The space station Deep Space 9 loomed before them.
On the bridge of th Defiant, Weyoun, Eris, and Elina looked at each other. They looked back at Kilana and Temlin, who had never seen the station, and Keevan, who had no memory of it. Though it was speculated that Kilana#25 had actually seen Deep Space 9 before her demise, as she had commanded one of the ship in the fleet that had mysteriously dissapeared in the wormhole, it was impossible to know for sure, since last memories they had been able to retrieve was of her ship entering the wormhole.
Thier fleets had also arrived, and they also loomed on the screen, moving out of sight as the Defiant docked.
At the airlock, they were greeted by three figures. Weyoun recognized the first two as Colonel Kira and Dr. Bashir. The third, a Trill, was a stranger.
"Welcome to Deep Space 9, Founder." said Kira as she helped the Founder into the corridor. "I'm Colonel Kira. These are Doctor Bashir and Lieutenant Ezri Dax."
"This," replied Weyoun, "is Elina, the leading scientist in the Dominion."
An Admiral approached and introduced himself as Admiral Ross.
As introductions continued, suddenly something else caught Weyoun attention. Something was pulling at his mind, a part of him, something from the past. Weyoun#6's memories. They would have automaticly been transmitted and stored in the Federation runabout he died in.
"Weyoun?" he heard Eris's voice behind him.
The memories were had indentified his mind. They were entering it. He could now remember. He could remember...
"By the Great Link..."
"What is it?"
"Weyoun#5 knew about the Cardassian plot. It's in Weyoun#6's memories. For some reason it didn't get transferred to Weyoun#7."
"Why not?"
"I can't get anymore from here. If I approached the source of the memories, I might be able to learn more."
The group was breaking up. "I don't think that's a very good idea." Eris said. "What if the memories overwhelmed you?"
"I can handle it."
"I'm not sure you can. I know my mental state, and it's unstable at the moment, and logically, yours must me the same, because we're suffering from the same thing. You're taking a big risk."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take."
"Are you sure? I think it's obvious already what happened. Damar killed Weyoun#5, then sabtouged Weyoun#6. That's what you suspect as well, right?"
"We should make sure!"
"What would be the point of that? Your emotions are getting the better of you."
"They are not-"
"Excuse me." came Elina's voice.
That was when Weyoun and Eris realized they were yelling at each other.
Feeling worse then she ever had, Eris shot Weyoun a glare and turned to Elina. "Yes?"
"Dr. Bashir and I are going to work together on a cure for the Founder's disease. We would like it you would aid us."
"Certianly." said Eris, who hurried off with them.
Weyoun turned, and saw Ezri Dax staring at him. Her face was half astonishment and half professional concern.
Then she smiled. "Your first arguement, right? I remember when Odo and Kira had their first arguement, Odo kept avoiding Kira for days afterward because he thought she wanted to break it with them."
"That would have been foolish of her." replied Weyoun who then headed down the corridor after the Founder.
Ezri caught up with him. "The point is, don't start fearing Eris doesn't love you anymore. Most likely within the week, you even remember this arguement happened."
"How did you know?" he demanded.
"I'm a counselor, Weyoun. I'm trained to know these things. Excuse me." She left.
As Weyoun followed the Founder, he thought about what she had said. Her reassurance that the damage between him and Eris was only temporary was very relieving to hear, but how easily she had guessed it, counselor or no, was disturbing for some reason.
Now, of course, he had to decide whether to try for Weyoun#6's memories or not. But then, they were already coming at him with great force. Would he even have a choice?
A while later...
"This will not do!" protested the Romulan. "The Dominion-"
"Has attacked all of us, and could still destroy us all if we let it be. It may be a long shot, but it may also end up being our only one." Admiral Ross replied.
Little did either know Weyoun was listening. They were in the other room, but had not reckoned with the Vorta's exceptional hearing. The Romulan's behavior angered him greatly. Not only was the Dominion not guilty of the attack on Senator Vreenak, but also the Romulans had given thier approval to the attempt to kill the Founders.
A while ago, he realized, he would have most likely dismissed this as to be expected. Why now was he so angry?
Reaching deep into himself, Weyoun found a reserve that had not been destroyed in the Cardassian tampering or in the awakening of his feelings for Eris. Remembering a technique someone had told some Weyoun about in the past, he slowly breathed in and out. He was calming down. He was Weyoun, servant of the Founders...
The something began trickling in. He had forgotten about Weyoun#6's memories. In his attempt to purge himself, he had let down his guard, and now they came pouring in on him.
Fear. The knowledge of the Cardassians plans. He would go inform the Founder. Greater fear as Damar told Elina she must depart. Then Damar grabbed Weyoun, pulled something-
Pain. Both physical and mental. Something was forcing itself into his mind, twisting it. His mind screamed.
"No" whispered Weyoun#8 as the memories became his reality, his surroundings faded, his memories were fading...
"Weyoun," started Eris as she entered. "I've been thinking about what happened earlier, and I-Weyoun?" she walked up to him. He was muttering to the air, "This isn't right. This isn't right."
"What isn't right?"
"I cannot continue. I must get out of here. Get out of this trap. I cannot."
"Weyoun?"
"I am fine? No, I am not fine, why can't I say it? This is not right? She is a God, but she is, she is, if only I could-"
"Weyoun, answer me!"
"This is not right! What can I do? Pretend to be normal, pretend to be like Weyoun#5? Maybe I'll die. I can't live like this."
Eris looked into Weyoun's eyes. They were distant. Forcing herself into his mind, she found it in a frenzy. Weyoun#6's memories were pushing themselves in, and Weyoun#8 was being forced to relive Weyoun#6's life.
**Weyoun** called Eris mentally. **I'm here.**
**Eris? Help me, I am not like this!**
**Listen to me. You are Weyoun#8. Weyoun#6's memories are overwhelming you.**
**Eris! I cannot-help-stop it!**
**I cannot help you!** Eris fought back panic.
"Eris?" For a moment, his eyes focused on the present. "Hold me..."
"Certianly." she assured him, and tenderly pulled him into an embrace as he lasped back into memories.
As they continued, he felt himself go through the experience, and felt his own grief and guilt. Eris felt his shoulders shake, and she held him tighter, certain that if she had had tear ducts, she would be crying herself.
It was in this position that the Founder found them half an hour later.
Apon her enterance, Eris bowed her head. "Founder, you honor us both with your presence."
"I could get to him," murmered Weyoun. "He could would take me back to the Federation with him."
The Founder looked at him in confusion.
"Weyoun#6's memories." explained Eris. "They've forced themsevles into his mind."
"Can you stop them?"
"I've tried," Eris began to choke. "Believe me, I've tried." She took a deep breath. "They should run thier course in a little over an hour I think."
"What's going on?" asked a voice as a fourth person entered the room. It was Jadzia Dax.
"Weyoun#6's memories are entering him. He is going through them. She is comforting him."
"I see," said Dax.
For an hour they stood there, until suddenly Weyoun's hand flew to the back of his neck, but was stopped by Eris. "I did it..." he murmered, "Odo is safe...this was not supposed to be painful...you give me your blessing...thank you..." a smile slowly spread across Weyoun's face and his eyes closed. Then they opened, and he was himself again.
"Eris? Thank you...I hope I have not inconveinced you."
"Not at all." she whispered fiercly. "And if you could do the same for me, if need be..."
"Whenever."
A sob pulled thier attention, and Weyoun felt a hypospray press against his neck as he heard a hiss. A second later Eris felt the same.
Wiping away her tears, Jadzia pocketed the hypospray. She looked at the Founder, who saw staring at her uncomprehending.
"What?" demanded Jadzia. "You weren't moved by that? That was the most tender thing I've ever seen, and you weren't even touched just a little bit?? You really must have no heart, either figurativly or literally."
"I've bene asking myself that question ever since I got here." the Founder replied. "Now I don't know what to do, what to deal with first, I don't even know what to think!" She turned. "What should I do?"
"I can give you some advice, the most impartial you'll get."
"How?"
"Simple. I'm a Soong-type android. I just turn off my emotion chip-" she jerked her head to the side and there was a beep.
"I see. So, with your emotion chip off, what advice you can give me?"
Jadzia thought for a few moments, then said, "The Nissians have a saying:A turn of the hand, and everything changes. You can either try to turn the hand back, or you can change with it."
"It seems to me the hand has turned. You can try to force things back to the way they were, or you can take advantage of the change."
"What advantage could there be to this?" asked the Founder.
"According to what we know, you create new Vorta by combining two genetic samples in a test tube, a long and tedious process, and a very inconvenient one given the recent reducing of your numbers. But if thier relationship becomes sexual in nature-"
"They are non-sexual."
"A medical condition, and one that could be changed. But that," continued Jadzia, "Is up to you, since they'll do what you say. I talked with Elina. If you make this move, your numbers would be back to it's original size in less then two decades. But if you feel it's too big a move..."
Then she left the Founder to her thoughts.
The next morning...
Weyoun woke up. He was curled against something warm in what looked like a conference room. He managed to turn his head and smiled. He was leaning agianst a sleeping Eris. He leaned forward and kissed her softly. Her eyelids fluttered, and she woke up.
"Eris," he said softly, "I'd like to apologize for our arguement earlier."
"I'd like to as well."
The two were not aware of the Founder's spying on them. As she entered, her decision made, they jumped to attention.
"Weyoun, Eris, when we are done with negoiations today, you are to report to the Infimery. I wish for Dr. Bashir to perform an operation on you."
"Of course, Founder." Weyoun replied.
Then the station shook. "We must be under attack."
Eris concentrated. "Two Cardassian ships, and three Jem'Hadar. They must be getting more aggressive."
"Can you stop them?"
"Not from this distance."
Up in Ops, noone noticed Temlin enter. Until he spoke. "You should target the area below thier Bussard Collectors on the Cardassian ships. Thier shielding is weakest there."
"Thanks," replied Commander Dax, who was working the weapons. Within seconds, one of the ships was disabled.
"Our sheilds are falling!" warned Commander Clark from her station. Several seconds later she cursed. "There are Jem'Hadar beaming in here!"
"Phasers out!" yelled Sisko. He turned to Temlin. "You leave!"
Temlin did not hesitate, but quickly slipped out of Ops.
Scarely had seven Jem'Hadar materialized when O'Brien yelled, "The sheilds are back up.
"A little too late!" Annette Clark sighed. A calm overtook her as she whispered a word. A Jem'Hadar turned towards her and fired his weapon. The energy dissapaited harmlessly around her. Before the Jem'Hadar could respond, she shot him. This energy dissapaited as well, but this did not seem to bother her. As they both fired, it became a contest on which was stronger, her magical shielding, or his energy sheilds.
Jadzia Dax meanwhile had taken on a second Jem'Hadar physically, her android strength against his. He strained for his disruptor, which she had knocked from him, hoping to electrocute her, while she had her hand on his shoulder, keeping him from it. Suddenly she changed hands, and with one yank, ripped out his ketrecel white tube. He released a howl. Taking advantage of this momentary distraction, she grabbed his neck and yanked, trying to snap it.
A third Jem'Hadar had made the mistake of attacking Kira. Within 30 seconds she had him flying into a wall, hitting a power conduit, and frying himself. A fourth came at her, which didn't last long either.
Sisko kept his distance from his opponent, shooting at every opportunity. Like Annette, he was simply trying to wear him down, but without her shielding ability, had to avoid blasts rather then dissolve them. The fight, however, lasted a much shorter time when Sisko sent the Jem'Hadar into the power conduit.
As Miles subdued the last Jem'Hadar, Jadzia sucessfully snapped her opponents neck, and Annette's phaser finally killed her opponent, the station rocked as the second Cardassian ship pounded. A few shots under the Bussard collectors quickly stopped that.
They looked about. Parts of Ops were damaged, and damage rerpots were coming in.
"Casualties are light," reported Jadzia as Temlin reentered.
"I wonder why they did that," murmered Annette.
"I don't," said Weyoun as he also entered with the Founder. "It's a warning. This conflict is far from over."
It was Kira who grasped his full meaning first. "You're serious about us becoming allies."
"I don't really like the idea either," said the Founder. "But we have no choice."
The Founder could see Jadzia Dax smiling. The hand had turned, and the Founder had decided to turn with it, shift into a new advantage, give up what was unretrievable.
She gazed at Weyoun. Seeing him now, one would never have imagined the Weyoun she had seen yesterday. She could know the Foudner's decision on that from Julian for sure, but she had the feeling she already knew what it was.
That evening...
"The main problem," Weyoun was saying, "is the Romulans. They seem determined to disrupt the alliance, because they still think we killed Vreenak."
"Did you?" asked Eris suddenly. "Tell me the truth, did you?"
Weyoun shook his head. "I have no idea who assasinated Vreenak. It is possible, I suppose, that Damar bombed his shuttle without telling me, but if he did, he did a very good job in keeping everything concealed."
"Those Cardassians can keep things concealed" said Eris, bitterness creeping into her voice. She paused to swallow a kava nut. She and Weyoun were on the couch in the quarters given to them on Deep Space 9, eating thier daily meal. "And these Romulans aided them. Are we going to let them go unpunished for that?"
"It's possible." said Weyoun. "If we accuse the Romulans, the alliance could break. We can however use it to push the Romulans out of the alliance if it seems the only way to preserve the rest of it."
"Were there any plans to invade Romulus?"
"Nothing concrete. We had considered it, but only after we had won the war with the Federation."
There was a moment or two of silence. Then Eris spoke again. "What about Weyoun#6? From what I was able to tell from your babblings yesterday, he wasn't an ordinary defective clone."
"No. He wasn't. Damar twisted his mind mere minutes after his activation, making him doubt the war so much he simply no longer remembered the conspiracy. It was so strong, he didn't even tell Odo, and barely even got around to telling him about the disease. Damar then deleted the memories of the conspiracy from the memory bank, so when they were retrieved to clone Weyoun#7..."
"...they weren't passed on." finished Eris. "So, you found out. Are you satisfied."
"Yes." he murmered as he placed the tray into the recycler. She did the same. Then, on impulse, she moved closer to him.
"And what about the "side-effects"?" she asked. She moved even closer, until they were almost touching.
Weyoun closed the gap betwen the two of them as he recalled how warm and safe he had felt in her embrace the previous day. It felt so good to have someone leaning against him. But now, he realized, he would miss her when she was not there. "It's terrifying." he said at last. "I feel so weak."
Eris could feel him trembling. She felt a sudden urge to pull him closer. She looked into his eyes and saw the fire burning there.
Weyoun saw Eris close her eyes, and moved towards him. He moved to receive her kiss. Thier mouths moved against each other ferverently. Suddenly he realized that the last time they had reached this level of intensity in thier kissing, it had been when they had just escaped from Central Command. He couldn't describe how he felt, but knew now Eris was his and he was hers.
Weyoun felt something fall off him. His jacket. She have removed it. Her intent was obvious, and he knew well he could not deny her what she wanted. He slid his arms under her tunic, caressing her skin. Deep in her throat, she released a moan, and he pulled away. "Eris, are you allright?"
"I've never felt better. That moan wasn't of pain." She leaned over to him agian, but this time she bit into his earlobe, running her tongue up and down the ear. Weyoun gasped in pleasure, and was just reaching over to run a hand through her thick hair when she abruptly pulled away. "Did you hear that?"
He listened. He could hear shouting down the hall, and it sounded like Keevan and Kilana. He looked at her. "It sounds like Keevan and Kilana."
They got up and hurried out into the corridor.
They could not make out the faces of the two Vorta, but they could tell by the voices it was Keevan and Kilana. And they were yelling at each other.
"But you had to stare at me in the middle of the Promanade, where everyone could see. Don't you think we should be a little more discreet?"
"You were continually moving closer to me, asking for me to stare at you."
"I insist, I was not!"
"You were!"
"Why were you staring at me like that anyway? You were acting as if you were in love with me!"
"Well, perhaps I am!"
"Perhaps? I would say you certianly are!"
Kilana was quiet for several seconds. "Yes." she said at last. "I am. Now how about you?" she then demanded. "Are you in love with me?"
Another pause. Then, "I think so."
"Then were were inviting me to stare at you!"
"Fine!"
"Good!"
Who moved next Weyoun and Eris were never able to tell. But suddenly Keevan and Kilana were in each other's arms, kissing like mad.
Eris commented first. "And I thought we were unstable."
"I think we'll stabilize in time." mused Weyoun. "I think they will as well."
"Yes..." she murmered. "In time..."
Early the next morning...
When Eris woke, she usually woke very quickly. This was no exception. And her memory came back before her senses did, so she was not surprised to find herself on the couch, leaning against Weyoun, covered only by a blanket. She smiled spread accross her face as she recalled what they had done the previous night.
She reached to wake Weyoun up, then decided to wait a second or so. She wanted to savor the moment.
She reached down and traced her abdomen. She wondered if there was now the beginnings of a child in it. If there wasn't, she and Weyoun could always try again.
Many changes had gone through her, and everyone in the Alpha Quadrant, through the last few days. And all in all, they were probably for the better.