Old Friends

Part 1

Julian Bashir checked the chronometer.

His shift was almost over and he was looking forward to a nice quiet dinner in the replimat.

Technically, his shift should have ended hours ago but his Bajoran staff had "called in sick".

Jabara, his head nurse, had told him it was in protest of the Federation's attempt to rush them into joining against the "Emissary's" suggestion.

Julian had no idea why the Federation was in such a hurry, he hadn't been filled in of course but the Captain had been in twice in as many days and Julian didn't envy his position as the "middleman".

The "sickout" had forced all the Starfleet members to pull double shifts for the past few days and it was clear the stress was affecting them all.

He looked up to see their replacements arrive and sighed, relieved.

He walked to the replimat and ordered a bowl of soup and some tea and found a seat easily since it was empty.

Most of the people coming off their shifts would head straight to their quarters for a quick bite to eat and then bed.

"A large Chenva malt." Kira Nerys ordered as she strode in.

Chenva was a province on Bajor and the farmers were renowned for their malt ales.

Miles O'Brien had complained to him about how the Major had badgered him for weeks to store it in the replicators.

'As if I don't have enough work to do!' The Irishman had groused.

Julian had advised him to do it quickly then she'd leave him alone, he had been amused to find the replicator equipped to produce it the next day.

"Is this seat taken?" Kira asked, feigning politeness as she sat down not waiting for an answer.

"Long day?"

"When hasn't it been a long day?" Kira sighed.

He had been surprised to find Kira in Ops on the first day of the protest and Dax had later informed him that she lobbied to remain since she was the liaison and she could help work things out.

Julian personally believed she had done it to get under Kai Winn's skin...and he wouldn't have blamed her!

"Long time Bashir."

Julian turned to see who had spoken and broke into a smile as he stood.

"Mason! It's great to see you!"

They shook hands. "For a Bajoran station they certainly are scarce."

"Well, there's---"

Kira cleared her throat and he turned having forgotten she was there.

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is Major Kira Nerys, stations first officer and Bajoran liaison. Kira, this is Dr. Mason Dixon, we went to med. school together."

"A pleasure to meet you Major."

Kira nodded and stood.

"I'll leave the two of you alone. Night, Julian."

"Have a seat. How have you been? What are you doing here?" Julian asked as Kira left.

Dixon chuckled.

"You haven't lost your enthusiasm I see."

Julian rolled his eyes good naturedly.

"To answer your questions,I'm fine and I came here with the Bradbury. We brought a few diplomats to help with your problem."

Julian nodded thoughtfully and several minutes passed before he broached the subject uppermost on his mind.

"Mason...I'm sure you're aware of my...biology..."

Dixon waved his hand to stop Julian.

"You're enhancement doesn't matter."

"Still, I want to apologize. You were rightfully salutatorian."

"It's water under the bridge." Dixon assured him.

"You're being very generous and I deeply appreciate that."

"Don't give it another thought."

"Thank you."

"But there is something you can do for me."

Julian looked at him expectantly.

"Give me a tour of your station."

Julian smiled.

"That I can do. How about 1900 tomorrow?

We can get a bite to eat and I'll show you around."

"You've got a deal." Dixon said standing. "I have to get back before the Captain locks the door." He added with a chuckle.

"I'll walk you back."

"Not necessary,besides,you looked whipped."

"Double shifts will do that to you." Julian sighed.

"I hear you." Dixon answered as he waved and headed out.

Julian sat back and smiled.

He was glad Mason was here.

"So what are you working on?"

Julian looked up to see Mason in the doorway the next afternoon.

"Just some research I am no further on than the last time I worked on it." Julian sighed.

"Mind if I take a look?"

"Be my guest." Julian replied moving out of the way.

"Prion replication huh? You certainly had Starfleet medical abuzz with your last paper."

"Doctor."

Julian turned to see the Captain in the doorway rubbing his temples.

"Let me get the hypo."

"I take it negotiations aren't going well, sir?"

Sisko stopped rubbing his temples and looked at the man in Julian's chair.

"Dr. Mason Dixon from the Bradbury." Julian introduced as he scanned Sisko with a tricorder.

He loaded the hypospray and injected his CO.

"I don't want to give you anymore analgesics so I'm going to teach you some stress reduction techniques."

"Thank you. And to answer your question Dr. Dixon, no,things are not going well."

"Come in the other room sir."

Julian returned a few minutes later.

"So what do you think?" He asked as he saw his peer studying his research.

"That I need to return to my work and let you get back to your's." Dixon sighed standing.

"In that case, I'll see you at 1900." Julian smiled.

"So how's your head Ben?"

"Good as new thanks to Julian. He gave me some pointers on relieving stress so I won't need any more medication." Sisko answered.

"Let's hope you won't need them." Dax smiled.

Sisko eyed her dubiously as they entered his office where he dropped wearily into his chair and she perched gracefully onto the corner of his desk.

"There has to be some way to compromise." She said thoughtfully.

"I'm open to suggestions." He replied.

He could almost see Curzon mulling over the problem as he looked at the young, 'old', beauty on his desk.

"Well... you've got a stalemate now so what you need is to find a compromise."

"They don't want a compromise." He frowned as he recalled the heated debate between Kai Winn and Admiral Watley.

"Then we need to convince them they do."

"Kirby."

"Yes, Doctor?"

"I'm going to my quarters for a quick shower, if Dr. Dixon stops by please let him know."

Nurse Angela Kirby nodded.

"And if you need me..."

"We know how to reach you."

"Of course you do." He sighed tiredly.

These double shifts had to end.

Nurse Kirby glanced up thirty minutes later to see a man in the same colored uniform she wore.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Julian."

"You must be Dr. Dixon. He said to let you know he'd be in his quarters."

"Thank you."

Nurse Kirby watched him leave.

Not bad looking...6'2", blond hair, green eyes and clearly muscular under that uniform.

She felt herself blushing.

"Get your mind on your work Angela!" She chided herself.

"Um...excuse me..."

Miles O'Brien stopped poking around the turbolift controls and stood.

"Could you direct me to Julian Bashir's quarters? I seem to be lost."

"Not too lost." Miles answered and led him to the cross corridor. "Eighth door on the left."

"Great, thank you."

Miles watched for a moment wondering who he was and why he was looking for Julian then he shook his head and walked back to the turbolift.

The man had the same color Julian wore so he was probably a colleague!

Worf had reported the sluggishness of the turbolift.

"And of course there's no one else here to fix it!" He grumbled as he pulled the hydrospanner out of his tool kit.

Keiko had been hinting at a vacation and he didn't think it was such a bad idea right at the moment.

When this dispute is over we're going to Cirrus IV for two weeks.

He'd heard they had a great amusement park.

Julian tossed his hairbrush onto the vanity as the doorchime sounded.

"Come in." He called out as he entered the livingroom.

Dixon stepped inside as the door opened.

"So this is what the quarters on a Cardassian built station look like."

"This is how my quarters look at any rate." Julian grinned.

"You ready?"

"Mmhm. So what are you in the mood for?" Julian asked as they went back into the corridor.

"I could pretty much eat anything and since it's your station..."

"I don't really feel like Klingon..." Julian said wrinkling his nose. "Quark's makes a decent steak with sauteed mushrooms..."

"Sounds good."

"Quark's it is."

Miles looked at the offending diode which was no bigger than his thumbnail.

He shook his head and stowed it in his pocket.

He picked up his tool kit and was checking the next item on his duty roster when he was knocked off his feet.

In Ops Sisko bounded down the steps from his office.

"Report!" He ordered.

"Sensors detected an explosion... habitat ring...

section 15... level 4. Chamber R-7." Kira answered from her console.

"Those are Julian's quarters!" Dax exclaimed.

"Sisko to Bashir!"

There was no reply.

"Computer, locate Dr. Bashir!" Dax requested.

'Unable to locate.'

"Dax, Kira, you're with me! Mr. Worf, you have Ops. Have the Infirmary standing by." Sisko ordered as they boarded the turbolift.

"Aye, sir. Ops to Infirmary."

"Infirmary."

"Be advised you may be receiving casualties from an explosion and that Dr. Bashir may well be among them."

"Understood. We'll be ready, Infirmary out."

Now all the commanding Klingon could do was re-route traffic and wait.

All of his instincts pushed for him to investigate but that was no longer his job but Constable Odo's and he had learned to respect the changeling so he would stay at his post and not interfere unless asked.

Sisko, Dax and Kira stepped off the turbolift and met Odo and two nurses at the cross corridor.

"I'm all right!"

"Let me be the judge of that."

"Julian!" Dax called out relieved.

"Are you all right?" Sisko asked kneeling in front of him.

"I'm fine." He replied shooting a look at Mason who was being handed a tricorder by one of the nurses.

He opened it and scanned Julian thoroughly.

"Minor cranial trauma and a contusion of the greater pectorial muscle."

"Translation?"

"A minor concussion and a bruise on my chest. I told you I was fine. What about my quarters?" Julian replied as he stood with help from Sisko and Mason.

He grimaced not unnoticed.

"Okay?" Dax asked worriedly.

"A little headache. To be expected."

She nodded.

"Major, Constable, locate the Chief and get me a report on this."

The two officers left quickly.

"We'll have to get you a new comm. badge." Dax replied as she picked up the damaged one from the floor.

Julian rubbed his chest where he had the badge just ten minutes before.

"No wonder it hurts." He smiled slightly accepting it from her.

"You both feel up to telling us what happened?" Sisko asked.

"Mason and I, by the way this is Jadzia Dax our head scientist, Jadzia, this is Mason Dixon a former classmate. Anyway, we had just left for Quark's when I hit the wall...quite literally."

"That's pretty much what I remember too... except the wall part and the shaking as I fell to the floor."Mason added as Sisko looked at him.

"Thank God we decided to eat out." Julian sighed looking back at the quiet corridor that showed no evidence of the destruction Julian knew lay behind his door.

"Odo to Sisko."

"Go ahead."

"We found the Chief, he's working on getting a forcefield up so we can get inside. The Major has taken a runabout to get some possible idea's on what happened inside."

"Understood, let us know when that forcefield is up so we can go in and investigate."

"Understood."

"In the meantime you are going to the Infirmary." Mason said taking Julian's arm.

"That isn't necessary." Julian protested.

"Humor me. Besides, you can't do anything here anyway and we can get you healed up."

"Go with him Doctor, that's an order."

"Aye, sir." Julian sighed and reluctantly allowed Mason to lead him away behind his nurses.

"I wonder how long it will be before we get inside?"

"I don't know 'old man', but I have another task for you... find Julian some quarters, he's certainly not going to be staying here."

"I'll get right on it." She answered solemnly.

"Ops to Captain Sisko."

"Yes, Mr. Worf?"

"Captain Gallagher would like to see you in your office."

"I'll be right there."

"Understood, Ops out."

"Sisko to Ensign Nog."

"This is Ensign Nog, sir."

Sisko could imagine the young Ferengi standing at full attention as he answered.

"Report to Dr. Bashir's quarters immediately and bring your sidearm."

"Sir?"

"You have your orders."

"Aye, sir. I'll be there in a minute."

"Why does dad want you to go armed to the Doctor's quarters?" Jake asked sitting up on the couch in the quarters he and Nog shared.

"I don't know." The Ferengi replied slipping on his boots.

"It seems strange... you don't think the Doctor's in trouble do you?" Jake asked as he grabbed his story padd off the table.

"I don't know!" Nog answered as he picked up his phaser and 'holstered' it.

Jake followed him to the door.

"Where are you going?" Nog hissed.

"With you. I want to know what's going on."

"Jake!" Nog griped as he stopped at the open door.

"You'd better hurry my dad is waiting."

Nog turned on his heel and hurried down the corridor.

Jake had no problem keeping up and they reached the Doctor's quarters within minutes.

"Ensign Nog reporting as ordered,sir!"

"You made good time Ensign. Jake." Sisko acknowledged his only child.

"What's going on dad?"

"Ensign, I want you standing guard here until security from the Bradbury arrives. No one but the senior staff is to be given access. Is that clear?"

"Yes,sir!"

"Good. I'll be back shortly."

"Dad? Come on, what's going on?" Jake asked tagging along. "Is the Doctor in some kind of trouble?"

"Ops." Sisko ordered as they borded the turbolift.

"Dad!"

"Computer hold. Jake, when and if there is something to be told I will tell you. For now there is nothing to announce. Computer resume."

"So the Doctor isn't in trouble?"

"Not that we know of."

"Not that you...? Dad, come on, my readers want more than that!"

"Jake, this isn't a news story! Please do not act like a reporter!"

The lift reached Ops.

"Captain Gallagher is in your office sir." Worf rumbled.

Sisko disembarked and headed there.

Jake eyed Worf for a brief moment then called for the Promenade.

If Kira or Dax had been there he might have been let in on what was going on but he knew the imposing Klingon would never tell him.

Maybe I can nose around a bit...rumors are rampant around here and some of them might turn out to be true.

He smiled as he reached the Promenade.

And I know just where to go.

"Captain Sisko, we picked up the explosion on sensors. Was anyone hurt?"

"My CMO was slightly injured."

"I'm relieved to hear it. Is there anything we can do to help?" Captain Gallagher asked.

"We're investigating but thank you for the offer."

"Do you think it could have been the Bajorans?"

"I don't see how, the explosion was in my CMO's quarters."

"A diversion maybe? We both know how adamant they are about postponing their joining the Federation. And most of them are former terrorists."

"I don't see what good bombing Julian's quarters would do them if they were responsible."

"A message."

Sisko shook his head.

"I just don't buy into that theory. I've worked and lived alongside them for a long time now."

"Sometimes we don't know people as well as we think."

"I'm more inclined to look to the Founders or Cardassians but it could have been a faulty plasma conduit just as easily. I simply don't want to speculate before we've thoroughly examined the evidence."

"Odo to Sisko. The forcefield is up, the Chief and I are headed there now."

"Understood, I'll join you shortly."

"Very good, Odo out."

"I'll let you get to your investigation then." Gallagher said as he walked to the door.

Sisko opened it and followed him into Ops.

He nodded to Worf who manned the transporter as the Captain of the Bradbury stepped onto it and disappeared in a hail of lights.

"I'll be in the Doctor's quarters." He told Worf and descended in the turbolift.

"Come on, you must have heard something!"

"What's it worth to you?"

"How 'bout I keep silent about that crate in your storage room?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Quark replied as he tidied up behind the bar.

Fairly convincing too, Jake thought.

"Well, okay...you caught me." Jake replied shrugging and preparing to call the Ferengi's bluff. "I'm sure my dad won't have Odo do some snooping around when I tell him my suspicions." He added and made for the door.

Quark moved faster than Jake thought possible and grabbed the younger Sisko's arm.

"All right! Just keep what you know to yourself and I'll tell you what I heard!" He hissed.

"Deal, spill it!"

"An explosion. One of my customers was routed around the wreckage. He happened to collect some debris which he sold to me for a reasonable price." Quark finished smuggly.

"It's Dr.Bashir's."

"What??"

"It was his quarters."

"Is that so? Wonder how much he'd pay to get it back?" Quark mused stroking his ear.

"Gee, you're all heart Quark!" Jake spat and left.

"Hu-mons." Quark snorted derisively as he went back to the bar.

"What a mess." Dax observed as she stood, hands on hips, just inside the door.

She carefully stepped over the strewn glass and began to search for answers as to what happened.

"Dax." Sisko said coming inside.

"I found Julian some quarters. Double occupancy but they'll do until the Chief can get this place rebuilt."

"You're not kidding Commander." O'Brien replied as he gingerly crossed the forcefield to get to them.

"We're gonna have to rebuild this whole section." He replied shaking his head and frowning.

"Thoughts on what caused this Chief?"

"Well... it was obviously an implosion. Most power conduits would blow outward but with a Cardassian station who the hell can be sure?!?"

"It wasn't a power conduit." Kira said striding in. "The runabout's sensors picked up trace amounts of trilithium."

"So someone wants me dead?"

Everyone turned to see a far better looking Julian than last time he'd been here.

He gingerly walked over to the side table, glass crunching under his feet, and bent down to retrieve the remains of a trophy that sat there.

He looked at it a moment then silently dropped it back to the deck.

They watched as he went into the remains of his bedroom and his shoulders slumped.

"We can replace everything Julian, all that matters is that you're okay." Dax said quietly.

Not everything can be replaced Jadzia, he thought as he rejoined them.

"So what was it? A hunter probe?"

"Possibly." Odo nodded.

"Why would someone want me dead??"

"I was hoping you could tell me." The Constable replied.

"Why Odo, I have hundreds of enemies!!" Julian retorted angrily as he looked around.

"You have at least one." Kira said gently.

"I suppose it could have been Altovar or maybe even a changeling." Julian sighed.

"I don't think a Founder would blow you up." Dax shook her head.

"Altovar on the other hand..." Miles frowned.

"Constable look into it. I'm going to have Captain Gallagher send some security people over to keep others out."

Odo nodded undisturbed by the order for the simple fact that they had less security than normal on the station at the moment and he was glad not to have to worry about the doctor's safety.

"Dax has found you some quarters, let's get you settled in." He told Julian.

"If you find any... personal items please return them to me."

"We will." Kira promised.

Sisko walked him out where they ran into Jake.

"Sorry about your quarters." He said awkwardly.

What do you say to someone who just missed being blow to bits?

"Thanks."

"Um... Quark bought some things from a ship that arrived shortly after..."

"I'll speak to him about returning anything he bought to you." Sisko replied.

"Thank you sir." Julian answered tiredly.

I can't get my hopes up, he thought to himself and grew depressed, sure he would never get it back.

"Let's get to those quarters."

Julian nodded and followed him down the corridor.

"I'm going to have security sassigned to you." Sisko announced and held up a hand to stop any protest. "Someone tried to kill you once and until we find out who and apprehend them you're going to be protected the best we can do."

"Sir? Do you think it could have been Sloan?"

"I don't think bombs are his style." Sisko frowned.

"You're probably right. If he wanted me dead I would have simply vanished never to be heard from again."

Sisko nodded as they reached his temporary quarters where he contacted Worf to put him through to the Bradbury where he requested security for Julian's quarters and for Julian himself.

Julian payed little mind as he toured his "new" quarters and wondered how long before he could move back into his own place.

He stopped by the window and sighed at the view.

"Everything's been taken care of, security will be here soon. I've also ordered a continuous scan of these quarters inside and out." Sisko announced interrupting his maudlin.

Julian nodded but didn't turn to him.

"Are you going to be all right?"

"As long as you find out who attempted to shorten my life before they actually succeed."

"We will." Sisko promised.

"You don't have to stay, I'm sure you have more important things to do... namely get back to work on the negotiations." Julian said looking at him now.

"I know you don't need your hand held, but I'd feel better staying until security arrived."

"Poor Miles... as if he didn't have enough on his duty roster now he has to rebuild my quarters."

The door chime sounded before Sisko could reply.

"Come in." He called for Julian.

"Captain Gallagher sent us, sir." The senior security officer replied as they stepped inside.

"Stay with him at all times." Sisko ordered.

The men nodded solemnly.

"Outside if you please and at the Infirmary as well sir. I think the patients would be a bit reticent seeing me surrounded by security."

"All right, outside then. Keep him safe gentlemen." Sisko ordered as he left.

The security officers took up their posts.

"Come on Nog! What's it look like inside?" Jake badgered as they walked down the corridor.

Nog had been relieved of his assignment once two guards from the Bradbury arrived.

"I didn't see inside Jake!"

"Well my dad gave him other quarters so it had to be bad and my source tells me it was a bomb."

"You source? I thought you wrote fiction Jake!"

"This is a big story! Someone tried to kill Bashir!"

"And you will stay out of it! That is an order from your commanding officer and your father." Sisko said placing a hand on both their shoulders.

"Yes, sir!" Nog replied.

"Dad---"

"I mean it Jake. Unless you'd like to spent a few days in a cell for interfering in an investigation?"

Jake looked at him and realized he wasn't bluffing so he grudgingly agreed to drop his interest in what was going on.

"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to speak to a certain proprietor about some ill gotten items."

"So do you want to play some dom'jot?" Nog asked as Sisko left them and went up the stairs of Quark's.

"Sure, why not?" Jake replied and followed him into the back of the bar.

"Quark."

"Captain, it's a rare pleasure when you grace my establishment. What can I get for you?"

"Items which you recently purchased and that belong to Julian."

"Why Captain, I have no idea what you're taking about." Quark grinned innocently.

"You have one hour to return them." Sisko answered being in no mood to play his game.

Sisko turned around and walked out.

"FROOL!" Quark called.

"Yes,Quark?" The waiter asked shuffling over.

"Watch the bar,I have an errand to run."

"Yes,Quark."

"And I'll know if you take any of the profits!" He hissed as he headed out of the bar.

"Sisko to Dax."

"Go ahead Benjamin."

"Have you found anything else 'old man'?"

"No, but we haven't analyzed our scans yet."

"Bring them up to my office when you're done and get the ones from the runabout as well."

"Understood, Dax out."

Sisko sighed as he waited for the turbolift to reach Ops.

Julian wouldn't be safe until they found the perpetrator and he hoped it would be soon because he doubted his CMO would want to have body guards around for the next several months.

"Odo to Sisko."

"Yes, Constable?"

"I have some information on our prime suspect."

"I'm headed for my office."

"I'll be there shortly, Odo out."

Julian ordered a cup of tea and a sandwich from the replicator then sat down on the couch.

I miss my chair.

Damn you whoever you are!

You took away not only my home but my sense of security!

What right did you have to do that to me?!?

"Come in." He called as the door chime sounded.

"Sorry to disturb you Doctor, but there's a Dr. Dixon here to see you."

"Let him in."

Mason stepped inside a moment later and smiled at him.

"It occured to me that we never had that dinner."

"I'm not really up to Quark's but if you just want to join me in a sandwich help yourself."

"Thanks, think I will." Mason smiled as he helped himself to the replicator as the door chimed again.

"Come in." He called once more thinking how popular he now was.

"Sorry to bother you again but there's a Ferengi out here to see you."

Quark looked around the man and Julian sighed.

"Let him in."

"Thanks." Quark replied coming inside before the man had even turned around.

"Thought I'd drop this off, some things I bought from a ship that picked it up as it drifted from your quarters."

"That was very thoughtful Quark, put it down anywhere." Julian replied not very hospitable.

I'll be damned if he thinks I'm going to reimburse him for my own belongings!

"I'll just put it here then..."

Quark didn't leave after depositing the box.

"Thank you Quark, you can go now."

"Well I---"

"I am just beat, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Uh... okay."

Quark did leave, allbeit reluctantly.

"A gift?" Mason asked as he sat down on the couch.

"Hardly. He thought I would pay to get my property back!"

"Maybe you should look through it."

Julian shook his head.

"Too depressing." He added sipping his tea.

"I'm sorry." Mason said after a moment.

"It's not like you did this to me."

"Any suspects?"

"There's someone being looked into."

"Who in the world would want to kill you?"

"I'm loath to accuse anyone but there was this Lethean who attacked me when I found him trying to steal bio-memetic gel."

"Lethean? Aren't they telepathic?"

"Yes. He left me in a coma to die."

"But you didn't."

"No. A friend of mine said it was because I was strong."

"I'd have to agree with your friend."

"You know, it really is good to have you here."

"Is Ben in his office?"

Worf nodded to his wife as she led the Chief and Major off the turbolift.

They hurried to his office and signalled.

"Come in."

"Benjamin, we have the preliminary report."

"Odo was just telling me what he found out."

"We should let Julian in on this."

"I should have thought of that. Sisko to Bashir, report to my office please."

"I'll be right there sir." Julian answered and shrugged to Mason.

"Good, Sisko out."

"I need to get back to the Bradbury anyway."

"Why don't you come by at 1100 and I'll give you that tour... as long as you don't mind my body guards tagging along." He added rolling his eyes as they stood.

"Who could be safer to be around right now?" Mason joked and walked to the door with him.

The guards stood at attention as they came out.

"Come on guys, I'm off to Ops. I'll see you tomorrow." He said to Mason as they headed for the turbolift.

"Thank you gentlemen." Julian told his guards as they walked him to Sisko's office.

They stood at attention and eyed everyone with suspicion as he went inside.

"I've never been claustrophobic but..." Julian commented as he took a seat next to Dax on the couch.

The whole senior staff was present he noticed.

"Major." Sisko said without preamble.

"Well, as you all know the explosion, implosion rather, came from outside the quarters. There were traces of trilithium in the remaining metal."

Sisko looked to Dax and O'Brien next.

"It was a hunter probe. We found minute traces of its remains in the wreckage Kira scanned." Dax answered.

"The problem is, with a hunter probe it could have been there for hours, possibly even days, without ever being detected. It could have been a remote trigger or even a timer. There just wasn't any way to tell." Miles added, tossing Julian an apologetic look.

"I spoke to the officials at the penal colony where Altovar is a guest. He was questioned but claims no knowledge of the incident. I've started looking into his known associates as well. So far none have turned up on the station inrecent months." Odo added his report.

"That does not disprove his involvement. One of his associates may have set the hunter probe without ever boarding." Worf replied mentally slipping back into a security chief.

"Agreed. Mr. Worf, track down all the ships that have been here since Altovar was arrested for attacking Julian and get their passenger and crew lists."

"Ben, that's thousand of ships." Dax warned.

"We can rule out any Starfleet ships." Kira said helpfully.

"Still..." Dax replied not envying her husband's task.

"That's why you're going to help him 'old man'."

Dax gave her friend a rueful smile over having said anything which got her assigned to the task as well.

At least I'll see Worf a lot!

"I'll let you know who I come up with when it comes through." Odo promised.

"There's a high probability that whoever tried to kill Julian will try again." Kira mentioned.

"I guess my guards will be with me a while longer then." He smiled slightly then sighed.

"Everyone but Julian is dismissed." Sisko announced and watched them file out.

"I know this is tough on you but try and... relax." Sisko finished not finding a better word. "We'll get to the bottom of this. I promise you."

Julian left with his guards in tow while the others worked to save him from his assailant.

He decided to go back to his former quarters and see if he could salvage any of his clothing.

He left the two guards outside with their fellow security from the Bradbury and entered quietly.

Almost seems wrong to be here, it's so quiet.

He was surprised to find that Miles already had a floor in place where the forcefield had been earlier.

It's a lot easier to walk on these than the forcefield, he knew as he opened his closet door.

Thank God the Cardassians use duranium inlay otherwise I'd be at Garak's ordering a new wardrobe!

He picked up a travel bag off the floor and packed it quickly.

He felt a chill crawl up his spine as he turned and could see stars where there had once been a wall.

I like the stars but not when there's nothing but a forcefield between me and them.

He hurried out into the living room and picked up some of the strewn-about padds and sighed deeply as he left.

"Stay here while I check your quarters."

Julian waited patiently outside the doors with the subordinate security officer for nearly five minutes before he was granted access.

"Thank you." Julian grunted as he hefted his bag up and entered.

"We be right here sir."

"That certainly makes me feel safer, good night." Julian replied less than gratefully as the doors closed. "Computer, engage lock."

'Lock engaged.'

Julian walked into the bedroom and dropped his bag on the floor and the padds onto the nightstand.

He changed for bed but wasn't really tired so he went back into the living room and got a cup of tea.

He dropped onto the couch and realized the box Quark had dropped off was still there.

Part of him didn't want to look in it, sure it wasn't there anyway but he knew he'd have to so he retrieved it and sat back down.

He found a dozen items and was surprised at how good of condition they were in.

The one thing he really would have liked to recover wasn't there and he felt depressed.

He dropped everything back into the box and returned his plates and cups from his and Mason's dinner to the reclimator and went to bed..

Part 2

Dreams plagued Julian Bashir... Altovar plagued him.

The hulking Lethean taunted him.

'You can't escape from me Doctor! I've been in your head remember? I know you as well as you know yourself.'

'You think you know me? I survived your attack! You thought you could take all of my strenghts and leave me with nothing but an empty husk! You failed! And you will fail now! I will sterilize you like I did before!'

Altovar rushed out of the darkness where he was lurking and grabbed Julian's head trying to telepathically destroy him.

Julian bolted upright in his bed shaking.

"Lights!"

He looked around the room in confused fear before he recalled where he was and why.

"Computer, time?"

'Zero six-hundred thirty hours.'

Julian climbed out of bed and took a shower since he knew he'd never get back to sleep after that nightmare.

He dressed quickly and ordered a cup of tea while trying to decide what to have for breakfast when a thought occured to him and he walked to the door.

Captain Benjamin Sisko walked down the corridor smiling.

He'd decided as he awoke that he would have breakfast with someone pleasant since he would be in with the diplomats and Kai Winn all day.

His smile turned to a frown as he rounded the corner.

"Computer, locate Dr. Bashir."

'Dr. Bashir is in his quarters.'

Then where the hell are his guards?!?

He ran the rest of the way and pushed the comm. twice in rapid succession and was reaching for his comm. badge to alert Odo to the possibility of a situation when Julian called for him to enter.

He stepped inside and was greeted by a sight he hadn't expected.

"Good morning, sir." Julian smiled to him.

"Um... good morning. I was going to invite you to breakfast but I see you're all ready having it."

"You're really more than welcome to join us."

"We should be getting back to our posts anyway." "Yes, thank you for the breakfast Doctor."

"You're welcome Lieutenant Kent, Ensign Lopez."

The senior security officer nodded crisply to both men and led his partner back outside.

"I was worried when they weren't at their posts."

"I felt sorry for them, after all, they have been out there all night." Julian shrugged.

Of course he would be concerned for their welfare, Sisko realized.

"I'll see about getting someone to relieve them for a few hours."

"That would be good. You mentioned breakfast, would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, thank you."

Julian went and got him a mug of Klingon coffee and refilled his tea cup.

"Help yourself to the pastries." Julian called as he did so.

He handed Sisko his raktajino and joined him on the couch.

"Just the way I like it." He smiled as he took a sip.

"I've lived here seven years, I'm pretty atune to how you take your coffee." Julian joked.

Sisko lifted one of the pastries from the plate and ate in silence a moment.

"I went back and got some clothes last night. Miles had all ready laid floorboards down." Julian mentioned.

"They're going to start rebuilding today so we can have you back there in no time."

"That'll be great. Did anything turn up on Altovar's associates?"

"I haven't spoken to Dax but I'm sure she'll have a report ready for us at the meeting."

Julian nodded and nibbled on the edge of a pastry on his plate.

"You look tired."

"I didn't sleep well."

Sisko had expected as much and certainly understood.

Julian's sense of security had been taken away and he would make every effort to restore it.

They finished breakfast in silence and Julian took the dishes to the reclimator.

Sisko saw the box sitting near-by and reached down removing the item on top.

"This award is presented to Julian S. Bashir,MD.
Graduate Salutatorian in the Starfleet Medical class of 2369."

"Salvage from Quark." Julian replied from the reclimator.

"What does the S. stand for?"

"Subatoi."

"Why does that sound familiar?"

"It's a reference to the Mongol general Subatai.

The spelling got mixed up." He shrugged as he came over.

"We should be getting to the meeting." Sisko said replacing the plaque in the box.

The guards stopped at the door to the Wardroom while Sisko and Julian went inside.

"I bet you love all the attention you're getting." Dax teased as Julian took his seat next to her.

"Oh, yes! I just love guards at my door twenty-six hours a day!" He retorted.

Dax patted his hand and chuckled.

Julian sighed silently at the coldness of it and wished he could feel it all the time.

"Anything on the associates?" Sisko asked getting down to business.

"We found a match, a Zaldan named Rodin." Dax said growing serious.

"I contacted the Zaldan authorities this morning.

It seems Rodin has quite a record... attempted extortion of a government official, dealing in stolen artifacts, dealing in illegal substances... the list goes on." Odo added.

"You didn't mention murder or even attempted murder." Julian replied.

"Doesn't mean he didn't kill." Kira answered.

"Do we have a record of him aboard the station?" Worf asked.

"No, but he was a passenger on a freighter that docked briefly three weeks ago." Odo answered.

"So at the moment he's our main suspect?" Sisko asked.

Odo nodded crisply.

"He could have simply sent out the probe then and set it to explode yesterday." Miles surmised.

"I suppose I was damn lucky." Julian mumbled.

"All right, let's increase security. I want all ships requesting docking to submit a photo I.D. of their passengers and crew. Set the computer to run comparison analysis with Rodin's picture before they are allowed to dock. If they give you any problems tell them it's on my orders. I want him caught before he can finish what he started." Sisko ordered.

"Ops to Captain Sisko."

"Go ahead."

"Kai Winn has arrived, sir."

"Thank you, we'll meet her at the airlock."

"Understood, Ops out."

Kira stood since she would be joining him.

"The rest of you are dismissed." He announced and nodded to Kira who followed him out.

Sisko and Kira stood at the airlock and waited for the Kai Winn and members of the Provisional government to disembark.

He knew his first officer wasn't looking forward to seeing the Kai anymore that he was and neither of them was thrilled about another day of negotiations.

Had he his druthers he would have been involved in keeping Julian safe.

I'll have to leave that up to the others, he thought regretfully as he plastered an insincere smile on his face as Kai Winn stepped aboard.

"Welcome to Deep Space Nine your Eminence." He said stepping forward, repeating the dance from the previous day.

"Thank you Emissary. And your dedication is commendable child." The Kai said including Kira in her phony greeting.

"I serve the Prophets." Kira replied keeping her temper in check.

"As do we all child."

"If you'll follow me, the others are waiting in the Wardroom."

Ops had orders to alert Captain Gallagher and transport them to the Wardroom upon the Bajoran's arrival.

"Tell me Emissary," Winn started as they walked, "we detected damage to the station as we arrived..."

Sisko sighed silently knowing she was snooping for information.

Probably to use against us at a later date if possible!

"We had a minor situation with one of the crew quarters, nothing for all of you to be concerned with."

"I hope Dr. Bashir was uninjured." The devious spiritual leader replied as she glided past.

Sisko exchanged a glance with Kira who frowned at the woman's back.

She knew exactly what had happened before she ever came here, Kira thought furiously.

If I knew who here spies were...!

She shook the thought away as they entered the Wardroom and prepared to negotiate for another day.

Julian looked into the microscope and studied the results then noted them in the patient files and prepared a hypospray loaded with corophizine.

One of Miles' crew contracted Mendakan pox shortly before arriving at DS9.

He appeared that morning with the typical molting skin that indicated the pox which thankfully affected a very small percentage of humans... otherwise he'd have had an epidemic on his hands and he really didn't need that.

Julian picked up the hypospray and headed for the main ward where he nearly ran into Mason.

"Is it eleven all ready?"

"On the dot."

"Let me take care of this patient and we'll go."

Mason nodded and watched him approach a bio-bed with a patient obviously suffering from the pox.

"Your skin should clear up within the hour." Julian told the man as he injected him. "Go ahead and lie down here so we can make sure there are no complications."

The human nodded and Julian pulled Nurse Kirby aside.

"I'm going to be gone a few hours so keep an eye on him. If it doesn't clear up or he has a reaction contact me immediately."

"Yes, Doctor."

He checked the Ensign once more, satisfied with his progress and left for lunch.

"Quark's won't be too busy at this hour so we'll eat there."

"Great, I'm starving."

"Come along gentlemen, we're off to Quark's." Julian announced as they exited the Infirmary and picked up his guards.

"Doctor, it's good to see you."

"Thank you Quark and thank you again for bringing my personal items by last night."

"Glad to be of help. So, can I get a table for you and your friends?"

Julian knew Quark was ribbing him about the guards.

"If you could get us two tables that would be perfect." Julian smiled not allowing the Ferengi to get to him.

Quark grinned and started forward but Julian was halted by Kent.

"Let me do a quick check of the premises sir."

Julian sighed but nodded and shrugged apologetically to Mason who shook his head at his friend.

He didn't think someone would try to kill him here -- Quark's dishes on the other hand...

When Kent had cleared any threats he and his partner sat down at a table near Julian.

"I'm really sorry about this Mason."

"You kidding? You're the safest guy to be around!" Julian chuckled as Mason grinned.

"So what can I get you Doctor?"

"Red leaf tea and a club sandwich."

"A synthale and a rubin." Mason answered as Quark glanced at him.

He wrote the orders down then moved onto the guards.

"What about you two?"

"Nothing." Kent answered scanning the bar suspiciously.

"If you're going to take up space in my bar you have to order!" Quark grumbled.

Kent glanced at him cooly.

"Bring them some sandwiches and Terran coffee." Julian ordered.

"Doctor we're--"

"On duty. So am I but I am still eating and you need to do the same. Put it all on my tab Quark."

"Will do." Quark replied and hurried away before Julian could change his mind.

"Do you remember Professor Chaney?"

"First year exobiology." Julian nodded as he nursed his tea after finishing his sandwich.

"We used to call him 'Chewy Chaney' because he always had gum."

"Not just any gum though, do you remember how awful it smelled?!?" Julian asked making a face.

"He still chews it! He was at the medical convention you missed."

"It couldn't be helped." Julian shrugged.

"Medical emergency?"

"Something like that."

Sloan was in need of help all right!

"So how have things been going for you?" Julian asked.

"Not as well as for you. A wormhole that leads to the Gamma Quadrant right outside your door--"

"Which also happens to be on the front lines of a war!"

"We fought a few battles ourself." Mason answered tiredly.

"It's been hell." Julian agreed. "Just between us, sometimes I wish we'd never ventured into the Gamma Quadrant."

"And other times?" Mason prompted.

"I've met some really wonderful people there." Julian admitted thinking of Ekoria and Garan'Agar, who was quite noble in his own way.

"Well, if your finished what do you say to that tour?" Julian asked pushing his maudlin thoughts away.

"I say let's do it." Mason smiled.

Kent stood in anticipation.

"Well gentlemen, let me give you a grand tour of what I dare call the Alpha Quadrant's busiest space station."

Dax turned as the turbolift entered Ops and smiled at its passengers.

"And this is Ops, the nerve center of DS9."

"Very impressive. And very different from the Bradbury."

"I imagine so." Dax replied as they descended the stairs.

"You remember Commander Dax?"

"Of course, good to see you again."

"And this is our Strategic Operation's Officer, Commander Worf."

Worf glanced at them then turned back to his console uninterested.

"Don't take it personally, I don't believe he's ever smiled." Julian teased. "Ah, this is our head engineer, Miles O'Brien who I was under the impression was going to be working on my quarters today."

O'Brien shook Mason's hand.

"I was on my way back when you came up!" Miles grumbled and headed for the steps. "Nice to meet you formally Dr. Dixon." He called as he boarded the turbolift.

"Likewise Chief O'Brien."

"Any word on the negotiations Dax?"

"I haven't spoken to Benjamin but I'm sure they'll be breaking for lunch soon."

"I feel sorry for he and Kira."

Dax smiled as he turned back to Mason.

"Well, you've seen pretty much everything, what do you think?"

"From the reports I've read about this station before the Federation arrived it's pretty impressive."

"We think so." Dax answered eliciting a laugh from Julian.

They all turned as the turbolift entered Ops carrying Kira.

Julian smiled and shook his head at Dax's timing.

"I take it things aren't going well?" She asked the Bajoran second in command.

Kira rolled her eyes as she walked to the Ops table and dropped into her seat.

"We have to be back in two hours and before you ask the Captain is in Quark's getting lunch. Is there something you needed Julian?" Kira asked catching sight of his entourage.

"I was just showing Mason around."

Kira sighed but nodded.

"Ship coming through." Dax announced.

"On screen." Kira ordered turning to the main viewer.

All of Ops watched as the wormhole spiraled open and the ship flew out.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Julian grinned as the wormhole closed.

Mason nodded tearing his eyes from the screen.

"What's she like inside?" He asked.

"Quite a sight. You should see it, the verterons are incredible."

"I wish I could see it."

"I'll see what I can do."

"I'd really like that." Mason smiled.

"Thank you for transmitting your passenger list, we need a moment to check it, please stand by." Dax ordered.

"Scanning." Worf added.

"What are they doing?" Mason asked.

"Seeing if my assailant is on board." Julian answered folding his arms to wait for the answer.

"I can't beleive you're so calm! I'd be a nervous wreck if someone were trying to kill me!"

"Well, if it's my time to go... and it's not the first time I've faced my own mortality." Julian shrugged.

"I'd like to hear about it." Mason answered seriously.

"DS9 to Vulcan ship T'Mak, you are cleared for docking." Dax announced as the scans turned up negative.

"You play darts?" Julian asked Mason as he ushered his group back onto the turbolift feeling just a bit less worried.

"Beginning procedures now." Dax said as the turbolift dropped out of sight.

"Afternoon Captain, Kira said you were here."

"Doctors." Sisko nodded to the two physicians as they entered the bar.

"While you're here sir, I'd like to take Mason through the wormhole before he leaves."

"I doubt that will be anytime soon." Sisko sighed.

"Let me know when and I'll have the Chief prep. the Rio Grande."

"Thank you, sir."

Sisko nodded and left while Julian retrieved the darts from behind the bar.

The melody of the jazz piano floated through the Captain's quarters having a soothing effect on the head of the station.

He sighed softly as the chime to the door sounded.

"Come in." He called as he opened his eyes and sat up.

"Hey, dad." Jake grinned as he strode in.

"To what do I owe this rare pleasure?"

"Nog and I were talking and we want to throw the Doctor a 'welcome back to your old quarters' party once he moves back in."

"That's very considerate of you and Nog." Sisko smiled proudly.

"So is that a yes?"

"Yes."

"Great. Nog and I will take care of everything."

Jake replied as he headed for the door.

"Hold up Jako! Can't you even spend some time with your old man?"

"Nog and I have a lot to do before then!"

"All right, go on." Sisko sighed.

"See you later." Jake called as he left.

Sisko sighed again as the door closed behind his son.

He stood and slipped his jacket back on as he stopped the piano music.

He zipped it up, pulled it taut and threw his shoulders back as he headed for the door.

Time to wade back into the quagmire.

"Good game Mason, you almost caught up at the end."

"Yeah, but you still beat me!"

"I play every week after all." Julian chuckled as they reached the Infirmary.

"Thanks for lunch and the tour Julian, I had a great time."

"So did I and I'll let you know about the wormhole."

"Okay, I might stop by later if we aren't busy."

"Great, I'll see you later then."

Mason waved slightly as he started down the Promenade.

"Make yourselves comfortable gentlemen, I'll be here the rest of the afternoon."

Kent nodded and they took up sentry at the door.

"I see the Ensign has gone." Julian said as he entered the mainward.

"Yes, he felt fine and the pox healed so I released him and told him to come back tomorrow for a follow-up with you."

Julian nodded as he scanned the padd Kirby had handed him with her report.

"I'll put it in his file then, thank you."

Nurse Kirby nodded and smiled at him.

"I'll be in my office if you need me."

"Yes, Doctor."

Julian stood and stretched glancing at the chronometer.

He was surprised to find he'd worked four hours straight... and without any interruptions to go to the mainward.

He shook his head amazed as he sipped his warm Klingon coffee.

That has to be a record.

"HEY JULIAN!"

Bashir's hand jerked sending coffee down the front of his uniform.

Julian cursed silently as he reached for a cloth when Miles rushed in.

"Did you hear?" He asked breathlessly.

"Hear what?" Julian asked icily as he wiped the stain.

"The Federation and Bajorans reached an agreement!"

"That's good news, so when do we get our people back?"

"Everyone has to agree to it first but that seems to be a minor formality."

"So what are the details?"

"I haven't heard but the Captain's throwing a reception in the Wardroom. All senior officers are to report in dress uniform."

"That's good because this one will have to get cleaned." Julian replied glaring at Miles.

"I just wanted to let you know. I have to get back to work, see you there." Miles called oblivious to the mess he'd caused.

Julian sighed as he dropped the cloth onto the console and realized Miles hadn't told him when the reception was.

"Dax to Bashir."

"Go ahead Jadzia."

"Good news, the negotiations worked out."

"Yes, I know, Miles just told me. He mentioned a reception but forgot to tell me when."

"Then I'll be happy to tell you it is at 1900 in the Wardroom."

"Thanks Dax, I'll see you there."

"You're welcome, Dax out."

That's a little over an hour... I need to shower and drop this uniform off at Garak's.

He took his near empty cup back to the reclimator and left to change.

"Come in."

"Details Benjamin, details!" Dax demanded as she entered his quarters.

"I took your advice." He smiled as she dropped down next to him on the couch.

"My advice?"

"I found something they both want."

"Which was?"

"Bajor in the Federation. The problem between Bajor and the Federation was over when they were to join. The federation wanted it now and Bajor wanted to wait for the Prophets approval."

"So how did they compromise?"

"I convinced the Federation and Bajor to let me decide."

"That couldn't have been easy."

"No, but they all know I'm in the middle as a Starfleet officer and the Emissary which makes me partial to both and I convinced them I wanted what's best for all of us and since the Federation put me down here and the Prophets chose me as their Emissary I have an insight they don't."

"Did the Federation Council ever give you a reason for the push to get Bajor to join now?"

"I have no doubts it has to do with the Dominion."

"Could Starfleet be looking to put troops on Bajor?"

"It's a possibility." Sisko nodded.

"I can't imagine they'll be thrilled about that."

"Probably not," He agreed, "but if it keeps the Dominion away from their door..."

Dax nodded thoughtfully.

They'd all had their fill of the Dominion!

"Well, I'd better get going so I look presentable for the reception."

"I doubt you could ever look unpresetable 'old man'." Sisko grinned as he walked her to the door.

"Thank you Benjamin."

"Any word on Rodin?" He asked as she stepped out.

"We've had six ships come through but he hasn't turned up." She sighed apologetically.

"I don't suppose we could get lucky there too."

Dax shrugged and left him there with no answer.

At least one problem is taken care of, he thought as he let the door close with a small amount of relief.

Kent scanned the corridor alertly.

The Doctor's quarters were secure, but we'll need to sweep the tailor shop.

The Security officer here will have the Wardroom secure.

Most likely we'll be leaving here tomorrow and Bajoran security will take over this detail.

A shame really, he's the easiest person I've ever been assigned to.

Kent snapped his head to the right and motioned for his partner to check out the noise he'd heard.

Andress pulled his weapon and walked cautiously to the corridor where he swung his phaser around it then shook his head as he reholstered the weapon and disappeared around the corner.

Kent watched anxiously for him to return and nearly called him when he didn't return after a few minutes.

He gripped his phaser and briefly thought about pursuing Andress when his senses kicked in and reminded him his first priority was Bashir.

He sighed and relaxed when Andress reappeared.

"Who's your friend?"

"He didn't tell me his name. He was trying to get into the access tunnel."

Kent reached out to ruffle the grey and white cat's fur and it hissed at him.

"Why do you think I'm holding it like this?" Andress asked holding the cat by the scruff of the neck at arm's length.

Kent frowned at them and spun around at the crash from inside Julian's quarters.

"Computer, override lock! Kent, security clearance Starfleet, Alpha, six, three, one, black!"

The doors slid apart and both men ran in weapons drawn, cat forgotten.

They skidded to a halt when they reached the bedroom.

"Are you all right, sir?"

Julian nodded breathing hard.

"You'd better get Odo down here...tell him we have my assailant."

"I'll notify the Captain." Odo said as the two security officers transported the Zaldon to the station's brig.

"No."

Odo looked at Bashir surprised.

"At least wait until the receptions over. You and I both know he'll want to see Rodin himself."

"I'm sure he'll have questions." Odo agreed. "I also need you to make out a report."

"I'll do that after the reception as well." Julian answered as he slipped into his dress coat.

Odo watched him snap it closed and check his appearance in the mirror.

Julian smoothed his coat satisfied.

"Shall we go?" He asked as he picked up his coffee sodden uniform. "I need to drop this at Garak's." He added before Odo could ask.

"Doctor... you don't have to pretend with me. It's clear you're shaken by what's happened."

"Actually, I'm quite relieved it's over. Rodin will stand trial and hopefully be convicted and spend the next several years in a Federation penal colony.

And I'm not naive enough to believe this is over. Altovar will simply send someone else. But I refuse to live my life in fear of him! I will be careful, take precautions... but he will not control how I live my life!"

Odo nodded in silent respectfulness.

"We'd better get going before the Captain wonders where we are."

"I don't see Julian or Odo." Miles mentioned as he picked up a glass of champagne from the table.

"That guard said Odo was called away about twenty-five minutes ago and left him in charge."

Leave it to Dax to know what was going on.

"I have to get one of those drinks." Kira said as she slipped between her colleagues and grabbed a glass.

"I saw you over with Kai Winn and the government officials." Dax smirked as she picked up her own glass.

"That's why I need the drink!"

Dax and Miles both chuckled.

"I'd better rescue Benjamin then, excuse me."

They watched as she made her way to her friend, grabbing Worf's arm on the way and dragging him with her.

If Worf couldn't break it up they knew no one could.

Julian and Odo entered the Wardroom and Odo went directly to the officer he'd left in charge.

Julian glanced around the room and sighed.

He would have preferred relaxing in his quarters letting all the tension and worry of the last few days evaporate rather than being here with a bunch of pretensious backslappers...like Kai Winn.

"Look like you could use this."

"Thanks Nerys." Julian smiled accepting the champagne glass.

Jadzia Dax bumped Sisko's elbow lightly and nodded toward Julian who'd just arrived.

"Please excuse me, I need to speak with Dr. Bashir a moment."

"Emissary--" Winn started haughtily.

"Kai Winn, the Captain tells me you were extremely instrumental in bringing the negotiations to a successful end."

"The Emissary is very generous with his credit." The Kai smiled like a proud peacock.

Never underestimate the flattery of Curzon Dax.

"I would be very interested in hearing your part in it." Jadzia smiled ignoring the gutteral growl of her lover.

"Congratulations, sir."

"Thank you, Julian."

"Any idea how soon the Bajorans will be coming back?" Julian asked looking from Sisko to Kira and back again.

"My guess would be tomorrow." Kira answered.

"Good. I miss Jabara and the rest of my staff."

"We all miss them." Sisko said agreeably.

"Hey, Odo."

"Chief."

O'Brien and he watched the pairings around the room in silence for a moment.

"So, how much longer will Julian have to be dogged by security? It must be driving him crazy."

"Not much longer, at least this time. Please excuse me." Odo said and left as Kira approached.

He watched Odo corner Quark and was puzzled by what he'd just said.

"Problem Chief?" Kira asked as she started to fill a plate of food from the buffet table.

"I just asked Odo about Julian's guards and he implied he wouldn't be needing them much longer."

"Maybe Ood's got a line on the Zaldon." Kira shrugged as she chewed on a carrot.

"I wonder if Julian knows?"

Kira shook her head and they watched their friend with the Captain.

"If you'll excuse me sir, I'm starving."

"I think I'll join you, it's been a while since lunch."

Julian nodded and handed the Captain a plate then began to fill his own.

"I was not aware the assassin had been caught!" Worf scowled at the Chief.

"That's what Odo implied." Miles shrugged.

"Perhaps Jadzia knows."

"When you find out let me know." Miles called as the imposing Klingon moved away.

"Quark! What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm serving food Odo!" Quark retorted.

"And undoubtedly trying to pick up information! Move it along!"

"Odo, it might behoove you to be nicer to me, after all, how many times have I given you information? Huh?"

Odo took hold of his elbow.

"It would behoove you to walk away from here now before I place you in a cell for eavesdropping!" The changeling replied and drug him away from the table where several provisional government had gathered.

"They caught Rodin?!? Benjamin didn't tell me anything!"

"It appears the Captain has told no one."

"I'm going to ask him!"

Worf followed Dax to the table where Sisko was, picking up Kira and Miles along the way.

"Why didn't you tell us Julian was safe now?"

"Dax?" Sisko asked confused.

"The Zaldan, Rodin? Why didn't you let us know he'd been caught? We were all worried about Julian, you knew that!"

"This is the first I've heard about it."

Dax eyed him and decided he really didn't know after all and had the decency to look chagrined by her accusations.

But Sisko didn't notice since he was looking at Julian who was across the room conversing with a couple of Federation diplomats.

Does he know?

"Excuse me Emissary."

"Yes, Kai Winn?"

"The council and I are preparing to leave since we have a three hour trip back to Bajor."

"The Major and I will walk you back to your ship."

Winn nodded approvingly and led Sisko and Kira to the door.

"So is it true?" Quark asked.

"Is what true?" Dax replied.

"That Bashir's assassin is in custody." Quark answered as he placed his empty tray on the table.

"How'd you find out?!?" Miles demanded.

"Frool told me when he brought more champagne."

Dax sighed and knew Quark's sources were better than anyones.

She looked around for confirmation from Odo but he wasn't there and she figured he must have gone with Kira and Sisko.

"What's everyone doing over here hiding, you should be mingling." Julian chided as he started away with another glass of champagne.

"Not so fast." Jadzia replied catching his arm and giving him an arched look.

"I'm glad she's gone." Kira confided to Sisko and Odo as the airlock rolled closed.

"I couldn't agree more Major. Now I can turn my attention to finding out exactly when you caught Julian's assassin." Sisko replied giving Odo a pointed look.

"How did you all find out?"

"Worf told me." Dax answered.

"The Chief." Worf replied on Julian's look.

"Odo." Miles answered.

"I had to find out from my waiter." Quark sulked.

"None of you were supposed to find out... at least not until after the reception. I didn't want to take away from the Captain's success. I suppose the next time I ask Odo not to tell the Captain something I'll have to make sure he understands that it includes everyone else too."

"Sisko to Bashir."

"Go ahead sir."

"Meet me in the security office."

"On my way."

"We want the whole story!" Dax called as he left.

"Tomorrow, I promise." He answered as the doors closed.

"Hey Julian, I heard about the negotiations, your Captain must be pleased." Mason said as he fell along side Julian on the Promenade.

"Yeah, he is. We also caught my assassin, he's in lock-up."

"I'd like to see the guy who's been making your life hell."

"I'm headed there now, come on.".

Part 3

Sisko and Odo turned as the door to the security office opened to admit Julian and Mason.

"Let's have a chat with our suspect." Sisko ordered.

Julian and Mason followed them inside the holding area.

"Anything from him?" Odo asked Bashir's guards.

"He came to, saw us, then rolled over putting his back to us about fifteen minutes ago. He hasn't moved since." Kent answered.

Sisko stepped over to the cell.

"I have some questions for you."

"The Zaldan didn't stir."

"Step back Captain." Odo ordered as he reached for the forcefield release.

Kent and Andress stepped closer with weapons drawn as the forcefield was deactivated and Odo stepped inside.

"Wake up, time to answer some questions." Odo said shaking the alien.

The man didn't move so Odo shook him harder causing the Zaldan to roll onto his back, left arm flopping out, head lolling to the side.

Before anyone could protest Julian was checking the alien's pulse.

"He's dead." Julian announced turning to Sisko.

"Any ideas on the cause?"

"There doesn't appear to be any self-inflicted wounds... I'll know more once I've done an autopsy."

Sisko nodded.

He hated putting Julian in that position after what the being had done to him.

"Bashir to Infirmary."

"Go ahead Doctor." Kirby answered.

"Set up for a post-mortem, I'll be there shortly."

"Aye, sir. Kirby out."

"Use a hand?" Mason asked.

"Sure. I'll contact you for transport once we're ready." Julian told Odo who nodded.

"I expect a full report when you're finished."

"I'll deliver it personally." Julian promised his CO.

"I'll be in the Wardroom if you need me." Sisko announced once the doctors had left.

"Did Rodin admit to working for Altovar?" Dax asked without preamble when Sisko walked in.

"Rodin didn't admit to anything and never will. He's dead."

"Dead?" Kira asked surprised.

"Suicide?" Miles asked.

"Julian's doing an autopsy to determine the cause."

"Man, working on the guy who tried to kill him.... must be tough." Miles shook his head unenvious.

"At least it's over." Dax sighed.

"Until Altovar sends someone else." Worf reminded.

"Let's hope he realizes it won't be so easy to get to Julian." Sisko replied as he turned and saw the diplomats coming over.

"Let's hope you're right." Jadzia replied and put on her most charming smile to greet them with.

"I have the toxicology report." Kirby announced.

Julian read it and nodded.

"Just like we thought from his liver damage. I think we can officially list it as the cause of death." He announced as he sewed Rodin back up.

He peeled his gloves off and made a notation on the padd.

"Put it in my files, I'll do the official report tomorrow." He ordered Kirby who nodded.

"I could use a drink." Mason replied stripping off his gown.

"I have to report to the Captain and Odo but how 'bout if we meet at Quark's in half-an-hour?"

"Sounds good."

"I'll see you there."

Sisko and Kira boarded the turbolift after having seen the diplomats back to the Bradbury.

"I'm glad that's over." Kira sighed.

"All of it." He agreed as they headed for the habitat ring.

"Do you really think Altovar will send someone else?" She asked worriedly.

She hated to think Julian was still in danger.

"If he's that determined..." Sisko replied as the turbolift came to a halt.

"I think he'll wait until our guard's down. It's what I'd do." She answered as they stepped off.

"Then we'll just have to make sure he doesn't see our guard down at all. Good night Major." Sisko replied as he reached his quarters.

"Night sir."

Sisko stepped inside and unbuttoned his dress uniform.

"I'danian spice pudding." He ordered from the replicator as the doorchime sounded. "Come in."

Julian stepped inside.

"Pudding?" Sisko offered.

"No, thank you."

"What did you find?" Sisko asked sitting on the couch.

"Cyladon. It's a poison. The toxicology scan detected it and a check of his liver confirmed the results."

"So he poisoned himself."

"Appears so."

"You know this probably isn't over."

"I refuse to let Altovar control my life."

"I admire your strength."

"Thank you sir, if you'll excuse me I need to give Odo my report as well. Oh, do you know when the Bradbury will be leaving?"

"They're leaving for Bajor at 1100."

"That'll give me time to give Mason that trip through the wormhole, if you give me permission."

"I'll speak to the Chief. How's 0830 sound?"

"Fine, thank you sir."

Sisko walked him to the door and watched a moment as he walked down the corridor.

"Computer, lock the door." Sisko ordered as he headed for bed.

"So you got out of the shower and were dressing when you got a feeling someone was behind you?"

"That's when I turned and saw the knife. He came toward me and we fought. I had to hit his hand against the wall a number of times before he dropped the weapon, then I flipped him and gave him a blow to the back of the head which knocked him out cold."

"He never said anything?"

"No, but I felt his intention was pretty clear."

Odo nodded and placed it in his report.

"I have a question though."

Odo looked up at him.

"If my quarters were under continuous scan, how did he get inside without detection?"

"I've done some checking on that and the sensors in that area had been tampered with so they would read normal."

"So he could have conceivably been there the entire time I was?"

"Possibly."

"Then why didn't he kill me in my sleep?"

"He's the only one who could have answered that."

Julian nodded and sighed deeply as he stood.

"I need to meet Mason at Quark's so I'll see you tomorrow."

Odo nodded and opened the door from his desk as Julian left.

"A refill?"

"Yeah, and bring one for Julian too." Mason replied as he spotted Bashir.

"Coming right up." Quark replied shooting Bashir a sulky look as he joined Mason.

"Everything taken care of?"

"Yeah. What do you think about a wormhole trip at 0830?"

"I'm not sure when we're leaving."

"1100 for Bajor."

"You know my schedule better than I do!" Mason grinned.

"I have a high ranking source." Julian smiled.

"I'll clear it with the Captain if he says okay I'll meet you at your quarters at 0815?"

"Perfect." Julian answered as he took a sip of the synthale Quark had delivered a moment before.

"So tell me about Bajor." Mason requested.

Julian got back to his quarters over an hour later having spent that time discussing Bajor's customs, religious beliefs, etc.

He slipped his jacket off and sighed.

I'll miss Mason, it's been nice to have someone to talk to about work and the 'old days'.

He changed into his pajamas, another salvaged item from his closet, and climbed into bed to read a proposal for a new holoprogram Felix wanted his opinion on.

Set in the sixties, a fully interactive Las Vegas lounge singer... self-aware?

"I'm impressed Felix. I can't wait to see it." Julian mused.

So what's a good name for a lounge singer?

"Vic! Vic what though?"

He placed the padd on the side table and slid underneath the covers.

"Maybe if I sleep on it. Computer, lights."

The room got dark and Julian fell asleep quickly.

"And I think the name 'Vic Fontaine' would be perfect. Come in." Julian called when the doorchime sounded.

Mason stepped inside and Julian held up a finger for him to wait a moment.

"I look forward to engaging in it when it's completed so send me a copy. Thanks, Julian. Computer, send this off now."

"Ready?" Mason asked.

Julian grabbed his jacket and slipped it on as he stood.

"Let's go." He smiled.

Julian ran through the pre-flight checklist while Mason settled into the co-pilot's chair.

"Ops to Rio Grande."

"Go ahead Jadzia."

"You're cleared for departure whenever you're ready Julian."

"Thank you Jadzia."

Julian keyed the console and the runabout's platform began to rise taking them up into open space.

"Don't wander too far into Dominion space Julian." Sisko added.

"We won't sir, just a quick trip through the wormhole and back again."

"Good, enjoy yourselves and hurry home."

"We will sir, Rio Grande out."

"I won't be able to make it to your party."

"Why not?" Dax asked looking up from her console.

"I'm meeting with Shakaar." Kira answered.

"Are you and he--"Dax started but was interrupted by her console beeping. "Something's coming through the wormhole."

"On screen." Sisko ordered as he heard her while exiting his office.

Sisko, Dax and Kira watched as the wormhole spun open and a ship exited.

"It's the Rio Grande." Dax announced.

"They weren't gone very long." Kira mused.

By her calculations it had only been maybe twenty-five minutes.

"Julian did say it would be a quick trip." Dax replied.

"Ops to Rio Grande, you're cleared for landing pad C." Kira announced.

Dax looked up puzzled when they received no response.

Sisko touched a control on the Ops table.

"DS9 to Rio Grande, please respond."

"Benjamin, they're at impulse." Dax realized.

No ship had to travel at impulse once they were refitted.

"Get a tractor on her Dax. Major, you're with me. Sisko to Odo."

"Go ahead Captain."

"Meet Kira and I at runabout pad C." He ordered.

"I'll be there when you arrive."

"Benjamin--"

"I'll let you know 'old man'."

Dax nodded as she watched the lift drop out of sight.

She had a very bad feeling and hoped Julian was all right.

Sisko and Kira met up with Odo and two of his Bajoran deputies at pad C.

"Dax to Sisko, the runabout is secure and you're cleared for entry."

"Understood."

Sisko keyed the lock and the door opened.

Kira pulled her phaser uneasily.

They proceeded to the runabout and Sisko put in his override access code and the door slid open.

Odo went first followed closely by Sisko and Kira.

Sisko bent down and touched the deck.

"Fresh blood." He announced and stood.

"There." Odo pinted and followed the trail of blood into the back where they stopped in shock and revulsion.

Kira was the first to recover and quickly stepped over the decapitated body of Mason Dixon to reach Julian.

"He's lost a lot of blood." She said checking him.

"Sisko to Ops, lock onto us and transport Julian to the Infirmary and Dixon to the morgue!"

"Benjamin?"

"Now Dax!"

"Energizing."

The transporter sparkled over Sisko, Kira, Julian and Dixon and they disappeared leaving Odo and his two deputies to put together the pieces of how one man was decapitated and the other left unconscious and bleeding, possibly to death.

Kirby glanced up from her console as the transporter beam deposited Sisko, Kira and her unconscious boss on the floor of the Infirmary.

She grabbed the tricorder and rushed over as Jabara came from the back upon hearing the transporter and joined her.

"Deep lacerations to both the arm and shoulder." Kirby announced.

"He's starting to go into hypo-volemic shock!" Jabara added.

"Get 2 cc's of delactovine into him!" Kirby ordered.

"We'll suture and blood bag him." Jabara agreed.

"Let's move him to the bed." Kirby replied as orderlies came over quickly and lifted him onto the bio-bed.

Sisko and Kira stood near-by worried and feeling completely helpless as Julian's staff worked on him.

"What happened to him?" Jadzia asked softly as she arrived and saw her friend's still body being attended to by his staff.

Sisko shook his head, never taking his eyes off Julian.

"We don't know." Kira answered.

What seemed like hours but in reality was only twenty minutes later, Jabara and Kirby nodded to each other and Jabara came over to tell them how he was.

"Captain, the doctor is very weak from all the blood he's lost and he's still unconscious of course, but we have managed to stabilize him, which is very good."

"When do you think he'll regain consciousness?" Dax asked.

"It could be hours or days, there's no way to tell. We'll be keeping a very close eye on him." Jabara added.

Sisko knew they would, especially since he was not only their boss but their friend.

"Thank you, Jabara."

"I need to get back to him." The head nurse replied.

"Major, return to Ops. Dax, stay with Julian. I'm going to see what Odo's found out."

The women nodded and Dax pulled over a chair to Julian's bedside as they left.

She sat about a meter away so as not to get in the way of the staff still tending to him.

He looked so fragile like this, but of course he wasn't.

Julian had faced many trials and came through because he was mentally strong.

She had no doubts he would survive this trauma too... she hoped.

"Constable."

"Captain." Odo nodded.

"Any idea what happened here?" Sisko asked studiously avoiding the pool of blood as he stepped into the back where the two men had been found.

"I found this knife." Odo answered holding it up for Sisko to see. "It contains Dr. Bashir's blood and Dr.Dixon's DNA and fingerprints."

He lead Sisko to the main cabin. "If I'm right, Dr. Dixon attacked Dr. Bashir with it twice, once here, you can see the blood on the seat and the console, then somehow Bashir made it back to the weapons locker where he appears to be attacked again. The blood trail leads to the back where we found them. The knife was in the proximity of Dixon's body and a phaser was on the bed... it had been fired. It would appear Dixon attacked Bashir and Bashir killed him with the laserscalpel... though why he didn't just use the phaser is beyond me."

"Hopefully Julian will be able to tell us himself soon. He's still unconscious and could be for days."

Odo nodded thoughtfully.

Sisko turned to leave when Odo stopped him.

"There is one thing... if Dr.Dixon did indeed try to kill Dr. Bashir, which I have no doubt of given the available evidence, it's very likely he's been behind it from the beginning."

"Using Altovar as a scapegoat. Once he got Julian alone he was free and clear to finish his plot."

"He must have had a plan to get away with it." Odo surmised.

"Maybe Julian can fill us in on that too."

Sisko was there when Julian awoke two days later.

He was sitting near-by reading the day's reports as he had done the day before when Julian cried out and sent his arms flailing.

Sisko jumped up and grabbed his wrists so he wouldn't hurt himself and got a wild arm in the side of the head instead.

"JULIAN! WAKE-UP!" He shouted as the nurses came running.

"NO!" Julian screamed.

His eyes flew open as a hypo-spray hissed into his neck.

They darted around fearfully until he caught sight of Sisko.

"It's all right Julian." He soothed as he would when Jake had a bad dream.

Sisko released his wrists and Julian lowered them to his chest.

"Do you know where you are?" Jabara asked.

Julian closed his eyes a moment to calm himself.

"Infirmary." He answered softly.

"Good. What's my name?" She asked.

Julian opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"It's good to have you back nurse Jabara."

"It's good to be back Dr. Bashir." She responded. "He's going to be fine." She told Sisko without taking her eyes off Julian.

"Thank you Jabara." He replied.

The nurse nodded and left them.

"Feel up to talking?"

"Tired." Julian mumbled as he began to close his eyes.

"I know you are, but we really need to know what happened."

Julian sighed deeply but opened his eyes and nodded.

"Sisko to Odo, Julian's awake."

"I'll be right there."

"I know this won't be easy for you, especially after what we found, but it needs to be done. If you just want to tell us the whole story instead of being questioned that's fine."

"It would be easiest."

"I thought it might."

"Your head's bruised."

"It'll heal."

"Have Jabara take care of it."

"When we're finished."

"Now. Before it swells too much...besides, I need to organize my thoughts anyway."

"All right, just don't go back to sleep on me." Sisko smiled.

When he returned Odo was there.

"Preliminary report: Dr. Julian Bashir's statement of the incidents which took place on stardate 11762.8" Odo finished and nodded to Julian.

"I'm just going to recount what happened if you could save any questions until I'm finished?"

"Agreed." Odo repled and readied his padd to jot down any questions he might come up with.

"It started when we left for the wormhole..."

'Here we go.' 'Wow!' Mason said as the wormhole opened.

'Isn't this just amazing? I never get tired of it.'

'How long does it last?'

'We're almost through.'

"As if prophetically the wormhole spun itself out into the Gamma Quadrant.

We exited and I pointed out Idran to him.

He stood and moved to the science console, I wasn't really paying attention to him as I was keeping my eyes on the sensor readings for Jem'Hadar."

'You were right Julian.'

'About what?'

'You shouldn't have been salutatorian!'

"I turned in my seat in shock at the hatred in his voice. I felt the knife slice into my right shoulder and I can tell you it hurt like hell! Mason came at me again but I saw an opportunity and kicked out hitting Mason in the abdomen which sent him stumblig backward. I pushed out of my chair and made it to the weapons locker. I got it open and had my hand on a phaser when he sliced my left arm. The pain was...intense and I slid to the floor. I tried to stop the bleeding and to talk to Mason too."

'Why are you doing this?!?'

'Why? You lied and cheated and YOU stole my place! I should have given that speech with Elizabeth Lense! I should have had DS9!'

'You were behind it the whole time weren't you? It wasn't Altovar at all!'

'It was really easy you know. All I had to do was pay Rodin. You all fell for it, you all believed he was working for Altovar... just like I'd planned.'

'You killed him too didn't you?'

'I told him the pill would make it appear he had died and he could escape on the way back to his homeworld... but oops... I slipped him cyladon instead.'

"Mason laughed, he was totally insane."

'How did you plan to explain my death?'

"I had to know."

'Well now, once they find the wreckage, Sisko and the others will believe we both parrished in a warpcore breach and once they return to the station they'll find bombs planted on both warpcores of the other runabouts.'

'They'll assume...Rodin...planted them.'

'Exactly. I'll simply transport to the ship I had him deposit here a few weeks ago on a moon less than a light year away. I'll return to the Alpha Quadrant with the satisfaction of having gotten revenge on you... you freak!'

'YOU BASTARD!'

"I pulled the phaser I had hidden behind my back and shot him. He fell unconscious to the deck. I ordered the computer to take us back to the station and then staggered into the back to tend to my wounds. I put the phaser on the bed and reached into the med. kit with my bloody hand to retrieve the auto-suture. I pulled out the laserscalpel out as well to cut my sleeve off to get to my wounds. The hair on the back of my neck warned me and I swung around realizing too late that I had unconsciously thumbed the setting higher. Mason never even screamed as the scalpel cut through the tendons and bones of his neck. I had decapitated him. I remember dropping the laserscalpel... I was horrified at what I'd done. Then I came to here." Julian finished softly.

Odo nodded and consulted his padd as Sisko looked on.

He knew Julian was feeling guilty over Mason's death and he understood but he also was furious with the man who'd tried to kill Julian and didn't feel so bad he was dead.

"So the bruising on Dixon's abdomen was from the kick you gave him after he attacked you?" "Yes."

"And he admitted paying Rodin to attack you?"

"More or less."

"And there are bombs on the other two runabouts?"

"Yes. I don't know what kind though. They'll be on the warpcores. He must have had a remote control device... or perhaps a timer... to blow up the runabout after he'd killed me and transported off."

Sisko wondered how Julian could be so calm as he talked about his attempted murder by someone he had once called a friend.

"Did he say where the ship was located?"

Julian shook his head.

"Only that it was less than a light year away from the wormhole."

"I'll send Worf in the Defiant." Sisko replied.

"Are there any more questions Constable?" He asked, seeing Julian fight to stay awake.

"No, I think that's all."

"Then let's leave Julian to get some sleep." He ordered.

Odo nodded and Sisko stepped to the bed.

"I'll be back later." He told Julian.

"Okay." Julian mumbled in sleepy reply as his eyes drifted shut.

"Benjamin?"

Sisko could see the worry on the 'old man's' face.

"He's awake." Sisko said and grabbed her arm as she started for the door." And asleep. He just dozed off. Give him a few hours."

She nodded so he released her arm.

"How is he... really?"

"Jabara says he's going to be fine."

"So what happened and what about Dixon and--"

Sisko held up a hand and she fell silent.

"Call the rest of the staff together in my office, Odo and I will meet you there shortly."

"We'll be waiting." She replied and headed for the turbolift and Ops.

"Contact the Bradbury as well."

Dax nodded as she stepped onto the lift and disappeared.

Sisko and Odo proceeded to the security office to file the preliminary report with Starfleet. The official one would be filed once Julian had a chance to read it over, make corrections if need be, and initialize it.

"Dax to Sisko, Captain Gallagher is on subspace."

"I'll take it in the security office."

Odo turned the monitor to face him as he took his chair to work.

Sisko sat on the edge of the desk as Gallagher appeared on the monitor.

"Captain, I take it you have the answers?"

"Dr. Bashir awoke a short time ago and gave us a statement."

"And?"

"I'm sorry to tell you that Dr. Dixon lost his life trying to kill Dr. Bashir."

Gallagher shook his head.

"I didn't want to believe it, but the evidence..."

"None of us wanted to think along those lines." Sisko sympathized.

"How is Dr. Bashir?"

"He's going to be fine. Thank you for asking."

"Why did he do it?" Gallagher sighed.

"Revenge." Sisko answered simply.

"It's been known to destroy men." Gallagher replied.

"It appeared to destroy Dr. Dixon." Odo added.

Gallagher nodded silently.

"So... how are things going on Bajor?" Sisko asked.

"Smoothly." Gallagher smiled slightly.

"That's probably the best we can hope for." Sisko replied.

"I suppose it is. I should be getting back to the others. Thank you for filling me in."

"Of course."

Gallagher nodded and the monitor went blank.

Odo stood and turned it back around.

"Now you just have four other people to tell."

"And I'd better get up there." Sisko sighed as he stood.

Odo followed him out.

"Why would Dixon want Julian dead?" Miles asked shaking his head perplexed.

"Obviously he felt cheated. Julian graduated salutatorian while Dixon was third in their class." Dax reasoned.

"And if Julian had told Starfleet about his enhancement he wouldn't have been there at all so Dixon would have graduated salutatorian." Kira nodded.

"Dixon must have resented him from the moment the truth came out." Dax frowned.

"That resentment grew into revenge and it consumed him." Odo finished.

"He almost got away with it." Miles grunted.

"Mr.Worf,take the Defiant into the Gamma Quadrant and locate that ship, bring it back here. Chief, find those explosives on the runabouts. Let's clean up Dixon's mess!".

Part 4

It took O'Brien less than half an hour to remove the explosive devices. He disposed of them and was returning to Ops when he decided to make a stop in the Infirmary.

"Look at you! Just lounging around here while the rest of us are slaving away!"

Julian frowned at Miles.

"How you feelin'?"

"A little sore but okay otherwise."

Miles pulled a chair over to the bed.

"I just finished clearing out Dixon's bombs from the runabouts. He was at least going to send you out with a proper fine bang. It would have been hard to miss within half a light year."

"There would have been just one problem... I would have all ready been dead!" Julian replied irately.

"Yeah, well, I can see where that might be a downside."

Julian sighed and eyed his friend who looked back innocently, then Miles smirked and finally laughed out loud.

Julian couldn't help but smile at his best friend.

"I knew you were in there some where."

"I'm just finding it a little tough to smile."

"Yeah... the Captain told us how Dixon died."

Julian didn't reply for a moment as he looked at his hands on his lap.

"I didn't even realize what I'd done at first. Then when it sunk in I felt sick. I don't think I even lost consciousness from my own blood loss. I think at that moment it all came together... I realized that someone I had called friend had absolutely hated me. So much so that he tried to murder me three times!"

"Sometimes old friends make the bitterest enemies." Miles said with the wisdom of someone who'd seen a lot of people wearing a lot of different faces.

Julian lied back on the bed and sighed deeply.

"He might have pretended to be your friend but you do have real friends here." Miles said quietly as he raised his hand.

"I know." Julian replied quietly as he took it.

"The Defiant's back Benjamin.... and Jake and Nog are here to see you."

"Tell Mr. Worf to report to my office and Jake and Nog can come in."

"Understood."

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" Sisko asked as his son and Nog walked in.

"We need a place." Nog answered.

Sisko looked at them questioningly.

"For the party." Jake explained. "See, we've done some research and traditionally housewarming parties take place in the home of the guest of honor which is---"

"Julian's quarters." Sisko frowned.

"So what do you think of having it there?" Nog asked.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. Julian may not want everyone traipsing through his newly renovated quarters."

"Couldn't we at least ask him?"

"All right, I'll ask him Jake, but if he says no we use the Wardroom agreed?"

"Agreed." Both young men replied grinning.

Sisko walked them to the turbolift as Worf and O'Brien arrived on it.

"Chief, do you have a minute?" Jake asked as Worf stepped off and followed Sisko to his office.

"Sure." Miles answered and was followed to his console.

"Chief, I want a report on what you found... after these gentlemen are finished with you." Kira added with a smile for Jake and Nog.

"Aye,sir. So what can I do for you two?"

"How much longer until the doctor's quarters are done?" Nog whispered.

"A couple more days oughtta do it. Why the interest?" He inquired after having answered a question twice now from them.

"Oh, um, just curious." Jkae replied and pushed Nog toward the turbolift.

"What was that all about?" Kira asked as they left.

"Beats me." Miles shrugged. "As for your report, I found all three devices. They were all remote controlled but only the Rio Grande had three of the four codes to detonate the bomb all ready in place. All Dixon would have had to do was use the comm. to send the other code and the runabout would have exploded."

"Taking Julian with it and leaving us all duped." Dax frowned.

"Make out a report and send it to Odo to add to the official one."

"Aye, sir."

Kira turned back to her console but didn't really see it.

At least I knew Silaran Prin was my enemy when he tried to kill me but what if he had been my friend or colleague? Someone I trusted? How well would I be handling it? Not very well I'm afraid.

"We located the shuttle on the third moon from the wormhole. It was within a light year."

"Just like Julian said. Any idea how long its been there?"

"Pre-liminary analysis indicates no more than a month."

"Go over it with Dax, let's make sure we can connect it to Dixon and Rodin."

"Aye, sir."

Sisko nodded his dismissal and leaned back in his chair reflecting on Worf's report.

He stood making a decision and Kira turned as his door opened.

"I'm going to see Julian." Sisko announced as he headed for the lift.

"He was awake a little while ago." O'Brien said from his console.

"Tell him I'll stop by later." Kira added.

Sisko nodded as he called for the Promenade and the lift descended.

He nodded and smiled as he walked along the Promenade.

He hadn't realized how good it was to have the Bajorans back until now.

He stopped as he entered the doorway of the Infirmary and had to suppress a chuckle.

"Looking for anything in particular?" He asked from there.

"My clothes! Jabara probably hid them!" Julian answered and padded across the deck to another set of cabinets in his barefeet. "One of these days I'm going to have Miles install carpet in here!"

Sisko grinned at him.

"Have you tried your office?" He asked helpfully.

"Oh, yes! My spare uniform seems to have mysteriously vanished from there!" Julian replied throwing his hands in the air. "I give up!"

Sisko did laugh, he was enjoying himself immensely.

Julian eyed him and smiled as he sidled over.

"How would you like to do me a favor sir?"

"Are you trying to get me into trouble with Nurse Jabara?" Sisko asked amused.

"That's exactly where you'll be if you help him escape!"

They turned to see said nurse in another doorway with folded arms glaring at both of them.

"I'm not taking her on." Sisko mockingly whispered.

"You, back in bed!" She ordered Julian who glanced at Sisko but obeyed.

He knew better than to take her on too apparently.

"If your scans turn out okay later I'll release you."

"And you thought I was the boss around here." Julian told Sisko as he rolled his eyes.

"Mind if I sit a while?"

"Just make sure he stays in bed." Jabara answered then gave Julian a look that said he'd better not peek one toe out from under the covers until she said so or he'd face her wrath then she left them to visit.

"How are you feeling?"

"Restless. Did Worf find Mason's ship?"

"I wasn't sure you were awake then. Worf and Dax are trying to tie it to Dixon and/or Rodin."

Julian nodded thoughtfully as he knotted the silver blanket which covered him.

"I know he was a friend at one time--" Sisko started.

"No. Miles, Jadzia... you are my friends, Mason never was, not really. I suppose I wanted so much to believe he held no grudge that I accepted his lies without question. At least when Garak lies I know he's doing it."

Sisko covered his hand.

"We've all faced those kinds of lies from people we trusted and those are the hardest to overcome."

"At least it's over. I don't have to keep looking over my shoulder wondering if Altovar has sent someone else after me."

"To change the subject to something lighter, Jake and Nog want to throw you a housewarming party once your quarters are done."

"I think I'd like that. It would help to put all this behind me."

"They want to do it in your quarters." Sisko added.

"Oh. Will Quark be catering?"

"I'll send Odo to keep an eye on him."

Julian smiled brightly.

"In that case my quarters will be fine."

Sisko laughed at that.

"I'll let them know then. I'm sure they'll be thrilled."

"No doubt. I didn't think to ask Miles while he was here, but when will they be done?"

"It's my understanding it will be a couple of more days."

"I can't wait to move back in." Julian sighed.

"We still have to get you some new furniture."

"How about something in a nice leather?" Julian grinned.

"We'll see what we can do." Sisko smiled as he stood. "Oh, expect a visit from Kira later too."

"I will. Thank you, sir."

Sisko nodded and left him to rest.

"So, Nurse Jabara, what does a patient have to do to get some food around here?" He asked with a smirk as she entered the room.

"How goes the investigation?"

"Slowly." Dax replied as she looked up from scanning the exterior of the shuttle.

"Jadzia, come take a look please." Worf called from inside.

Sisko and Dax looked at each other as the entered the shuttle and found Worf crouched over the engineering compartment.

"What'd you find?" Dax asked leaning over her husbands shoulder.

Worf moved so she could see and caught sight of Sisko and nodded.

"Half the isolinear chips are gone." Sisko mused stating the obvious.

"Traces of Zaldan DNA is present." Worf added.

"This ship wouldn't have gone anywhere." Dax added.

"Sounds like Rodin double-crossed Dixon." Sisko said unsympathetically.

Wouldn't that have been ironic? The hired assassin double-crosses the employer who murdered him and leaves his employer stranded on a moon in the Gamma Quadrant.

"It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person." Dax said coldly.

Sisko felt no remorse over Dixon's death either.

Had he found out the truth he would have hunted the man down to avenge Julian... no matter how long it took.

"Do you believe the Zaldan knew the doctor planned to kill him?" Worf asked curiously.

"I doubt it. Julian said Dixon told Rodin the pill would only make him appear dead... not really kill him." Sisko answered.

"Well, I guess Rodin didn't trust Dixon." Dax replied snapping her tricorder closed.

"Two peas in a pod 'old man'."

Dax nodded emphatically and smiled at the justice.

Kira strode through the Promenade, pleased to be back on the four shift rotation and knowing the Starfleet personnel were too.

"Evening Jabara, can he have visitors?" She asked entering the Infirmary.

"It'll have to be elsewhere, I just released him."

"Not a moment too soon either! I was seriously contemplating an escape through the access tunnels." Julian retorted as he entered the room.

"We would have had to send Odo after you." Kira joked. It was good to see Julian back to his old self. "Feel up to dinner?"

"I'm not really in the mood for Quark's."

"Neither am I so how about the Replimat?"

"Nice and quiet... just what the nurse ordered." Julian smirked at Jabara.

"If you don't leave now I'm going to tie you to the bed!" She threatened.

"Oooh, promises, promises!" He called back as he left with Kira.

Jabara blushed slightly as she watched them.

He seemed to have that effect on her.

"Have a seat, I'll get us some sandwiches."

Julian did sit and did his best to ignore the whispers and glances directed his way by the handful of people present.

"I hope this is all right." Kira said setting a plate and a cup of Tarkalean tea before him and sat down with her own plate and raktajino.

They ate and talked about station business until there was nothing else to say.

They were surprised to find the replimat empty then and Kira sighed.

"Julian... I'm... I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"Just... you know, for what your friend did to you."

"Thank you, Nerys." Julian answered quietly.

"Hey, you guys already eat?" Miles asked striding in.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I have to be going. I have some meditating to get to, so I'll see you both later." Kira replied rising.

"Thanks for dinner Nerys."

"Anytime." Kira answered and gave his shoulder a soft squeeze as she passed.

Miles sat down with his sandwich and began to eat.

"You shouldn't eat so fast Miles, you'll end up with indigestion."

"Nah, we O'Briens are a hardy bunch. You want to play some darts when I'm done?" He asked hopefully.

"Sure." Julian smiled.

"You were a little off tonight."

"It'll be a few more days before I get full rotation back... then you'll be sorry!"

"Yeah, we'll see." Miles chuckled as they reached Julian's quarters. "Your quarters should be finished tomorrow." He added brightly.

"I thought it would take a few more days yet."

"We knocked a lot of it off today. Just think, you won't have so far to walk!"

"I've spent three days in bed Miles, I'm glad to be on feet."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Miles." Julian answered and started inside when Miles called to him.

"How 'bout breakfast in the replimat?"

"Sounds good."

"See you at 0730 then."

"Yeah."

"Pleasant dreams."

"You too."

Julian smiled to himself as the doors closed.

Maybe tonight I will have pleasant dreams.

Sisko walked into the Wardroom and nodded to Dax who was all ready there as were Worf, Kira and Odo.

He got a raktajino from the replicator and glanced up as the doors opened again.

"Well tell her I promise not to over-water them this time."

"She threatened to make me sleep on the couch if I let you near them!"

Sisko smiled at Julian and Miles bantering.

These people are family, he thought to himself as he took his seat at the head of the table. Granted a squabbling one from time to time but I have no doubt they'd stand side-by-side when it came down to it.

"All right, let's finish up this current business and close the file on this case." He ordered.

"Well," Miles started," I found the other exlosives, the only one set was the Rio Grande. We also scanned the runabouts thoroughly to make sure he didn't plant any other surprises. We didn't find anything thankfully."

"Worf found the ship in the Gamma Quadrant. There was a voice identification code which we matched up to Dixon. We also found that several key isolinear chips were missing which would have left him stranded on the moon." Dax chimed in.

"Poetic justice if ya ask me." Miles muttered.

"I've added both of their reports along with Worf's and sent them along with Dr. Bashir's to Starfleet." Odo informed them.

"Well, it looks like this case is closed then." Sisko smiled at Julian.

"Not a moment too soon." Kira sighed.

"Agreed. On a happier note, the Chief informs me that Julian's quarters will be finished today."

Dax elbowed Julian. "I know someone who must be happy to hear that."

"More than words can express." Julian nodded.

"Once it's complete Jake and Nog have planned a housewarming party for him."

"Oooh, I wish I'd thought of that." Dax pouted.

"What exactly is a 'housewarming party'?" Kira asked.

They sometimes forgot she wasn't human since she fit in so well with all of them.

"Julian's friends bring gifts for his house." Miles supplied.

"Like plants?" Kira asked.

"Yeah, but don't bring them, Keiko and I will supply them." Miles replied.

Julian shook his head and smiled as he leaned forward to look at Miles who grinned back.

The meeting broke a few minutes later and each went their separate ways.

Julian had fairly light duty seeing only a handful of patients all morning.

He decided to work on his research as a way to put what Mason had done to him in the past thus didn't hear Jabara when she entered.

"Doctor?"

"Hmm?"

"It's lunch time."

"Oh, go ahead, I'll be here."

He nearly jumped when she leaned over his shoulder and filed his work.

"I meant lunch for you. You've been in here for hours, you need to eat. Nurse's orders!"

Julian turned and eyed her as he rose.

"Yes, mother. I also promise to eat all my vegetables." He grinned as he left.

Julian was standing outside Quark's debating whether he wanted to eat there or not when a familiar voice spoke up from behind.

"I'm glad to see you up and around Doctor, I was worried about you."

"Thank you for your concern Garak... and for leaving my repaired uniform in my quarters."

"It's the least I could do since you were incapacitated."

"Um... do you want to join me for lunch?"

"I would enjoy that."

"Great. I'll grab us a table if you need to close your shop."

"I'll join you shortly then."

Julian nodded and headed inside the bar.

It had been a long itme since they had lunched together and Julian admitted to himself that he missed their discussions. It would be nice to try and figure out what his enigmatic friend was up to this time.

Jabara checked the time again. She was beginning to worry. The Doctor had been gone over two hours and she hadn't even realized it until now.

"Computer, locate Dr.Bashir."

"Dr. Bashir is in the Infirmary."

Jabara turned and gave her boss an embarrassed look for checking up on him.

"I'd better get back to work." She mumbled and hurried out of the room.

A smile played on Julian's lips as he went to his office. His nurse worried far more about him than was necessary but he adored her for it.

He slipped into his chair but made no move to call up his research.

His mind replayed the conversation with Garak.

He knew Garak had a difficult time with his analytically enhanced brain, but Julian could do nothing but be what he was and Garak (hopefully) was starting to realize that. Just because his mind could function like a computer didn't mean he was any less human and some of Garak's comments had stung him and he'd told Garak that.

He felt like once lunch was over they had really cleared the air even though they both knew their relationship had changed with the revelation.

He was hopeful now that they were a little more equal.

After lunch he had made a trip to his quarters to see just how soon he could move back in and was pleasantly surprised to see the small amount work left to do.

He couldn't help but smile as he spotted the covered leather furniture.

He found Miles in the bedroom and sat on the new bed until he finished with his crew.

Miles showed him some of the Federation replacements for the duranium the Cardassian's used in building the station.

Julian had little knowledge of such things but Miles seemed excited so he assumed it was a good thing.

"Dax to Bashir."

Julian started at the comm.

"Um...go ahead Jadzia."

"Worf and I would like you to come to dinner."

Worf wants me to dine with them?

"What time?"

"Around 1900."

"Can I bring anything? Wine perhaps?"

"That would be great. Port will do nicely."

"I'll see you then."

"Okay, Dax out."

Julian leaned back in his chair thoughtfully.

This should be an interesting evening.

"Come in."

Julian entered the quarters and found Jadzia setting the table.

"One bottle of port."

She accepted it with a smile then popped the cork and poured a glass for the two of them.

Julian sipped his slowly.

"Where's Worf?"

"General Martok called to speak to him while we were in Ops so I came ahead to prepare for dinner."

Julian nodded and wandered over to the couch where she joined him.

"So have you moved back in yet?"

"Yes, not that there was much to move."

She nodded silently and sipped her wine still trying to figure out what to get for his party since he hadn't been much help. She supposed it would have been infinitely easier if she had ever been inside his quarters but considering how he'd felt about her for several years that had never been a good idea.

She certainly didn't want to lead him on so she had never asked to come in after their numerous dinner.

Must the Chief would have some ideas, surely he'd been inside.

"Earth to Jadzia."

"What?"

"You okay? You seemed to be in the Gamma Quadrant just a minute ago."

She smiled at his quip.

"I was just thinking about something and I promise to stay on this side of the wormhole the rest of the night."

They laughed together as the door opened.

"Finally! I'm starving!" She said rising as Worf entered their quarters.

"Doctor." Worf nodded uncomfortably.

"Care for a glass?"

"Yes, thank you."

Julian walked over to the table and poured him a glass of the sweet, dark-red wine.

"So was the General's call anything you can discuss?" Julian asked handing him the glass.