Now cured, Sarina delights in all that she sees and hears. She's deeply grateful to Bashir for helping her, and he's moved by the sight of Sarina blossoming before his eyes. Overnight, she has gone from a state of silence to one of bliss. In some ways, it's overwhelming to Sarina, who confides that she's afraid to sleep out of fear that she could wake up the way she once was.

Hoping to expand Sarina's social circle beyond the dysfunctional friends who brought her to the station, Bashir takes her out to Quark's, where she charms the doctor and everyone around her. Later, Bashir acknowledges that Sarina no longer belongs in the medical facility to which her friends must soon return, and smitten with her, he kisses Sarina tenderly.

Bashir tells O'Brien that Sarina is the woman of his dreams. For years, he has longed to meet a genetically engineered person, like himself, who is able to live a normal life. O'Brien is concerned that things are moving too quickly, but Bashir won't hear of it. He asks Sarina to go away with him for a week. Becoming more and more overwhelmed by the sudden changes in her life, she nevertheless agrees. Yet when she stands him up for dinner, Bashir is stunned to find Sarina in her quarters, reverted to her original unresponsive state.

When he can't determine why Sarina has relapsed, Bashir asks her genetically enhanced friends for help. They inform him that Sarina can still talk — but for some reason she's afraid. Eventually, Sarina confesses the truth behind her fear — she cannot be the woman Bashir wants. He realizes that in his loneliness, he pushed her into something for which she wasn't ready. Knowing he must let her discover life on her own, Bashir bids Sarina a reluctant farewell.