Last (expected) chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Workforce Pt 2

[Quarren Medical Facility]

Tuvok lay unconscious and strapped to a bed. He could not have moved or escaped even if he had a way off Quarra.

"Acute anxiety, depression…" Dr. Ravoc, a young man with dark hair and a kind thought for pretty much everyone, shook his head over the list on the PADD. He was saddened to think how troubled the patient must have been and wondered how long the poor man suffered these delusions. "When I interviewed him, he insisted that he's not who he's supposed to be, that we've stolen his katra, whatever that is."

"Conclusions?" asked Dr. Kadan, his voice purposefully gruff. He was the senior physician on the unit and took his position of mentor seriously. He had once been accused of being too military in his application of lessons and his expectations of younger staff. The accusation had never bothered him, nor had any of the many others. His refrain in response would likely be inscribed on his tombstone. It's all for the greater good.

"Tri-lobe regression complex? Polar-affective disorder?"

"Neuro-psychiatry isn't a guessing game, Dr. Ravoc." Kadan stood practically at attention at the younger man's elbow, the two of them opposites in almost every way. Where Kadan was older and blond, perhaps a little rounder than was good for him, Ravoc was young and brown haired, slender and possessing a kind aura that put people at ease.

Ravoc spoke the conclusion he'd feared to say aloud. It was, after all, a rare and serious condition. Indeed, the disease's name had been coined by Kadan himself only twenty years ago. "Dysphoria syndrome."

Kadan smiled. "You have been studying my research."

Ravoc breathed a sigh of relief that his mentor didn't laugh him out of the building. "According to your work, the condition is very rare."

Kadan nodded. "It is. I've treated this man before. Apparently, he has suffered a relapse. Recommended treatment?"

Ravoc didn't need to consult his notes to know what Kadan would suggest in this case. "Engrammatic resequencing is typically indicated."

"You seem sceptical," said Kadan.

"Resequencing is a radical procedure." He preferred simple solutions to surgeries whenever possible.

"If he had a malignant tumour, would you be afraid to cut it out?" Kadan asked, his unwavering eyes on Ravoc.

"No."

Kadan nodded. "This syndrome is just as insidious. It requires aggressive treatment. Get started."

[Annika's Apartment]

Since she normally was at home when it was dark, the lights were set dimmed and to come on automatically.

"Your place is… nice." Chakotay looked around, one hand holding his injured arm as he glanced around the minimalist space.

"It seemed pointless to decorate when I spend so little time her," Annika explained. She moved to the kitchen where she kept her medical kit.

"No need to explain. It's comfortable, I'm sure." He sat on the couch and watched her as she expertly moved through the kitchen.

The medical kit was under the sink. She snapped it up and grabbed a few towels as well, wetting them.

"How long have you been here?" Chakotay watched her.

Annika brought the items to the couch, setting them and herself down on the metal coffee table there. She began wiping away the blood from Chakotay's arm through his torn shirt before she settled on a response. "Why don't you tell me?"

"About a week." He watched her absorb that with a calm nod.

"Who is Seven of Nine?" The blood from the wound on his arm was cleaned, but more came from his shoulder.

"That depends." Chakotay removed his jacket and then his shirt at her indication. The simple act required her help since his muscles were stiffening around the wounds. He cool hands touched his skin only fleetingly, but it was enough to make him shiver.

"Depends on what?" She picked up a new towel and began cleaning the cuts on his muscled shoulder. It took some effort to remain unmoved by his change in clothing, but she managed it.

"On what you remember."

"What should I remember?"

He laughed and then grimaced as the movement caused him pain. "Stubborn as always."

"Careful." She'd noticed his pain.

"All right. What if I told you that you are from a starship called Voyager that was attacked and its crew pilfered to be workers here?"

It was absurd. "Go on."

He sighed. "I was with two others on an away mission. When we returned to the rendezvous point, we discovered that Voyager had been attacked. We contacted the Quarren government after locating our people's life signs here. The government claimed they had no idea what we were talking about and that our people didn't know us."

"You think I'm from this starship?"

"Yes. Seven of Nine was your Borg designation. It's what everyone still calls you."

"Mr. Tuvok called me by that name."

"Tuvok remembers too?" His hopeful eyes sought hers, but she glanced away.

"I'm afraid his situation is more complex." She explained how Tuvok attacked her and as a consequence was taken away by security. "I'm sorry."

It wasn't an ideal situation, but he shook his head, unable to blame her when she was clearly brainwashed. "It's not your fault. It was a mind meld, that's what he was trying to do with you."

"I will attempt to determine his location tomorrow," she said, running the dermal regenerator over his wounds.

"Then you believe me?"

Annika hesitated. It all sounded too outlandish to be true, too much for her to wholeheartedly give him her assurance. And yet hadn't she already chosen to believe him? Flashes of her Borg life danced in her mind randomly and he was, after all, shirtless and in her apartment. If she didn't believe him, she should call security. She remained seated.

Chakotay felt his heart clench as the moment stretched and she said nothing. Her eyes rose a little to his forehead.

"Your face is different."

"A disguise was necessary." It occurred to him that he'd offered her no proof of his identity. Chakotay was surprised how much trust she'd shown. He looked down at the regenerator still in her hand. He had an idea how to provide some measure of confirmation.

His hand was warm and gentle as he took the dermal regenerator from her, his fingers lingering on her skin. "What are you doing?"

"I can't go back to work. There's no need for a disguise anymore."

"Do you remember a blue flower?" she asked on a whim as he raised the tool.

The question caught him off guard. He nodded, immediately realizing what she was thinking of. "Delphinium scaposum. It's a blue desert flower. We saw it in the program you put together for…"

"What?"

He shook his head. It would be too much for her to believe him if he claimed to be her fiancé. "Later I'll explain."

Annika frowned, but didn't say anything more as he waved the regenerator over his own face. The ridges along his forehead disappeared, replaced with a tattoo over his left eye. She felt a flash of amusement that they would have matching ocular adornments.

"Better?" He smiled at her, carefully watching as recognition, wonder and confusion all passed across her face. "Do you remember?"

It's true. It's really him. He looked just as he had in the visions Tuvok's mind meld created. But that meant everything she remembered about her life was a lie, that flashes of indistinct visions were more real than reality. It also meant she was missing an enormous chunk of her memory still. How was that possible?

"Seven?" Her silence and unfocused gaze worried him.

"I…" She stood quickly. "I don't have a bed, but you can sleep on the couch."

"Okay." He watched her disappear into the bedroom.

He considered going after her, but felt that would be counterproductive. She needed to absorb this information.

With a sigh, he fell back onto the couch, pulling a blanket down around him. His last thought before falling asleep was that he hoped she didn't change her mind and turn him in.

[Power Distribution Plant]

Borg drones moved like ants with purpose along endless corridors and catwalks. All was black and bathed in green light. The drones were just that, mindless machines moving together in accordance with their programming to obtain a common goal.

Annika blinked and the image returned to the industrial pipes and walkways of the Quarren plant.

Stepping from her alcove, working in astrometrics, Borg, candlelit dinners… The same images had invaded her consciousness during regeneration. They intruded even now, as she stood at the entrance of her supervisor's office.

Forgetting herself between the visions and flashes of present reality, Annika shook her head and strode heedlessly into the office. "I want to know the status of employee eight five eight three."

"Maybe it's different where you come from," said Rook, "but here it's polite to say good morning."

"Good morning," she parroted without feeling.

Rook shook his head, but went to do as she bid. He accessed the information from the personnel computer terminal on the wall. "Eight five eight three, the man who was removed by security?"

Annika nodded.

"Hmm." Rook didn't like what he read. "He's been hospitalised."

Hospitalized… His records would be sealed then to all but supervisors as per privacy rules. She'd have to figure out where he was held in a more roundabout way. "Is there any reason to believe that his condition might be contagious?"

Rook gave her a quizzical glance.

"He came in contact with other workers," she said, thinking fast. "Some of them have expressed concern."

"Well, tell them not worry." A glance had told him that Tuvok was still at the Central Quarren Medical Facility, which meant he wasn't quarantined, which meant his disease was mental, not viral or bacterial.

Annika, reading over his shoulder, memorized the information and came to the same conclusion: Tuvok would be at the Central Medical Facility.

"Excuse me, am I intruding?" Yerid glanced around, his eyes sliding politely away from the blond woman's metal adornments though his curiosity burned.

Rook looked past Annika, who stepped to the side, to see a man he didn't recognize in the doorway. "What can we do for you?"

"My name is Yerid. I'm investigating the disappearance of two of your employees."

"Who?"

"Their names are Neelix and Torres."

Annika's head swivelled to Yerid, her ears metaphorically perking. "Both of them failed to report for work today."

Yerid took out a PADD, now positive he was on the right trail. As he took the opportunity to look at her more closely, he was a little struck by her beauty, but he hid it well. "What about this man?"

Annika didn't need to look to know who it would be. She did take a good look at the PADD anyway. Not doing so would be highly suspicious. "Employee nine three six three." She swallowed past the lump of guilt. "He didn't report for his shift either."

"I'd like to see his personnel file," said Yerid, reluctantly returning his attention to Rook, "and I'll need to interview anyone who may know where he is."

"Why are you looking for him?" She ignored the sharp glare of her supervisor as they both looked at her.

"I believe he's responsible for the disappearance of the other two," said Yerid. It didn't occur to him that her concern might be more than that of a colleague.

"For what reason?"

"Pardon?" Despite her somewhat haughty tone, he was happy for the chance to keep talking with and looking at her. Though he was still curious about the metal implants, it took less and less effort to look beyond them.

"What motive could he have for kidnapping two people?"

Yerid shook his head, amused. "That's what I'm trying to find out."

Rook nodded for Annika to leave, aware she had work to do. "I'll get you those files, Inspector."

Annika left the office, relieved to be out of sight. She wanted to settle down somewhere to gather her thoughts, but that would look suspicious so she settled for walking on autopilot.

"Sorry about her, she's had a rough few days," Rook explained to Yerid.

Shrugging and a little sad the woman left, Yerid gestured to the computer and Rook obligingly moved to obtain the records he needed.

Central Medical, thought Annika. She couldn't be positive without getting into official records, but Tuvok was likely in the main psychology ward. That assumption didn't help too much since she knew next to nothing about it.

Workers dodged her she walked, going about her info gathering and endless reviews. No one dared break her concentration to ask if something was wrong… her stony expression dissuaded all but the bravest from interrupting her routine.

Finally, the day ended.

People began streaming from the plant, but Annika waited. Pretending to finish a report, Annika watched until Rook left his office. She knew his routine, that he would be gone a minimum of eight minutes thirty-two seconds.

Quickly and quietly, moving as though she had been summoned to the office instead of there to skulk, Annika entered Rook's office. She went to the personnel terminal. "Display the personnel file for employee eight five eight three."

The computer answered in its usual coldness. "Access restricted. Security clearance verified."

She sighed in frustration. She didn't have time to force her way past the security even if she knew how. "Display all medical and historical data for this employee's species."

"Data unavailable."

"List all files accessed by this employee since he's been here." She would get whatever information she possibly could.

"Personnel files. Employee eight five eight two. Nozowo, Kashimuro. Employee eight five eight four. Janeway, Kathryn…"

Interesting.

"…Employee eight five eight five. McKenzie, William. Employee eight five eight six. Hansen, Annika. Employee eight five eight seven. Anderson, Lydia. Employee eight five eight eight, Torres, B'Elanna. Employee…"

The computer continued listing off names, but she was no longer listening. Annika Hansen.

"Access personnel file of employee eight five eight six." It was her own file, which would give her access rights by default.

[Annika's Apartment]

Chakotay, despite being confined to the small and drab apartment all day, was far from bored. Rather, he used his time to research Quarren society and the legal system. He initially assumed Tuvok would be taken by security and then arrested, held in some sort of detention centre. However, after review, he wasn't so sure. It seemed most crimes were treated as mental illness. Only the most heinous and unfixable of criminals ended up before a judge. All others ended up…

"The Central Medical Facility," Annika said as soon as she entered. She threw her PADD on the counter and joined him at the single computer terminal, which sat in place of a window.

"Pardon?"

"Mr. Tuvok. He's being held there for assessment and then treatment."

"They think he's sick," said Chakotay with a nod. That mirrored his research.

"Perhaps." Annika stood in front of the man in her apartment – a man who claimed he was from a starship with a kidnapped crew and was wanted by Quarra police for kidnapping – and gazed down at him, assessing. Despite the absurdity of it, the evidence was seemingly in his favour.

"What?" Chakotay asked gently, already aware of which train of thought she was on. He knew she was hesitating, doubting her initial choice about him. It was in her nature to question things.

"An inspector came by the plant today. He is looking for you in connection with the kidnapping of two employees."

"B'Elanna and Neelix." There was no point denying it.

Annika quirked her head.

Chakotay sighed. "I don't know what to do to prove it, but I assure you that I am who I say I am. B'Elanna didn't remember us, but she is a member of the Voyager crew, kidnapped and brought here to be a worker."

"Mr. Neelix?"

"He came here with me to gather information on our missing people and help rescue them."

"She didn't remember you because her memory was tampered with."

Chakotay sat still, realizing this was not a question.

"As was I."

"Yes."

"I accessed my personnel file and located other records that indicate one hundred thirty-eight skilled employees, myself included, all began to work at the plant on the same day."

He sighed in relief, believing now there was no danger of her turning him in to authorities. Even brainwashed, she was not the type to dismiss proof. "Our crew."

"We were all processed by Division 6, Neuropathology," she said with a nod. "Whatever they are doing to make us forget, it's being done there."

"Great. How do we get in?"

Annika shook her head and moved to sit on the couch. "I don't think it's wise for us to attempt such a thing on our own."

Chakotay joined her, forgetting in his excitement at such a breakthrough to maintain extra distance. She stiffened a little as their sides touched, but she didn't move away and he didn't notice. "I hate to tell you, but we're kind of on our own here."

"Not necessarily." She glanced at him and quickly away, aware that her next proposal would be met with criticism.

"What?" He already didn't like that she wouldn't meet his eyes.

"I wish to approach the inspector investigating B'Elanna's kidnapping."

"You've lost your mind."

"Yes, which is why this course of action is necessary."

"Not funny." He sighed. "What makes you think he doesn't already know she doesn't belong here?"

"If he was aware of her true identity, he would not have needed to ask why she was kidnapped, or who by. He would be investigating how you and Mr. Neelix penetrated their security."

"Fine, but we don't know exactly who in the government is involved. What if he turns me in, believing it's the right thing to do?"

"I do not need to mention you, not immediately." She took a steadying breath as he waited for an explanation. "I have continued to have flashbacks since Mr. Tuvok – er – attempted to mind meld with me. That with the records I located should be enough to persuade Det. Yerid to look into where we all came from."

"You really trust him?" Chakotay asked, watching her carefully. Her face relaxed and an indulgent smile graced her lips. It calmed him.

"Yes." She thought about it. "He seems honourable." Even from the short interaction she had with him, she could tell Yerid was a reliable and honest individual.

"Fine." He sighed, leaning back into the couch. Unthinkingly, he threw an arm around the back of her seat and gave in. "I trust your judgement."

She glanced at him, wondering if she should broach a point of curiosity she'd wondered about for awhile.

"What?"

Her eyes flickered briefly to his arm across the back of her couch. She sat so straight that it was really nowhere near her. And yet, he felt so close. She looked away. "Nothing."

"No, there's something bothering you. What is it?"

She sighed, staring straight ahead. "How do you know that?"

"Because I know you."

"And how well do you know me?"

He hesitated.

"What was the nature of our relationship?"

It was Chakotay's turn to look away. "Well…"

A chirping interrupted.

"What is that?" Annika's acute hearing directed her attention to Chakotay's hand.

"Voyager is trying to contact me." He answered, "Chakotay here."

"Are you okay, Commander?"

Chakotay sighed in relief. "It's good to hear your voice, Harry. I'm fine and safe, for the time being."

Annika gave a small, reassuring smile when he looked at her. She would not betray him.

"Can you get me out of here?"

There was a slight hesitation before Harry answered. "No, sir, we're eight light years away."

That didn't make sense. Even with the communicator embedded in his hand, Voyager had needed to be much closer than that to get a signal through the security field.

"We're using a triaxialating frequency on a covariant subspace band," the Doctor broke in. "It was B'Elanna's idea."

"B'Elanna?" Annika spoke the name quietly so that only Chakotay heard. She met Chakotay's eyes, her own wide with surprise. If it was true, then any last speckles of doubt she had could not stand.

"I take it she's feeling better." Chakotay failed to hide a smile. It was honestly better news than he'd hoped for. It meant whatever happened to the crew was reversible. Considering the woman in front of him, this was very good news indeed.

"Yes," said the Doctor, "she's responded well to treatment."

Harry's voice came through again. "Have you located anyone else from the crew?"

Chakotay tried not to hold his breath, but his chest was tight with uncertainty. What would she think of this conversation? "As a matter of fact, I'm sitting with Seven right now."

There was a long pause as the men on Voyager tried to think of a response, mindful that she was listening as well.

Finally, Harry broke the silence with a question that only scratched the surface of what he wanted to know. "How is she?"

"Better than expected," Chakotay answered, correctly reading her pressed lips as an indication that she was uncertain what to say. He smiled at her, correctly reading the playing shadows of concern and amazement as they moved across her face. "This is a lot to believe without much proof."

"Yeah, B'Elanna took a little convincing too," said Harry. "Does she remember anything?"

"Not really. It's a long story." No need to get into the issue with Tuvok. "How soon can you get back into transporter range?"

"We need a couple more days to finish repairs. What about the shield grid?"

"I have an idea how to shut it down."

"We might need assistance," said Annika. Breaking into Division 6 would be hard enough. The power distribution plant was a vital service, which meant it was even more heavily guarded than any medical labs.

"We'll discuss it," Chakotay said. In the meantime, the conversation was running long, which increased the chances of the signal being compromised. "Until I get back to you, let's maintain comm. silence, just in case we're being monitored."

"Understood. Good luck, Commander." A small hesitation. "Seven, I'm glad you're okay."

The link clicked off. It left an echoing silence in its wake.

"So…" Chakotay wasn't sure where to begin.

"I've been wondering…"

"Yes?" He eyed her warily. She could ask any number of complex questions which he may or may not wish to answer just then.

"You are the commander on this Voyager."

"Yes."

"I assumed the captain was still onboard."

"Ah, no, she's actually on this planet."

"Working in the power distribution plant?"

He quirked his head, surprised at her accurate guess.

"It explains why you chose to infiltrate the plant first. I assume you were trying to make contact with her."

"Right again, but she doesn't remember me even a little."

"Which employee is she?"

Chakotay hesitated, wondering where her train of thought was headed this time. "Why?"

"We will require assistance. Perhaps we can convince your – the captain to help, maybe remind her of her true identity," she said.

"If it weren't for Tuvok's mind meld, you wouldn't recognize me at all either. Captain Janeway had no idea who I was and I doubt she'll be easily convinced." He shook his head, remembering a dozen instances where wise arguments fell on the Captain's deaf ears. "She's always been more stubborn than a mule."

Annika filed the name of Janeway in her memory for later, not convinced that they should or could give up the possibility of approaching her. To Chakotay's face, however, she nodded and pretended to agree. "Very well. One more question."

"Yes?"

"What was the nature of our relationship?"

Chakotay laughed, because that was the only thing he could do. Not wanting to feel the sting of rejection if he explained and she denied it, he told a little falsehood. "We're very good friends."

"Oh." She supposed that could explain the closeness she felt, even the visions of dinners she had. Still, suspicions remained.

[Quarren Medical Centre - Outside]

The building was industrial, just like everything else on the planet. Its grey, nondescript outside masked its terrifying truth. It also made it more difficult to plan a break in.

Chakotay, sporting new clothes he'd replicated at Seven's apartment, circled the building. He scanned it as he went, hoping to glean some intelligence on its security and any possible weakness. So far it wasn't promising.

A group of people exited the building and Chakotay ducked down an alley. No one was likely to recognize him, but there was no need to be careless.

Chakotay had an extra reason to hide from people, which was that he'd snuck out. Seven flat out refused to help him sneak into the power plant and insisted he remain in the apartment. However, besides feeling antsy at the confinement, he was feeling the pressure of time as his crew settled into new and utterly false lives. After she left, he hurried out to do recon and hoped to both be back before she returned and have something useful.

Little did he know just how sensitive the centre's security system had been set.

[Umali's Bar]

True to her word, Annika contacted Yerid and arranged to meet him at the bar. Despite being popular with plant workers, she was certain it was a safe location to talk. It would also be easy to explain away should anyone take special notice of them conversing.

He was on time, something Annika appreciated. She'd already found a table and gestured him over.

"You said you might have information for me," said Yerid without preamble. When he'd first received her message, he'd thought their meeting might be of a more personal nature, but the set of her stiff shoulders cut off any hope of that. He stifled his disappointment with the hope she really did have good intel for him.

"You may want to sit down," she said, more certain than ever that it was a good decision to trust him. She knew she wasn't a great judge of character, but it was impossible not to believe this man was good and honest. "I accessed some personnel files at the plant."

Yerid listened in growing confusion as she relayed what she'd seen, omitting only Chakotay's involvement and the flashbacks. "Why would this Tuvok be collecting information about his co-workers?"

"One of the people he researched is B'Elanna Torres. They both began working at the plant on the same day along with one hundred thirty-six others, including myself."

He shook his head, not getting her point. "What's unusual about that?"

"More than a hundred skilled employees, most of them the same species, acquired in a single day, during a labour shortage." Her incredulous tone would have clued even the most ignorant person onto the fact that such a phenomenon was beyond rational statistics. Yerid was neither ignorant nor willfully blind.

"All right, that is strange." His fingers tapped out a nervous rhythm as he contemplated this.

"There's more. Every one of them was processed with the Central Hospital when they arrived."

"It's routine for new workers to be examined."

"Yes, by Quarantine Control, but all of them were processed through Division six."

"You came through Neuropathology?" No, that didn't seem right at all. She had no indicators of being unstable and no matter how good the doctors were in Division 6, there was no way a patient of theirs would make it to such a trusted position as hers. An intake process started at the hospital, but they filtered patients to more suitable resources, and as a rule Neuropathology dealt with only the most extreme cases of mental illnesses, the things everyone else deemed unfixable.

"That's what the records indicate, but I don't remember being there."

"You don't?" That wasn't something one would forget. He watched closely for signs of deceit.

"Not at all." She shook her head. "I remember arriving on this planet, but I only remember a short time in Quarantine Control." Even that memory was seeming increasingly shaky the more she examined it.

He took a moment just to examine her, to confirm his next choice would be the right one. She was utterly serious and convincing and, most importantly, sane. Yerid was not one to proclaim a habit of trusting something as intangible as pure intuition. However, he could not ignore either the logic in her argument or the way his conscience prodded him to trust. "What do you expect me to do?"

"You can start by interviewing Mr Tuvok." She'd not yet given up hope that he could be found and used to provide evidence against whoever had done this to them. "You'll find him at the hospital."

Yerid gave a small sigh, but nodded just the same. "I'll do what I can."

[Annika's Apartment]

She'd been gone less time than expected thanks to Yerid's easy acceptance of her explanation. Still, she was tired and eager to spend the evening grilling Commander Chakotay on whatever questions he would answer. Specifically, she hoped to understand what he meant when he said they were good friends. Though her memories were shaky and fragmented, there was enough there to doubt his claim.

Since the moment they'd spoken, Annika could feel something intangible between them, an undercurrent of familiarity and some other feeling she had difficulty naming. She thought the unnamed emotion could be affection, but had no memory to compare it to and it was difficult to follow such a feeling when she couldn't remember Chakotay fully. Still, a spring of affection coiled around her heart and increased every time she saw him.

Her tired step became hurried and excited as she drew closer to her door and the promise of seeing Chakotay again.

The door slid open. Before she had the chance to make it over the threshold, Annika could tell something was wrong. The apartment, despite having its temperature set automatically, felt cold and empty.

"Commander?"

Silence.

"Chakotay?"

Still no answer.

Concern clawed at her as she wondered where he could be. That concern did not abate as the hours ticked by and he still did not appear.

Where could he be? Annika could not recall ever pacing before in her life, yet there she was walking from one end to the other in her otherwise empty apartment.

Considering what to do did not yield many options. Contacting the authorities to report him missing was obviously out of the question. She could look for him herself, but the list of places the Commander could be in the city was overwhelmingly long, the list of places he was likeliest to be was depressingly short.

[Quarren Medical Centre – Outside]

It was getting dark and close to curfew. Annika would have to return to her apartment soon.

She'd circled the building three times and seen neither hide nor hair of Chakotay. Security around the area was also significantly increased. Only a quick mind and memorization of the alleys in the area had saved her from running into patrols. Her conclusion of what happened to Chakotay was inescapable. Clearly, he'd been captured.

What was she going to do now? Yerid.

Annika returned home and – mindful that her communications might be monitored – sent Yerid an encrypted message. She kept it short and simply told him she had reason to believe another one of the people he wanted to talk to was in the facility they'd discussed. Short of storming the hospital, there was nothing more she could do.

Whatever plans Chakotay made to save his people were gone now. She had no way to contact his ship, and no one else remembered their real past. She was now alone.

[Voyager – Ready Room]

Harry entered and irritation rose at the sight before him. The Doctor had made himself comfortable at the Captain's desk. It wasn't the only place he'd taken over. Despite the whole ship requiring repairs, it was increasingly difficult to peel the EMH from the Captain's chair.

"I've been analysing our scans of the Quarren patrol ships that attacked us," said the Doctor, "and I think I've devised a way of evading their sensors."

Not one to deny someone an honest statement of truth, Harry nodded. "You do have a knack for tactical planning."

"That's something I've been meaning to discuss with you." The Doctor stood, tapping a PADD excitedly against his palm as he walked to the large windows and gazed outside. Wrapped up in his own mental visions, he didn't notice Harry's exasperated sigh at the change in topic. "Once we've succeeded in this mission, and I'm certain we will, I'd like you to help me programme a new medical hologram."

Harry rolled his eyes, shifting his tired feet as he tried to think of a way to make the EMH see reason. "You don't like the idea of going back to your old job now that you've had a taste of command."

"I'm a skilled officer." His defensive scowl focussed on Harry. I could be of so much more use outside sickbay!

"No offence, Doc, but that skill was programmed into you." Does he think we have an unlimited number of officer's positions, or that we can go without a physician? Harry suddenly appreciated Chakotay's efforts dealing with the EMH's ego over the years as he asked for more and more freedoms, sometimes at the cost of practicality and common sense.

"Yes, but so was my medical training." He folded his arms, looking down at Harry with a slight smirk. "And, no offense, Ensign, but I can learn new tactics and protocols infinitely faster than you."

Forcing his anger and frustration down, Harry answered as kindly and firmly as possible. He only managed it by reminding himself that the Doctor did mean well. "I'm sure once you're back to your old self, you'll be happy being a full-time doctor again."

A beeping interrupted.

Harry rounded the desk and tapped in a command at the computer. "Commander Chakotay's hailing us. We're receiving you, sir. Go ahead."

"I'm having trouble with my transceiver." Chakotay's voice came through, sounding a little stiff, but Harry and the Doctor were simply too happy to hear from him to question that. "This may be to last chance we have to talk."

"You've been quiet a long time," said Harry. "What's your status?"

"I'm almost ready to shut down the shield grid. I'm sending you encrypted instructions. They'll tell you where and when to enter orbit."

As stated, a message was received. Harry downloaded it quickly. "We have it, Commander."

"Chakotay out."

[Umali's Bar]

"Thanks for your message, but I didn't get very far," Yerid admitted. "The doctors refused to allow me to interview Tuvok and they were clearly upset I knew Amal Kotay was there."

"He is there?" It was one thing to suspect and another to have that suspicion confirmed. Annika's shoulders drooped.

Yerid nodded, frowning. "I looked him up back at my office, but there's no record of him being apprehended by police or admitted to the hospital. No wonder they were surprised I knew."

Annika drew a steadying breath. "Very well, we will have to continue on without him."

"Wait, have you been in contact with him?"

"Yes." No point hiding that now. "His proper name is Commander Chakotay. He confirmed some of what Mr. Tuvok claimed. He wasn't kidnapping people. He was attempting to rescue his crew. My research at the plant and a short communication from his ship confirmed his story."

There was a long moment as Yerid took this information in. Despite his initial expectations with the kidnapping case, this was turning into a very complex situation. Still, there was no denying the circumstantial evidence building in front of his eyes. "All right."

"If we can take down the security grid around the planet, I believe his people can rescue his crew. The only question is timing, but I suspect sooner is better. We should also attempt to gather information from Division 6. There may be others in the same situation. We also need to know how far into the government this conspiracy goes."

His gaze faltered, his hands playing with the half empty glass in front of him. "That's a tall order to fill."

"Yes." She noticed his fidgeting. "What is it?"

"Even though I want to help you, I can't."

"Why not?"

Yerid shook his head, embarrassed and sad to admit the next part. "The Director of Investigations relieved me of duty this afternoon."

"And now you are unwilling to help." Her eyes narrowed.

"I'm not—"

"Yerid?"

Annika and Yerid jumped a little and looked over at Tom Paris. He had spotted them when he entered for his shift and hurried over. Yerid glanced at Annika, but she was too upset to focus on him. The rebuff hurt.

Tom had no idea what sort of conversation he was interrupting and he didn't care. He wanted to know only one thing. "Have you found out anything about B'Elanna?"

Yerid grimaced, but before he could answer, Annika's acidic tone broke in.

"He can't assist you. He's been relieved of duty."

"Oh." Tom looked between them, finally picking up on the discomfort.

Annika turned her hard eyes back to Yerid, nodding her head in Tom's direction as she spoke. "This man is also in Tuvok's file. Perhaps you should tell him why he's here instead of with his friends and family."

"What are you talking about?" Tom's brows raised. I don't have a family.

Yerid argued more for the sake of it than because he believed it. "You don't know for sure. Amal or Chakotay or whatever his name is could still be lying to you."

"Given the evidence, it is extremely unlikely."

Tom waved a hand to gain their attention again. "Hey, hey. Why doesn't one of you just tell me what's going on and I'll decide for myself if one or both of you are crazy?"

Yerid frowned briefly at Tom, but turned his attention to Annika. "I can't go back to the hospital and start asking questions. I'd be reported."

"Maybe I can help."

[Division 6 - Ravoc's Office]

It was more difficult than she thought. Sitting there in the hospital, putting on an act and pretending to be nervous about her own health while aware that Chakotay and Tuvok were nearby. They were so close and yet utterly inaccessible to her. She pictured Chakotay's warm eyes, the way they crinkled when he smiled, the softness of his hands on hers. It sent a small spasm through her chest.

"Recently, I've been…" Annika trailed off, fidgeting a little the way she'd seen others do when they didn't want to admit wrongdoing. If young Dr. Ravoc's sympathetic gaze was any indicator, her acting worked.

"I'm a doctor. You can trust me." Poor woman.

Annika glanced away and breathed deep. "I've been experiencing some disturbing thoughts. I don't believe it's anything serious, but I would like to speak with someone."

He smiled, hoping to encourage her to speak more. "Well, you've come to the right place."

"Thank you." She watched as he accessed a PADD, indicating she should give him her information. It was common intake practice to look up her previous medical history. "Guest labour code green. Employee eight five eight six."

"Hansen, Annika. You've been a patient here before." He was surprised. She had the demeanour of someone new to discussing medical issues.

"Yes, I attended Quarantine when I first arrived."

He continued reading and grew both confused and concerned. "You were treated for dysphoria syndrome."

"I don't recall that." It was true. She remembered a brief quarantine and short psych exam, nothing for serious issues. Not even her personnel file at the plant had specified the result of medical exams.

"These disturbing thoughts you mentioned," Ravoc asked, his concern making him speak quicker, "would you characterise them as hallucinations?"

"What's the cause of this syndrome?" Was that how they obtained their victims? Did they pretend members of ships had this condition and then offer to treat it? Was that the guise they interred Tuvok under?

"We're conducting studies to determine that. Fortunately, we have one of the foremost experts on the condition working here."

It was the perfect opening to get the young man to leave. She could access the medical system from his office. "I'd like to speak with this expert."

Ravoc shook his head. "Dr. Kadan's very busy."

Bluff. She stood, straightening to her full height, which she knew was intimidating. "So am I. Perhaps I should return when he's free."

Ravoc's dark eyes widened at the threat. He preferred not to use force to make her stay and had no provocation to make any detention legal. However, if speaking with Dr. Kadan would allow her to stay and possibly receive the treatment she needed… "Wait here. I'll find him."

Annika felt only a brief prick of guilt for the farce as he hurried away. Dr. Ravoc seemed kind. She fervently hoped he had nothing to do with the kidnapping and brainwashing of hundreds of individuals.

So hurried to stop her from leaving, Dr. Ravoc hadn't locked his computer properly. She moved swiftly to the console and began searching.

[Division 6 - Ravoc's Office]

Kadan was enraged. Not only were there two people whose programming wasn't sticking, but one of them was on the loose. "How could she just walk out?"

To say Ravoc was startled at the level of anger in his superior would be an understatement. Seeing his computer had been accessed, he hurried to the console in his office, explaining as he went. "She was a voluntary patient. There was no reason for security to stop her."

Kadan scowled at the back of the younger doctor. It was most unfortunate, Kadan having grown hopeful about Ravoc's potential. All that looked like it could go up in smoke.

There clearly had not been enough time for her to cover her tracks. Ravoc was able to pull up the search history from the last half hour, time he'd been away from the console. "She accessed sixty-four restricted files, all of them for people diagnosed with dysphoria syndrome."

Freezing, his mind working furiously over possible options, Kadan watched Ravoc review the data. He knew that on their own, the cases would not draw attention, but put all together and with the two patients Tuvok and Chakotay, the totality of the situation was beyond suspicious. Thinking over his options, Kadan drew closer to Ravoc.

"According to the records," said Ravoc hesitantly, suspicions rising, "those patients were all admitted on the same day, and you're listed as the attending physician in every case." He bit his lip, wondering...

"Oh, yes, I remember." Kadan did his best to sound nonchalant. "Quite – It was quite an outbreak."

"You've never mentioned it." More surprisingly, Ravoc hadn't heard a word about it from anywhere or anyone. Such a surge in the rare and disruptive disease should have resulted in a media release or at least a memo. It should have been investigated by every member of Neuropathology.

"Well, I'm sorry if I haven't kept you properly informed about my patients." Kadan made his tone a little angry, hoping Ravoc would drop the topic rather than insult his mentor. No such luck. Ravoc continued pulling up the data the runaway patient had reviewed.

"Everyone of them was discharged to the main Power Authority." So eager in his mission, Ravoc was totally ignorant of Kadan's discomfort or the way his mentor seemed to be thinking of a way out. "That supervisor you were talking to, that's where he worked."

"I explained that to you. I was informing him about a potential health threat."

And yet that explanation no longer made sense. Ravoc moved to the other console where he pulled up the information on the man who'd been brought in by security and treated by Kadan just the other day. "That plant worker, Amal Kotay. He claimed that his friends had been abducted and put to work after having their memories altered. The other worker, Tuvok said the same thing."

"What are you implying?" Maybe if he said it out loud, he would realize how absurd it sounded.

Ravoc turned, his youthful face confident as he pieced it together and finally accepted the evidence before his eyes. "You're making false diagnoses. Selectively changing what people remember, and then sending them to work at the power plant."

There was no point denying it, not with the way Ravoc was looking at him. Kadan sighed. "Very good, Doctor."

"Why?"

"A physician with more experience would be able to see this in the larger context. The true public health threat is the labour shortage, and the only cure is to find more skilled workers."

"We're doctors. We're not supposed to harm patients." Realization dawned. "You're profiting from this, aren't you?"

"Doesn't a physician deserve to be compensated for his services? We're still helping them. They're happy here. Or, at least they're made to believe that."

It was more horrific than Ravoc could have imagined. It was corruption of the highest sort. "I'll report you."

Kadan laughed. "To whom? My research is funded by the Ministry of Health and the Director of Investigations was the one who ensured Amal Kotay would remain under my care."

He felt deflated like an old balloon. Was this the careful and protective government he'd worked so hard for? During the war that had decimated the population so badly, Ravoc's whole family had fought for their government. Was this what they were fighting for? "Does everyone know about this?"

"Not everyone," Kadan said with a shake of his head. "It's just a few trusted associates. The question is, are you going to be one of them?"

[Jaffen's Apartment]

Jaffen opened the door on the first ring, his brows rising in surprise to see Yerid, who held up his badge. "Yes?"

"Are you in the company of a woman named Kathryn Janeway?"

Jaffen turned, looking behind him. A flash of red hair and Kathryn appeared at his side.

"Kathryn Janeway?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Yes. What can I do for you?"

Yerid steeled himself for a difficult conversation. He doubted she'd believe him at all. "I need to talk to you about some of your coworkers."

Kathryn shrugged and backed up, Jaffen holding the door so Yerid could enter and follow her to the table. Jaffen went to the adjoining kitchen to get coffee and tea.

"First of all," Yerid started as Kathryn sat opposite him, "do you remember a man named Tuvok?"

Kathryn nodded and Jaffen looked over with interest from his spot in the kitchen. "The man who attacked the Efficiency Monitor, yes."

"Right, well, do you remember what he was saying to Ms. Hansen when he was taken away?"

"He was shouting that they didn't belong there," said Jaffen. He set a tray with steaming mugs and accessories on the table. "Who could forget? I've never seen anything like it."

"Well, I now have reason to believe he was right."

"I beg your pardon?" Jaffen's brows rose to his hairline.

Kathryn was equally unsure. "What do you mean? Ms. Hansen isn't native to this planet—"

"No, he meant she hadn't come here of her own free will." He glanced at them each, hoping they didn't toss him out before he could explain. "He meant that many people at the plant," his eyes settled on Janeway, "yourself included, didn't come here seeking new jobs like you believe. You were kidnapped from a ship and your memories altered."

"This is absurd," Jaffen huffed. He glanced at Kathryn and grew disturbed by the conflict on her face. "You don't believe this, do you?"

"I…" She would never be sure why she hesitated.

"I'm not making this up," Yerid assured them. "Tuvok's species has telepathic abilities. His attack on Ms. Hansen was a melding of minds during which time he showed her bits of the truth."

Jaffen scoffed, folding his arms as he leaned back with a scowl. Yerid ignored him.

"Her real name is Seven of Nine."

"You sure she didn't just mix up her employee number?"

"Jaffen," Kathryn scolded. As strange as the Inspector's story was, she wanted to hear more, to know the truth. Yes, it was absurd, but Yerid didn't seem the type to spin yarns.

As the two listened, Yerid explained how Annika had accessed the personnel files at the plant and located the highly improbable number of workers starting on the same day, all of whom came through Neuropathology.

"Your name was on that list," Yerid said, nodding to Kathryn. "I saw it myself."

Jaffen looked at Kathryn in surprise. "You never told me you came through Neuropathology."

"I didn't." Kathryn looked back and forth between them. "I went through Quarantine and took the psych evaluation, but that's it. Are you sure—"

"Positive."

"What proof do you have of all this?" Jaffen asked. His stance remained unsoftened.

"Not much," Yerid admitted, "but we're attempting to get something more concrete."

"We?"

"Ms. Hansen has taken on the brunt of investigating this." Speaking about her, he spared a moment to wonder how her own mission for the day was going. "If she's successful, she'll meet us later."

"With proof?" asked Kathryn. She didn't doubt Yerid was telling them what he believed to be truth, but that didn't mean it was real. And yet she had a hard time shaking off his claims.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, but how did you even get involved investigating this?"

Jaffen nodded. "I thought you were searching for a missing woman, not helping the Efficiency Monitor validate some hallucinations."

"You remember Amal Kotay?"

Kathryn nodded and even Yerid could not help listening with interest.

[Umali's Bar]

It was getting close to curfew so the pub was empty except for Tom and the security officers searching for Annika Hansen. Tom took a close look at the photo the officer held out. They stood in the doorway, the officers having just caught him as he was locking up.

"Have you seen her?"

Tom frowned over the photo, pretending to think on it.

"She's considered dangerous."

"No, I've never seen her," he said finally.

"You're sure?"

Tom smiled, letting his charm work its magic. "I don't think I'd forget that face."

The officer put the photo away with a smile, not sure if Tom meant that the woman was pretty or that the metal above her eye was that distinctive. Either meaning could have been true. "If you do see her, report it immediately. She needs to be hospitalised."

Tom nodded and the officer left. He called out to the back room. "It's safe now."

Annika peered out. Satisfied, she left her hiding spot with Jaffen, Kathryn and Yerid on her heels. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

"Well, if you really want to thank me, you can tell me what's going on, all of what's going on."

The group settled around the bar and Tom locked the doors using a control there.

"Commander Chakotay – Amal Kotay – and Mr. Neelix came here to investigate the disappearance of their crew, us." Annika slid a PADD to Yerid, the results of her searches at Division 6. She'd taken more time there than she should have, meaning she hadn't had time to show him the results yet. "He found us with our memories altered and programmed to be happily working at the power plant."

Jaffen, despite his initial disbelief with Yerid, found it difficult to dismiss Annika's claims. She was too confident, to solid in her statements. Plus, she now had proof. It posed a large problem for him. Are any of my memories real? "So, every worker at the plant had their memories altered?"

Annika shook her head. "I don't believe it's every worker. Your name didn't appear in Dr. Kadan's patient files, but mine did." She nodded to Tom and Kathryn. "So did yours."

Yerid finished skimming the data on the PADD. He frowned. "I'll need more evidence before I start making accusations."

Jaffen took the PADD and read. It was a summary of the patients from the plant that had gone through Division 6. All were diagnosed with this mysterious dysphoria syndrome and treated by the same doctor. It was beyond bizarre. However, it wasn't a fired phaser. A handful of communications between this Dr. Kadan, the plant supervisor Rook, and some military persons were damning, but not outright proof of illegal activities. Even if it was, they still had no idea who they could trust beyond their current circle.

"Can you get back into Division 6, hack their computer again and get more information?" asked Tom.

Annika shook her head. "Security is too high now."

"Well, we can't do nothing." He looked at Annika, who nodded.

"Proof of our real identities will be aboard… his ship, Voyager," said Annika, "as is B'Elanna."

"This ship I'm supposedly the captain of?" said Kathryn.

Annika turned her knowing gaze to the other woman, fully aware of the conflict she felt. "There's a way to fully prove or disprove all this."

"Contact Voyager."

Annika nodded. "When the Commander's crew contacted him, they were using a triaxialating frequency on a covariant subspace band. There's a subspace transponder at the power plant."

"When are you going?"

Annika straightened, her eyes flickering away from their faces at her next admittance. "I'm not." She put on her most stoic expression. No doubt they would try to talk her out of her plan, but her mind was made up and had no way to properly explain all her motives. "I am returning to the hospital. We need you to contact Voyager."

"If you go back," said Jaffen, "you'll be caught and put through whatever they're doing to Tuvok and Chakotay."

"Not if I return there as Yerid's prisoner. The most security is on the outside. Once past it, we will have a chance to help Tuvok and Chakotay." She turned back to Kathryn. "You will contact Voyager and explain the situation."

"And then?" Kathryn doubted a woman like Annika would go this far without a more concrete end in mind.

"He said they needed the shield grid disabled in order to retrieve their crew. If their proof is sufficient…"

"I understand." More than that, Kathryn appreciated the built-in safety net Annika had put into this plan. If Chakotay was lying and Voyager unable to produce any evidence that their current lives were a lie, then there was no expectation or pressure to take down the grid.

"Good."

Kathryn turned to Jaffen. "I'm going, but I understand if you don't want to be involved."

Jaffen smiled and took her hand. "I've been involved from the moment I met you."

Annika watched the exchange with a silent stoicism that masked a powerful envy. She wished she could feel the affection they shared. If only she could remember her previous life, remember Chakotay. She was sure now that she knew what they really had been to each other and longed to have it back. She bolstered her patience by reminding herself that if they were successful, she'd have the opportunity to go home and reclaim all she'd lost.

[Division 6]

Annika lay on the bed paramedics had placed her on after Yerid called for medical assistance a block away. She forced her eyes to remain shut and relied on her other senses to tell what was happening. At her side, Yerid was trailing along, forcing his way into the unit with her.

They were placed in a small examining room, really just an enclave to the side.

Dr. Kadan was quick to arrive when Annika's name was announced to him.

"I had to sedate her," Yerid explained as Dr. Kadan entered. "She wouldn't come voluntarily."

"Her condition's obviously worsened." Kadan breathed a sigh of relief, glad the last of the conspirators was finally neutralized. He was so relieved, he didn't question why or how Yerid managed to apprehend her. "I'll treat her."

Yerid shook his head, refusing to let go of the bed. "There are some other patients I'd like to interview."

Distracted by the PADD shoved into his face, Kadan glanced at the names on the list. He immediately shook his head. "These people can't be disturbed."

Yerid pulled out a phaser. The problem was that they both knew he wouldn't fire it.

Kadan reached for the alarm, but soon found an iron grip around his wrist as Annika sat up and took hold of him. "You will take us to those patients."

[Voyager - Bridge]

Voyager was close to Quarra, on course according to the directions Commander Chakotay sent them. It didn't occur to them that the directions had been sent while he was under coercion.

Each working hard to make up for the lack of a full crew, Neelix stood at Harry's usual spot while Harry piloted the ship and the Doctor worked Tuvok's tactical station. To the side, B'Elanna sat and managed engineering control.

Neelix, his eyes glued to his work, noted the computer's alarm. "We're being hailed."

"Chakotay's a little early," Harry noted.

The Doctor nodded to Neelix. "On screen."

Captain Kathryn Janeway's face appeared on the screen, looking a little disbelieving and a little fuzzy from the tenuous communication link. "Starship Voyager."

As welcome as the sight was, Harry had expected Chakotay. "Captain?"

Her surprise clearly visible, she blinked at them with wide eyes. "Why don't you just call me Kathryn?"

Interesting. He supposed she was still under whatever mind alteration the Quarren government imposed on her. "Yes, ma'am. Where's Commander Chakotay?"

"He's been hospitalized, but he told me you had proof of who some of us really are."

B'Elanna, who was practically cured, acted on a hunch. She stood and walked into view to stand at Harry's side. Her appearance was a well-chosen move. "We do."

Kathryn's eyes widened further. So, it's true. "You're the woman who was abducted."

B'Elanna gave a quick nod, but there wasn't the time to explain her own situation. They needed to get the crew off Quarra. "Chakotay was supposed to deactivate the shield grid so we could transport you and the others to safety. If you could find a way to shut down main power, the shield grid will go down too."

Harry, his boyish visage as innocent and candid as anything Kathryn could have imagined, implored as well. "Will you help us?"

Before she could answer, Voyager was rocked by the impact of weapons fire.

"We're under attack by three ships," the Doctor shouted over the din of blaring alarms.

Harry looked up at the screen, at their only hope to get their crew safely home. "Please, shut down the shield."

Another volley of hits and the communication link clicked off.

B'Elanna patted Harry's shoulder as she took her seat again, rerouting power from damaged spots and trying to repair communications.

"So much for evading their sensors," said Harry.

The Doctor grimaced. As far as he could tell, their stealth techniques were not at fault. "The only way they could've found us is if they knew exactly where to look."

Another hit and Voyager shuddered violently.

B'Elanna managed to stay in her seat by holding onto the console. That didn't stop her stomach from dropping as she read the incoming damage report. "Transporters are offline."

[Power Distribution Plant]

Kathryn hurried away from the station, but didn't get far. She looked around for Jaffen, but he was nowhere to be seen. Two figures approached, trapping her in place.

Leaning over the railing, Kathryn was struck by an idea when she saw a work console was just below.

One of the approaching figures, her supervisor Rook, approached with a weapon trained on her. "Don't move!"

There was nothing else for it. She jumped, landing hard and rolling. She was too slow. Another guard put a phaser in her face.

Before she could contemplate what to do or simply be shot, Jaffen appeared behind him and shocked the guard into unconsciousness. He took up the guard's weapon and shot at the others. There were more security officers approaching. He grabbed her arm and they hurried to hide behind the work station.

He crouched behind the terminal, Kathryn behind him. He looked up, her body pressed so close and hovering over him so he didn't have to crane his neck far. "I hope you didn't think I abandoned you."

Kathryn smiled, incredibly relieved to have him close. "Never occurred to me." She glanced around, her mind once more jumping to their objective. She patted his shoulder, indicating he should follow her. "We need to shut down the main generators."

Jaffen followed her, rounding the various consoles until they found a rounded terminal shrouded in dark. A few coworkers around them were evacuating. Jaffen glanced up. There were too many security guards. They were on borrowed time as it was. "We'll never get to the generator controls."

Kathryn smirked, an idea coming to her. She reached up to the console around them. "Maybe we don't have to."

"What are you doing?"

What I almost did my first day. If only her accident had not been corrected. "If I can make the computer think the core is going to overload, the main power should automatically shut down."

[Division 6]

Annika was hard pressed to not run into the room Kadan brought them to. She was glad for Yerid's calm authority as he pressed the weapon into Kadan's back.

"Ask them to give us some privacy," said Yerid quietly.

Kadan, though conniving, was ultimately more concerned about his own skin and did as Yerid told him. He nodded to the various medics attending the patients. "You're dismissed."

When they were alone, Yerid pushed Kadan forward to Tuvok's bed first. "Disconnect them."

Annika's eyes were immediately drawn to the prone figure of Chakotay. Despite being sedated, he didn't appear peaceful. He looked rigid and eerily still. She went to him, reaching out to trace his tattoo in a way that felt more familiar to her than expected.

In the bed at Chakotay's side was the familiar face of Dr. Ravoc. Leaving Chakotay, she reached over and shook the young doctor's shoulder, but he too was sedated. "Dr. Ravoc." He remained still and unconscious. She looked up at Dr. Kadan. "Why is this man here?"

Kadan answered automatically in the tone he would have used to explain giving a patient cold medication. "Dysphoria syndrome."

Annika looked back down and brushed a stay lock of the unconscious doctor's hair from his face. She didn't believe Kadan for a moment. There had been nothing wrong with Ravoc when she spoke with him. No doubt, dysphoria syndrome was no more his diagnosis than it was Tuvok's.

[Voyager - Bridge]

Shields were almost down. Voyager continued to rock and jolt as it was hit by the attacking Quarren ships. And yet they couldn't leave, not without the crew. They couldn't help holding out hope that Katherine would disable the shield.

"Any advice from your tactical database?" Harry shouted over at the Doctor. For once, he was hopeful, not irritated.

"Nothing relevant." He held onto the console in front of him to keep from falling over.

Harry thought hard and he thought fast. "How many escape pods do we have left?"

"Five," B'Elanna shouted.

"Stand by to eject three of them."

The Doctor's wrinkles deepened. "I don't think abandoning ship is the answer."

"Neither do I. Can you create a dampening field around the briefing room that'll mask our lifesigns?"

"I believe so. Why?"

Just a little proud he could think of something the EMH did not, Harry's shoulders straightened and he smiled. "Watch and learn."

As Harry hoped, their attackers paused shooting Voyager to lock onto the escape pods with a tractor beam.

The attacking captain hailed them and the Doctor, seated in the Captain's chair, opened a channel. He allowed his irritation to seep into his acidic tone. "Yes?"

"Your crew abandoned you again." His scowling face looked down at the EMH, gloating as much as he could via comm. "I suggest you surrender your vessel."

"You should realise by now that I'm not programmed to do that." The Doctor, though wishing he'd thought of this plan, was glad at how well it was going. He kept his relief to himself and settled for a blasé tone.

In the ready room, Harry, B'Elanna and Neelix crammed themselves around the computer screen, monitoring the situation.

On the Doctor's personal screen, the distance between the escape pods and the attacking vessel decreased. When they were close enough, the computer beeped, the Doctor hit the commands, and the escape pods exploded.

The trio hurried back to the bridge, still able to see the resulting explosions as various gasses from the fleet ship ignited. The Doctor was already up from his seat, triumph illuminating his face and lightening his step.

"Good work, Doc."

"The congratulations belong to you, Ensign," the EMH replied, his smile wide.

[Power Distribution Plant]

The guards were searching and getting closer. Jaffen didn't know how much time they had left, but it wouldn't be long. "You'd better hurry up."

Kathryn, still peering over the top of the console from a crouch, muttered to herself. "Come on, do it."

Jaffen smiled, yet again wondering where she picked up the habit of talking to mindless computers.

She could feel that it worked a second before the computer blared out its alarm.

"Warning." Though monotone, the computer was loud enough and accompanied by enough red lighting to frighten anyone into evacuating. "Core overload detected. Initiating emergency shutdown."

[Division 6]

"Yerid," Annika gestured to Ravoc, who she still stood over, her face pinched in concern. "He needs to be released as well and interviewed."

Yerid looked over at the young man. He looked vaguely familiar, but he was too busy keeping an eye on Dr. Kadan to try to place him. "Why? Who is he?"

"His name is Dr. Ravoc." She eyed Kadan, hating him as much as she could remember ever hating anybody. "He was the one who initially interviewed me."

"You think he stumbled on what was really going on here?"

She nodded.

"Okay." Yerid had seen enough to know when to believe her.

Kovan had not yet finished bringing even Tuvok from sedation. He was, in fact, taking more time than needed in the hopes that someone would come check on them and help.

The lights flickered a second before backup power kicked in. Annika, Yerid and Kadan all looked around in confusion.

"The shield grid," Annika said, relief softening her stance and face. She looked to Yerid, who likewise smiled.

"How long until your people—" Yerid stopped, his eyes widening a little as the light of a transporter surrounded her. She glanced down at Ravoc, still on the table. Yerid hurried to reassure her. "I'll take care of them!"

Annika had no time to respond, the room fading and then disappearing entirely.

Yerid wasn't sure if she heard his last words, but he meant to keep the promise regardless. He returned his attention to Kadan, who stood over a now empty bed. Chakotay was gone as well.

Kadan sighed, his concern now for himself.

"Okay, Ravoc then." Yerid waved the weapon, prompting Kadan to move to the younger doctor's prone figure.

[Voyager - Cargo Bay]

Neelix, acting the part of security guard since the real ones were still a little confused, showed Yerid to the expansive bay. His smile was encouraging as Yerid hesitated over the threshold.

"I'm sure she'll be glad to see you," said Neelix kindly. He wasn't sure what sort of friendship Seven and this investigator had struck up, but the man had been so hopeful when he asked to see her that Neelix couldn't deny him the request.

Yerid nodded, a little uncertain this was a good idea. It took a steadying breath before he could step inside. As soon as he did, he was struck dumb by the sight.

Oblivious to the world, Annika stood in her regeneration unit, one of several lined up and glowing green against the far wall.

Taking a hesitant step toward the imposing regeneration units, Yerid both marvelled at the technology and was intimidated by it. Summoning courage, he forced himself further into the cargo bay. He made it almost to the step up to the unit she rested in. Looking up into her peaceful face, his fear dissipated. She was as he remembered her.

The computer beeped. "Regeneration cycle complete."

Yerid stepped back just in time for her to exit the unit. Her eyes took a moment to focus on him, but she smiled when they did. "I hope you don't mind."

Annika – for she had not yet started treatments with the EMH and still thought of herself as Annika – quirked her head with a smile. She really was happy to be able to see him again. He had proven himself reliable and honest. Even better, he'd proved to be a friend. "Not at all. I'm glad you came."

"You are?" A little hope lit in his chest.

"Yes, I wanted to thank you for all your help. I still don't fully remember Voyager, but I know it's where I belong."

"Oh, of course." His smile was sincere. "Happy to help… and even happier that you turned out to be right and we're not rotting in a jail cell."

She chuckled. "Indeed."

"I—"

"Dr. Ravoc?" she asked, chastising herself for not asking sooner. Given that it was her attendance to the hospital which led Ravoc to question Kadan, she felt responsible for the young man's troubles.

"He's fine," he assured her happily. "Dr. Kadan – who's been stripped of his position by the way – didn't have time to finish the procedure." He felt the urge to fidget and clasped his hands so that he wouldn't. "You know, a lot of people are going to take credit for figuring all this out and stopping Kadan's forced labour, but the truth is, if it weren't for you…"

"I'm sorry it caused so much trouble." She wasn't sorry she did it, sorry that Voyager's crew was whole again. However, she was sorry to see their society upheaved, Ravoc become a victim, and Yerid's brief relief from duty.

"Oh, no, no." He took her hand, subconsciously holding the human one over the metal-encased one. "The truth is what matters. I was going to say, if it weren't for you, we would all still be living a lie and innocent people would continue to be kidnapped and their rights violated. Thank you. I'm – I'm very glad you trusted me to help."

The doors slid open.

"Sorry." Chakotay paused at the sight of Seven out of her alcove and her visitor. "I didn't know you had company."

Yerid dropped Annika's hand, which he would have had to do anyway as she moved to meet the Commander. Yerid watched the two greet each other and saw only too clearly that any torch he carried for Annika emitted nothing more than a false light. There was some awkwardness as the two met a few feet away from him, each partially reaching out and then hesitating to actually touch. It was as though they had meant to kiss and then suddenly remembered they weren't supposed to, which Yerid knew was due to the remaining effects of the false memories Annika still carried.

Chakotay knew Seven still wasn't herself, which stifled his greeting to a mere smile instead of the embrace he longed for. To compromise, he took Seven's hand, finding comfort in once again feeling the juxtaposing chill of the Borg metal and warmth of her skin. His smile reached his eyes as she squeezed his hand back and led him over to Yerid.

"A formal introduction is overdue," said Annika with a smile. "Commander Chakotay, this is Inspector Yerid. He helped rescue you."

The two men shook hands, sizing each other up a tad as they did.

"Thank you for your help. I can't tell you how grateful I am to be out of that hospital."

"Yes, well, you're welcome. I'm glad you and Mr. Tuvok are doing better." Yerid wondered if there was more he should say, but no words came to mind. "I'm afraid I should go. There's still lots to do and I think your crew is eager to get going," Yerid said, smiling sadly.

Annika nodded, a little sad to know she would not see him again. His kindness was something she would never forget.

Yerid glanced at Chakotay, hesitating a moment before giving in to an impulse and giving Annika a hug. Her arms automatically embraced him as well. When he pulled away, she smiled at him, so full of innocent appreciation that he couldn't help smiling back. "Goodbye, Annika. I'm glad we met."

"As am I."

Yerid nodded to Chakotay, who returned the gesture, and walked out without looking back.

"Were you looking to replace me?" Chakotay turned with a teasing smile to Seven.

"What?" She looked away from the closed doors of the cargo bay to Chakotay.

He laughed to himself, realizing she truly didn't see it. "That man liked you."

She was confused. "We worked as a team successfully."

Laughing out loud now, Chakotay shook his head. "No, Seven, I mean he liked you. He was interested in you romantically."

"Oh." She glanced back to the doors, wondering what to do with this information. She supposed it didn't matter. Even though she couldn't fully remember yet, Voyager was where she belonged.

"Sorry I interrupted." Chakotay's smile softened as he watched the cogs turn in her head. "I was hoping I could take you to breakfast."

"Aren't we leaving soon?"

"We have a little time," he said, his hand encompassing hers again. "The Captain has one more meeting before we go."

She nodded and allowed him to pull her out the door. However, he didn't lead her to the mess as she assumed he would.

"Your quarters?" Annika guessed as they entered a private apartment.

"Yes." He headed into the kitchen and began pulling out various ingredients. "I thought we could use some alone time and the mess is pretty crowded right now."

"I see."

Immediately wary of her distracted tone, Chakotay watched her as she circled the main room, looking around as though she'd never seen it before. The reaction was not entirely unexpected and though he'd debated the wisdom of bringing her there, curiosity and a desire for normalcy won out.

She sensed his eyes on her the whole time, but that didn't curb her interest and when she saw the pressed blue flower in a frame, she froze. Delphinium scaposum.

"What is it?" Chakotay paused in the middle of chopping fruit. "Do you remember something?"

"You never did fully explain…" she glanced at him. "We're not just good friends, are we?"

He shook his head.

"We were – are in a relationship?" She picked up the frame, tracing the petals through the glass. Over the top of the frame, she could see Chakotay nod once.

"We – uh – we're engaged actually." He held his breath, but she just nodded, staring at the flower, lost in contemplation. In for a penny… "Actually, I have something for you."

Annika barely heard Chakotay or noticed when he went into an adjoining room. She was focussed on reaching out into her memory. She tried as hard as she could, but there was nothing for her to see that Tuvok's mind meld had not already shown her.

"Here."

Startled, she looked up at Chakotay. He held something out – a ring.

"Not everyone's personal effects were located, but I did manage to have the Quarren ambassadors track your engagement ring down."

Annika took it, but didn't put it on right away. Curious and still trying to remember, she looked the circle over closely. Eventually, it was necessary to admit her failure. "I don't remember. I'm sorry."

Chakotay shook his head, taking the jewellery from her and placing it on her right ring finger. He couldn't be disappointed, not really. "Don't worry. You will once you start the Doctor's treatments. Now," he tapped her hand, making her meet his gaze, "how about breakfast?"

[Bridge]

Chakotay would never understand Kathryn's choice, but he didn't question it. She was free to do what she pleased and if she wanted to make an excuse as to why Jaffen couldn't join Voyager, that was her decision to make.

"Are you sorry I showed up?" The wonder and longing in her expression was enough to prompt Chakotay to ask the question, though he hadn't intended to say anything.

She took a moment so that when she spoke it would be the truth. "Not for a second."

Chakotay smiled a little, relieved, but not entirely fooled. He'd seen enough to know the crew really had thought they were happy there.

It felt like a dream now that she was on Voyager again, the perfectness of her Quarra life something she could neither trust nor think of without a powerful yearning. She looked out of the main screen at the planet and the spell of the false dream faded just enough that she could summon her usual, commanding tone. "Resume course, Mr. Paris."

[Chakotay's Quarters]

The smell of flowers welcomed him back that night. Dinner had been a quick, bland skillet replicated in his office.

Besides the short time spent on the bridge as they headed out into open space once more, his day had been taken up almost entirely with personnel issues. The Doctor's treatments were working remarkably well, but it still required some time and there was only one EMH to deal with the whole crew. As a result, the duty roster had to be changed.

Fixing people's schedules took enough time, but then there were the people sheepishly seeking him out for comfort. Many people had settled into productive lives on Quarra, a few even developing friendships and romantic relationships as Janeway had. To suddenly be pulled from that was shocking. Worse, was being caught between the EMH's treatments so that they couldn't tell what was real and what was false memory. How could they function even during simple daily chores? How could they speak to those around them when they only partially remembered them?

A vase of fragrant and colourful flowers sat on the kitchen counter, making the stress of the day fall to the back of Chakotay's mind. He smiled, inhaling deep as he wondered who brought them in. He didn't have to wonder long.

"Are they appropriate?" Annika came to the doorway from the bedroom. He jumped a little at her appearance, which made her worry her impulsiveness was a bad idea. "My research indicated there are meanings associated to various plant species, but Mr. Neelix recommended this combination."

Chakotay glanced at the bouquet with a smile. Bright lilies, some roses and about a dozen other types of blooms with clashing colours proved Neelix had a hand in the choice.

"He said it would be the most fragrant." She wrinkled her nose a little, her sensitive olfactory senses tickling from the overload of pollen.

"It's lovely. What's the occasion?"

She left the doorway to come to him. "I wanted to thank you for coming after us."

"Well, it's not like I had a choice," he chuckled. Hesitantly, unsure of his reception, he wrapped his arms loosely around her waist, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders. "I'll always come for you, no matter what."

"I'm glad to hear it." Her eyes flickered to the side, toward the bedroom behind her. "Tired?"

"Exhausted." He noted the direction of her attention. "Are you regenerating tonight?"

"I hoped I could sleep here as a matter of fact." She had difficulty meeting his gaze as she said it.

"It is your home too," he said with baited breath, "I'd love for you to stay." Then, because he was afraid she would be scared off by too much too soon, he nodded to the side. "I can sleep on the couch if you prefer."

She laughed, charmed by his unnecessary courtesy. "No, I think it would be unfair to kick you out of your own bed."

"All right then." Really tired, he led her to the bedroom. He replicated a shirt and shorts for her, the most she usually wore to bed, and left her to change while he showered and cleaned his teeth.

By the time Chakotay left the bathroom, his eyelids were heavy and Seven was already under the covers. She was on her usual side. He wasn't sure what, if anything, to make of that.

Annika watched with only a touch of uncertainty as Chakotay tucked himself under the covers.

"Goodnight." He smiled.

"Goodnight." She smiled back.

The light went out, but Annika continued to watch the dark lump of blankets that was her bedmate. The nerves weren't so much because of him as over the novelty of the situation. She didn't remember sleeping in a bed let alone with someone else.

"Chakotay?" she whispered, unsure if he was already asleep.

"Hmm?" He rolled over to face her. It was too dark for him to see, but he heard her breathing, felt the soft heat coming off her body and warming the bed.

Hesitantly, she reached out, her enhanced vision allowing her to see, and traced his tattoo. He closed his eyes, smiling at the touch. It emboldened her.

Though the feel of her fingers on his face was unexpected, it was nothing compared to her kiss. It was difficult to respond with restraint instead of the passion he wished. He managed it, however, as her lips met his and moved with such softness that he couldn't help remember that she still was not the woman he knew.

Cuddling close with a sigh, they finally relaxed.

[Sickbay]

"Seven, good morning!" The Doctor watched Seven enter and smiled wide, glad he didn't have to hound her to attend the treatments. He wondered if that was a side effect of her different personality or if she was better motivated than usual.

"Ann – Good morning, Doctor." She'd started to correct him, but decided it really didn't matter.

Pretending not to have noticed the partial correction, the Doctor gestured for her to take a seat in the surgical bay.

It didn't take very long and he could tell when she sat up that this would be their last treatment. Annika was gone. Her eyes no longer moved around the room as though seeing it for the first time, her speech was smoother and less stiff, and her step was confident.

"Well, how do you feel?" he asked, running a final scan over her.

"I remember…" She considered it seriously. The memories of Quarra were still there, both false and real, but the false ones were now discernable. She remembered Voyager, the Borg, everything she should. "I believe I can distinguish between reality and the memories implanted on Quarra."

"Good. Your false memories will continue to fade, if Lt. Torres' experience is standard."

"Yes, they are already lessened, like a dream."

"I'll chalk up your quicker healing to your Borg brain and Tuvok's mind meld, I think." The scanner clicked as he put it down with a triumphant smile. "Do you remember leaving Voyager for Quarra?"

"Yes. We abandoned ship due to a tetryon radiation leak after hitting a subspace mine."

He nodded. "That's right. How long did you spend on Quarra?"

There she had to think since she was unconscious for an unknown amount of time. "I recall being employed for a week prior to Tuvok's interference."

"Then besides a good rest tonight, I can't recommend anything else. You have a clean bill of health."

"Thank you, Doctor." Something else came to mind. She couldn't help smirking just a little, having overheard in the mess from Harry and Neelix what sort of conflict he got into during his short time in charge. Not remembering the EMH properly until just then, the humour in it belatedly struck her as she recalled Harry's exasperation. "I understand you had an interesting time commanding Voyager."

"Yes, well," he cleared his throat, wondering just what she'd heard, "it certainly didn't lack excitement."

"Are you planning to change your designation to Captain instead of EMH at any time?"

He laughed because she wasn't far off the mark from ambitions he'd once had and they both knew it. "Very funny. You know, Seven, as much as I would like the chance to expand my horizons, sickbay is where I belong for now. It's where I'm at my best and where I'm needed most."

"If I may be honest?"

"Of course. Always."

"I am extremely grateful for your skills in sickbay, as is the rest of the crew."

"Thank you, Seven." Truly pleased and proud to know the truth of the statement, the Doctor smiled. "Now," he gestured to the door, "I suspect you have a few people to greet now that you remember them properly."

She nodded, eager to see one person in particular. "Yes, I believe I do."

[Chakotay's Office]

Seven was a little curious as she approached the door to Chakotay's office and saw Megan Delaney leaving. The other woman's distracted gaze and partial nod gave Seven enough clues to guess the reason for her visit. Seven strode inside, catching the doors before they had the chance to close on Megan's departure.

Chakotay's face was in his hands as Seven stepped inside, carrying her small basket. "Difficult morning?"

Tired, worn and surprised, Chakotay jumped at the unexpectedness of her entrance. Despite a growing headache, Chakotay still smiled when he looked up and saw her. "You have no idea."

"I saw Megan Delaney leaving," she explained. "I assume you are still dealing with crewmembers who only possess partial memories."

"I retract my previous remark. You do understand."

There was a small coffee table and couch off to the side. She placed the basket there and approached his desk. A pleasant aroma wafted from the basket and he sniffed after it hopefully, his attention divided.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked, still eying the table.

"My daily report." She stifled a smirk when he looked up, confused. She held out a PADD with the work she'd completed in the time between her sickbay appointment and coming to see him. "You failed to retrieve it this morning."

"Oh." He took the PADD, his brows drawing together as he glanced at it. Sure enough, it was a report from astrometrics. A little shorter than normal, it nevertheless was as complete and detailed as he'd grown to expect from her.

Seven waited, amused and thinking he must really be stretched thin if he was so easily toyed with. "Chakotay."

He looked up.

"A joke. I intended to have lunch with you."

"Thank the spirits." His hand rubbed over his face again. "I don't think I can read any more reports today."

Holding out a hand for him to take, she led him out from behind his desk and to the coffee table. Before he could sit, however, she turned and drew close, weaving her arms around his shoulders and kissing him soundly. Now that she remembered what she'd been missing, she realized just how much she'd missed it. His hands automatically held her tight, his lips responding to hers. She sighed, leaning into him further.

Chakotay pulled away just enough to catch his breath, leaning his forehead against hers. He laughed, realizing a little late what he should have seen as soon as she entered. "You're back."

"Yes." A quick kiss. "The Doctor is attributing my recovery time to Tuvok's intervention and my Borg biology."

"Well, whatever it is, I'm glad for it." His stomach rumbling, he sat and pulled the picnic basket towards them.

"Hungry?" Seven smirked.

"Famished. How did you know I haven't eaten yet?" It was after all well past lunchtime.

She just smiled and kissed his cheek.

A sparkle caught his attention. Her engagement ring was in its rightful place. It gave him an idea. "You know, there's something we've put off entirely too long."

[Hallway]

Seven was nervous, which she immediately told herself was irrational. Logic, however, was useless against jitters. She smoothed the sides of her dress for the fiftieth time. The movement caused a few petals from her bouquet to fall to the carpeted floor. She almost stooped to pick up the white petals, but Neelix's tug on her sleeve prevented it.

Neelix held out his elbow and she took it, feeling her hand trembling with some embarrassment. A few more white petals fell.

"Nervous?" Neelix looked straight ahead, but there was a knowing smile on his kindly face.

"Yes." She frowned at herself. "It is illogical."

"Not at all." He patted her hand. "You never were one for a lot of attention, but don't worry. Everyone gets the jitters and everyone here is happy for you."

The doors to the shuttle bay – the only place on the ship large enough to accommodate so many of the crew – opened. The light was dimmed in the bay, but not so much that Seven couldn't see Chakotay and Captain Janeway at the end of the long rows of people.

"This isn't what I pictured," she said quietly. "Everything was planned… perfect."

Originally the plan was to have a smaller ceremony on the holodeck, but when word got out what was going to occur, there was an uproar. Everyone wanted to see them get married. Besides the crew needing something to lift their spirits, they all saw Seven and Chakotay as a mesh of friend and family. To add to the fervor, the former Maquis took it as a personal insult if they couldn't attend their former captain's wedding. As a result, Seven had to ditch her careful plans at the last minute.

Neelix nodded towards the front. "Look at Commander Chakotay."

Seven obeyed. He was smiling in a way she'd never seen before and could never have expected. It made her breath hitch.

"He gets to marry the woman he loves," said Neelix, pulling a single bloom of Delphinium scaposum from her bundle of flowers and tucking it into the elaborate braids crowning her head. "Do you really believe he thinks this is anything but perfect? Do you think it should be any other way?" Neelix chuckled, thinking about the Commander's pouting on the last away mission. "Besides, he's waited long enough."

Overwhelmed, Seven could only shake her head, her attention now focussed only on one person.

Despite the darkened lighting, Neelix knew she was blushing and smiling as he held her arm. It made him think of her first days on Voyager when she appeared to be a heartless drone and needed to be taught everything from eating to processing basic emotions. How far she had come. How far they all had come. The memories brought up as many feelings of endearment and paternal adoration as could be expected from any father. She had been so lost once. And now she was getting married. He had to wipe away a tear.

Until the doors opened and revealed Seven in her wedding dress, Chakotay had nervously looked over the expectant faces of his crew, Starfleet and Maquis blending together so that he almost forgot who was who. He managed to smile at B'Elanna and Tom in the front row, even caught the eye of Tuvok and the Wildman duo who stood with Icheb. They and the rest of the people before him were more than friends now; they were family. They would all die for each other if it came to it. There was no way for him to express in words how proud and happy he was to have them there as he married the last person he once would have expected.

The doors opened. Seven and Neelix appeared to be speaking to one another, but Chakotay couldn't imagine what about and it didn't matter anyway. His eyes were drawn to Seven, to the pink tinge in her cheeks and the shine in her eyes. He would have to look at the pictures later to realize how his own self glowed.

The aisle was too long for either of them, but eventually Chakotay's outstretched hands had hers placed in them by Neelix.

Neither Seven nor Chakotay heard much of Janeway's speech. They were busy committing each other to memory.

"You may now kiss the bride." Janeway wasn't the only one who laughed as Chakotay immediately scooped Seven into his arms, dipping her backwards. The blonde scrambled a second, surprised by the quick move and sudden change from vertical to almost horizontal.

Tom Paris whistled, earning an elbow in the stomach from his wife.

Icheb smiled, amused by the Commander's enthusiasm for the human tradition.

The Doctor sighed, but did his best to feel happy for Seven. It wasn't as hard as it once would have been.

Seven's eyes had drifted closed once she felt assured Chakotay wasn't going to accidentally drop her to the deck. It was no chaste kiss and it was a few moments before she opened her eyes again, pulling away slightly to smile at him. His own crinkled his eyes and lit up his face. The sight made it hard to focus on anything else, which meant it was a good thing he was strong enough to pull her back up to her feet on his own.

It was good to be home.