Fools Rush In by Teal

Chapter Twelve

"What do you think, Gul Jorath?" The Cardassian guard had just handed him some of the most crucial evidence he had seen yet.

"What I think, my loyal guard, is that your name will soon be up for a promotion." He said grinning and then dismissed the guard with the back sweep of his hand.

He looked up sharply at the officer near him. "Find this guard, Birta, and get everything you can out of him."

"Even his life?" The officer grinned hopefully.

"Not until you have found her. Then, grant him that last request. He will undoubtedly want to give that to you as well by then."

Gul Jorath sat alone in his office. He had almost given up on finding her until today. He would be promoted for this, never mind that mindless guard. He smiled satisfactorily at himself. Soon, he would know how she made her escape, and in which direction she had run. She would be his once again. And this time, he wouldn't be so nice.

--

Jadzia entered Worf's quarters carrying an armload of PADS. She happily tossed them on the table in front of Worf.

"Well, I am almost done studying for those exams. I can't wait to get back to work. I mean, don't get the wrong idea, I've had fun laying around on the beach and watching you slaughter aliens in the holodeck, but a girl can only take so much fun!"

Worf blankly back at her.

"Something wrong?" She asked.

"No. Jadzia, I have been thinking about what Dr. Bashir said last week. About your future." He paused, trying to find the right words. "I feel we have gotten to know each other well in the past three weeks."

"We already knew each other pretty well, Worf." She said, smiling softly.

"Yes, but there are clearly some differences. And now, I think we have some decisions to make." He paused again. "I was hoping it would be agreeable to you to stay here, in these quarters."

"I was hoping you might suggest that." Things between them had been friendly, but platonic up until now. She hoped this was a sign for the better.

He nodded. "And, there is something else I have been meaning to ask you." He looked very nervous. Jadzia's stomach tightened and she held her breath for a moment, "Yes?"

"Martok has requested that I return to Kronos as soon as possible, and I will not have time to do everything I need to do here." He rushed on, "Because of that, would you be opposed to boxing up my things and having them sent on to me?"

Jadzia's face paled.

"If it is too much to ask, then I will take care of it myself another time. I only thought that you could use the space."

Jadzia felt dizzy, as if she had taken a quick kick to the stomach. It was suddenly very difficult to take a breath. Her brows knitted together as she tried to force the same smile to stay on her face. She had been misreading things for days then, and had made assumptions that she hadn't had any right to make. He didn't want her after all.

"No, Worf, that won't be a problem," she said, trying to keep her voice level.

"Do not worry about any of Jadzia's things. You may keep them. I believe she would have wanted that, under the circumstances."

She nodded absently. "Thank you, Worf. That's kind of you." She sat up straighter, "No, no problem at all. I should have it done in a few days really." She sounded as if she was accepting an assignment from a superior.

"Good. Thank you."

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow. What would you like to do this afternoon?"

She'd forgotten they had made plans. She looked distractedly down at the computer pads on the table. "Oh, nothing, really. I have some things to take care of, with the tests and everything. I guess you're on your own." She smiled slightly at him and excused herself to the bedroom.