A/N: After editing the original three chapters, it occurred to me that there was a need for a scene before the opening of the original chapter three. It grew into a full chapter, so now things have been moved around.

Chapter 3

"Next stop: The Mess Hall. This is the domain of Neelix the Unyielding. Though not all his dishes are a success, he continues on, certain he can make the perfect leola root soup." Tom grinned down at the giggling next to him.

After releasing them from SickBay, the Doctor had suggested Tom show Harry around the ship, since there was a good chance Harry no longer it. It might also decrease the rumors going around by having a number of people actually meet Harry and learn what was actually going on, instead of the usual guessing game.

To keep from having to bring the kid back to SickBay that day, Tom had started the tour there. The Doctor had seemed bothered that Harry was still afraid of him, but he'd played along for the few minutes it took Tom to explain the room. Next stop had been Tom's room, to change clothes, then engineering, where things were shiny and people would gossip quietly. B'Lanna had thought Harry adorable, and had graciously kept her annoyance at Tom under wraps in front of the boy, curbing her initial response upon seeing him.

Harry had looked, wide eyed, at everything, but never once let go of Tom's hand. It seemed very important that he stay close to Tom. Tom didn't mind too much - it was much easier to keep track of Harry than any other kid since Harry didn't take off every chance he got.

The entire tour had been narrated in a somewhat silly voice, Tom inventing grand names for people and making every stop sound like a castle in some old Earth tale. It had helped Harry get used to so many strange people, and usually broke the ice around crew members who hadn't heard the news yet. Crewman Yeats had even joined in, explaining his station with grandiose gestures and the occasional conspiratorial tone.

Tom had saved the mess hall till the end of the tour. Cafeterias were both dangerous and exciting for days like this. People were off duty, so they spoke more freely about what was on their minds, even if the person they were talking about was in the same room. But it was a place where many, many food-based adventures were just waiting to be had, presided over by Neelix, who hardly ever scared anyone.

Tom surveyed the mess hall, taking in the looks and number of people. He also checked the bar, where Neelix presented his variety of dishes. The cook himself was behind the second wall of the kitchen, frying something while he hummed and chattered to himself.

"Shall we see what Neelix created today?"

Harry nodded, taking a small step towards the bar before glancing at Tom to make sure it was the correct direction.

The two walked over, Tom picking Harry up as they got closer. "Looks interesting, doesn't it? Lots of…bright colors."

"I've been trying some new dishes again," came Neelix's voice from below the bar where he'd moved to. "Lieutenant Hays was in here a few days ago, lamenting the replicator version of 'mac and cheese', so I thought I'd look it up. It's a tricky dish, this far from-"

At this point, Neelax had stood back up, placing some more dishes out for people to use. He paused as he caught sight of Harry. Tom felt his grin shift just a little, just incase it had to be forced to stay. "Sounds great, but I don't see anything orange up here."

"Ah…yes, well, there's some great cheese for Onark Seven I thought I'd use. Very tasty, but it does turn most food green. Lieutenant Hays hasn't been in yet, but it tastes vaguely correct…I think." Neelix frowned as his hands came to rest on his stomach, eyebrows drawn down. The moment passed, and the Talaxian turned back to them. "How are you two doing?" Neelix smiled and inclined his head. "Hello again Harry; you've changed since I saw you last."

Harry dropped his head on Tom's shoulder and smiled. "Hello."

"I suppose you want lunch, hm?" Neelix stepped towards the plates at the other end. "You could try Hay's 'mac and cheese' and let me know. Sometimes I get the feeling people avoid my attempts at Earth dishes."

Tom was sure no one in the crew was brave enough, or mean enough, to confirm that. Usually this was the point that people bowed out of Neelix's offer, pleading only an interest in coffee or having to run to a meeting. But today had been strange from the start, so maybe this time Neelix wouldn't miss by so much. "What do you think, Har? Should we give it a try?"

Seeing Harry's nod, Neelix happily made up plates, dumping the goopy green mess in the centre before adding something purple and some, Tom really hoped, strawberries.

"Enjoy boys!"

Tom put Harry down and picked up the plates. "Pick a seat Harry."

Harry looked around the room before starting towards a table by the wall. He paused and ran back to Tom after a few steps, holding onto the pilot's pants' leg.

Some of the crew were trying to be discreet, a few of the farther away tables showing less respect for privacy. Tom set the plates down, vaguely relieved when Harry sat across from him instead of next to him. The boy stared at his food. "We need forks."

"Got it boss. Should I get drinks, too?" Harry nodded firmly, looking for all the galaxy like he'd chosen something much more difficult. "Water?" Another nod. "Alright."

Grabbing the needed silverware off the bar, Tom stopped next to the replicator. "Water, two." The machine whirred as it dispensed the drinks.

What are you doing!

Tom winced as Alice's voice boomed inside his head. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he'd guessed this was coming. Alice hated to be ignored, and after having his undivided attention for so long, she wasn't about to share nicely.

"Eating," he whispered, picking up the two cups.

I'm not finished! You're wasting time Tom, and you know it.

"Humans need food Alice." Tom kept his voice low as he moved back across the mess hall.

I suppose touring Voyager helped with this need to eat. Her voice turned softer, to the point where Tom could almost see her trying to plead with him. You're so close, can't you come work on me some more? Just a little more time and we can fly off together.

"After lunch, if there's nothing I need to do with Harry." Tom could feel Alice scowl.

But we need to go home! Harry has done nothing but slow you down!

Tom dropped off the drinks and flatware. "I have to step outside for a minute. You gonna be OK?" Harry's eyes widened, but he nodded, picking up a fork with a nervous grip.

Stepping through the door, Tom waited for it to close before snarling "I will get you home, Alice, now wait your turn."

Hearing no reply, Tom exhaled, waited until he could find a smile, and walked back into the mess hall. He was relieved to Harry still in his seat. The kid was poking the purple substance on his plate with his fork, face scrunched into a frown at whatever conclusion he'd come to.

"No good?"

Harry looked up at him, features smoothing out as he smiled. "I don't know. I have tried it yet, but it's..." He looked back down. "Wiggly."

Taking his own seat, Tom picked up his fork and scooped up some of the purple stuff. It looked like a creamy jello mixture, but no sweet smell to accompany it. Checking to see where Neelix was, Tom took a bite.

And promptly spat it back out.

Harry laughed as he wiped his mouth on a napkin. "That, Harry, was vile. Don't eat it."

"OK, but the green stuff is tasty." As if to prove the point, Harry scooped a forkful into his own mouth.

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Really?" Tentatively this time, Tom tried the casserole looking green blob, nodding when it didn't immediately make his cringe. "Not bad, though it doesn't taste like macaroni and cheese."

"It tastes like chili."

"Impressive, since there doesn't appear to either meat or beans in this." Tom shoved the food around to check. "Strange cheese, I guess." Harry laughed and Tom smiled. "So what should we do when we're done here?"

…

Alice couldn't believe it. She'd had Tom under her control for weeks, almost since she'd first reached out to him, and now he was all but outright defying her! How could one little boy cause so much damage.

Withdrawing from the pilot's mind, Alice ran several diagnostics to calm down. The amount of repairs left irritated her, but not as much as this…this child who was stealing her only chance to get out of this place. Home was so close, but not if she wasn't fit to fly. In her condition, the portal would rip her apart.

Scanning her systems, Alice paused at one. It had been a long time since she'd used it, so long she'd almost forgotten it was there. A previous owner had trashed it out of annoyance, but it was in working order now. One of the first things Tom had fixed, actually, though at the time she hadn't been able to guess why.

It was a basic program, one that allowed her to speak out loud however the pilot wished, instead of the typical computer voice that most ships came with. Voice software that could be tuned to any voice, any frequency, at any time.

Settling into reserve mode, Alice felt reassurance creeping back in. At least she had a back up now, if Tom continued with this stubborn streak. Not that she was worried. He was a smart boy; he'd see it her way.

One way or the other.

TBC