Odo and Kira Nerys entered the holosuite. Carefully, Odo inserted the holorod, and the computer loaded the program attached to it. Vic Fontaine's Lounge appeared before them. Vic himself was standing on the stage yawning. "Good morning. Or is it good evening?"
"Evening," replied Odo.
"So, what can I sing for you?"
"Nothing just yet," Nerys replied. "You can, however introduce me."
"I told her about the hologram of her you created." Odo explained. "Don't worry, she's not pressing charges."
"But I think I can sing as well as her." Nerys finished. "So let me find out." With that, she stepped onto the stage.
"Onto the piano, Odo," ordered Vic. "My piano player still hasn't come back from Reno."
"Right," he said. He stepped onto the stage and easily shifted onto the piano stool.
"Want some time to warm up?" Vic asked him.
"Yes, thank you," replied Odo.
"I could use some too," added Nerys.
The next half hour Vic waited patiently as both warmed up. That was the first difference, Odo noted.
But soon the crowd had come, the band had arrived, and both Odo and Nerys felt they were ready.
"Ladies and gentlemen," announced Vic, "we have a very special surprise for you tonight. This babe doesn't raise your temperature, you better check the obituary column, 'cause chances are you're in it, pally." This resulted in some laughter. When it died down, Vic continued. "Let's have a nice warm round of applause for Miss Nerys Kira!"
As the stage darkened, Vic retreated, and Nerys suddenly felt very nervous. Stage fright, Vic had called it. Beating it down, she started to sing as a spotlight illuminated her.
Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that's so hard to bear
You give me fever
Odo watched as he played the piano. So far, she and Lola didn't seem that different. There were some slight changes, since the pattern Vic had gotten the hologram from was a couple years old, most notably the hairstyle, but otherwise...
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever!
In the morning,
Fever all through the night.
Nerys was enjoying herself. She moved about the stage, flirting with the band and the audience, her body moving to draw them to her. And seeing Odo gazing at her like that was even better.
Everybody's got the fever
That is something you should know
Fever isn't such a new scene
Fever started long long ago.
Then she moved towards Odo, and suddenly, she looked nothing like Lola. The way she moved, the twinkle in her eyes, her smile, they were all Kira Nerys. She slid onto the bench next to him, snuggling up to him almost. She felt even better then Lola had.
Sun lights up the daytime
Moon lights up the night
My eyes light up when you call my name
'Cause I know you're gonna treat me right
You give me fever
Nerys mounted the piano. She could see the band, feel the audiences eyes on her, and sense Odo behind her as he continued to play.
When you kiss me
Fever, if you live, you learn
Fever! ...'til you sizzle
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn.
As the song ended, Nerys threw herself over the piano, right in Odo's face. "Like it?" he inquired.
"Very much," she assured him.
Very soon after...
"A toast," said Vic. "As Georgie Jessel once said: to whatever makes you happy." He, Odo, and Nerys clinked thier glasses together.
Vic put his glass down and yawned. "I'm gonna turn in. You two lovebirds can live without me, I trust?" Then he was gone.
"So what happened after he left?" asked Nerys as she and Odo sat down together.
"I've told you."
"Tell me again."
Odo sighed, but continued. "She lit up a cigarette."
"I think we can skip that part. What happened next?"
"I couldn't think of what else to say, so I told her she had a beautiful voice, and she told me I had beautiful hands."
"Your response?"
"So I've been told."
"And then?" smiled Nerys as she took his hand.
"She put my hand on her shoulder, and I put my other hand on her arm, and she said they felt good to."
"She was right. They do feel good," murmered Nerys.
"So do you," Odo murmered back, as he once again realized the miracle of holding her in his arms. "I've been waiting to hold you like this for as long as I can remember."
"That what you told her," Nerys reminded him.
"In the moment, I had started thinking she was you."
"What she do?"
"Pointed out we had just met that night."
Nerys giggled slightly. "What did you say to that?"
"That I must have a short memory."
She smiled. "Bet she found that funny."
Odo smiled back. "She did."
"And you said?" said Nerys.
"Kind of like Victor Borge?"
"And she said?"
"How'd you know?"
Then Nerys closed her eyes and gently moved towards him. He moved towards her, and then stopped. "Then I stopped."
"Why?"
"She wasn't you."
"But I am, whispered Nerys, then moved forward. Odo met her halfway and they shared a long kiss.