A/N – So this has been floating around in my brain for a while, probably since the first time that I actually watched 'The Voyager Conspiracy'. I thought that it was a bit of a stupid episode but it did get me thinking about this…

Disclaimer – OK, I give up! I don't own Voyager and I never will. No amount of wishing is going to change that…*sigh*

Naomi ran down the corridor away from the shouting Seven of Nine. She didn't cry, being far beyond the stage of crying when she was scared, but she wanted to find Neelix and ask him what Seven meant when she asked who Naomi was working for. As far as the youngster knew, everyone on the ship worked for Starfleet and Captain Janeway was in charge. Her mom was on duty but Neelix would know. He knew everything.

As she ran into the messhall, she crashed headlong into Commander Tuvok. The Vulcan bent over and picked her up with one hand, setting her on her feet.

"Miss Wildman," he said severely, "What is your most important rule for safety on this ship?"

"Don't run anywhere," she murmured, recalling the hundreds of times before that the Vulcan had chastised her for doing just that, "I'm sorry, Commander."

"I just want you to be safe, Miss Wildman," his expression softened a fraction, his hand lingering on her shoulder for just a second, "Do not make me tell you again."

Rolling her eyes, Naomi waited until Tuvok was out of sight then called "Neelix? Where are you?"

"Here, Naomi," he answered, suddenly appearing from behind the counter, "What's the matter? I thought you were meant to be with Seven this afternoon."

"I need to ask you something, Neelix," she whispered, "Do you have any time?"

Noting the expression on the little girl's face, Neelix nodded, "Sure I do. Do you want some ice cream? We won't tell your mom."

Naomi's face only brightened for a second before her young brow wrinkled once again. Neelix noticed fondly that her Ktarian blood always made her look particularly serious when she was thinking about something. He spent some of his precious replicator rations on two bowls of chocolate ice cream and sat down opposite her at their usual table. Naomi had been allowed extra replicator rations as the only growing member of Voyager's crew but Neelix liked to spend his own on treats for her. Sam had enough trouble keeping up with her appetite without illicit ice cream sessions in the mess hall to worry about as well.

Naomi ate her ice cream enthusiastically enough, with Neelix waiting for her to tell him what was wrong in her own time. When she was finished she wiped her mouth on her sleeve, an irritating habit that she seemed to have picked up from watching B'Elanna and a couple of the younger men from engineering.

"Neelix?"

"Yes, Naomi?"

"I saw Seven just now and she asked me who I was working for."

It was Neelix's turn to furrow his brow. He knew that Seven had been acting strangely in the last couple of days but she always made an effort with Naomi.

"She asked you who you were working for?"

"The captain or Chakotay," Naomi clarified, "What did she mean?"

Neelix swallowed, trying to look deep in thought to buy himself some more time. He didn't have any idea why Seven would drag up the whole Maquis-Starfleet affair now but it didn't matter. Sam had specifically made it clear that Naomi wasn't to know about the unique make up of Voyager's crew until she was older. He tried to come up with something quickly to explain Seven's comments, avoiding Naomi's eyes. She knew he was stalling and the longer he tried to come up with something, the more she knew he was about to lie to her.

He opened his mouth, only a half formed explanation in his head, when his comm badge chirped.

"Janeway to Neelix."

"Neelix here, Captain."

"I need you on the bridge, Neelix. As soon as possible."

"Aye Captain," he spluttered, wondering vaguely whether the captain heard the relief in his voice.

"Neelix?" Naomi asked, half standing as he himself leapt up and pulled his apron off.

"Later, Naomi. I'll drop by and see you before bed time."

To her credit, she tried to hide her disappointment.

"OK."

When he looked back before he turned the corner, the sight of the small forlorn figure crouched over the table almost made him turn back until he realised that she was poking madly at a PADD he hadn't noticed her having before. She would already be up to something. The only saving grace was that everyone on the ship knew that Naomi wasn't to know the whole Voyager story. Chakotay had made it clear that anyone not complying with Sam's wishes would answer to him and Neelix would have to rely on that as he left the mess hall.

As soon as Neelix was gone, Naomi jumped up and settled herself opposite Charlie Dempsey, one of the young men from engineering.

"Hello, little one," he drawled in his thick Irish accent, "What do you want?"

Naomi was about to ask him the same question she had asked Neelix, but suddenly the memory of her godfather's face prompted her to keep her questions for her mother and Neelix alone. Something wasn't right and she would find out what it was.

She smiled brightly at Charlie, "Do you want to play Kadis Kot?"