Chapter 3 – In the Infirmary

Walking quickly down the Promenade, Sisko soon found himself outside the infirmary. He walked in and saw Dax lying on the table. He ran toward her but hit a force field. Picking himself up, he saw Doctor Julian Bashir and Jake also on the other side of the force field. He called out to the doctor,

"Doctor, why is this force field here?"

"Jake told me that someone had hurt him and Jadzia," said Bashir without looking up, "but he wouldn't say who so I took necessary precautions. There are also transporter compression shields around her too so don't try anything, captain."

Sisko looked confused,

"What do you mean Doctor?" he asked

"I mean Jake finally told me that the reason Jadzia is like this. It was your fault," came the reply. Bashir still didn't bother to look up at him.

Sisko stuttered some words before finally saying,

"It's a long story, "he turned to his son, "Jake, how are you? I'm really sorry for hurting you. Please forgive me and let me in." But Jake just took a tentative step to the left which took him behind Bashir. Sisko turned to go but Jake managed to poke his head out to call his father back,

"Dad?" he asked very quietly indeed.

Sisko had reached the door but as it slid open, all the captain said was,

"I don't want to hurt again," and then he was gone.

((A/N) I don't usually do this but,)

Jadzia Dax POV

I mind woke up. I heard sounds which I couldn't distinguish. I managed to open my eyes and I saw a familiar face. Julian. I tried to speak but my mouth wouldn't open. I felt a hyperspray on my arm and relaxed. Words suddenly came out of my mouth.

"WhereamIwhereisBenjaminhowishehowamIwhathappenedhowlonghaveIbeenheredidanythinghappentoJake?" All the questions that had been in mind came tumbling out. Julian's face told me he hadn't understood a word of what I had said. I took deep breath and tried again.

"Where am I? Where is Benjamin? How is he? How am I? What happened? How long have I been here? Did anything happen to Jake?"

Julian's face relaxed and he said slowly,

"One question at a time, Jadzia. I will answer your questions though. You are in the infirmary. Captain Sisko is in OPS and he's fine. You're fine. From what Jake told me, you were knocked out when the captain through you into a table, and when he tried to defend you he got a sharp slap before getting thrown out of his quarters but he is also fine. Just a little shaken. Now I hope that answers your questions."

"Thank you, but . . ." was all I managed to croak out before Julian's comm. badge beeped.

"Sisko to Bashir," came the voice I knew so well.

"Yes captain" replied the doctor, rather stiffly than usual.

"I forgot to ask, how is Dax doing?"

"She's awake now sir."

"Great. I'll be right there."

"Sir . . ." but Julian was cut off.

"Sisko out," and communications were cut.

I groaned inwardly. Benjamin coming to see me could only end in more blood. I tried to get up to go but Julian stopped me. I looked at him with a look of terror on my face. Julian seemed to understand the whole thing in an instant. His expression changed from one of strained concentration to one telling me not to worry. And as if to complete the picture he said,

"There are force fields and transporter compression shields around here so no-one can hurt you."

"You, Jake, Worf," 3 names were all I could get out. But somehow Julian understood what I meant.

"Yes," he spoke quietly. "Me and Jake are the only ones in here with you but we would never hurt you. And it is Worf who has supported to the transporter compression shields around here."

Julian stopped and I heard footsteps. Benjamin. I quickly looked at Julian and said,

"Can I see him?"

Julian's answer was to ask Jake to help him lifting me up to sit on the bed. I closed my eyes as I was moved. When I stopped, I opened my eyes again and saw the commander of DS9. He looked fine but the expression on his face was one of sorrowful confusion.

"Dax," Benjamin said my name and breathed a sigh of relief. "You're alright!"

"Yes," My reply was a croak but I had to tell him my thoughts while I could. While he couldn't hurt me. But it wasn't the first time we had been on the opposite side off a force field. "But no thanks to you." Again my words were in a croak. Benjamin's expression turned, if possible, more confused.

"I'm sorry. Will you forgive me, Old Man?" I wasn't just a question, it was a plea.

"Benjamin, I don't really want to talk to you at the moment, "my croak of a voice said, "and I don't think your son wants to either. So why don't you so us both a favour and leave"

"But Dax, I need you." I could see the tears in his eyes that he was trying to keep back not just in front of me but in front of Jake.

"I said leave," I told myself not to be too harsh but he did knock me out for, the prophets knew who long. Benjamin just said,

"It's not just me who needs your help. It's Kira."

He turned and walked to the door.

"Kira?" I asked but he just left like I told him too. I sighed and looked again at Julian who, with Jake's help, lowered me back on to bed to lie down.

"How long am I going to be here?" I had to ask. No point prolonging the inevitable I told myself.

"I don't know. " The words took a little longer than normal to sick in but when they did I had to groan inwardly again. Thoughts began to surface in my mind. What was guilt and pain Benjamin mentioned before everything went black? Why does Kira need my help?

"What is going on!" One of my thoughts came out of my mouth as a croaky shout even though I didn't want to happen. Julian and Jake both looked surprised at my outburst but Julian relaxed his face and called Kira on his comm. badge.

When she arrived, Julian made sure that she was allowed through the force field before she was asked any questions.

"Benjamin said that you need my help." I had asked the first question. My voice was getting better but it was still a croak.

"Captain Sisko has allowed me to rescue Odo but you have to go with me. I need your help to help me find him. I hope you are better soon because the more we waste here imagine what could be happening to Odo."

I sighed again. He was right of course but it wasn't my fault that Benjamin had done what he had done. But why had he done what he had done?