History Heartwarming / StarTrekDeepSpaceNine

* At the end of "Prophet Motive", Quark says he was sad he couldn't profit somewhat from the Grand Nagus' charitable streak or the experience both had with the Prophets. Rom then reveals he embezzled funds from the Nagus' charity fund, leaving a tidy bit of money for Quark and himself. Immensely impressed, Quark says "Father would be proud" and they walk off together laughing. It's one of the few times Quark expresses genuine pride in his brother, and it's absolutely adorable.

* [[FridgeLogic Fridge]] Heartwarming: Fans of ''TNG'' will recognize the strategy of using a solar eruption to destroy the Dominion space dock as one that was invented on the fly by the ''Enterprise''-D crew to destroy a rogue Borg vessel in "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E24S7E1Descent Descent]]". So, in a way, Worf's old ship and crew helped him get Jadzia into Sto-Vo-Kor.

* It's just a small thing, but still. Watching Koloth ''[[DeadpanSnarker nursemaid]]'' Kor (despite his complaints that he would do no such thing) in "Blood Oath" was rather adorable in its own way. These are two battle hardened warriors who have watched each other's backs for almost a hundred years, so it kind of makes sense. Though it's also great on a meta level, since this is the first time the pair (and the trio, once you add Kang) have ever been seen on screen together. The fans of the original series have been hoping for a team-up like this for years, and they finally got their wish.

*** In many ways, Nog taking this step is what gives Rom the courage and resolve to kickstart his own personal development - he begins to stand up to Quark to protect Nog, and in the following season, leaves the bar to join the station's engineering team. All because he saw his son attempt to follow his own path, rather than doing what was expected of a Ferengi.
*** A very interesting and decidedly meta moment of heartwarming- Over on ''Star Trek: Voyager'', Harry Kim was an ensign for seven years. He was actually served a drink by Nog back on Deep Space Nine before ''Voyager'' left dock. In seven years, he never was promoted above ensign. Nog not only went to Starfleet Academy and graduated, but now is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in less than half that time. Now consider that the Ferengi were originally designed as a Straw Race--designed as a reflection of modern day humans and to show how our greed and misogyny and bad habits would eventually turn out, while the Federation was made of humans, who were perfect. Now, well over a decade later, and we see what happens to a race created as an anviliciously evil menace when they really apply themselves. Nice way to overcome the stereotype, Ferengi.

* The moment in "The Way of the Warrior" where Worf and O'Brien reminisce about the events surrounding "The Best of Both Worlds". It becomes a TearJerker when they start eulogizing the ''Enterprise''-D because, in a meta sense, they are also eulogizing [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration the Next Generation]].

** O'Brien is hugely supportive of Worf when he arrives, and for his part Worf is genuinely glad to see him. O'Brien even extends compliments when Worf decides to stay on the station and appears in his new Command uniform. At the beginning, Worf was thinking of leaving Starfleet after the Enterprise-D went down. Now he's back and better than ever.

** What is effectively Worf and Jadzia's first date on the holosuite, where she ultimately helps him figure out how to solve the question of what the Klingons are even doing there. You can already see the hints of flirtation on both their parts as they spar.

* Jadzia Dax and Lenara Kahn in "Rejoined." Lovers in past lives, Dax and Kahn have been dealing with unresolved issues and taboo, but can't help flirting, and eventually share a BigDamnKiss. While on the Defiant, Kahn is in the Engineering Bay and Dax is on the bridge when a plasma conduit is ruptured in Engineering. Jadzia wastes no time getting down there, and if Eddington says that if they don't vent the plasma into space, the entire ship will go. Dax walks over the plasma leak by putting a force field on top of it, pulls Kahn into the next room. Their exchange as they're holding each other:

** The kiss, in and of itself, is one of the show's most heartwarming moments in general, not to mention a simultaneous [[TearJerker/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Tear Jerker.]]
** On the meta side, both the fact that the episode itself treats the fact that Jadzia and Lenara are both women as a non-factor (all concern is wrapped up in their violation of the Reassociation taboo), to the point that it was originally pitched with Lenara as a man, and the writers ultimately looked at the story and said "well, what if they're both women?" AND the fact that Avery Brooks, the episode's director, downright refused to allow the kiss to be sensastionalized, not allowing Entertainment Tonight to film the kiss, treating the whole matter with respect, rather than aiming for a SweepsWeekLesbianKiss.

** Personally, the scene that got me was Quark telling Sisko (who was essentially giving him free furniture to "store" while someplace on the station was "being fixed") that there was a small storage fee for keeping the stuff there. ("A minimum storage fee. Practically nothing.") I don't know why, but something about it just said that even after the emotional roller coaster that Quark went through, he's capable of getting back to who he is- a greedy, lovable scoundrel. And it's capped off by Sisko just cocking an eyebrow and rolling with it. ("Send me the bill.")
*** It's a CallBack to the very premise of the episode: Quark is a Ferengi to his core. He's not evil, he's just committed to his beliefs. In many ways, he's just as dedicated to his religion as Kira and Worf are to theirs.

*** Also falls under heartwarming on the meta level - Nana Visitor was genuinely pregnant, so they found a way to keep her in the show without having to do HideYourPregnancy trickery (that would have likely required significantly reducing her screen time) or forcing her character into an OOC pregnancy storyline.

'''Leeta:''' (frustrated) Why not? \\
'''Rom:''' Because! (quietly) I love you, and I want you to stay. \\
'''Leeta:''' (drops her bag) I love you too, Rom!

* Enina Tandro's solemn request that Jadzia Dax "live a long, fresh, and wonderful life," after she had kept her silence in an effort to protect the secret of Enina's husband's collaboration with the enemy, even to the risk of Dax's own death. HarsherInHindsight still comes in to play, given the events of "Tears of the Prophets," but it is still a solemn moment of well wishing to a woman who Enina barely knew, and yet had acting to defend a secret that would have destroyed the image of a war hero that her people needed.
* A cut subplot included in the script from the episode involved Quark taking bets on whether the arbiter would rule in favor for Dax or for the Klaestrons. Among the people who predicted correctly that she would deny Dax's extradition? A ferengi waiter, a dabo girl, and ''Morn'', who makes "a brave wager" despite Quark's pessimistic estimates.

* Inspite of Miles' own [[FantasticRacism prejudice]] towards Cardassians, even he acknowledges that his biases are wrong and he genuinely tries to tell [[InternalizedCategorism Rugal]] that he can't judge an entire race by the actions of some of its members.
->'''Miles O'Brien''': You can't judge a whole race of people. You can't hate all Cardassians or all Klingons or all humans. l've met some Cardassians l didn't like and l've met some l did. Like you.

** Not to be missed is Rom's reaction to Nog wanting to join Starfleet. Quark forbids it and Rom, in a rare display of backbone, puts his foot down, tells Quark that he runs the bar, but Nog is HIS son, and wishes Nog good luck at Starfleet Academy.
*** In many ways, Nog taking this step is what gives Rom the courage and resolve to kickstart his own personal development - he begins to stand up to Quark to protect Nog, and in the following season, leaves the bar to join the station's engineering team. All because he saw his son attempt to follow his own path, rather than what was expected of a Ferengi.
*** A very interesting and decidedly meta moment of heartwarming- Over on ''Star Trek: Voyager'', Harry Kim was an ensign for seven years. He was actually served a drink by Nog back on Deep Space Nine before ''Voyager'' left dock. In seven years, he never was promoted above ensign. Nog not only went to Starfleet Academy, graduated, but now is a Lieutenant Junior Grade, in less than half that time. Now consider that the Ferengi were originally designed as a Straw Race--designed to look bad and show as a reflection of modern day humans, how our greed and misogyny and bad habits would eventually turn out, while the Federation was made of humans, who were perfect. Now, well over a decade later, and we see what happens to a race created as an anviliciously evil menace when they really apply themselves. Nice way to overcome the stereotype, Ferengi.

* The Cardassian scientists, Ulani and Gilora, arrive at the station for the first joint Bajoran-Cardassian action taken under the new peace treaty (facilitated by Starfleet and the Federation), and they are both very awkward and nervous about the situation, knowing how careful they must be in terms of keeping the peace. Yet they're both genuine in their efforts, Ulani even making it a point of thanking Kira for being accepting of their involvement, saying that if the Bajoran militia liason officer would not accept their efforts, then there would be no endeavor at all. Kira herself is brought up short by this, but accepts the thanks as well.

* The whole of the episode "Explorers" explores the loving father-son bond between Commander Sisko and Jake. From Ben and Jake sharing an adventure together by [[ExperimentalArcheology building an ancient solar sail-barge]] and becoming the Federation's version of Thor Heyerdal by proving that ancient Bajorans used these vessels to travel all the way to Cardassian space, to his unconditional support of Jake's desire to pursue a writing career. Ben and Jake Sisko present one of the most positive father-son relationships since [[Series/TheAndyGriffithShow Sherrif Taylor and Opie]].

* In "Crossfire," Odo, upset over losing out on romance to Kira and Worf capturing a would-be assassin, comes to his quarters and smashes the place up. Quark comes to complain about the noise but is struck by how defeated Odo looks. Quark tells Odo he's losing money in a "manhunt pool" he runs because of this attitude and that the pool is a sign of how much the station's inhabitants respect and admire Odo. Quark tells Odo has to either tell Kira how he feels or forget her and move on.
-->'''Quark''': Well, I've said my piece. Sorry to come down hard but I'm looking out for my business.

-->'''Quark''':...Nah.
** At the episode's end, Quark tells Odo he's moved by the discovery Odo is having the floor of his quarters sound-proofed. Odo scoffs and claims he's just having the floor reinforced, the sound-proofing is a coincidence and Quark pretends to accept it but clearly, they both know it's a cover.

* Rom quits his job as a waiter at Quarks' and joins the station engineering team. He gives Quark a great justification for leaving, one that has nothing to do with years of being exploited:

* Quark's [[PetTheDog genuinely happy]] at hearing the news that Keiko is pregnant and congratulates Chief O'Brien, before reminiscing on when Nog was a baby. Nog was apparently very cute, and Quark even read to him. Aww.

* Miles O'Brien is put through 20 years of [[YearInsideHourOutside simulated jail time,]] in which he killed his cellmate Ee'char when he suspected he was hoarding food from him ([[ShootTheShaggyDog it turned out he was saving the food for both of them]]). This experience leaves Miles traumatized, and when he loses his temper towards his daughter Molly, [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Miles is so ashamed that he heads down to the phaser locker to kill himself]]. Thankfully, Dr. Bashir finds him before Miles presses the trigger button.

* Odo enters into a MarriageOfConvenience with Lwaxana to help her escape her controlling husband. During the ceremony, he has to tell Lwaxana why he wants to marry her, and do so convincingly enough to convince the spectators, including the current husband. He starts off with a stitled, formal speech, but when he's challenged, he gives a speech so good that even the husband is convinced -- and there's very little acting involved. He may not have romantic feelings for her, but it's clear that his explanation of what she means to him is entirely genuine.

** Personally, the scene that got me was Quark telling Sisko (who was essentially giving him free furniture to "Store" while someplace on the station was "Being fixed") that there was a small storage fee for keeping the stuff there. ("A minimum storage fee. Practically nothing.") I don't know why, but something about it just said that even after the emotional roller coaster that Quark went through, he's capable of getting back to who he is- a greedy, lovable scoundrel. And it's capped off by Sisko just cocking an eyebrow and rolling with it. ("Send me the bill.")

** The B-plot from the same episode, in which Kira allowed Bashir to transplant Keiko's unborn baby into her womb when Keiko is injured in a Runabout accident. The O'Briens welcome Kira into their extended family and invite her to stay with them for the duration of her pregnancy. Especially sweet when Molly calls her "Aunt Nerys".

* As Odo limps from the Promenade to the Defiant, Quark has some parting words:

'''Odo''': ''(sarcasticaly)'' Care to come along? \\

* On a wider note, basically the entire senior staff (and possibly a few junior officers we don't see) are willing to put themselves at risk on the chance that the Founders will be able to help Odo; even the Female Changeling acknowledges their loyalty to Odo does Sisko credit (although it's hard to know if she's [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation acknowledging Sisko as a fellow leader or just as a solid showing 'due deference' to a Changeling]]).

* Worf helps Quark court Lady Grilka, showing him step by step how to declare his intentions, how to roleplay the most romantic moment in klingon history in the holosuite, and helping Quark fight a duel against Grilka's bodyguard. It's clear that Worf has put a lot of thought into courting Grilka, and wishes that Grilka would give him another chance, but he shares his knowledge with Quark knowing that Grilka would be more happy with him than with Worf. And [[spoiler: Dax takes notice and initiates a relationship with him because of it.]]

* Essentially the whole episode, it being a love letter to ''The Original Series'' and ''Star Trek'' in general. The sheer wonder and joy on the [=DS9=] crew's faces as they get to visit the "past" and meet long-time heroes in the form of Kirk and company.
* Dax sums it up, explaining she lived through this time (like the fans who watched it) and she’s excited to revisit it.

* While also humorous, the fact that O'Brien, Bashir and Worf, are so struck with hero worship for James T. Kirk. That they'd contemplate buying him a drink when they mistake Lieutenant Freeman for him.
--> '''Worf''': (''in awe'') It would be an honor to meet him
* Sisko finishes his report by stating that he took a chance to interact with James Kirk, offering him a duty roster for him to sign (ostensibly to get the legendary captain's autograph). When he informs the DTI agents Lucsly is cold and brusque as ever, but Dulmer warms up and says he doesn't believe there was any harm done and in Sikso's position he'd likely have done the same thing. Despite his earlier assessment of Kirk as a 'menace' it's clear Dulmer respects the man.

* Furel and Lupaza, members of the Shakaar cell, sneak onto the station in the name of protecting Kira from whoever has been killing their members. This includes knocking out the station security guard and, due to their clandestine entry to the station, nearing getting shot by Kira. Still, they also bring with them some mobara herbs, meant to help ease Kira's sneezing fits. And the absolute joy Kira expresses at seeing her old friends on the station is just sweet to see. [[TearJerker And makes their deaths hurt all the worse.]]

** Odo and Mora's reconciliation is heartwarming in itself. Odo finally concedes that Mora wasn't trying to hurt him, but rather was dealing with something he didn't even realize at first was a living creature, and Mora finally admits that he ''did'' hurt Odo and he is responsible for that. And then they share a drink to celebrate the baby Changeling's progress.

*** It goes one step further: back in "Indiscretion", Dukat says that for cardassians, allowing a non-cardassian to even view one of their dead is a big cultural taboo. By allowing Bashir to stay, Garak is, for all intents and purposes, acknowledging him as a fellow cardassian, maybe even family.

* Klingons have historically ''hated'' Cardassians, yet Garak, by virtue of battling his claustrophobia to work on an escape plan earns Worf and Martok's respect, the latter even noting "There is no greater enemy to conquer than one's own fears."

* Odo's relationship with Arissa is really one big CMOH, but special mention goes to the scene where he tells her why he wants to help her: he admires Arissa's bravery in walking away from the Orion syndicate because at one time, he also worked for some bad people (the Cardassians), only he never had the courage to do what Arissa is doing.

* The romance between Quark's mother and [[spoiler: The Grand Nagus Zek]] may seem like a CrackPairing, but the affection they display towards each other sells it.
* The subplot between Rom and Leeta deserves mention. Rom is forced to make a difficult choice between protecting his profits and marrying the woman he loves, when she refuses to sign a one-sided prenup agreement.

'''Rom''': I gave all my latinum to Major Kira for the Bajoran War Orphans Fund. She kissed me. \\

** There's also the short but sweet scene where Leeta is badmouthing Rom to Kira, and Kira is fully aware that she's just blowing air and trying to convince herself of it, so she just casually refutes her every claim, leading to Leeta bursting into tears, Kira comforting her as she does. The simple gesture of friendship makes you smile through the tears.

** There is a rare one for Weyoun, as well. After listening to Jake's farfetched explanation of who Willie Mays is, Weyoun concludes that Jake's original story, that he was trying to get a thoughtful gift for his father, was the truth. What's more, while Weyoun has no reason to help him or allow him to succeed, he casually allows Jake and Nog to depart with their hard won baseball card.

* In "A Call to Arms" Sisko's speech to the remaining people on the station promising to return before he beams over to the Defiant.

* The wedding of Worf and Jadzia, and the tale of the first two Klingon, who instead of fighting each other, joined together and slew their gods, showing that nothing is stronger than two hearts together.

* Jake telling Sisko that he did the right thing, refusing to act to eject the Pai-Wraith spirit from him, even if it would have meant Jake's death.

* The scene between young Molly and teenager Molly. The interaction between them is heartwarming enough, but the moment after little Molly steps through the portal, the older Molly has a moment of realization. O'Brien later wonders if she realized just what it was she was doing -- it's pretty clear she did.
* Worf is visibly moved when he learns that Kirayoshi picked up a lesson he was trying to teach him.
** Also, Jadzia's description of Kirayoshi doing the thing Worf taught him (some kind of Klingon baby exercise) is ''adorable.''

** Something that isn't undermined by the end of the episode, Odo had been avoiding Kira after arresting a Vedek for breaking a minor law on the Promenade. She tracks him down the night before leaving with the Federation task force to Chin'toka, and he's spent the last few days avoiding her, thinking that she wanted to end their relationship because of their fight. After assuring him that she is still invested in their relationship (and that he was still wrong to arrest the Vedek), they agree to spend the night together.

* After O'Brien discovers why Worf has been busting up Vic's lounge while listening to Jadzia's favorite song, he, Bashir, and Quark decide that they need to arrange for him to fight in some battle that he can dedicate to her and ensure her entry to Sto-Vo-Kor, rather than the convoy duty that Admiral Ross has had him on for three months. In the span of a scene change, General Martok meets Worf for a sparring match and invites him along on a dangerous mission where conceivably, they could die horrible deaths. The implication is that Martok needed no convincing, just the confirmation about what Worf wanted to do.

* Dax meeting the Siskos in "Shadows and Symbols." Ezri is dealing with being an unprepared host for the symbiote and all the [[MindHive issues]] that go with the joining, Ben is trying to come to terms with Jadzia's death, his failure as the Emissary, and some EldritchAbomination-provided hallucinations. But at the end of the day, they're still Sisko and Dax, and just being together again clearly helps both of them cope.

--> ''(translated) Open your gates, Sto-vo-kor. Welcome Jadzia to your halls. Welcome this honored warrior. Welcome her, Sto-Vo-Kor, for all eternity.''
* [[FridgeLogic Fridge]] Heartwarming: Fans of ''TNG'' will recognize the strategy of using a solar eruption to destroy the Dominion space dock as one that was invented on the fly by the Enterprise-D crew to destroy a rogue Borg vessel in "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS6E24S7E1Descent Descent]]". So, in a way, Worf's old ship and crew helped him get Jadzia into Sto-vo-kor.
** It’s not just the Enterprise-D crew - during the Klingon Civil War, Kurn used a similar tactic as well, which means that just about everyone in Worf’s extended family had some kind of hand in this.

* While it may sound surprising, the episode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite" is probably one of the series biggest CMOH's. Watching Deep Space 9's senior staff pulling together all throughout the episode was very pleasant to watch. From everyone standing by Rom's side when Sisko kicked him off the team. Watching ''[[SourSupporter Quark]]'' of all people putting his heart and soul into the training, ''and'' the team. But the best part would have to be when Sisko gets Rom back in the game [[spoiler: and Rom manages to score]].

* At the end of the Season 7 episode "Take Me Out To The Holosuite", Sisko's [[StrawVulcan Vulcan]] [[TheRival Rival]] tries to rub in just how badly [=DS9=] [[CurbStompBattle lost]] at baseball, even if they did manage to score a run. Sisko takes it in stride, enjoying the camaraderie and remembering how much he loved the game, then Sisko's team stand up for him, getting under the Vulcan's skin so bad it leaves him at a loss for words, showing how great the TrueCompanions and FireForgedFriends tropes are. To "manufactured triumph," indeed.

* Worf and Kor, sharing a toast to Jadzia, summing her up in a way only a Klingon could, and a way she'd have been proud to hear.

* Kira calls out Dukat's change of heart and turning to the Pai-Wraiths, asking if the "opening of his heart" came before or after he killed Jadzia, the anger at Jadzia's death plain to hear in her voice. On top of his crimes throughout the Occupation, he killed her best friend, and she still has a flame of anger just on that front for him.

!!Inter Arma Enim Silem Leges

* That in her crisis of faith, having been reached out to by the pai-wraiths, rather than the Prophets, Kai Winn goes to Kira for guidance, seeking the path back to the Prophets. Moreover, Kira's advice is genuine, truly trying to help Winn, despite the years of antagonism between them, including her having pushed for the procedures that ultimately led to the death of Bareil, Kira's lover. She is genuinely trying to extend a hand to Winn in her hour of spiritual need, even after everything between them.

*** A very interesting and decidedly meta moment of heartwarming- Over on Star Trek: Voyager, Harry Kim was an ensign for seven years. He was actually served a drink by Nog back on Deep Space Nine before ''Voyager'' left dock. In seven years, he never was promoted above ensign. Nog not only went to Starfleet Academy, graduated, but now is a Lieutenant Junior Grade, in less than half that time. Now consider that the Ferengi were originally designed as a Straw Race--designed to look bad and show as a reflection of modern day humans, how our greed and misogyny and bad habits would eventually turn out, while the Federation was made of humans, who were perfect. Now, well over a decade later, and we see what happens to a race created as an anviliciously evil menace when they really apply themselves. Nice way to overcome the stereotype, Ferengi.

* "Ties of Blood and Water" is a big mix of this and TearJerker. Kira returns Ghemor's side and remains with him until he dies. Then she buries him next to her father, under the same tree.

* There's a small moment after the chief is returned to DS9 where he and Worf of all people are playing darts. When O'Brien shows a lack of enthusiasm for the game, Worf suggests they go kayaking in the holosuite. Considering how much Worf dislikes aimless socialising and leisure time, it speaks to how much he cares about O'Brien and how sensitive he is to his suffering.

*** A very interesting and decidedly meta moment of heartwarming- Over on Star Trek: Voyager, Harry Kim was an ensign for seven years. He was actually served a drink by Nog back on Deep Space Nine before ''Voyager'' left dock. In seven years, he never was promoted above ensign. Nog not only went to Starfleet Academy, graduated, but now is a Liutenant Junior Grade, in less than half that time. Now consider that the Ferengi were originally designed as a Straw Race--designed to look bad and show as a reflection of modern day humans, how our greed and misogyny and bad habits would eventually turn out, while the Federation was made of humans, who were perfect. Now, well over a decade later, and we see what happens to a race created as an anviliciously evil menace when they really apply themselves. Nice way to overcome the stereotype, Ferengi.

** Quark even calls them good customers, a high Ferengi honor, and quotes the 57th Rule of Acquisition that says good customers should be treasured.