Standard disclaimer applies. Paramount owns it. I have fun with it. Don't steal it from either of us
~*~
WORF
It did not take long for Garak and I to be discovered and captured upon entering the Gamma Quadrant. We were taken to a prison camp on an asteroid deep in Dominion terriotory. Garak's mentor, Enabrin Tain was also at the prison camp; however, he died a few days after we arrived. General Martok, was there as well; he had been replaced by a changeling two years ago, but presumed dead. He and I quickly allied ourselves, being the only Klingons there.
Another unexpected prisoner was Dr. Bahsir. As he explains it, he was taken prisoner a month ago while at a medical conference. That means that right now, there is a changeling on DS9 impersonating him. Who knows what he has planned to do?
I lay awake in the baracks late one night, partially because of Martok's snoring, but mostly because my mind was restless. We had devised a plan to escape, but it was not fool- proof, I could end up here for a long time. I had faith that Captain Sisko would lead an effort to locate Garak and myself, but who knew how fruitful it would be? Then again, they may not know there was anything to look for. There could be two changelings in the runabout impersonating Garak and myself on their way to DS9 to wreak havok.
Jadzia. My replacement would no doubt have contact with her. She would think it was me and behave accordingly. What if he touched her, what if they made love? Or worse yet, if he hurt her, or somehow used her to get what he wanted. I would wring every breath from his body, if that was even possible. Finally, I forced myself not to think about it, it would drive me crazy.
~~~~
"Seven battles, and seven victories! What hero of legend could have done as well!" Martok joyfully patted my back, only adding to the pain that I was in.
"Heroes of legend do not ache so much," I said as I stumbled into the barrack. I had just come from the training area where the Jem'Hadar used Martok and I as punching bags to hone their skills on.
"Your Federation friends have taught you modesty," he replied as he sat down, "But this is no time for modesty. When we return to the Klingon Empire, I will seek out Kedar himself and tell him of your glorious tale. He will write a song worthy of you."
I was slumped over on one of the cots, and Julian sat next to me, meticulously poking at a deep cut on my face, "Well, be sure to send me a copy," he said.
"I'll do more than that. I can make sure that he mentions you, the healer that bound the warriors' wounds so he could fight again."
That prospect amused Bashir, "Right now the only part of the song that I wish to hear is the verse that tells of our escape."
I began, "What good is defeating every Jem'Hadar in this compound if it does not bring us closer to our freedom?"
"We'll have to come up with a new escape plan--"
Bashir was cut off by Garak, "That won't be necessary."
The Cardassian rose from his bed, "The original one will work. I just have to finish what I started. After all, a verse about the Cardassian who panicked at the face of danger would ruin General Martok's song."
"That would be unfortunate," Martok noted.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, my dungeon awaits."
Dr. Bashir opened the panel in the wall for Garak to slide in.
"There is no greater enemy than one's own fears," Martok whispered to me.
"It takes a brave man to face them."
JADZIA
I bit my lip back, trying not to look so obvious. The smile on my face was larger than life, and everyone in ops knew why, "The runabout is on route to docking pad C and should arrive in fifteen minutes," I said.
"Thank you, Commander," Sisko stated, "Contact them."
My shaking hands touched a few buttons, "Channel open."
"Ganges, this is Captain Sisko, please respond."
Garak's face appeared on the screen, "Captain, you don't know how *thrilling* it is to see you again."
"It's good to have you back. I'm assuming that Mr. Worf and Doctor Bashir are with you as well..."
"Yes, they are. However, the Doctor is in the aft cabin with Worf. He has suffered some very serious injuries."
Ben briefly glanced at me; my gleeful smile had disappeared.
"We're going to beam them directly to the infirmary. Sisko out."
O'Brien was one step ahead, "Initiating transport now, sir."
I was nervously biting my lip again. Ben came near my post, "As soon as things calm down up here, I'll let you go to the infirmary and see Worf. I know this hasn't been easy for you."
"Thank you,Benjamin."
I sat there, counting the seconds, wondering if Worf was alive or dead. I thought back to the moment when we were supposed to be sealing the wormhole. I quietly whispered his name, cursing myself for condemning him to a terrible fate. Now, he was back, and he might not survive. I felt so powerless, Worf was in the infirmary and I had no idea what was going to happen to him.
Finally Ben let me go. I trembled as I walked from ops to the infirmary. I had no idea what I would find, or how badly injured Worf was. All I knew was I wouldn't be able to take it if he died now, having made it so far. When I entered, Julian was just coming out of Worf's room.
"Jadzia, I take it you came to see Mr. Worf."
"Yes, where is he, is he okay?" I realized that I probably should have asked Julian how he was doing, but, he wasn't exactly my priority.
"He's right in there."
Sure enough, there he was, lying on one of the exam beds, in a semi- upright position. I paused at the entrance for a moment, then rushed to his side. We held each other tightly. Slowly, we pulled away, but I continued to intimately rest my body on his. I studied his face, not believing that he was actually there. Worf brought his lips up to mine and kissed me. We smiled at one another, his hands rested delicately on my back, and mine lovingly stroked his hair and face, "I suppose this means you want you Klingon opera collection back."
"Intact."
"Well, more or less," I could no longer contain myself. I pressed my lips firmly against his for a moment. After smiling at him, and receiving a smile back, we kissed one more time, deeply and intensely.
"You seem to be feeling better," Julian entered the room where we were. He'd walked in on the two of us, passionately expressing how good it was to be together again.
I sat upright, "When can I take him home?"
"Well," Julian stood over us, looking at the padd that was in his hands, "You had seven broken ribs, severe internal bleeding, a concussion, and a fractured arm. I suggest you stick to light duty for the next few days. That means no strenuous activity, Doctor's orders."
"You will not get any trouble from me, Doctor," Worf said definitively.
"Good," Julian folded his arms across his chest, "That's all. You can go."
I stood first and helped him up. As we left the infirmary, Worf spotted General Martok on the upper level of the promenade with Gowron and Sisko.
"So," I began, "What do you want to do now?"
"Rest," he admitted wearily.
"Oh, well, alright," I put on a disappointed voice and and Worf picked up on it.
"What do *you* wish to do?"
I innocently shrugged, "I don't know... I thought we might go back to my quarters... I'm sure you haven't had a descent meal in the past few days, and," I brought my body close to his, "I wanted to show you just how *much* I missed you," she whispered.
Worf broke into a smile, but before he could answer me, Martok, along with Sisko, stepped up behind Worf and gave him a surly pat on the back.
"Mr. Worf, just the man I wanted to see!" his loud Klingon voice rang in our ears. I stepped away slightly from Worf, "I believe it is time for us to raise our glasses in celebration!"
Worf looked from me to Martok. I could tell he was really looking forward to going back to my quarters, *not* getting drunk with Martok.
"Yes, Commander, General Martok has promised to tell us all your grand tale," Sisko said enthusiastically.
"And a grand tale it is! Come, Worf, join us in the Ferengi bar."
Worf glanced at me again, and I spoke up, "I think I'd like to hear it as well," Worf was outnumbered. He forced a smile, "Come, then."
~~~~
"He fought, Jem'Hadar after Jem'Hadar, defeating them all with ease. The more they sent, the stronger Worf fought," Martok had a captive audience as he bellowed out the story of their adventure. Worf sat back humbly, his ribs were still sore, and he felt like sleeping. It seemed like everyone wanted to hear, and they were all listening eagerly.
"Meanwhile, Garak, the Cardassian tailor, worked long, strenuous hours inside a small hot porthole in the wall, trying to contact the runabout. Doctor Bashir cared for us all, bandaging mine and Worf's wounds, distracting the guards and aiding Garak. But the high point, the glorious hour came in Worf's final battle. The Jem'Hadar First, Eka'tikah had wanted to defeat him every since he boarded. Worf went in, ribs broken, and badly injured. It did not take long for Eka'tikah to cripple him, but Worf would not yield. He fell to the ground, the First begged him to surrender, but Worf would not. Barely able to stand, Worf faced him, not surrendering his honor or pride to anyone..."
As Martok spoke, I leaned over to Worf, "Is all this true?"
"Unfortunately."
"So, you almost got yourself killed when you didn't have to, just to satisfy honor?"
He looked at me, "Yes."
I smiled brightly at him, "I would have expected nothing less."
"I am ready to leave," he groaned.
"Well, come on. You've stayed long enough."
Worf stood, "You will have to excuse me, General."
"You're leaving?"
"Being a great hero is very tiring."
Martok gave a loud belly laugh, "I suppose it is."
I stood with him, and we left.
WORF
When we entered her quarters and the second the door slid closed, she'd wrapped her arms around me.
"Mmmm, It is so good to have you back home."
"It is good to be home, I answered, " I... I feared that I might never see you again."
"Don't dare say that," Dax ordered, "We're never going to be apart, do you hear me?"
"Yes ma'am."
"You know, I was tempted to read your letter..."
"What letter?" I asked.
"Your goodbye message. I downloaded it, but I never listened to it. I knew you would be back, even when no one else thought so."
We were quiet for a moment. Slowly she pulled away from me and made her way to the couch.
"You know, Worf," she began. Her voice was unusually timid and emotional, "I think this whole episode has... has changed things for us," she sat down and looked up at me, her eyes were large and vulnerable.
My chest tightened, "What do you mean?"
"Um," Dax sighed, "I don't know how to explain this..."
I came beside her and cautiously sat down. It was obvious that she had something very monumental to say, but would it be good or bad, "You have never had trouble explaining your feelings before..."
"I've never had these feelings before."
I drew in a quick breath, and let it our raggedly.
"I was so worried that I'd never see you again," she said quickly, "I was worried that, that it would be my fault."
"How so?"
"I know, I shouldn't blame myself, but, we were going to close the wormhole. After we got your message that the Dominion fleet was coming, we had no choice. I sat there, at my post, and..."
"And what?"
"The whole inside of my body ached, all I could think about was locking you up inside the Gamma Quadrant, never knowing if you were dead or alive, if your were trying to get home or not."
"You should not feel guilty, Jadzia."
She stood, "I know. I, I just do. But, everything worked out and you're home and..."
"And we are together."
Dax was pacing now, it was clear that whatever she meant to say, she had not gotten it all out,
"Is there something else, Dax?:"
She gave me this look, this pained, helpless gaze that I was not sure how to read
"After the recent Borg attack, I realized that my feelings for you weren't just a fulfillment of some carnal lust, that I really cared about you, that... that I loved you."
I was silent, I let her continue, "And with this, with what's just happened, I know that I am without a doubt, in love with you."
She stood there looking at me, and I sat on the couch, looking up at her. She looked as if she had just admitted her most deep and dark secret.
"You look like your best friend just died," I said.
Jadzia frowned, "Worf, I'm trying to be serious for once."
"You are being *too* serious."
She folded her arms over her chest, "I can't believe *you're* telling *me* that."
"You have taught me a lot about enjoying life, and I plan on doing that," I stood with her, "We are in love, we should be celebrating."
"*We* are in love? I don't remember you making any grand emotional proclamation."
"You know I love you, Jadzia."
"I know."
"Just as I already knew you loved me."
"You already knew? You let me pour my heart out and you already knew?"
"I could feel it, I knew."
Dax smiled up at me, "What am I going to do with you?"
~finis
~The End~
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