TEASER

FADE IN:

1 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE – ESTABLISHING

The Defiant sits at its usual spot on the docking ring, and there are many shuttles and transports docked all around.

2 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE

We SWEEP slowly around the Promenade space, taking in all the levels and businesses and nooks and crannies. All around, Starfleet officers and enthusiastic civilians are helping to put up decorations, streamers, flags, balloons.

We are preparing for the GRATITUDE FESTIVAL, as seen in 3x10 “Fascination” and 6x26 “Tears of the Prophets.”

After taking in as much of this as we can – excitement, colour, fellowship – we finally touch upon RO, strolling through the Promenade, watching this all go on. She looks at the decorations and the extravagance rather awkwardly. She’s not catching the excitement bug like everyone else.

On her way past the security office, she waves a polite hello to EVIK, who is holding a briefing session for his officers half-in and half-out of the office door. He points this way and that, demonstrating what he says MOS.

Eventually Ro strolls on into...

3 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR (CONTINUOUS)

...Where there are even more decorations being raised by Starfleet officers and the occasional harassed Ferengi waiter. Ro pauses in the doorway, gazes at the spectacle.

QUARK holds court, bellowing commands to his minions.

QUARK
Grimp, you idiot! I said further
to the left! The left!

The Ferengi waiter mousily does as he’s told. Quark turns another way, sees another waiter, stomps over to him in a fury, and grabs what he was working on off him.

QUARK
No no no! Like this, see? Do I
have to do everything myself?

Despite her uncertainty, Ro can’t help but smirk. Then Quark turns her way, and they both freeze. After recent events between them, neither knows how to act around the other. Unsure, hesitant, formal just to be safe.

QUARK
Commander. Good to see you.

RO
Ambassador. Preparations are going
well, I take it?

QUARK
I’ll make sure they go well if it
kills me. The Time of Cleansing
guts my profits every year – an
entire month of Bajorans forgoing
all worldly pleasures. So when
it’s finally over and we get the
Gratitude Festival... well, I’m
not leaving anything to chance.

RO
That’s probably wise. Let Major
Cenn know if you need anything.

QUARK
I will.

With a nod, Ro turns to leave. But Quark calls after her...

QUARK
Laren... thanks for coming.

A personal moment. Ro appreciates it, but doesn’t know how to react. She half-smiles, nods awkwardly again, and turns to leave him to it.

4 EXT. SISKO’S HOUSE – DAY

The Kendra countryside is colourful and bright with the new life of spring.

5 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE

Early morning, but BEN SISKO is already up and pottering around the kitchen. The sun is shining and the birds are tweeting in the trees. Sisko is preparing breakfast – French toast with fresh fruit.

Sisko turns at the sound of KASIDY emerging from the bedroom. She’s less of a morning person than Ben, not put her game face on yet. She staggers half-conscious into the kitchen, slumps into a seat at the breakfast table.

SISKO
Morning.

KASIDY
Morning. Rebecca up yet?

SISKO
No. I think she feels the same way
about mornings as her mom.

KASIDY
Mmm? Mmm.

Sisko brings the French toast and fresh fruit to the table, places one on front of Kasidy, and takes a seat opposite her. Two mugs of coffee are already there waiting for them. He tucks into the food, she sticks to coffee for now.

SISKO
There was a message from Ranjen
Sool at B’Hala. They’ve asked me
to serve as the Presider for this
year’s Gratitude Festival
celebrations at the site.

KASIDY
...Okay.

SISKO
It’s quite an honour to be asked.

KASIDY
You used to leave it to Kira.

SISKO
Yes, I know. But they’re good
people at B’Hala. Plus, Eivos
always used to do it, so...

Kasidy nods, getting his gist. Staring into her coffee.

KASIDY
Well... okay. Enjoy yourself.

SISKO
No, you don’t understand. I want
us all to go. As a family.

KASIDY
(hopeful)
Really?

SISKO
Absolutely. I’d like to take you
there, show you everything they’ve
discovered. Meet the people I work
with. It’d be nice for Rebecca to
learn a bit more about Bajoran
culture. Plus... we get to spend
some time together. We haven’t
done a lot of that lately.

KASIDY
No... we haven’t.
(straightens)
Okay then. The commerce authority
always takes the day off anyway.
Not like I’ll have anything better
to do. Gratitude Festival it is.

Kasidy livens up, begins to eat. Sisko smiles, relaxes.

SISKO
Better dig out my best suit. And
polish up my ancient Bajoran.

Kasidy nods at that, mouth full. They’re both cheered.

6 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

PRYNN and CANDLEWOOD stroll along the corridor, on their way to work. Chatting amiably as they walk.

CANDLEWOOD
I’m telling you, Prynn, he kissed
me. He actually kissed me.

PRYNN
Good for you.

CANDLEWOOD
And I didn’t have to beg or grovel
or anything. I think he might
actually like me.

PRYNN
John... he dated you for several
months. Of course he likes you.
I keep trying to tell you that.

CANDLEWOOD
Yeah, but... do you think he might
want to... I don’t know... get
back together?

PRYNN
Maybe ask him, instead of me.

CANDLEWOOD
Okay. I will. Tonight. At the
Gratitude party.

PRYNN
Just don’t be all desperate and
clingy, alright? I know he’s
gorgeous, but have some dignity.

CANDLEWOOD
I thought we established dignity
was not my strong suit. Oh,
maybe this is a bad idea.

PRYNN
John! Stop panicking. He’s not a
god. He’s just a person, like you.

CANDLEWOOD
Oh no. Definitely not like me.

They turn a corner into another corridor. As soon as they do, Candlewood hesitates. Stares at one particular door.

CANDLEWOOD
That’s his quarters. Right there.

PRYNN
Ah. I did wonder why we took the
long way around this morning.

Just then, the door in question opens. Candlewood jumps, immediately retreats back around the corner where he can see but not be seen, dragging protesting Prynn with him.

Out of Hetik’s quarters, walks... a man who is definitely not Hetik. A human male in an engineering yellow uniform, carrying his tool kit. HETIK himself comes to the door, naked but for a bath towel around his waist. The Bajoran dabo boy leans against the doorframe in that effortlessly sexy way people like that can do. Damn them all to hell.

HETIK
Thanks for coming, Daniel. I’ll
see you later.

The man waves goodbye and walks away. Hetik turns and re-enters his quarters. The door closes behind him.

On Candlewood, who has just seen this. He is devastated.

And Prynn, who feels so sorry for him...

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER