A/N: This is a first for me. I've never written a Trek fic, but I started watching DS9 and was immediately drawn to Gul Dukat.

Raina sighed with a hint of sadness as the sight of her new home came into view. Deep Space Nine wasn't exactly the kind of posting that she wanted, but it was either a station in deep space or demotion. Despite what people believed, she had earned the rank of Lieutenant. But people's misinformed opinions of her weren't a concern; letting her family down scared her the most. They understand what she went through and so did Starfleet command, but they had to punish her, she fully understand that.

Life on a space station wouldn't be all bad. At least she would have some stability to start the healing process. It didn't mean she wasn't sad about leaving Earth, it was her home and were her father was. It would be their twice weekly dinners that she would miss the most, but as an Admiral, he had some sort of freedom to visit her. His final act of fatherly advice before she left meant she could read the personnel files for the officers. She already knew Commander Sisko as he was a close friend of her father. She was also familiar with the Dax symbiont, but only as Curzon.

An announcement interrupted her musings to say that the transport was due to dock. She slung her holdall over her shoulder and made the journey to the docking bay. Stepping out of the transport, she felt relief at spotting a familiar face smiling as she approached him. "Commander Sisko."

"Raina!" He replied warmly, pulling her into a fatherly hug. "You are looking great. I trust the journey was good?"

She pulled away, tucking her long chocolate coloured hair behind her ears, securing her bag on her shoulder. "It was fine. I was just eager to get here. The distance will do me good."

Sisko gave her a sad smile as he placed his hand on her upper back, leading her away from the dock. "Well, you have a few days to get settled. I'll show you to your quarters and then you can explore the station."

"If it's all the same, Commander but I'd like to get back to work. I've had nothing but free time to think lately. I'm sick of go over everything." She winced at her tone, but she was sick of people tip toeing around her. She wanted just to get back to some normality. Her pace slowed to a stop when she caught sight of a Cardassian in one of the shops. He caught her eyes, smiling at her but she remained emotionless and still.

Sisko turned to her, only to see her a distance away, stopped and staring. He walked back to her, then he realised who had caught her attention, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Don't worry, Raina. Garak is relatively harmless."

She released the breath she has been holding, giving her CO an uneasy smile. "It's fine. I can't avoid them forever." She allowed Sisko to lead her away as she willed her heartbeat to slow down so she could breathe normally again. "Is there only one?" She asked suddenly.

"Garak is a permanent resident on the station." He stopped her outside her new quarters, clutching her upper arms. "I promised your father I would look after you and I will do just that." It pained him to see such fear and sadness in her eyes. She was just 25 but had endured many traumas in her life and career. She worked hard to get where she was and had everything to go far in her career, but it wasn't an easy ride. She came from a distinguished family in Starfleet. Her parents were Admirals and her eldest brother was one of the youngest Captains in history. It was a hard name to live up to, but she did just that. The highest echelons of Starfleet said that she could be an Admiral at 40. Unfortunately, her promise had been scarred by rumours of sexual misconduct, personal trauma and sheer recklessness. Her father asked Sisko if he needed a new officer and he jumped at the chance to have someone with an intelligence, passion and strong will that Raina possessed. She needed a second chance to get her career back on track. "Why don't you put your bag away and I'll show you Ops."

They took the lift to Ops, chatting mindlessly about the station. She had many warnings about the Ferengi on board, namely Quark and they talked about how Jake was settling in on the station. It took Raina's mind off Garak and the distraction that she needed. Sisko stepped out first, calling out to his officers. "Everyone, this is Lieutenant Raina Cavendish. Our newest officer. Raina, this is my second in command, Major Kira Nerys."

The Bajoran shook her hand, not quite as welcoming as Raina hoped. "The Commander told me about you. Welcome to Deep Space Nine."

"This is, Lieutenant Jadzia Dax."

The Trill pulled Raina into a hug, unexpected but not unwelcome. "You've grown since I last saw you." She teased.

Raina chuckled. "You've changed a lot, Curzon." She quipped. She felt more at ease when her chuckled was returned.

Jadzia's demeanour turned solemn quickly. "I'm sorry to hear about Commander Cavendish's death." She said gently.

"Thank you." She replied, quietly. "He died a hero and doing what he loved. That is small comfort to me."

"And this is, Doctor Julian Bashir." Sisko gave her a sad smile, his hand resting on her shoulder, giving her silent condolences, which she greatly appreciated.

Raina blushed when the doctor caught her eye. His handshake was warm yet professional. "Cavendish? As in Admiral Cavendish?" He asked with a hint of awe.

She grinned at the good doctor, forcing her mood to change. She had done her mourning in her own way. "Yes, I am one of those."

Julian noted Kira's confusion and dutifully explained who she was. "The Cavendish family have been in Starfleet for generations." He turned back to Raina, winking discreetly. "From the beginning, I believe?"

She nodded. "Correct. The Cavendish family were there when Starfleet was born."

Kira was begrudgingly impressed. "Well, I'm sure your skills will be invaluable here."

"Thank you. I'm sure I could stand to learn more during my stay here."

Her first day on the station went by without a hitch. She had bonded with Jadzia over drinks at Quark's and talked about literature with Julian. She had also managed to garner some attention from several men on the station, mostly a very handsy Klingon who had taken a shine to her. Thankfully, he took the hint after some very colourful threats and she had secured a reputation as not being a woman to mess with unless she invited it.

Garak watched with interest as Sisko's newest officer chatted to Lieutenant Dax. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he felt when he spotted her staring at him earlier that day. He had never met her before, but she looked at him with fear and sadness, something that made him uncomfortable. Julian joined him for their weekly dinner, so it was the most opportune moment to enquire about the mysterious human. "Ah Julian. I was getting worried about you."

Julian scoffed as he sat down. "Very likely, Garak."

"Who is the officer talking to Lieutenant Dax?"

Julian turned to where the two women where, nearly lost among the throng of other patrons. "Ah, Lieutenant Raina Cavendish. She arrived only this morning. You seem to have taken an interest in her."

Garak gave his friend a sardonic look. "She seemed shocked by my presence on the station, this morning. She couldn't take her eyes off me. It made me slightly nervous."

Julian laughed. "You nervous? Never!" He teased. "And here I thought you found her rather attractive."

"Oh, well I never said I didn't." He turned his eyes back to Raina. "I don't think she likes Cardassians much."

"That's never stopped you before, Garak." He smirked, just slightly as his friend looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Shall I introduce you?"

"No. Let the young lady settle before we scare her." Garak kept his eyes on her. He didn't know her personally, but he knew of her family. Her reasons for her reaction to him had started to come clear to him. After all, it was a rogue Cardassian faction that killed one of her brother's and her want for justice was probably the reason why she was stationed on Deep Space Nine. He silently vowed to protect her as much as he could when central command realised she was on the station. Especially when Gul Dukat made his unwelcome visits to the station.