my prize pupils. Before he went to the academy.”
Nog followed Valina and Mrs. O’Brien down the corridor and into a schoolroom. Valina was explaining about the school to Mrs. O’Brien, but Nog retreated into his own thoughts. Not only didn’t he understand women, he also didn’t understand love. He had been sure that he was in love with Mrs. O’Brien.
[239] But now his attention was focused on Valina. She was young and fresh, with strength and laughter in her voice. Her hair was soft, and he wished he could get close enough to smell it. He knew it would smell of sunshine and latinum. Valina was profit beyond his wildest dreams.
Perhaps it was better that he forget Mrs. O’Brien. In spite of her troubles, she was a married woman. That would get complicated, and complications always reduced profits.
He followed the women to another classroom, where a group of five-year-olds were returning from a period of outdoor activity. They entered the room in a single line, but he could sense the energy waiting to burst out of all of them. He felt it the same way he felt the energy in his classes at the academy.
The children spotted Nog in his uniform, and their control broke. They swarmed around him, little fingers gingerly reaching for the uniform, their eyes wide as they stared at his insignia. He found himself in the middle of a sea of worshipful faces.
“Are you really a cadet?”
“How did you get into Starfleet?”
“Are there any Bajorans in your class?”
The questions came so fast, he couldn’t answer them all. He signaled for quiet, then motioned for the children to sit down.
He sat on the floor in the middle of the children. The academy had taught him about the obligation of a cadet to share his knowledge and experience with others. And at least these others were even shorter than he was. He settled in and began answering their questions.
* * *
[240] Keiko was amazed. She had never seen Nog like this, holding forth with confidence and knowledge. Next to her she heard a small sigh escape from Valina.
“Isn’t he wonderful with the little ones?”
Keiko couldn’t answer. Nog was good with th
e little children, far better than she would have expected. Still, she had a lot on her mind.
She gestured to Valina to follow her into the hall. As the door closed behind her, she could hear Nog say to the children, “The Fourteenth Rule of Acquisition teaches that ...”
Once in the corridor, where their conversation wouldn’t disturb Nog’s lesson, Keiko spoke. “I need a little fresh air. Would you tell Nog that I’ll meet him at the ship in an hour? I’ll just take a walk around the grounds, if that’s all right.”
Valina nodded. Keiko could see that she was eager to return to Nog. Keiko was sure she would have a quiet hour to herself, while Nog and Valina continued their tour. She let herself out the front door and strolled slowly around the field where they had landed. Her mind was at ease, but she would be glad when the conference was over, and she could go home.
“Mrs. O’Brien?”
Keiko realized Nog was no longer using her first name. She was relieved, but it was tinged with regret. Someday, she hoped, they would simply be friends, and put the current awkwardness behind them.
She smiled at the boy, being careful not to notice Valina standing at the edge of the field. She was sure what Nog’s concern was, but she suspected he would, in typical Ferengi fashion, give her a highly colored version.
[241] “Yes, Nog?”
“I’m ready to take you to the botanical conference. But would it be possible for you to catch a shuttle back to the station?”
Keiko nodded. Actually, it would be easier to go back on a commercial shuttle. It would give her time to be alone with her thoughts, to prepare herself. When she got back she would talk to Miles, and fight for him, if necessary. Whatever had made her think she could just give up on her family, it was gone. She had made too many sacrifices to keep her family together to let them go now. And somehow, she knew, she would make this work, just as she had made so many things work in the past. She would love her son when he was born, and the four of them would once again be a family. And just because that family included Kira Nerys, it didn’t exclude Keiko O’Brien—not unless she decided it did.
STAR TREK: Strange New Worlds I Page 20