< Leaving

by Parmoo

Note from the author: this is sad. Quite sad. Of course it's sad! It was inspired (if such a happy word can be used in this dire situation) by the awful news of Terry Farrell leaving the show at the end of this 97-98 season. The "quarreling Worfs" have nothing to do with it. Let's hope that the real reason Dax leaves is not martial problems. =( Well, at least she's not going to die. I would have to be very mad. Oh, yeah, and Paramount owns everything but the story.

***Dedicated to Terry "Jadzia Dax "Farrell. How can we persuade you not to leave? Hopefully the past six years have been as wonderful for you as they were for us.***

"I do not wish to lose you, Jadzia."
Worf to Jadzia in "Let He Who is Without Sin"

Worf gently nudged his wife in the shoulder. Her eyes opened reluctantly.
"You have to go."
Her arms tightened around him. "No. I'll go AWOL. I'll resign."
"You cannot, Jadzia. You know that."
She made no move to leave. "You can't pass this up."
"I can do my research on DS9. The wormhole is too good an opportunity to pass up."
Klingons do not cry, he told himself firmly, pushing back tears.
"I know. But this-- commanding a ship devoted to astronomical paranormal-- is even better."
"Better than life here, us together?" She wiped her cheeks on his sleeve.
"No. You know that." He stood up, then pulled her to her feet. She slumped on the floor, refusing to move. "Get dressed."
"Why? I'm not going anywhere." She smiled sadly at him from her position on the floor, a hint of her usual humor glinting from wet eyes.
"Jadzia."
She groaned and balled up on the floor, hugging her knees.
"Ooooh, my stomach, I must be getting sick. I guess I can't command the Curie."
"Here is your uniform. Will you dress yourself, or shall I do it?" Worf dropped the black uniform and burgundy turtleneck by her feet.
"You can help," Worf saw right through her smile. Typical Jadzia. She was incredibly upset, too much in tears to cry, so she hid it with jokes. "I will miss you."
"If you didn't, I'd be worried." She shed her shirt and squirreled into the red turtleneck.
"Red looks good on you." He knelt by his wife and handed her her uniform.
"It looks better on you." She stopped and gazed at him with eyes as blue and watery as the lake on Risa where they skinny-dipped.
"Dammit," She rubbed at her eyes with her brand-new uniform. "Seven lifetimes, five partings, and I *still* get this emotional? I should be used to it by now."
"Left foot."
Jadzia shoved her foot into the boot Worf held out for her.
"But you're not. It is nothing to be ashamed of."
"I never see you cry."
"Klingons do not cry. They express their grief in other ways."
She stood and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you."
"I know." He softly steered her towards the door, picking up her meager bag on the way. "This is all you're taking?"
"I won't be gone long," she said flippantly.
"Your assignment is two years."
"All I have in there is a few mementos and some casual clothes. I'll replicate what I need on the Curie."
She rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. "My first shore leave is in four months. And every time we're near - I'll be here." "I did not expect anything less."
"Sisko to Dax." Jadzia groaned softly at her former captain's page.
"Dax here."
"Finish up the goodbyes, Old Man. The Curie is here." The man's voice, normally powerful, was soft and filled with tears fighting to break.
"I'm on my way, Ben. Dax out."
They were only a few meters away from the transporter room now.
"Are you coming in?"
"Do you want me to?"
"I don't know. Do you want me to cry in front of every crew member who passes us here in the corridor, or just in front of our close friends?" she blinked back tears and smiled weakly. Be strong, Jadzia.
"I'll follow you in," his voice was softer, deeper than normal.

The senior staff lined the transporter room. Each hugged her as she passed. Nerys palmed her a slim, silver package. Julian kissed her quickly on the cheek, for once Worf did not glower. Benjamin was the closest to the pad, the last in line.

"Goodbye, Old Man."
She gripped his upper arms firmly. "Don't say that. We'll meet again. We always do."
With wide but cheerless smiles, they embraced. "Keep in touch."
"Don't worry, Ben. I will."
He gazed at her quizzically. "Are you crying?"
Forcing a smile, Jadzia dabbed at her eyes. "What do you think?"
O'Brien, who had taken over the transporter controls, caught Ben's eye.
"It's time."
"I'll miss you, Ben." She hugged him again and turned to Worf.
"I love you," she whispered.
He returned the sentiment with a wordless hug and a quick kiss.

She stepped onto the transporter pad and stood there gazing mournfully at Worf. She gave Miles no indication that she was ready to leave. Finally, Worf nodded at the Chief and turned away from the beam that carried his wife away. The tears did not fall until he reached their - his quarters. They were going to be painfully empty now.


~ The End ~ 1