Chapter 1

"...And this is the Mess Hall," Harry showed Tom into the familiar space where crew members were scattered at tables on their lunch break. "Wow!" Tom Paris breathed gazing around in amazement. Harry grinned. He hadn't realized how fun this was going to be. Tom had lost his memory after a shuttle crash. The doctor assured them all that the memory loss was only temporary, and Harry was in charge of showing Tom around to re-familiarize him with the ship and aid the recovery of his memory.

"Harry, I just can't believe I'm on a starship! Look out the window there! That's amazing!"

"I don't see anything, Tom."

"Just look at the stars! We must be traveling at warp speed!"

"Of course Tom." Harry was still grinning from ear to ear. And he had just had an idea. "Why don't you take a seat Tom. I'm going to get Neelix to whip up your favorite meal!"

"Gee thanks, Harry. That's kind of you. By the way, what is my favorite meal? I don't remember."

"It's ahhhh... it's called Leola Root Stew." Harry paused nervously, eyeing Tom to see if he had picked up on the lie. "Does that ring any bells?"

Tom shook his head. "Nope. Sorry, Harry. Maybe when I taste it, it'll bring something up."

"Oh, it'll bring something up all right." Harry assured him. "I won't be long. Stay right here." Harry pulled up a chair for Tom and practically skipped off to the kitchen, with a big grin on his face.

Tom took a seat and looked around himself happily. He had absolutely no recollection of who he was. He had woken up in the sickbay of this starship called 'Voyager' and had been greeted by a cheerful young man named Harry Kim. Harry had told Tom that they were best friends and that they worked together on Starship Voyager. It all sounded great to Tom. Harry seemed friendly and what he'd seen of Voyager so far was amazing! It looked like he had a pretty good life, whoever he was. Tom sat patiently and twiddled his thumbs. Boy, he was starving! He looked out towards the kitchen and saw Harry standing against the counter talking to a strange looking spotted creature in a chef's hat and apron. That must be Neelix, Tom deduced. Neelix waved to Tom. Tom waved back. He saw Neelix grab a pan and some lumping purple tubers and begin cooking.

At that moment two officers entered the mess hall beside Tom's table. He watched them curiously. Their uniforms were the same color as Tom's, he noticed. The man had dark hair and a tattoo on his forehead. The woman had shoulder length red hair. They were chatting amicably. The woman laughed at something the man had said, and Tom saw a warm smile flash across her face. "Join me on a the holodeck?" the man asked her. "Sorry Chakotay," she shook her head. "I'm just grabbing a coffee, and then," she rolled her eyes, "more reports, I'm afraid. I really can't get out of it. I can't leave Tuvok waiting any longer." The man smiled. "I don't envy you there. I'll see you later, then."

Tom couldn't help wondering what were the jobs of these two officers aboard Voyager, and if they were friends of his. The woman in particular. He felt drawn to her. He wondered if she knew him, or he her? He was still watching and wondering when she glanced his way. He felt his heart skip a beat as her deep blue eyes met his. "I'm sorry," he apologized quickly. "I was just..."

She strode over to the table. "Is this seat taken?"

Tom opened his mouth in surprise, but recovered quickly. "No. Ahh... my friend Harry is ordering our lunch, but there's room for us all."

"I won't intrude for long. I only have a minute."

"My name's Tom, by the way," Tom held out his hand.

The woman smiled a gorgeous smile and shook his hand. She leaned in close, her eyes laughing, "I know who you are Mr Paris!" she informed him.

"Oh you do?" Tom was taken aback, but pleased. "Then you probably know more than I do."

She settled herself across from him. Resting her chin on her hand she peered closely at him. Tom almost blushed under her intimate gaze. " I spoke to the Doctor. He informed me of your condition. So, Tom, what do you remember? "

Tom shook his head. "Not much so far."

"Not even," she leaned closer, "me?" Her beautiful eyes searched his face for some kind of recognition.

"I'm sorry," Tom apologized. And he truly was sorry. He wondered what their relationship was. Were they close? He hoped so.

"It's all right Mr Paris. The Doctor said it was temporary, so I guess there's no cause for concern. I just find it intriguing... What are you having for lunch?"

"My best friend over there, Harry Kim, has ordered my favorite meal: Leola Root Stew." Tom explained.

She stifled a giggle. "Your best friend you say?"

"What's so funny? Harry is my friend, right?"

"Oh he's your friend all right!" she said getting up to leave. "Let's just say," she leaned in and patted his shoulder, "you certainly don't need any enemies."

"Do I have any?" Tom asked after her as she made to walk away.

She stopped and though for a moment. "Not exactly. At least not anymore."

Tom looked a little dismayed.

"I'm sorry Tom, I really must be going. I have a lot of work to do."

"Well, I hope we'll meet again soon..." Tom realized she had not told him her name.

"Of course we will Mr Paris," she assured and left to get her coffee.

Harry arrived back at the table with a steaming bowl of lumpy stew. "Here you go Tom! Your favorite!"

"What about you, Harry? Aren't you having any?"

Harry shook his head, a faint unsettled look on his face. "I er... I already ate. Here's your spoon," he put it into Tom's hand.

"Harry, I met someone while you were gone, but she didn't tell me her name."

"Really? What was she like?"

"She was... I don't know how to describe her. She wasn't my usual type but..."

"Wait a minute," Harry interrupted. "What do you mean your usual type? What is that? Do you remember?"

"Actually, no. What I mean is I really felt there was something special about her... she had a gorgeous smile! And I think... I think she was flirting with me."

"Was it B'Elanna? Your girlfriend?"

"I have a girlfriend? Harry, these re the kind of things you should tell me right away, before I get in any trouble!"

"I'm sorry Tom! Usually when I bring up B'Elanna, you tell me to mind my own business. I honestly don't quite know what's going on between you guys."

"Fine. Can you at least tell me what B'Elanna looks like? Maybe that was her I just met."

"Shoulder-length hair, fiery eyes," Harry described B'Elanna.

"That fits," Tom agreed. "Anything else?"

Harry was about to explain that B'Elanna was also half Klingon. He had almost forgotten about the joke he was playing on Tom, until Tom cried out in disgust.

"Ugh! What is this stuff, Harry? Leola Root Puke, more like it! I can't eat this stuff. How could this be my favourite... What a minute. Harry! That was not funny! How am I gonna get the taste of that muck out of my mouth?"

Harry was laughing so hard there where tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry Tom, I'll get you some tomato soup."