ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

27 INT. B’HALA CAVES

The two flaming torches have been jammed into a crack in the ground by their bases, so that they stand up. Sisko and Luka sit on the ground nearby, almost like a campfire, sitting and pondering by the fire light.

LUKA
How many times have I read those
words? Back to front, over and over,
I know them by heart. I just assumed
they were metaphor. But they were
more literal than I could have ever
imagined.

SISKO
From what little I know of him,
Ohalu tended to keep the usual
flowery language to a minimum.

LUKA
And the guide... Obviously the
Emissary is you. But the guide...
(w/ wonder)
That’s me. Ohalu foresaw me.

Luka gazes into the flames, overcome with amazement at this concept. Sisko is glad to see him happy.

LUKA
All of this is Ohalu. All of it. All
around us. Including me.
(beat)
Thank you, Benjamin. You’ve given
me something I could never have
dreamed of.

SISKO
I should be thanking you. You’ve
given me someone I feel like I can
talk to. That’s more than I’ve had
in a long time.

LUKA
I’m glad I could help, in whatever
small way.

SISKO
I’m just sorry it took Eivos’s death
to bring us together.

Luka thinks a moment, then gets up to stand. He picks up a handful of sand from the ground, and gently casts the sand into the flames. The sand burns away in a quick flash.

LUKA
Eivos Calan, and Audj.

Sisko smiles, touched. He gets up to stand, grabs a handful of sand, and throws it into the flames.

SISKO
Eivos Calan, and Audj.

They take a moment to remember their mutual friend.

SISKO
So now, the question is... can we
find our way out of here?

LUKA
(smile)
I’m sure we can.

Going off the flames of Sisko and Luka’s torches...

28 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE

...to the flames of the roaring fire in the Sisko household’s living room fireplace. It’s night outside, with a blustery wind audible. But inside it’s warm and secure.

Jasmine is sat cross-legged on the floor, playing jacks and marbles with Rebecca. The little girl is in her jim-jams. Kasidy sits in the rocking chair watching them play, happy and relaxed, laughing along with them.

After a while, the door opens, and Sisko re-enters. They all look up at him in some slight surprise.

Rebecca jumps up and runs to her father in glee.

REBECCA
Daddy daddy! She’s human! Like me!

SISKO
She certainly is, sweetheart.

Jasmine gets up too and approaches Sisko with her hand out to shake.

JASMINE
Good to see you again, Captain.

SISKO
You too, sergeant. Is there a problem?

JASMINE
Oh no, not at all.

KASIDY
Jasmine came by to update us on
the investigation, and then we got
to talking. Didn’t realise how late
it had gotten.

SISKO
(to Rebecca)
Late enough that little girls ought
to be in bed.

Rebecca pouts and grabs onto Sisko tight, trying to be the perfect daddy’s girl. He prises her away again.

KASIDY
I think that sounds like an excellent idea.

REBECCA
Oh, mommy...

KASIDY
Come on, young lady. No arguing.
Ben, would you...?

Sisko nods his agreement warmly, hefts Rebecca up with a giggle, and carries her off towards the bedrooms. With them gone, Jasmine pulls herself together.

JASMINE
Right, I should be off.

KASIDY
Thanks for coming, Jasmine. Are
you sure you’ll be warm enough?
I can lend you a coat...

JASMINE
I’ll be fine. Us trained security
operatives are a hardy breed.

Kasidy opens the door for Jasmine to go, but hesitates.

KASIDY
Really, Jasmine... thanks. For listening.

JASMINE
My pleasure.

KASIDY
Do you think we could... I don’t
know, meet up again some time?
Try and teach Bajor how to make
a good cup of tea?

JASMINE
I’d like that.

Jasmine pulls Kasidy into a quick half-hug, then turns and leaves. Kasidy closes the door behind her.

29 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE - BEDROOM

Last seen in 10x20 “In the Stars”. Kasidy quietly opens the door to find Sisko already there, preparing himself and the room for bed. Kasidy enters and begins doing the same.

KASIDY
Rebecca in bed already?

SISKO
She was tireder than she let on.

Pulling the curtains.

Folding down the bedspread.

Stripping off the day clothes.

Putting them in the laundry hamper.

KASIDY
She absolutely adores Jasmine. They
were playing half the day.

SISKO
Good. It’s nice for her to meet
other humans.

Getting into bed clothes.

Brushing teeth.

Taking out hair pins and brushing it out.

KASIDY
I wasn’t sure I’d actually see you
tonight.

SISKO
Well, the accommodations weren’t
exactly luxurious. And it’s not so far
away. Just a moment by transporter.

Moisturising face and hands. Rinsing out with mouthwash.

KASIDY
Do you want a hot drink or anything?
Replicator’s still warm.

SISKO
No, thanks... it’s been a long day,
and I’m tired. I just want to go
to sleep.

So they do. They climb into bed.

KASIDY
So did you have a good time?

SISKO
Actually... yes. Met some good people.
Talked about Eivos a lot. It was nice.

KASIDY
Are you going to go back?

SISKO
Yes... yes, I think I am.

Kasidy reaches up and clicks off the light over the bed. They both settle down into the covers, each facing outward.

SISKO
Night.

KASIDY
Night.

On SISKO, as he stares out into the darkness on his own side of the bed.

On KASIDY, as she stares out into the darkness on her own side of the bed.

A TOP VIEW of them both, in bed, in the dark, backs turned to each other, a yawning chasm between them.

FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW