A/N: First off I would like to let you all know that this is my first published Star Trek FanFiction. Try to be gentle, and please no flames. Constructive criticism only. Also, I've only just watched the series all the way through. I've seen Voyager and TNG a million times but only recently had time to sit down and partake in the fun thrills of DS9, however, I have NOT had time to truly study it. I want to remain faithful to characters, to reactions as well. Considering I have yet to truly dabble in this fictional world it will take some practise so please be patient.

I also have not read to many other FF in this realm so I am not up to date on most popular pairings, least popular etc. I am focusing on a pairing I like and am trying to stay in canon and have the characters react to each situation as would be appropriate for their personality and background.

I have not studied in depth the actual events that occurred after the Dominion wars so I will be going AU for that part.

All that being said the warnings are below and the story will be rated M for future chapters.

WARNINGS: Sex, language, violence and MINOR non-con. Enjoy and much love, Apprentice08.

Chapter 1

Return of the Emissary

Her room is dark and the air is hot but for some reason it doesn't bother her. Any other time she would be sweating in such an incessant heat, groaning and trying to find any way she could to cool down and breath fresher more crisp air. But something about this dry heat radiates into her skin and warms her core without causing discomfort.

She feels as if she is wrapped in a cocoon of safety, no one can hurt her here and all she wants to do is lounge in her bed and savour the darkness. The thin sheets, sliding across her bare skin like silk, add a luxurious respite to her daily duties

For Kira Nerys has duties, so many duties she can't keep track. So many people to please, the prophets to pray to and her people to protect. All others must be informed of day-by-day changes in the ever popular space station, civilians must be checked, Quark always being on the top of the 'to check' list.

But here in her dark and warm room she can rest, ignore her duties- ignore the hollow feelings of entering Ops with a smile only to have it fade when she realizes someone is missing. To walk the promenade and see an empty chair behind an empty desk where a dear friend and lover used to sit. To notice that Julien is walking with Ezri and they haven't a care in the world and to see the chief engineer who isn't Irish or married to a botanist.

Something shifts in the room, the air seems to change then- she isn't alone and she is drawn from her thoughts as a large body presses into her back.

As she sighs in contentment a wide slender hand comes out of the darkness and caresses gently up her side. Thin lips, strong and dominant kiss her neck and shoulder. A deep inhale of breath resonates into her ear as she smiles softly into her pillow.

Her eyes remain closed as she slowly rolls over, "Hello, Odo." she whispers seductively as she leans up to capture his lips and opens her mouth to his. She is pulled firmly against a naked form, the skin hot to her touch but something doesn't feel right.

Her hands stray up an exposed chest but it isn't soft and smooth, it is hard and scaled and suddenly a familiar smell assaults her nose.

Metal, blood and Kanar.

"No-" she whispers out as she squeezes her eyes more tightly closed, "You're Odo, you're always Odo. It's never anyone else-"

"Guess again my love-"

Her eyes shoot open and her jaw drops in shock as Dukat peers down at her with, dare she even think of it, adoring eyes.

"No, no it's supposed to be Odo- you aren't supposed to be here! You aren't real- this is a dream!" she is trying to thrash now- trying to escape but he is on top of her, gripping her wrists and pinning her legs down to the bed.

"You knew I'd come for you my dear, knew that I come back to claim you. We share a bond- you have always belonged at my side."

"Get off me! I'll kill you, I swear I'll kill you!"

He leans in now, a rather perverse leer twisting across his Cardassian features, "My sweet Nerys-" he whispers seductively into her ear, "don't you remember, I'm already dead."

A deep throaty laugh echoes from his chest as he leans in and bites hard into the tender flesh of her neck, blood oozes out as he drinks from torn skin and as Kira screams and fights she can't help but feel like this isn't a dream at all.

A pain shoots through her head as she is jolted awake and finds herself on the floor next to her bed. She is twisted and entangled in her sheets and sweat has plastered her hair to her forehead.

She instantly pushes herself up to her knees and her eyes dart around the room chaotically as she searches for any sign of an intruder. All is quiet, the room is a comfortable seventy-two degrees and dim soothing light flows out from a lamp near her bed.

Her eyes find the pad she had been reading before she had fallen asleep and a half sipped cup of cold tea resided on her bedside table.

"Asleep- I was- was just asleep. It was a dream. Only a dream." she gasps out as she falls from her knees to rest on her backside. She pulls her knees to her chest and crosses her ankles as her head rolls back to bounce on the edge of her bed.

"Just a dream." she whispers out one more time, "he's dead. He can't get you- Benjamin made sure of that. You're fine." she keeps taking deep even breaths, keeps slowly letting her lungs deflate after each inhale as she tries to calm her still beating heart.

"Computer, what is the time?"

"The time is 0400 hours."

"Damn." she hisses as her head flops back again. This was going to be a very long day.

Page Break

By the time Nerys had gotten herself up and ready for the day she was already getting called to Ops despite the fact it was an hour before her shift. There was a strange sensor reading that the newest ensign couldn't quite figure out, a laundry list of small infractions she would have to deal with before lunch, (most of these infractions having occurred inside of Quark's) and several new officers she would have to post. The "raw recruits" as she preferred to call them, were young Federation officers sent fresh from the academy, only meant to be posted on DS9 for six months to a year before another rotation would come in.

Their only goal was to learn everything they needed to know about Bajor, the Dominion, the Celestial Gate and the workings of the station. After the Dominion wars, when every planet in the Alpha Quadrant near the front lines was in the process of rebuilding, bystanders included, Starfleet had elected to make sure every ensign was familiar with the station and the people who now ran it.

While there was still permanent Starfleet officers on board, after the Emissary left with the prophets, Starfleet had elected Kira to retain command. All officers working the station, Starfleet or otherwise, answered to her.

It was strange for the new officers to answer to someone outside of a Starfleet uniform but they adjusted quickly when they realized she would not tolerate insubordination or lack of faith in her abilities.

Rolling her eyes, Nerys gave the encouragement needed to the confused ensign, clarifying that the elevated readings she was picking up were normal, considering the Celestial Gate was right next door, and left Ops in the hands of her first officer, a rather exuberant Nog.

A lot can happen in two years and at the rate the little Ferengi had shot through the ranks during the war it hadn't taken much pleading with Starfleet to allow the young man a shot at the position, a trial run that had long since stopped being a trial period and was now his official title.

He was the youngest first officer to ever be selected to a post, as well as the first Ferengi to be in Starfleet. This meant great pride for him and his family, as well as creating a strong desire in the young Ferengi to please and to prove himself even more.

It had taken sometime, A LOT of time actually, for those on the station who wore the Starfleet uniform to really accept him but after several months, and quite a few power struggles with his subordinate officers, Nog had earned enough respect to finally relax and allow his natural skills to finally shine through.

Nerys couldn't be more pleased with his abilities, she herself had been reluctant to give Nog the chance but he had quickly proven his value, as was expected of any Ferengi.

Now, as she strolled down the Promenade towards Quark's she felt a small smile catch her lips at the thought. Until, that is, she passed security. She felt herself stop, her head slowly turned towards the empty room.

Her eyes scanned over the chair and desk, looked at the computer screens, in her mind's eye she saw a memory of her and Odo laughing and talking about the nights previous reports- the steaming Raktajino waiting for her to take that first sip of the morning, and Odo smiling at her relieved face.

She still could not bring herself to replace him, though there was technically a head of security she had yet to allow him access the office as his own. The had the clearance needed to enter the room and use the holding cells, as did some of the other security officers but his office was a temporary placing just down the Promenade. Not that she had the authority to really keep him out. The man in question had been Odo's second and he seemed quite content to allow the office and Nerys all the time in the world to come to terms with the now gone changeling.

Their voices intermingled in her mind, the memory as bright and colorful as the first time it occurred. Nerys cleared her throat and glanced down to her pad, she tried to refocus her thoughts but only felt her heart lurch in pain. She took a breath and shook her head before she pressed on, leaving the good yet painful memories behind her, for now.

Eight hours later she was exhausted, despite the fact the day had been relatively uneventful for the station, a blessing if you asked anyone, she had been on her feet walking back and forth between the Promenade, Ops and the docking pylons.

Several freighters had put in to dock and despite herself Nerys couldn't help but be present for all off loading. Two of the freighters had been Cardassian and one had been Klingon. While it was not her responsibility to keep an eye on such things she felt the need to make sure nothing happened between the two races.

After the Dominion Wars Cardassia, Kronos and Romulus had elected to sit with the Federation and try to talk out their issues and differences. Cardassia needed serious help rebuilding as well as medical supplies, food and clean water.

The Klingons wanted reparations for all their lost ships and warriors considering they had in fact taken a heavier hit than most, though this was debated by the Romulans. They also wanted to retain certain holds over planets that had been conquered in the Cardassian territory.

The only thing the Federation wanted from all three species was to coexist without anymore fighting. They wanted to create a union, which would allow sharing of all information each race had, a cultural and technological exchange that everyone would benefit from. As well as a peace treaty that would be the first alliance ever made between the four main power sources in the Quadrant. Not specifically related to the Federation, as the Romulans and Cardassians were still not thrilled about Starfleet and Federation ideals, it simply called for aid and protection to be offered to any of the given races by the others should they need it.

While they were still not hampered by the Federation rules they did have to consider the Federation's stance on any war they may declare.

It had taken months of negotiations, and on more than one occasion Nerys had truly missed the Emissary. She could have used his cool head and calm hand as she found she had had to ring in her own temper often.

By the end of it the Federation and Bajor had agreed to help Cardassia rebuild, the Klingons had released their hold on all occupied Cardassian planets and rejoined the Federation and the Romulans were willing to sign the peace accords.

When the Romulans had opened their doors to allow Federation members to visit their planet, albeit only for short periods of time and in small groups, the entire Quadrant was shocked. As it turned out, Romulus had become a hotspot for short vacations and the people soaked up their culture with much enthusiasm much to the surprise and chagrin of the Romulans.

The Dominion wars had changed everything and in two short years the amount of restraint and begrudge respect between the four races had hit an all time high.

All together it was a grand time of peace and understanding though tension always seemed to lurk beneath the surface all people were trying to make it work. The Dominion had effectively crippled and at the same time strengthened the Alpha Quadrant, creating a near perfect ebb and flow between the races. For now, at least.

The biggest surprise of it all was the new relationship between Cardassia and Bajor. While reparations for the past horrors committed against the Bajoran people had never really been given, the Bajoran people had somehow rose above it and had been helping the Federation to rebuild the world's of their once would be 'masters.'

In return Cardassia had made a private agreement with the Bajoran people to protect and support the Bajoran's in all matters. It was as if Bajor now had a big brother, always there to be the muscle and keep them safe.

A strange sense of belonging had started to form and while there were still cases of hate crimes and bitter resentment, as a whole the two races had realized they were forever bound together and neither could really exist without the other. Too much had been done, both sides had hurt and helped each other too significantly to ever be done with it.

Tensions weren't high but there were still moments of weakness and Nerys didn't want any fights to break out right now, it would be just another headache to deal with.

By the time she was walking into her quarters she felt like she could sleep for a week straight. She took another shower, her mind going blessedly blank and quiet as she enjoyed the relaxing sonic waves remove the sweat of the day.

After, she had a light dinner and then took to looking over the last few pads on her desk. Tomorrow was another day, and with any luck it would be just as uneventful.

Pagebreak.

Her room is hot again, too hot. Just like the night before, when he had come to her. She sits up slowly, her eyes scanning the swirling distortion that is her room. She feels like she is wading through a thick soup, her head is filled with cotton and her gut is tingling with anxiety.

"Nerys." her head swings around, her body stiffens.

He isn't here, he is gone, the Emissary trapped him with the Pah-wraiths. He can't be here, it's a dream. Wake up Kira, wake up now before-

"Nerys-" comes the soft sing-song voice of Dukat. She can't see him, but the shadows are shifting all around her. Shaking hands throw aside the sheet and she stands from her bed, moving as slow as tar through the thick air of her room.

"I'm here my darling. Come to me."

Nerys forces through the fog, goes to her desk in search of her phaser. When she finds nothing she starts to panic and implores herself to remember it is a dream. She can't be hurt here, only scared and if she doesn't allow that to happen she can take control. It is her dream, her head, she can control this- whatever it was.

But as she goes to turn around and face this nightmare she is shoved violently against the desk. Large hands painfully gripping her wrists and hips shoving between her thighs. She is hoisted up and her backside is slammed harshly onto the desk top.

"Hello my dear. It is good to see you again. I did not think I would get another chance. But it would seem fortune favors the bold, and as you know I am anything but subtle."

His eyes are glowing a threatening red and while his face holds no aggression there is a smile sliding across his mouth that makes Nerys shiver and her gut twist.

"You aren't real, this is a dream and I am in control." she says to herself as if repeating a mantra.

His smile turns fond and his voice moves smoothly through the air, "You'd like to believe that wouldn't you. Your precious Emissary finished me off and left me to rot in the fire caves and there is no possible way I could have escaped- but my darling Nerys, I regret to inform you that there are some things even Benjamin can't stop. My little visits are between you and I, and while I can only come to you while you sleep, I promise you this is very real."

Instantly she tries to twist away, successfully rolling to the side and nearly knocking Dukat off balance before he gives a great yank and repositions her below him.

"No!" he hisses through clenched teeth, he slams her back down, her head thumping against the hard surface of the desk. His hold on her wrists tighten and he presses his hips more securely between her thighs. His chest is against hers and his face is only inches away.

"I need you Nerys. I will not be denied this reprieve, no matter how small. If you knew where I've been, what I've seen and what I've been through you'd understand- you'd pity me and embrace me."

"If you're referring to the Pah-wraiths and what they've been doing to you in the fire caves it's not even close to what you deserve."

His nails dig into her flesh and she grits her teeth at the pain, "You don't mean that. Even you, with your hatred couldn't ever wish the tortures I've endured on anyone, not even me." his face is desperate, his teeth clenching together as he stares at her with intense focus.

"You've no idea what I would wish upon you if I could-" she hisses back, her own eyes glaring as she tries to struggle free once more.

"How very Cardassian of you. How very merciless- you've always been my favorite, always been my greatest challenge. Of all the women I've ever had you are the most coveted, the most desired-"

Nerys jerks to the left but his grip holds and she looks at him with defiance and hatred in her eyes, "You've never had me Dukat- you've never gotten me. You haven't and won't- you've no claim to me either, I will never be yours. Ever!"

Dukat stares down at her, his eyes growing ever more focused and intense, his cocky smile turning into a resentful frown. He leans in close, his lips brushing against hers even as Nerys tries to turn her head away. He elects to caress her ear instead, and whispers as if to a lover, "You're right about one thing. You've never been mine. But I intend to change that very soon."

"You can't hurt me Dukat, you can't manipulate me or control me."

"No, but I can love you."

Nerys is stunned, her mouth falling open and her brow furrowing in utter confusion. "I will never love you."

"You will find colonel, anything is possible with time. And I've got eons."

"If you think for one second I would ever-"

"You can't get rid of me Nerys, we are bonded together, fate chose you and I to be locked together for all eternity. Just like Sisko and myself were meant to be pitted against each other. Two Emissaries going to war over beliefs as ancient as time itself. My failure in releasing the Pah-wraiths is punished every millisecond I am down there, trapped in that hellish pit of despair. But you, you are my salvation, my angle of light. You will guide me to freedom and in return I will worship the very ground you walk on, spend the rest of my days catering to your every need- and you will love me for it. So it is written, so shall it be."

Nerys felt the cold ice of fear sink into her spin, alarm bells ringing like screams in her mind, "You're insane-" she whispers as she looks deep into his eyes and realizes he truly believes each word he has spoken.

He does not respond to her comment right away, he simply smiles and shifts, taking her bruised wrists up in one hand, while the other gently takes up her chin.

"I think you'll find insanity can be very alluring- especially when it's shared by two." he presses his lips to hers and she instantly starts to fight. As soon as his tongue passes her lips she bites and as Dukat reels back with a yell blood and flesh are spit from her mouth.

Dukat peers down at her through dark eyes and dark blood, black in color and thick as grease drizzle down his chin.

"Such a violent woman, so spirited- you are my counterpart in all things. Having you at my side will be the most beautiful thing…" his hand skims up her thigh and starts to move her night gown aside.

"No!" Nerys screams, her fighting body thrashing harder than ever to free herself. "NO!"

Nerys jerks up from her bed, looking around her dark room before she suddenly feels ill and lurches from her bed to head to the bathroom. She makes it to the sink where she empties her stomach and gasps in shock. Her sharp eyes look into the mirror, her image reflecting back a pale sweaty face and shaking shoulders.

"No. No no no." she whispers as her eyes scrunch shut and she feels tears prickling at the back of her eyes. She has to calm down, to breath and find her center and keep reminding herself it's just a dream, and dreams couldn't hurt you-

That's when she noticed her wrists and her lips part in utter terror, for the flesh is now tender and swollen, rings of dark purple bruising and nail marks appear like bracelets.

"Oh, prophets help me." she mutters as she looks back to her reflection and suddenly realizes that these nightmares aren't just bad dreams, they are very real.

Pagebreak

She's sitting alone in a cafe just off the Promenade, a steaming Raktajino held between two hands. They stopped shaking an hour ago, but her wrists still ach, a constant reminder of what had happened in the early morning. She has managed to keep them covered so far, but her day is only beginning.

She left her room long before anyone else was awake, left and came here despite the fact the shop is not technically open. She couldn't stay there, staring at that desk, realizing the one place she had on the ship to retreat to and relax in was no longer her own.

She needed a change of scene and to think this through. On one hand these dreams could be just that. Intense dreams, but nothing more. It is possible that the situation in the dream had been so real to her; the pain, heat and Dukat had been so palpable that her own mind had caused her body to react as if it had really happened. Stranger things had happened on the station and the facts of the matter were it had even happened to Julian and Miles. Twice for Miles actually, if she thought about it, his stint in that mental prison had changed him in more ways than one.

On the other hand, the one she didn't want to believe, Dukat had actually found a way to reach out to her from the fire caves. He was creeping into her mind, either with the help of the Pah-wraiths or on his own, and he was trying to hurt her, to terrorize her. To unhinge her mind and create a living hell in her dreams.

Cardassians were known for their thirst for revenge, it wouldn't be that hard to imagine that since the Emissary was gone she would be the next on his list to torture. But the sheer fear she felt at the prospect of Dukat being able to invade her dreams, her very mind and do such awful things to her, the fact that her body could receive bruises in her waking state-

She had a choice to make. Go it alone, which is how she usually preferred her battles against Dukat, or speak to Julian and see if he had a solution or could find an explanation.

She ran her finger around the rim of her cup absentmindedly, enjoying the quiet and the ability to think that the silence brought to her.

"Nerys-"

She stood quicker than a bolt of lightning could strike and her chair tumbled away from behind her. She turned with intent to run when she felt a pair of arms grip hold of her and she was met with a set of deep brown eyes.

"Oh! Oh my Prophets, Julian, it's- it's you." relief washed through her and she felt a feeling of safety settle in her chest. Maybe going at this alone wasn't such a good idea.

"Good Morning Nerys… are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost." the good doctor inquired as he released her from his arms and bent to pick up the toppled chair.

"You've no idea." she murmured as she sunk down into her chair. Julian gave a soft smile before he turned and walked over to the cafes small replicator, "I didn't know anyone else got up this early." he quipped when he finally returned. He sat down across from her and gave his regular charming smile, his curious eyes never breaking from her face.

Nerys stared at him a moment before a smirk played across her lips, "Well, it's not hard to be up early when you can't sleep."

Julian's brow furrowed as he cocked his head and gave a curious look in her direction, "Busy day ahead of you then? I can't tell you how many times I've lost sleep when I've known the day ahead would be a messy one."

Nerys though a moment before she took a long measured breath and sighed it out, she leaned back in her chair and slowly spun her coffee cup with one hand. She had yet to answer him and anyone who knew Julian also knew his ability to read people was keen. Genetic enhancement aside, he was genuinely a people person so he was quick to pick up on her reluctance and stress.

"Not a busy day then." he said matter of factly.

"No." she says softly offering up a tired smile but it didn't reach her eyes as was it's usual tendency.

Julian shifted forward and lowered his voice despite the fact they were still quite alone, "When I first got here you seemed to agree with me when I asked you if you'd seen a ghost. Can I assume that your lack of sleep has a direct correlation with something you'd rather not tell me?"

Nerys looked up at him then, her hand sluggishly sliding away from her cup before she chanced a look around her.

Still alone, don't be embarrassed….he can help end this mess. Just tell him you silly stubborn-

"Wheres Ezri? Normally you two are inseparable."

Damn it, stop beating around the Bush and tell HIM Nerys!

Julian seemed to see her inner struggle and took a breath, his determined eyes trying to see through her prevarication for what it was.

"Um, she had a few hours worth of work to complete last night, she was up late- Nerys, whats wrong. If I can, I'd really like to help- if you'd let me."

She finally looked into his gentle eyes, his soft and concerned smile and let out a stifled sigh.

She leaned forward, putting one hand, palm down, in the center of the table before her other hand came and pulled back her sleeve. She looked away in shame before she heard Julian speak, "My god, Nerys, what on Earth hap-"

"It was Dukat." she said as she felt a single tear start to build in the corner of her eye.

Julian's face changed from surprised to shocked and then suddenly, as his mouth closed and formed a thin line, his eyes narrowing and his posture stiffening he let out a huff of breath and Nerys could see anger radiate like a conduit rupture from his core.

She doesn't know why, but she suddenly doesn't feel as sure about her decision to tell him as she previously did. Suddenly, she feels like she just started another war.

Pagebreak

"I wish you had told me about this the first night. I may have been able to prevent this from happening." the good doctor was in the process of healing her wounds. She was sitting on the edge of a bio bed watching the bruises slowly fade.

Nerys sighed and rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "You aren't exactly the poster boy to lecture me on secret keeping Julian. After all, I'm not the only person on this station to ever keep a secret, even you didn't tell people you were genetically engineered for nearly three years. Besides, I thought it was a one time thing. I haven't even thought of Dukat for nearly two years."

Julian sighed but continued his work, "Be that as it may, it obvious these dreams are extremely intense. We've seen similar cases of situations in dreams causing damage to the body after waking but this seems different somehow. I can't put my finger on it but something just isn't right."

"What do you mean?" Her eyes locked with his and that familiar feeling of anxiety started to drip into her gut.

Julian seemed to hesitate a moment but then managed a small smile, "I'm sure it's nothing-"

"Julian- just tell me." she near begged hoping she wouldn't have to order him to do it.

"Well, in the past whenever Captain Sisko would receive visions from the Prophets I'd scan his brain only to find unusual synaptic potentials, if you remember I had to give him surgery otherwise the visions would have eventually led to brain damage."

"Yes, I remember but what are you trying to say?" she asks with a confused smile on her face.

"What I'm trying to say is, I've found similar synaptic potentials in your mind now too. Almost as if you are experiencing the same thing- visions from the prophets...only-"

"My Prophets! Julian, just say it!" she says desperately.

"There is a very good probability that these dreams aren't dreams but visions. Like the ones Captain Sisko had… only- if you're seeing Dukat then-"

Kira felt her entire core go cold, her heart stuttered and she swallowed thickly, "The Pah-Wraiths." she whispered out, a bubble of tears getting caught just in her throat.

"Look, I don't want you to jump to conclusions alright? It's all circumstantial and theoretical."

"No, this would explain everything. How he has been able to reach me, why he was able to physically wound me-"

"Look, don't start panicking just yet. I want to try something. Something I wasn't able to do with the captain."

Nerys looked at him and waited for him to continue, "I want to use a synaptic scanner on you the next time you sleep. It will monitor your vital signs, neurological distress and quite possibly be able to help wake you up if things get too intense. It should be able to record enough data that I can sort out once and for all what is really going on."

She debated a moment before she slowly nodded her head, "Very good. Take it easy for today and when you are off shift come into sick Bay and we will get you set up, alright?"

"Alright. I just hope the answer isn't as horrible as we think."

"I am sure we will know by tomorrow."

Pagebreak

She walks into her room, the door gives a swoosh as it slowly closes behind her. She looks around, but the heat isn't there and the strange weight that has slowed her down in the past isn't present. She walks the length of her floor to stare out the viewport, an eerie glow of blue seems to cover everything.

"Hello Nerys." and she jumps, swinging around to see Dukat standing in front of her door, arms at his sides and fingers quickly twitching back and forth, a habit of nervousness that doesn't seem to fit with the creature she has had to face the last two nights.

"Dukat." she bites out, her arms coming across her chest as she stands to face him. She knows the feeling that swells in her gut, feels the sweat erupt across her brow and in her palms. She admits to herself though she hates it, it's fear, she is scared.

As if he can read her mind Dukat reaches out a hand, "Please-"

She shifts back even though he is nowhere near her and he freezes before he seems to think better of it and drops his arm back down to his side. He continues to stare at her, looking into her face, his own looks sad. It's a refreshing expression on him considering the last two visits he had looked near crazed, the true incarnation of evil.

"Nerys- I'm- I won't hurt you, I haven't come here to hurt you. I'd never hurt you."

Kira feels indignation surge and it is instantly replaced by so much anger she nearly can't speak. "Dont. Don't you even start to play any of your pathetic games. You've assaulted me twice now- If you think for one second that I would ever believe-"

"Please, it wasn't me." he offers quickly, he takes a step towards her and Kira jumps back, her spine slamming into the wall next to the viewport.

Dukat stops again, his eyes wide and he scans her again before he looks away and growls in frustration, before he seems to have a thought and he looks back to her, "Nerys, look- look at my eyes! They aren't red. I am not possessed by the Pah-wraiths. The other Dukat, the one who- who hurt you… it wasn't me. You must believe me!"

Nerys moves out of his reach as he has come closer, too close to her she thinks, moving to place the desk between them she looks him over and realizes he is not wearing his standard military uniform.

Instead he appears to be in nothing but ragged boots and filthy pants. She hasn't noticed his bare chest, but now that she does she realizes it is the first time she has seen a Cardassian without a top covering his flesh, the first chance she has ever really had to see what they look like.

She would process it later, because at this moment she is playing keep away from Dukat. But she does take a moment to look into his eyes and notices they are a bright blue, no sign of the violent red she had seen the last two times.

His stance is not predatory, nor is it aggressive. He stands before her looking almost crest fallen. As if he had expected, or maybe just hoped, for a different reaction.

"Nerys, please, I beg of you. Listen to me! The Pah-Wraiths are trying to deceive you! They know I learned how to reach out as they can, they know I was going to try and contact you-"

"Why me? You know my feelings towards you are absolute. You'll receive no aid from me." she says most assuredly as her dark brown eyes scan the utter anguish on his face at her omission.

"Please! You must listen! The true Prophets are in danger! You are in danger! The Pah-Wraiths seek another form of escape, one that is much easier to obtain. You must warn the Kia, you must warn Bajor and you must protect yourself."

Nerys stills as she looks at him, his entire being emanating sincerity, his posture not only showing his desperation but his lack of posturing dominance. His usual tells, the things he physically does to try to win trust, show his superiority- she knew every single one of his tricks. Could read through his serpent's tongue, and yet right here in this moment he is nothing but a sincere and desperate man.

"You said the true prophets are in trouble- the Pah-Wraiths aren't-"

"The true prophets? Yes, I know this, now. I have seen the Celestial Temple, have stood before them and begged their forgiveness. They have stripped me of my demons, washed away my sins and sent me on this prophetic quest. I am to warn you, I've been sent to save you, to save everyone. You must listen, if not to me then to the true Prophets who have bathed me clean in their light and given me this second chance."

She doesn't know what to think. Doesn't know how to feel. This is NOT the Dukat from the previous two visits, not the man who tried to-

"I don't believe you." she says firmly.

"Nerys, please you must!"

"You tried to rape me!" she screams, her rage finally getting the better of her. Her judgmental eyes glare at him and she swears she sees him shrink away, even if only an inch.

"It wasn't me! I would never! You know me! In our entire time together while I was of this plain of existence did I EVER try to force myself upon you. Had I ever done anything but pontificate my desires towards you. I never even touched you, not once. I was a man who did HORRIBLE things- I murdered millions, condemned anyone I deemed unworthy but in all that time did I EVER assault or rape ANYONE?"

Nerys clenches her teeth together, her hands ball into fists and she feels such a hate and rage as she has never felt before.

"My mother."

The air deflates out of him, his face somber and the sadness in his eyes speaks volumes of his regret but she can't see passed that, the surface of his anguish. That's all it is to her, a surface that has lied so many times, betrayed and destroyed and used smooth talking and clever crafty Cardassian wit to move about like a hidden snake ready to bite and poison anyone who gets in his way.

"I loved your mother, desperately. I loved her so much it still aches. Just as I loved Ziyal and her mother. Just as I love my wife and family on Cardassia. As I love y-"

"Don't. You. Dare." she clips with such venom in her voice Dukat actually backs down and looks away. Another new trait that she is not familiar with the real Dukat having.

Humility and fear.

"You have lied. You have lied and manipulated, plotted and planned, pillaged and plundered and stripped people of their dignity. You've never cared about anyone but yourself and the power you coveted above all others, at any cost. You used your charms to persuade and your clever wit to entangle and you've used love as your excuse for the last time. I don't believe any of this, nor do I believe the Prophets would EVER forgive you for the crimes you've committed against Bajor and half the other races in this Quadrant, your own included. I won't fall for you- I won't fall for your tricks ever again. I won't let you manipulate or spoil anyone else. You can burn in hell, and pay for your crimes against all of humanity. Let it be known I refuse you, all of you in every sense of the word."

Dukat 's face reels in despair at her proclamation, his eyes seeming to dim with every harsh word she speaks to him. His once proud vestige from years earlier looks no better than a hollow husk. It is true, he is not the Dukat she remembered, not the great and merciless warrior from years prior, whatever his game, he is playing it well and if she didn't have so much hate and anger built into such a small tight bundle in her chest she might have considered his pleas. But not now, after all that had happened, after all his crimes- she would not be made the fool ever again.

"Nerys- I…" but his words are cut off as he suddenly reaches out his hand and screams her name.

As he jumps towards her she feels another hand grip tightly into her neck and her body is lifted and thrown across the room. Her back smashes into the viewport and she tumbles to the ground. Pain shoots through her but it is not enough to keep her from trying to push off the ground and look towards the two men now fighting.

Her eyes grew wide as she realizes she see's two Dukat 's wrestling on the ground, one adorned in a Cardassian uniform, the other wearing the filthy pants and boots of a peasant.

The struggle turns violent as the Gul picked up her empty vice and cracks it over the other Cardassians head.

That Dukat goes down and lays on the floor limp and quiet.

The Dukat still standing, his uniform seeming sharper than before, turns to her and blood red eyes shines like beacons in the dark room.

"Hello my dear, sorry about the interruption, I do believe we have unfinished business."

In three strides he is next to her and Nerys tries desperately to crawl away. But when his fingers lock like blades into her hair he pulls her back and lifts her up.

Stumbling in her fear she tries to wrench fee but the pain of it makes her hiss and she looks up to him as his fingers dig deeper into her scalp.

"So strong, so vicious and determined. You will make an excellent host. But first- I think you and I should finish our previous conversation."

He throws her to the ground, her back exploding again from the impact, bruises which have yet to form burning in protest as they are struck again.

She kicks out her legs, but he simply shoves them aside and is on top of her in seconds. He is shoving up her gown and reaching for his waistline and Nerys punches and beats on him as hard as she can feeling hot liquid escape from her knuckles.

He pins her hands with one of his own and makes the movement all women know, the shift of the hips needed to enter her, to violate her.

She screams bloody murder and in that moment thinks that she would rather die than live with the knowledge of what was about to happen to her.

A pair of hands grip onto the demon's shoulder ridges, nails dig in and fingers pull. Dark black blood gushes out as the demon on top of her screams and Nerys cries out again as she hears flesh tear and bones snap.

The evil Dukat, and the irony of that statement is not lost on her even in her current position, shrieks and shoves himself up, spinning fiercely towards the other, who has regained consciousness, who looks so angry and raw she almost can't tell the difference between the two- the only difference is their eyes and clothes at this point.

"You dare to interfere? You dare to stop a God! A holy Prophet!"

"You are no God!"

And then the two charge, fists fly, growls and grunts permeate the air as blood spatters the walls and her room is destroyed. Nerys manages to shift up onto her hip, tries to shuffle to a more concealed area. But still she gets caught in the cross fire as a chair is thrown and nearly misses her head by an inch.

She sees the bare chested Dukat leap onto the back of the demon, he wraps his arms around the beast's neck and squeezes, "Nerys! Wake up! You must wake up! WAKE UP!"

The creatures hisses but still manages to turn and move towards her, the good Dukat struggling to keep him at bay.

WAKE UP COLONEL! WAKE UP NOW!" The demon's hand is almost to her and she can't stop it, her heart is hammering and she opens her mouth to scream.

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"Nerys! Wake up!"

"No! No! NO!" She shrieks as she jolts up to find herself in the medical bay, at first she struggles, she doesn't see Julian she only sees him, that evil demon of a creature soaked in blood and torn flesh reaching for her.

"No! Get off me! Get off please!" she cries as tears flow like that black liquid goo she has suddenly seen so much of. She feels filthy, scared and raw.

"Nerys!" she hears him call and she truly opens her eyes to see Julian trying to hold her back from punching him square in the face.

As she heaves a sigh of relief, tears coming full force as she sobs, and this time she can't hold back. The dam breaks and she launches herself into his arms, rumors be damned and she holds onto him for dear life.

Taking deep breaths and noting his smell, his Julian-ness that she has come to know and trust and relief and safety flood her being. He is a friend, a doctor, he wouldn't- couldn't ever hurt her. He would never let her be hurt for he is a friend…. A friend and she is safe.

The good doctor has the knowledge and ability to know when a patient needs more than words. So he allows her to grip onto him like an infant, the shock and worry on his face hidden from her view as he holds her face to his chest. His other arm protectively wrapping around her and on instinct he slowly starts to rock.

Back and forth, slow and easy.

Whatever has just happened to his friend is not something she cares to even think about let alone discuss. Considering this has to do with Dukat he doesn't want to imagine what she may have just been witness to. But he swears, no matter what he has to do, he will free her of this demon, real or fake, vision or night terror he will not let his friend suffer so pointlessly.

He will figure this out, damn anyone who tries to get in his way.

A/N": PHEW! That was intense. Please let me know what you think, honest reviews, constructive criticism, correct spelling of names, places etc etc. If you like it and let me know I will post a second chapter. Otherwise , this will be it, not to be mean but because I don't have a second chapter written yet. Want to know if it's worth continuing. Much love, Apprentice08.