Chapter 1

Diane was perched in an armchair in her quarters, biting her fingernails as she watched Dukat pack his things, evidently in a hurry. She sighed loudly to get his attention.

"Sweetheart, have you seen my left boot?" he asked without looking at her.

"Under the bed", she replied dryly.

He made his way from the table, where he was packing his bags, to the bed, and picked up his boot. As he turned around, he noticed her gloomy look and paused.

"What's wrong?" he asked and walked towards her.

She didn't answer. Instead, she frowned and turned away from him. He knelt in front of her and rested his hands on the armchair. It had been four months since their accidental meeting on Deep Space Nine and every time Dukat -a Legate and chief military advisor to the Detapa Council by now- was there for business, he stayed a little longer so he could visit Diane. He knew how difficult it was for her to be with him given their past, but he understood it was just as hard for both of them to sneak around and hide their relationship.

"I thought we discussed that", he said. "Look, I don't like this any more than you do, but..."

"I know, I know! You're a public figure, you have a family, and you can't be seen with me. I've heard all that before", she interrupted him. "But why do you have to leave so soon?"

"I told you, sweetheart, I have to keep up appearances until I talk to my wife. I can't afford her overreacting, you know that. It's not only because of my political status. If she knew, she'd take the children away!"

"I understand, but doesn't she suspect anything? At all?" she asked.

"Suspecting is very different than knowing for sure", he replied and got up.

"But, with your reputation..." she started.

He sat on the bed and put on his boot.

"My... reputation?" he asked.

"Of being..." she hesitated. "A ladies' man. To say the least."

"Ah, yes. I assure you, sweetheart, all that is in the past."

"How can I be sure? I mean, even being with you is... ambiguous at best!" she said and got up.

"Diane, after everything we've been through, I thought you'd have more faith in me! Trust me; I'm done with the old ways. Things have changed; I have changed. I deeply regret the events of the Occupation, I've told you this a million times!"

He put his arms around her, but she didn't react.

"As for the other matter... I have only one thing to say", he said quietly. "There is no one else but you. I only hope you can learn to trust me as I've learned to trust you."

She sighed again and kissed him. "I must be out of my mind".

"You and me both..."

"When will you be back?" she asked him.

"Before you know it. It's just a short week."