BASHIR: I don't know about you, but I'm starving.
Me, too.
Here you go. Enjoy.
Thanks.
This looks delicious.
( sizzling )
Now, Constable, the secret of a good soufflé
is consistency.
You have to be careful not to overwhip it.
I see.
I hope I'm not boring you.
Just because I don't need food, Commander
doesn't mean I'm not interested
in its preparation.
I'm fascinated
by the humanoid preoccupation with eating.
( gasps )
Oh, uh, may I?
By all means.
Ow.
( sizzling )
Ah...
Uh, nice and smooth.
That's it.
It's all in the wrist.
( laughs )
Where did you learn all this?
In my father's restaurant in New Orleans.
What are we having?
It smells delicious.
Blackened red fish
with creamed spinach and sautéed beets.
Beets?
You don't like beets, Doctor?
Well, they're not exactly
a, a personal favorite of mine, no.
That's because you haven't had them prepared properly.
Beets are a very misunderstood vegetable.
Well, I look forward to understanding it better.
( door chimes )
Come in.
Oh, what a day.
I just spent six hours in one of the upper pylons
trying to get the new sensor relay on line.
Help yourself to something.
Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.
Great.
I've been looking forward to this all day.
I hope you like beets.
DAX: I love 'em.
Keep at it, Constable.
Nice, even strokes.
You find something amusing, Major?
Oh, I just think you look so...
cute, I...
Whose is this?
It's mine.
I didn't know that you played.
I don't.
I took lessons for a while
but, uh, I wasn't very good.
Oh, I know the feeling.
( sighs )
None of Dax's hosts— even Jadzia—
had any musical ability.
Nobody said life was fair.
Even if you had seven of them.
You would think one of us
would have been born without a tin ear.
Sounds like one of you had some talent after all.
( playing melody )
That's lovely.
Quiet!
That's not it!
What piece was that?
I don't know.
I don't believe I've ever heard it before.
Maybe you hit on it by accident.
You know, beginner's luck.
( sighs )
But I know it somehow.
KIRA: It's probably something
from your childhood.
You'll think of it.
JAKE: Dinner is ready.
Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
( Dax humming )
( whispers ): Do you mind?
What?
You're humming.
It's a little distracting.
I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was doing it.
You've been humming that same tune
since we started the game.
Guess I just can't get it out of my mind.
Do me a favor...
try.
( sighs )
( humming )
Your turn.
You sure you want to do that?
Your move.
Check.
Where did that knight come from?
Your mind is not on the game.
So you decided to make an illegal move
to get my attention.
Of course not
and it's a legal move.
You know, why don't we just call it a day?
You obviously have other things on your mind.
Curzon always suspected you were a cheat.
Is this some kind of joke?
Don't play innocent with me, Benjamin.
We both know you're trying to cheat me here
so why don't you just admit it?
Dax.
Did Sisko send you to apologize for him?
No.
But he was concerned about what happened.
I thought you might like to talk about it.
There's nothing to talk about.
You can't really think he tried to cheat you.
I knew you'd take his side.
I'm not taking anybody's side.
In that case, I think you should leave, Kira.
Dax.
I'm serious. Leave.
Fine, I'll go.
Wait...
Get your hands off of me
before I do something I'll regret.
That's the first smart thing you've done
since you walked over here.
( melody playing )
( gasps )
Oh!
Something wrong, Lieutenant?
No...
no.
How do you feel?
I feel like an idiot.
I'm so sorry about all the horrible things
I said to you.
Don't worry about it.
They're already forgotten.
And I used to think Curzon had a temper.
I don't know what's wrong with me.
I feel like I have so much anger inside
and I don't know where it's coming from.
This masked figure in your...
Hallucinations.
Do you have the sense of who it might have been?
That's what's so strange.
He seems familiar, somehow, but I don't know from where.
And the music.
Benjamin, I have to find out what that music is.
Why don't you input
as much as you can remember in the computer.
It might be able to find a match
in the Federation database.
I'll do it...
Well, as soon as Julian lets me leave here.
Jadzia...
have you experienced any hallucinations prior to this?
Never, and I hope I never do again.
It was terrifying.
Have any of Dax's other hosts?
No, believe me, I'd remember.
Well...
according to your file
the only major trauma the Dax symbiont ever suffered
was when Torias Dax was injured in a shuttle accident.
SISKO: Torias—
he was Dax's fifth host, wasn't he?
Yes, right before Curzon.
It says here that Torias remained in a comatose state
for just under six months.
There must have been a lot of tissue damage.
The doctors couldn't keep his isoboramine levels up.
It's a neurotransmitter
that mediates the synaptic functions
between the host and the symbiont.
When the levels dropped to below 40 percent of normal
they had to remove the symbiont.
Sometimes the host is sacrificed
to save the symbiont.
Are you checking my isoboramine levels?
Yes.
How low are they?
They've fallen to 73 percent of normal.
Do you have any idea what's causing it?
I'm not sure.
There's no tissue damage.
No synaptic degradation.
Julian... am I in danger
of rejecting my symbiont?
I wouldn't worry about rejection just yet
but we do have to get
your isoboramine levels back up.
And I suggest we take her back
to the Trill homeworld, and have the doctors
at the Symbiosis Commission examine her.
Curzon always said
he wanted to show me the Trill homeworld.
Looks like I'm going to get there after all.
How long before we reach Trill?
A little over 37 hours.
How's Dax?
Resting in her quarters.
Hmm.
It's funny.
It's been almost four years since Curzon died
and I still miss the old man.
At first, I never thought I'd ever get used to a new Dax
but if anything happens to Jadzia...
I know.
I feel the same way.
We'll just have to make sure nothing happens to her, right?
Right.
( door chimes )
Yes?
Oh, good, I didn't wake you.
Not at all.
You having trouble sleeping?
Yeah, a little.
I could get you something.
No, thanks
but I could use some company...
if you're not too busy.
Oh, no, no, I was just reading.
Oh, anything I'd be interested in?
Trill Physiology.
Just some background research.
Look, um, Jadzia, I know you're worried
but the doctors at the Symbiosis Commission
know a lot more about this than I do.
I can't believe I'm going back there.
I spent three years as a Trill initiate
and in all that time, I hardly ever left the complex.
After I was joined
I swore I would never step foot in there again.
Was it really that bad?
No.
What I remember is the endless series of tests
they put me through.
Well, considering the risk of rejection
you can't really blame them.
If they would have put a symbiont in an unsuitable host
they'd both be dead within a matter of days.
That's true.
I guess I had such a difficult time, because...
I put so much pressure on myself.
I wanted to be joined so badly.
Well, look on the bright side.
At least this time, you won't be going there as an initiate.
No, I'm going there
as a patient, and that's much worse.
I never told you this before, Julian
but...
I've always been afraid of doctors.
Most people are.
When I was younger, I was terrified of them.
Really?
Well, they seemed to know everything.
It was as if they held
the power of life and death in their hands.
I used to think
that if I didn't behave
they'd make sure I got sick.
Then, as I got older, I decided
that I wanted to know what they knew—
be as smart as they were.
And that's why you went to medical school.
That's right.
And you know what I learned there?
That all I really wanted to do was help people.
That's what doctors are there for— to help
so there's really no reason to be afraid of them.
Now, if that little story
didn't put you to sleep, I don't know what will.
You're a very dear man, Julian.
Listen, Jadzia...
you are more than welcome to stay the night here if you want.
You can have the top bunk.
Are you sure you don't mind?
Absolutely not.
Up you go.
Okay... well, in that case, if it's not too much trouble
would you mind if I took the lower bunk?
Curzon fell out of a tree once and...
( laughs )
Whatever you want.
Thank you.
( sighs )
Is this light too bright for you?
Dax?
Sweet dreams.
DAX: After they finally finished the neuro-response analysis
another doctor came in
and ran a cortical protein series.
Did they do a bio-spectral scan
on the symbiont?
They had to make an incision
so they could insert the scanner.
Jadzia, it's good to see you again.
Dr. Renhol.
Everyone's very excited
about your being here, you know.
Jadzia is the only initiate
to ever successfully reapply
to the program after being dropped.
You must be Dr. Bashir.
That's right.
Commander Benjamin Sisko.
Ah, yes, Curzon's friend.
Yes, I had that privilege.
BASHIR: Did you get a chance to look over the test results?
Yes, I did.
As you noted, Doctor, her isoboramine levels are low
so I put her on a benzocyatic regimen to compensate.
As you can see, there's already a three percent improvement.
Will I have to stay here for the duration of the treatment?
No, Dr. Bashir can administer it.
But I do want to see you back here tomorrow
for a follow-up...
and for lunch.
Well, if you'll excuse me, I have an initiate
who needs some hand-holding.
I don't know why we came back here
when I could be taking you on a tour
of the Tenaran ice cliffs.
You're not taking us anywhere, Dax.
You're going straight to your quarters to rest.
But...
No buts. Doctor's orders.
But I cannot sleep in the afternoon.
Just lie down, close your eyes
and try not to think.
It usually works for me.
( melody playing )
Who are you?
It's beautiful... isn't it?
( grunting )
( yells )
( groans )
Dax!
Jadzia!
( gasps )
I don't understand
why she'd have another hallucination.
I've checked her isoboramine levels.
They've risen another six percent.
That's a larger increase
than I'd anticipated.
The suddenness could be
what triggered the hallucination.
I want you to begin administering
more frequent treatments at a lower dosage.
DAX: Doctor...
the people who attacked me—
they were from the Symbiosis Commission.
Hallucinations often take the form
of latent anxieties
and we all know the time you spent here
wasn't that easy for you.
But the uniforms they were wearing—
they were from over 100 years ago.
That was long before Jadzia was an initiate.
And none of my other hosts
had any bad memories of being here.
Well, with seven lifetimes' worth of memories
it's no surprise things would get a bit jumbled.
So you feel we're on the right track with these treatments?
Yes, I do
but I still want to see you tomorrow.
What's on your mind, Dax?
Oh! I wish I knew what these hallucinations meant.
The computer's still trying to identify the music.
Maybe that'll tell us something.
I hope so.
Jadzia, um...
maybe you still have some issues
you need to sort out about the time you spent here.
I don't need therapy, Julian.
I need answers.
Maybe the Guardians could help me.
The Guardians?
SISKO: They're unjoined Trill
who have devoted their lives
to the care of the symbionts.
They know more about them than anyone.
BASHIR: So, this is where the symbionts breed?
DAX: Mm-hmm. There are interconnecting pools
throughout these caves.
They stretch back for kilometers.
Look.
There's two of them surfacing now.
What was that energy discharge?
That's how the symbionts
communicate with each other.
Fascinating.
DAX: That's one of the Guardians.
Don't be surprised
if he seems a little distracted.
They're not used to visitors.
Hmm, that explain things.
Can I ask what you're doing?
Yes.
What are you doing?
Oh, just making sure they're comfortable.
Checking the ion concentration, temperature, viscosity...
They get very cranky if everything's not perfect.
You don't want them cranky.
Oh, no, huh... of course not.
They can be very demanding.
Sometimes...
I don't know why I put up with it.
What's the weather like outside?
Well, it's sunny, very pleasant.
Ah, sunshine.
I miss sunshine.
You're Dax.
Yes.
Jadzia Dax.
How did you know?
I know.
Something's wrong.
Yes.
Do you mind?
Oh...
Oh, that is not good.
Not good at all.
Tell me
how bad are the dreams?
They're not dreams.
They're hallucinations.
Actually, they're memories.
Then why don't I remember them?
The balance is off.
You mean the balance between host and symbiont.
What other balance is there?
Someone's not playing fair.
It wouldn't be Dax
so it must be the host.
You're saying the problem is with Jadzia?
No, no, not necessarily.
Could be any one of the hosts.
GUARDIAN: All right, Dax.
Come with me.
Let's see what we find.
How'd it go?
Timor is convinced
that my hallucinations have something to do
with one of my previous hosts.
But he's not sure which one
so he wants me to come back again tomorrow to see him.
We've got some good news.
The computer's identified your music.
Can I hear it?
( melody playing )
That's it.
The piece was written
by a Trill named Joran Belar 86 years ago.
Does the name sound familiar?
Joran Belar?
I don't think so.
Is there a picture of him?
I'll see.
( moaning )
He left me
no choice.
Who are you?
( gasps )
Dax?
( gasping )
Dax!
She's in neural shock.
RENHOL: We have to stabilize her synaptic functions.
Activate the neural induction field.
Give her another two cc's
of benzocyatizine.
Doctor...
Her isoboramine levels are down to 51 percent.
I don't understand it, a decrease that severe
is usually the result of tissue damage.
Commander, this wormhole you've discovered—
have your people done any surveys
of the diametric fields it generates?
Yes, in fact, Dax did the most recent survey herself.
I'd like to see those reports.
BASHIR: Do you think there's any correlation
between Dax's condition and the wormhole?
Something unusual is affecting her, and at this point
we can't afford to rule anything out.
If we can't get her isoboramine readings
up to an acceptable level within 48 hours
I'm afraid we'll have to remove the symbiont.
But that will kill Jadzia!
I'm well aware of that, Commander
but Jadzia would be the first to tell you
that our primary responsibility
must be to the symbiont.
If there's any change in her condition
I'll let you know.
( sighs )
Timor, we need your help.
Dax has gone into neural shock.
I'm sorry to hear that.
The doctors at the Symbiosis Commission
don't know what's causing it.
BASHIR: You told Jadzia
that her condition had something to do
with one of Dax's previous hosts.
That was just speculation.
You told her you were certain of it.
If I gave that impression, I apologize.
Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me
the symbionts need me.
Jadzia needs you, too.
She's dying!
All we're asking is that you come
with us to the Symbiosis Commission
and consult with Dr. Renhol.
I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do.
How do you know that unless you try?
Timor, what's going on here?
Did someone tell you not to pursue this?
Why would anyone do that?
You tell me.
I hope your friend recovers.
I truly do.
Now, if that's all, I'm very busy.
He's not busy, he's scared.
Why would anyone
want to keep him quiet about this?
What are they trying to hide?
Yesterday, Timor claimed
the problem was with one of Dax's previous hosts.
Today, the mere mention of the possibility
makes him nervous.
You'd think that someone doesn't want
an investigation of those past hosts.
I can't think of a better reason for such an investigation.
Can you?
It's possible that one of the Dax hosts
had something to do with this composer Belar.
Well, Jadzia seemed to lose consciousness
the minute she saw Belar's picture.
I think it's time we found out more about him.
I've accessed the Trill central database.
Let's see what information there is on Joran Belar.
BASHIR: Here we are.
Born on Stardate 1024.7
Died on Stardate 8615.2.
Is that all there is?
Well, I was expecting a lot more.
When I looked through Dax's records
there was detailed information on each host.
Could the file have been purged?
If part of the file's been deleted
the data compression ratio might be off.
Yeah, look at this.
The ratio's for a file five times larger.
There was definitely more information here.
Call up Dax's records.
Put them side by side with Joran's.
SISKO: Wait a minute.
Look at these dates.
Belar died on the same day
as Torias Dax died.
The same day the Dax symbiont was put into Curzon.
Oh, this has to be more than a coincidence.
Whoever purged the main database
might have missed something.
Check the enrollment records
of all the Trill music academies
during Belar's lifetime.
He's not listed.
But there is someone here with the same last name.
Maybe they're related.
Check the central database.
See if he's still alive.
He is.
Access the Trill communications grid.
Try to locate him.
There's a reasonable chance that he and Joran were related.
Musical ability often runs in families.
I've established a com link.
Put him on the main viewer.
Yes, can I help you?
I'm Commander Benjamin Sisko
of the Federation Starbase Deep Space 9.
What would a Starfleet officer want with me?
Are you Yolad Belar?
I am. Why?
We're trying to find information
on a man named Joran Belar.
Do you know him?
Of course I did. He was my brother.
He was a composer?
That's right.
We both graduated from the same music academy.
Are you aware that his record
has been purged from the academy's files?
That doesn't make any sense.
What's this all about?
That's what we're trying to find out.
Do you know if your brother knew a joined Trill
named Torias Dax?
My brother died 85 years ago.
I, I have a hard time remembering
what happened yesterday.
Then you don't remember the name?
No.
But that doesn't mean Joran didn't know him.
You say he was joined.
They could have met
when my brother went off to become an initiate.
He was a candidate for joining?
That's what I just said, isn't it?
Was he given a symbiont?
Not according to the Symbiosis Commission.
They claim he was dropped from the program
after the second year.
According to them, he murdered the doctor
that recommended dropping him
and was killed trying to escape the murder scene.
Sounds like you're not convinced that's what really happened.
Oh, I believe he killed that doctor.
My brother had a violent temper.
But about six months before that happened
my brother contacted me.
He sounded different somehow
more confident, even colder than usual
and when I asked him about it, he laughed.
He said he was different, that he'd been joined.
Did he tell you the name of his symbiont?
Hmm...
maybe he did.
I was so surprised to learn he'd been chosen to be joined
I can't remember much else.
I loved my brother, Commander.
In spite of all the things he did, I loved him.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Doctor, call up Dax's records.
I think I'm beginning to understand
what's going on here.
According to the official records
after Torias died, the Dax symbiont was put into Curzon.
What if that's not what happened?
What if Dax was given another host before Curzon—
a host who should never have been given a symbiont?
A host named Joran Belar.
Her isoboramine levels have dropped to 44 percent.
Tell Dr. Torvin to prepare the new host for surgery.
We'll begin transferring the symbiont in 15 minutes.
SISKO: Tell Doctor Torvin
to get a cup of raktajino.
He won't be needed.
Commander Sisko, how dare you come in here and...
BASHIR: It's over, Doctor.
We know about Joran Belar.
Wait outside.
Tell the surgeons to stand by.
I don't have time for this, Commander.
The symbiont is in danger.
So is Jadzia.
I can't do anything
for her.
Can't or won't?
I resent that implication.
And I resent having to watch my friend die
just so you can protect your secret.
What secret?
Oh, I think you know.
And the thought of it becoming public
scares the hell out of you.
Commander, I don't know what you're talking about.
I'm talking about the fact
that, 86 years ago, the Symbiosis Commission
mistakenly gave the Dax symbiont to Joran Belar.
I don't recall ever seeing any mention
of a Joran Dax on our records.
And we both know why, Doctor.
The Symbiosis Commission altered the records
just like they tried
to erase all knowledge of Joran from Dax's memory.
And now, after 80 years
the memory block is deteriorating
and Dax is starting to remember the Joran host.
What possible reason would anyone have
to create that sort of elaborate cover-up?
We wondered about that, too.
What was it about Joran
that had to be hidden at all costs?
The fact that he never
should have been selected as a host? No.
That simple error in judgment wouldn't be enough, would it?
There had to be something more.
Something that would shake
the very foundation of your society.
Tell me, Doctor, how many of your people
are suitable for joining?
I don't see how that's relevant.
I understand the percentage is very low—
maybe one in a thousand?
That's right.
Which is why the candidates
are put through such rigorous testing.
That's how we make sure the symbionts
aren't given to an unsuitable host.
What would happen
if, for some reason
a symbiont was given to an unsuitable host?
That doesn't happen.
What if it did?
Rejection would set in.
The host and the symbiont would both die.
How long before rejection would set in?
Three, maybe four days.
Then someone like Joran Belar
an unstable personality with violent tendencies
should have rejected a symbiont within a matter of days.
Yet that didn't happen, did it?
According to our information
he was joined to the Dax symbiont
for six months.
Six months, Doctor.
If a man like Joran Belar
can be joined successfully for that long
how many others can be joined as well?
Hundreds? Thousands?
Certainly more than the Symbiosis Commission
would have us believe
and that is what you've been trying
to cover up all along, isn't it?
That's why you're willing to let Jadzia die!
I'm not interested in exposing your secret, Doctor.
All I care about is Jadzia.
And I promise you, if she dies
I'll see to it that the entire planet knows why.
Do you realize what would happen if you did that?
It would mean chaos.
There aren't enough symbionts
for that many hosts.
The potential danger
to the symbionts would be enormous.
They would become commodities to be purchased
or prizes to be fought over.
Nearly half our population is capable of being joined.
That's what we learned from our unfortunate experience
with Joran Dax.
Now do you understand why you must not reveal the truth?
Do you understand my terms?
It's not that simple.
For Jadzia to survive
we have to stabilize the synaptic functions
between the host and symbiont.
Joran's memories have to be allowed to surface
to reintegrate with Dax's other memories.
It could be very dangerous.
Jadzia is a strong woman.
I say we give her that chance.
What if you're wrong?
What if Joran's personality
overwhelms Jadzia?
Are you willing to risk that?
The point is
it's not up to me or you to decide.
It's her life and her decision.
Julian.
( groans )
We've got a lot to talk about, Jadzia.
You have a decision to make.
Joran.
You know who I am.
You're a part of me.
( door chimes )
Come in.
Checking up on me, Benjamin?
Just thought I'd see how you were doing.
Julian stopped by 15 minutes ago and said the same thing.
I'll be all right.
I just need some time to sort things out.
I suppose it would have been easier
if you'd never found out about Joran.
No, I'm glad I did.
If you want to know who you are
it's important to know who you've been.
Good night, old man.
Benjamin.
I'll see you in the morning.
♪ ♪
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