Standard disclaimer applies. Paramount owns it. I have fun with it. Don't steal it from either of us
It had been four weeks and I had heard nothing from Jadzia. I had no idea where she was, what she was doing, or if she was alright. All I knew was that she had been sent on a secret mission, and those were always the worse kind.
General Martok called me into his office one morning, we were receiving our next assignment. Strangely, it was coming from Starfleet and not the High Council. Admiral Ross's face was on the General's view screen. Martok sat before it and I stood behind him, my arms crossed skeptically.
"You are probably aware that the Defiant's crew has been on a secret assignment. They were sent into Cardassians space to destroy the Dominion's main storage location for Ketracel white."
"The Jem'Hadar need that to survive," Martok added. I remained silent, afraid of what he might say next.
The Admiral continued, "Yes, they do. And, needless to say, Sisko was successful. However, we have not heard anything from them since they were sent out. We need you, amnd your cloak, topatrol just inside the border, keep an eye open for anything unusual, or any signs of them. You have clearance to enter Cardassians space if necessary. I want them found, the last thing we need is to lose a shipful of excellent officers."
"The feeling is mutual," Martok said, "We will keep you informed." Ross nodded and Martok canceled the transmission. I was still silent. He stood and turned to me, and studied my blank expession. Martok knew me well, he could tell, even though I was expressionless, that I was worried sick,"We will find them."
"I wish I were as optimistic as you," I replied quietly.
"Ah, Worf, you are *never* optimistic, it is part of your nature."
I pressed my lips together, "I should lay in the new course immedietly."
"Yes, and begin detailed sensor sweeps, we don't want to overlook anything."
"Of course."
Martok placed a friendly hand on my shoulder, "We *will* find her," he reiterated.
"Her? I was worried about Garak, the tailor."
The General laughed, "Hearing you make a joke is a rarity Worf, you should do it more often."
I left his office feeling a lump in my throat. I knew things were going too well between Dax and I, and now, it was over. She was lost in Cardassian space, she probably wasn't even alive.
*No,* I thought to myself, *You do not know that. She could be fine. She HAS to be fine.*
~~~~
I had been pacing the bridge for almost three days. I had not been off duty since I found out about the Defiant's crew. Amazingly, I was not the least bit tired, I was determined. It would be impossible to sleep until I knew where Jadzia was. We scanned the border constantly, our science officers came up with new methods every hour to scan for a signal, but nothing prevailed. I sat down wearily in the command seat and took a deep breath. I was trying to maintain some form of composure, trying desperately not to cry out in anguish. This was war, I could remember hearing myself tell Jadzia, we had to put our feelings aside. Now, that seemed impossible. I knew I should be looking at this objectively, I was not only trying to rescue only her, but the rest of the crew a well. Though they were my friends and I respected every one of them, even Garak, it was the thought of Dax dying by the hands of the Jem' Hadar that made my body ache.
"Sir, I think I have something� no, I apologize, it's just random background radiation."
I stood and approached the tactical station, "Let me hear it."
I could tell Tavana was skeptical, but, nevertheless, she humored me and played the recording. I listened intently to the scratching beeps and blips. It probably was nothing, but I needed to hear it, if nothing but to occuoy my mind.
"Wait a minute, play it back once again."
"Yes sir."
That sounded familiar, perhaps something I had learned at the academy. My brow tensed, "Once more," she played it a thrid time, and that was all I needed to be sure, "It is them� Worf to Martok, you are needed on the bridge."
Moments later, the General stepped through the doors, "What is it, Worf?"
"We have located a transmission, and I am certain it is Captain Sisko."
"Play it," he demanded. Tavana obeyed, "That's nothing but background noise, Worf."
I shook my head, "Listen to the alterating sounds, it is an old Earth distress signal, an S.O.S. I am assuming Captain Sisko used it because he did not want the Dominion to pick it up, it is something only a Starfleet officer would know."
"Then we are fortunate to have Starfleet officer on board. Can you track it?"
Tavana nodded, "Yes sir, it is coming from a nebula 5 light years inside Cardassian territory. I do not detect any Dominion ships at the moment, but that may change."
Martok nodded, "Yes, it may. However, we do have permission to cross the border. Helm, set a course for the nebula, warp nine, and raise the cloak."
It did not take long for us to arrive at the nebula. We were still cloaked, but all auxilary power had been routed to the sensors, we didn't want any unexpected surprises. There was a class M planet nearby, and it was definitely the source of the transmission.
"Scan the surface for lifesigns," Martok ordered.
"Scanning.... I'm reading eight life signs, one of which is weak."
"Can you determine if they are Jem'Hadar?" I asked her.
"No, they're not. Four are human, one Cardassian, one Ferengi, and a Vorta."
"That is only seven!" I demaded, "Where is the eighth?"
"I cannot get a reading, that lifesign is faint."
My heart was pounding out of my chest. Tavana hadn't mentioned a Trill, so either Dax was the faint eighth, or she was already dead. Martok stood, "Positon us inside the nebula. Then, I want you to descend just inside the planet's atmosphere."
"Remain cloaked?" the helmsman asked.
"Did I tell you to decloak? We will do that once we enter the atmosphere. The object is to keep passing Dominion ships from detecting us."
"Understood, entering the nebula."
Bluish purple gas swirled around the ship. In seconds, the viewscreen went white we were entering the atmosphere.
"We're in position, I'm now dropping the cloak."
A quiet hum emanated from the ship as we made ourselves visible. Tavana spoke up, "I have located them. They are in a cave 500 kilikams from our position. The comm device they used cannot except incoming signals. We will have to beam directly there."
Martok nodded, "Very well. Mr. Worf, Tavana, beam to the sight, and take a medic with you."
Tavana could barely keep up with me as we headed to the transporter room. I was begging Kahless that Dax was still alive, and that she wasn't too hurt to survive. Images of losing K'Ehleyr crept into my mind as we beamed down, I could not go through that again, not after having come so far with Jadzia.
"Stop right there!" I instantly recgonized the voice, but I could not find the source. The cave entrance was dark, and I could hear Captain Sisko calling out.
"Captain, it is Commander Worf, we received your distress-"
He stepped out of the shadows wearing a relieved expression, "Commader, you have no idea how good it is to see you. Hurry, we need to beam Dax directly to your medical ward, she's been injured."
The three of us jogged the rest of the way into the cave, I could feel the adrenaline pumping through me. She was alive, for now, but at least there was hope. We finally came to a clearing where the rest of the survivors were . I saw her bosy lying in a makeshift bed of rocks, she was covered from the neck down in a blanket. When I entered her sights, I could see her face light up, and she wearily called to me, "Worf..."
I rushed to her side as Tavana helped the others collect their gear, "Jadzia, what happened?"
"I was injured when the ship went down, I'll live, though."
"How do you feel?"
"I've been better, but, now that you're here, I'll be fine."
I stroked her face, "You are so pale," my hand wandered down her shoulder, which was bare, "Where is your uniform?"
"Right over my head, it was drenched when we landed here. We all had to strip. Julian helped me take it off to keep me from getting too sick."
"*Julian*?"
That made her smile, "You can always find a reason to be jealous, can't you? Help me put it back on."
I was relieved to see that she at least had on basic undergarments, though her ample chest was quite bare. This was probably a perverted fantasy of Dr. Bashir's, having her naked and helpless. I quickly helped her put her clothes back on. I was aware that modesty was a luxury war did not allow, but this was ridiculous.
I scooped her limp body in my arms and the two of us, along with Bashir, beamed directly to the medical ward. Once we materialized, I laid her on the biobed and stayed there as she was administered to. Julian was certain she'd recover fully, though she would be weary for a day or so. That was fine with me, just as long as she lived. It would take us at least a week to get them back to starbase 375.
"You're going to be fine, just as I thought. All her internal injuries have been repaired, it's good that we were able to get you here when we did."
I stood over her with my arms folded, "Should she rest?" I asked him.
"I don't need any rest, Worf," Jadzia answered.
"I think you do, Dax," he answered, "It'll take us a few days to get to to 375, so you'll get it."
Her eyes lit up, "We'll be here a few days?"
"Five," I replied.
She smiled, "Five days... I think I can live with that."
Julian spoke up, "You're free to leave now, but you will be resting all five of those days, Doctor's orders. No sneaking up to the bridge unlesss we really need you."
"Which we probably will. The Rotarran is understaffed, we will not get any replacements until we arrive at the starbase. You will *all* be put to work."
"Just when I thought I'd get a vacation," Bashir said, "If you'll excuse me, I can tell your Doctor has his hands full."
He left the two of them alone, "Can you stand?" I asked her.
"I think so, but I know I'll need your help," Jadzia slowly rose. I let her stand on her own for a moment, just to see how strong she was. Dax reached out to me, I wrapped my arm around her waist, and she did the same.
"You seem strong enough," I noted as we walked away together.
"It takes a lot more than massive burning beams and plasma sparks to keep Jadzia Dax down."
I winced, "Were you in pain?"
"Oh, tons. But, that's over, and I'm just glad to be here, with you, for *five* days."
"I suppose you will be wanting your own quarters�" I hedged.
Jadzia smirked, "Is that your way of asking me to stay with you?"
"That is not what I said."
"I know you, Worf, it's what you meant. No, I *won't* be wanting my own quarters."
"Good."
She laughed as we rounded another corner, "Why can't you just come out and *say* things?"
"I do not have to. You always know what I mean."
"Yes, lucky for me."
We came to my room, and I opened the door. Klingon quarters are nothing like those on a Federation ship, or even DS9. They are small and sparse, a bed, a table, and a small bathroom. Suddenly I thought spending five days together in such a small space might not be such a good idea.
Dax pulled away from me and laid down on the bed. She was quiet for a moment, "I'm just supposed to stay in here for five days?"
I sat next to her, "No, you just will not be put on active duty. You aren't in prison, though."
"Mmm, okay..." She closed her eyes and tucked her knees into her chest, like a baby. I watched her, silently staring at her beautiful body as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. This war was wearing on her, it was obvious. Jadzia enjoys a good fight just as much as I do, but even the fiercest warriors need rest. I quietly laughed, my wife- to- be was begining to snore. After placing a gentle kiss on her face, I left the room and headed to the bridge.
JADZIA
"Worf..."
I didn't get an answer. Slowly I sat up and rubbed my eyes. My mouth opened wide for a loud, fulfilling yawn. It took me a moment to regain my composure, I was aboard the Rotarran, we had been rescued from that hell- hole Dominion planet and were on our way to Starbase 375. And I was going to spend five days with Worf. That made me smile, I lied back on the bed, wearing a ridiculously toothy grin, We hadn't spent one night together since this war began almost four months ago. Now I had five days with him, and I hadn't felt this good in a long time.
The door made a loud noise as it opened. I stood, I was still wearing that smile, I couldn't seem to get rid of it. I think it was contagious, Worf smiled back at me, "How do you feel?"
I tilted my head, "Much better."
"You slept for a long time, five hours."
"I needed it. Compared to the rock I'd been lying on, this Klingon bed was like feathers."
That made him laugh, "You will not think that way after a few more nights on it."
My giddy smile turned into a seductive one as I lessened the distance between us. My hands fondly stroked his powerful shoulders and I pressed my body close to his, "I think now, since I'm all rested up, would be a good time for us to," I paused, I could feel his hands moving up my back, "To say hello, to *really* say hello."
Worf pulled me even closer, his arms tightly encircled my waist, and we kissed, "Is that what you had in mind?"
"Well it's a start..."
His shoulders sagged, "As much as I would like to, I cannot right now."
He pulled out of my embrace and sat on the bed, "Why not?" I asked him.
Worf sighed as he layed back, "I can barely keep my eyes open. I have not slept at all in over three days."
I couldn't believe this, "So you're going to sleep? We haven't seen each other in weeks and you're *tired*?"
His eyes were already closed, "I have spent the past 80 hours trying to locate you, now that I know you are safe, I can rest."
"You were really that worried about me?"
"I am *always* worried about you."
A smile formed on my lips, "I'm going to the mess hall, I haven't had anything to eat in awhile," With my hands tucked in their usual position behind my back, I leaned over and kissed him, "Rest well, my love."
~~~~
The mess hall was empty except for one person, Benjamin. He was staring oddly at a plate of gagh. I sat across from him and smiled, "Don't have an appetitie?"
"It's moving," he stated.
I reached over and took a few in my fingers. Ben watched as I put them in my mouth and ate them as if it were nothing, "They're best that way."
"How can you eat this?"
"It takes some getting used to. It's actually pretty intersting, you can feel them moving all the way down."
He picked up one and sucked it down, coughing as he did. I laughed, "Maybe gagh isn't for you. Not all Klingon food is served live."
"Good. What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you and Worf would be together."
"He's been on duty for three days straight, he wanted to get some rest. And I wanted to get some food," I stood and got a plate of bregit lung from the replicator.
"You two didn't have a fight, did you?" he asked as I sat back down.
"No, Ben, we didn't. We haven't had time to fight. We're too busy worrying about each other to find a reason to be angry."
"Martok told me Worf refused to rest until he found us- until he found *you*."
"I'd do the same for him."
Sisko shook his head, "I can't believe you're getting married."
I smiled, "Why do you keep saying that?"
Benjamin ate another serpent, "I remember the first word of advice Curzon ever gave me. 'Be a lover to many, in love with no one.' If I do recall, you were furious when I told you I was marrying Jennifer. You thought marriage was a waist of time. Why commit yourself to one women when there were billions out there?"
The memory made me blush. I remembered those days very well, they weren't that long ago, "I know, I know, I remember. But in case you haven't noticed, I'm not Curzon. And, I don't want to live like he did. Sure, he had a lot of fun, and his life was exciting, but he was never truly happy. I'm happy. Look at us, we're in the middle of a war that will probably get us all killed. Yet, there are times when I just break into a frivolous smile for no reason at all. I think about the life Worf and I will have, I think about feeling him hold me, and I just can't stop smiling. Curzon never had that. The only things that made him smile were sex and a glass of blood wine."
"I'm proud of you, Old Man. And I'm happy for you. What I wouldn't give to be where you are right now."
"You want to marry Worf?" I teased.
"No, I don't think he'd like that too much. What I mean is, I'd like to go back to the time when I was in your shoes. When Jennifer and I had just fallen madly in love, it was new and wonderful, when I was smiling for no reason."
"Yeah, you did that a lot."
The doors to the room opened, and General Martok entered. His voice was so loud and surly, he seemed to yell even when he was whispering, "Dax!" he called, "I was hoping I'd get a chance to see you," I stood and he grabbed me in a powerful hug, "I thought Worf would keep you holed up in his barracks all to himself."
"You know me better than that, Martok."
"Yes, I do," he sat with Ben and I, "We were worried about you. You cannot die, Dax, Worf would drive me insane if you did. I think I know more about you than you know about yourself just from listening to him."
"He talks about me a lot?"
"Yes, constantly. I don't know what you've done to him, the man is obsessed."
"Good. He should be."
Martok laughed, "I wish you were here with us, Dax, we could use your humor."
"You can't have all my officers," Ben teased, "You asked for Worf and I gave him to you, but Dax is mine."
I frowned, "You requested Worf be here?" I asked Martok.
"I need him, Dax, he's a good officer," he answered, "You aren't angry, are you?"
*You* need him? I need him more than he could imagine, "Of course not. This is war, I understand. And at least I get to see him. Most people don't have that luxury."
The mess hall began to fill with officers from the shift that just ended. The nightly storytelling and chant singing began. I tried to get into it, but every now and then, I would break into a unexplainable smile.
~The End~
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