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DUKAT'S DISASTROUS DAY

Gul Dukat strutted importantly through the halls of DS9. His ship had just docked for repairs, returning from a victory against two Klingon Birds-of-Prey. After the impressive win, he felt
invincible. Anything was within his grasp, even the untouchable Major Kira.

// I AM THE MAN! // he thought.

Entering Quark's bar, he spotted his daughter sitting alone at one of the tables. She saw him, and her face lit up with surprised pleasure. He moved quickly to her and wrapped her in a hug.

"Father!" she said happily. "I did not expect you to return so soon."

He smiled affectionately at her, as they both sat down. "My ship engaged in a battle with two Birds-of-Prey. We took heavy damage, but defeated them. The damage necessitated an early return to DS9, however."

Ziyal's eyes lit up with the proper respect for her father's deeds. Dukat felt like preening his scales, but refrained.

"What have you been doing, Ziyal?" he asked with the correct tone of paternal interest.

His daughter's features instantly suffused with immense joy. "I have the most wonderful news!"

Dukat waited patiently, expecting to hear about a new friend or painting Ziyal was doing.

"I'm in love!" she exclaimed.

Dukat jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair. "That bastard tailor," he spit, "I'll kill him!"

Ziyal's eyes narrowed. "Garak is a good man."

"I'll rip out his liver and make him eat it! I'll pull out his teeth one by one with a pair of needle-nosed pliers!" Dukat's voice rose to a piercing shriek. "I'll attach electric wires to his gonads and apply ten thousand volts to his system. I'll...."

"ENOUGH!" Ziyal's shout cut through her father's anger. "You're making a fool of yourself and embarrassing me."

Growling, Dukat sat down, forgetting his chair had fallen over. He landed hard on his ass and yelped in pain and fury.

The patrons of the bar stared at the Cardassian with amusement. Ziyal wished she could sink into the floor.

When Dukat was finally reseated, he glared fiercely at his daughter. "I will not allow...."

"I'm not interested in Garak, father," Ziyal said sharply.

He shut his mouth so fast he nearly bit off his tongue. For a moment, the two simply looked at each other. Eventually, he said, "Who?"

"Someone you will approve of. Someone warm and caring. Someone strong and intelligent. A bit temperamental maybe, but never harsh or unreasonable with me."

Very confused, Dukat hazarded a guess, "Sisko?"

Ziyal began laughing, so hard tears streamed down her face. Dukat felt very stupid, sitting there watching his daughter laugh at him.

"Oh father," she gasped, regaining some control, "you are so funny. Sisko indeed." She seemed ready to say more, but paused. She looked at something over his right shoulder.

Without warning, Ziyal jumped up, calling, "Darling!" Kissing noises followed soon after.

Dukat turned and saw his daughter lip-locked with....

// By the sacred Great Gul, this cannot be! //

"Sweetheart," Ziyal crooned to her lover, "I was just telling father the news."

"Indeed," her beloved replied, "and what did he say?"

"Ask him yourself."

Ziyal's true love turned wickedly amused eyes on the stunned Gul. "Well, what do you think, father?" Major Kira Nerys asked, still holding the girl close. "Ziyal says I can call you father now that we are to be family."

The Cardassian's mouth opened and closed like that of a dying fish.

"Oh father, we have the most glorious wedding planned! There will be loads of guests, especially since it will be a double wedding!"

"A double wedding?" Dukat muttered dubiously.

"Yes," Kira said, smirking, "Garak and Dr. Bashir are getting married the same day."

That was the end for the poor, abused man. Invincible Gul Dukat, the mighty Cardassian who dared wage a one man war against the Klingon Empire, squalled once like an infant and fainted dead away.