CHAPTER FOUR

Captain Sisko's quarters

''Oh, damn! This gumbo is hot!'' Cage said.

''The man can take phaser fire, but spicy foods are a problem!'' Jadzia said.

Cage took a piece of bread. Jake Sisko, Kasidy Yates and Jadzia Dax were laughing.

''To Mister Cage's defense,'' Yates said, ''It is pretty spicy.''

''Is that true?'' Jake said

''That the food is spicy?'' Cage said.

''No, that you took phaser fire?''

''Jake…'' Sisko said.

''Nah, it's cool, Cap,'' Cage said, ''I have hard skin, I'm stronger than most people, I can heal fast...This Gumbo still burns, though, damn!''

There was laughter. Some light conversation. Cage told more stories about his world. His battles. The dinner went on.

''You know, my Dad,'' Jake said, ''and some of the others, they went back to your era a couple of times. I read up on it when I was younger. Poverty, racism, pollution…How…How did you deal with that?''

''I…Wow, Jake…'' Cage said.

''Mister Cage, you don't have to answer if…'' Sisko started.

''It's okay, Cap, it's a good question,'' Cage said, ''You…You just go through it one day at a time. You try not to add to it. Sometimes, though, you get so angry at all the injustice and evil…But you can't let it eat you up inside. You gotta try to use it to…I read somethin' once: 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' I guess that's what I tried to do back home. I was wrongfully imprisoned, I was mistreated and I was experimented on. It gave me these powers. I had times when I was angry and bitter. Those feeling still creep up on me sometimes, but I try to get past it. I try to do some good. I try to do the same here. Ya feel me?''

''I get it.''

''That's how I do it, Jake,'' Cage said, ''I try to be a good man. It's the best I can do. That make sense?''

''Yeah, it does actually,'' Jake said, smiling, looking at his Dad with warmth and pride.

The evening went on. There was an exchange of anecdotes, tales of superheroes, supervillains, space battles, first loves and everything else. Soon, Cage and Dax left and Jake went to bed.

''It's nice what you're doing for that man, Benjamin,'' Kasidy said.

''The man is trapped in a world not his own. I…I just wanna help him adjust,'' Sisko said.

''You don't do that for of those end up lost on this station, do you?''

''I guess not. He gets tossed here. He doesn't get bitter. He doesn't show despair. He…He just wants to help.''

''Reminds me of someone I know.''

''Really?''

''You are a very good man, Benjamin Sisko. You are brave, and brilliant and generous and very handsome.''

''I'm not perfect, Kasidy.''

''You don't have to be a flawless man, Benjamin. Just a good one.''

''You're too good for me, Kasidy.''

''Now, that, I can agree with.''

And they kissed.

Three weeks later

Sisko's Creole Kitchen

French Quarter, New Orleans

Captain Sisko, Jake Sisko and Luke Cage entered the restaurant.

''Wow,'' Cage said, ''It's like this place is a time capsule.''

''You would know better than anyone, Luke,'' Sisko said.

''For real, Cap, if I'd landed here, I wouldn't have realized that I jumped across time! This place is great! The sounds, the smells…''

A new voice said: ''Glad you like it!''

An older man approached Cage and the Siskos, with a broad smile and open arms.

''Welcome to Sisko's!'' He said.

''Luke Cage, this is the owner and, incidentally, my father, Joseph Sisko.''

Cage and the eldest Sisko shook hands. ''It's an honor, sir,'' Cage said.

''The honor's mine!'' Joseph said and went on to hug his son and grandson.

''Dad,'' Ben Sisko said, ''I'm afraid Luke has developed an addiction to Creole cuisine. I decided to take him to the source.''

''Wise decision, Son! Come right in, gentlemen!''

Soon, Cage was full. So were Captain Sisko and his son.

''Sweet Sister,'' Cage said, ''I can't remember the last time I stuffed myself like this. I musta beat some shrimp eating record. And rice with beans. And chicken. And gumbo. No offense, Cap, but your pops is the master.''

''None taken, Luke!'' Sisko said with a laugh.

''Thank you, Luke!'' Joseph Sisko said, ''I like this one, Ben, he has good taste!"

There was some light laughter.

''Are you all right, Luke?'' Jake asked, ''I mean, you looked sad while you were eating.''

''I was fightin' back tears, Jake,'' Cage said, ''But I wasn't sad, not exactly. The meal, the music, the atmosphere…This…This is the closest I've been to home since I got in this timeline. And, it's silly, but, just bein' at a family dinner and listenin' to live jazz music…I just…It was…''

''I understand, Luke, I get it,'' Jake said.

''There is nothing like a home cooked meal, Luke,'' Joseph Sisko said, ''Holograms and replicated food can only do so much. Just like music, food can take you back to different times in your life. It make you smile or make you cry. You can remember loved ones, good times, bad times. It reminds you of who you are and where you're from. It's not just good for your stomach, it's good for your soul. Like a good jambalaya, a meal can be made of a complex mix of ingredients, like emotions, life stories and memories. But it can also help keep us grounded. It can make us enjoy the here and now. It brings together friends and family like few other things can.''

''True that,'' Cage said, nodding.

Time flew by.

Cage was impressed with Benjamin's Sisko's skills at the piano.

Cage and the Siskos were closing the restaurant. Cage insisted he washed all of the dishes. Later:

''You sure you boys can't stay a while longer?'' Joseph Sisko said.

''We'd love to, Dad, but…'' Ben Sisko said.

''I know, I know…Just don't wear yourself out at work, Ben,'' Joseph said.

Ben and Jake Sisko hugged Joseph.

''You too, Luke,'' Jospeh said opening his arms.

''I…'' Cage said, hesitant.

''Until you make it home, the Siskos will be your family,'' Joseph said, ''And families hug. Come on, now.''

A teary eyed Cage gently hugged the eldest Sisko. Benjamin and Jake smiled warmly as they watched on, quietly.

''Thanks, Joe, I appreciate that a lot,'' Cage said.

''I know you're strong and almost indestructible, but be safe out there, son,''

''I will.''

''Take care of yourselves, boys,'' Joseph said.