Like a Moth to a Flame III

Three hours had passed since she'd entered his quarters and they had spoken but a handful of words. Not that it bothered her on either a professional or personal level. She knew Worf well enough to know that he wasn't ready to talk and, like him, she had used the silence to reflect upon times past. Looking at the chrono Deanna suddenly realized that she hadn't been assigned quarters yet and she really didn't want to bother the officers on the late shift. She startled her somber companion as she pushed herself to her feet, raising her hand in the same move to gesture him not to move. "I haven't been assigned quarters yet, I'm going to take care of that now and retire for the night." The words didn't come out as easily, or as friendly as she would've liked. Apparently, being so near to him had had more of an impact than she had foreseen.

Despite her objections, Worf rose as well and with a few steps he stood so near to her that she could feel his breath ruffling her hair and the heat of his body colliding in waves against her own. "You may stay here,"he said, his voice as harsh as during the first years she had known him, "you can sleep in the bedroom, I shall take the couch."

Her eyes searched his as she mulled over his words. Sleeping in the bed he had shared with his wife was strange beyond words! Besides, she didn't think she could stay near him for much longer without breaking down. "I don't think that would be wise." She put a hand on his shoulder as both a sign of farewell and support.

"I shall contact Major Kira to see to the arrangements." The Klingon acknowledged. "You should find her in Ops." Deanna nodded and headed for the doors, painfully aware of Worf's eyes on her back as he watched her go. "Sleep well Worf." She told him just before the doors closed. He hadn't slept well since Jadzia's death and he doubted that tonight would be any different, be it for different reasons.

Stepping into the corridor Deanna fought the urge to look back. It was hard to believe he still had this effect on her after three years and even harder to believe that she had been able to fight it for so long. Just being in the same room with him had set her nerves on fire. Had he been anyone else, she would long since have made up an excuse and left.

Another sigh left her throat, she was sighing a lot she noticed. In the turbolift she took a few seconds to run a plexing exercise to calm her nerves and by the time the lift reached its destination she felt reasonably composed again, ready to face whoever might be waiting for her.

The Ops area was completely different from what she had been expecting. The consoles seemed more or less tossed into their places without any apparent sense of aesthetics. She had been on the station once before, but never had she been in any of the official areas. As she stepped from the lift onto the Bridge of the station nearly all present turned to see the intruder. She sensed the familiar waves of surprise and puzzlement and couldn't help but smile.

A young, lean man rose from his seat next to a dark-haired woman and walked up to her, his eyes quickly roaming over her body as he did so. Deanna recognized him from the files she had been reading and stepped down to greet him. "I'm sorry ma'am," he spoke, "but civilians are not allowed here."

"That's quite all right," Troi replied cheerfully, "her eyes sliding down to his collar, Lieutenant Bashir." Then reached out her hand in greeting. "Commander Deanna Troi from the Enterprise." She slipped passed him to the Bajoran woman who'd stood up at hearing her name, silently laughing at the doctor's perplexed expression. "Major Kira?" She half-questioned, not at all surprised by the woman's firm grip.

"Yes. Welcome aboard DS Nine Commander. Worf asked me to find you guest quarters," Kira cut herself off as she became aware of a looming figure behind her and took a small step to the side. "Commander Sisko; Commander Deanna Troi from the Enterprise."

Benjamin nodded slightly and smiled, silently wondering how much this woman took after her mother. "I'm afraid we weren't aware of your arrival Commander, had we been--"

"That's all right," Deanna interrupted, "it's my fault really. I never bothered to announce myself."

"May I ask what brings you here?"

An expression of sorrow crossed Troi's face for a brief moment, but disappeared just as soon. "An old friend." She answered after a moment's hesitation, smiling up at the dark-skinned man.

Sisko nodded in return and moved backwards towards his office. "I hope you'll enjoy your time here. Major."

"I'll lead you to your quarters." The Bajoran woman said smoothly and began to head for the Turbolift, leaving Deanna no option but to follow.

* * *

In the darkness of his quarters Worf was brooding over the newest development in his life. He had missed Jadzia since her death, but now that Deanna was here the missing had lessened considerably. Instead of thinking about his deceased wife, he found himself thinking about a possible feature with Troi. He loved her still; her mere presence still caused his warrior heart to sing the bold songs of love and honor and victory.