"Out of the Ashes"
DS9, Dukat/Kira Nerys
by Tess

Chapter 5

"Did you tell him?" Julian whispered to Kira, keeping his eyes on Sisko's office door.

"Not yet. It... just wasn't the right time yet." She hadn't really tried, actually. They hadn't actually stopped making love until just a few minutes before her shift started. Now, Dukat was in with Sisko discussing his findings at Empok Nor. Kira hoped they would have another night together before he left again. She smiled to herself as she thought "even after last night, I still haven't had enough. I'm not sure I'll ever get enough." After their initial 'greeting' on the floor, they had lain in each other's arms for a short while, enjoying the intimacy that was so new to them.

He had stood and removed his clothing, then scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. She was whimpering, begging him to take her again.

"You're such an impatient lover, Nerys!"

She groaned in response. He was lying next to her, kissing her softly. He started with her ear, nibbled his way down her neck, lightly caressing her breasts with just his fingertips. She squirmed under his touch, wanting more, needing more.

Oh, this *is* good.

He teased her until she was nearly begging for him to touch her more intimately, then he rolled over onto his back. He pulled her on top of him and she straddled his groin, her inner thighs wet with her desire for him.

I want to see the passion in your eyes, my darling Nerys.

She wrapped her small, cool hand around the shaft of his stiff cock and rubbed the head of it against her wet vulva. He gasped at the sensations she was giving him.

She wanted to tease him as much as he had teased her, but her desire was too great. She was staring at his face, thrilled at the pure lust she saw there. His eyes were nearly closed, his head turned slightly to the left, his lips parted. He was breathing heavily and she knew she was the reason. Her need overtook her and without warning, she sat up and impaled herself on his stiff shaft. They both gasped as she slid herself down onto him and he reflexively bucked against her. He had to hold her hips to keep from throwing her off.

Oh, gods, Nerys... you feel so good to me... I want to bury myself in you, fill you completely. That's it.... oh, yessss.

She satisfied her need for him then and there, driving her hips up and down, back and forth, nearly delirious in her passion. He watched her in amazement as she came again and again, tossing her head back, moaning incoherently. He had one hand on her hip and the other lightly squeezing one of her nipples. She was almost insatiable, riding him like a stallion. Her desire for him was more than he had have ever hoped for, even in all those years of wanting her. When he could take no more, he pulled her roughly to him and plunged his tongue into her mouth as he drove his aching cock into her.

"Oooooohhhhhhh...." he groaned long and loud as he exploded inside of her.

"I've never seen you so quiet," she had told him later, as they lay quietly together.

"I was... preoccupied," he had told her. Then he sighed as he explained how much he had missed her. "You see, my dear, we have 'bonded' physiologically. I assure you, I was suffering as much as you when we were apart." She couldn't quite picture him huddled in his quarters, crying like a baby, but she suspected he had other ways of expressing his personal distress. Apparently, there was more to Cardassian mating than anyone had ever told her. Just as she had become addicted to his pheromones, he had become addicted to hers.

"This 'bonding' - is it for life?" she laughed nervously. He didn't answer, just smiled that sly, knowing smile.

You have no idea. You are mine for all time. There will never be another.

Waiting while Dukat and Sisko discussed strategy gave Kira time to rehash last night's events. They had made love over and over, in every conceivable fashion, spending a great deal of time exploring each other's bodies, learning each other's peculiarities. Kira smiled and tried to keep her emotions in check as she recalled kneeling between his legs as he relaxed on the couch. She had studied his manhood intently like a child with a new toy, when suddenly it had sprung to life in front of her very eyes, growing to its full immensity, then undulating in a fascinating manner, finally pointing straight at her mouth. It had been absolutely fascinating! Dukat had both hands behind his head, seemingly unaware of his organ's "activities" and she had squealed at its actions, as if it had a life of its own.

Thinking about that, what she had done after she had stopped squealing, and how she had made him groan a few minutes later had her squirming where she stood. How exciting it was to take him in her mouth, to feel the exotic ridges on the sides of his organ. It was thrilling to know how much she was pleasing him, that she had made him cry out her name. Standing there in Ops, she could almost feel his strong hands grasping the back of her head, as if she had any intention of stopping too soon! She knew she was driving him wild and she was loving every minute of it. It was hard not to smile...

"Colonel! Please join us immediately!" Sisko had a very unhappy look on his face. Kira couldn't help but blush. She wondered how long he had been standing there and if he had called to her more than once. She felt the color rise in her cheeks as she joined them in Sisko's office. Dukat stood and turned to face her, nodding silently with a slight bow. Sisko noticed and wondered what had prompted that exchange. He had never seen Dukat so respectful of the Colonel. "Dukat" was all she said. She kept her eyes on Sisko, afraid that the wrong look from Dukat would have her babbling like an idiot.

"Colonel... Gul Dukat has just returned from a reconnaissance mission to Empok Nor. He has found what we hope is the last stronghold of the Dominion in the Alpha Quadrant. He wasn't properly manned to drive them out, the Vorta and the Jem'Hadar, so I'm sending you to accompany him with the Defiant and finish the task. It shouldn't be too difficult, and a joint effort between Cardassia, Bajor, and the Federation should make a lot of people very happy." Sisko smiled a predatory smile. The thought of thoroughly trouncing the Dominion was satisfying. He waited for a reaction from the Colonel, expecting her to challenge his order or at the very least to complain about having to cooperate with Dukat, but instead neither she nor Dukat let any facial expressions show. He thought he detected an air of... excitement. It was puzzling.

Something's happened between them to change the nature of their relationship, Sisko thought to himself.

"You'll leave first thing in the morning. Dukat's ship needs some minor maintenance and O'Brien's getting to it now. I suggest you plan your strategy this evening and leave at 0600."

"Yes, sir!" they responded in harmony.

Outside Sisko's office, Dukat asked to speak with her privately. She ushered him into the Ward Room. He would have taken her in his arms then and there, but one never knew who was listening this close to Ops...

"You can turn this down if you want."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm a soldier, just like you."

"Yes, but you haven't been feeling well."

"But I'm fine now. I'm going. You need me... you need the Defiant. Besides, Sisko said it won't be too difficult, and then we can celebrate on the return trip. Now, I have to get to work. I'll meet you in my quarters at 1500, okay?"

"Yes. I need to keep an eye on O'Brien. Then I'll meet you at 1500." Kira choked back a giggle. She knew Dukat did not like O'Brien, and well, everyone knew how O'Brien felt about Cardassians.

A few hours later with Dukat safely aboard his ship, Kira made a quick stop at the infirmary. Julian was not entirely thrilled about her "going into battle" while pregnant.

"Julian, really. I'm barely pregnant. The fetus is so tiny at this point, I'd have to take a direct phaser blast to my abdomen or be totally disrupted to do it any harm."

He wasn't convinced.

"Besides, Dukat and I are soldiers - we always have been. It's what we do best. This will be an easy mission and when it's over, I'll tell Sisko I'm pregnant and it will be my last mission for a long, long time. Besides, once we drive out the last of the Dominion, there won't be any more missions for a long, long time." She was very convincing. He gave her more of the pills she needed to keep the sneezing at bay - she had struggled with the herbs so much with the O'Brien's baby that he had manufactured them as pills after that. He had wished her luck on the mission, then he went to see Sisko. The Captain agreed to let him go with the Defiant.

At 1500, Kira entered her quarters and found Dukat, looking completely at ease as if he belonged there. He crossed the room quickly and swept her into his arms, smothering her mouth with his, felt himself harden at the sight of her. He pulled her head back, looking deep into her eyes, thrilling at the desire he found there. At that moment, she realized how much power she had over him... and how she would never, ever hurt him again for any reason. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed, setting her feet on the floor at the foot of it. "Get undressed." His voice was rich with even more passion than usual and sent shivers down her spine and into her thighs. She obeyed and quickly removed her uniform. He watched appreciatively but did not remove his clothing.

He urged her back onto the bed and positioned her so that he could kneel on the floor between her legs, and he pulled her hips to his face. She gasped, unable to speak, as he softly kissed the silky skin of her upper thighs. She pulled a pillow under her head so she could watch him, and she saw him sniff the air as he caught the scent of her rising arousal. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as though the scent was bathing his face. It was a sensual movement, the sexiest thing she had ever seen... She was struck by the alienness of that and his feral behavior thrilled her. She had never thought of Cardassians in general and Dukat in particular as animalistic - not like Klingons, but she knew it now and it thrilled her beyond belief.

He knelt before her now as if worshipping her. He breathed softly on her pubic mound and she felt his hot breath stoke the fire burning within.

"Oh, Nerys... you are so beautiful."

She felt each word vibrate against her sex and wished he would go into one of those long speeches he was famous for.

What is he waiting for? she thought to herself impatiently.

He was driving her crazy. At long last, just when she thought she couldn't stand it, he lowered his head to give her the pleasure she desired... to satiate the need he had created in her.

Seeing him intently concentrating on pleasing her was exciting, and he was definitely a talented lover. She writhed beneath him but he gripped her hips firmly and kept her in the position where he wanted her. His lips, tongue and teeth spoke magical phrases to her body. He softly licked and kissed her vulva, then gently teased her clitoris with the tip of his tongue.

You taste so good, Nerys....

When her clitoris was erect with desire, he sucked it in between his lips and flicked his tongue back and forth across it. She pushed against him as much as he would let her. He groaned with his pleasure. She replied incoherently, her fingers twisted in his hair, nearly delirious in her passionate state. She moaned and gasped and cried out in ecstasy with every climax. Finally, when he sensed she was fully relaxed, he joined her on the bed and kissed her softly. She whimpered as she tasted herself on his lips and face.

"I'll be back in a couple of hours. I have a mission briefing with my men." She had not counted on him leaving her just then. "I suggest you sleep while I am gone - you will be glad you did when I return." He kissed her just a bit more passionately and she decided he was probably right, then curled up on her side to sleep. He covered her and stopped at a mirror by the door to comb his hair, then he was gone.

Chapter 6

Chief O'Brien passed Dukat in the airlock, glad to finally be finished with repairs. Damar and Dukat had been taking turns, looming over his shoulder all day and the Chief couldn't wait to get an ale with Julian at Quark's.

"Chief... I assume everything is once again functional," Dukat seemed to be almost smiling.

"She's 100%. I tuned up your cloaking device so you won't leave that tiny little stream of emissions any more. That's how we always know you're nearby." O'Brien couldn't resist getting in a dig when he could.

Dukat answered with just a nod, but just as O'Brien was almost out of sight, he called out to him

"Chief." He wanted desperately to make a remark about Nerys, something to let O'Brien know he had finally gotten her into his bed, but decided against it. "Thank you." He smiled and tipped an imaginary hat in the Chief's direction.

"Well, that was interesting." O'Brien said to himself aloud. When he got to Quark's, Julian was there, agitated to say the least. It seemed Quark had overheard Sisko tell Dax that Dukat and Colonel Kira were acting "friendly" and now Quark had a betting pool going on when the two would be first seen in public together holding hands or exhibiting some other "evidence" of their new relationship. Julian was furious. He hated keeping secrets. Quark had just offered the Chief a piece of the action, and the Chief had joked that it just might be true, since Dukat had been uncharacteristically nice to him earlier.

Julian told O'Brien he had to leave just then, and considering his pal's gloomy mood, O'Brien was content to drink alone. The Chief placed his bet as Julian went to have dinner in Garak's quarters. "Let Garak deal with him," O'Brien thought. Garak could always soothe the young doctor's nerves.

Dukat's men all stood at attention when he entered the bridge of his ship, as was the Cardassian custom.

"At ease, gentleman. At ease," he greeted them.

Even the newest crew member could tell he was very different than he had been the week before.

"Sir... Chief O'Brien has finished the repairs, we've taken on supplies, and here are the intelligence reports on Dominion activities." Damar took a step closer to Dukat. "The Ferengi was able to obtain the Bajoran spring wine you requested. I had it put in your quarters."

Damar had known Dukat for many years, and as he got close enough to him, he smelled a familiar scent coming from Dukat's face. He sniffed it for a few more seconds before he could identify it positively as the scent of an aroused Bajoran female. Dukat knew the effect this scent would have on Damar - that was why he had worn it proudly to his ship.

"I trust you had a good night last night, sir." Damar acknowledged his commander's success.

"Mmmm.... and a good day today!" Dukat laughed and actually slapped Damar on the back, leaving Damar stunned and speechless. Too bad she didn't give in to him a long time ago, Damar thought to himself. Life would have been a whole lot easier for a lot of people.

"I will be leading the raid on Empok Nor myself with Colonel Kira," he began.

Damar objected, as would any First Officer. "Sir, I must protest. You are needed here on the Bridge. Let me lead the away team."

Dukat seemed annoyed at that, an edge to his voice, as he continued, "Colonel Kira and I will lead a joint team of Bajorans, Cardassians and Federation soldiers onto Empok Nor, where we will kill every last Vorta and Jem'Hadar soldier. Any questions? Dismissed." Then, to Damar only: "Contact me at 0500. We leave at 0600."

"Yes, sir!" Damar was glad Dukat was feeling more normal. He had been so edgy before they returned to DS9 that he had snapped at everyone and finally secluded himself in his quarters to avoid killing his own men. "They must have bonded!" Damar thought to himself. That would explain Dukat's behavior! Dukat went to his quarters and retrieved two packages before leaving his ship to return to Kira's quarters.

Chapter 7

Kira's quarters were still dark as he entered and found her still asleep. He went to her and sat on the side of the bed, then thought better of it and removed his clothes before slipping into bed beside her. She responded to him in her sleep by rolling towards him and putting a hand on his chest. Its coolness made him gasp. It wouldn't matter if they stayed together forever, he would never cease to be amazed that she had finally let him in her heart. She had possessed his for so long... He slid his arm around her and pulled her to him. She awoke slowly and he loved seeing her like that - so vulnerable, so feminine, so childlike and soft. It was her fire, her zest, that had made him take notice of her to begin with, but this tender side of her was just as attractive if not more so.

When she was finally awake enough, she said softly "Dukat, there's something I want to tell you."

His heart leapt into his throat. He never thought he'd hear her say it! "Oh, Nerys! I know. I feel it just as much as you do. I love you, oh, Nerys, I love you!"

He silenced her with his mouth on hers and she resigned herself to tell him about the baby later, letting her passion overtake conscious thought for now. They only had a few more hours before 0600.

Dukat kissed her with as much passion as he had the very first time, taking her breath away. Suddenly, he pushed her away from him.

"Hey!" she registered her surprise.

"Get on your knees, here." He seemed so excited, like a child with a new toy, and he was grinning from ear to ear. He turned her so that her back was to the wall, her feet nearly touching it above the head of the bed.

"I don't know what you're planning, Dukat, but I won't do anything perverted, so you can just..." He silenced her with a kiss. "But..." He kissed her again. "I'm not...."

"Nerys! Do you trust me?" She paused a bit longer than he would have liked, but he knew this would be worth it, if he could persuade her just a bit. His fingertips strumming her vulva helped her decide.

"Okay" she said breathlessly. "Anything you want."

He was on his knees facing her, wrapping his arms around her. She seemed so small and fragile in this position. Oh, if this was half as good as he remembered it...

Just thinking about it made his manhood twitch. He pulled her head back and bit her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth. She dug her fingernails into his back, her arms around his waist. He planted his mouth on hers and kissed her so hard it scared her. She held on even tighter, her anxiety rising. She didn't really think he would hurt her, but his passion was so intense, his urgency so great, she didn't understand it.

"When I lift you up, wrap your legs around me," he insisted. She moved her arms to his neck and wished she wasn't so nervous. He lifted her and moved forward as he did, so that her back was against the wall, the weight of his body pressed against her. He was kneeling on the bed, legs apart for balance.

She squirmed against him, expecting him to take her, to penetrate her then and there. He didn't. "Not yet" he whispered low. His voice reminded her of how truly dangerous he was. Instead, he ground his pelvis against her, her body trapped between him and the wall. Her arms were rubbing firmly against his neck ridges and his pheromones were flooding the room. His rigid cock was rubbing against her vulva. She couldn't tell if the throbbing was from him or her... or both.

All of this felt very good to Nerys, but it was obvious to her that he was getting more out of this than she was - much more, judging by his ragged breathing and galloping pulse. Her hands were in his hair, her arms rubbing the sensitive neck ridges. He was kissing her furiously, passionately, plundering her mouth with his tongue, biting her lips. After what seemed like ages to Kira, he lifted her just enough and let her sink down slowly onto his stiff shaft. He growled in response to her scream. She climaxed immediately, touching off a frenzied series of climaxes that left her trembling and weak. All of this and he hadn't even moved inside of her... yet.

The heat between them was awesome. When he was ready, he started to move, to thrust and withdraw, ever so slowly, carefully, deliberately controlled motions that he had read about as a mere teenager, when he had snuck into his father's library and looked in the forbidden books. His movements touched off another paroxysm of climaxes for Nerys, leaving her gasping, almost sobbing. He smiled in his satisfaction - this was even better than he had hoped.

In this legendary Cardassian position, he could last all night, but Nerys was looking a bit ragged right now. He was kissing her again. "Oh, Nerys! Thank you.... thank you..." he murmured into her hair. "You have fulfilled for me a lifelong dream." He decided then to let his control go and let himself enjoy this moment thoroughly. He began then to lift her up and slam her down on his aching cock as he rocked his hips back and forth. It wasn't long until he felt his orgasm approaching, building to a crescendo like never before. He cried out when he came, his nonsensical cry ending in a long drawn out promise "Neryssssssssssssss."

As soon as they were lying in each other's arms, he promised her "Someday, when we have more time, we'll do that again, and I'll show you how wonderful it can be." She smiled and held him close as sleep overtook them both.

There's so much you don't know.

Damar's signal awoke them promptly at 0500. Kira drank raktajino and Dukat had red leaf tea as they prepared for their departure.

"I have something for you... a gift. I wanted to bring you more flowers, but we'll be away from the station, so I got you this instead." He handed her a box which was extremely heavy.

"What in the world is this?" she asked, smiling, as she began to open it. Not being able to keep a secret like this, he announced proudly "It's a duranium alloy personal protection vest. It's for you to wear under your uniform, to keep you safe." He looked so pleased with himself, she almost laughed. It was kind of like being given a kitchen appliance for one's birthday. This is weird.

"Dukat... thank you. This means a lot to me, but I've been safe all these years, and I've never needed duranium alloy before." Her smile and his perseverance kept his enthusiasm from waning.

"I know, but you didn't love me before, at least you didn't admit it, and now you do. I must keep you safe. I had it made for you. It should fit you perfectly."

Even as she argued that it might be too bulky under her uniform, she knew she would be wearing it on this mission. He would think it was because he was right, as always, but she would know it was because of the baby. It did fit perfectly and Kira laughed as she checked her appearance in the mirror. She looked a bit more bulky, in a muscular way, with it on, but that didn't look so bad. She chuckled to herself.

"Why you are laughing? It suits you!"

"I was just thinking how well you knew my figure to have had this made for me. You really have studied me for a long time, haven't you?"

"My dear, you have no idea!" He laughed and she kissed him.

"Thank you. I'll wear it just for you."

Sisko noticed her "bulkiness" at the airlock, but didn't say anything. There were a lot of puzzling things about the Colonel lately. He did, however, stifle a laugh when he saw the bit of black lace and satin sticking out of the bottom of Dukat's armor. He moved so that only Dukat could hear him and said, "Um, Dukat... I wasn't aware Cardassian military attire was so... frilly!" Sisko's face was less than 6 inches from Dukat's, and Sisko was smiling, on the verge of laughter. Dukat looked as though he'd swallowed his own tongue, but he quickly recovered and regained his composure. He tucked the offending item farther back up into his armor as he told Sisko, "It's a gift from my lover - a token, for luck, I believe, and a reminder to return quickly and safely. She insisted I carry it into battle with me." He smiled a feral smile and Sisko knew there was much more Dukat wanted to say, but was holding back. He knew Dukat's ship had been docked all night... his lover must be on the ship. Surely it was no one on the station!

The two ships departed for Empok Nor, Gul Dukat and his Cardassian crew on his, the Verite, Colonel Kira and her crew on the Defiant. Lieutenant Nog was at the helm and Julian Bashir was there, too. The rest of the Defiant's crew was made up of Bajoran military and other Star Fleet officers.

"Captain, Gul Dukat is asking that you beam aboard the Verite to meet with him about strategy," the communications officer sounded shocked. Kira almost giggled. She could appreciate what an unlikely request that would seem.

"Tell him I'll be right there." The coordinates he transmitted for her transport were, of course, to his quarters. She had barely materialized when he pulled her to him. He wanted... no, needed to feel her against him, but the unaccustomed armor under her uniform made an odd "thump" when it collided with his. Kira laughed, thinking of them as two Bajoran tortoises with their hard shells between them. Dukat laughed, too, and she loved the sound of it - so rich and vibrant. "I love you, Dukat." She said it with complete sincerity.

"And I love you, Nerys." He held her head in his hands and kissed her tenderly. "I love you."

Though both were seasoned warriors, the adrenaline was increased, as even though it was supposed to be an easy mission, there were always risks. Colonel Kira hesitated to bring it up, but it was a custom she had observed in every battle she'd ever been in, and she did it anyway.

"Dukat, there's a custom I learned a long time ago. Every time I'd go into battle, I'd record a letter to my loved ones in case I was captured or killed. And this is a battle, and you are my loved one... Here." She thrust the log into his hand. He was truly moved. "Don't read it unless something happens to me. It would be bad luck." She was getting uncomfortable with this situation and he sensed it.

"Nerys, I'm touched. That's a lovely custom, indeed. I'm afraid the only custom we Cardassians have before going into battle is for the commanders to have a drink of kanar together and toast to victory." He realized how shallow that must sound, and it was a pity. His people had once been as rich with tradition as hers or any others, but centuries of war had broken their spirits, it seemed. He sighed as he poured two glasses of kanar, handing one to her, he said "To victory. It is ours if we take it!"

"To victory" she responded. After they downed the kanar, he took her by the hand and his mood turned very serious.

"Nerys. I want you to know..." he sighed deeply. "Maybe this isn't the right time, but I need you to know, you've made me the happiest man alive. You make me feel things I never thought possible, and if I were to die today, I'd have no regrets."

"Dukat! Don't talk like that! You sound like a Klingon - all that 'today is a good day to die' stuff." She was getting very upset.

"Oh, no, Nerys!" he laughed. "On the contrary, I suppose I do have a personal custom. I always take a sort of "survey" of my life before I go into battle, and I guess I become a little introspective." He could see he was calming her a bit. "Besides, I'm not going to die in a battle. On the day I was born, a 'seer' told my mother that I would live to be an old man, surrounded by great grandchildren, and that I would die in my bed. I can tell you, Nerys, I'm not that old and I have no grandchildren yet! Don't worry about me, Nerys. I promise you - I have many, many more years ahead of me!"

"Well, just don't get any ideas about dying just yet, Dukat. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I haven't had enough of you yet. I'm not sure I'll ever have enough of you!" She smiled at him.

"Oh, Nerys. Don't ever doubt that I love you, and never doubt that I shall live a long, long time."

He kissed her passionately and held her as tightly as their armor would allow. Her heart was beating furiously and she wanted desperately to tell him, was just about ready to tell him about the life they had created, when Damar's voice came over the comm system.

"Sir, we will come into long range sensor range of Empok Nor in 25 minutes." Damar hoped 25 minutes would give his commander enough time with the Colonel before they had to cloak.

"Thank you, Damar" he responded. He pulled her close one last time and slid his hand between her legs, rubbing her none too gently through the thick fabric of her pants. She gasped, then grabbed him in return, gasping again when she felt his hardness.

"Tonight, we celebrate our victory!" he hissed. His eyes held the predatory look that had sent chills through her for most of her life. After a lingering kiss, Kira was beamed back to the Defiant and both ships cloaked, disappearing into the darkness.

Chapter 8

Even the Defiant's long range sensors couldn't help the troops prepare for what lie in wait for them on Empok Nor. The Jem'Hadar were virtually undetectable until it was too late. Dukat and Kira both knew, when the sensors detected five Vorta, that there were more Jem'Hadar than they had thought. Gul Dukat signalled Kira when he was ready to beam down with the first attack group. Kira reminded herself that Dukat was not only a great warrior, but he was clever and had managed to survive many assassination attempts without ever even being seriously injured. She had even tried to kill him a few times herself in the past and he had always survived somehow. Her own safety came last, in her mind, except where the baby was concerned. The baby was the most important thing.

Colonel Kira and her first wave beamed aboard just behind the Cardassians. When she saw the first two dead Cardassian soldiers, she thought her heart would stop. Then she started seeing a lot of dead Jem'Hadar. There were piles of them! She felt better, then. The soldiers in front of her got in a fire fight and one was injured - Kira tapped his comm badge so he would be beamed up to the Defiant, then turned and fired on two Jem'Hadar herself. She shuddered as she realized it actually felt good to kill them. She had thought those feelings were long gone...

She heard the fire fight going on up ahead in what would be the Promenade area. She paused in the entranceway just long enough to take a good look at Dukat in action. He was really in his element here, she thought. He was killing Jem'Hadar to the left and to the right, jumping, diving and rolling to avoid being hit himself. The look on his face was amazing. Three Jem'Hadar came too close to Kira and she joined the fire fight, killing them and making her way to Dukat's side.

Prophets! He's enjoying this!

"Colonel! Glad you could make it. Having a good time?"

"Yeah, but not as good as you!" They kept firing and ducking blasts from the Jem'Hadar.

"Obviously we didn't expect so many." Dukat was right about that!

"Have you seen the Vorta yet?"

"No, they're probably long gone. They run as soon as the fighting starts." The battle continued. Kira contacted the Defiant and had them scan the station for the Vorta. Three had left, but there were two still on board. According to the sensors, they were in Ops.

"Dukat, two of the Vorta are in Ops. I'm going in!"

"I'm going with you!" Several of Dukat's men stepped up the fight, eager to finish off the Jem'Hadar and accompany their commander to Ops. Kira and Dukat trotted to Ops, checking all around them for more Jem'Hadar or Vorta on their way.

"Dukat, how do you wear this armor all the time? It's really heavy." Kira felt like her legs might give out if they had to run much farther.

"I have a lot of stamina" he grinned the evil grin she knew so well. She groaned. "Besides," he continued, "it is clear that my race is much stronger than yours."

"Yeah, right." She laughed, but his words had the intended effect - her legs felt just fine suddenly, and even if they hadn't, she would never have let him know.

Dukat knew Kira was a good soldier, but he was a better commander, so he took command at the door of Ops, as he was always in command. "On my mark... three... two... one...mark!" They burst through the door at Ops side by side. The Vorta never knew what hit them. Dukat killed them both with two quick shots as Kira covered him.

"Don't rub it in, Dukat. I suppose you'll hold this over my head for the rest of my life."

Dukat was too preoccupied to joke. "This was too easy, Nerys. We've been set up." He turned just in time to see another Vorta and ten more Jem'Hadar step into Ops, cutting off their exit. The hairs on the back of Kira's neck were standing up and she realized she was soaking wet with sweat under the armor. For a moment, she thought she might throw up. She wished she were Betazoid, or even Cardassian, so she would know what Dukat would do next. There had to be a reason why he always managed to escape... she just wished she knew what it was.

Dukat stood his ground, stared down the Vorta and began, in his most velvety tones: "Well, well... are you one of the Weyoun clones? Have we met before?"

"Yes, Dukat... I am the Weyoun you know best. How nice of you to come! I knew it would be you, but to bring Colonel Kira - what a nice surprise!" Oh, how Dukat hated that weasel. His passive-aggressive tones made Dukat want to vomit. Kira managed to tap her comm badge twice without anyone noticing and her second wave of soldiers appeared in Ops, most of them between Kira and Dukat and the Jem'Hadar.

"Really, Dukat! Siding with the Federation! Is there no depth to which you won't sink?" Weyoun pushed all of Dukat's buttons at once. Kira sensed his rage before he actually moved, so that they moved as one unit, Dukat jumping to one side and killing Weyoun, starting the inevitable fire fight with the Jem'Hadar. Several of the Bajorans were killed, but Dukat grabbed Kira's hand and pulled her out of Ops into the Promenade again. It was a good vantage point and Kira made a note of that - Dukat was truly the superior warrior. They fired continuously at the Jem'Hadar who came pouring out of Ops straight into their line of fire.

"I believe we've gotten them all!" Dukat peered into Ops and, seeing no more of the enemy, returned to the Colonel. He swept her up in a big hug even though there were Bajoran and Federation officers all around. She didn't care. The hug had been unexpected and her arm was caught between them. She stifled a squeal when she realized Dukat was hard again. She knew it wasn't because of her, but a result of the adrenaline from the battle, and the victory.

She hugged him back and kissed him full on the lips in front of everyone. Dukat felt young again. There was something rejuvenating about a good kill... and a victory. His senses were heightened after the battle they had just waged. The acrid smell of phaser fire was all around him and he breathed it in, the predator in him savored it, relished it.

Ever the vigilant warrior, he sensed the danger before anyone else; tasted it in his throat - the bitter bile of realization. He had just let go of Kira; she was now just a couple of feet away, beside him, congratulating the others, when he knew. In a flash of a moment probably lasting only single digit seconds but feeling much more like an eternity, he felt the presence of the lone Jem'Hadar soldier, heard the eerie voice crying out "Victory is life", and saw the phaser trained on Kira's back.

As soon as he realized what was happening, Dukat's feet had left the floor as he launched himself horizontally, crossing Colonel Kira's body perfectly, absorbing the phaser fire in his lower abdomen and groin, just below his armor, just as she turned to see it. He felt the phaser fire tear into his flesh, felt the kick and the burn as it ripped into him. He felt himself falling in a heap, saw and heard everything around him in slow motion. He heard the shouts and astonished cries around him, saw his soldiers fire upon the Jem'Hadar, taking him down. As he turned in mid air, he saw the shocked, stunned look on Kira's face, saw her mouth the word "No", then seconds later heard the strangled sound of her cry. When he hit the floor, he felt the rush of air leave his lungs and his chest tighten as he was unable to refill them. Nerys was holding his head in her lap then, kneeling beside him. He wanted to tell her that he was okay and that he loved her, but all he could do was blink. His hearing was tuned now to her, the rest of the sounds seemingly far away... He heard her tell him she loved him and he longed to do the same.

There was a thudding noise echoing in his head,

"Boom.... Boom... Boom... Boom".

It took him a few seconds to realize it was the sound of his own pulse slowing as he was drained of his life force. Nerys was crying, rocking back and forth, a look of pain on her face that cut him to his very core. She was frantically tapping her comm badge and his, a look of sheer devastation on her beautiful face. "It's okay, my darling Nerys, everything will be fine" he wanted to tell her. He tried to smile.

It was then and there, in that island of calm surrounded by a sea of chaos that he heard the words, her voice shaking, racked with sobs, her teeth clenched from the agony within... "Dukat, you promised me you wouldn't leave me now. Not like this. Damn it, Dukat, I've been trying to tell you, I'm pregnant. We're going to have a child together. Don't you leave me now!" He smiled as he closed his eyes one final time as his last breath escaped his body.

Colonel Kira Nerys sat rocking his lifeless form in her arms and she began to scream - - an anguished, terrifying, unhumanoid wail, over and over again, looking up at the ceiling but not seeing it, her conscious mind already having retreated from the hell surrounding her.

Just then, as if by magic, Dukat's body was beamed away without warning, nothing left of him but the woman who had loved him and lost him, and the congealing river of his blood in front of her.

END