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I have fun with it.
~~~~~~
Jadzia could hear her husband's resonant voice as she entered their home. It made her smile, she loved to hear him use his rich bass voice to bellow out their favorite operas. He always invited her to sing with him, sometimes she would, but often she would not, she wasn't nearly as good as he.
Worf was lying in bed, still fully dressed, eyes closed and mouth open in song. Dax stood in the doorway of their bedroom and smiled down at him. Something good must have happened today, something very good. Silently, she tipped over to the bed and crawled in next to him, "Aktuh and Melota?" she asked, making reference to the song.
"Jadzia," she'd startled him. Worf's eyes popped open and he sat up, "Computer, end selection," the room was now silent.
"I have news for you," he began.
"What kind of news?"
"It is about us."
"Well, what is it?"
"I got a transmission from Admiral Harrington," Worf took a deep breath, "Starfleet is ready to begin sending research vessels into the Gamma Quadrant again. The Endeavor is being sent on a year long scouting mission," he paused.
"And?"
"I have been asked to command, with you as first officer and head scientist."
Worf waited, he was trying to read her face, trying to figure out what she was thinking. Suddenly, he realized that she might not be as excited about this as he was, DS9 had been her home for a very long time, nine years to be exact.
Jadzia's heart clenched. This was something Worf had wanted for so long, yet because he blew a mission to save her life, he was sure it would never happen, "I don't understand, I thought you weren't allowed--"
"I thought so as well. Yet since my performance in the past three years has been exemplary, The Admiral decided to give me a second chance."
"And they are letting us go together?"
"It is just a scouting mission, he did not think there should be a problem."
"I have to admire Starfleet, they make special considerations for couples with these joint assignments."
"So, what do you think?"
"It's a year long¼"
"Yes."
"I think DS9 has been my home for a long time. I love it here, but," A large grin formed on her lips, "I also think it would be a wonderful opportunity, for both of us. I know how much you want to command, and how much I want you to have a command. You know how much I've wanted to devote more time to my research. Having a whole year of nothing but that, it'll be a welcome changed."
"It is just a research mission, but I am hoping that if I prove myself, I will be offered more later."
"I'm sure you will," she smiled, "As long as I stay out of life- or- death situations."
"Then, you want to do it?" he asked her.
Dax nodded, "I want to do it."
"I was worried that you would not want to leave DS9."
"I will miss it here, but it's only a year, and, I can't stay in one place forever."
"I will miss it as well, but this is an amazing opportunity. There are a few restrictions, though. I have to pass the bridge test first."
"I'm sure you will."
"It is not a family vessel, so no children will be allowed on board, but that is not a problem for us. I asked the Admiral if I could speak to you about this before he did, as a husband to his wife. He will be contacting you tomorrow."
"I'll notify him of our acceptance."
"It will not be easy to leave this place," Worf said slowly, "Our lives are here, we met here, we married here."
"We aren't leaving, Worf, we're just going away for awhile. DS9 will always be special to us, it will always be our home."
Worf nodded, "Would you like to tell Captain Sisko, or should I?"
Dax lowered her eyes, "Benjamin," she sighed, "We should go together."
"That is fine. Are you certain you want to do this?"
"Yes, I am."
Worf didn't seem convinced. She was cooperating more than he'd expected, "Okay."
She stood from the bed, "I came home early today from the lab, my head has been hurting all day, I'm not sure why."
"Go see Dr. Bashir."
She rolled her eyes, "I hate going to the doctor almost as much as you do."
"You should go, there is no reason for you to be in pain simply because you are stubborn."
"I'll be fine, I just need some rest. It's feeling better already, your news must have cheered me up," that wasn't totally true, her headache hadn't cleared up. It had been pounding for days. Maybe she would go see Julian. No, it was probably nothing.
~~~~
"Wow," Sisko was wearing an awestruck expression, "Well, I guess congratulations are in order."
"You don't sound very congratulatory," Dax pointed out.
He blushed, "I'll be without two of my best officers for a full year, and two very good friends. I can't help but feel a little somber."
"We discussed it at length, and we feel it is a good decision," Worf pointed out. He and Dax stood before Captain Sisko's desk in his office. Ben was seated, he'd just been told about their new assignment.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for both of you. I'm just afraid it'll get boring around here without you two."
"We spoke with Admiral Harrington an hour ago. The Endeavor will dock at DS9 in three weeks, and then we will leave," Worf informed him.
"Not leave," Jadzia interjected, "We will be back, in a year. It's just a year."
"Yes," Worf added.
"I know," Ben stood, "I'd like both of you to begin interviewing temporary replacements, notify me of your decisions in ten days."
"Anything else?"
Finally, Sisko smiled, "Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir," Worf said. With that, he and his wife left. Benjamin sat back down, he was still smiling. It didn't seem like three years had passed since his Old Man became a "Little Woman." He remembered their pre- wedding conversation, when he had to remind her of how much she loved Worf. That was no understatement, she did love him, just as he loved her. It had been nine years since he set foot on DS9, and Captain Sisko knew that the time for them all to start going their separate ways was close at hand. Sure, it was only for a year, but this was only the beginning. Pretty soon, he'd have to start all over with a new crew, which is something he dreaded very much.
~~~~~
"Jadzia."
Worf gently whispered his wife's name, he was hoping she wasn't asleep. He propped himself up on his arm, it was the middle of the night, they had been in bed for hours, but suddenly, he had the urge to talk. There was only one week left until they would transfer to the Endeavor.
"Dax."
Her slender, yet powerful body subtly heaved with every breath. She was asleep, and wouldn't awake for hours. Her dark hair had cascaded into her face, and Worf pushed it away.
"What..."
His eyes narrowed and his fingers gently touched the spots on the side of her face, "What is this?" There was something wrong, her spots were... raised? He touched them, and the definitely sat up from her skin, like intricate bumps instead of just designs. Worf explored her spots all the way down her body, it was the same--
"What are you doing?"
His exploration had awakened her, "Your spots," Worf took her had in his and touched her fingers to them.
"Oh no," She seemed to know what it was instantly. Dax tried to stand abruptly, but as she did, a blinding wave of dizziness overcame her, and she would have fallen back to the bed, had Worf not caught her.
"Are you okay? Something is wrong."
"No," she freed herself from his protective embrace, "I'm fine, really," Jadzia disappeared into the bathroom to examine her spots more closely. Her head was pounding so hard she had to squint to see, "This can't be," she whispered, "Not *now*."
Worf invited himself into the bathroom, his eyes were filled with fearful worry, "Something is wrong, isn't it?"
"No, no, not at all, go back to bed," she stammered over her words.
"Something is *very* wrong, and you are trying to keep it from me. Are you still getting headaches?"
"No, no, not at all."
"Did you go see Dr. Bashir about it?"
Jadzia could barely focus on his face, "No, I didn't have to," she squeezed her eyes tightly, "They just went away."
Her husband's lips formed a hard, tight line he didn't believe a word of this, "And your spots? That is normal?"
She opened her mouth, but had no idea how to account for that, so she decided not to speak at all.
"Come, we are going to the infirmary right now."
Jadzia pushed passed him and got back into bed, "No, I told you, I'm fine. My physical is scheduled for tomorrow anyway, I'll see Julian then."
"Jadzia."
"I'm tired, I'm not going right now, Worf."
"Tomorrow."
"Yes, now come back to bed."
Reluctantly, he obeyed.
~~~~~
When any Starfleet officer transferred to a new assignment, it was routine for them to get a physical. Worf had his days ago, but Jadzia had waited until she could wait no longer. The dizzy spells, the headaches, and her abnormal spots had not gone away. She prayed that they would, but they didn't. Worf again voiced his concern that morning, and again she brushed it off. As Jadzia walked to the infirmary, her stomach ached from nervousness,
"This can't be happening," she whispered, "It's probably a simple virus. I'm not--" Dax could not even bring herself to think it.
Bashir greeted her warmly as she entered, "Good morning Dax,"
"This isn't going to take long, is it? I really don't want to be here," she said as she sat on the biobed.
He frowned, "Afraid of doctors? Your husband was very willing during his exam, which surprised me. He seems so excited about this transfer-- Dax, you never wear your hair down to work," Julian noticed. She had her hair in her face, conveniently covering her spots.
"Oh, um, I didn't want anyone to see this," Dax pulled it back and Bashir gasped.
"What is that?!"
"Nothing, I hope."
"Is this some Trill symptom that I don't know about?"
Jadzia sighed, "Yes, it is. Raised spots, dizziness and headaches, they're all symptoms."
Julian was perplexed, "Of what?"
She lowered her head, "Pregnancy."
"Are you pregnant?" he breathed.
"I was hoping you could tell me!"
"Oh, right, right," Bashir took out the tricorder again and scanned her. It didn't take him long to confirm her fears, "Well, Dax, I'm happy to be the one to tell you, you're going to be a mother."
She closed her eyes in distress, "Are you sure?" she whispered.
"Oh yes. Lie back, this has turned into a prenatal exam. You're only four weeks into the pregnancy, I can give you a dose of inaprovaline to ease the discomfort, I'll have to do some research, though, this is bound to be an unusual pregnancy. Do you know how long Klingon's gestate?"
"Six months," she replied quietly, "And Trills gestate in eight."
"Then you'll probably go seven."
"Which means, the baby would be born while we're on the Endeavor, with six months to spare..." A tear fell down her face, "Julian, you have to promise not to say anything about this to anyone, not even Worf."
"What's going on, Dax, what's wrong?"
"Just promise me."
"Of course."
~~~~~
The medicine worked, Jadzia's head didn't hurt, she wasn't dizzy and her spots went back to normal. But she was pregnant. She should be happy, she should be thrilled, but she wasn't, not at all. This could not have come at a worse time. There was no way they could accept the assignment, Admiral Harrington made it clear that there would be no children allowed on this mission, the ship and the circumstances just could not accommodate them. Yet, Jadzia would give birth to a child in six months.
Worf wasn't home when she arrived. She sat down at their table, trying to gather her thoughts, trying to figure out how to tell him--
"Dax!"
Jadzia looked up, her husband burst into the room, he looked more excited than he had in a long time, "I passed."
"What?"
Worf kneeled beside her, "I passed the bridge test," he pointed to his new rank insignia, "I am now a full Commander."
"Oh."
"Are you not excited? I will have my own command, even if it is just a temporary research vessel. And you will be at my side," Worf took her hand in his and kissed it.
Jadzia looked down at him, she had never seen him so excited about anything. He wanted this so much, and she would have to tell him that it couldn't happen. It had been her fault that he was in trouble in the first place, and now that there was a way out, she was about to crush it for him.
"Worf..." she whispered.
"We should begin packing our things, we only have five days," he stood.
"Worf, we need to talk."
He looked at her, her face was unsettled, her eyes were heavy and her whole expression was disturbed, "There is something wrong, isn't there?"
Dax looked up into her husband's face, into his deep eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again, "No, it's, it's nothing."
"Was it your exam, are you ill?" Worf reached out to touch her spots, which were back to normal.
"No, I'm fine. I guess I'm just a little nervous."
"There is no reason to be."
"I know."
Dax stood with him, and they packed their things together. She didn't tell him about the child that grew within her, she kept telling herself she could do it tomorrow. The truth was, she knew this news would break his heart, and that was the last thing she wanted to do.
~~~~~
Worf let out a large laugh, "Your fighting is sloppy, Dax, you must *want* me to beat you today."
Jadzia's blade crashed against his, "I've got a lot on my mind."
He parried her blow, "You have been preoccupied lately¼"
They were engaged in combat in the holosuite, something they still did together. It kept their skills sharp, and they both enjoyed it. Worf went to strike her mid- section, something, under normal circumstances, was not out of the ordinary, but because she was pregnant, she jerked away, shouting, "No!"
"What is wrong? I did nothing--"
"You can't *do* that anymore. Dammit, we shouldn't even be fighting," Jadzia was frustrated, and she threw her blade down.
"Why not?"
"Because... there's something you need to know."
Worf set his blade down, "This has been bothering you for days, hasn't it?"
"Yes… Worf," she let out a deep sigh, "I'm going to have a baby."
His eyes widened, "You're pregnant?" he breathed in disbelief.
"Yes."
Worf rushed to her and pulled her into his arms, his face was glowing, "You are certain?"
"Positive."
"This is," he stroked her beautiful face, "This is amazing."
Jadzia couldn't believe it, he was actually happy about this, "Do you know what this means? I can forget about the Endeavor, we're going to have a child in six months."
Worf lowered his eyes, he had not considered that.
"But, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean you have to give up your command. I spoke to Admiral Harrington this morning, you can go, and I'll stay here on DS9."
"You can *not* be serious."
"I'll be okay Worf. All our friends are here to help me when I need it. I know how much you wanted this assignment, and I don't want you to miss this opportunity."
"I am not going to choose a ship over being with my wife and child. You know how much I regret not knowing Alexander at this time in his life, do you think I would miss this again?"
Dax stroked the powerful forearms that held her to his body, "You mean you want this, you *really* want this child?"
"Why would I not?"
"I don't know, I'm nervous as hell."
"You are *never* nervous, Dax."
"Well I am now."
"We should go home and talk about this-- computer, end program,"
Jadzia nodded, "Okay. You know, we're supposed to be leaving tomorrow."
"I would not be truthful if I said I do not care that we can't go," Worf said as they walked home together, "However, this is a much bigger and better opportunity than any command position. It might not be easy, but nothing with us ever is."
She smiled, "You have a point. I thought you would be upset, I knew how excited you were about commanding the Endeavor, and I feel like it's my fault that you can't."
"This is something we did *together*, Dax."
Jadzia placed her hand over her stomach, and looked down, "Inside of me is what you and I created," Dax was actually smiling, "Our love has manifested into another living being. I've spent the past few days dwelling on how terrible being pregnant is, I didn't stop to think about how wonderful being pregnant is."
"You are smiling," Worf noticed, "You were not a moment ago."
"I'm happy, and I was not a moment ago."
They rounded another corner, and came to their quarters. Worf keyed the entry code, and they stepped inside, "SURPRISE!"
The lights came on and before them was a room of their friends. A banner hung overhead reading, *We'll Miss You, Worf and Jadzia.* Dax and Worf looked at one another.
"We thought we'd give you two a proper farewell," Ben said, approaching them.
"Thank you all very much," Worf began.
"Yes, but, we're not leaving," she finished.
Sisko looked back and forth at them, extremely confused. Their arms were looped around each other's waist, and they kept exchanging loving gazes.
"You're not going?" O'Brien asked as he, Kira and Julian stepped forward.
"No," Jadzia said, "We have a *new* assignment."
Sisko frowned, "What's going on?"
"Should I?" Worf asked his wife.
"Yes, go ahead."
"Our new, far more important assignment, is that of parents. Jadzia is pregnant."
Kira's eyes widened, "You're pregnant?!"
Dax was smiling uncontrollably, "Yes! And we'll be staying here, our home, to raise our child."
"Well," Benjamin turned to the rest of the guests, "Did you hear that? It looks like the nature of this party has changed, Jadzia and Worf are going to be parents!" he announced in a resounding voice.
The room applauded, and Worf and Jadzia's eyes met once more, right before they lost themselves in a loving kiss.
March 30, 1998
~The End~
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