Chapter Nineteen: Point of Return

"Energize," O'Brien said, and everyone in the room held his breath. The single second that followed felt like an eternity before the transporter effect began to shimmer in the air; it was another five seconds that felt like eons before the figures had materialized enough to be certain that they were indeed the missing commander and doctor.

Sisko appeared lying curled on his side, the transporter compensating to place him on the floor instead of at whatever height above it his resting surface had been. Bashir was in a seated position, but his reflexes were fast enough to stand as he materialized and land on his feet.

A collective sigh of relief ran around the room as the medical team ran forward. Bashir waved away the medic heading toward him and she hesitated, glancing uncertainly from Bashir to Dax.

Dax crossed her arms. "Don't be stubborn, Julian; you know you'd insist on scanning anyone else who came back from being trapped in a holosuite."

Bashir sighed. "I'm fine," he muttered, but stood still just long enough for a quick tricorder scan before spinning on his heel and joining the medics clustered around Sisko.

At a glance from him, they backed up enough to give him room; there was no question of who was in charge despite his unorthodox apparel. One of them wordlessly passed a tricorder into his hand, and Bashir took it with a brief nod of thanks.

"Ben," he said gently, putting a hand on Ben's shoulder, "Miles did it; we're back."

Ben only moaned softly without opening his eyes; if he had noticed the transporter effect at all, he must have taken it for merely a fever dream.

Bashir ran a quick tricorder scan and cursed softly under his breath; he had harbored a faint hope that his injuries had been merely part of the holoprogram and would disappear when they were brought back. But the damage was still there, and Bashir realized he had let himself be too optimistic; the tricorder showed the infection to be deeper than he had suspected. He squeezed Ben's shoulder in silent promise and apology. "I'll get this fixed, Ben," he promised. "In a week you won't believe the difference."

Looking up, he beckoned forward the techs standing by with a grav stretcher. "Keep him on his side; don't touch his back. Someone call the infirmary and have them get me a uniform and prepare an operation room; I'm taking him straight to surgery for his back."

Dax immediately tapped her combadge to fulfil his request as Bashir oversaw the techs lifting Ben onto the stretcher. He was at their side as they carried the commander out, but paused long enough to give Miles a look of such heartfelt gratitude that the chief found himself swallowing back a sudden rush of emotion.

Dax followed Bashir with her eyes until he was out of sight, knowing that his lack of attention to anyone else in the room meant the commander's condition was serious. But she had seen him when he feared all his efforts wouldn't be enough, and that desperation hadn't been on his face; she was sure Sisko would eventually recover.

"Miles, get something to eat, and then you can start getting the transporter ready to return to the Cygnus. I'm going to go tell Jake that we have his father back."

oOo

Jake sat alone with Molly in the O'Brien quarters. He had not felt like babysitting, as he had not felt like doing anything the past few days. But it was the least he could do for Keiko when she had unquestioningly taken him into her home, especially when he knew Miles would have been home to help look after Molly if he had not given up all his free time lately to try to find Jake's father.

Molly had attempted to get Jake to play with her or tell her stories, as he had at times in the past. But when all efforts to interest him failed, she had crawled into his lap and simply sat sucking her thumb as she leaned against him. Jake wrapped his arms around her, taking strange comfort in the feel of the tiny form cuddled against him.

When the door chime sounded, he glanced up, barely caring. "Enter," he said dully, knowing he should ask the visitor's identity first, but unable to believe in any serious threat. His father had been stolen from him; the worst had already happened, so what more was there to fear?

But at the sight of Dax in the doorway, he quickly set Molly to the side and scrambled to his feet, so torn between hope and fear that his knees felt weak and he grabbed at the arm of the sofa for support. "Is it — Dad?"

Dax's broad smile was all the answer he needed. "We got him, Jake."

"Yes!" Jake cried in excitement. "Where is he? Can I see him?"

"He was hurt fairly badly; Dr Bashir took him straight to the infirmary, and he hasn't cleared him for visitors yet. But you know how good Dr Bashir is; I'm sure your father will be fine." Had she had any doubt at all, Dax would have waited until she knew for sure whether she was bringing good news or bad.

Jake bit his lip to hide its sudden trembling. He had accepted Julian's comfort when his father disappeared; now he felt embarrassed at his emotion. Dropping to his knees, he tickled Molly until she squirmed and squealed with laughter and he felt sure the danger of tears was past.

Next chapter coming next week! (…hopefully)

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