Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It didn't take long for Odo to realize the ship he was on wasn't his Terok Nor. The corridors were long and twisting in the right layout, but the ship was notably lacking any Cardassian guards or other security measures that should have been in place. At first, he was suspicious that the other world's Kira and that obnoxious Terran with her had somehow overthrown the ship, but the further he explored, the more and more minor discrepancies he found.

Small things, like the sound of the engines humming through the walls was different, less noisy, and he had somehow yet to run into anyone in the corridors despite how close they were to the ship engines. There should have been new Terrans being escorted to the ore processing center. Or Terrans being taken out with a drape thrown over them, passed put from pure exhaustion and overcome by the fumes.
Yet, Odo saw neither of these things. He stopped by the processing center to confirm it, and it seemed almost like an entirely different ship inside. There was no one there, and no ore to be processed, just warp drives humming softly. At least, Odo hadn't realized there was anyone at first.

"Constable, sir? What're you doing here?"

Odo, who had previously been moving around the ship in the more discreet form of a Terran fly, had changed into his humanoid form to scope out the room. He hadn't quite noticed the Terran knelt down besides the warp drive from he angle where he was standing until the Terran had detected him first. In a rapid move, Odo shifted his arm to a spear-like appendage, shooting it out to impale the Terran who gasped then promptly went limp at the fatal blow.
He removed his arm, humming to himself curiously as he moved closer and knelt by the body to inspect it.

The Terran wore an unfamiliar uniform, a clean black and yellow body-suit he hadn't ever seen before. He glanced towards the panel the Terran had open, a configuration of internal mechanisms that the man must have been attempting to sabotage. Maybe a friend of the Terran tinkerer, O'Brien, Odo supposed. He grunted to himself uncertainly, noticing the tool kit to the side. If it was sabotage, why would he have what looked like a standard repair kit...? Odo peered into the panel again, staring hard but unable to determine if the man had been simply trying to repair the panel as opposed to sabotaging it. He wasn't an engineer after all, he had no idea.

Odo looked back to the man. He'd seemed to recognize him. Constable. He'd called Odo 'Constable'.
A strange possibility started to cross his mind, but as soon as it came, Odo heard footsteps approaching from the hall. Thinking quickly, he shifted into one of the miscellaneous tools, nestled in the bottom of the tool box subtly. If Odo's suspicions were right, he needed to play his cards carefully, at least for now.

"Jiyar? I have the replacement part for the-- oh shit!"

Now that voice was familiar.

"Oh God... O'Brien to Doctor Bashir. I need you in the Warp Core now, Jiyar was attacked."

"On my way, chief."

Chief? O'Brien was a chief...? That confirmed his theory now. Somehow, he'd ended up in the universe the other Kira and the Terran were from. How, he had no idea. His memory didn't seem keen to catch him up on that fact. The last he remembered was being in Ore processing and nothing unsual stood out. Besides...

"Oh Jiyar..." O'Brien sighed heavily with grief where he was standing by the body.
"Who the hell would've done this to you...?"

After a pause O'Brien spoke in a louder voice again.

"O'Brien to security."

Odo almost lost shape for the briefest moment, stunned by the voice that came out of the chief's commbadge.

"Yes, chief?"

It was a bizarre experience, hearing his own voice from an outside perspective. Odo-- this other Odo-- sounded just like him. He wasn't sure he liked it much.

"There was an attack down in the Warp Core room, you'd better get down here."

"Acknowledged."

The comm clicked off, leaving Odo with silence besides the sound of O'Brien's occasional distraught sighs and the warp core softly humming along. He wasn't sure what to make of this entire situation. He didn't prefer to lie low, but unfortunately if he was in a ship with a bunch of Terran enthusiasts and unfamiliar-familar faces from the other universe, keeping a low profile wasn't a bad idea. Starting now, anyways. If he killed again he'd just have to execute it more strategically, he supposed.
Not the most fun option, but Odo wasn't stupid, this situation required at least some delicacy.

Maybe a minute later, the Terran doctor had arrived with other-Odo, beginning to discuss the murder and ending with no solid leads to Odo's amusement. Other-Odo seemed a lot more stuck up than he was. But fairly perceptive, a skill they had in common. The only thing that really bothered him about the whole affair was how other-Odo seemed to speak like the two Terrans were his equals rather than subordinates. It was unsettling to see how much weaker and how much more Terran his alternate self was.

Odo turned into a small Terran fly and slipped out of the tool box, flying out of the room to leave the Terrans and other-Odo to their goose-chase of an investigation. He figured he might as well look around some more and get to know the ship if he was going to be stuck here awhile. He was sure this would lead to some golden opportunities if he played it right. And Odo was sure he would, as always.

Chapter Text

Odo spent the rest of the day exploring the ship and identifying all of the alternate solids that were familiar to him, disappointed when most of the Terran resistance group turned out to be all of the head officers and commanders in this universe. He scoffed to himself, disgusted. It was unnatural; he didn't understand how the station could possibly function this way, and without hardly as many rules as it should have. Other-Odo seemed to solely enforce the Terran ideals of justice, and loosely too.

He'd gotten curious and started to tail other-Odo, somewhat suprised when he headed into what was in both of their worlds, Quark's bar.
Quark was one of the very few constants on both their ships.
Odo kept his distance, watching as other-Odo made his way to the bar, sitting down at a stool and seemingly waiting for something yet making no attempt to call any attention to himself. Despite his subtle entry, the ferengi bartender seemed to know other-Odo was there even before the moment he sat down, finishing with another customers then drifting over to other-Odo too eagerly.

"Constable! Business or pleasure?" Quark asked with obvious false sincerity.
Odo leaned in over the counter slightly, glaring at Quark and saying cooly, "You know why I'm here, Quark."
Quark didn't cringe away but rose his hands in a placating gesture.
"I haven't done anything Odo, really, I swear by my latinum."
Odo scoffed.
"Sure you haven't. What have you been hearing lately, Quark?"
"What sort of thing do you want me to have heard?"
They stared at one another challengingly for a beat, then Odo leaned in closer and lowered his voice, speaking conspiratorily, "About any dangerous friends of yours on the station..?"
Quark rest an arm on the counter, eyes glistening with enjoyment as he leaned in to entertain the conspiratory gossip.
"And why should I tell you anything, that is, if I had heard anything?"
"Well, I know you're despicable Quark, but I'd hardly expect you to protect a murderer."
"Murderer?" Quark exclaimed a little loudly. It wasn't clear if he was actually suprised or only pretending.
"So, about any potential 'friends' of yours...?" Odo prompted.
"Well, who died?"

They continued on, playing a game of cat and mouse, Other-Odo trying to pry information out of Quark and eventually succeeding with some light threats about restricting his business.
The whole interaction was intriguing to Odo.

This Quark was very different from his Quark. They had a similar face value, but Odo knew better than to take him for it. This Quark dressed differently and was outwardly more charismatic. His Quark had a similar business persona, but much less enthusiasm and more reserved. If they were truely both Quarks, then this one was just as much trouble as his. He'd had to keep an eye out.

Odo felt his form shiver with discomfort, only watching them a few moments longer before fleeing from the bar to his temporary hideout in an empty shipping containment room. The bar environment made him uneasy. Even back home on his ship, Terrans would occasionally local the bar, but it was usually only the one small group that The Intendant fancied. It was much more natural being filled with Cardassians and other grunts. Terrans were too... unpredictable. There was so much chaos in this Quark's bar, it was too lively and loud. Too uncontrolled.
The whole ship was far too alive for Odo's liking. There needed to be order about things in a way a Terran leader simply couldn't and didn't enforce here.

Dropping into his makeshift bucket, Odo decided he would look into the command personnel tomorrow and then work on learning and practicing their shapes. He could always play Other-Odo, just himself but more of a soft, doughy Terran, but he wanted options. And options with power were doubtlessly the most efficient.

Chapter Text

Spying on all the Terran officers (plus the Inten- the Major) proved to be more or less boring. It provided useless intel, but nothing that changed much or helped him significantly. For Terrans, their command seemed organized, though not nearly strict as it should be. He shuttered to imagine his universe having switched roles, already discomforted enough by it here. It was wrong.
In an ill mood, he left the command room, growing tired of listening to their bland social chatter.

For the past day or so, Odo had been taking the form of a Terran fly regularly to remain discreet, but having observed the ship enough he was ready to try his hand at blending in, instead of sneaking around like he was afraid of these weaklings.

He took the form of a male Bajoran, as they seemed to be one of the most common species on the station. He'd considered a Terran form for a moment but gotten too disgusted with himself to go through with it. Bajorns weren't superior to Terrans by much, but he still preferred maintaining some of his dignity for the time being.

He began walking around the station, exploring in a more immersive way than he'd been able before. Quickly, he found himself growing more and more angry at the way the Terrans walked around so freely. Even just the relaxed way all the intermingled species seemed to wander, no urgency to their paces and an uneasy chaos to the broad, disturbing mix, made his insides literally swirl with frustration.
He didn't understand how anyone could stand it, let alone Other-Odo if he was anything like Odo.
They were above this sort of mingling with humanoids; there was no way he found the scattered, sloppy station at all pleasant.

Eventually Odo subconsciously made his way to the promenade while brooding over the station occupants. Upon spotting Quarks bar and he lost some of his irritation. He slipped in, pleased to find the bar was quieter than last time he'd been in, as apparently he'd just missed busy hour. For a moment, Odo almost forgot he wasn't home, moving to sit on a stool at the bar and relaxing. He watched Quark for a moment who hadn't noticed him yet, busy finishing a drink for a customer at the other end of the bar.

Quark turned his attention to Odo, giving him a friendly smile that he knew was just for show.

"Hello there, visiting the station for the first time? Smart of you to come here, I must say," Quark greeted, leaning an arm on the bar counter.

"Yes, this is my first time," Odo said, smiling back slightly amused.

Back home, he'd never been able to sneak up on his Quark pretending to be someone else. The impressive sized ears weren't just for show, his Quark had taught him. Perhaps this Quark's ears weren't as sharp, or perhaps the gooey noises his own Quark had claimed he made weren't quite as loud anymore.

"Ah, welcome then. DS9, it's a very unique ship. With unique experiences, might I add," Quark nodded over to the Dabo tables with a grin.

"And what better place to try your luck then at a Dabo table? My lovely Dabo girls would be happy to teach a fine gentleman like yourself how to play."

Odo looked over, admiring the scandally dressed Dabo girls that his universe unfortunately lacked.

"I've played Dabo before, Quark. However your women are something I can appreciate."

Odo watched them a moment longer before looking back, catching Quark staring at funny him with a frown.

"Oh. Uhm-- then perhaps you'd be interested in our one of a kind holosuits. The options are limitless, women-- and men-- of all species. It's very life like," Quark suggested, adding a wink at the end and slowly regaining a grin.

Despite himself, Quark's eyes didn't seem to match his smile. They were dark and confused, something bothering the ferengi but he kept up his business demeanor.

"Another time. I'll have a dry Kanar," Odo said, looking over to the Dabo tables distractedly.

"Right. A dry Kanar. Coming up," Quark said slowly, linger for a moment then walking off to prepare his drink.

Though Odo was well above humanoids in practically every manner, he did like to induldge himself in the more pleasant aspects. Eating, drinking, procreating. It had taken him awhile to open up to it, particularly the eating and drinking, since he didn't digest matter but rather held them inside of his form until he got bored of it. While alcohol didn't make him intoxicated the same as humanoids, it still gave him a pleasant looseness he enjoyed.

Back home at his own Quark's bar, there were no Dabo girls. Of course, there were easy pickings of Terran women who would sell their bed for money or a chance at freedom. But they were dirty and Terran. He'd slept with one once. He'd enjoyed the act, but not the company.
The Cardassians were well groomed and he didn't mind them as much, though their biology in interecourse wasn't as thrilling. It was a shame, really.

"One dry Kanar," Quark interupted his thoughts as he placed the glass down, staring at Odo a moment too long.

Odo reached for it, annoyed when Quark pulled it away last second, tipping his head slightly.

"Ah, sorry, it's policy you pay first. 1 bar of latinum."

"I'll pay after I've drank it," Odo snapped irritably, reaching across the counter and tugging it from the little toad's grasp.

Quark gasped in suprise, then cleared his throat and straightened his jacket as he replied shortly, "Fine. I'll bring your tab when you're done."

The bartender shuffled off, leaving Odo to his peace and quiet besides the occasional shouts of Dabo.

Sipping his Kanar, Odo glanced to his side, a tipsy Lurian in the stool beside him. Everytime he'd peeked into the bar before actually entering, he'd seen this Lurian drinking and chatting, always in his same spot.

Routine was something Odo could appreciate. And something he could take advantage of. If the Lurian had such a big tab and spent his Latinum so freely, he wouldn't miss a single bar. Seizing the opportunity, he rapidly stretched a slim appendage over, delicately pulling a bar from his unsuspecting pocket.

Odo had considered just turning into a Terran fly and leaving without paying, but the bar was starting to slowly get busy again, meaning there was a greater likelihood someone noticed him vanish into thin air. He didn't want to cause too much of a ruckus yet, as annoying as it was laying low.

He set the bar on the counter, finishing chugging down his drink and letting the liquid mix with his own internally, his tight, humanoid form feeling warmer and looser. He sighed contently, getting off the stool although before he could leave Quark called over, "Hey! Wait!"
Odo turned irritably, staring him down.
Quark reached up and fixed his broach, eyeing Odo closely as he cleared his throat and said in a careful tone, "I uh, didn't catch your name, friend?"

Quark seemed suspicious of him, Odo realized. He wasn't sure what would have given him away, briefly glancing at the Ferengi's ears in thought.
"Unimportant, Quark. I'm nobody," Odo said, his patience thinning.
Paying his tab was one thing, making a whole character to keep Quark off his back was beyond annoying. If it was going to be this much of a hassle any time he came in, he would have to be someone different every time.

Odo turned, leaving without waiting for his response and making his way into the crowded corridors. With how busy the bar often was, he doubted their interaction would be memorable. He counted this as a successful undercover outing. Everything had gone to plan, even if-

"You! Male Bajoran! Stop walking, now!" Odo's own voice rang at him in an authoritative manner.

Odo stopped, looking over his shoulder to see what looked almost identical to his usual organic form, besides the ugly beige uniform.

"Yes? What seems to be the matter, sir?" Odo asked with practiced coolness, turning to face Other-Odo.

"I was told a male Bajoran wearing a blue shawl just exited Quarks, you fit the description."

Odo felt a twinge of annoyance.
"So what?"

"I'm detaining you on a count of theft and suspicious behavior. Of course, if these accusations turn out false you'll be free to go," Other-Odo explained, stepping closer and reaching out to grab his arm.

The moment he made contact, Odo grunted and Other-Odo gasped. Where Other-Odo's hand touched him melted into his arm, and there was a shared feeling of alarm travelling through their melded, connected goo.

"You're--!?" Other-Odo exclaimed in shock, and Odo growled, jerking away in alarm and hissing as though burned.

He could feel Other-Odo's shock as though it was his own still, even though they weren't touching anymore. The feeling lingered, beginning to dull. Odo turned and shoved pedestrians aside, swearing at them and beginning to shift into a hawk as Other-Odo called after him and gave chase.

"Wait! Stop him!" Other-Odo shouted, chasing him on foot. He didn't shape-shift to catch up to his suprise, and Odo flew through the Promenade with ease, shifting into a smaller Terran fly and easily escaping despite the commotion. The feeble chase was the most action Odo had seen since he arrived here. If he was honest, Odo missed action. Perhaps now that his presence was known to Other-Odo and presumably the rest of the high ranked officers once he told them, it was time to act.

Odo flew all the way to his hideout undetected and feeling pretty good about himself. It might not have been his plan to be found out, but then again, they knew little about him besides the fact he was a shape-shifter. They didn't know he was Odo, not their Odo obviously, but he figured if they knew he was from the other universe they might not be thrilled. Particularly if their Julian Bashir had told them how he was treated in the mines while he spent time in Odo's world.

Even so, he wasn't worried. Other-Odo was no match for him. And a few Terrans didn't scare him; they were brainless and fleshy. Hell, Odo has certain he could take over Terok Nor-... Deep Space 9, easily. The idea was tantalizing, he had to admit. Though, he wasn't quite sure yet if that was his plan. A part of him had felt wrong since he came here to his universe. Like his form was phycially rejecting being here. He didn't want to call it homesickness, because his Terok Nor hadn't quite been a home to him, more a profession.

Though there were a few people he did miss, namely his Quark. Quark here was different. His Quark was special, in a way this one didn't compare to. Sure there were some similarities, though this universe's Quark stood out as more of a coward and less of a do-gooder. As much as he used to despise his Quark for it, he'd come to love him for it. He hated the Terrans and would enjoy their demise, though his Quark had such hidden strength and compassion, often going out of his way to discretely aid and save the Terrans. Odo thought it was pointless, but if it made Quark feel good he had supposed he could turn a blind eye every once and a while. And in exchange for his silence, Quark had agreed to sleep with him.

True their relationship started with blackmail, but he didn't see why that mattered if they were both satisfied at the end of the day.

Odo was sure his Quark was getting on fine without him around, he was clever enough, though he missed the little toad's company. He sighed to himself, settling in his bucket and loosening his form. Maybe he needed to consider finding a way back if things didn't work out here. He would have plenty of time to think about while he rested.

Chapter Text

The moment the Bajoran man started sipping his drink, the bad feeling in Quark's gut rose. He swallowed nervously, reaching to grab his communicator from where it was tucked under the counter. He moved into the back storage rooms, pressing it and mumbling into it in a low voice, "Odo? We have a situation here."
There was a beat where he thought Odo wouldn't answer his comm, but his voice finally came through, heavily exasperated.

"What now Quark? If this is about your Dabo girls taking another extra minute on their breaks again I'm going to confiscate your communicator."

"There's a Bajoran customer here, but there's something off about him. I haven't seen him on the station before. He's up to something, Odo."

Quark peeked from the backroom, the man not noticing him spying.

"He's 'off'? You realize how little that tells me Quark? I'm not going around arresting people because you don't like them."

"It's not that, just listen to me Odo! He's... he ordered a Kanar. Have you ever heard of a Bajoran ordering Kanar? I don't even keep it on the official menu anymore since Garak is the only one who ever gets it."

There was silence on Odo's end and Quark shifted his weight between his feet anxiously. After a moment longer he hissed, "Odo! Don't tell me that isn't suspect!"

"I know, I know. I'm thinking. It is strange, but I don't know that it warrants an arrest or even an interrogation, Quark," Odo said, finally sounding like he understood the seriousness of Quark's call.

"...What if he stole something from the bar? Would that be enough for you to apprehend him?" Quark ventured carefully, his heart racing.

He wouldn't tell Odo, but something about this stranger made him certain he was dangerous. He collaborated with dangerous people often enough that he could pick them out in a crowd of people. And this Bajoran wasn't only strange, but he had a dangerous aura to him.

"Of course it would be," Odo answered easily, though sounded suspicious, "But you didn't mention anything about that before?"

"It slipped my mind. But I'm sure he pocketed something," Quark lied, knowing how unconvincing it was. He didn't doubt Odo saw through him, but he only hoped his desperation would cause Odo to go with it, if only to ease his concerns.

"I see. I'm on my way, Quark. Who am I looking for?"

Quark sighed in relief, peering around the corner to look at the man once more.

"Blue shawl, tall. Bajoran."

Odo grunted in acknowledgement and the commline disconnected.

Admittedly, there were a number more things that had Quark uneasy about the man in his bar, though he wasn't sure how much of it was paranoia versus perception. He liked to think he was intellectual for a Ferengi, though he was prone to occasional bouts of paranoia. He assumed it came from doing trades with sketchy people, having gotten backstabbed more than a few times, and on occasion, literally.

When the Bajoran man first came in, he even swore he thought it was Odo undercover. He felt silly for thinking it now, but the way the Bajoran man walked and sat reminded him distinctly of Odo, and he even thought he heard Odo's gooey noises, though the bar was busy enough today he couldn't have been sure.

He headed back out to the bar counter, a single latinum slip left on the counter while the Bajoran man was slipping away. He briefly tried to confront him about his name, some subconscious idea of helping Odo. It didn't matter though, as the man dismissed him and left in a rush.

Quark scowled, moving to collect the latinum and muttering to himself, "Only one slip? Can you believe that?"

Morn shook his head in sympathy where he sat.

Quark sighed, leaning on the counter and fiddling with the bar as he addressed Morn in a hushed voice, "You saw him get that Kanar, Morn? Something's up with that one. If Odo asks what he stole, he took a bar of latinum from you, alright? Next drink on me."

Morn looked thoughtful then gave a small nod of agreement.

"Perfect," Quark said, feeling slightly relieved. As much as he was sure that his intuition was right about the man being trouble, he wanted some kind of fallback plan. Just in case.

A distant shout from the Promenade made him startle, tensing and looking over. Morn looked at him funny and followed his gaze, his Lurian ears not quite as sharp as Quarks.

"Trouble," Quark mumbled, dreading that he had been right.

Chapter Text

Trouble was right.

The news had spread through the station fast, though it wasn't through gossip that Quark learned about what had happened; Odo told him directly. After the commotion on the Promenade, Odo had came into the bar with his usual scowled expression, though he seemed unfocused, almost dazed.

Quark had been uneasy as he questioned Odo about the man, expecting the worst.
What he hadn't expected was that there was another shapeshifter on board.

From Odo's detachment, he could tell he hadn't expected it either. He almost pitied him, even if he didn't understand why Odo was acting so strange about it.
Sure, Quark didn't like the thought of another shapeshifter, one was already too much in his opinion.

He knew better than to pry Odo, though his behavior made Quark uneasy. Odo was always very straightforward and predictable, it's what made him make sense to Quark. He knew in passing that Odo had always assumed he was one of a kind, that no other shapeshifters existed. He always thought that was a part of why Odo distanced himself from people, because he was alone and he was determined to live that way.

Odo was hard to read now, but it was clear enough he was rattled by the encounter. Quark hadn't known what else to do or say, so he'd eventually left Odo alone once he realized he was practically just talking to a wall.

As far as Quark knew, all the other senior officers were in a meeting with captian Sisko right now, discussing the course of action they were to be taking. Quark was anxious for their decision, worried they would close the promenade temporarily, henceforth stopping business. Quark was fully prepared to march into Sisko's office and talk (or bribe) him into finding a different solution.

The way he saw it, the shapeshifter couldn't be all too bad. He was a paying customer, after all.

That was more than Odo had ever been.

Still, he wasn't stupid, he knew this shapeshifter could cause him problems too. Even though he hadn't known the Bajoran man was a shapeshifter at first, he had gotten a bad vibe from him pretty fast.

Being a ferengi, especially one who dealed with dangerous people now and again, Quark had developed a good sense of determining who was dangerous or not based on a first meeting.

And this strange shapeshifter was dangerous, he knew. But one rotten worm didn't mean he should toss the whole basket, no, it meant he needed to sell the rotten worm at a higher price, mislabeled as a seasoned worm.

...The saying wasn't as catchy as he remembered it being, but it was true enough. Quark would find a way to turn this around to benefit him, there was always a way.