Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

"That's quite an interesting drawing."

I spun around in my chair to look up at the speaker, and my glance grew cold as I saw who it was.

"I'm glad you think so, Gul Dukat," I muttered coolly, turning back to the sketch. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dukat come around and sit across from me.

"You didn't quite get the forehead ridges right, but your talent is extraordinary."

I looked up at him and raised my eyebrows. "Thank you," I whispered. My eyes followed his ridges from the center of his forehead to his cheekbones, then checked my sketch. I grabbed my eraser and made a few changes, then handed the sketchbook to Dukat.

His expression turned from amused to curious to impressed within a minute. He started flipping the pages to find the other drawings that I had done. He paused on one, and his eyes found mine.

"Has Weyoun seen these?"

I shook my head. "No, why?" Oh...he found it.

He turned the sketchbook around to face me, and I saw Weyoun's face with the purple eyes that I had done about a month ago. Over the last few weeks, I had done studies of his ears, and they filled the subsequent pages.

"Now, my dear...do you care to tell me why you are so interested in drawing the Vorta?"

I shrugged. "I find him...intriguing."

Dukat chuckled. "I see. Do you mind, or would it be too much, if I were to show these to him?"

My heartrate jumped, but I nodded reluctantly. "As you wish. He knows I find him...interesting, so I don't think it will surprise him too much."

The Cardassian laughed. "No, my dear, I think you'll find Weyoun to be full of surprises."

He stood and put his hand lightly on my shoulder. "I'll have him get this back to you as soon as possible."

He exited Quark's and left me to my drink.

…

"Officer Gen, please report to the wardroom."

Setting down my paintbrush, I headed out the door. Why was I needed in the wardroom? Bajorans hadn't been given their positions back, so it wasn't a security issue. And I know I hadn't done anything wrong. Or had I?

"Ahh...Aelis...come in."

I nodded stiffly to Dukat, who took a seat. I glanced around the room and was relieved to see no Jem'Hadar. It was just Dukat, myself and Weyoun. The Vorta was in front of the window, looking at something in his hands, but he turned around at Dukat's greeting.

"Aelis...take a seat." He gestured to a seat across from the Cardassian, but he smiled at me reassuringly. He took the seat at the head of the table and set my sketchbook on the table. He rifled through the pages until he found the one of him.

"Dukat...how would you judge this?"

The Cardassian chuckled. "I think she portrayed you very well. What do you think?"

Weyoun smiled wryly. "It looks very much like me, but Vorta don't have a sense of aesthetics, so...I'm not sure."

He turned to me. "Why did you draw this?"

I looked at his drawn likeness and said very slowly and nonchalantly, "I find your ears and eyes...I find you...intriguing." I dared a glance at him.

His eyes were trained on me and his expression was unreadable. I shifted my legs in discomfort. His violet gaze was burning holes in me.

But finally, a smile graced his lips. "Yes, I remember you saying that when we first met."

"You're saying you find him...aesthetically pleasing..." interrupted Dukat, who looked like he could barely contain his laughter. I didn't answer.

"That's quite enough, Dukat. I called her here to express my admiration for her talent." He turned back to me and handed over the sketchbook.

"You may go, Aelis. Thank you."

"Allow me to walk you back to your quarters," insisted Dukat. Weyoun said nothing, but I nodded stiffly.

"As you will."

We walked in silence until we came to my door. Dukat turned to me with a wicked grin on his face.

"I saw the way you looked at him, Aelis."

"Who?" I said, looking him in the eye.

"Weyoun. You're attracted to him."

I shook my head in disbelief. "I find his features...interesting, but it's not like that-"

"-Aelis...what I'm trying to say is don't waste your time. Not on the Vorta. There are...other men on this station more worthy of your attention."

Before he could say anything else, I walked into my quarters and left him smirking in the corridor.