"The Trav'ler"
by Catherine Henke
(featured in Symbiotics)

Standard disclaimer applies. Paramount owns all these characters. They don't own the idea, etc.

Jadzia stood quietly by the clear aluminum viewport, gazing out at the star studded expanse of space. Even though she knew that stars were incredibly hot, several million kilojoules of energy, actually, they seemed cold today. Cold and distant, watching over them impassively, not caring who lived or died, who lives or dies, or who will live and who will die. Eternally selfless, cold, and composed. One seemingly more than the others. Just like them,' she thought. Cold, composed..' Dax shivered reflexively and wrapped her arms around her, as if to keep out the imaginary chill.

She bumped herself off of the railing and away from the port. Dax wandered aimlessly through the promenade, absently nodding to friends as she passed but not giving much care to where she was walking. She eventually wound her way into the infirmary. Dax paused, gazing around, irony slipping over her like a heavy curtain. She could hear Julian moving about in the back room and started to leave.

"Jadzia?"

She stopped and turned. "Oh, hello Julian. I'm sorry to bother you. I was just wandering and ended up here..." She trailed off, unsure of what to say.

He smiled and wiped his hands on a cloth. Dax could see a smudge of something on his jumpsuit and assumed he had been working on some equipment. "It's no problem," he replied affably. "I was just finishing up anyhow." He studied her, his face creasing into an expression of concern. "Are you alright? You look upset."

Dax considered brushing the question off but she desperately needed a friendly face and some company right now. Julian would understand. After all, he had been there. "I don't suppose you remember what today is?" she said quietly.

Julian studied her, considering. All at once it hit him and his eyes went wide. "Oh," he murmured, understanding and sympathy filling his gaze. "I'd almost forgotten," he admitted. He set the cloth down and walked over. "Drinks at Quark's?" Dax smiled and nodded.

They walked out, Julian's arm around her shoulders and walked into Quark's, approaching the bar. Quark took one took at them and went to place the order he knew was coming, as it had for the last two years. "One blackhole for the lady and a scotch for you doctor. I overrode the synthehol." Julian managed a thin smile and he and Jadzia went to sit down. Quark watched the two from his vantage point as they sat across from each other, sipping their drinks but otherwise each lost in their own thoughts, Julian's hand gently resting on Jadzia's. Quark looked up as Odo approached. "Hello Constable."

Odo glanced at the scene that had Quark's attention. "What's going on?"

Quark turned to face him. "Surely you remember what today is."

Odo turned to look at Quark. "Of course I do," he said gruffly. He turned back to Bashir and Dax. "Prophets only know why these two keep this little ritual of theirs."

"I think he does it mostly for Dax," Quark commented idly. Odo sniffed but nodded. He watched as they finished their drinks and walked out.

*******

Jadzia Dax sat on the floor of his quarters, Julian across from her. She was vaguely aware of his presence, his hand gently holding hers.

"I do not mourn Joran Belar, but celebrate him. He has taken the path deemed for him, and followed it to its end. The works of his short life live on in me, and his sacrifice was made for others to continue. Accession will come to his soul, as he will continue on in this life." Dax took a deep breath and glanced up at Julian and smiled slightly. "Thank you," she said softly.

Julian smiled and squeezed her hand. "It's the least I could do." He leaned forward and gently kissed the corner of her mouth. He picked up a small box that was resting on the table. "I thought this was appropriate," he said softly. Dax glanced up at him and opened the box. Inside lay a beautiful silkscreening of a poem. "Julian, this is beautiful," she murmured. She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. They sat quietly, talking of nothings. After several hours, Jadzia stood and kissed him goodbye. She walked the short distance back to her quarters and hung the poem up and gazed at it.

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