On an important note: I'm following the TNG timeline up to and including First Contact and disregarding most of DS9's timeline. I'm assuming that Jadzia's death took place about three years after FC and that she married Worf a year earlier. I believe that's pretty much correct, but I didn't check it, so you'll just have to grin and bear it if I'm wrong :p ;)

Like a Moth to a Flame II

Worf was well aware of the stares they were receiving, after all; his wife had just died and here he was standing in an intimate embrace with a beautiful half-Betazoid woman. But he did not care. All he cared about was the sensation of holding her slender body against his and the peace her presence brought to his mind. Since his marriage to Jadzia Dax he had done everything in his power to forget about the woman currently in his arms, he had dishonored Deanna by responding to Jadzia's advances, he had done that what he'd vowed never to do; hurt the woman who was the keeper of his very heart.

And despite that she had come to see him without being asked. Too many thoughts were pushing themselves in his head. There were so many questions he wished to ask her, so many things he needed to say that he couldn't find the words.

* * *

Deanna, of course sensed his turmoil and had to fight hard to keep her own tears from falling. She had expected their reunion to be difficult, but not like this. Being in his arms again made her recall their time together all over again and she knew that if she let herself, she could have easily lost herself in the strong current of his emotions.

Worf's passion for her had been very intense, and still was even now that it was clouded by grief and regret. Her entire being found peace in his embrace and for the first time since he had left she could honestly say that she was content. Her skin tingled and her heart was beating in synch with his. She knew however that she had to break the contact, no matter how right it felt to be held by him. And so she gently, and very reluctantly, stepped backwards; his arms immediately releasing their secure hold on her.

Their eyes locked and she did not dare to speak. Deanna was caught in a limbo of indecision and could do nothing, nothing but look back into his intense stare.

* * *

The stirring in his arms evaporated the turmoil raging in his mind, replacing it by and entirely different indecisiveness. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms and for a fleeting moment he tightened his grip rather than loosening it, but he let her go eventually, for he would no right to hold her against her will.

She put enough distance between them for him to study her completely; from the strong, slender legs that supported her to the deep neckline of her dress, her slightly parted lips and brimming eyes. She seemed to be waiting for something. Her eyes were obviously asking him to do something, but he had been out of practice for too long and could not unravel what she meant. Then she looked at yet another officer who halted for a second to watch them, and he understood that she wished to go somewhere less public.

Unable to express any emotion he nodded slightly and marched to the nearest Turbolift, trusting her to follow him. As they entered he was relieved to see that they were alone. "Docking bays," he growled to the computer, startling both himself and his companion with the harsh words. They made their way to his quarters onboard the Defiant in silence, a silence Worf found he had missed. Jadzia had never stayed silent for very long, preferring to make jokes and puns rather than simply enjoy the moment. He glanced at Deanna under the cover of rolling his neck to loosen the muscles and wondered if she had missed him as well.

He hoped fervently that she had and that she hadn't turned to Will Riker for comfort. On the other hand he hoped she had gotten over him soon, for he did not wish her to have spent years missing him. She did look well, despite all the happenings of the past months, but her eyes seemed too large. And the lines in her face hadn't been there when he'd last seen her during their encounter with the Borg.

A small, amused smile graced her features, silently laughing at him without insulting him in the slightest. "How long can you stay?" He blurted without thinking.

* * *

Deanna was well aware of his scrutiny, but rather than objecting she used the opportunity to study him in return. His face had hardly changed, his ridges perhaps slightly more pronounced, his eyes hardened by grief and anger but he radiated a quiet happiness that tugged at her heart; he was truly happy at seeing her! Inwardly she roared with joyous laughter, not daring to voice it in fear of breaking the fragile air between them. Only when she sensed his tender worry did she allow an outward sign of her mirth.

"How long can you stay?" His rough and clipped voice startled her as it sliced the precious silence around them

Yes, how long can I stay? She questioned herself. Captain Picard had granted her leave for as long as she needed it, but not without reminding her that the crew needed her. However, should Worf ask; she would stay forever. "As long as you want me too," she blushed slightly at her choice of words but refused to avert her gaze.

* * *

*I wish you could stay forever* Worf thought to himself. Perhaps it was wrong of him to desire another woman so quickly after his mate's death, it was dishonorable to Jadzia, it was undermining their marriage and yet, he could not help himself.

Having reached his quarters he swiftly released the lock and watched as Deanna stepped inside, her eyes slowly took in the dark and somber living area. He remember thinking how she would hate it, when he had taken residence in these quarters and furnished them and judging by scolding look on her face, he had been right.

"Well, I suppose it's comforting to know that some things never change." She huffed as she dropped into the leather couch, watching him as he order a prune juice and hot chocolate from the replicator.