IV.

The sound of the cuffs being activated snapped her out of her thoughts and her gaze was drawn to the metallic stick in the officer's hand that had now a blue light circle at each end, energy beams that would surround her wrists in just a moment and thanks to the latest gimmick effectively forestall any resistance. No one had ever escaped these cuffs, not to mention escaped with them. She tried not to give herself away as she drew a deep breath.

The soldier aiming at her went down first. Hit by a single but well-aimed disrupter blast his lifeless body toppled to the side. The officer managed to turn around and reach for his weapon before he shared the fate of his subordinate. For an instant she stared at him but then her eyes were drawn to the figure emerging out of the darkness near the cave's entrance.

"Jadzia."

════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

"I made some discrete but thorough inquiries," Odo explained, "but no one in the entire sector seems to have seen her before, nor does anyone seem to have heard of anyone by the name Ke'sh." Which for him led to one conclusion only: the person in question had never set foot in this sector.

"And I checked with the Bajoran authorities again," Kira supplemented. "Same result. If it is a name, it's not Bajoran."

"Our patient thinks that it's her name," Sisko stated, leaning over the situation table and pondering how to proceed. He had decided to bend the rules a little bit and not exactly go against orders but…well, keep an open mind about the whole situation. It wasn't like any of his senior officers was neglecting other things because of this. "Does she actually remember that it's her name or is it just a conclusion?"

"I think it's more of a conclusion at the moment but judging by the marks on her ear I'd say it's a pretty valid one," Dax explained. "So assuming it's true and it is her clip, couldn't she have gotten it as a gift from a Bajoran friend or someone who was indebted to her?"

Kira shrugged. "It's not exactly a custom but I guess it's possible. There's no law against non-Bajorans wearing ear clips."

"Alright," Sisko nodded, a bit impatient. "So, it is her clip and it is her name. Does that get us anywhere nearer an answer as to where she comes from?"

"Not yet," Dax admitted, "but it's a first step."

I hope you're right, old man.

"I agree," the doctor joined in. "Although I disagree with the way my patient was interrogated without me being present," he declared with a glance at Dax, being a little dramatic and self-indulged as he was from time to time, "it is a first step. If she remembers her name, chances are she'll soon remember other things as well."

Sisko noticed Dax raising a brow at Bashir, but the doctor really seemed offended. I wonder how you'll get out of that one, old man, he couldn't help but thinkBut right now he had other things to worry about.

"Chief, did you find anything that could help?"

But O'Brien shook his head. "I made a complete long-range and broad-spectrum scan but apparently the ship didn't just explode, it was virtually pulverized. The fragments are so small there's no way we can use them to reconstruct even just parts of the ship or learn anything about it."

"I have a feeling that's not a coincidence," Sisko muttered. "Well, unless I forgot anything or anyone has a suggestion we didn't think of yet?" His question was met by silence. "Dismissed," he announced and went to get back to his office.

"This is really worrying him," Kira remarked when the group had dispersed and Odo could only nod in agreement. As a security officer he could understand the Captain's concern even if he didn't share it on a personal level. His responsibility was the station's inner security. He had learnt that it was best to leave everything outside the station and especially everything that concerned politics to others.

"And are you?" he turned to Kira.

"Worried?" she asked back and he nodded. "I wasn't. But the fact that he is, is what worries me."

Watching the Kira making her way over to the turbo lift, Odo realized he could understand that too. People on the station, Starfleet or Bajoran officers as well as civilians were looking up to Captain Sisko and Odo had observed repeatedly how the Captain's behavior or attitude at times had a direct impact on those surrounding him. If he was strong, they were strong. If he was determined, they were determined. But if he was worried, they got worried too. It was probably a good thing not a lot of people knew about this. The explosion, of course, had been all over the station within seconds, and even the fact that Lt. Commander Dax and the doctor had rescued a survivor who was in the infirmary now and recovering hadn't remained a secret for more than a few hours. But fortunately no one seemed to wonder or ask questions about the origin of the ship or the survivor. Except for him, and he had been discrete.

"Come on, Julian, I wouldn't do that. It was exactly like I told you."

Odo turned around at the sweet intonation in Lt. Commander Dax's voice. He knew that voice.

"Really," the doctor retorted, obviously trying to maintain an air of anger or at least insult. But, of course, he was bound to fail. "You two just started talking and she mentioned an ear clip which you then showed to her causing her to remember that it was hers."

"More or less," the Trill shrugged, her eyes smiling at the doctor who was still struggling with himself. Odo wondered. Didn't he know he didn't stand a chance? "If you don't believe me," she stated innocently, "why don't you ask your patient?" And as easy as that she had the good doctor exactly where she wanted him. She was good, Odo had to give her that. And considering how easily she managed to have the male inhabitants of this station and the surrounding systems wrapped around her little finger he had to be grateful she didn't seem to feel any inclination towards becoming involved in criminal activities.

"Because me questioning my patient about what she talked about with you would be interrogating her," the doctor realized his defeat. "And that would be counterproductive, wouldn't it?" Frustration played over his features but it only lasted a second and was gone completely when the Trill flashed him a smile that seemed to make the good doctor walk on clouds.

Odo shook his head. Over the last four years he had learned quite a lot about humans and their relationships. He knew that…affection for another person could cause even the most rational people to act irrationally. A lesson he had personally learnt under great…pain. But the doctor didn't even seem to be seriously interested in the Lt. Commander. Not seriously enough, at least, to pursue her. And it wasn't just the doctor. Virtually from her first day on the station, Odo had noticed that Lt. Commander Dax could get away with almost anything, at least with the male half of the various species represented on the station and even with some of the females. For a while it had him wondering if it was evidence of a general weakness of the male species or if it was something special about the Lt. Commander.

"Lieutenant. Bredel to Constable Odo," his com badge snapped him out of his thoughts and he immediately shifted his full attention to his duty as Chief of Security.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant."

¤¤¤

"Kira," Dax called out and the Major waited until she had caught up.

"I was on my way to get some lunch. Would you like to join me?"

"I'm sorry, I already got plans," the trill declined. "Mourn's third cousin died last week and he needs someone to cheer him up."

"His third cousin? I thought it was his fourth cousin?"

"Oh no," Jadzia explained, folding her hands behind her back as they walked along the promenade. "His fourth cousin actually just got married to an Eldorian scrap dealer. A very disconcerting liaison for the entire family. I had just gotten him to accept his cousin's choice of partner and now this. Poor Mourn."

Kira knew better than to say anything and settled for shaking her head when Dax wasn't watching.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Oh, right," Dax seemed to get back to the point which Kira hoped had nothing to do with Mourn or any of the other…figures the trill chose to spend time with. "I was wondering if it would mean anything if someone was to wear their ear clip on their left ear."

"Their left ear?" Kira frowned. "I guess this is about Doctor Bashir's patient?"

Dax nodded.

"Well, if it was a Bajoran I would say it's probably a way to express disrespect or stage some sort of protest. But since she's not Bajoran, maybe she just didn't know it's supposed to be on her right ear?"

"Possible," Dax admitted, apparently thinking about it for a second before looking up again with a big smile on her face. "I'll let you know which one it was as soon as I find out." The trill turned to leave.

"Oh, Jadzia," Kira called after her. "Did you find some time to read Jola's poems?"

"I'm sorry, Nerys," Dax replied with an apologetic expression, hardly stopping in her tracks though. "I'm already late. Can we talk about this later?"

"Sure," Kira shrugged, "I was just-"

"Great," Dax exclaimed, winking jovially and thus excusing herself before she covered the last few meters and entered Quark's.

Kira sighed and shook her head once again before she proceeded on her own way as well.

¤¤¤

"How was your lunch with Mourn?" Bashir asked when Dax walked into the infirmary about an hour later.

"Good. I think."

The doctor looked up at and saw a frown on Jadzia's forehead. Should he make anything of the fact that she seemed so serious? "Did you…manage to cheer him up?"

"Yes," the trill explained with a thoughtful expression. "But I'm afraid I'm feeling a little depressed now."

Dax shrugged. It was true. It was confusing but she couldn't help it. She felt a little sad.

"Well," Bashir saw an opportunity, "if you're looking for some distraction, I don't have any plans for tonight."

"I'm sorry, Julian, but I ran into Captain Boday on my way here and he asked me out for dinner. I already said yes." She studied Julian's face as she gave him an apologetic look.

Boday? Bashir shook his head. He had accepted the fact that although she liked him he would never get to be with the amazing Jadzia Dax. At least not in any other way than the one he already was, as friends. But Boday? "What could cheer you up more than looking at a transparent head while having dinner?" he joked and actually lured a smile out of the Trill despite the way she rolled her eyes at him.

"I'm not going to have this debate again, but I am disappointed. I thought you of all people would be able to accept it as a natural part of the Gallamite physiology."

"Speaking of physiology," Bashir decided to change the subject, at least for now, "Our patient's recovering much faster than I anticipated."

"Our patient?"

"Well, normally the only one who gets to interrogate the patient is the doctor, so…"

Dax grinned. The way he was still offended about that was almost cute.

She followed along as he made his way across the infirmary to the isolation area.

"Her vitals are continuing to stabilize, her EDL readings have normalized, and I can now say with absolute certainty that the amnesia is not caused by any damage to the brain or the cerebral cortex." He came to stand next to the bio bed, a satisfied smile on his face. "I also managed to get her to eat a few spoons of Bolian soup earlier and she's developed quite an appetite for questions about the station and the sector."

Dax glanced at Ke'sh who was awake but apparently not as enthusiastic. "I would have eaten more of your soup and asked less questions," she muttered, "but it tasted awful."

Dax tried to stifle the smirk spreading over her face. She knew how much Julian liked his soup. But apparently he had no intention of letting anyone ruin his optimism.

"I'll try to find you some Gagh tomorrow," he replied, not even sure whether she had been joking or not, and leaned a little closer to Ke'sh. "Now say something nice, the Lt. Commander here needs to be cheered up," he whispered conspiratorially.

Taking a mental note that Ke'sh was still hardly looking at her, Dax prepared to comment but Julian was faster.

"She's having dinner with a man who's cranium is transparent and who's brain is twice as big as everyone else's," he added, ignoring the way Jadzia glared at him for a second before she launched her counter strike.

"Well," she remarked, folding her arms over her chest, "at least I have dinner reservations and not just some Bolian soup and a medical journal waiting for me in my quarters."

He grinned. Touché.

"What's Gagh?" Ke'sh interrupted their bickering. It was hard enough to stay calm in the Trill's presence without having to follow this weird conversation. It made her dizzy.

"Something that will make you think twice before commenting on my soup again," Bashir explained while turning to the medical tray at the end of the bed. "It's just routine but I need to check the letathaeum levels around your neo cortex again. They were still a bit off this morning."

"Sure," Ke'sh stated indifferently and Bashir placed a chemical sequence scanner on her left temple. She closed her eyes.

She's probably exhausted, Dax thought, knowing Julian was not one to give short answers. If she had really asked as many questions as he had let on it was only understandable that she was tired now. She watched Bashir entering the parameters for the chemical sequence analysis. "Any word from Doctor Laros by the way?" she asked innocently. He looked up immediately.

"Why do you ask?" he wanted to know but instead of an answer just got a for his taste much too self-satisfied smile from her. He turned back to his scanner. "I received a subspace transmission this morning," he admitted after a while. "Apparently, she has a vacation coming up and was wondering if I would like to join her. How did you know?"

The Trill shrugged. "After seven life times you develop a feeling for these things. So what did you tell her?"

"That I would have to check my schedule and ask my commanding officer if I was dispensable."

"Good move," Jadzia mocked, "I bet she was thrilled."

"I didn't put it quite this formal," Bashir added defensively, activating the scan and facing Jadzia again. "But we're not just talking dinner here. It's a week's vacation. It would be just the two of us"

"You're right," Dax declared with a demonstrative nod. "And it's absolutely your decision. I wouldn't want to interfere."

"I appreciate that," Julian sighed.

"I just thought from what I saw she seemed your type and you could really need some vacation."

"So much for not interfering. And what do you mean, my type?"

"Where does she want to go?"

"Risa," he answered confused. "Why? And, my type?"

"Risa," Dax repeated, completely ignoring Julian's question. It was just so much fun messing with him. "Just thinking of the beaches, the room service, the food," she uttered a sound of joy, "I almost feel like taking some vacation myself." Knowing she wouldn't be able to keep a straight face if she had to meet the confused expression on Julian's face she turned to glance at Ke'sh.

The sequence scan was still running but Ke'sh's eyes were wide open now and staring into space. Dax hesitated. "Are you alright?" she asked, instinctively placing a hand on Ke'sh's forearm and once again causing a shudder to run through the woman's body. The reaction shouldn't surprise her anymore.

"Yes," Ke'sh assured, the expression on her face quickly changing. Suddenly she just looked a bit tired again. "I'm fine." Whatever had bothered her a moment ago seemed to be gone now. But for a moment Dax could have sworn the woman had remembered something.

"Well, my scans agree with that," Julian stated. "You're doing fine. We should let you get some rest though." And putting the sequence scanner back on the medical tray he turned to leave. Darting a last glance at Ke'sh, Jadzia followed him.

"She was joking about the soup, right?" Bashir asked and made the Trill laugh once again.

¤¤¤

That night, in her quarters, Jadzia picked up a certain pad once again. She at least wanted to be able to tell Kira she had tried. So she did. Twenty minutes later, though, she decided she was done trying. She put the pad down.

"Computer." She could really use some Klingon opera now. And what better to go along with that than a Black Hole.

She got up and walked over to the replicator, and with the drink in her hand returned to the comfortable couch in the middle of her living room. Leaning back into the cushions she closed her eyes. Was there a better way to end the day? Okay, there was. But under the circumstances this was pretty good.

It's a week's vacation, Julian's words suddenly flashed through her mind. It would be just the two of us.

Poor Julian. So handsome and so charming but quite the loner nevertheless. She wondered why that was. Maybe he just needed some help, a little push. She grinned. She certainly knew what Curzon would do. She doubted Julian would appreciate it though.

Her mind suddenly wandered to the woman in the infirmary. Our patient's recovering much faster than I anticipated. There was something about her that bothered Jadzia. She's developed quite an appetite for questions about the station and the sector. She just had no idea what it was. It was merely a feeling that something wasn't right.