Fools Rush In by Teal

Chapter Nine

Worf sat in his quarters on DS9. He felt as if a glorious battle had begun and been lost in a most dishonorable way. He looked around him. It still felt as empty as it ever had. There was nothing for him here. He didn't know what to do next. Before he could decide anything, the bell chimed at his door.

"Enter."

Ezri walked in, a concerned look on her face. "Hi." She said, eyebrows scrunching together sympathetically. "How are you holding up?"

Worf exhaled. "What do you want?"

"Go talk to her."

He shook his head. "No, that would not accomplish anything."

She walked across his quarters towards him. "I think you're wrong."

"She is not my Jadzia, and to pretend otherwise would be dishonorable, to both of us."

"No one is expecting you to pretend anything, Worf. But, what you can't do is act like there isn't any connection between you, because there is."

"What do you mean?"

"Did you know she was married to the Worf in her reality?"

"Then, there are two of us that are in mourning." He replied, sounding angrier than before.

"No, not exactly. Her Worf died some time before her accident. She's been alone for a while. You can imagine what she must have thought, having you rescuing her."

"Perhaps we have more in common than I thought." He grinned wryly.

"I think you'd be surprised. Go on, Worf, talk to her." She said, pushing him towards the door.

---

Worf entered Jadzia's room, to find her sleeping. He turned and was about to walk away when she stopped him.

"Wait." She said, "Sorry, I didn't know it was you." She looked embarrassed.

"Who were you expecting?" His brow furrowed at her.

"The nurse. She hasn't let me alone for a minute, unless she thinks I am sleeping. I'll soon be out of blood, and I really can't tell my story over again one more time with out screaming." Her brows knitted in mock irritation, and she smiled, but Worf saw no humor in her eyes.

"Star Fleet wants to be sure you are ready to return to duty, if that is what you want." He paused. "Is that what you want?"

"I really don't know. All I know is that at this moment, I still feel like a prisoner, and if I don't get out of this room soon," she made a dramatic swipe at her neck.

She was quiet for several minutes before adding, "I'm sorry I'm not who you hoped I would be." Her voice was filled with regret.

He shook his head. "I do not know who I hoped to find, exactly. But, I am glad I found you." He spoke with sincerity.

"Me too," she said softly, her fingers fiddling with the bed sheet.

At that moment the nurse returned. Jadzia, appearing defeated, lay back against her bed and waited for the flurry of tests to begin once again. Her face went pale and Worf thought she might pass out. Minutes later, the nurse excused herself, promising she would be back in an hour to bring her supper. Jadzia nodded at her absently.

"What is it?" Worf asked, worried about her pale color.

"Oh, let's just say you guys aren't the only ones to have done tests on me." She opened her eyes and looked towards him, attempting to smile. "Although, Star Fleet's are less invasive and much less painful." She leaned back into her bed, exhaling slowly and shakily, pulling the covers up around her like a shield.

Worf's stomach churned in anger, and he excused himself from the room and went to look for Dr. Bashir.

"Doctor, you have taken enough tests."

Julian looked up from his work. "What? Oh, yes probably, but Star Fleet requested so many more. Many of them are actually duplicating my work. They're just trying to be thorough." He smiled tightly at Worf, not really believing what he was saying.

"The tests are causing her distress. They remind her of her treatment and captivity with the Cardassians. She has had enough."

Julian looked shocked. "I'm sorry. I had no idea. Of course they would, I just didn't think." He had been doing a lot of 'not thinking' lately. "But, we are under orders. That isn't even my nurse. She arrived a few hours ago from Star Fleet Headquarters, rather fast actually, and began the testing."

"Jadzia would be harder to test if she were not in sick bay."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Release her to me. I will take her to my quarters and see that she rests. I will not allow the nurse to regain access to her."

"She would recuperate much more quickly in familiar surroundings." Julian looked dubiously at him. "Are you sure that you are up to that though, Commander?"

Worf ignored his question. "I will take her there now. Thank you, Doctor."