The first time

It was a dingy station, with dim lights and a highly industrial feel. It was a far cry from the white walls of Dr. Mora's lab, but after seeing the way that the Bajoran labour workers were treated, Odo wasn't certain which was worse. Despite his intense dislike for most of the Cardassians, particularly Gul Dukat, he did his job without complaint, ignoring the twinges of guilt he felt whenever he apprehended a rebelling Bajoran.

The one occupant of Terok Nor whose company Odo found more tolerable than expected was the Ferengi bartender. It wasn't that he liked Quark- far from it. But even the conniving, misogynistic Ferengi made good company compared to the Cardassian oppressors. Besides, Quark was a known criminal, and it only made sense for the chief of security to spend as much time around him as possible.

That was why Odo found himself at Quark's bar time and time again, checking in on the bartender just to make sure he wasn't up to anything- like tonight, for instance. Gul Dukat was having a few too many bottles of Kanar, and it was obvious that Quark was becoming increasingly agitated. Odo could tell this because he had been watching Quark very carefully all night. However, he'd chosen to keep his distance this time. Sometimes he made conversation with the little bartender, but it was only in an attempt to do his job as thoroughly as possible. Quark may have been preferable to, one of the Cardassians, but Odo hardly would have missed him if anything were to happen to him.

So why, then, did he feel so on edge as he watched Dukat lean across the counter and grab Quark by the collar? Why did Odo have to fight the urge to lunge from his seat and tackle the drunken Gul to the ground? He didn't know why, but he wanted Dukat as far away from Quark as possible.

"Did I not make myself clear, Ferengi?" Gul Dukat snarled, his eyes flashing as he gripped the garishly patterned fabric of Quark's jacket. Quark gulped, sweat trickling down his face; Odo bit back the urge to grab him away from the Gul's threatening clutch. "I want more Kanar, now!"

Quark looked absolutely terrified, and he wasn't hiding it remotely well. Even so, he hissed, baring his jagged little teeth. "And I said you have to pay first," he shot back. He tried to jerk away from Dukat, who growled and wrapped his hands around the bartender's neck. "O-or not," Quark whimpered, pressing his wrists together submissively.

Odo expected Dukat to let go then, but the Cardassian Gul defied his expectations, instead choosing to tighten his grip. He lifted a flailing Quark off the floor and, with a drunken growl, rose from his barstool and flung him over the counter, pinning him helplessly on the polished surface. Bottles went flying, crashing onto the floor and spilling Kanar all over the floor. Quark let out a high-pitched whine, scrabbling at the hands squeezing his throat. Shock pulsed through Odo as he saw tiny red droplets beginning to form where Dukat's nails dug into Quark's neck.

This had gone too far. "Enough!" Odo shouted, standing up and marching over to Dukat, who glanced up at him with a scowl.

Not one to be intimidated easily, Odo grabbed the powerful Cardassian's shoulder and yanked him off of Quark, who was staring up at Odo with wide, disbelieving eyes. Dukat grabbed a smashed bottle of Kanar by the stem and swung it at Odo. The bottle passed through his gelatinous body harmlessly, and he morphed a couple extra appendages to wrap around Dukat, immobilizing him. The Gul struggled, spitting curses, but Odo's grip on him wasn't going to be loosened that easily.

"You're coming with me to the brig," Odo muttered disdainfully before shooting a quick glance back at Quark to make sure he was alive. He felt oddly relieved to find that he was, although he was sure that relief would wear off as soon as the bartender opened his mouth again.

"I could fire you right now," Dukat growled as he fought against Odo's unwavering grip. "Maybe I will fire you for assaulting me!"

"And who will you replace me with?" Odo challenged. "Lest you forget I'm the only Changeling around. Face it, Dukat- you can't afford to fire me; I'm too useful to you."

Dukat glowered, but he knew Odo was right. It was the only reason Odo could afford to come to Quark's aid in the first place- he was too invaluable to Gul Dukat to be let go. He certainly wouldn't risk his career for that Ferengi's sake, no matter how much danger he got himself into.

Slowly and shakily, Quark hopped off the counter, eyeliner-stained tears rolling down his face. He quickly rubbed them off before addressing Odo. "Th-thank you for saving me," he whimpered, dropping to his knees and bowing his head. He raised his wrists in a gesture of… gratefulness, Odo supposed. He wasn't too familiar with Ferengi culture, but it was obvious that Quark was practically groveling to him. It seemed an unnecessary level of gratitude- he'd just been doing his job.

"I would have done it for anyone," Odo harrumphed, crossing his arms in front of his chest while his extra appendages kept their tight hold on the still-struggling Dukat. "He was causing a disruption. I would have apprehended him even if you hadn't been in danger."

Quark blinked, as though taking in his surroundings- he was crouching in a puddle of spilled Kanar at the feet of a Changeling, unruly black streaks running down his face and pinpricks of blood dotting his neck. On top of that, the man who had just been threatening him was dangling just a few feet away. He hurriedly scampered to his feet, grimacing at his sopping pants. That's what you get for kneeling in Kanar, Odo thought. Pathetic little man.

With nothing more to be said, he turned and left the bar, leaving Quark to stare as he walked out. He escorted Dukat to the brig for the night, which he knew the Gul would be none too happy about, but he somehow felt like it was worth it.