Disclaimer in previous chapter.
According to the official Star Trek Encyclopedia and Star Trek website, Ezri was 21 years old during the 7th season, so I'm going to write this story as such to reflect that. Also, any and all Star Trek cultural references, languages, and spellings have been verified through the Star Trek Encyclopedia.
Ezri stepped out of the turbolift followed by Jadzia. Kira turned around to greet them.
"Ezri, who is…" she trailed off when she saw Jadzia. "Jadzia?"
At that name, Chief O'Brien and Doctor Bashir's heads snapped up to see that the real Jadzia Dax was standing in Ops.
Jadzia nodded her head. "Major."
Kira smiled a little, even though her shock was evident. "Jadzia, I was promoted earlier this year to Colonel."
"What? How did I-" she was cut off as Bashir nearly tackled her in a hug.
"Jadzia! What the hell is going on that you're here?" O'Brien asked as Jadzia was struggling in Bashir's onslaught.
"I'd love to answer any questions, but I have questions of my own that I want answered first," Jadzia said, finally wrestling away from Julian. She turned to Kira and said, "Please continue."
"Well, you see, a little over a year ago…" Kira started, but was interrupted by the doors to the Captain's office opening.
"Colonel, what is going on out here?" Sisko said as he came out of his office, not seeing Jadzia.
"Uh, Captain, we have a guest," Kira said, gesturing to Jadzia.
Sisko stopped and Jadzia could literally see the blood drain from his face. "Jadzia?"
Jadzia nodded, and wondered how he had made 'captain' so quickly.
"What are you doing here?" Sisko asked, trying to recover from his initial shock, even though it was difficult.
"Well, after I was beamed from the runabout, I ended up in the corridor. So, I went to my quarters to find that everything was gone and then I meant her," Jadzia said, indicating Ezri.
"What were you doing?" Kira asked.
"I was scanning a temporal fracture on the outer rim of the Bajoran system."
"I remember that," Sisko said, as he tried to recall that day. "That happened six years ago."
Jadzia felt her knees go weak. "Six years?"
Sisko noticed her slightly quivering body and motioned for her to go into the office. She nodded slightly and walked past them into the office, looking ill. Sisko followed behind and entered, going behind his desk to sit down. He looked at Jadzia's pale complexion, knowing that she was in shock.
Sisko sighed leaned back in his chair slightly. "Jadzia…Dax…I hate to be blunt like this, but you died last year after being attacked by a Pah-wraith."
"I see," Jadzia said, settling further into her chair.
"I'm sorry to just dump this information on you, but it answers a few questions you no doubt had."
"It does," Jadzia choked out.
Sisko felt bad for her, but had to continue. "The year is currently 2375 and we are at war with the Dominion, which is the alliance of the Cardassians, Jem'hadar, and the Vorta."
Jadzia nodded, but had to ask a pressing question. "You do realize that you are violating the Temporal Prime Directive by telling me all of this?"
Sisko chuckled. "I'm not too concerned, but it might change the future and we might never have to fight this damn war."
They sat there in silence for a few seconds before Jadzia told him to continue.
"Well, I'm not sure what all I should tell you, so why don't you ask."
Jadzia nodded, "Okay. When were you promoted?"
"About four years ago, right before Worf came to the station," Sisko said, immediately realizing he shouldn't have said that.
"Worf? The Klingon officer from the Enterprise? He was transferred here?"
"Uh, yeah. Anything else you want to know?" he asked, dodging the question.
"Yes. What about Ezri?" Jadzia asked, knowing full well that the subject of Worf was something that he was avoiding, but she let it go, for now.
Sisko leaned back in his chair. "Ah, I knew that would come up sooner or later. Ezri is indeed Dax. She received the symbiont accidentally when it's condition took a turn for the worse."
"And she was the only Trill onboard?" Jadzia filled in.
"Yes. She had never thought about being joined, so it was extremely difficult on her. However, she's made good progress and she's our counselor."
"Wow. A therapist?"
Sisko chuckled. "She told me she always gets that reaction."
"She doesn't look old enough to be the counselor for the entire station," Jadzia pointed out.
"Well, she was a counselor-in-training, but I promoted her because with the symbiont, she has over 350 years experience."
"Yeah, always good logic, you have."
Sisko smiled slightly as they fell into silence.
Jadzia's face took on a hard, depressed look. "Benjamin, what am I supposed to do? There really is no way for me to get home."
Sisko got up and walked around the desk to face her. "Dax, everything will work out. I promise."
Jadzia's infamous smile appeared once again as she wrapped her arms around Sisko's neck in a hug.
Sisko returned the hug and muttered, "You have no idea how much I've missed you."
Jadzia retracted her arms and gave him a look. "What do you mean?"
Sisko sighed. "Ezri just isn't like you at all. We don't have the same friendship that you and me had. With you, I could confide everything to you, but I can't with her. She's just not that type of person for me to do so."
"Benjamin, I'm here for now, okay? If you have problems, I'll try to help to my best of abilites."
Sisko smiled. "Thanks, old man."
Jadzia grinned back. "Anytime."
----
O'Brien and Bashir were sitting in Quark's as per usual, enjoying the Bajoran synthale as they talked about the biggest news to hit DS9 in the past couple of weeks.
"I just can't believe that she's alive and here," Bashir said.
"She's from the past, Julian. We don't know how long she's staying. You better not try anything on her," O'Brien warned.
"I know. Besides, I still have my eye on her successor."
O'Brien shook his head as Quark appeared at their table and sat down. "Who's back."
"Jadzia," Bashir answered without thinking.
"Jadzia! She's back! Oh, thank Gint! I'll be right back!" Quark said, as he jumped out of the chair and sprinted out of the bar.
O'Brien and Bashir just sat there and watched the crazed Ferengi race out of the bar.
"That should be interesting," O'Brien said.
"Hate to be in her shoes," Bashir added.
They set down their glasses and went upstairs for their usual stint in the holosuite. Right when they had entered the suite, Worf walked into the bar, just back from a mission. The station was abuzz with something, but he hadn't learned what it was yet. He sat at the counter and waited to be served. The annoying Ferengi he despised was not around, which was perfectly fine by him. However, joy was short-lived as the Ferengi reentered the bar and went behind the counter. He saw Worf sitting there, so hegrabbed the blood wine for him and poured him a tall mug of it.
"Have you seen her?" Quark asked.
Worf looked at him in annoyance. "What are you talking about?"
"Jadzia. She's back."
Worf slammed the mug down on the counter and grabbed Quark by the collar of his shirt.
"You're lying!" Worf growled.
"No, I'm not! She's in Ops as we speak!"
Worf left Quark go and settled back down onto the stool. Kahless was playing a cruel joke on him.
"Are you positive, Ferengi?" Worf demanded.
"Yes, Commander. Now if you'll excuse me, I got customers."
Worf just sat there, wondering if he should go up to Ops and see his long-lost par'machkai, but he still believed that the Ferengi was lying. He decided that he needed to see for himself, so he got off of the stool and exited the bar, heading towards a turbolift.
To be continued...