Author's Notes: Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.

I had some trouble writing this as although I do have a plan it's harder to include Kate in the episodes since I've pulled her off the boat.

Anyway, enough rambling from me enjoy.

Tim stepped off the boat and onto the colony looking around to see if there was anyone nearby he knew. This was the first shore-leave he'd had since the Seaquest had gone back into service and in some ways he was glad Ford had volunteered him for the first watch on the bridge.

For the past few years, every time he'd been on leave he had Miguel and Kate there to argue with each other, suggest places to go and goad him into trying things he normally never would. Leaving the boat with the others would have just been too much to take.

Perseid was a dump, Tim decided as he walked through the corridors but it wasn't the Seaquest and for the moment that was a good thing. There were restaurants and shops filled with people but he could also see there were doors marked private for those who lived on the colony as well as labs.

Checking his watch Tim decided to see if he could find some of the others before lunch, he started towards the main rotunda stopping suddenly. He looked around but saw no one he knew nearby.

"Odd," he murmured to himself sure he'd felt someone watching him.

Shrugging Tim continued on and waved slightly when he spotted Brody next to one of the shops. As he moved to meet his friend Tim forgot about the odd sensation.

x

"Tobias, I have a problem."

Kate squeezed herself into the corner keeping hidden from sight as Tim appeared from nowhere.

"What is it?" he asked concerned.

Kate grimaced slightly, "The Seaquest is here."

"And?" Tobias asked.

"And," Kate rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see her, "If they see me then something is stolen from the base I'm the number one suspect."

"Technically you're not taking anything," Tobias reminded her, "You are only copying them."

Kate grimaced, "Fine. But it's the same thing. If a lab's been broken into, I will still be their suspect and that might cause problems later for your plan."

"I take your point," Tobias conceded with a slight chuckle, "Kate, it might be best if you get out now."

Kate sighed, "This is the one time we could have access to the power source schematics," she reminded him, "If I leave now we might never get another chance, especially with the security so tight because of the haulers disappearing. I know the Seaquest crew, I can avoid them."

The silence on the other side of the radio lasted for several moments before Tobias came back on, "Okay, just be careful."

"I will," she promised, "Talk to you later."

She stayed in her spot watching Tim head towards Brody and fought the urge to catch up with him.

x

It was now well over two months since Seaquest had returned from Hyperion, Kate was doing everything she could not miss it. The first few weeks had been the easiest in some ways. Tobias had a plan to stop this happening but as they wouldn't be able to take anything back with them then the devices Kate would need had to be made on the Seaquest in a very short space of time. She had it down to seventeen minutes at the moment and needed to shave at least three off that.

The security for the lab she needed to enter was strong, they had guards on the door twenty-four seven and the change didn't leave any blank spaces for her to slide through. She'd been watching them for the past three days now and knew she needed a new plan.

Looking up she smiled to herself, there were always airducts.

x

It took another three days before a chance presented itself for Kate to get into the lab. She'd spent the past few days hiding in dark corners whenever a member of the Seaquest crew wandered past.

She'd found an unguarded entrance in the restrooms in one of the seedier bars, a place where if she had seen any of the crew an anonymous note would have been sent to the captain. With a slight grimace at the smell Kate pulled herself up and into the ducts. Typically she needed to get to the other side of the colony and Perseid was not the most modern of places. Checking her watch Kate started to crawl, she knew she needed to reach the room just in time for the guard change because there would be enough noise outside to hide her entrance into the lab.

She hoped.

Kate was really, really bored.

It had been three weeks and she couldn't get off this stupid colony. Security had become so tight that even with her exceptional skills Kate knew she had no chance to get to her sub unnoticed. She'd sent the schematics to Tobias the moment she had them and had spent the rest of her time sneaking around making sure she didn't run into anyone who knew her.

"The Seaquest is leaving tomorrow," she reported relief filling her voice, "Finally. So I can get out of here before I lose my mind."

"Is it that bad?" Tobias asked amused.

Kate grimaced, "Let me put it this way, if I'm stuck here any longer then I am starting a crime wave to give myself something to do."

The lack of reply from the other end of the radio made her chuckle.

"You've got Nathan's disapproving silence down," Kate told him.

"Kate…"

"I'll be back soon and we can move onto the next part of your plan," Kate said.

"Just don't get too excited that you get caught now," Tobias reminded her making her roll her eyes.

"You don't know me that well yet so I'll let that go," Kate chuckled, "I'll see you soon."

x

Tim was on his final leave before the Seaquest left Perseid after three weeks, which he had to admit he was relieved about. Sure the colony had plenty for the crew to do but it just wasn't the same without his two best friends.

He headed into what had been agreed was the best 'Candy Shop' for supplies not realising someone was following him. Two someones in fact.

Tim checked his watch; he had time to browse for a while before he had to get back to the boat. He chose things he liked, stopping himself from picking up things for his missing friends. He wasn't doing it anymore.

"Thanks," he smiled at the young woman behind the counter when he was handed the filled bag.

Walking out he checked his watch and decided it was time to head back to the boat, at no point realising he was being followed.

x

Kate didn't mean to follow Tim but when she saw him Kate spotted the guy tailing her friend, a knife hidden up his sleeve. With an annoyed sigh she dodged through the crowd, hoping that Tim didn't see her and no one else appeared who would.

Quickly she grabbed the would be mugger, yanking him into the closest empty unit.

"That was a mistake," he growled at her.

Kate looked up at him; he was about a foot taller and had at least a hundred pounds on her, so she smirked at him.

"Really?"

He threw a punch at her and Kate dodged easily, she swung hitting him in the jaw before she bounced back using the available chairs to give herself a little more height. She slammed her foot into his chest knocking him to the ground.

She took the knife from him and used his belt to tie him to radiator, "The authorities will be here pretty soon. So don't get comfortable."

He swore at her trying to stem the blood coming from his nose.

Kate chuckled, "That'll teach you to be more careful when picking a mark."

Glancing out the door she spotted Tim meeting up with Tony, assured he was safe once more Kate sent a quick anonymous message to the security team before she made her way to the lower levels where she'd left her sub.

It was time to get off this dump.