Sisko, Kira, Worf, O'Brien and Odo transported to the surface and looked at the newly constructed building nearby.
"Very impressive." Miles whistled appreciatively.
"It is, isn't it?"
"Adon, it's good too see you again." Kira smiled at her old lover.
Odo stiffened slightly as he fought the jealousy creeping up on him.
"Welcome back to Bajor, Captain." Shakaar said offering his hand which Sisko shook.
"Thank you, it has been a while." Sisko admitted.
"Um... First Minister, have you seen Julian?" Miles asked.
"I spoke to Dr. Bashir about ten minutes ago when he was drug away by Dr. Wright." Shakaar answered with an understanding smile.
"I thought this was going to be called 'Jalanda City Medical Center'." Kira said noticing the name of the complex.
"It was but some of the Federation members took exception to it since they helped build it." Shakaar sighed.
"How did they come up with 'United Health Center'?" Odo asked stepping closer to Kira.
"Actually it was Dr. Bashir's idea. He said getting the complex built was a united effort and suggested the name."
"That sounds like Julian." Kira agreed.
"First Minister, the dedication ceremony is about to begin."
"Thank you Rez." He acknowledged his adjutant.
"We have seats for all of you in the front row."
Sisko nodded and they followed Shakaar to the seats in the bright afternoon Bajor sun.
The Captain thought about Dax and knew she'd have been proud of this accomplishment, she'd have been proud of Julian too.
When this project was first proposed everyone thought it would take months, even years, to get it off the ground, but Julian had approached Kira and volunteered to be the medical liaison between Bajor and the Federation. Once it had been approved by both sides he seemed to throw himself into the project.
Sisko was sure part of it was to overcome his grief of losing Jadzia.
Julian had taken her death hard and there was no way to help him cope, it was simply something he had to work through on his own.
"Excuse me for a moment." Shakaar requested and left them to speak with a vedek.
"That's Provin, a high ranking member of the Vedek Assembly." Kira mentioned.
"Emissary, we are honored to have you here."
Sisko hid his dislike of Kai Winn as he acknowledged her presence.
"This is a momentous occassion for both Bajor and the Federation and since I am part of both it was proper for me to come Eminence." He replied.
"The Prophets have blessed us in many ways."
Sisko nodded and the Kai found her seat just down from them.
"Thank the Prophets she's not sitting next to us." Kira muttered.
Sisko silently agreed.
Everyone turned their attention to the podium as Bajoran and Federation members filed onto it.
Sisko half expected 'Pomp and Circumstance' to be played but got a Bajoran composition instead.
He leaned forward slightly and glanced down the row at the empty seat next to O'Brien which had been saved for Julian.
I hope he get's here soon or he'll miss all the ceremonies, Sisko thought to himself as he settled back to listen to the first speaker.
Julian strode down the corridor, brushing his dress uniform as he went.
He had to attend to a problem with one of the diagnostic consoles that was to be part of the tour.
It wouldn't have looked good for all the people outside to get a tour and see non-functioning equipment.
Thanks to Shakaar he'd gotten a sneak peek at the guest list and found some very high ranking officials were expected to be on the tour.
The general populace, who this center was really for, would get a chance for a walk-through tomorrow.
Julian knew Sisko and the others would be here and he was glad for the moral support.
He was relieved as well that he hadn't been asked to speak, he was nervous enough about answering questions with Drs. Tesin and Wright during the tour, but at least he would be answering questions he knew how to answer.
He stepped onto the turbolift and called for the lobby.
It really had been a feat to get the building up and fully equiped in four months.
No one thought it could be done but once I put my mind to something...
All I had to do was make them see that if they worked together and compromised it could indeed be done.
"...And because we all worked together, this health center has become a reality. Bajorans and the Federation working side by side. This is what we want for the future of all our peoples. Let us look to this project as the beginning of a united future for us all." Admiral Chapman concluded his remarks and retook his seat to polite applause.
Sisko knew Chapman had been a major proponent of this project and had to be extremely pleased that it had come to fruitition so quickly.
He had also been fully behind Julian's involvement since DS9's CMO worked with Bajorans in the Infirmary every day, he trusted him to work through any problems which crept up.
Julian had done an excellent job with it and his record would certainly reflect his successful involvement with the project.
Sisko glanced up at the building twenty yards away.
It was huge, oh, not as large as hospitals on Earth but certainly bigger than anything Bajor had.
The idea behind its size was so it could service large volumes of patients if need be.
It would be Bajor's primary health facility not only for Bajor, but it's many moons as well.
It's staff, Sisko recalled from the reports, would consist of both Bajoran and Federation doctors who would be trained to handle many species.
Sisko was glad for that since it would take a load off Julian who was forced to deal with the brunt of casualties due to accidents or battles which tested his endurance time and again.
Sometimes Sisko wondered how the younger man kept going, even genetically enhanced men had to sleep eventually.
"Thank you First Minister. My colleague Dr. Wright and myself invite everyone here to join us for a short tour of the complex." Dr. Tesin announced.
Sisko blanched slightly, he hadn't heard anything Shakaar had said.
He hoped no one asked him about it.
"Are all of you taking the tour?" Shakaar asked joining them again.
"We have to, we have a missing doctor." Sisko smiled.
That elicited a laugh from everyone but Worf and Odo.
They started forward to the building when they were knocked off their feet from a fierce shiver underneath them.
Sisko initially thought it had been an earthquake and reached out to help Kira to her feet as hot, dry air swept over them and dust and rock settled around them.
"Oh my God..." He breathed as he turned as he stood.
"The hospital...it's..." Odo said stunned.
"Julian." Miles whispered in horror.
The huge, gleaming building that stood moments before >was now nothing but a pile of rubble three stories high.
And Julian was somewhere inside it.
"We have to find out how this happened and see if we can get the victims out... or at least recover the bodies."
"Coordinate it with the Bajorans while I get some more work crews down here." Admiral Chapman ordered Sisko.
Sisko nodded and quickly located Kira and Odo who were organizing volunteers to locate the victims once they were able to get inside.
"Major, we have the go ahead. I think putting a doctor with each search team would be best."
"I was going to suggest that." She agreed.
"Once the building has been checked for structural integrity we'll start sending them in." She added.
"Maybe Starfleet should be sent in instead." Odo suggested.
"You don't think we know how to search for trapped people?!?" Kira demanded angrily.
Odo pulled back and hardened his face.
"We can't discount the possibility of sabotage Major, there are still factions who would like nothing more than for the Federation to go home." He rebuked her.
"You're right, I'm sorry Odo. If this was sabotage how far has it set us back?" She asked tiredly.
"I'm trying to see that it doesn't at all." Shakaar answered joining them.
"You'd better get that cut looked at Adon."
"I'm not the only one who suffered an injury." He replied tilting her head to get a better look at her cheek.
"I'm fine." She replied moving her head.
"They're setting up a medical tent over there, we'll both get treated." He insisted taking her arm and leading her away.
"I need to get everyone organized to go inside!"
"Captain Sisko can handle it."
Odo face fell into a deep frown as he watched the woman he loved being taken away by her former lover.
"I need you in the here and now Constable."
Odo turned back to Sisko and nodded as Worf and O'Brien came over.
"What'd you find?"
"Well, I can tell you it was an implosion but whether it was deliberate or not..." Miles shrugged.
"We will need to look inside for answers." Worf rumbled.
"Our first priority is get survivors out, but I want it safe to go in first. If it was sabotage there could be more surprises in store and I won't send anyone in until we're sure. Chief, find Chapman, I want you on the engineering team. We'll go with Federation only to be on the safe side."
Miles nodded and set off to find the Admiral.
"Mr. Worf, go up to the Defiant and see if sensors can locate anyone inside there."
"Dr. Bashir was wearing his comm. badge." Worf nodded.
"He's not the only one trapped in there. Look for Bajoran lifesigns too." Sisko ordered.
"Aye, sir. Worf to Defiant, one to transport."
Sisko sighed as the Klingon disappeared.
Odo wasn't fooled, he knew how worried the man was about Bashir.
"All right everyone, listen up..." He ordered as they joined the search teams.
Julian slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by darkness and rock and broken metal.
He moved his head slightly and intense pain exploded through it.
He closed his eyes and moaned softly.
His survival instinct made him move his legs, a mistake which registered at nearly the exact moment he did it.
He bit down on his lip to stop the cry building in his throat and tasted blood but it was nothing compared to the damage the rest of his body had been through.
The thought of a china doll shattered into a million pieces flashed through his cloudy mind.
He started feeling light headed and nauseous and some detached part of his brain, which was amazingly coherent, diagnosed him with a severe concussion.
He took a deep breath and felt relieved when it did not cause pain.
He tried moving his arm and gasped.
He closed his eyes as hot tears slid down his dirty face leaving a path.
"Somebody help me." He cried softly.
"Captain, we're ready." Kira reported nearly two hours after the implosion.
"The engineering teams have not reported yet." Worf informed her.
He had returned to the surface when their scans were unable to penetrate the debris.
Kira privately suspected Worf didn't want to be on the Defiant while they were crawling around inside looking for survivors.
She understood how he felt.
He, Sisko and herself had taken a minute to change into simple jumpsuits and boots which would make it easier to get around inside while the engineering teams had worked on securing the building.
"Here comes the Chief." Odo announced.
He looked tired and his dress uniform was filthy from crawling around inside himself.
"Chief, give me some good news." Sisko asked.
"We still don't know if it was deliberate or not but if it was I'm guessing they placed it inside the main powercore and that could take weeks to find and examine." Miles sighed tiredly.
"Do you think there could be more if it was sabotage?" Kira asked clenching her jaw angrily.
"They wouldn't have needed but one for this mess. No disrespect Major, but the Bajoran engineers had the best access, someone should talk to them."
"We'll let the Admiral handle that. I want to get in there and start getting people out." Sisko replied.
As if on cue an Ensign appeared and told them the building was safe to enter.
Sisko sent him back to Chapman with O'Brien's report.
"Major, start dispatching the teams. Tell them to be careful. Chief, return to the Defiant--"
"Sir, I'd rather stay and help look."
"I know, but I need you up there. When we find him we won't be able to simply carry him out... no one can coax a transporter the way you can."
Miles opened his mouth then closed it and nodded.
"Find him sir... please."
Sisko nodded to Julian's best friend.
"Odo, you're with me. Major, you and Worf. Let's do it people!"
"Julian?"
"Hmm?"
"Open your eyes Julian."
Somewhere in his subconscious the feminine voice registered and his eyes slowly opened.
"Jadzia?" He whispered.
"You can't go to sleep Julian, you have a concussion remember?"
He focused on her beautiful face looking down at him.
"Help me Jadzia."
"Help is coming Julian, I promise."
"Watch your step." Sisko cautioned as his own foot slipped on a piece of debris.
"Help me... please?" A weak voice called out.
"Keep talking so we can find you." Sisko ordered.
"I'm here, please get me out."
"We're coming." Sisko answered.
"Are you a medic?" The Bajoran doctor with them asked.
"I'm a nurse."
"Can you tell me about your injuries?"
"My leg is broken and my back hurts... a lot."
"Just lie still." He advised.
"Don't have much choice... my leg is pinned."
"She's over here." Odo called, having shapeshifted into a mouse to get through the rubble easier.
Sisko and the doctor joined him a minute later and the doctor determined she had a broken leg and a ruptured disk in her back as well as numerous cuts and contusions.
"Sisko to Defiant."
"Defiant here." Lieutenant T'Vek answered.
"We have a survivor, see if you can lock onto us and transport her."
"I'm on it sir. I'm having the transporter lock onto all of you so we can get a stronger signal. Attempting to energize." O'Brien came on the line.
They watched as the transporter slowly grabbed hold of the woman and she disappeared.
"We've got her." Miles announced a moment later.
"Chief, have you tried boosting the outgoing signal to find Julian?" Sisko asked.
"Yes,sir... his comm. badge isn't registering." Miles answered quietly.
"He may be dead." The doctor said.
"His comm. badge could just as easily be damaged." Odo replied.
"Let's keep moving." Sisko ordered.
"Too bad your comm. badge is broken,you could call for help otherwise."
"I have... an... idea... why don't... you... go for... help for me?" Julian panted.
"You know I'm only a figment of your imagination, so I can't really help you." Jadzia smiled.
"I know." Julian answered sadly.
Kira walked through the debris silently.
She and Worf had barely said two words to each other since they'd entered the complex, which was fine with her, she just wanted to find the survivors... to find Julian. She didn't need useless talk to do that.
She swept her tricorder over the debris since the Defiant's sensors just weren't strong enough to cut through all the debris in the building to locate survivors who may be dying.
"Major, I believe I have found someone."
She swung her palm beacon toward the big Klingon and carefully made her way over to him and the doctor who was already helping to dig through the rubble.
"Broken back, skull fracture, internal bleeding." The doctor reported once the man was freed.
"Kira to Defiant, we have a man critically injured."
"Dr. Tyler is standing by, I'm working on your coordinates, it'll take a minute."
"He's not going anywhere Chief."
O'Brien didn't answer and Kira knew it was because he was concentrating on getting the man out of there.
"Got it! Beginning transport." Miles said two minutes later.
The trio went back to silence as they looked for more people.
Sisko and Odo climbed over a console and found a body, the first but they all knew not the last.
"He died within minutes." The doctor reported scanning him.
"At least he didn't suffer too much." Sisko murmured.
Was Julian suffering? Was he even alive?
It had been nearly five hours since the collapse.
Julian eyes started to drift closed.
"Julian... wake up."
"Tired. Can't... keep my... eyes open."
"I know it's hard but you have to do it."
"Just give up doctor, it's what you do best."
"I don't recall asking your advice Altovar!" Jadzia retorted.
"Why prolong the agony? He'll be dead by morning."
Kira and Worf found two bodies side by side and had them transported.
The real toll of the search was that they had to go very slow so as not to by-pass anyone and another problem was that they just didn't know how many people had been inside at the time.
So far they had found twelve victims only four of which had been alive.
She used the sleeve of her jumper to wipe her soot ridden face on.
The work of recovering victims was long and tedious and she was growing tired.
Worf lifted a piece of rock out of the way to get a better look underneath it.
He was honestly a bit surprised to find any survivors in the building since it has collapsed onto itself.
He truthfully wasn't sure they were even going to be able to find the doctor at all but he would continue the search until ordered otherwise even though the more hours that passed the less chance there was of finding anyone alive.
He aimed his palm beacon into the rubble and continued looking.
Odo scurried along in his mouse-size form making it infinitely easier to reach places that solids couldn't.
He wished they knew where Bashir had been at the time of the implosion, it would have been far easier to locate him.
Odo heard a soft moan to his left and scrambled that way over broken metal and concrete.
He located an elderly Bajoran who's face was bloodied and his eyes no more than slits.
Odo formed a finger and vocal cords and touched his comm. badge to alert Sisko.
It took them nearly five minutes to reach him and the doctor called for immediate transport once he got a reading on the injuries.
"That's what you'd like isn't it ?!?" Garak asked.
"He's not going to die!" Dax snapped.
"No, he isn't, and I'll tell you why... because he's strong!" Garak replied.
"Not strong enough!" Altovar sneered.
"That's what you thought when you attacked him but he survived and erradicated you!" Dax defended.
Julian watched their interplay drowsily and found it very surreal that they were discussing whether he would survive or not.
"He may have survived then, but he won't now." Altovar replied smuggly.
"Yes, he will!" Dax asserted as she looked at Julian.
Kira rubbed her eyes.
They ached from straining to see into the darkness.
It had been over an hour since the last victim was located, nine hours since the beginning of this nightmare.
She prayed to the Prophets to let Julian still be alive.
O'Brien stood vigilantly at the console and drummed his fingers on it.
He had done everything he could to enhance the sensors to bring the people up quickly.
Each time one of the teams contacted him his heart skipped a beat and he half expected Julian to materialize... but it was never him.
The longer he was in there the less likely he was to be found alive, Miles knew that as well as he knew his own name.
Benjamin Sisko and the Bajoran doctor sat on a large chunk of concrete and rested.
They had gone as far as they could now it was up to Odo.
They had reached this area and found themselves blocked from going any further by large pieces of debris and equipment from the floor above when it caved in.
To Sisko it looked like the contents of an operating room.
His stomach growled reminding him his last meal had been a quick lunch and now it was hours past dinner.
"Kira to Sisko."
"Go ahead, Major?"
"I hate to do this sir, but I've been getting responses from all the search teams, they're hungry and tired and I think we should call it a night and start again at first light. We could pass right over the very people we're looking for if we don't."
Sisko hated to stop when Julian was still in here but he knew she was right. The teams did need to eat and rest and Odo had to be getting close to his regeneration time as well. He had to be responsible for the welfare of the searchers too. And he believed Julian would understand.
"All right, have O'Brien start transporting everyone out and tell him to keep a log of where they were so they can be put back there tomorrow."
"Aye,sir."
Sisko rubbed his sore eyes. "Constable, we're leaving for the night." He called over the debris.
Odo remorphed into his solid form a few minutes later as he rejoined them and one looked at him told Sisko retiring for the night was the correct decision.
He only hoped that if Julian were alive he could hang on until morning.
"O'Brien to Sisko, we're ready to bring you up sir."
"Energize Chief." Sisko ordered tiredly.
Julian opened his eyes into the silent darkness.
Did I doze off? Have to be more careful about that.
What time is it anyway? How long have I been down here?
The pain which had ricocheted throughout his body for hours had subsided into a dull but constant ache.
I wish Dax would come back, I could use someone to talk to.
"Ask and you shall receive."
"I was just thinking about you."
"I know." She smiled as she sat on the rubble.
"How long will it be before they rescue me?"
"Hard to say." She shrugged.
"I wonder what counselor Telnorri would make of this? I'm talking to a hallucination of a woman I was in love with. A woman who shouldn't have died this soon. I could never really tell you how I felt because of my secret. You really were a good friend when it came out, you never judged me, just accepted it as part of who I was but it was too late for me to admit I was deeply in love with you because you had already fallen for Worf."
"You needed my friendship more than my love. That's why I'm here now isn't it, because you need a friend?"
"I suppose that's true." He admitted.
He raised his hand slightly, even though it ached to do so and Dax smiled as she took it.
"Your hands are still cold."
"Cold hands, warm heart."
"Dirty feet, no sweetheart."
Dax chuckled and he joined her.
Sisko drank his raktajino as he sat in silence with Kira, O'Brien and Worf in the messhall.
Odo had retired to his quarters to regenerate.
None of them spoke much as they ate since they were all tired and woried about Julian.
"Captain, I spoke to the survivors you found." Dr. Tyler told him as she handed him the padd when she entered the messhall.
He scanned it and tossed it onto the table tiredly.
"Possibly thirty people were inside when it came down!" He muttered.
"We have found less thn half!" Worf scowled as he too read the padd.
"We have to deal with the reality of time constraints. We have to search every meter and that can't be done in a mere few hours." Kira defended weakly as she placed her empty mug on the table.
"Let's get some sleep, I want to be back down there at first light." He ordered standing.
"Bridge to Captain Sisko."
"Go ahead." Sisko sighed.
"First Minister Shakaar would like to see you on the surface."
"Tell him I'll be down in a few minutes."
"Understood, sir."
"I'll go with you." Kira offered, stifling a yawn.
"I can handle it on my own, you get some sleep."
Kira looked as if she wanted to argue but then simply nodded and Sisko knew she must be exhausted if she wasn't insistant upon joining him.
They all departed the messhall with Sisko going in the opposite direction.
He didn't really want to go back down there, all he wanted was a few hours uninterrupted sleep but the First Minister had requested him so to the transporter room he went.
The night air of the planet felt cool to his bare head as he rematerialized near the complex.
"Thank you for coming, I know how tired you must be."
"That's an understatement." Sisko replied.
"Believe me when I say we all appreciate your efforts."
"What is it you needed to see me about?"
"Kai Winn. She and several of her followers are insistant upon holding a prayer vigil."
"That sounds like a good idea. The people still trapped (Julian) could use all the help they can."
"I agree, the problem is that she wants to hold it right in front of the building and as much as I've tried to talk her out of it because of the danger, she is adamant."
"And you think I can convince her to stay out of the area." Sisko concluded.
"You are the Emissary."
"So I am... I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you Captain."
"Emissary, have you come to lead us in prayer?"
"Actually, I've come to ask you to move out of the area."
"I see." Winn said giving Shakaar a very dirty look.
"It's for your own safety. We can't be absolutely sure the building is secure and we obviously don't want anyone else to be hurt."
"Would you pray with us Emissary?" A young woman asked.
"Uh... I really need to..." Sisko tried to get out of it, not entirely comfortable with his role of Emissary. "I'll stay for a little bit, but I need to get some sleep so it won't be long." He agreed seeing their hopeful looks.
"Thank you Emissary." Kai Winn said and led her disciples away from the building.
"Jadzia, are you still there?"
It was so dark and Julian was feeling a little afraid.
"I'm right here."
"Talk to me, let me hear your voice." He asked into the darkness.
"There's nothing to be afraid of Julian, I'm right here with you as long as you need me."
"Promise me you won't leave me here alone?"
"I won't leave you."
"You know the odds are against you."
"What? Who's there?" Julian asked unable to see.
"Altovar's right. 3 to 1 against in fact."
"Quark?" He'd know that voice anywhere.
"But you know what doctor, I have faith in you so I'm placing two bars of latinum on you getting out of here alive."
"Well thank you Quark, I appreciate that."
"Tsk, tsk. I didn't notice before,but your uniform is absolutely filthy, not to mention torn in a few places. You'll have to bring it by my shop so we can repair it."
"He's not leaving here alive."
Julian thought Altovar was starting to sound like a broken record, one which he was sick of listening to.
"Don't listen to him doctor, think of the latinum I'll lose if you die in here."
"That's all you're interested in isn't it ?!? The doctor is lying here critically injured and you're worried about latinum!" Garak erupted.
"It's not my fault the turbolift fell!" Quark defended.
"STOP IT!" Julian shouted then broke into a coughing fit, panting as it finally subsided minutes later.
"Oh Julian, this isn't good... you're coughing up blood." Dax told him quietly.
"I told you he would be dead by morning." Altovar commented.
"Go away," Julian whispered, "just go away."
He was alone once again and a tear slid down his cheek seen only by the darkness.
"Someone find me... soon." He begged.
Sisko was finishing his cup of coffee when Kira, Worf and O'Brien entered the messhall together.
Dawn was still thirty minutes away but none of them wanted to waste a moment of it once the sun was up.
Kira was the first to join him and took a sip of coffee before she even sat down.
Worf was next and for a brief second he hesitated at the chair then slid into it and drank his prune juice.
Sisko recalled Dax once telling him how Julian loved to be in Worf's seat when the Klingon arrived.
It was a small way of teasing him without getting beat-up and Jadzia confided that Worf actually liked it because it made him feel a part of the crew.
O'Brien joined them a moment later and they drank in silence until the Chief spoke.
"Sir, I was thinking that I could join all of you today."
"Chief, I'd rather you--"
"Lieutenant Maas can handle the transporters, they're as strong as they're gonna get." He interrupted with pleading eyes.
"Are you absolutley certain Maas can handle things up here?" Sisko eyed him.
"I taught him everything he knows about this girl."
"All right, you're with Kira and Worf." He relented.
O'Brien nodded his thanks and ate his breakfast quickly.
Sisko led his crew to where the search teams were once again amassed as the sun poked it's head out.
"First Minister, this is not a good idea!"
"You're repeating yourself Rez."
"I will continue to do so until you change your mind!"
"What's going on?" Kira asked.
"The First Minister insist on joining the search teams." Sarish Rez explained unhappily.
"Adon, that isn't a good idea."
"You're starting to sound like Rez."
"And he's right! If something were to happen to you in there--"
"Nerys, I can't sit out here and do nothing while all of you are inside searching for our people. The Emissary is risking his life and neither of you seem to be concerned about his safety."
"Adon--!"
"I am going Nerys, end of discussion!"
"I can go with him." Miles offered.
"Minister?" Sisko asked.
"He's fine with me." Shakaar replied.
The men had had their differences when Kira was pregnant with Miles and Keiko's baby but they hadn't seen each other since he and Kira broke up.
"The Chief has loaded your coordinates into the tricorders, we'll place each of you exactly where you were picked up yesterday." Sisko announced to the teams.
"Shakaar and I will search one of the areas that hasn't been covered yet." Miles added.
"If you are determined to do this I insist Dr. Tesin go along with you." Rez asserted.
"You have five minutes to find him."
Rez sped off as Sisko began ordering the Defiant to transport them.
Today, he thought to himself, we will find Julian... one way or another.
Some part of my occipital lobe must have been damaged or my concussion caused swelling that's pushing against my optic nerve, Julian deduced as to why he couldn't see at all.
Guess I don't really need my eyes at the moment anyway.
"The view hasn't changed."
"Dax... I knew you'd come."
"Like always." The Trill laughed.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday. I was starting to get lonely down here and wasn't sure you'd be coming back."
"Forgotten. So what are your plans for today?"
"Same as yesterday." He quipped.
"Ooh, exciting."
"Oh, believe me, it is."
Kira stepped over a bio-bed, or rather, what was left of one. It was mangled and twisted and she sincerely hoped Julian wasn't in the same shape.
She sighed as she scanned the area in front of her.
They'd been at it for three hours and only found one victim -- actually, part of one.
The woman's upper torso had been recovered but her trunk and legs could have been anywhere.
Kira was fervently glad it had been someone else that found her.
She glanced over at Worf who shone his palm beacon into a corner and growled softly when only shadows appeared.
He's as frustrated as I am, Kira thought silently as they moved on.
"Nothing." Miles muttered.
"We have a lot of area to cover yet." Shakaar cautioned.
Miles nodded and moved forward to scan the area in front of him.
"You and Dr. Bashir are good friends, aren't you?"
"Kira tell you?"
"You did."
"Huh?"
"Yesterday... at the dedication ceremony, you called him Julian and I can also tell by the worry in your eyes that he's more than a fellow officer."
"When he first came to DS9 I hated him." Miles chuckled.
"Friendships have a way of sneaking up on you." Shakaar agreed.
"He is my best friend." O'Brien answered as he stepped over a piece of metal.
"We'll find him Chief." Shakaar promised.
Whether he's alive or not is another question.
"Captain, I found another one."
"Sisko to Defiant, get a fix on Constable Odo's position. We have another body." He called as he removed his hand from his comm. badge.
"It's a Bajoran." Odo informed him before he could ask.
Everytime a body was found he held his breath fearing it would be human.
Fearing it would be Julian.
Four more hours passed and five other bodies had been found bringing the total to twenty-one.
That left a possible nine more including Julian.
Sisko ordered half the teams to get something to eat while the other half continued to search then it was their turn to eat and catch their breath for a few minutes anyway.
The mood was grim as they walked into the messhall.
Seven bodies in seven hours.
Was there anyone left alive?
Could Julian still be alive after so many hours?
They all ate quickly so they could get back to the task.
"Plomeek soup and... and a turkey sandwich would taste really... really good right now." Julian said with a dry mouth.
"Don't forget the large glass of Tarkalean tea." Dax reminded.
"My... favorite." He breathed.
"Isn't it darts night?"
"Is it... is it Tuesday? All ready?"
O'Brien plodded along tiredly.
They'd been searching for close to twelve hours now but none of the search teams had turned up anyone within the last couple.
There was a total of twenty-two victims recovered with only four survivors.
His hopes of finding Julian alive were starting to wane.
"Can anyone hear me?" A man's voice called out weakly.
"Yeah, I can hear you! Can you tell me where you are?" Miles asked startled.
"By the turbolift."
"That way." Dr. Tesin pointed to their right.
The three men carefully made their way to where the turbolift had been.
"There!" Shakaar replied seeing a hand sticking out from the rubble. He grabbed hold of it as they reached the man. "Hold on, we're going to get you out." He promised as he glanced at O'Brien and Tesin.
"I'm reading minor injuries... a few broken ribs, but that's it." Tesin announced amazed.
"O'Brien to Defiant, we've got a live one!"
If this man was alive Julian could be too!
"Jadzia... I don't think I'm going to make it."
Julian's body had started to go numb.
"Jadzia?" He called softly.
"She's gone."
Altovar.
"You should just give up. Make it easy on yourself."
Julian tried to ignore him.
"I'm not going away until you do." The alien taunted.
Please come back Jadzia.
Sisko ducked under some fallen rock as he followed Odo deeper into the complex.
The last survivor, which Miles found, was located more than two hours ago and Sisko knew they could only look a few more hours before having to call it another night.
Could Julian survive a second night?
He forced his thoughts back to the present as he tripped.
Kira stretched her back as Worf checked out some readings he had picked up.
Sisko had ordered each team to take a short break and get something to eat periodically and she and Worf had returned to the search an hour ago after doing so.
She walked over to Worf as she wondered just where Julian was at and if they could find him before it was too late... if it wasn't already.
"Why don't we take a break?" Shakaar suggested as he sat on a rock and rubbed his leg. "I'm not as young as I used to be. I remember when I was in the resistance that I could climb for days to evade the Cardassians."
"Age'll do that to ya. The first time I played racquetball with Julian he wiped the court with me.
He told me later that he had his nurse call him away so he could put an end to the game because he was afraid I was going to have a heart attack."
Shakaar nodded and smiled as Miles joined him on the rock.
Odo could begin to feel the wear of holding his solid form for so long and would have to regenerate soon. The twenty minute respite helped, but not a lot.
"Let's look over here." Sisko called.
Odo, the mouse, scurried over tiredly.
They would have to call it a night soon.
Julian tried to raise his hand to shield his face from the debris falling on him.
"They're up there looking for you, call to them."
"Jadzia... you... came... back."
"Call to them Julian!"
"He can't, he doesn't have anything left." Altovar replied.
"You can do it. Try, Julian!"
"Help... help me." Julian whispered.
"I told you." Altovar said smuggly.
"Julian, you have to try harder." Dax coaxed.
"Help... I'm..." Julian tried then began coughing.
"I can't." He sobbed when the coughing subsided.
"He can't use his voice so he needs to find another way." Garak said ever reasonably.
"Julian, your shoulder is leaning against a piece of metal, reach behind you and pull it out." Dax ordered.
Julian lifted his right hand and dropped it again when pain eminated through the arm.
"It hurts too much." He cried.
"It's your only chance doctor. The only way to change the odds to your favor." Quark chimed in.
"You can do it." Jadzia urged.
"You have to do it." Garak added.
"Try again doctor." Quark pleaded.
Julian raised his hand, his arm once again throbbing, but he pushed the pain aside as he moved his hand up to his left shoulder.
"That's it. It's just behind you." Dax whispered.
Julian slowly moved his hand up his left arm and felt for the metal which Dax had promised was behind him. His hand bumped against something cold and solid.
His fingers explored it then curled around what he presumed was the metal. He gripped it and tried to pull it out but it wouldn't budge.
"I told you he couldn't do it. So close yet so far away." Altovar intoned.
"Ignore him Julian, try again!" Dax ordered.
Julian didn't waste his breath answering, he simply pulled harder and felt the metal budge slightly but that small effort left him panting.
"You're getting it doctor---" Garak said but his voice was being drowned out by a well-known melody in Julian's head.
'And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?'
He grunted and the piece eased out slowly.
'And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?'
Julian panted as the piece of metal slipped down in front of him with a thud.
"He did it!" Dax cheered.
"He still has to get their attention and he's not strong enough to do it!" Altovar chided.
"Doctor, pick up the metal and hit it off the piece of metal just in front of you." Garak told him.
Julian again wrapped his hands around the metal piece when he'd found it where it dropped next to him. He raised it up and brought it back down with all his strength but it landed with a thud.
"Uh... just a little to the left doctor." Quark advised.
"Easy for you to say... you can see it." Julian muttered and lifted the metal again, this time bringing it down with a resounding clang as it struck its target.
"Music to my ears." Quark replied.
"Keep it up Julian." Dax encouraged.
'And did the (clang) Countenance Divine
Shine forth (clang) upon our clouded hills'
"Do you hear that?" Miles asked.
"Yeah, it sounds like metal on metal." Shakaar answered.
"There's a pattern to it though..."
He tapped his comm. badge.
"O'Brien to Sisko."
"Go ahead."
"We're picking up something, like metal on metal maybe, but it's very faint. It could be nothing."
"We'll check it out never-the-less, just in case it's someone buried."
"Aye, sir."
A moment later they materialized at O'Brien's position.
"Where is it coming from?"
"Over here."
'Bring me (clang) my bow of burning gold!
'Bring me (clang) my arrows of desire!'
"If there's someone down there, can you hear me?"
"Yes." Julian whispered as tears of relief slid down his filthy cheeks.
"They may not be able to answer." Shakaar said as they received no reply and even the clanging had stopped.
"If you can hear me but can't answer, can you bang three times like before?" Sisko called.
I can do that.
'Bring me (clang) my spear!
O clouds (clang),unfold
Bring me my chariot (clang) of fire!'
"There's definitely someone down there!" Odo replied as three clangs then silence met their ears.
"Captain, this was a turboshaft." Dr.Tesin informed them.
"If they were in the turbolift when the building came down they have to have suffered massive injuries." The Bajoran doctor who had been with Sisko and Odo replied.
"The only way to get to them is to go down there." Sisko frowned.
He was hesitant to send anyone down not knowing how stable the shaft was or even just how far down the victim was.
"I'm the only one who can get in there." Odo said.
"You're close to your rejuvination cycle." Sisko replied noticing how tired he was now.
"There's no one else that can get down there and whoever is trapped has been there for a day and a half and may have very little time left." Odo reasoned.
Sisko looked back at the turbolift shaft.
Odo was right, whoever was down there needed help now!
"Constable, if you're up to it, let's see if we can help them."
Odo nodded as Sisko tapped his comm. badge.
"Sisko to Defiant, we think we've found someone, but they're buried pretty deep and could have life-threatening injuries. I'm sending Constable Odo in and I want a lock kept on him at all times."
"Understood, sir."
"Chief, go back up, this could be a tricky one."
"Aye, sir. O'Brien to Defiant, one to transport."
"We're sending someone down to help you." Sisko called as Miles disappeared.
Odo shapeshifted into a moth and descended into the shaft.
"See Julian, told you they'd come." Dax laughed.
"Thank you Jadzia. Thank you... for helping... me."
"We weren't window dressing." Quark complained.
"Come on my Ferengi friend, it's time for us to take our leave." Garak said.
"Good-bye, Julian." Dax whispered as she faded away.
"Good-bye, Jadzia." He answered through tears.
"I will... not cease... from... Mental Flight,
Nor... shall my sword... sleep... in my hand,
"Doctor..." Odo breathed once he'd shifted back to his solid humanoid form. "Odo to Sisko."
"Go ahead." Sisko's voice came through weakly.
"It's... Dr. Bashir. He's badly injured."
"Understood."
"We'll get you out of here Doctor, I promise."
O'Brien snapped his head up when Sisko's call came through.
JULIAN!
JULIAN WAS ALIVE!!
But we have to get him up here...
"Damn!" He swore as he bent over the console.
"O'Brien to Sisko, we're having difficulty locking onto Odo's comm. badge." He reported.
"What if I sent mine down too?"
"It would give us two signals... it might help."
"Stand-by, I'll send it down to Odo."
"I'll give you two minutes then I'll try and lock on."
"Understood, Sisko out."
"Odo, I'm dropping my comm. badge down to you to give the Defiant a stronger signal."
"Understood. Well Dcotor, you're going to be down here a few more minutes, but we'll be back on the Defiant before you know it." He relayed to the silent but rapidly breathing young man.
"I'm dropping it now." Sisko said through Odo's badge.
Odo looked up and saw a pinprick of light and knew it was the palm beacon.
He formed his hand into a large net in preparation to catch the badge.
He never saw it, but the badge hit the "net" and caused it to droop down from the rate of speed it fell and impacted.
He reformed his hand back into a hand and held the comm. badge in one hand and placed his other hand gently on Bashir's shoulder.
O'Brien checked his console and smiled.
The two badges gave them a strong enough signal to attempt transport.
Dr. Tyler arrived, he having alerted her to Julian's situation.
"Energizing..."
They watched the pad shimmer and attempt to coalesce two forms.
"NO!" He shouted as they started to fade out.
He worked furiously to coax the ship to pull them back. "Come on baby!" He begged and was rewarded with their two figures fully materialized a second later.
He grinned in relief and released the breath he'd been unconsciously holding.
Dr. Tyler was already at the padd scanning Julian and immediately ordered him deposited on the antigrav and he was whisked away before Miles could say anything to him at all.
"You'd better send me back so I can return the Captain's comm. badge."
Miles took one look at the Constable still sitting on the padd and shook his head.
"I'll return it, you get some rest."
"Thank you Chief." Odo replied and handed over the badge and slowly exited the transporter room.
The Chief nodded to Lieutenant Maas who sent him back to Bajor.
Sisko looked over as O'Brien was deposited nearby and accepted his badge back.
Every ounce of his being wanted to go up and be with Julian but there were still people to be found and they still had a few more hours to look.
"Sisko to Kira."
"Go ahead."
"We found Julian."
"How is he?"
"In bad shape. I know you want to be up there with him, so do I, but we might have seven others trapped and we owe it to Julian to try and find them as well."
There was a moment of silence from Kira and then resignation when she answered.
"Understood, sir. We'll keep looking. If you hear anything--"
"I'll let you know as soon as I do." He promised.
"Thanks, Kira out."
By the time they transported up for the night four more bodies had been recovered.
They went immediately to sickbay where Nurse Kirby informed them that Julian was still in surgery.
He ordered her to have Tyler give them a full report once she was done and told his people to eat and get some sleep since they would be back at it the next morning.
The door chime sounded and Sisko opend a tired eye.
He called for the person on the other side of the door to enter without moving his tired body.
"You wanted a report." Dr.Tyler said coming inside.
Sisko sat up slowly and nodded at his equally tired officer. "How is he?"
"He's in a coma. He had very serious injuries, a severe concussion that caused brain swelling, internal bleeding, multiple fractures and broken bones and, least of all, numerous cuts and contusions. It's a miracle he survived at all." She admitted.
"Do you have an idea when he might come out of it?"
"That's a mystery of medicine that no doctor has yet figured out."
"Thank you for the report. Try and get some sleep."
"I intend to." She answered.
Sisko nodded his dismissal and she left him to go back to sleep.
He laid back down but it didn't come.
He knew comatose patients sometimes never awoke.
The next morning Dr.Tyler caught up with him on the way to the messhall.
"Dr. Bashir's condition hasn't changed but I've been in contact with Starfleet medical and consulting with other doctors and we feel it would be in Dr. Bashir's best interest to be transfered to a starbase."
"Deep Space Nine is three hours away--"
"Starbase 211 would be a better choice."
"What aren't you telling me?"
"Dr. Bashir could be in a coma for a very long time which means he'll need long-term care and he can get that at the starbase, not DS9."
Sisko and the crew watched the viewscreen as the Maryland carried Julian away, the mood on the bridge was one of melancholy.
"We have some more searching to do, let's get to it." He ordered somewhat reluctantly.
They all nodded and set about finding the other victims of the implosion.
For three more days they searched finding no one else, finally the search was called off and the weary crew returned to DS9.
The building would be razed and replaced with a new one.
'It has been three weeks since the hospital on Bajor was destroyed.
Two Bajoran engineers who seemed to have mysteriously vanished are suspected in its destruction.
The powercore was examined two days ago and explosive remnants were discovered among its remains.
There have been rumors of a resurgence of the 'Circle', but they have not be substantiated.
First Minister Shakaar promises me that if the 'Circle' is in anyway involved in the destruction he will locate and punish them to the fullest extent of Bajoran law.
On a more personal note, Julian remains comatose.
I speak to the doctor in charge of his case daily hoping for good news, anything that might indicate Julian could be coming out of it.
There's an old saying that no news is good news...
I sincerely hope that holds true for Julian.'
"Computer, end personal log."
Sisko sighed as he sat back on his couch.
Dr. Tyler was good but she wasn't Julian.
He yawned and decided to turn in.
He would call starbase 211 in the morning.
"Ops to Captain Sisko."
"Go ahead." He mumbled.
"Dr. Abred is on subspace sir... she said it's urgent."
Sisko bolted upright swinging his legs over the side of the bed and padded quickly out to the living room monitor.
"Put her through."
A tired looking Dr. Abred appeared.
"Is Julian awake?" He asked before she could speak.
"Captain, the doctor has taken a turn for the worse... you'd better come."
Sisko couldn't speak for a moment then found his voice.
"His parents..."
"They arrived two days ago." She answered.
Sisko nodded numbly.
"We'll leave immediately."
Silence had settled on the bridge of the Defiant as they traveled to the starbase which was several hours away.
Sisko had momentary considered going alone but realized how unfair that would have been to Julian's friends.
If he did die... they should all be there to grieve together, like with Jadzia.
He rubbed his moistened eyes.
Two officers in four months.
Two friends.
He sighed heavily.
Kira and Odo exchanged a glance.
Neither had cared for Julian when he first arrived.
Arrogant. Spoiled.
They had been so wrong about him.
Kira had said a prayer before they left and lit her duranja. Even though Julian wasn't dead she wanted to make sure the Prophets would guide him to his heaven when the time came.
She felt for Miles most of all... Julian was his best friend and he would be devastated if he died.
Miles crawled out from underneath the console and put his tools away.
He didn't really need to be adjusting anything, she was running perfectly, but it took his mind off Julian for a short time.
He mused about what Julian had said at Captain Lisa Cusack's wake.
He said that she taught him that it was sometimes necessary to say how you felt.
I never told Julian he was my best friend... I hope I get the chance to.
"Starbase 211 on long range scans Captain." Worf announced hours later.
"Assume standard orbit." Sisko ordered for when they arrived.
"Aye, sir."
Thirty minutes later Sisko, Kira, O'Brien, Worf and Odo transported to the starbase turning over commnad of the Defiant to Lt. Cummings.
"May I help you?" A nurse asked as they reached the desk.
"We're here to see--"
"Captain Sisko, it's good of you to come."
Sisko and crew turned to see Richard Bashir, who was carrying a sandwich and a cup, which he thought probably contained tea.
"Julian's back this way, Amsha's with him."
"How is he?" Kira asked for all of them.
"His blood pressure dropped. Dr. Abred tells us that's not good and his brain activity has decreased as well." He explained as he led them to the room.
It was obvious to all of them that he was trying to be strong but underneath that stoic exterior was a man in great pain.
Julian was their only child and they were faced with losing him.
Sisko couldn't even imagine how devastated he would be if Jake were in the same situation.
"Amsha, look who I found."
Amsha Bashir smiled at them.
"Julian, all your friends are here." She said turning to her pale looking son. "Please open your eyes." She begged.
"Am, I brought you something to eat. Why don't we go out and let them spend some time with him?"
"I don't want to leave him." She whispered tearyeyed as she stroked his cheek tenderly.
"We'll go just outside Am. You have to take care of yourself, Julian would want you to."
That seemed to convince her and she turned to Sisko.
"Sit with him, please?"
Sisko nodded and took her chair when she stood.
"Julian, we'll be back soon. Captain Sisko is here and he'll hold your hand." She said to her comatose son with a kiss on the cheek.
Sisko picked up Julian's limp hand as they left.
"It was considerate of the Judge Advocate General to bring him out here to be with his son." Odo mentioned.
"He reminds me of Yoshi when he sleeps. So innocent and peaceful. Like there's no problem in the world." Miles added as he watched his best friend laying silently.
"I can't believe he might die. I wish he would smile, laugh, anything just to let us know he's still in there!" Kira sighed deeply.
Odo stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Worf said nothing as he stood near the Chief.
He and the doctor were not friends, but Jadzia cared for him deeply.
Die with honor Julian Bashir.
It was two hours before Julian's parents returned to their son's bedside and Sisko suspected his mother had been talked into a nap because she didn't look quite so tired now.
Sisko moved so she could resume her place next to her son.
"I want to speak with Dr. Abred, so if you'll excuse us? If it's all right with you, we'll come by later again."
"That would be most welcome." Richard Bashir nodded.
Sisko motioned his crew to follow him out and he turned as they reached the corridor.
"Why don't you all get a bite to eat, I'll be along shortly."
He watched them head for the cafeteria then set out himself to find Julian's doctor.
He felt like he'd walked nearly a mile but hadn't turned up the physician.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Dr. Abred."
"Um... I just saw her in the lounge, I'll go get her." The nurse he'd stopped answered.
He watched her disappear through a door ten meters down the hall.
Dr. Abred appeared a few minutes later.
"I'm sorry Captain, I wasn't aware you had arrived. I've been in surgery the last three hours." She apologized tiredly.
"I understand, now tell me how bad Julian really is."
She sighed deeply before answering.
"I've been a doctor nearly twenty years and I've seen a dozen patients in the same comatose state as Dr. Bashir, the same minor neural activity he's exhibiting.... not one of them came out of it. I'm sorry Captain."
Sisko sighed himself and blinked back tears.
"Do his parents know?"
"I've discussed the situation with them."
"Do you know how long...?
"It's impossible to tell."
"Thank you for your candor." He answered and turned to walk down the hall slowly.
I'll never get used to this part of my job, she thought as she headed back to the lounge.
Sisko found Richard Bashir standing at the end of the hall.
"I was getting Am another cup of tea. Dr. Abred told you didn't she?"
"I... I'm very sorry."
"Julian and I... we've been apart a long time, but we were starting to grow close again..." Richard said, his chin beginning to quiver.
Sisko didn't know how to comfort the man, didn't know what to say...
"That's my little boy in there." Richard said, tears falling unnoticed.
Sisko put a hand on the man's shoulder in comfort.
"I have to... have to be strong for Amsha." He replied, wiping the tears away. "She thinks he's gonna come out of it. It'll kill her to lose him. I've been trying to help her accept it, but..." He added as they walked back to Julian's room.
"I have a son, I understand." Sisko responded quietly.
"I should get back in there. It's just... it's hard."
richard admitted with a deep breath before he disappeared back into the room.
"There he is." Kira said as Sisko appeared.
"So what did his doctor say?" Miles asked anxiously.
"She doesn't hold much hope that he'll come out of the coma." Sisko said softly as he joined them.
"He's gonna..." Miles couldn't say the word.
They had already suffered the death of one from their circle, how could they lose two?
"Dr. Abred said no one's recovered from the place he's in right now."
O'Brien abruptly stood, sending the chair over.
"She doesn't know him!"
"Chief, we must accept--" Worf tried.
"NO! I WON'T ACCEPT IT!" O'Brien exploded and stormed out.
"He can't bear to lose his best friend." Kira commented.
She'd lost a lot of friends during the occupation but for reasons she could not articulate, Dax's death and facing the possibility of losing Julian were far more painful to her.
Miles stepped onto the transporter pad and called for it to energize.
He went to the transporter room early on the hopes that it would be deserted, which it was.
He knew Sisko and the others wouldn't be up for a few more hours and he hoped Julian's parents would be away from his room.
He had talked to Keiko and she urged him to tell Julian how he felt even if the doctor couldn't hear it, it would make Miles feel better to have said it so there he was in the corridor of the hospital in the early morning hours heading for Julian's room.
"Can I help you?" A nurse asked as he came inside the room.
"Oh... uh... I'm... I'm a friend of his." Miles stuttered. "I didn't think anyone would be here."
"His parents went to get some sleep and they didn't want to leave him alone."
"Oh, I see. Do you mind if I sit with him for a while?"
"I'll be just down the hall, Mister...?"
"Oh, uh, Miles O'Brien."
"If you need a nurse just push that panel and someone will come immediately." She informed him as she headed for the door.
Miles nodded and sat down in the vacated chair.
"Hey Julian, it's me, Miles. Like you wouldn't know that huh?" He chuckled. "Anyway, I just had some things to tell you."
The nurse stepped away from the door to give him some privacy. She had stayed a moment to make sure he wasn't a threat to her patient.
"Do you remember when Elizabeth Lense came to DS9 and she didn't recognize you and we went back to my quarters and got drunk? Oh, of course you do, you remember everything! Most of which you're nice enough not to mention! Anyway, I told you that I really do not hate you anymore. Well, that's not true. I mean... I just put my foot in it didn't I? What I meant to say was that I never hated you, not really. I suppose I never knew anyone who tried so hard to befriend me the way you did. Sometimes you made me feel as old as the hills... but the truth is... you're my best friend Julian. How about that, I finally said it!"
Sisko and crew, minus O'Brien who arrived a few hours ago, appeared outside Julian's room.
They turned as they heard an angry voice and found Richard and a nurse.
Dr. Abred joined them a moment later demanding to know what was going on.
"She left my son alone!" Richard accused.
"Is that true?" The doctor asked sternly.
"No, it's not--"
"You're supposed to be with my son!"
"I left the patient with--"
"Richard, come quickly!" Amsha called from Julian's room.
They moved enmass to the room and found her and O'Brien beaming at an awake Julian.
"I don't believe it." The doctor breathed as she reached for her tricorder.
Julian loked at each of them and opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.
"Everyone out, I need to examine him." Abred ordered.
The crew left but his parents remained as expected.
"I knew he'd wake up." Miles grinned.
"He's awake, but is he okay?" Kira wondered.
"We'll find out soon." Sisko replied.
Soon turned out to be thirty minutes later as the doctor came into the hall.
"No patient has ever recovered from that deep a coma." She said shaking her head.
"He's okay?" Sisko demanded.
"Near as I can tell, he's perfectly fine." She admitted.
"Can we see him?" Miles asked.
"He's asleep right now. It's a healthy sleep." She added upon seeing the concern on their faces.
Three hours later Julian awoke again and his mother gave him a sip of water while his father went to find Sisko.
"How long have I been out?" He asked softly.
"You've been asleep a few hours." She smiled.
"No mother, I mean unconscious? From... the accident?"
"Julian, look who's here?" His father said re-entering with Sisko and his crewmates.
"It's good to hear your voice." Sisko smiled.
"How do you feel?" Kira asked.
"A little tired, but after my ordeal it's not surprising."
"You remember what happened to you?" Miles asked.
Julian nodded.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Odo asked.
"I was in the turbolift, heading for the ceremony, when I was pulled to the roof of it. I knew I was in a free-fall. I don't remember the impact, I suppose I lost consciousness, not a bad thing really, but when I woke up I felt pain in every part of my body. It seemed like I was trapped for years." He sighed.
"It was almost thirty-five hours." Odo answered.
"I remember your voice."
"I was with you when you were brought up to the Defiant."
"Odo was the only one who could reach you." Sisko added.
"I think he needs more rest so I want everyone but his parents to go." Dr. Abred ordered. "You can visit him later if he feels up to it." She added to halt any protests.
Julian did look tired so there were no protests on the part of the crew as they left.
"You didn't answer my question mother, how long have I been unconscious?" Julian wanted to know again.
"You've been in a coma for three weeks." Richard answered for her.
Julian closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"The doctor did not think you would survive." Amsha added softly.
He smiled at her seeing the love in her eyes.
"She doesn't know me very well." He added.
Sisko and the rest of the crew returned to DS9 a few days after Julian regained consciousness.
Julian himself had remained at the starbase for two more weeks recuperating.
The day came when Dr. Abred certified him fit to be released and he walked his parents back to the starship which would take them back to Earth where his father would finish out his sentence at the New Zealand penal colony.
He wished they had dropped the remainder of the sentence but was thankful his father had at least been allowed to come and be with him during this time.
He hugged his parents and watched them leave from the viewport with a heavy heart.
"A starship will be here in an hour to take you back to your post." Dr. Abred told him quietly as she reached his side.
"Thank you for arranging it."
"Come sit down, you and I have a few things to discuss."
She spent thirty minutes instructing him on how to care for himself and ten minutes on what she would do to him if he ignored those instructions. She finished by telling him to restrict himself to light duty and he in turn promised to follow her orders to the letter.
She walked him to the airlock where Captain Raymond met him and personally escorted him to his quarters.
"Did you talk to him?" Kira asked as Sisko exited his office.
"He was in therapy."
"Well did they say why he didn't get back to you after lunch?"
"The nurse I talked to said the message may have been misplaced but she would let him know I called."
Kira snorted and shook her head as she turned to her beeping console.
"The Tecumseh." She reported and sent them to docking bay six.
"I'll try him again in a few hours." Sisko said with a sigh.
"Find out when he's coming back." Kira asked. "Tell him I've been saving my aches and pains just for him." She added with a grin.
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that." Sisko chuckled.
Miles O'Brien was working on the turbolift when airlock six rolled open.
He glanced at the crew disembarking and figured they were headed for Quark's as he turned back to the job at hand.
"I really don't feel up to climbing down twentysix levels, do you think you might be done soon?"
Miles dropped his tool and turned at the sound of the English voice and jumped to his feet far quicker than Julian would have thought possible.
"JULIAN!!! You...? How...? Why didn't you let us know you were coming?!?" He demanded.
"I wanted to surprise you." Julian smiled guiltily.
"Well you certainly did that! Hey Zigler, come here a minute!"
The crewman obediently came to his superior.
"Finish this up for me will ya, I have to take Dr. Bashir to Ops."
"Yes, sir."
"They aren't gonna believe it!" Miles beamed at his friend.
"Miles, thank you for what you said." Julian told him once the turbolift was underway.
"Don't know what you're talkin' about." O'Brien replied not looking at him.
"Well I remember everything you said... and I feel the same way about you."
O'Brien looked at him and nodded, enough said.
"So tell me, what has been going on around here in my absence?"
"And that's pretty much it." Miles reported as they reached Ops.
"Julian!"
"Hi, Nerys." Julian grinned at her as they stepped off.
"Doctor, it is... good to see you on your feet."
"Thank you Worf. Is the Captain in?"
Kira nodded smiling as he ascended the stairs to the office.
That's why we couldn't talk to him!
"Come in." Sisko called muffled.
Julian stepped inside and came around the desk to find Sisko half-way under it.
"What did you lose?"
Sisko looked up quickly at his CMO's voice and found Julian smiling down at him.
He had greatly missed that smile.
"I dropped an isolinear rod." He answered holding up the amber colored data collector.
He stood and deposited it on his desk and put his hands on his hips.
"I just tried contacting you fifteen minutes ago! They said you were in therapy!"
"Sorry, I wanted to surprise everyone."
"Come and sit down." Sisko ordered and ushered him to the couch. "Do you want something to eat or drink?"
"No, I'm fine." Julian assured him.
"You look tired."
"I will for a few more days and since I've been restricted to light duty I will get that rest Dr. Abred ordered."
"Well, Dr. Tyler can handle things for you. You should relax while you have the chance."
"Quit frankly I'm tired of relaxing! I've been on my backside for weeks now! But if I know Dr. Abred she'll have spoken to Tyler about my care all ready."
Sisko nodded smiling.
"Well, um, I'll get out of your way, I know how busy you are."
"I'll walk you to your quarters." Sisko offered standing with him.
"Thank you, but I'm genetically enhanced so I recall the way." Julian smiled.
"Sorry." Sisko laughed as he walked him to the door. "How about dinner tonight? The senior staff and a few others in the Wardroom at 1900?"
"Sounds good, but I do have one request."
Sisko looked askance.
"No beets please."
"I'm going to change your mind one day."
"You're welcome to try, but don't count on it. You know, I really have missed this place." He said as he boarded the turbolift with a smile.
"Four months ago, you all stood here and awaited a tour of the 'United Health Center'... a tour which never took place. Twenty-two people died that day..."
A pause for the audience to reflect.
"Today, we gather again but this time it is not only to open this new center, but to honor those who died that day. It had been decided to create a memorial park for those people on this ground... a decision that I felt would be a disservice to them. They were men and women of the medical profession who believed first and foremost in saving lives. I am immensely proud and honored to tell you all that their dream of a medical center is going to become reality in a few moments. That is the way to honor their memory.
Ladies and gentlemen... I now open to you all...
'The Memorial Health Center of Bajor'."
The audience clapped enthusiastically as Dr.s Tesin and Wright took the podium.
"Thank you Dr. Bashir, you were a great force in getting this facility rebuilt and all of Bajor thanks you." Dr.Tesin said when the audience grew silent once again.
"We invite all of you inside to explore your new health center." Dr. Wright added.
Many of the crwod followed the two doctors inside as Sisko approached his CMO who remained seated on the stage.
"You spoke very eloquently."
"Thank you, sir."
"It can't be easy for you to be back here."
"It isn't. I haven't even been inside yet." He admitted.
Sisko squeezed his shoulder in support.
"I never told you this... when I was trapped, I talked to Jadzia. She kept me going. Encouraged me and pulled me through. I know she was a hallucination, but..."
"You miss her. So do I."
"I was able to let her go when Odo was coming, but I know she'll never really be gone. Not as long as I still hold her here." He replied touching his chest.
"And it's time to remember your colleagues who died four months ago." Sisko replied.
Julian nodded and stood.
"The best way to do that is for this hospital to be successful... no matter who was behind this tragedy. We have to make them see we can't be stopped, that the future won't be stopped."
Sisko nodded and the two men walked into the hospital... and into the future.