Having just completed the second in my Vorta Brides Trilogy, "Keevan and Annora: Forged in the Desert Heat", and one more to go, I am now taking a break from my cherished trilogy to bring you the story of Weyoun and Kilana: "The Perfumed Garden".

Named after an ancient Arabic erotic textbook which is similar to the Indian-Hindu Kama Sutra, "The Perfumed Garden" tells the love story of Weyoun and Kilana, the latter Vorta who appeared only once in the second episode of season 5, "The Ship". When I saw her from start to finish, as well as read my friend and fellow author Vanillasiren's "Wrong" and the oneshot "Kilana" by keiranfletcher, I saw her not only as another sexy yet manipulative and cunning agent of the Dominion, but also a very sympathetic and almost tragic figure. Her and Captain Sisko would have come to trust each other over what they want from the other and then their men would still be alive. The death of the Changeling in "The Ship" as well as her compassion are enough to mark her as why the Female Founder would call her a disgrace - but also why Weyoun falls for her without wavering devout loyalty to their gods. This story is intense with romance, sex, and intrigue as two Vorta embark on their journey.

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. And thanks to the delightful Jeffrey Combs as ever for making Weyoun the best thing that happened on the show, and Kaitlin Hopkins for her luminous performance as Kilana.

Chapter One

The Ship

Her ship had been the closest nearby when the distress signal was sent out, the message being that the inertial damping system had failed at warp acceleration, that nearly everyone was dead but assistance was required, and the coordinates had been sent out before the vessel lost control and landed on no better a place than Torga IV, weeks from Dominion territory. She remembered frowning at first before recognizing the message from one of her fellow Vorta, who also cried out his last before the signal was cut off.

The Founder's life is in danger; anyone out there find us on Torga IV -

She wanted to curse any one of the accompanying Jem'Hadar on that ship for either being careless enough to not check the inertial system before takeoff, as it occured during warp speed, or it was simply an accident. Either way, everyone was dead - their bodies smashing against the walls and killing them instantly, the effect known to happen - but the Changeling who needed her help. She feared for the god's life and could not waste anymore time. The young Vorta female and her own unit were the only ones available. But before anyone could entirely reach the system, her First reported to her that a Federation runabout was in orbit of the planet.

"Is it lone, First Dira'tarak?" she asked, peering through her virtual headset and waiting for them to drop out of warp. He nodded his affirmative, and she did, as well. "Then shoot it on sight; we can't have anyone in space jeopardize this mission. Whoever else is on the planet we will deal with ourselves."

And whoever was on the planet's surface had to have been notified by the runabout in orbit about the crashing warship, probably beamed to the site; she would not expect anything less. Who would be so bold to lead a team of fellow officers and scientists on an uninhabited class-M planet in the Gamma Quadrant? The planet's known mineral sources of cormaline rendered it another step in violating Dominion territory even if Torga hadn't been conquered.

"The Federation runabout in orbit has been destroyed, Commander," Third Zilan'oran reported. "But we are reading six life-signs on the surface of the planet, near the crashed warship. What are your orders?"

Six... It would be too easy to kill them all so soon; she wanted to know if it was who she thought it was, the one in charge of the unit. "I'll send four of you down there. You may send them into hiding, corner them, but do NOT," she ordered firmly, "kill any of them. Find out who their leader is and report to me at once. I wish to speak to their commander in regards of terms."

The Second, Fourth, Sixth and Seventh were beamed down, and the Vorta waited with the others to report. Any minute longer, the Founder in that ship was waiting for them to be rescued, and a part of her was losing it because once the Female Changeling herself learned of this, she would blame her for this as she did once before. For not saving one of her own people and one of those who created the Vorta...

"Second, report."

"They have all retreated into the ship, but one of them is dead. Shot by Fifth Wajar'kitan's own hand."

The Vorta seethed furiously; he'd been ordered not to kill any of them. Perhaps he should be reduced to Seventh and have the current Seventh in his place. She looked over to First Dira'tarak who looked like he was burning as much as she was for this disobedience. "Fifth Wajar'kitan, you are reduced to Seventh," he said angrily. "And Seventh Gerak'ikan, you are upgraded to Fifth. Remember obedience brings victory, and victory is life. Now, who is in charge of the Starfleet unit?"

"Captain Benjamin Sisko, sir."

She felt like her insides were alight when it was confirmed. So, it was Benjamin Sisko. Only he could be so bold to enter the Gamma Quadrant once again. No one had ever dared enter Dominion space and returned alive to tell about it. It was why she and her fellow Vorta admired him so, for his boldness to enter enemy space for his Federation; she remembered seeing his face in his psychographic profile and praising it for his impressive strength. Even Weyoun's report from the joint Starfleet-Dominion operation months ago served enough justice. Things had begun to improve. "I estimate Sisko and his little team have not gotten very far in the ship's depths," the young Vorta mused, thoughtfully tapping her fingers on the console. "Keep them surrounded in place for the moment, and open a channel to the ship so I can speak to the captain."

She waited until Third Zilan'oran informed her that communications were successfully reestablished. Smiling, she leaned into the comm. "Captain Sisko, my name is Kilana. I'm the Vorta in charge of the Jem'Hadar troops surrounding you." She got no response, guessing he didn't know how to operate a Jem'Hadar ship's system, especially not even his chief engineer if he was there. "If you touch the triangular green panel on any of the control consoles, you'll be able to speak to me."

Kilana waited until she heard his voice. "This is Captain Sisko."

She smiled despite the fact he didn't see her. "Captain, I'm so happy to hear your voice," she said. "There were some casualties among your crew, and I fear you may have been one of them." If she could voice her concern, the man might as well establish a sense of trust between them if he wanted to get himself and his crew out alive, and if she could send one of the Jem'Hadar in to retrieve the Founder while she distracted Sisko...

"Thank you for your concern," Sisko replied, although it didn't sound like he believed it. He'd met Weyoun, after all, and from what the new Weyoun told her, his predecessor had been trusted by neither his own unit or Sisko's. They must think all Vorta were the same, and how right they were. "What do you want?"

"To talk," she answered, looking up and meeting Dira'tarak's eyes. "I think it would be in everyone's best interests if you and I met face-to-face and discuss the situation, like reasonable people."

"I can be reasonable."

Kilana almost giggled. "So I heard. One escort each, agreed?" One was enough if it would be the two of them meeting. There would be no more time for bloodshed today; enough had been spilled today on both accounts. Sisko agreed, and it was settled. She looked up and nodded for Dira'tarak since she trusted him the most. Some of his men, if not all, were like they were a family of her own, even though she was just a clone; she was in her third incarnation and not recognized with perfection as Weyoun was. Weyoun whom she always looked up to and who helped her boost her self-confidence when the Female Founder disapproved of her greatly. Kilana never understood why, but she was as dedicated as any Vorta would be, yet after her first mission when she was in her second incarnation, she was already debased for the epic failure regarding the failed negotiations of aligning the Dominion with Errikang VII.

In other words, she was worthy as any Vorta, and failure of any kind was never tolerated.

She and Dira'tarak were beamed directly down to the site, where the man himself was waiting with his Klingon commanding officer by his side. He regarded both Kilana and her Jem'Hadar apprehensively and stoically, not lowering his guard whilst keeping a calm composure. Perhaps the file did the job on him, but not the image she'd been given. Kilana surveyed him as she circled him, smiling. "Your photograph doesn't do you justice. You look quite...striking in person." Tall, powerful and commanding...

"Look," the captain said, bringing a hand up to wipe the perspiration from his forehead, sweltering from the sun, "I'm a little busy, so let's skip the flattery."

He was weary and resigned, but that didn't stop him from getting right to what he was known for. "Weyoun's report on you was right," she noted. "You are direct, and I like that." And if he was going to be, so would she. "So, let's cut to the chase." He seemed to be impressed with her as she was with him. "I believe that's the correct expression. This is our ship, and we want it back."

He raised an eyebrow. "It was your ship. Now it's mine."

Something in her bristled; what gave him the right to take a ship that did not belong to him and was not his style? "Captain," she said, exhaling, "I'm a little disappointed. That's the attitude of a thief, not of a Starfleet captain with a reputation for integrity. This is clearly OUR property; what gives you any claim to it?"

"It's an old legal trade salvage right," he answered. "If we found a wrecked ship and a dead crew, then it belongs to us. And we found it first before you and your unit even got here."

His attitude made her want to snap back that it was she who received the distress call first before the ship crashed here, but she was to play this professionally and not like an adolescent of her race; a natural adolescent. "A very interesting position," Kilana noted with another smile, "but I'm afraid the Dominion does not recognize that...tradition. What may be even more to the point: we have you completely surrounded and outnumbered."

Death threats did not seem to scare him anymore. His facial expressions told her enough of that. She decided to change the topic. "Would you like something to eat, or something to drink?" They would settle this in the event of time. Then her attention shifted to her left and Sisko's right, where the Klingon stood, scowling at her and uncertain at her friendly manner. She turned to Dira'tarak and ordered him to send one of the men into the ship for the nearest replicator there was for the only food made for Vorta. When the soldier arrived, she gestured for the dish held between her and Sisko and the Klingon commander.

"These are q'lavas. A personal favorite." She could use one herself now, but as she held it up in front of the captain in an attempt to interest him, he only regarded it suspiciously, thinking it might have been poisoned. She laughed and popped it into her own mouth, just to show him it wasn't, but he still refused to accept.

"Not to you anyway."

This was the least admirable trait about the great Captain Sisko; he was too stubborn and distrusting of her people. She gestured for the soldier to take the food away. "I hope you're not teaching...Jake to be this way, Benjamin." It was no secret that he had a son, Jake, and a remarkable young man, too. "Or do you prefer Ben?" she asked sweetly, hoping a first name basis might do the trick.

But he was thick as ever. "Captain will be fine," he stated, never once taking his eyes off of her. Kilana shook her head sadly.

"I'm sorry it's my fault we are unable to establish an understanding between us, Captain." Now that she said it, she remembered the Founder who was still hiding in that ship, doing his best to stay out of sight, but for how much longer? She was getting nowhere with Sisko. "I'm sorry I'm not more experienced in these matters. This is my first mission away from Dominion space and my first dealings with anyone from the Federation. I know you have no reason to trust me...but I'm hoping you would consider my offer with an open mind," she said, smiling, and now she'd done it.

Sisko had relaxed his shell but otherwise remained guarded. "I'm listening," he said.

"If you leave our ship, then I'll have you and your crew returned back to your station unharmed." And that would leave the Founder safe and in her care until they got back to Kurill Prime. "Our accomodations might not be lavish, but I promise you will all be well-cared for. Especially your wounded." She felt her smile fade the instant Benjamin Sisko rebuffed her once again.

"If you think I'm going to deliver my people into your hands," he said angrily, "and without a fight, then this must really be your first mission." He dared to insult her; he was the one who was making a big mistake, and she would not take the blame for this. She just hoped that the Jem'Hadar Sixth would hurry with the surveillance being set up inside and hopefully find the Founder in time...

"Captain, they're in the ship!" the Klingon shouted, having stood beside the ship the entire time. Sisko turned to him briefly before turning his attention back to Kilana, but she wouldn't hear anything from him. Dira'tarak beamed them both back to their ship despite no verbal order, having prepared with her.

"Sixth Rikan'olan, report!" Dira'tarak shouted into his comm, getting no response. He tried again, but still nothing. So, the Sixth was dead. He'd gone in only to look for the Founder and got killed. Kilana would not assume he engaged in conversation with any of Sisko's men and gave way the truth; at this point, she knew she couldn't trust the captain any more than he trusted her. For that, she would keep the rest of the men established around the ship to make sure Sisko or any of his crew did not try anything. In the meantime, she needed to be alone and gather her thoughts.

"First, stay here," she said, leaning her back against the wall behind the console and sliding downwards until she sat on the floor. Might as well as her tired brain what she didn't know. Her first mission actually involving the Federation presence but with a Changeling's life on the line. She could very much give Sisko the time to regain his strength before they met again; they had come too far to not see each other again. She would not let the Female Changeling look her down now.

"Forgive me for intruding your thoughts, Commander," Dira'tarak spoke, bowing his head. She nodded for him to continue. "Perhaps you should return to the captain, without me or any of the men. He does not deserve to know what we want truly of the ship, but you must go to him. The Founder is still depending on us at whatever chance we have."

He was right; time had been wasted enough. She had a mission and would NOT fail this time. Kilana stood and took a few breaths before walking over to the console, not expecting him to respond to her right away. "Captain Sisko," she said readily. "You're annoyed with me, I understand. You feel betrayed and with good reason. We still need to talk, and if it makes you feel better..." She hesitated when she looked back up to Dira'tarak, who nodded for her to continue. "...I'll come to you unarmed and alone, but I won't hold you to the same restrictions."

Dira'tarak beamed her down then, where she waited apprehensively. As expected, the captain arrived with his phaser rifled aimed at her, expression fierce. "You have something to say it, then say it," he snapped. She returned the look defiantly.

"Sending the Jem'Hadar in was a mistake, and I apologize." He scoffed, but that didn't stop her. "I hope no one was hurt, but what choice did I have?" she asked disdainfully. "Just like you have to protect the lives of your own men, I have to protect my...property. But I hope we can put that behind us and move on."

He lowered his rifle, but he was still suspicious as ever. "Move on to what?"

"Isn't it obvious by now, Captain? There's something aboard that ship we want. You allow my men and I to retrieve the item, we'll leave," she promised. "You can keep the ship." If he wanted the ship that bad, then he could have it. But if only he agreed and let her aboard for what she and her Jem'Hadar wanted...

"How about this: you tell me what you want," Sisko said with a ghost of a smile, "and I'll bring it out to you."

Kilana couldn't help but laugh. Did he honestly think she would trust him, especially after the death of a Founder at the hands of one of their own who refused to leave the Federation and come home to them? "I'm afraid I can't do that," she said regretfully. Now she could see the same on the captain's face, asking her if she trusted him. "Believe me, Captain, I'd like to, but I can't, and not under these circumstances. There is simply...too much at stake for us."

And that refusal to trust ultimately reached an impasse. The negotiations ended and resulted in the most terrible loss she would regret for a long time.

So, the chapter titled after the actual episode had to be the starting point with the events, so we could see what goes on in Kilana's mind before we progress into the real plot ahead. :)

Errikang VII was a planet from season 1, episode 7 ("Q-Less") and it was the seventh inhabited planet in the Gamma Quadrant, according to Wiki.