Chapter Text
After a dozen 'I told you so's, Quark convinced Alled that purchasing plenty of his goods was the only way to properly placate a Ferengi. Kira laughed and agreed to join him purchasing drinks and food. She had also been proven wrong, after all.
"You ever had zabu stew?" the Cardassian asked.
"No."
"Most aliens find it palatable. I know our food is infamous to most species."
"I'm willing to try it."
"And kanar?"
"No," she waved that away. "I usually can't stand that stuff. Thick like syrup and not liquid!"
"To be fair, your spring wine tastes like watered down sugar to some of us. I like it!"
"What does actual watered down sugar taste like to you?"
"Like sick!"
She laughed.
"The Manions did, in fact, attend one of the demonstrations," Alled said happily. "Nev was squirming with excitement the whole time. Some of the adult audience could barely stay awake. I wouldn't be surprised if that kid will be the next great inventor on Bajor. It's good to see someone appreciates my work."
"And what was the result of all those demonstrations?"
"I've received a personal letter from the Nagus himself that he will provide funding. I presented to several medical organizations, including the Federation," he clenched his jaw at that. "I'm sure when word gets out that I have the funds being provided by the Ferengi, they will be competing to produce my invention."
"That's good news. Really, it is. I still think you should go with the Federation and show Dr. Julian Bashir that prototype. I am sure he could provide you with valuable insight and the Federation isn't likely to be beat when it comes to resources. They could reach and help the most people."
"Maybe you are right," Alled said, taking a sip. "Isn't Bajor part of the Federation yet?"
"No."
"Maybe it isn't too late for them to join the Cardassian Union?" he cracked.
Thankfully, Kira smiled at the joke instead of frowning.
"What does a man like me have to do to win over a woman like you?" Alled boldly asked. "I've been considering that question since I met you. Not on the station. When I thought your name was Luma. Back then, we would be considered enemies. Now, you are the commander of your own space station. A chance at something between us seems just as likely."
Kira's eyes bulged for a moment and she chewed her lip. Then answered, "You might be surprised. Back then, I thought all Cardassians were humanoid cobras ready to strike at me for any reason. You were the first I met and thought of as more of a gentle garden snake."
"A gentle garden snake?" Alled repeated. "That might be an insult from one of my people. Coming from you, I can tell it is meant to be a compliment."
"I wanted to keep one as a pet when I was a little girl. My father wouldn't allow it."
"I wouldn't want my daughter to keep any pet with teeth. Of course, that limits the list quite a bit-"
Kira interrupted him by giving him an unexpected kiss. Alled quickly recovered and kissed back. She had been right about his lips. They were pale for a Cardassian and soft. He was clearly not one of those that didn't practice the custom of kissing either. Then again, she already knew that. She had nearly been in his arms before. She giggled when they paused for breath.
"How was that?" Alled asked. "I certainly enjoyed it."
"Other than the faint taste of kanar, I enjoyed it," she grinned.
"Ah, I can improve that," he grabbed her glass of spring wine and rinsed his mouth with it then kissed her vehemently. "Better?"
She nodded. Meanwhile Quark slammed a glass down at his bar and pointed at them, flashing his all pointed teeth in a smug smile.
"Good to see you finally on the prowl, Commander Kira!" he said. "And you learned not to drag out the very beginning of your relationships over years!"
"Thanks, Quark!"
"Now mind your own business!"
"When you have public displays, you are making it everyone's business!" he shot back.
"He has us there. How would such a relationship work?" Alled turned back to Kira.
"Come with me and I will show you," her eyes danced.
Alled's stew was only half finished. His drink was barely touched. Yet he followed Kira Nerys to her room eagerly, leaving a tip for the bartender he hoped would satisfy. Someone that witnessed their passion hooted at them.
"Why don't you buy another drink?" Quark said to the unruly customer. "Maybe you'll get lucky and a woman here will kiss you."
"There are no other women in this bar except the dabo girls!"
"They count as women too, don't they?"
"Bartender, give me all the drinks!"
"Coming right up, soon as you show me proof you can pay! Hey, Morn! You ought to follow his example!"
He reminded himself he'd have to thank Kira later for this huge boost in business. Maybe he should advertise the bar more often as a couple's outing. He could offer discounts. Nah. That was going too far.
Once they were alone and safe from eyes in Kira's quarters, Alled took hold of her by her shoulders. She expected him to continue kissing her. When she leaned forward to kiss him, he stopped her.
"There is no act this time? I know I sound paranoid, but-"
"It's vastly different this time," she reassured him. "There's no act, no charge, and there's no fear or resentment."
"I also need to remove this," he colored pale gray as he removed his prosthetic. "I hope this doesn't affect anything. I'd rather not wear it during the act. I could lose control of it, use far more strength than I intended..."
"It won't bother me. I've seen maimed soldiers before. So have you."
He set the prototype under her bed. It would not have laid on her night stand. Then he ran his fingers on his good arm through her hair tenderly.
"You are as beautiful now as you were then," he whispered. "I was fascinated by your hair."
"I was fascinated by your scales," she began to tug at the collar of his shirt. "Especially on your chest."
He beamed at that and began to remove the clothing. When she began to tug at her own he reached out.
"No, let me do it. Please."
She was amazed at how dexterous he was without the aid of his prosthetic. No doubt, he became practiced at having to compensate for one arm for a duration of time after his loss. She forgot how strong Cardassians were. Bajoran men and Cardassian men on average weren't supposed to have that much difference in strength from one another. But in her experience, Cardassians were stronger. They were encouraged to develop their muscles and train vigorously from birth. With their more reptilian bodies, she was convinced it was easier for them to develop and maintain it as their metabolism required less. Bajorans toned their bodies through body meditation or sports. They didn't have anything quite resembling modern military training for most of their history.
Once they were disrobed, she reached out a hand to his chest. Despite the years, not much had changed. The scales blended seamlessly into his skin and felt amazing. He still found her impossibly smooth. He worked his fingers inward toward her breasts and cupped the curves while she drew circles upon his chest scales.
"If the Federation decides to make an offer, living on this station or Bajor might be the better choice for me," he said in a hurried breath. "Perhaps we could make a relationship work, not simply a one night stand."
"I am not usually a one night stand girl," she nodded. "And since there's so terribly little room on this station, you could stay with me for the foreseeable future."
"Sometimes I snore," he warned her.
"I can forgive that. Like so many other things."
This time when their lips met, they hardly ever broke away. They fell onto the bed. Cardis were supposed to have cooler blood, but his skin was feverish as hers. And they still craved each other's warmth and touch, addicted to that heat. Kira banished all thought of what others might make of this. It was what she wanted. His alien body didn't seem alien at all. There was only one arm to hold her, but he gripped her firmly and gently. Cardis had the reputation of being rough but Alled was gentle and rough when it counted. Bajorans could be rough and enjoy it too.
Kira only hesitated when she reached down and felt his member. It jarred her for a moment and reminded her that he was, in fact, extraterrestrial. But so was she. They had never gotten this far before. He had the grace and willpower to stop himself. All men and women did, they simply denied the fact when it was convenient for them. She had invited him. When he was inside her, there was no victory or loss. There was only pleasure and joy.
Their first bout was urgent, a burst of tension longer in the making than they knew. But it meant they could talk and start again when they were ready. Then they could take their time. And take their time they would.