Deep Space Nine: The Needs of the Many

Scene 1 - Homecoming

The journey back from Risa had been quiet.

Miles and Keiko stepped through the airlock onto the station, both of them carrying the faint scent of tropical flowers and sunscreen. On the surface, everything looked normal. They smiled at the crew members who greeted them, nodded politely, and made their way back to their family quarters.

But the moment the door closed behind them, the silence became heavy.

Keiko set her bag down and looked around the empty room. “Where is Molly?” she asked.

“She's staying with the Sloans tonight,” Miles said. “I arranged it so we could have one more night to ourselves. I thought after five days on Risa you’d be exhausted and would want some peace and quiet, just the two of us.”

Keiko turned to look at him, clearly surprised.

“You arranged it without asking me?”

Miles blinked. “I… I thought... We’ve been away from Molly for almost a week. I figured one more night wouldn’t—” His shoulders stiffened, his own frustration rising.

“I was just trying to do something nice for us,” he said, his voice getting sharper. “I thought after the trip you’d want one quiet night, just the two of us. But clearly I got that wrong too.”

Keiko let out a frustrated breath, crossing her arms tighter.

“You always assume what I want instead of asking me, Miles. I missed Molly. I was looking forward to seeing her tonight, and you just… decided without me. Again.”

Miles opened his mouth to argue, but stopped. For a brief second, his face showed something deeper than just annoyance — guilt.

He looked away from her, jaw tight.

She’s angry because of what happened on Risa, he thought. She’s angry at me for pushing her into that. This is just how she’s showing it.

“I’ll… give you some space,” he then said quietly. “I need to check in with Engineering anyway. I’ll be back later.”

Keiko watched his tense posture and the way he wouldn’t meet her eyes while he was walking out the door.

He regrets it, she thought, feeling a cold weight settle in her stomach. That’s why he’s being like this. He’s disappointed in me… in both of us. That’s why he made sure Molly wouldn’t be home tonight. He doesn’t even want to be around me right now.

She buried her face in her hands.

Meanwhile, Miles walked down the corridor with a sick feeling in his gut. The weight of what they’d done on Risa was pressing down on him harder with every step.

He had messed up. He was sure of it.

And he had no idea how to fix it.

Scene 2 - A Drink at Quark’s

Quark’s was busy as usual, filled with the usual noise of gambling, laughter, and clinking glasses.

Miles sat at a corner table, staring into a mug of synthale he’d barely touched. His mind was somewhere else entirely.

He didn’t even notice Bashir approaching until the doctor slid into the seat across from him.

“You look like hell, Chief,” Bashir said, setting down two fresh drinks. What’s wrong? You and Keiko just got back from Risa. You should be relaxed, not looking like this.”

Miles hesitated for a long moment, then let out a heavy sigh.

“After you and Leeta left…” he began, keeping his voice low, “we ran into Vara and Jaro again. The four of us spent the evening together and… things escalated.”

Bashir raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, letting Miles continue.

“We swapped,” Miles said, barely above a whisper. “Keiko and I… we slept with them. He rubbed a hand over his face. “Now that we’re back, and Keiko’s been acting strange. She’s quiet. Distant. I try to do nice things for her, but she just pulls away. I think she regrets it. I think I pushed her into something she didn’t really want, and now I might have ruined everything.”

Miles looked up at his friend, guilt written all over his face.

“I’m scared I’ve messed up my marriage, Julian.”

Bashir leaned back in his chair, processing everything he’d just heard. He took a slow sip of his drink before speaking.

“Miles… you need to talk to her. Directly. Stop assuming what she’s thinking and ask her. The two of you have clearly been tiptoeing around each other since you got back. That’s only going to make it worse.”

He gave Miles a small, reassuring smile.

“Go home. Be honest with her. You might be surprised by what she actually has to say.”

Miles sat quietly for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“Yeah… you’re right.”

He stood up, leaving most of his drink untouched.

“I need to go talk to my wife.”

Scene 3 - Missing Her

Steam filled the bathroom as hot water cascaded over Kira and Dax’s naked bodies.

Kira stood behind Jadzia, gently running her hands over the Trill’s shoulders and down her back, massaging away the tension of the day. Jadzia leaned back into her touch with a soft sigh, tilting her head to the side as Nerys pressed slow, lingering kisses along the curve of her neck.

“I’m going to miss this,” Kira murmured against her wet skin, her hands sliding around to cup Jadzia’s breasts from behind. “Two whole days without you feels like forever.”

Jadzia smiled, reaching back to thread her fingers through Kira’s short hair. “It’s only a supply run through the wormhole with Sisko. I’ll be back before you know it.”

She turned in Kira’s arms and pulled her close, their wet bodies pressing together under the spray.

Kira’s hands slid down Jadzia’s back, cupping her firm ass and pulling her even closer. Jadzia let out a quiet moan into the kiss, her fingers tracing patterns along Kira’s spine.

They stayed like that for a long while — kissing, touching, and simply enjoying each other’s warmth — until Jadzia finally pulled back with a reluctant sigh.

“I have to finish getting ready,” she whispered, resting her forehead against Kira’s. “Sisko wants to leave within the hour.”

Kira nodded, though disappointment was clear on her face. “I know.”

They shared one final, lingering kiss before stepping out of the shower. Jadzia wrapped a towel around herself and began preparing for her mission, while Kira remained in the bathroom a little longer, watching her.

Once Jadzia had dressed and left their quarters with a final kiss and a promise to return soon, the room went quiet.

Kira stood alone in the middle of their quarters, still wearing only a towel wrapped around her body. Her eyes drifted across the room until they landed on a small, sleek device sitting on a shelf — a holosuite control rod.

She walked over and picked it up, turning it slowly in her hands. Her thumb brushed over it as she stared at it with a complicated expression.

After a long moment, she walked over to the chair where her uniform was hanging, slipped the holosuite rod into one of the pockets, and set the uniform back down.

Scene 4 - What Happens on Risa

Miles stepped into their quarters, the door hissing shut behind him.

Keiko was standing near the replicator, arms crossed. She looked up at him, and for a moment neither of them spoke.

“How was Engineering?” she asked, her tone careful.

“Fine,” Miles replied, equally stiff. “How was your day?”

“Also fine.”

The awkwardness was suffocating. Miles tried again.

“Look, if you’re angry with me—”

“I’m not angry,” Keiko said, cutting him off. “Why would I be angry?”

“You’ve barely looked at me since we got back. If you’re upset about something, just say it.”

Keiko’s eyes flashed. “Why do you assume I’m the one who’s upset? You’re the one who’s been walking on eggshells around me!”

“I’m trying to give you space!”

“I don’t want space, Miles!”

Their voices were rising, the frustration that had been building all day finally spilling out. They were seconds away from a real fight when Miles suddenly moved.

In two steps he crossed the room, grabbed Keiko by the waist, and slammed his mouth against hers in a violent kiss.

Keiko gasped into his mouth, then kissed him back just as fiercely. Her hands grabbed his uniform jacket, yanking it open as he lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he pressed her back against the wall.

Miles didn’t waste time. He freed himself from his pants and thrust into her hard in one powerful stroke. Keiko cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders as he started fucking her hard thrusts. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room.

“Harder,” she gasped, grabbing his hair and yanking his head back. Her legs squeezed around him like a vice as he pounded into her.

They were both frantic — as if they needed to prove to each other how badly they still wanted one another.

Miles carried her to the bed and dropped her onto it. Before he could climb on top of her, Keiko pushed him down onto his back and climbed on top. She sank down onto his cock in one smooth motion and immediately started riding him, her hips slamming down with unrestrained intensity.

Her breasts bounced with every aggressive movement as she rode him with raw passion. Miles gripped her hips tightly, thrusting up into her to meet every downward stroke.

They came together in a violent, shuddering climax — Keiko crying out his name as she clenched around him, and Miles groaning deeply as he spilled inside her.

Panting and sweaty, they collapsed beside each other.

After a few moments of heavy breathing, Miles turned his head toward her.

“I’m sorry, Keiko…” he said quietly. “For messing things up.”

Keiko frowned, confused. “Messing what up?”

“With that couple. On Risa. I thought… I pushed you into something you didn’t want. You’ve been so quiet, you regret it, don't you?”

Keiko stared at him, then let out a soft, disbelieving laugh.

“Miles… I thought you regretted it. That’s why I’ve been so quiet. I was terrified you were disappointed in me.”

They looked at each other for a long moment before both of them started laughing — the kind of relieved, exhausted laughter that only comes after a day of misunderstanding.

Miles pulled her close, kissing her forehead.

“So… you actually enjoyed it?” he asked.

Keiko smiled against his chest. “Very much. But I’m happy if it stays a one-time thing.”

“Agreed,” Miles said. “What happens on Risa, stays on Risa.”

Keiko lifted her head, a small mischievous glint in her eye.

“…At least until our next vacation.”