Chapter 2- new beginnings
The promenade had finally returned to life, merchants had reopened their stores, families strolled down the deck laughing, and the cries of "Dabo" could be heard from Quarks bar. No longer present was the constant fear, the tension that had haunted the station for two years. Gone were the security officers protrolling with phaser rifles, instead they had been replaced by carefree citizens, crew. Life was finally beginning to return to normal. Ezri Dax stood up from leaning on the safety rail, as she stretched her arms above her head she felt arms snake around her waist. not only were past things becoming the norm but new things, new people; new relationships. "Hey you" she said as she turned around to face Julian. She leaned into kiss him, "How's your day going?" He pulled her into an embrace, "Perfect, now," he replied. She gave a small laugh. It was amazing to her how their relationship had grown in such a short amount of time, after all they had only known each other for a little under a year, " but you've known him much longer than that Dax," a voice reminded her inside her head. "True," she replied. "But that was Jadzia, this is me, Ezri." "Help" a softer voice in the back of her mind called. "Help me." "Ezri?" Julian's voice penetrated her thoughts. She looked up into his dark eyes; his normally relaxed face was lined with worry. "Is something wrong?" She could feel her heart beating, faster than usual. "No everything's fine," she replied in a voice which she hoped relayed confidence and not the ill feeling that she felt. Julian's eyes continued to search her face his expression giving way to the fact that he did not totally believe her. "You sure?" She nodded as they began to walk towards Quark's. Then, every so softly she heard it again. "Help me."
"I received a communiqué from Miles this morning." Julian leaned in across the table. Se nodded, how is the teaching going?" Julian smile betrayed a hint of sadness. "He said he's really enjoying it, being back on earth and all, but I get the feeling that he misses being here." "And you miss having him here." Ezri supplied. Julian nodded as she took his hand. "It takes a while to adjust to things like this. So many things have happened in the last year: the end of the war, Odo leaving, Miles leaving, Benjamin disappearing, Worf leaving…" she trailed off. They sat in silence for a few moments. Then it came again, louder this time. "Help Me!" Ezri snapped her head around scanning the bar. "Ezri?" Julian asked confused, "Did you hear that?" She demanded. "Hear what?" "Someone's calling for help." Julian eyed her with concern "I didn't hear anything." She sat back and sighed. Where was it coming from?