DEEP SPACE NINE: "Chimera" - REV. 12/16/98 - ACT ONE        13.

11A  CONTINUED:	(2)

	For some reason Odo finds himself feeling defensive
	around this man, and his simple statement of fact
	feels to him like an accusation.

					ODO
			I've been busy.

	The Changeling notices a PICTURE of Kira sitting on
	Odo's computer console.

					CHANGELING
			Who's this?

					ODO
			Her name's Kira.

	The Changeling studies the picture for a beat
	without comment.

					CHANGELING
			I had a mate once.

					ODO
				(surprised)
			Oh?

					CHANGELING
			On Varala. Not long after I
			assumed humanoid form.

					ODO
			What happened?

					CHANGELING
			We couldn't have children. That
			was important to her.

	This is a touchy subject for Odo, something he's
	wondered about in his relationship with Kira.

					CHANGELING
				(with characteristic bluntness)
			Is it something that matters to
			this Kira?

					ODO
			We've never discussed it.

					CHANGELING
			Neither did we, at first.

	Without his meaning to, the Changeling's words twist
	Odo's heart.