I was walking through the hallways of NOTE, intent on getting to my office without anyone attempting to talk to me. Ever since I'd lost Jadzia in the War, I'd refused to even try to make friends. She fought for the small percentage of the population who'd wanted to keep the nation whole. Now, they made up an even smaller portion of the population, and I refused to join just NOTE or JKAL, in Jadzia's memory. I refused to join one side of a whole nation.

My shoulder-length blonde hair fell in my eyes as I watched the ground while I walked. I counted my steps to pass the time, seeing how many it took to get to my office. 167...168...169...170. I stopped, placing my card against the lock, clicking open the door. I walked to my desk, setting my notebook down, and sitting in my chair. I opened my laptop, staring at my background. Jadzia and I, aged 13 and 15 respectively, arms around each other as bubbles flew in front of us. I smiled at the memory, before being pulled out of my trance instantaneously by a knock. I looked up, calling for the visitor to enter. The door clicked open, and I saw a newer agent walk in.

"Agent Kramer?" She asked. I nodded, gesturing for her to sit. She stepped forward, standing instead of sitting. She looked at me, a slight look of fear flickering in her eyes as she looked out the window behind me.

"Yes?" I asked, and she looked at me.

"I heard you weren't the most outgoing person, but I was wondering if you'd go out to dinner with me and a few of my friends." I smiled softly, and the fear flickered again, lingering in her eyes.

"This is a dare, I'm assuming?" She met my eyes slowly.

"What makes you think that, ma'am?" I leaned forward, elbows on my desk, arms crossed.

"Nobody just comes in here and asks me to dinner without a reason. Especially a newer agent like you," I said. She looked at the floor.

"Yes, it was a dare, Agent Kramer." I nodded, leaning back into my chair again.

"Of course it was. Well, tell your friends I've got my hands full for the next few days." She nodded, and I waved my hand. She scurried out, as if I was the scariest thing she'd encountered. Which I probably was, knowing the new agents. They'd met all the other agents, whom had their own opinions about me, most of which weren't good. Oh, well. Everyone was entitled to an opinion, and no one can really change your opinion. It's my fault they have those types of opinions, anyways, being introverted all the time, refusing to talk to anyone except when needed. All because I refused.

It was too soon, anyways. I'd grown up with Jadzia since she was two and I was four. And I'd lost her last year, at the age of 31. It still hurt, seeing her daughter, whom I'm raising, since her husband also died in the war, sooner than she did. Zella looked just like her mother, bright brown eyes and black hair. I looked over to the playpen where she was sitting, watching me carefully. I placed the sippy cup I'd refilled in the pen with her, and she gave me a smile only a four year old can give. I smiled back, ruffling her hair.

I turned back to the paperwork sitting on my desk, and sighed. Zella was playing with a couple of the toys I'd gotten her. I picked up a folder from the pile, reading over it quickly. It was a folder for a mission one of my fellow agents had just gotten back from. I shook my head, looking at my computer again. This was going to take too long. I started some music, singing along to Battleships by Daughtry. Zella smiled, trying to sing along. I went back to the paperwork, finishing it quicker than I would've if I hadn't had music going.