***

"Your jacket has a spot on it," Worf said the next morning. "You cannot wear it."

"Well, I have to. You didn't bring back our uniforms from Garak's," Dax answered in exasperation. She twisted her hair into its usual ponytail and then clipped it back. She tried to hide her annoyance, as Worf went about their quarters picking up her scattered belongings.

"You should try to be neat, Jadzia," Worf reprimanded her.

"I'm sorry. I just was so excited to come home and to tell you the good news about our day off."

He eyed her."You are still angry."

"Not angry. Disappointed."

"We will spend time together. I promise."

"I guess I have to accept that then."

Worf looked at her and then back at the jacket he held."I will try to clean the spot for you."

She had to smile; he really did try, even if he did sometimes love the Defiant too much.

*****

"That's just the way men are," Kira said patiently. She smiled at her troubled friend.

Dax cupped her hands around the steaming cup of coffee. All around her, she could hear voices of people chatting happily but she felt simply awful.

"I know, but it's our anniversary," Dax said in frustration.

"It might not mean the same to him as it does to you," Kira pointed out.

"That's ridiculous. I mean," Dax hastened to say. "Worf is very good about appointments, obligations, duties. He wouldn't ignore it. He is very into things like this."

"He is right; we are at war. There are greater responsibilities."

"Yes, but I'm tired of taking a back seat to the Defiant," Dax said.

Quark stopped by the table and Dax just scowled at him.

"Everything all right?" Quark asked pleasantly.

"Just fine," Kira said, eyeing Dax suspiciously.

"Commander, I was curious, would you be willing to join me in a game of tongo tomorrow night?" Quark asked. "I'm feeling lucky."

"I ended his winning streak yesterday." Dax's face brightened. "It was nearly a hundred games straight and then I beat him."

"Beginner's luck," Quark grumbled.

"Hardly," Dax said, smiling. "You're on then, tomorrow night."

"Good. I look forward to it," Quark said.

Kira leaned forward after the Ferengi disappeared.

"What about Worf?" she asked softly.

"If he wants to spend our anniversary on the Defiant, then I'm going to spend it playing tongo," Dax said firmly.

******

Jadzia stirred, feeling the blankets slip off of her. She moaned softly and then lifted her head slightly. It was still early and she had the day off. She lay back in bed and then turned to face Worf but he was already gone.

"Couldn't even wait until I was awake, huh?" she muttered. She sighed and stretched again. She would have loved to lie in bed and cuddle with Worf, but so much for that. She sat up finally, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Still rubbing sleep out of her eyes, she made her way to the replicator.

"Raktajino," she said. Within seconds, the mug of steaming liquid appeared and she cupped her hands around the mug. "Mmmm�" she breathed in the smell of the drink deeply.

"Worf to Dax."

Dax sighed, "Yes, Worf?"

"You are awake," his deep voice crackled over the com system.

"Just barely. I rolled out a few minutes ago."

"I need your help."

"Worf, it's my day off. I want to work in the lab."

"Jadzia, I just require a few hours of your time. I thought you wanted to spend time together."

"I did, but not working on the Defiant!"

There was a moment of silence and Jadzia felt odd arguing with her husband over the com system. It seemed so childish, for some reason.

"I was hoping you would help recalibrate the long range scanners," he said gruffly.

"I don't know, Worf, I don't know. I really did not want to spend my day off on the Defiant. Even with you."

"Fine," he said. "I will see you tonight."

"No, wait," Jadzia said, remembering her promise to join Quark for a tongo match. "Worf?" she asked. But there was no answer; doubtless, he was angry. Jadzia sighed and paced the room in agitation. Finally, she finished the rakatijino and walked into the bedroom.

She opened her closet and surveyed the clothes Worf had hung so neatly for her. Well, she was damned if she was going to wear her uniform on her day off. She changed into a blue top and black slacks. She put on comfortable shoes and then headed out the door.

*****

"Jadzia." Worf turned in surprise. "You came."

She shrugged, "I couldn't very well refuse, could I? Suppose the Dominion attacked and the long range scanners didn't work?"

He walked towards her and then slowly, he grabbed her by shoulders and kissed her long and hard. And then Dax realized that they were alone on the starship.

"I like your hair down like this," he whispered in her ear.

"Worf," Jadzia pushed away. "Don't we have work to do?"

"In a moment," Worf said, reaching for her again.

"Worf!"

He released her for a moment, "Come with me, Jadzia. We can start in Engineering."

"Good," Jadzia smiled. Despite the fact that they were on the Defiant to do work, she felt curiously happy just being with Worf. I suppose this is what love is all about, she thought. She slipped her hand into his and together they made their way to Engineering. But on the way, Worf stopped.

"Is something wrong?" Jadzia asked.

"Come with me," he said, suddenly leading the way to the crew quarters.

"What's going on? I don't like surprises."

He did not answer and presently, stopped in front of his former quarters. The doors slid open, revealing a picnic breakfast spread beautifully on the floor. Dax gasped.

"You!" she screamed, pounding his chest with her fists.

"You don't think I would have actually forgotten our anniversary, do you?" he asked, smiling down at her.

"Well, you certainly had me going for a while."

"It is hard to fool you," Worf admitted. "And I did not realize you would remember our anniversary. It was meant to be a surprise."

"I do remember things on occasion, Worf."

"Come." He gestured. Dax stepped into the room, and took a seat on the floor, leaning against a crimson cushion. Worf paused for a moment, plucking a flower from a strategically placed vase.

"Smells wonderful," Jadzia said quietly, taking the flower from him. "Worf, this is wonderful. All of this is wonderful."

He smiled and sat down next to her."This means as much to me as it does to you. I would never forget."

She hugged him tightly."I should have never doubted you."

*****

She stirred, feeling his warm body next to hers. She smiled and pressed her hand against his chest.

"This has been a wonderful day off, Worf, really wonderful. I want to thank you for it."

"No," he said. "Thank you. If you hadn't attacked me�"

"Stop!" she giggled. "Stop, no need, Worf, no need."

His laughed rumbled through the room as he kissed her.

"You really should arrange more days off," Jadzia said.

"Perhaps," Worf said. "But then we would not appreciate it as much."

"I really was angry at you, Worf. I tried not to be, but I was."

"But you were surprised?"

"Yes, very much so. I should have known you better."

*****

Quark eyed Dax curiously. The Trill wore a cheerful expression, quite different from the one he had seen on her face just yesterday. He looked up and saw Worf watching the match from the upper balcony. For some reason, the Klingon made him nervous.

"Evade." Dax smiled sweetly.

"Evade?" Bashir asked.

"You heard me," Dax said. She laid her cards down on the table. "Full consortium."

Bashir threw his cards down, "Once again, Jadzia, you did it. I don't know how you managed it." Quark merely grumbled as he emptied the pot into a bag.

"Your winnings, Commander," he said.

"Thank you." she grabbed the bag and held it to her chest possessively. She looked up at Worf and he smiled at her.

"Excuse me, gentlemen." Dax stood. "It was a pleasure, as usual."

She climbed the steps to where Worf was standing.

"Well played," he said, kissing on the forehead.

"Thank you," she said. She handed him the bag.

"For me?"

"Yes, well." Jadzia shrugged. "It's the least I could possibly do after doubting you today."

Worf smiled that gentle smile meant only for her. He put his hand underneath her elbow and steered her out of Quark's.

"Come," he said. "I have an idea how we can end our day off."

"Oohh." Dax tucked her arm into his. "I like the sound of that."

~The End~

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