Dashel thanked the driver and stepped out of the taxi that brought him to arrivals and departures. He looked at his time piece to confirm he was here on time and confirmed he was. Since he overcame the illness that struck him down, he went and got a haircut. He shaved. He went to the Sacred Heart Hospital and got checked over totally. He had written a detailed letter of apology to the Lt Governor and offered his resignation. And he received a subspace message … well several subspace messages from his adopted parents. It seemed that they, as well as his adopted brother, Koram, and Koram’s future spouse, and the future spouse’s parents, and the flower children, and the band, and the .... Dashel kind of lost track after that … In any case, a whole lot of Klingons were all coming here to Oed V to visit him and to make sure that Koram and his future spouse got married. And THAT was why he decided to make himself look human.

The last time Dash was here at Oed V customs, things didn’t go well for the customs office. That time included Klingons as well. Dash could only hope that he would be able to keep things from getting … difficult. The Orion that had been used as a doormat last time was now back on duty, as was the Vulcan whose nose was rearranged, and the members of the other species who proved less than able when it came to the Klingon warriors. Dashel returned the nod to the Orion and walked up to the gates, the steady stream of individuals coming and going was amazing, as was the multitude of species that made up the flow - a Bynar couple, a Bajoran family, some Romulans and wait … was that an Avisarite? Dash had heard of them while he was at the Academy, he hadn’t seen any, but he had heard of them.

Then he saw them. Morak (his adopted Klingon father), Koram (his adopted Klingon brother), Girika (his adopted Klingon mother), and wait … was that … a Cardassian female that Koram was walking hand in hand with? And those were Cardassians walking alongside Morak and Girika, weren’t they? His adopted brother who took years to accept his father was adopting a human as a son was engaged to a Cardassian? Was this really happening

Dash did his best to keep his expression neutral, but it was difficult to do so. He approached the customs gates as the party of Klingons and Cardassians approached their side of it, handed over their paperwork and ushered through. It was Girika who saw Dash first and pointed him to the group. They proceeded to head quickly towards Dash who stood, counting them mentally in his head … 25 Klingons and 15 Cardassians … that was a large group.

“BROTHER!” roared Koram, disengaging himself from his to be Cardassian bride and rushing towards the young human, “it has been too long!”

He gave Dash a bear hug, lifting him with ease. When Dash felt that his ribs were about to crack, Koram mercifully put him down.

“This, my brother is my future bride, Rokbon Zilrid. You couldn’t make it to Quo’nos or Cardassian Prime, and so we decided to come to Oed V. I mean, I can’t get married without my brother present, especially when he’s going to be my best man,” Koram explained.

“Your brother told me all about you, Dashel Jamison,” Rokbon told Dash, “but you are … smaller than I expected.”

“I’m in disguise,” Dash replied with a smirk, “why don’t we … get you all settled somewhere, have you booked somewhere? The Oed Hilton?” Koram shook his head, “The 4 Squares Oed?” Another shake of the head, Dash went through the list of hotels and resorts he knew, until he got to the bottom of the pile, a real dump, “the Happiness Hotel?” Another shake of the head.

“Well, where are you staying?” Dash asked.

“We’re staying with you, brother,” Koram said, and then turned to Rokbon with a smile, “see, I told you it wouldn’t be a problem, he’s speechless with delight.”

“So, 25 klingons, 15 cardassians and me?” Dash said, “in my quarters made for 1?”

Koram nodded with a smile, “oh and the ones still to arrive … this is just the wedding party. It isn’t a problem, is it? Your assistant said it would be fine.”

“Oh, of course,” Dash replied, “no problem … no problem at all.”

Dash’s combadge sounded at that point, it was his assistant, =/\= Lt Jamison, I forgot to pass on a message. Your Klingon brother is coming and needs you to arrange accommodation for him and his wedding party. =/\=

=/\= Thanks for the advanced warning, Ensign, they have just arrived. Please find accommodation for 25 Klingons and 15 Cardassians. And come to my office tomorrow morning … we have a matter of procedure to discuss. =/\=

“Mother, father, you are both looking well,” Dash said to the older Klingon couple.

TBC

-Dash, and a cast of Klingons and Cardassians