Work Text:
As the war with the Dominion went on, it was not unusual to see Admiral Ross on the station. That day was no different from any other: Captain Sisko was waiting for the admiral to get out of the transport ship that had just docked on one of the pylons so that he could accompany him to the wardroom.
Just like he did every time he came.
Familiar. Easy.
Ross was one of the better admirals to have on DS9, so Sisko was actually quite happy to welcome him aboard his station.
“Admiral”, he greeted him, holding out a hand for Ross to shake it.
“Captain Sisko, good to be here. Shall we?” He replied motioning for Sisko to get moving. There was no time to lose in the middle of a war.
The two of them walked along the promenade with certain celerity, but still without running. Seeing the promenade so full of life and activity even despite the grim circumstances served to revitalize both men. It was a reminder of what they were fighting for.
Yes, Admiral Ross thought with pride, it was great to see so many people going about their business. Like Sisko’s Chief of Security, that Changeling, what was his name? Ah, yes, Odo. There he was, looking more flustered than the last time he saw him. Hmm, what might have happened for him to be that way? It seemed he was in a hurry to get out of there and disappear. Oh, well, nevermind.
Ah, there was Major Kira, quite pregnant already. Maybe Odo was running from her. Who was the father of the baby? Captain Sisko had briefed him about the whole thing, but he couldn’t really remember the details. If he remembered correctly, the baby wasn’t hers at all! He’d have to ask Benjamin once again for a whole debrief. After all, what was life without a little bit of gossip?
Wait a minute! No need to ask Ben; he remembered! Well, rather, he was reminded when the engineer—Chief O’Connely? O’Neill? O’Brian?—walked right behind the major with his wife. It was their baby, Ross remembered. A freak accident that the doctor of the station had turned into a miracle. The pair had caught up with Kira, and they were speaking animatedly. It was nice to see them so happy, with no immediate worries in their horizon. The trio was laughing and they were almost hugging each other. He was actually surprised to see them so physically affectionate, especially with Nerys, who was an outsider to the Chief’s family. Although, Ross supposed, carrying their baby made her one of theirs. A family member of her own rights.
He wondered how the doctor had pulled off that feat of medicine. And, as if summoned by his thoughts, Doctor Bashir joined the trio along with that Cardassian tailor that was always with him. The newcomers exchanged a couple of words with the group, making them all laugh. And that was when the group divided: the women left together holding hands and the Cardassian took off, while the chief motioned to join the doctor—Sisko had told him something about a dart competition in the Ferengi’s bar.
Ross didn’t have time for more observing, as he got into the transporter with Ben.
“You have quite a tightly knit group of people here, Ben, keep up the good work!”
"If you only knew", Ben thought, but didn't say anything at all.