Chapter 3, Revelations

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two hours later, Julian had finished draining the hydronite from Jadzia, and Odo was following up a lead from a freighter clerk. He had discovered that a shipment of the drug had been smuggled aboard DS9 a few months earlier, and that someone on the station had purchased a small supply for ten bars of gold-pressed latinum. The rest of the drug was confiscated, but the captain of the ship that brought it in, had disappeared.

Julian was sitting by Jadzia's bedside, trying to figure out what he was going to tell her, when her eyes fluttered open.

"Julian?"

"I'm here Jadzia."

"What happened? Why am I here?"

"I don't quite know how to say this, but you've been drugged."

"Drugged? That's impossible. How could I have been drugged?"

"Somehow, you were given several doses of golabenzium hydronite, a mind altering drug. You have had it in your system for about a month now. All decisions you made in that time, were not your own. You were influenced by an outside source, and had no will to rebel against it. Do you remember anything since then?"

"I think so. I finished my report on Banilian ecology depletion, had my bat'leth lessons with Worf, and...wait. There's something more about Worf. What is it Julian?" she asked with some alarm, for Julian's face had sunk when she mentioned Worf.

"You really don't remember then?"

"Remember what?"

"You are engaged to Worf. Have been for nearly a week. You announced it at Quark's, and said you would be married as soon as the war is over." Julian looked at her expression at he said this, and was amazed at the variety of emotions she had shown. First it was disbelief, then shock, and finally anger and frustration.

"Engaged! To Worf! That's ridiculous. It's impossible. He asked me two months ago, and I refused. I may like their music, but I could never marry a Klingon." Jadzia had barely finished this outburst, when Julian suddenly gave her a big hug and emerged grinning ear to ear, relief spread across his features.

"You have no idea how happy this makes me. I kept thinking there was something strange about this. I knew you wouldn't do anything so rash, especially without telling me anything about it first, so I could discourage you."

Jadzia blushed when he said this. Somehow, she felt something different about him. Like he'd been in pain and was suddenly well again.

"Are you ok Julian? You look tired." she asked with concern.

"I'm fine now. I've been very worried about you. I nearly panicked when I found that you had been drugged."

"How did you find out? I know I didn't just tell you."

"Well, actually..I..um...."

After he finished telling her the underhanded methods he used, she burst out laughing.

"You aren't mad are you?" he said, sheepishly.

"Of course not. I really owe you one. If you hadn't poked me with that thing I could be married to Worf right now." She cringed and then they both started laughing. Somehow, Julian found Worf an object of humor instead of hatred, now that Jadzia wasn't attached to him.

"Seriously though, what are we going to do? Do you have any idea who did this to me?" she asked Julian, gravely.

"Odo's working on it. I don't know if he's found anything yet though." Julian hated to keep the information on Worf from Jadzia, but he didn't want to upset her while she was still recovering.

"Odo to Bashir." Julian jumped at this unexpected hail.

"Bashir here. Go ahead."

"I found out something that might interest you. Could you meet me security?"

"On my way. Bashir out. Try to rest now Jadzia. You've had a pretty rough day."

"Doctor's orders I suppose." She said with a frown. "Ok. Julian, what am I going to do about Worf? He thinks I'm still going to marry him. I don't want to hurt him, but I can't go through with it. Can I?"

"No!" he shouted with panic." You definitely can't. Unless you really have feelings for him." He added hesitatingly.

"He's a good friend, but I don't feel anything for him. Will you help me break it him? I don't think I could alone."

"If you like. We'll talk more when I get back. "He said with relief.

As she watched him leave the infirmary, she thought how good a friend he was. *He was my first real friend since I was joined. But he kind of forgets about Dax sometimes, and treats me like a normal person, instead of a three century old joined Trill. I wish there was something I could do to repay him. He's done so much for me. * Then she laughingly thought of the times he used to chase after her and flirt. She kind of missed it. *I wonder why he doesn't do it anymore? He just stopped thinking of me like that I guess. I'm just a good friend. * Something in the back of her mind told her that she regretted not encouraging him before. He was always there for her, and gave her comfort. Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable. Why was she thinking so much about Julian?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Julian headed across the promenade towards security, he thought how relieved he was that Jadzia had nothing to do with Worf and that things were back to normal. He was filled with regret that he could not tell her how much he loved her, but he knew that it would ruin their friendship if he did.

When Julian entered security, he was greeted by Odo and a grave-faced Captain Sisko.

"What have you found?" he asked anxiously.

"I ran a sensor sweep of the station, specifically calibrated to search for golabenzium hydronite. It was found in two places, Cargo bay 7, and Worf's quarters."

"Worf's quarters? I guess I didn't really believe he did it, but now."

"I know how you feel Dr. I didn't want to believe it either." said Sisko.

"Odo, I know this sounds strange, but isn't this just a little too easy? I mean, all of this showed up so suddenly, and it's all been perfectly timed. First the smugglers, then Jadzia, and now Worf." said Julian.

"My thoughts exactly Dr. I think Worf's been framed." Odo stated.

"Who would frame him? And for what purpose?" Sisko asked.

"That I don't know...yet." said Odo.

"Perhaps we should talk to Worf himself. If he's guilty, his honor will prevent him from denying it. If he's innocent, he might have some insight as to why he was framed." suggested Sisko.

"You might be right Captain. Odo to Worf."

"Worf here."

"We need you in security as soon as possible."

"On my way."

"Well, I should be going. I have some reports to fill out." said Julian.

"I'd like you to stay Dr. You may be of some help to us." said Sisko.

"Of course, if you think I could help." Julian was pleased that the Captain actually needed him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"How dare you accuse me of this outrage! I am insulted and prepared to defend my honor!" stormed Worf after he had been informed of the situation.

"Calm down Worf! We would not have asked to come here if we were convinced of your guilt. On the contrary, we thought you may have some insight on this." The Captain said soothingly.

"I have no idea how the drug got into my quarters. And I would certainly not give it to Jadzia. I wish her to marry me of her own free will."

"What about the Klingon marriage rule?" asked Julian.

"I do not believe in taking woman by force. It is not honorable."

"Who would do this to you? Who would try to make you look dishonorable?" Odo interrogated.

"I don't know! I told you that before. You all know that I am separated from my family. Any of them would do this, but they could not have access to my quarters, or the rest of the station."

"Then it must be someone on the inside." said Sisko.

"Perhaps we should ask Quark." said Odo, thoughtfully.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A few days later, Odo discovered that a freighter pilot named Haj Duhan had brought most of the golabenzium hydronite to DS9. He sold it to a Bajoran woman who resold it to a Cardassian. The strange part was that there were no Cardassians on the station at the time of the sale, not even Garak who was on Bajor purchasing new fabric. After a DNA scan of the area, it was discovered that a Founder was responsible for the sale. Odo made certain that it was not still on the station, but why would a Founder be involved at all?

As it turned out, the Founder was an escaped convict, and unwelcome on his homeworld. He was in the pay of the Cardassians to sabotage the station. The Cardassians had planned to dispose of two senior officers at once, by slowly administering enough hydronite to Jadzia to eventually kill her, and making it appear as if Worf did it. He would be removed from the station, and in the ensuing disorder, the Cardassians would make their move.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After the incident had been cleared up, and the station was normal again, Julian went to talk to Jadzia about Worf. He felt bad for her that she had to play such an unwilling part in the whole mess, and wanted to make sure she was all right. As he approached the door to her quarters, he thought how much his feelings had changed over the past few days. He had gone from utter despair to near elation. He no longer hated Worf, though he still didn't like him very much. And he might even have another chance with Jadzia. She hadn't seemed negative about spending a lot of time with him lately. He pushed the door chime and waited.

"Hello Julian." Jadzia said cheerfully. "Please come in." As he walked past her, he thought how beautiful she looked in her off duty attire. The lower neck showed more of her spots than usual, and he wondered if they really did go all the way down.

"Jadzia, I just wanted to make sure that you're alright. It's been very stressful lately." Julian spoke with concern.

"I'm ok. I just feel a little bad for Worf. I think he really did care for me. I hated to break it with him, after he thought I loved him, but I had to." She said, a little downcast.

"You'll feel better soon. You did what you had to do, and I know it makes you feel bad, but Worf will get over it sooner than you think." Said Julian, soothingly. He even ventured to put his hand on her shoulder.

Jadzia's back tingled at his touch, and she was sure she could feel her spots darkening, but she didn't shrink away. How could she move when it felt so good? She couldn't remember when she had felt more at peace, than when Julian was there, comforting her. She was a little afraid of her feelings. Why did she feel different about him lately? She was on the verge of admitting to herself that she cared for him a little more than just a good friend, but something in the back of her mind stopped her. She heard Dax telling her to be rational, reminding her of the Symbiosis board. Then she pulled back a little, and looked at Julian. She could tell that he was worried about her.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yes. I'm pretty hungry though." She laughed. He smiled back at her, and she looked into his eyes. Endless, shimmering, brown pools. They had a sort of hypnotic effect on her, forcing her to move closer to him.

"Will you have dinner with me?" he said, looking into her eyes. Endless, shimmering, cerulean pools. They had a sort of hypnotic effect on him, forcing him to move closer to her.

Their faces were very close now, almost touching. Still slowly moving forward, their lips nearly met. Then Jadzia's combadge sounded, shattering the mood entirely. Julian pulled quickly away, "I'm sorry." he muttered, still looking at her. *I'm sorry too* she thought. But was she sorry for giving in to him, or sorry that they had been interrupted? Even she couldn't answer that question. Her combadge sounded again.

"Dax here, go ahead."

"This is Worf. I wish to speak with you privately. May I see you in your quarters in ten minutes?"

Jadzia panicked. The last thing she wanted was to see Worf. *What do I do? * she mouthed to Julian. *You decide* he mouthed back.

"Um...sure I suppose." she didn't sound too confidant, but Worf wasn't astute enough to pick it up.

"I will be there." he said. "Worf out."

"Julian, what do I say to him?" she sounded desperate.

"That depends on what he says to you. I should go. Would you like to talk when he leaves?"

"Please don't go. I don't want to be alone with him." she begged.

"Jadzia, he specifically said 'privately'. That meant alone. Are you afraid he'll do something?" He asked with a new concern.

"I...I don't think so. Please stay. You can wait in the bedroom until he leaves."

"Well,..alright. You've convinced me. It will be fine Jadzia. I promise." He was surprised at how nervous she was. She usually showed no sign of discomposure even under stress. She led him to her bedroom, and partially closed the door, leaving a two-inch wide crack. He paced impatiently for awhile, and then looked around a bit. The room was decorated with various artifacts from the worlds she had visited, as well as pictures of her family and friends. He stopped to look at these, and found a very good one Sisko and Jake in baseball uniforms. Major Kira was represented, as well as the entire O'Brien family. As he neared the end of the row, he found a very old man staring at him. *This must be Curzon* he thought. He looked like he could handle all the women he was famed for. For a minute, Julian thought he had seen all the pictures, but as he glanced at the nightstand, he saw that there were three more. One was of Jadzia's parents. She had shown him that one when she first came to the station, and he knew that she missed them a lot. The second was of a little girl, maybe Jadzia's sister. Julian was very surprised at the third though. It was of Jadzia and himself in dress uniform. How did she get that? He was still wondering about it, when the door chime sounded, and he heard Worf step in to the outer room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Good evening, Jadzia." Worf said.

"Good evening Worf." She said with assumed cheerfulness.

"You look well tonight. You probably know what I wish to speak with you about."

"No...I really don't. Know what you want I mean. Thank you for the compliment." She felt a little bit confused by his abruptness, and stammered out her answers unnaturally.

"I have requested a transfer, and was given the position of Security Chief on Gaalos 4." Worf said in a monotone.

"I hadn't heard that you were leaving. Are you sure that this is what you want?"

"It is not what I want." He said slowly, "It is what I must do. I have come to ask you to accompany me. I still wish you to be my mate. If you refuse, I have come to say goodbye. I will probably never see you again." He came as close to begging as a Klingon ever did.

Jadzia thought carefully before giving him an answer. She knew that she had no feelings for him, but she found it hard to hurt him again. He had been a pretty good friend after all. Then her thoughts strayed to Julian, and how wonderful he had been to her through this stressful time. But there was Dax again, warning her to be careful, and put Julian away. *Fine* she thought *I just won't get involved with anyone. *

"Worf, I'm sorry that you feel this way about me, but I can't go with you. My life is here on the station, and I don't really want to change that. I feel terrible for the pain I caused you, and I wish there was something I could do to ease it. I sincerely hope that you find someone else that's much better suited for you than I am. Please don't leave the station on my account though. We can still be friends I hope?" Jadzia breathed with relief now that her speech was over.

"I appreciate your friendship, but I have already committed to the transfer. It is for the best. Thank you for your time. I will not trouble you again. Goodbye." and with that, Worf left Jadzia's quarters without looking back.

As soon as the door closed behind Worf, Julian stepped back in the outer room,

"Everything all right?" he asked with concern.

"Yes. I guess. I feel awful for Worf. I caused him so much pain, but it wasn't really my fault. Was it?"

"No Jadzia, it wasn't. You had nothing to do with it." He said soothingly.

"In all my eight lifetimes, I have never had to deal with something like this before. I don't know what to do." To Julian's surprise, she was close to tears. He had never seen her break down before, and tried his best to comfort her, but somehow he felt as lost as she did.

"It's ok. Everything will be fine. Shall we go down to Quark's and have something cold to drink?"

"Yes, I think I'd like that." she said. And they headed out towards the promenade.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Time passed, and Jadzia and Julian became even closer friends. They had never mentioned the almost-kiss, or what they felt, and to Julian's dismay, he began to think that his hopes were in vain after all. He wouldn't spoil their friendship for anything though, so he kept silent and continued in the current situation. Jadzia still felt torn. Part of her, the unjoined part if there was such a thing, felt a little more than gratitude for Julian. If he would have encouraged her more, she might have understood herself better, but she didn't want to get her hopes up for nothing. He might not like her that way at all. The Dax part of her kept up continual warnings against getting too close to Julian, and try as she might, she couldn't completely ignore them. *Oh well, * she thought, *I'll just wait and see what happens. *

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Their struggle continued for almost a year. They rarely spent time with anyone but each other, but the closer they became, the larger the emotional barriers grew. Dax became an annoyance to Jadzia, with its constant reminders of what she was desperately trying to forget. *He's too young* or *He's not a joined Trill* or *He's not a Trill at all* plagued her mind relentlessly. At one point, she almost wished that she was not joined, but quickly dismissed the thought. It was a blasphemy in Trill culture to not wish to be joined.

It would not be long before she was forced to decide if she meant it…………….

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~