AN: Argh, ok, I suck. Between finals, the holidays, and my daughter, I had absolutely no time to write. Sorry about that! But I'm back now and should be able to get chapters up much more quickly.

Disclaimer: Yadda yadda, I don't own Voyager, or the characters, or anything, please don't sue. :)

Chapter 2

Neelix and Chakotay turned into a narrow alleyway darkened by the buildings surrounding it. After a quick look around to determine nobody was nearby, Chakotay raised his palm.

"Chakotay to Voyager," he said softly.

"Voyager here," Harry's voice responded.

"Harry, we're ready for a beamout."

"Aye, Commander. Prepare for transport."

A moment later, Chakotay and Neelix rematerialized on the transporter pad, finding the Doctor there to greet them.

"Commander," the Doctor said. "Did you have any luck?"

"Well, we have a little information now, anyway. We know where much of the crew is and when. There's a curfew, so everyone that doesn't work night shift is back at their homes before 2300. As far as we know, that's everybody except for Tom and B'Elanna. Tom works an evening shift at a tavern and finishes an hour after curfew. His home is very close to it, and he has a special pass which extends his curfew so that he can get home after work. B'Elanna works an overnight shift, beginning at 2200 and ending at 0700," he paused. "We should get to the bridge so I can fill Harry in, too."

"Agreed," the Doctor said, and they began walking towards the bridge. "We haven't had much luck up here. Mr. Kim says that this shield grid is one of the most stable he's ever seen. If we're going to take it down, it's going to have to be an inside job, so to speak. Were you successful in gaining employment?"

"Yes," Chakotay answered. "I'm working at the power plant, monitoring the thermionic converters. Neelix is working in the primary fusion chamber with Mulcahey and Celes. Neither of them recognize him, or, for that matter, each other." He stopped as they arrived at the bridge.

"Alright, Harry," he said as they entered the bridge. "Report."

"Not much to report that you don't already know, Commander," Harry said. "We still haven't worked out a way to get through the shield grid-whoever these people are; they sure know how to keep people out. From what I can tell, it's going to have to be a job for someone down there. I don't see any way to break through. Sorry I don't have better news."

"It's alright, Harry. I suspected as much, anyway." He began to fill Harry in on what he'd already told the Doctor. "In addition, I'm working very near to the Captain, so I'll be able to keep a pretty good eye on her and keep track of what she knows. Or doesn't know, as the case may be. From what we can tell at the moment, everyone's memories are…I suppose 'fragmented' would be the best word for it. Some of their memories have been altered. Some are intact, and some are gone entirely, such as previous relationships. None of the crew, even those working together currently, seems to have any knowledge of their previous friendships with one another." He sighed. "We've got our work cut out for us, Harry. We'd better catch a couple of hours rest. Neelix and I will have to beam down before it's light tomorrow, to the same coordinates we beamed up from tonight." He turned to the Doctor.

"You have the bridge, Doctor," he said. He, Neelix, and Harry headed for the turbolift, and their quarters, to go and get some sleep.

* * *

It was the beginning of Tom's shift, and things were picking up earlier than usual. Normally, it wasn't until the end of the day shift that people began to drift in, but today it seemed that a large number of people that worked the night shift had decided to come in early for a bite to eat before going off their separate ways. He tried to keep himself from jerking his head up every time he heard someone enter, but he was entirely unsuccessful. She won't be here for awhile yet. Relax, would you? He thought to himself.

"Tom?" a female voice called from the back storeroom. "I could use a hand back here for a minute."

"On my way," Tom called, taking one more sweeping glance around the room before going to help his employer.

B'Elanna entered the tavern an hour earlier than her usual arrival. Instantly and almost unintentionally, her eyes shot towards the bar. When she saw nobody standing behind it, and a quick glimpse around didn't offer her the sight she was looking for, she was shocked to feel the sinking weight of disappointment in her stomach. Stop that, she scolded herself. You do not need to get involved with anyone right now! That's how you got into this mess, remember? Friendship only, Torres, and that's that.

"Hey, B'Elanna," came the already too familiar voice she'd been looking for, startling her out of her personal lecture. She looked up to see Tom, tray of dirty cups in hand, looking down at her with a smile. "You're early."

She smiled, maybe a little more warmly than she'd intended. "Yeah. I figured I'd…take a bit more time with my food today," she said slowly.

"Great," Tom said as the smile on his face widened. He really was pleased to see her; she could see it in his expression. It was definitely platonic, though, she thought. She saw no trace of pretense in his blue eyes. And if there was one thing B'Elanna Torres prided herself on, it was being excellent at reading people. "Grab a seat. Let me go put these down while you decide what you want. I'll be back in a couple of minutes." He flashed her that same smile of pure happiness before moving quickly back behind the bar. She found an empty table and sat down, intentionally facing away from him. It was only another minute or so before she heard his light footsteps behind her.

"I brought you some water," he said, setting it down in front of her. "It's getting warmer these days."

"It is warm, you're right. Thanks, Tom. That was a nice thought."

"No problem. Any thoughts on what you want today?" he asked, leaning over and resting his elbows on the edge of her table.

"Eh, not really. I'm hungry, but not for anything specific," B'Elanna shrugged.

"How about I surprise you, then?" Tom asked, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Surprise me? You're kidding, right?" B'Elanna replied, arching one eyebrow in disbelief.

"No way! Let me surprise you. I've seen what kind of stuff you like, I'm sure I can figure out something."

B'Elanna shook her head. "I'm sure I'm going to regret this. But sure. Surprise me."

Tom grinned again. "Great," he said before standing upright again and heading back to the kitchen.