When Janeway and Chakotay contact a deadly virus from an insect bite, the Doctor cannot find a cure. Unable to perform her duties, Janeway is forced to turn over permanent command of the ship to Tuvok and retreat with Chakotay to a small planet which shields the effects of the fatal disease. As Voyager moves out of her communication range, Captain Janeway leaves Tuvok with strict orders not to contact the Vidiians for help even though they may have more sophisticated medical technology to handle the crisis. While the ship's crew is struck with the harsh reality of abandoning their leader and first officer forever, the former Captain and Commander, alone on a strange planet, awkwardly drop protocol and begin to explore another side of their relationship.

Susan Diol (Dr. Denara Pel)
Simon Billig (Lieutenant Hogan)
Bahni Turpin (Ensign Swinn)

• Tuvok contacts Vidiian scientist Denara Pel ("Lifesigns"), who arranges to deliver a cure for the virus to Voyager. Unbeknownst to Dr. Pel, the Vidiians use the opportunity to set a trap for Voyager.