Fools Rush In by Teal
Chapter Six
Worf sat at her side, watching her sleep. She had stirred a few times, but had yet to wake fully, and he thought he should be there when she did. A mix of emotions kept rushing over him, most were anger mixed with loss and regret.
The computer sounded, "Approaching Deep Space Nine. Enter docking sequence."
Worf moved towards the up the shuttle to the chair, piloted the shuttle in and had them both transported to sick bay.
Dr. Bashir rushed over and helped Worf lay her down on an exam bed. "Oh, my. She is in terrible shape."
As they lay her down she woke with a cry, grabbed towards her arm, then promptly passed out again.
"I'll deal with her eyes first, then get to work on that arm and her ankle." Julian gave her a sedative, and cleaned up her eyes, running an anti-infectious scanner over them, and reducing the swelling considerably. He noticed how much more she looked like Jadzia once the swelling had been reduced.
Two hours later, her eyes were cleared up, and her arm was straightened and surgically corrected. It had been broken no less than five times. He went out into the waiting room and addressed Worf.
"There was considerable nerve damage, and she will need to do strengthening exercises for months before she has complete use of her arm, but the pain should be entirely gone. That goes for her ankle as well. Her ribs were a mess, but I was able to get them all back into position. She had eight different breaks."
Worf nodded. Julian knew he had been watching him through the doorway as he carefully put her back together. He turned and went back in the room to finish the job. Soon he was done, and her skin had been returned to its normal color, all the black and red bruises diminished. Except for her gaunt and frail appearance, she was beginning to look like Jadzia again.
Worf came in to look her over.
"She is starting to gain some of her fluids back, and her protein levels have risen a bit, but she has a long, long way to go. There was some internal organ bruising, but I've taken care of that. I'd say with in a few weeks, her physical self should be just fine."
He looked sideways at Worf, waiting for his reaction, but he just stood still, staring down at Jadzia, his face void of emotion.
"How long has he been sitting there?" Ezri asked, pointing to Worf. She joined Julian and Kira at a table in Quark's bar.
"Worf? All of today, and most of yesterday, I think. That's only one of several drinks he's been nursing as well." Replied Julian.
"He's been sitting there for almost two days and he's barely gone in to see Jadzia. Even if she is still unconscious, you would think he would want to be near her." Kira shook her head.
"That, my friends, is the look of a man who has cheated on his wife." Ezri said, looking in Worf's direction.
Both Kira and Julian looked confusedly at Ezri. "What do you mean? Worf never…" and he trailed off, remembering Ezri and Worf's brief relationship. "But, how can she hold him accountable for that? He was, as we all were, sure she was dead."
"It doesn't change the fact, though, Julian. It happened."
"He shouldn't be sitting there, blaming himself."
Ezri turned her attention toward Worf. He looked terrible. His lack of sleep was taking its toll, and she could see depression settling in for a permanent stay. She sighed.
"Well, maybe it's time for the station's counselor to step in." She said, looking towards the medical bay. Ezri excused herself and walked over to Worf's table and sat down.
"Worf?"
He looked up, his eyes glassy exhaustion. He squinted up at her, trying to gain focus.
"Ezri." He acknowledged her.
"Punishing yourself kind of hard, aren't you? Wouldn't it be better to use a pain stick than that?" She motioned to his drink.
Worf frowned, "You do not understand."
"I don't understand? I feel plenty guilty, don't forget my part in all this."
"Humph. Our guilt will not appease her."
"Appease? Pretty strong word. Look Worf, why don't you wait until you talk to her, before you go jumping to any conclusions. You never know, she could forgive you." She tried to smile at him.
Worf grunted, and took another drink.
"Had enough of that, haven't you?" She said worriedly.
Worf looked at the glass he was holding and scoffed at her. "It is only prune juice."
Ezri stifled the giggle that leapt to her throat and turned away quickly so she wouldn't insult her friend.