TEASER

FADE IN: 

1 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE

Standard establishing shot, the Defiant in place. 

2 INT. DS9 - RO’S QUARTERS

Last seen DS9 11x11 “The Crucible”. Beginning at the REPLICATOR, which whirs its maelstrom of golden particles to create a glass bowl of SALAD. 

RO LAREN reaches in to pick it up, and carries it across to place on the dining table. QUARK is already there, filling a pair of tumblers with WATER. 

Both are wearing civilian clothing - no uniforms or formal business suits. Stay tight on these two for now, as Quark looks down at the bowl of salad, unimpressed.

QUARK
I hope that’s not all you’re serving.

RO
(playful)
Not everyone loves tube grubs,
Quark. Besides, you’re the one
pouring water. I thought this
was supposed to be a party. 

QUARK
When you’re a bartender, you
learn the value of pacing yourself.
Wouldn’t want anyone to get too
drunk too quickly, would we? 

They smile flirtily at each other - they are in a better place together than at the end of the previous episode.

FOLLOW as Ro heads back across the room towards the replicator. Instead she opens a small cabinet in the wall, reaches in and pulls out a small pile of PLACE MATS. She looks down at them in her hands, chuckles.

RO
I never use these. The rare times
I even eat anything in here, it’s
usually a quick snack on the run
before I’m back out the door to
handle the latest crisis. I sure
don’t put out place mats. I tend
to forget I even have them. 

Shaking her head in amusement, she brings the mats back over towards the table and starts laying them out. 

QUARK
Well, this is a special occasion,
isn’t it? You deserve to treat
yourself every now and then. 

RO
I do, don’t I?

They continue to lay things out on the table, mostly out of sight of the camera - we don’t need to focus on it. 

RO
You know what? I’m actually
looking forward to this. 

QUARK
You’re not nervous? 

RO
(considers it)
No. I think it’ll be good for us.
It was a good idea, Quark. 

QUARK
You said we needed to get to know
each other better. What better way
than over an intimate dinner in
your quarters? 

RO
Exactly. 

QUARK
So... you’ve been thinking about
this for a while, then? 

RO
(shrug)
We’re supposed to be a team. A
unit. I know we’ve been together
for a while now, but I still don’t
really feel like we’re there yet,
you know? And I kinda feel like
it’s my job to get us there. 

Quark pauses, looks at her honestly. 

QUARK
It’s not all on your shoulders,
Laren. You can’t be expected
to fix everything by yourself. 

RO
I know. But I should at least
make the effort.

QUARK
Well, I hope they appreciate it.
I know I would. 

RO
Okay. Finished. How does it look? 

Finally OPEN OUT, and we see they have not been setting a small table for two. They have been setting a LONG TABLE for nine - four down each side and one at the top. 

Each place has a place setting, glasses, cutlery, and enough room left over for lots and lots of food to be placed. Ro and Quark look at it with satisfaction. 

QUARK
Perfect. 

Ro chuckles again. 

QUARK
What’s wrong? 

RO
Nothing. Just the idea of me setting
a table, throwing a dinner party,
owning place mats. I spent half
my life in a cave.

QUARK
I can always throw mud in your
face during the main course if
it’ll make you feel any better.

RO
Try it and you’ll be the main
course. 

QUARK
(smirk)
Promise? 

Before she can respond, the door CHIME sounds. Ro and Quark look to each other - ready? Ready. 

RO
Come in. 

The door opens, and EVIK NATH stands there, also in civilian clothing, and carrying a covered dish of his own. 

EVIK
Oh, I’m the first one here. Hope
I’m not too early. 

RO
Don’t worry about it, Nath. Come
on in! 

He does, bringing his dish to the table. Once it is placed, he tears off the cover with a flourish. Ro leans forward and breathes deep with a gasp of amazement... 

RO
Maltiv stew? How did you - 

QUARK
What’s maltiv stew? 

RO
Maltiv were these little brush
creatures on Valo Two. We used to
eat ‘em. One of the few things I
miss about that place, actually.
But how did you get hold of it? 

EVIK
I still have a few friends back
home. They send me a package
every couple of months. I keep
it for special occasions. 

Ro hugs Evik in delight. Then the door CHIMES again. 

RO
Come in! 

The door opens again, and NOG is there, CANDLEWOOD and TENMEI just behind him. All of them are carrying their own covered dishes. Candlewood shouts over their shoulders... 

CANDLEWOOD
Partaaaaay!!! 

Ro sighs, chuckles and beckons them all in. They file into the room. 

Before the door can close, BASHIR and MATTHIAS are also there, each with their own dishes, stepping over the threshold. And finally Major CENN, somewhat more reserved than the others but here nevertheless. 

As they all file into the room, arranging their various home-cooked dishes onto the table, Ro watches over the entire crowd, smiling with pride... 

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER