“What the hell?” Lieutenant Dax looked at the science console again; her
eyes, mind and common knowledge refusing to believe the readings it was
giving her.
“Chief could you come up to Ops for a minute I’m not sure but I think my
console is on the blitz again.”
“Be there in a minute Lieutenant, just need to finish on the damned power
inverters.
“Alright Chief. In the mean time I’ll see what I can do.”
Her last words where never heard, instead they were drowned out by a
piercing sound that rang through out Ops.
“Dax, get away from there!” Major Kira yelled trying to be heard over the
noise coming from the console. Dax tried to scramble away from the now
sparking console and barley succeeded.  A moment later shrapnel rained
through out Ops as screams of pain and surprise echoed in Ops.

“Wh…What happened?”
Jadzia Dax asked as she blinked.  Her eyes still getting use to the bright
lights of what she could only guess to be the Infirmary.
“Thank God.”  A voice above her said in a very relived way.
“Julian?”
“Yes, I’m here. Don’t worry no one was seriously injured.” He said,
anticipating her next question.
“What happened?” She asked again this time more out of curiosity then of
concern and short memory black out.
“Your console exploded. The Chief is still trying to figure out why.  You
need to sleep,” he told her in the voice she knew only too well. The one
that she half jokingly referred too as Bashir’s ‘Don’t even try to argue or
I’ll sedate you’ voice.  With an exaggerated huff she laid back on the
biobed and closed her eyes.
*My God she looks so young* he thought as he gave her a brotherly kiss on
her forehead.
Just before she went to sleep a smile crossed her lips.  In an other second
Jadzia drifted of to sleep.

But sleep was not to be a restful one.  Nightmares haunted her, tormenting
her in her most venerable state.

*Your nothing like Lela, Torios or myself* *Unfortunately, that’s all you
are, a little girl*
She was sitting by a lake.  All of her friends around her.  Benjimin,
Julian, Jake and the Chief were having swimming contests while Kira, Letta
and herself were talking and laughing as the boys started to do silly stunts
as they dived of a raft.  The scene was a peaceful one, one she hoped she
could someday live out for real instead of just in a dream.  As they watched
the diving stunts Kira noticed a storm cloud and with out a word the party
began to pack up, not wanting to be caught in the storm.  Then, out of
nowhere a figure in a black suit started coming towards them a mask covering
their face.
*Jouran* Jadzia said as she tried to intercept him.  In one quick fluid
motion a phaser was in his hand.  Unable to move Jadzia watched in horror as
she watched her friends go down one by one.  When the slaughter was over she
stood, horrified, at what she had just seen.
*Why* she asked *Why did you kill them*
*I didn’t* he said in a calm and tormenting voice *You did* and with that he
removed the mask to reveal her face.

“NOOO!”
“Jadzia! Jadzia, wake up! A dream. It’s only a dream.”
“Julian,” Not being able to say anymore Jadzia crushed herself to Julian’s
body and cried.  She cried for everything she hadn’t cried for before, but
should have. After the tears turned to whimpers and the occasional shake
Julian pulled her away from him just enough so he could wipe the tears from
her eyes.  After a few more minutes Jadzia had calmed down enough to tell
Julian of her dream.  When she had finished Julian could not say anything so
instead he just held her, making soft soothing noises as he wiped her eyes
again, and caressed her tear streaked face.  It did not take her very long
to fall back asleep in his strong, protective arms.  After he was certain
she was asleep he had Major Kira beam them to her quarters.  Julian carried
her to the bed in order to ensure he wouldn’t wake her.  After he had tucked
her in he started to leave but was stopped by the faint sound in her voice.
“What?” he asked in a soft whisper.
“Stay, Julian. Please?”
“I won’t leave.”  He promised.  And for the rest of the night he held her in
his arms, the only place he knew he could keep her safe from the rest of the
galaxy and chase the nightmares away.
 

By Megan Cook
Stardate: 03/31/00