Strange New Worlds Star Trek by Dean Wesley Smith

Author:Dean Wesley Smith [Smith, Dean Wesley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Science fiction; American, Interplanetary voyages, Space ships, Science fiction; English, Star Trek fiction
ISBN: 9780671014469
Google: bYJJ4DrJWAkC
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 1998-07-01T05:39:49+00:00

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 the 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.

"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.

Nog watched Mrs. O'Brien nod her head. She would take the regular shuttle back to the station at the end of the conference. Whatever there had been between them was laid to rest for now. Still, he felt a need to explain to her.

"In that case, I'm going to stay around here for a while. I have a few days before I have to go back to the academy. If I go back to the station, my uncle will expect me to work in his bar, and that's no job for a cadet.

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