( indistinct angry voices )
Doctor?
Oh, hello, Quark.
Oh...
Let me guess—
eavesdropping on the battling O'Briens.
Don't be ridiculous.
Such language.
Oh, I hope Molly's not around.
You can hear what they're saying in there?
How could I not?
Well, what are they saying?
Let's use a little discretion, shall we?
( argument continues )
He's done something.
She's outraged.
He thinks she's overreacting.
She thinks he's trying to run her life.
Pretty boring, actually...
but to hear them
you'd think it was a matter of life and death.
Hello, Julian.
( gasps )
Hello.
Quark.
Mrs. O'Brien.
I thought you said the O'Briens
were arguing in there.
Not Miles and Keiko—
the other O'Briens, Miles and Kira.
What do they have to argue about?
Miles hid Kira's springball racket
because she's carrying his baby
and he doesn't want her taking any risks
and she doesn't want him controlling her—
( voices continue )
What?
Keiko made them stop.
Now they're in the "let's talk this out and share our feelings"
part of the fight.
Show's over.
Oh, well. I mean, good.
It is the power of his voice
the strength of his intonation
that make Barak-Kadan a great singer.
There are none like him.
None as boring anyway.
He never varies his performance
not even by a half-tone.
I prefer traditional opera performed
in the traditional manner.
You know, for a Klingon who was raised by humans
wears a Starfleet uniform
and drinks prune juice
you're pretty attached to tradition.
But that's okay.
I like a man riddled with contradictions.
DAX: That's a welcome sight.
The peace talks must be going well
if the Klingons are back on the station.
Worf?
Did you see her?
The Klingon woman?
She was glorious.
Her?
She's okay.
I have never seen such a woman.
Who is she? What House is she from?
I do not recognize
her family crest.
( laughing )
She is a friend of the Ferengi.
Now I remember who she is.
Her name is Grilka.
And she's not just Quark's friend...
she's his ex-wife.
Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Maporian ale
with just a hint of pazafer as I recall.
You remember. I'm honored.
How could I forget?
You're the only Klingon I know
who drinks something besides bloodwine...
or prune juice.
Prune juice?
Forget it.
To the House of Grilka.
May it continue to be as strong and as proud
as its lady is beautiful.
You may not have been the ideal husband
but you are an excellent bartender.
I know of no greater compliment.
So...
what brings you to my humble establishment?
Business or pleasure?
The recent hostilities between the Federation and the Empire
have been very costly to my family.
We have suffered great losses in ships, lands, warriors.
War— what is it good for?
If you ask me, absolutely nothing.
The financial cost was significant.
I have an idea.
Why don't I take a look at your financial records?
I know that's not why you're here.
I'm sure it's simply
a social visit
but maybe I could help.
Very well.
If it pleases you, I will allow you access to the records.
Thank you.
Hear this, Ferengi.
Help Grilka and you live.
Fail...
and I will kill you myself.
And even though it was an accident
Quark took credit for killing Grilka's husband.
Why?
As a way of boosting business at the bar.
And it worked.
But then Grilka kidnapped Quark
and took him back to the Klingon Homeworld
and married him.
Why?
I'm getting to that.
As a woman, Grilka was forbidden to lead her House.
By marrying Quark, she could retain control through him.
Eventually, she convinced the Council to give her control
and she divorced Quark on the spot.
As far as I know
that's the last time they saw each other.
A marriage of convenience.
Certainly for Grilka, but I'm not sure
how convenient it was for Quark.
His opinion is of no consequence.
He is unworthy of such a prize as she.
Worf, it sounds like you have a bad case of par'Mach.
SISKO: Is that contagious?
par'Mach is the Klingon word for love
but with more aggressive overtones.
Love?
Worf?
Stranger things have happened.
Especially around here.
This should alleviate Kira's sneezing.
Should?
Bajoran women have been sneezing
their way through pregnancy
for over 100,000 years.
You can't expect me to cure it overnight.
You know, I heard a rumor
that the Jerries might be trying
to cross the Channel this evening.
Maybe we should have a surprise waiting for them.
Serves you right.
I can't go to the holosuite tonight.
Kira and I have some things to work out.
Still fighting, eh?
Who says we're fighting?
Well, word gets around.
It's a small station.
It's a huge station.
Obviously not huge enough.
Well, for your information, we are not fighting.
Glad to hear it.
Bajoran takeo herbs for Kira's swollen ankles.
She'll need to dissolve them
in some kind of fruit juice before ingesting them.
I hope they taste better
than those makora herbs you gave her.
Are you sampling all her medications?
No... Kira didn't like the taste.
Oh, by the way, I almost forgot.
She, uh...
she has a... a rash on the back of her thighs.
Do you have a salve or something?
How long has she had it?
Well, I noticed it yesterday
when I was helping her out of the bathtub
so she's had it at least a day.
Helping her out of the tub?
She's living in my house.
She's having my baby.
So, uh, did you look?
What?
Oh, please.
I was holding a towel up in front of her.
How does Keiko feel about you helping Kira out of the tub?
Keiko feels fine about it.
You see, we are adults.
We've developed a close, mature relationship.
I'm sure that Keiko and Kira have
but you...
What about me?
I'll bet you looked.
( quietly ): I will apologize for this at a later time.
( loudly ): You are in my seat!
Bartender!
Bloodwine!
What is that smell?
Is there a pile of rotting forshak in here?
Or is it you?
Stand when I talk to you!
Or do you think it is funny?
mev yap!
Worf, son of Mogh.
Come. Join me.
Challenging Thopok to a fight
is a waste of time.
Grilka cannot mate with you, now or ever.
Your House is dishonored.
Your name is a curse.
I meant no disrespect.
You showed none.
I'm sure your motives were honorable.
Do not let it trouble you too much.
In truth, I doubt it would have been a good match.
Why?
Have you ever pursued a Klingon woman?
No.
There's no shame in that.
You were raised by humans.
You wear their uniform.
You accept their values.
How could you know anything about our women?
You'd be surprised what I know.
Perhaps.
But we will not find out here.
( loudly ): It is the wish of the Lady Grilka
that you leave us now, son of Mogh
and do not return.
I am a fool.
You're in love.
Which I suppose is the same thing.
You're making too much of this, Worf.
Tumek said that Grilka wasn't offended.
She was probably flattered.
There is no flattery
in a great lady being courted by a traitor.
Is that what's really bothering you?
Or is it that Tumek said that you didn't know
anything about Klingon women
and you're afraid he's right?
( door opening )
What do you want?
I want to talk to Dax if that's all right with you.
( grumbling )
I need help.
Grilka invited me to dinner
and I need to brush up
on Klingon manners and protocol.
She invited you to dinner?
In her quarters.
A private dinner.
( whispering ): A very private dinner.
What's wrong with him?
He's having a bad day.
QUARK: Oh, that's a shame.
Well, when Grilka and I were married
there wasn't a lot of, um...
affection involved.
So, what does a Klingon woman expect from a man?
Are there any secret Klingon phrases I should know
or do we just leap on each other like a pair of crazed voles?
Quark
Klingon mating rituals are very... involved.
It's not just a one-night affair.
Two nights.
Whatever.
Look, I'm serious.
Grilka and I, we have something...
I'm not sure what.
But I want to pursue it.
For sex?
No! Well, yeah, that, too.
But there's more.
She's glorious.
So I hear.
Look... if you're serious about this
then you have to take it slow at dinner.
No innuendoes.
No staring at her cleavage.
So what do I do?
You talk.
You ask her about her family's history
and their accomplishments.
She'll consider this a great sign of respect.
Respect?
Okay, okay.
I can do that.
Anything else?
Grilka is from the Mekro'vak region.
It is customary among her people
that the man bring the leg of a lingta
to the first courtship dinner.
Make sure it's fresh, as if you have just killed it.
Then use the leg to sweep aside everything on the table
and declare in a loud voice, "I have brought you this!
"From this day,
"I wish to provide food for you and your House.
"All I ask is to share your company
and do honor to your name."
Then what?
Well, either she accepts your offer...
or she has her bodyguard
shatter every bone in your body.
Sounds reasonable.
( Kira sighing )
So did your father just sit you down one day
and say, "All right, Miles.
"It's time to teach you
about massaging pregnant women"?
It's an O'Brien survival technique.
My mother hated being pregnant.
My father's massages were the only things
that kept her from killing everyone.
Sounds like me.
Pretty much.
She didn't swear in Bajoran
but she did like to use
what she called "descriptive phrases."
KIRA: Are those my uniforms?
Garak finished the alterations and...
he sent these along.
He guarantees the insoles will help your feet.
Ow, ow... ow!
KEIKO: That wasn't
very convincing.
I think she's actually enjoying it, Miles.
You better press harder if you want her to suffer.
Harder, it is.
Ow, ooh!
You are a sadist, Miles Edward O'Brien.
Was your father this cruel to your mother?
Worse. I'd swear sometimes you'd hear her screams
halfway across Ireland.
The neighbors didn't know
whether to be worried or titillated.
( laughs )
Oh...
here.
( sighs )
You miss Ireland?
You know, if you'd asked me that a year ago
I would have said no
but lately, and I don't know why
I've been daydreaming about home.
Maybe I'm getting nostalgic in my old age.
Mmm.
You've got leave coming.
Take three weeks and go.
If I left
who'd give you foot massages?
Take me along.
I can think of worse things
than spending three weeks in Ireland with you.
Me, too.
Don't stop on my account.
Oh, right.
( Klingon opera playing loudly )
FEMALE SINGER: ♪ BOW-cha-daay ♪
WORF AND MALE SINGER: ♪ KEY-cha-day ♪
♪ Me-Yo-ca-BEEN-eva-kaa-MOR ♪
♪ LING-tomaH ♪
♪ oH-ma-do-VEE-kos ZO! ♪
♪ oH-ma-do-VEE-kos ZO... ♪
( clears throat )
( shuts off music )
I'm not going to ask.
Look, I came here to thank you for last night.
Grilka loved it— all of it—
everything I did.
Everything I said was perfect.
So, I know nothing about Klingon women.
She said I had the heart of a Basai Master—
whatever that is.
It is a poet.
A poet?
I guess I can live with that.
What else happened?
She spent about an hour
talking about her family history—
a rather long and bloody tale
but what else is new?
Then, we ate the lingta—
which tasted really bad—
listened to some noise
which she called Klingon music
and then I left.
A perfect evening.
Mmm.
Almost.
Her bodyguard was giving me threatening looks all night.
That is to be expected.
The idea of a Ferengi courting a great lady is...
offensive.
You know, it's attitudes like that
that keep you people from getting invited
to all the really good parties.
"The heart of a Basai Master..."
She said that?
Could I make that up?
I'm telling you, Worf
she responded perfectly.
You really have the key to this woman's heart.
The question is:
Can you help me unlock it?
Yes, I can.
We have work to do.
( grunting and groaning )
( Quark yelling )
( grunting )
( groaning )
( screaming )
DAX: Quark.
( yelling )
MoVas ah-kee
rustak!
WORF: Kosh tomaH.
Kosh tomoh...
I mean, tomaH ehpaq Lukara kaVeir.
Ish-tovee chuCH thling nuq?
Besh...
besh-opar gree urch...
( yells in frustration )
Besh...
opar gee urchun tomaH te... te...
te-doQ maugh-shta.
Enough.
You say the words, but there is no feeling
behind them— no passion.
Having to learn all this Klingonese
isn't helping my performance.
Do not think of it as a performance.
Believe in where you are.
Put yourself in this place, in this time—
a thousand years ago, the dawn of the Empire.
500 warriors stormed the Great Hall at Qam-Chee.
The city garrison fled before them.
Only the Emperor Kahless and the Lady Lukara
stood their ground.
It was here that they began
the greatest romance in Klingon history.
This is ridiculous.
Ah!
I'm surrounded by corpses.
My shoes are dripping in blood
Why am I putting myself through this?
Because later that night, Kahless and Lukara
jumped on each other
like a pair of crazed voles.
( growling )
Yeah?
One more time.
( frustrated grunt )
This is the fourth theft of equipment
from Upper Pylon 3 this month.
I don't know how they keep doing it.
We've changed the security protocols three times now.
It's not the security arrangements
that are at fault here.
It's our friend, the Chief of Operations.
Miles? What did he do?
It's what he's not doing.
He still hasn't finished
upgrading the structural integrity field
on Upper Pylon 3.
So half the bulkheads are torn open.
A child could find a way into those cargo bays.
Look, Miles is a very busy man, he can't be everywhere at once.
Sometimes it seems as though he's not anywhere at all.
He is doing a superb job under very difficult circumstances.
Ah...
Growing fond of the Chief, are we?
What are you talking about?
I've always liked Miles.
You've always liked the Chief
but Miles is a different story.
Look, I...
I am living with him.
I am carrying his baby.
Don't you think that might change things a bit?
How so?
We're closer.
It-it's like I'm part of his family.
Which part?
What?
Which part of his family are you?
Sister? Daughter? Cousin?
Could we concentrate on the criminal activities report?
Of course.
And I'll refrain from making any further disparaging remarks
about the Chief.
I mean, Miles.
( growls )
This consorting with a... Ferengi
is outrageous!
You forget yourself, Thopok.
You are the Commander of the Lady's Guard
nothing more.
Do not presume to judge her.
( Quark and Grilka laughing )
( shrieks )
Tumek, Maporian ale for two.
Mistress.
You are an interesting man.
I always thought so.
Not much of a fighter, of course.
Fortunately for you, they were only holo-warriors.
Well, it's the thought that counts.
Yes, it is.
And what are your thoughts, Quark?
Why play out one of the most romantic scenes
in Klingon literature for me?
Why learn to speak Klingon
and observe our customs?
Why do you pursue me?
I only pursue those things I wish to acquire.
"Acquire"?
Now you sound like a Ferengi again.
I am a Ferengi.
That means I have a talent
for appreciating objects of great value.
And I believe
you may be worth more than all the latinum in the Quadrant.
My Kahless.
My Lukara.
( yelling in rage )
mev yap, Thopok!
Forgive me, Mistress
but I cannot watch this any longer.
I will not protect a House where you are welcome, Ferengi.
You are a coward
and a liar
and you have no honor.
So tomorrow, you will kill me, or I will kill you.
Home two hours early?
You better watch it. I'll get used to this.
Yep. They don't need me anymore.
Home at 1700 every evening.
( laughing ): You're such a bad liar.
( door opens )
Hi!
Hi.
KEIKO: Sit down. You look exhausted.
Bad day?
Miles, I think this woman needs one of your famous
neck massages.
M-my hands are pretty cold.
I'm not in the mood, anyway.
Well, I can see the tension
in your muscles from here.
KIRA: No, thanks, really.
Oh! Um, I'm going to Bajor tomorrow.
Just for a few days.
Bajor? Yes.
I thought I'd take the time and relax.
A friend of mine has a house in the Musilla Province.
It's quiet, remote— no distractions.
Perfect! When do you leave?
Uh, first thing in the morning.
W-W-Wait a minute.
You can't go alone.
What if you go into labor?
Well, Julian doesn't think
that's going to happen for another month.
But he doesn't know for sure.
Miles...
maybe you should go with her.
What?
I can't go.
I have a botanical pathology seminar tomorrow
but you said yourself things are slow in Ops.
I don't think
that's a good idea.
Me neither.
Miles Edward O'Brien, are you going to let
the woman carrying your unborn child
go on a trip all by herself?
Are you two fighting again?
No!
Not at all.
Good. Then it's settled.
Miles, let's pack your bag.
What if I just do what I did
the last time a Klingon wanted to kill me?
I...
throw my sword away, kneel down in front of him
and dare him to execute me.
Yeah.
He'll be humiliated
and slink away like a scalded targ.
The only reason that worked was because Gowron stepped in
and restrained your opponent
before he was able to kill you.
No one will stop Thopok.
Dax and I aren't even able to attend.
So my choices are to not show up
be branded a coward and lose Grilka
or die?
Yes.
Oh, come on now!
There must be another way out of this!
You people have rituals for everything
except waste extraction.
You must have a ceremony or a secret handshake
or something I can do?
I have an idea.
( grunting )
Oh, congratulations.
How do you feel?
Like a puppet...
and I have some complaints for the puppeteer.
You nearly wrenched my arm out of its socket.
The movement would not have hurt
if you were in better physical condition.
Exercise makes me sweat.
( chuckling ): You need to get some sleep.
If your body's tired tomorrow
Worf won't even be able to save you.
Bedtime.
Mm-hmm.
I'm practically giving him Grilka.
What is it you see in her, anyway?
I mean, she's attractive, but other than that?
It is everything about her...
the way she carries herself
confident and strong.
She commands those around her.
The proud tilt of her head...
the way her face betrays none of her true feelings...
the power of her voice.
And her eyes— as hard as separ gemstones
and twice as sharp.
Sounds like you're describing a statue.
What would you do with a woman like that—
put her up on a pedestal and clean her every week?
You do not understand.
If I were in your shoes
I would be looking for someone a little more entertaining
a little more fun
and maybe even
a little more attainable.
You are not in my shoes.
Too bad.
You'd be amazed at what I can do
in a pair of size 18 boots.
He's in position.
Quark, son of Keldar, why are you here?
To... to ans...
( electronic beeping begins )
To answer the challenge of Thopok
to prove my honor...
and to win the favor
of the Lady Grilka.
The challenge has been given and accepted.
Let no one interfere!
Mok!
( yelling )
Where did you learn to fight with a bat'leth?
I'm a man of many talents.
( chuckling fiendishly )
( equipment powering down )
No!
Wait!
You damaged the optronic relay.
Can you repair it?
I don't know.
Well?
I claim the Right of... Proclamation.
I've never heard of the "Right of Proclamation."
It is a Ferengi custom.
Then it has no place here!
I beg to differ!
I am as proud of my heritage as your are of yours
and I will not be denied
the opportunity to express myself
according to Ferengi custom.
( growls )
He has shown respect to our traditions.
We will do the same.
What do you need to do?
I must... make a speech.
About what?
About you.
Get on with it!
I do not know how, but he is still alive.
You must work faster.
I'm going as fast as I can.
Uh...
to this end... my blade soars...
through the...
aquarium of my soul
seeking the kelp of discontent
which must be caught, so that the rocky bottom of love
lie in waiting with...
fertile sand
for the coming seed
of Grilka's affection
and yet, does this explain my need for her?
No.
It is like a giant cave of emptiness
waiting for the bats of love to hang by...
Well, I guess that's enough talking.
Now, back to the fighting.
No showing off this time, Worf.
Just get it over with.
I was not showing off.
( grunting )
( grunts )
End it!
If you insist.
( grunts )
Maybe not.
Maybe...
I'll just pick up your sword and...
Give it to you... I guess.
Thopok, your honor is satisfied.
I return your weapon
and discharge you from my House.
My lady.
( exhales heavily )
Do-MACH ah chee ghos eh-PAGH?
( grunts )
( yells )
Congratulations. You did it.
What does she see in that parasite?
Who knows?
But they're on the same wavelength
and at least Quark can see an opportunity
when it's standing in front of him.
He would have to be blind not to see it.
MoVas ah-kee rustak.
Computer, bat'leth.
MoVas ah-kee rustak.
Kosh tomaH... ehpaq kaVeir Lukara.
Ish-tovee chuCH thling nuq?
Meklo boH ka Mech.
Te-doQ roos ka Mech-TOH.
Ow!
( both grunting )
So I guess we're going.
Looks like it.
Tell me about this... this house we're going to.
It's a gorgeous 200-year-old cottage.
It's filled with antiques
sitting in the middle of a deep, dark forest.
It's got three fireplaces, two balconies.
I see.
It's, uh, 20 kilometers from the nearest neighbor
30 to the nearest town.
( laughs ): Why am I not surprised?
It gets worse.
There's a view.
Of what?
Of the Holana River.
You can see it from every room in the house
and at night, when the stars are out
and you can only hear rushing water
it may be one of the most romantic spots
in all of Bajor.
That's it.
I'm not going.
I don't care what Keiko says, I'm not going.
You go.
I'll wait an hour
and then I'll, I'll tell her that you left without me.
That there was a miscommunication
about the departure time.
You think she'll buy it?
She'll probably
accuse us of having another fight,
of behaving like children, but I can handle that.
The important thing is
that we don't go anywhere near that place together.
You are absolutely right.
In fact, I'm going to go to the capital
and see Shakaar.
That's the best idea you've had all week.
Have a good trip.
Thanks.
It would've been nice.
In another life.
Let's not even think about it.
All right. Let's not.
Miles...?
Yes, Nerys?
Get out.
Right.
( sighs )
A compound fracture of the right radius
two fractured ribs, torn ligaments
strained tendons, numerous contusions
bruises and scratches.
What have you been doing?
You mean, what have we been doing?
( both laugh )
Never mind.
I don't need that particular image
running around my head.
I'll just treat you.
( door opens )
What happened to you two?
We, um...
Well, um, if you must know...
No!
No, uh... I don't need that image either.
In fact, I'm going to stop asking that question altogether.
People can come in, I will treat them
and that's all.
Please... have a seat.
I'll be with you in a minute.
( both sigh )
You do realize
that according to Klingon tradition—
According to tradition, we have to get married.
But as you keep insisting
you are not a traditional woman.
The truth is, Worf
at heart, you're not much of a traditional man.
You might be right.
How do you wish to proceed?
I don't know.
You must have some idea.
You were the...
Aggressor?
Yes.
And now there are questions
that must be answered.
Mmm.
I don't feel like answering questions.
Why don't we just take it one day at a time
and see what happens?
I, uh, do not like the uncertainty
of that arrangement.
One thing's for certain...
you've stopped thinking about Grilka.
( both laughing )
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org