The next day saw Dax and Kahn packed and ready to leave for DS9, they had decided to pre-empt the symbiosis commission's decision to exile them for their reassociation, and Lenara had finally managed to persuade Bejal to arrange the packing up of her things from her home and lab, and to send them on to her new quarters aboard DS9. Dax had spent some time the previous evening talking to her friends Benjamin and Kira to arrange for quarters to be made ready for Lenara along with lab space so she could continue her work on creating artificial wormholes. Now they stood in the queue of people making their way onto the transport shuttle and eventually they were settled into their tiny compartment for the trip back to the station.
Jadzia put her bag up onto the bunk and turned to Kahn, placing her hands on Lenara's upper arms and regarded her seriously "Are you absolutely sure this is what you want Lenara? There can be no backing out at a later date, for Trill will not allow either of us to return again…it's not too late, they don't yet know what we've done, and, if ever there was a time to turn back, to change your mind with no repercussions…well, this would be it!"
Lenara looked at her "Yes my Dax, you are exactly who I want to be with, wherever we are" she replied sincerely, raising a hand to stroke Dax's hair "I know how much it pained you to ask, but, I do appreciate that you were willing to" she paused "As if, I'd ever be able to give you up again now!"
Dax grinned ecstatically, hugging Lenara tightly in a moment of pure unadulterated joy causing Lenara to giggle uncontrollably "I'm glad you feel the same way" she managed to exclaim through her laughter as Dax finally released her "You know, just being around you brings out my more…frivolous side" Kahn added after a moments consideration "You make me realise how serious I can be, and that I don't always want to be like that, to be the person who only has her work in her life…like Nilani!" she continued shyly her voice lowering slightly when she mentioned her previous host.
"I hope that's a good thing?" queried Dax with a questioning look, though her smile belied her seriousness, diffusing a potential situation.
They felt rather than heard the ships engines start up, propelling them smoothly up off the surface of Trill towards the atmosphere, where they would go to warp once the cleared the planet. The two women settled into one of their bunks with PADD's to keep them occupied during the 37 hour trip to DS9, curled up around each other contentedly.
The ship juddered to a halt as the docking clamps from docking bay 4 latched onto the transport ship, the engines shutting down soon after that. Dax and Kahn were already waiting in the airlock, their bags slung carelessly over their shoulders, hands clasped somewhat nervously.
"Does this…situation make you that uncomfortable?" asked Dax turning momentarily to face Kahn, who shook her head in confusion having not totally comprehended what her partner had asked
"What?" she asked distractedly glancing out through the airlock windows, then focused as if having finally heard the question "Why do you ask?"
"Your hand, it's kind of cold…even by Trill standards, and well, you've got a bit of a death grip going on there!" Dax commented trying to keep her tone light though she briefly grimaced in pain "it's not like I'm going to vanish the minute we set foot on the station, I mean duties don't start for another three days!"
Kahn nodded distractedly "Mmm" she murmured
Dax smiled and kissed Lenara's temple "Don't worry about it, everything will be fine…you'll see" then tried not to sigh too audibly in relief as Lenara's stranglehold on her hand lessened as she relaxed.
The airlock began running its cycle to allow them on to DS9, she shifted her bag further on to her shoulder then the door rolled open revealing a small group milling around the docking area waiting for people from off of the transport. Dax stepped off the ship and onto the carpeted deck plates of DS9 leading Lenara. She spotted Kira weaving her way swiftly through the crowd towards them, a smile wrinkling her nose even more than usual, Dax gave Lenara's hand a reassuring squeeze and indicated the approaching figure with a slight incline of her head. Lenara returned the squeeze and inhaled a calming breath, exhaling just as the Major reached them.
Finally Kira made it over to the Trill couple waiting to the side of the crowd and if anything her smile widened as she extended her hand to Lenara "An absolute pleasure to see you again Dr Kahn"
Lenara visibly relaxed as she shook the familiar hand of Kira "Likewise Major, but please, call me Lenara"
Kira laughed and nodded "Of course…if you'll call me Kira!" she replied with an easy smile "After all, we going to be living in the same place, no need to be so formal all the time!" she added raising her eyebrows "Too much pomp and ceremony!" she added in a marginally disgusted tone causing Kahn to smile and nod in agreement.
Meanwhile Dax had watched this interchange with interest, as she shook some feeling back into her rather squashed hand, glad to see that her friend had meant what she had said to Dax before she'd left for Trill, that she supported her decision entirely, that she genuinely liked Kahn was simply a bonus really, though one that was much appreciated. "Hello, great to see you too Nerys!" exclaimed Dax wryly shaking her head in amused disbelief, as the two women had begun to walk away still talking, leaving Dax standing alone in the now emptying waiting area.
Kira turned and hugged her friend "Well, I suppose it's good to see you too Jadzia" she muttered drolly "I'm really happy that it worked out for you my friend" she added in a whisper so only Dax could hear who smiled and tightened her grip momentarily in gratitude.
The three women continued talking as they moved away from the docking area and out onto the main walkways of the station, making their way towards Dax's quarters, so the travellers could finally dispose of their bags and general travelling paraphernalia. Dax turned to her friend at the door "Would you care to join us for dinner tonight?" she asked "Around 2100hrs" she suggested having already discussed the idea with Kahn on their travels up from Trill.
Kira mulled over the idea briefly working out her shift patterns in her head as she did so "I'd love to!" she replied " I'll come by here later then" she added as she made her farewells and left for Ops as the doors finally chimed open and the two women went inside.
The door closed behind them and Dax could see Kahn almost visibly relax as she walked towards her, having already dropped her bag. She sank into the safe embrace of her partner who folded her long arms around her. "You okay?" murmured Dax tightening her hold briefly.
Kahn nodded then sighed "Yes" she replied looking up "I just wasn't prepared to feel as nervous as I did, though I don't know why, I've been here before and met your friends, and I have you…" she trailed off
Dax completed her thought "But they are all my friends in the first place?" she asked and smiled when Kahn nodded into Dax's chest "They'll be your friends too, if you want them that is…Julian and Nerys both really like you, and Benjamin may come across all authoritarian, but he is also my oldest and dearest friend, you are very welcome here Lenara, I would not have brought you otherwise"
"Okay" replied Kahn softly as she relaxed further into Dax's embrace, her qualms eased for the time being.
The door chimed at 2100hours, announcing the arrival of Kira to their quarters. Dax called out to the computer from the bedroom, for Kira to enter, clipping the Klingon earrings, Lenara had given her, to her ears as she did so. She turned to Lenara, who had just come from the bathroom and sat on the bed, knowing that Kira was used to waiting for her and would make herself at home.
Lenara smiled up at her "They suit you" she said indicating to the earrings "I told you they would!" she paused "Are you ready?" she queried. Dax nodded and offered her hand to Lenara so as to pull her up off the low bed and into her arms which folded loosely around her momentarily before releasing her "I'm looking forward to this" she remarked as she drew one of Jadzia's hands to her lips and lightly kissed the knuckles "Shall we?" she asked, indicating for Dax to proceed her as they stepped out of the sleeping area and into the main room, to find Kira having an argument with the replicator.
"No, double sweet…computer, try again…Raktajino, double sweet!" she spoke through gritted teeth her face clearly showing her frustration.
"Something wrong Nerys?" inquired Dax sweetly as she and Lenara moved over to the sofa and sat close, but not so as to make Kira feel left out.
"Your replicator has an issue with its sweetener…abilities" muttered the Bajoran "Hello Lenara" she added after a moment, offering the Trill a warm smile. Lenara inclined her head in greeting though chose not to verbally engage with the fiery Major for the moment, leaving Dax to calm her friend.
"It works just fine" Dax chided gently "You've just got to ask nicely" she added with a grin. Kira glared at Dax, who refused to back down, instead gazing calmly at her friend who eventually turned at the replicator's incessant beeping announcing her revised drink. Kira reached for the chunky cup and sipped cautiously, finding it to her liking she moved over to sit opposite her friends, her mood quickly clearing as they fell into an easy banter.
After Kira left, Dax had sent Lenara off towards the bedroom whilst she tidied away the used crockery from their dinner; she piled the last of the dishes into the replicator for recycling and surveyed the room for any strays, then followed her partner into their bedroom.
Lenara had already changed into her gunmetal coloured sleeping trousers and tunic and was now standing barefoot by the rooms viewing portal, gazing out at the stars seemingly quite content, when Dax walked in, removing her civilian clothing as she did so, trading them for her all black sleep wear similar to Lenara's. She padded up softly behind her partner, snaking her arms around her waist and laying her chin contentedly upon the shoulder in front of her, smiling at their reflection in the portal as Lenara's hands closed warmly over hers. They remained silent for several long moments before Lenara spoke "It's so strange looking out and seeing different constellations…the appearance of perpetual night, do you ever get used to it?"
Dax considered her words "I'm not sure that you get used to it necessarily, but you find other things to replace the daylight. I have a very good holodeck programme collection" she admitted "Including several of Trill" she added reassuringly. She stepped away from her partner slightly and began gently untangling the complex knots of the intricate braid Lenara had painstakingly created that morning, working at them with a rapt concentration until the sandy brown hair was flowing loosely down the back in front of her in a soft wavy curtain. She combed her fingers through it a few times to ensure that there were no remaining tangles, then placed her hands on Lenara's shoulders, spinning her until they faced each other. Dax placed a light kiss upon Kahn's forehead, before leaning down so that their foreheads and the tips of their noses touched.
Lenara reached up and unclasped the silver hair clip holding back Jadzia's mahogany hair back, then led her over to the bed, laying the clasp on the night stand before twitching the covers back and sitting, pulling Jadzia down with her, who willingly crawled in, as they sank into the warmth of each other, Dax called out to the computer to extinguish the lights.
They would have to wait and see how their rejoining affected their lives in the days and weeks ahead, for now though, here in this moment, everything was perfect and they were finally together again the way they felt they ought to be, whatever the views of the symbiosis commission.