Chapter Four

'I don't know where to start', began Diane. 'As you know, my parents died in a shuttlecraft accident when I was nine.'

'I know' said Dax. 'They had left you with some friends on Bajor and they were on their way to get you when it happened'.

'Exactly', Diane replied. 'The bajoran couple that was watching after me learned that I had no other family and adopted me. It was a brave thing to do, with the Occupation and all, but since no one else seemed to care about my fate…. I stayed on Bajor and learned to call those kind people my parents.

However, those were dark times, as I'm sure you know. After a few years, we found ourselves on Terok Nor. My parents were proud people, despite their being born during the Occupation. A Cardassian soldier didn't like that and… well, you understand. I was seventeen and alone on a Cardassian station'.

Dax noticed that Diane was close to tears. 'What did you do?' she asked.

Diane seemed to be regaining control of her emotions. 'What choice did I have? I joined the Resistance' she continued. 'They were actually glad to have me. I learned fast, I had not been on the station very long and I was Human. I was good too, I never got caught. And then, I was assigned a different mission.

Word had got out that the Commander of Terok Nor was looking for a…' She hesitated. 'Companion' she said finally.

Dax did not comment on this. She just stood there, dumbfounded, while Diane leaned forward.

'I was supposed to make myself noticeable and get him to choose me. I was eventually selected as comfort woman. I was eighteen at the time. I must have caught his eye, because I was taken directly to him. My job was to provide the Resistance with information after I had gained his trust, and at some point… kill him.

Trouble was… it was easier said than done.' Diane smiled bitterly. 'He was nothing like I had expected. Sure, he was arrogant, self-justifying, dishonest, and, essentially a murderer…But to me, he was…' she hesitated. 'He was different. Kind, thoughtful... even charming. Not to mention extremely intelligent, thought provoking. We came really close, despite my better judgment… Still, I had a job to do. His increasing trust made it easy for me to obtain information. I guess I was lucky. I was constantly afraid, but I never got caught. As you realize, I had found myself in a… particularly uncomfortable situation. And he… he made it even worse. He even tried to tell me once that he…' she sighed. 'Anyway, I cut him off. I believed in my mission, I wanted to carry it out. I hated the Occupation! It's not like I chose to...' She stopped and lowered her face. 'After almost a year, I was ordered to get my hands on a list of collaborators. It was supposed to be my final assignment, so I also had to carry out my… other mission. Three words they told me: Kill the Prefect.'

'What happened?' asked Jadzia.

'I tried to find the list and he walked in on me. I had a phaser in my hand. I should have shot him. I was supposed to shoot him. Why didn't I? And he… just froze. All I could think was that I had to get out of there, so… I ran. He didn't sound the alarm for another two minutes, by which time I was able to get away enough to escape.'

'Is that why you went to Vulcan?'

'Yes. Where else would I go? Earth? Bajor? Vulcan was the best solution. A human studying History on Vulcan wasn't that uncommon and I never wanted to… interfere with the situation on Bajor any more. Nor was it possible, after all that. Vulcan was… the logical choice.'

Jadzia smiled at that last comment. She got up from her chair and sat on the edge of Diane's bed. Diane looked at her in the eyes for some time before she spoke again.

'I told you all this because I consider you a friend. I hope your opinion of me has not diminished. I have to ask you not to repeat any of this though'.

'Of course I won't. Listen to me Diane' said Dax. 'I don't pretend to know what you went through. I wasn't there. And I want you to know I'm not here to judge you'.

Diane's face lit up. 'Thank you' she said.

Jadzia got up. 'I'm gonna let you rest now, alright? I'll be back.'

'Am I interrupting anything?' Julian appeared through the door with a concerned look on his face.

'No' said Dax. 'I was just leaving Diane to rest'.

'Diane' said Julian in a lower voice. 'Gul Dukat is outside. He says he wants to see you'.

Diane stared at him dumbfounded.

Jadzia jumped in. 'I don't think that's such a good idea Julian, Diane is tired'.

'I know, I told him. He insisted that I inform you he's here' replied Julian.

'I don't want to see him' said Diane quietly. 'Make him leave; I don't want to see him'.

'Alright, I will' said Julian and left the room.

Jadzia waited for him to leave and turned to Diane.

'You will have to face him eventually you know' she said.

'I know. But not now and not like this.'

'Any idea what he wants to tell you? Or what you're gonna tell him?'

'Absolutely none' said Diane.