Fools Rush In by Teal
Chapter Ten
Worf re-entered Jadzia's room and made preparations to transport her to his quarters.
"What's going on?" She asked softly, through partially opened eyes.
"You have been released. Energize."
Within seconds they were in Worf's quarters. He helped her walk over to the couch and lay down, and then went about getting her something to eat.
"Here." He handed her a plate of mild food, bland and soft so that her system could handle it. She scrunched her nose at him in disgust.
"Oh, you shouldn't have. I didn't get you anything."
Worf smirked. "After you eat, you will sleep." He walked into the next room, ignoring her yes sir salute. He came back quickly, hauling some clothes and a blanket with him. "You can have the bed, I will sleep here. If you need anything, call for me."
She smiled up at him. "You don't know what this means to me." She looked around. "Everything is so much the same. I mean, a lot of the artwork is different. But the furniture is the same. And where everything is located, that's the same too." She leaned back against the couch eyes closed. When she opened them she saw Worf staring down at her, a disturbed look flashed across his face, and his eyes were deeply saddened.
"I'm sorry. This must be very hard for you. Are you sure you want me here?"
He watched her carefully for a minute more and said, "The bathroom is in the same place. Many of Jadzia's things are in there. You may use them as your own."
"That's not an answer."
"You should go to bed now. Here let me help you."
"Some things just don't change, no matter what time universe we're in," she said sarcastically, as he helped her up and into the bedroom.
"What do you mean?" He asked, lowering his brow at her.
"You are both excellent at being evasive." She was bringing up the other Worf for the first time. He didn't feel as threatened as he expected.
"It is a gift." He deadpanned back to her.
She laughed as she lay down, and turned into the pillow. "Thank you, Worf." She murmured, and was asleep in seconds.
Hours later Worf awakened from his sleep. He strained his ears, trying to discern what he'd heard. Getting up, he entered the bedroom. Jadzia writhed in bed before him, covered in sweat. Suddenly, she screamed. "No, no, stop!"
Worf was at her side immediately, and tried to wake her. "Jadzia, you're safe. Open your eyes." He held her at her shoulders, trying to calm her.
She gasped awake, her eyes filled with terror and she pushed away from him. Her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. Focusing on Worf, she crawled into his arms, burying her face in his shoulder. He could feel her heart race, and her breathing ragged. As she grappled closer, Worf's arms came up around her protectively.
"You are safe." His deep voice resonated through his chest under her ear.
She nodded and her grip on him slowly relaxed. Carefully, she pulled away from him and lay back down. "I'm sorry." She said, trying to excuse her behavior.
He shook his head at her. "It is alright. Are you okay?"
"I will be." She pulled her legs up against her chest.
He rose from the bed and pulled up a chair, sitting nearby. "Try and sleep." He sat down and put his feet up on the edge of the bed.
Her eyes filled with gratitude. "You don't have to do that." She said softly.
"Sleep." He ordered her.
She nodded passively at him, and stretched back out, closing her eyes.
The next morning, she woke to the smell of some wonderful kind of food. All food smelled wonderful, she realized. Rising gingerly, she crept out to the dining room, the bed spread still wrapped around her. Worf was sitting at the table eating.
He motioned to the chair nearby. A place setting was laid out for her. "You look better."
She stretched and sat down. "I feel much better. I don't think I've slept that well in a year." She looked sheepishly at him. "Thanks again for last night."
"I am glad you slept well."
"You're being evasive again," she teased.
"Perhaps you will be up to a walk later." He took another bite of food.
She began to laugh. "You do have a talent. How do you do it, Worf?"
His eyes crinkled at the sides, but he withheld a smile. "Practice."
"She's staying in his quarters?" Quark, the Ferengi bartender, asked incredulously.
Ezri looked up from her breakfast. "Yes. What's wrong with that?" Her eyebrows rose in surprise at the tone in his voice.
"I just don't get it." He shook his head and began to dry out some glasses on the bar.
"What is there to "get"?" Ezri's eyes squinted at him.
"You women. All of you, falling for that…Klingon." He leaned in closer. "Tell me, what is the attraction?"
Ezri giggled. "Really Quark, she is just staying there to help her recover."
"Yeah, well, I don't buy it. Wait and see," he intoned disgustedly. "But really, what is it?" He leaned in over the bar to hear her answer.
"With Worf? The attraction? I don't know." She shrugged. "He's such a romantic. And that fact, bundled up in a package of such an intimidating looking, powerful Klingon, seems to be just," she sighed for effect,"irresistible."
"Ach!" Quark looked repulsed, and turned to help another customer. Ezri grinned proudly at herself.
"So, that's it, is it?" Julian whispered into her ear.
She choked and spun around. "Julian! I didn't know you were behind me."
She turned to see him grinning at her. "You never know who's around, do you?" He kissed her cheek.
"I said most of that for Quark's benefit." She said, looking rather embarrassed.
"Oh, that's okay. I have often wondered that myself." He motioned for Quark to bring him his coffee. "Speaking of our Klingon friend, have you seen him yet today?"
"No, not yet."
"Well, I need to go check in on Jadzia anyway. Want to come along?"
She shook her head, "No, I'm on duty in a half hour." Looking down, she tried to concentrate on her food.
"You haven't been to see her since she left sick bay."
"Oh, I will, there just hasn't been time." She smiled innocently at him.
"Right, well, maybe later today then." He patted her shoulder lovingly and left the bar with his coffee.
Ezri watched as Julian walked from the bar. She just didn't feel up to seeing them together, in her old quarters, just yet. Jadzia's old quarters, she reminded herself. She tried to shake off the feeling and finish her breakfast.