Dearly Beloved

Stefen walked into the Observation deck and found Commander West, stood alongside Admiral Devore and Captain Taybar. Both the Captain and Admiral had just returned to DS9 after travelling to Bajor with Lieutenant Logan McQueen to meet with the military commanders of Bajor about the Jem'Hadar.

As Stefen looked around, he saw dotted around the room many unfamiliar faces. He walked forward to the front of the room and took his place. Stood beside him was Lieutenant George Humble, someone who both Stefen and Jessica had passed through the Academy with. He was serving on DS9 and was now Stefen's best man, at very short notice.

In front of him stood a tall human, dressed not in a Starfleet uniform, but those of a Chaplain. The Bajorians were known as a highly religious race, but in a gesture of peace they had allowed Starfleet to bring in their own religious personnel. This religious tolerance had also extended to other races, including Klingons.

The deck went silent for a moment and then music once again filled the room. Everyone looked around to the entrance to the door and watched as Jessica West now in her wedding dress stepped down the path between the observers towards Stefen.

The ceremony was very uplifting and ceremonial and after half an hour, Stefen and Jessica were finally confirmed as husband and wife. Kissing his new bride, he turned to address the wedding party.

"Ladies and Gentlemen." He stated. "I am so glad that you could all come to this glorious occasion and I thank both Lieutenant Commander West and my new wife for organising this ceremony so fast."

Everyone clapped at the new couple.

"Now I would like you to join me and Jessica at Quark's where a reception is awaiting us all." Stefen continued.

Slowly the party left the room, leaving just Stefen and Jessica.

"Hello Mrs Moss." Stefen said.

"Moss-West." Jessica corrected him. "I like that better."

The two kissed once more, more passionately that they had when everyone was still in the room. Eventually the embrace ended and they realised that they had been alone for almost ten minutes.

"I think we'd better get to Quarks." Jessica suggested. "Everyone will think we've gone somewhere else and come looking for us."

The newly married couple left the observation deck and headed across the promenade towards Quarks. As they stepped inside, they found that Quark had outdone himself with the reception. Obviously Commander West had put some pressure on him to make the day the best.

They both saw Jessica's mother sat at a large table with three spare spaces and headed towards it. As well as Sara West, Captain Taybar and Admiral Devore were also there, along with a young Lieutenant who Stefen had not met before.

As they sat and chatted with the group at their table, people kept coming up to them to congratulate them both.