Fools Rush In by Teal

Chapter Seventeen

Jadzia woke with her head lying in a pool of vomit on her bedroom floor. DS9 she thought, seeing that she was back again. Her mind couldn't begin to fathom what was happening to her. That horrible memory being revisited, even though it seemed much more, was almost more than she could handle. She had been there, lived that moment, felt the blood splatter on her face, all over again. Six life times she'd lived, and never had she seen something that awful and cruel before.

Shivering uncontrollably, she teetered into the bathroom for a shower. She had a need to clean herself in hopes that it would wash the image away as well. Not to mention, she groaned inwardly, her hair was matted to the side of her face with vomit. She felt frustrated she couldn't seem to control herself at all. Once out of the shower, she began to move mechanically around her quarters, pulling books off the shelf, and clothes out of her drawers. She pushed past Worf's things, not seeing them anymore. She wasn't leaving, she kept telling herself, she just wanted to be ready.

Ezri sat in Quark's bar, having a drink with Julian. "How is she doing?" She asked him.

"I don't know. I haven't really spoken to her since yesterday, although I did stop by an hour ago to check in. She wouldn't let me in and seemed extremely agitated, on edge with every creak and groan of the station."

"She's frightened."

He shook his head. "It may be more than that. What ever the case, I reported it to Kira. She's increasing security and not allowing any ships to dock directly."

Ezri nodded in reply. "Did you tell Jadzia that yet?"

"No, I hadn't. That'd be a good idea though."

"Let me." She said, getting up from her chair.

"I'm glad to see that you're getting used to her being around."

"It's still unsettling at times, I have to admit that. But, there are so many opportunities for the two of us, here. I don't want to miss that, you know?" Julian nodded, understanding that Ezri may have found some one to confide her feelings of misplacement to. He was glad of that.

-------

Jadzia sat, trying to read in her favorite chair, but her hands were shaking so badly that the words blurred in front of her. She stood, throwing the book down, and began to pace in frustration. Every now and again, she would pause at the door, the hallway beyond nearly calling to her, urging her to come out.

This isn't right, she thought, but couldn't think what to do about it. They'll think you're crazy, came a voice from inside. The argument went on for several minutes before she gave up, rushing into the bathroom and throwing cold water on her face. She wouldn't crack, she'd hold her position.

Jadzia toweled her face off and looked into the mirror. Her face was terribly gaunt and haggard. She groaned, not enjoying the sight. She wasn't used to feeling helpless. She was about to turn away from the mirror when she saw him. He was behind her, close behind her, and she jumped. His face seemed to hover over her right shoulder, his mouth forming a crooked, malicious grin as he chuckled at her. Jadzia froze. She was the prey, no longer a person, but some small animal ready to be devoured to satisfy his appetite.

"We're coming, my dear. Are you all packed?" He whispered into her ear, his hot breath sending sickening chills down her side, making her wince. He reached towards her and she felt his cold hand grip her shoulder, his fingers pressing in on her like a vice. She whirled around, her fist clenched, swinging wildly behind her, and hoping to catch him off guard. But, just as quickly as the image had appeared, it was gone.

Before she realized what was happening, she was in the hall, running, then she was at the airlock, then on a shuttle. It was fast, so fast that she felt as if she were watching someone else. She didn't remember leaving the docking bay, she just seemed to find herself out in space, coordinates set in, computer on auto pilot. She shook herself. "Computer, what is our destination?" Her voice cracked.

"Cardassia Prime."

No, she wouldn't have programmed that. She changed the direction and sat back in her chair. Minutes later she heard the computer say, "Course laid in."

"What's our destination?" she asked.

Again it replied, "Cardassia Prime."

Her heart began to race. "Who gave you those coordinates?"

"Commander Jadzia Dax."

Jadzia felt the panic crawl up from the pit of her stomach. She tried again, then again, each time the coordinates changing, each time the ship turned back and headed towards her enemy. At one point she could even see her hands, moving as if they belonged to another, slowly tapping in the Cardassian directions. She tried in vain for nearly an hour to override the computer, but nothing she did took effect. Something in her would cancel her commands.

"Warning, alien vessel approaching." The computer told her, in an all too calm voice.

It was a Cardassian ship, and it was coming her way.