Whilst Dax had been occupied with the rearranging of Odo's furniture, Captain Sisko had been in his impromptu meeting with Dr Lenara Kahn of the Trill ministry of science. She had been on the station only a few months prior, with two of her fellow scientists, Dr Hanor Pren and her brother Dr Bejal Otner, in a bid to test her artificial wormhole theories. For the most part their initial forays into the practical applications of the theory had proven to be successful; however, on a personal note the interactions of Kahn and Dax had not proven to be so simple. In a past life Dax had been hosted by the test pilot, Torias and had been married to Kahn's previous host Nilani. However, Torias had been killed in a shuttle accident leaving Nilani Kahn a widow. Years later when the symbiont's had met in the forms of their current hosts, Jadzia and Lenara, they had realised their continuing attraction towards each other. But, Kahn had proven unable to break the Trill laws of reassociation and had returned to Trill, leaving behind a distraught Dax.

After O'Brien had informed him of his upcoming meeting with Dr Kahn, Sisko had sat back in his chair and gazed out to the surrounding stars wondering what it was that the Dr wanted from him.

Eventually major Kira Nerys, of the Bajoran militia and his second in command here on DS9, had escorted the Dr to his office. Sisk had seen them approach and had noted with interest that they appeared to be relatively friendly with each other, despite Kira being a friend of Dax'

The doors swished closed as Major Kira left them "Dr Kahn" he greeted her as he gestured to the seat across from his desk "Please, have a seat" Kahn sat "How can I be of assistance to you Dr?" he queried looking over at her.

Lenara Kahn sat in the chair, her normally reserved demeanour faltering slightly briefly showing the underlying pain and despair. She started to speak several times, deciding her words were not what she wanted to say each time. Sisko waited steepling his fingers under his chin, after five minutes of false starts it was evident that the Dr was unable to find the words appropriate for what she wanted to say.

He opted to put them both out of their discomfort by speaking first "I understand that you wished to speak to me about Jadzia. Was it about something in particular" he asked, attempting to prompt her into a conversation that she had expressed desire in to start with.

Kahn looked at her hands still tightly clasped in her lap, the knuckles gradually turning white. Sisko could feel the tension and discomfort fairly radiating off the woman in waves. "Yes" she replied finally speaking, though she went silent once more.

Sisko continued his patient waiting

"I am…not finding this situation easy Captain, I had thought it might be best to talk to you first, but now I am thinking that maybe I should just talk directly to Jadzia and not attempt to embroil an innocent friend into the uncomfortable position of mediator" she finally spoke.

Sisko raised his eyebrow in surprise, though this went unseen by the Dr as she had kept her gaze in her lap the entire exchange.

"You understand, I am highly reluctant to allow that, especially given how everything ended the last time you two met" he said seriously

Kahn nodded "I fully understand captain" making moves to rise "I would expect no less from a friend of hers"

"But" continued Sisko suddenly "I have no control over either of you…I am simply eager to avoid a repeat of last time and to protect an old friend from further heartache. However, I can also see that you both have unresolved…issues, and that they are deeply affecting to you both. I will ask commander Dax to join us, I offer my office for your" he hesitated "conversation" he concluded finally, making it clear in the way that he spoke, that he thought it would be anything but.

"Thank you that would be immensely generous of you" spoke Kahn.

Sisko nodded almost regretting his choice before he'd even set it in motion. He tapped his com badge to make the necessary arrangements "Sisko to Dax"