A/N: Begins towards the end of the Season 7 episode Workforce: Part One. Based around the question of what might have happened if they'd been stranded there longer, due to B'Elanna accepting Tom's offer of an escort to the transport station, resulting in Chakotay and Neelix *not* getting her back to Voyager then. So from the point of that question on, this is an AU story. Direct dialogue taken from Jim Wright's Voyager Site, because I don't have the memory for that kind of thing. :)

Thank you to Pepper9873 for the beta!

Disclaimer: Paramount owns it. I just play with it. If I was making money from it would I really be writing fan fiction? I didn't think so either.

* * *

Tom looked up from the bar as he heard a familiar voice excuse itself. "B'Elanna," he called out, moving from his position to catch up with the very pregnant woman. "I'm due for a break. I'll walk you to the transport."

"Stop worrying. I'll be fine," she said, a smile on her face as she wrapped her jacket around her.

"It's not you I'm worried about." The waiter said, stealing a glance at her stomach before letting his eyes return to her face.

She smiled and shook her head slightly. "Is there any point in me trying to debate this?" she asked.

"Nope. Not at all," he replied, a smile on his face. "After all, what kind of man would I be if I let a pregnant woman walk to the transport alone at this hour when I am perfectly capable of escorting her?"

B'Elanna sighed. The stubborn part of her wanted to refuse, but the smile on his face was so earnest, she couldn't bring herself to turn him down.

"Well, alright. Thanks," she said, taking his offered arm and turning towards the door.

As the two exited, Chakotay leaned over to Neelix and whispered softly, "Alright. So. Tom and B'Elanna both work at night. Apparently, they don't know each other well here. We know almost everyone else works during the day. How, in the name of the spirits, are we going to rescue them all?"

* * *

Kathryn Janeway laughed at the sight of Jaffen's facial expression as she brought yet another box of her belongings into his apartment.

"Okay, really, where did you keep it all?" he asked.

"Oh, here and there," she said, a teasing smile on her face. "Why? Are you rethinking your suggestion that we move in together? Because I've got to say, I don't particularly feel like transferring all of my things again."

"Rethinking it? Not for a second," he said, stepping over an open box and pulling her into his arms, dropping a light kiss onto her forehead. "But really, Kathryn, where on earth do you expect all of this to be kept? We may have to request a bigger apartment."

"Nah. We'll find a place for it all, I always did. I'm a collector, after all, it's what I do. I find places for things." She grinned, and he couldn't help but grin back.

* * *

B'Elanna laughed as Tom told her about a customer who had come in at the beginning of his shift the previous day. Apparently, he'd thought himself quite the comedian, despite the fact that nobody else agreed with him. Just as he finished the story, they arrived at the transport station.

"Well, I guess this is my stop," B'Elanna said with a smile. "I wanted to thank you again for introducing me to Namar and Catala. They're good people. It will be nice to know someone with a child about this baby's age," her hand drifted to her stomach at the mention of her unborn infant.

Tom smiled. "You're welcome. I mean, we can all use a few friends, right?"

"Right. Well, I'm running late as it is. I've really got to get on this transport," B'Elanna said as it arrived.

"Right," Tom said. "I'm due back anyway. I'm sure my break is over soon." He rested his hand on her shoulder for a moment. "You take care of yourself and that baby of yours, B'Elanna. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow before your shift starts."

"I think there's a chance of that," B'Elanna replied, turning to board the transport. Tom remained where he was standing until the transport pulled away, then let out a sigh and turned to start the walk back to work.

* * *

Chakotay and Neelix remained on their stools after Tom and B'Elanna's departure, each silently contemplating their friends' changed-yet strangely the same-personalities. After a few minutes, it was, unsurprisingly, Neelix who broke their silence.

"It's pretty incredible, you know," he said, softly.

"What's incredible?" Chakotay asked.

"Tom. He's got no idea who he really is. What his life really is. And yet, he's still so protective of B'Elanna and their baby. As far as he's concerned, he's just met her…but he's still drawn to her. It makes a case for soul mates, if you ask me," Neelix said, pausing to sip the drink in front of him before he finished with: "it's just incredible."

Chakotay nodded.

"You're right. It is pretty incredible. And, maybe it provides us with a little hope. Maybe it means their memories are still in there, somewhere. Maybe we'll be able to get our friends back."

"It just might, Commander," Neelix said before being interrupted by a soft buzzing from Chakotay's palm.

"Voyager to Chakotay," came the familiar voice over the transponder. Chakotay raised his palm towards his mouth as inconspicuously as he could.

"Chakotay here. Tell me you have good news, Harry."

"Sorry, Commander, nothing yet. That shield grid is pretty foolproof from up here. The Doctor and I are still looking at a few options, though. How are things down there?"

"About the same, Harry. Nothing to report yet. We've found several crew members, including Tom, B'Elanna, and the Captain, but whatever is going on, they've had a good job done on their memories. Neelix and I are going to get somewhere safe. Stand by to beam us back."

"Aye, Commander. Standing by. Voyager out."

Chakotay lowered his hand. "Alright, Neelix, let's go see if we can't find somewhere to beam back."

Neelix nodded and followed Chakotay out of the tavern. As they left, neither man noticed the man sitting close to where they had been, out of earshot but fixated on the man apparently talking to his palm.