Janeway, Tuvok, Chakotay, Kim and Paris in the Briefing Room. Paris displays on the wall monitor the course map for the Antarian Trans-stellar Rally.

Paris: "The Antarian Trans-stellar Rally: three segments covering 2.3 billion kilometres." Kim: "With obstacles ranging from dwarf star clusters to K-class anomalies." Paris: "Two-man crews and most importantly each ship is limited to sublight speeds. It's the ultimate test of ship design and piloting skills." Tuvok: "Not to mention a serious drain on Voyager's resources. You're suggesting we reassign 15 crewmen to modify the Delta Flyer." Paris: "The race has very specific guidelines." Tuvok: "All the ships have to use enriched deuterium fuel. The Delta Flyer's not equipped for that." Kim: "Irina agreed to lend us a fuel converter." Paris: "Captain, this race is more than just a sporting event. Until recently this region was a war zone. Four different species fought for nearly a century to control it." Kim: "Now for the first time they're competing peacefully to commemorate the new treaty that ended the war." Paris: "This race embodies everything the Federation values - a peaceful co-existence, free exchange of ideas." Janeway: "I think it's a great idea." Paris: "You do?" Tuvok: "You do?" Janeway: "Absoluely. This competition is just the sort of break we need. It would give us a chance to make some friends and allow the crew a little R&R. Request granted." Paris: "Thank you, Captain." Janeway: "One thing, gentlemen, now that we're in this race, we're in it to win."

Paris visits Sickbay intending to get the Doctor to approve a leave of absence for the Rally.

Paris picks up a golf ball in the corridor and enters Sickbay to find the Doctor playing carpet golf.
Paris: "A little tip, Doc. This game was not meant to be played indoors."
Doctor: "Here to rub salt in the wound?"
Paris: "I beg your pardon?"
Doctor: "I planned to be putting the greens at St Andrews. Instead I'm putting into beakers in Sickbay, thanks to you."
Paris: "Me?"
Doctor: "Oh, don’t be coy. I've already approved your time off."
Paris: "The Captain's told you about the race already?"
Doctor: "What race? I was referring to your romantic getaway."

Paris has completely forgotten about his getaway with B'Elanna! Paris: "Oh, no." Doctor: "Don’t tell me you forgot." As he makes for Engineering, Paris says: "Do me a favour, Doc. Keep a lock on my bio-signs." Doctor: "What for?" Paris: "'Cos in about five minutes there may be a medical emergency in Engineering." He hurries out.

Engineering. Torres, surprised but pleased to see Paris: "You're early." She takes him to one side and they kiss. "You're packed?" Paris: "Not yet. Erm, actually, there might be a little problem. Torres: "Problem?" Paris: "I have a chance to pilot the Flyer in a race, a really unique race, and the Captain thinks it a great idea so I guess I got so excited that I forgot about our plans. But I, I don't have to do it. The Captain would understand." Torres: "It's alright." Paris: "No, no, I should've remembered. It's just that this seemed like such an amazing opportunity. Pilots from all over-" Torres: "I said it's ok." Paris: "Really?" Torres: "The holodeck will always be here. This race won't." Paris: "I do not deserve you." Torres: "You're right about that." Paris: "So, erm, we'll plan this vacation for another time." Torres: "Sure." Paris, as he backs away and leaves: "I, I'm going to make this up to you, I promise."

"The holodeck will always be here. This race won't."   Torres, as Paris leaves.

Torres goes to the Messhall which is empty now that it is late at night. She has clearly been thinking a lot about her relationship with Paris. Neelix: "Late night? Can I get you anything?" Torres: "No, thanks." Neelix, suddenly putting on a limp: "Oh, ow, oh, ow." Torres: "Are you ok?" Neelix: "Oh my feet. I haven't had a chance to sit down all day." Torres: "If you're thinking of cheering me up, don't bother." Neelix: "Who, who me? Never." Torres: "Oh, by the way, you can have your holodeck time back." Neelix: "What about your weekend with Tom?" Torres: "He just cancelled it." Neelix: "Does he have any idea how much planning it took?" Torres: "No, and you're not going to tell him either. He just entered this big race and he's really excited and I don't want to spoil it for him." Neelix: "I'm sure if you tell him how important this weekend was to you he'll reconsider." Torres: "Probably, but he should be able to make him do what makes him happy." Neelix: "What about what makes you happy?" Torres: "It's time I faced facts, Neelix. Tom and I just don't belong together." Neelix: "Then you're not in love with him any more?" Torres: "I didn't say that." Neelix: "B'Elanna, if you still love each other-" Torres: "Maybe that isn't enough." Neelix: "Call me a hopeless romantic, but I still think it is." Torres: "No, there's a Klingon phrase my grandmother used to use. Mogh'tah: [don't know spelling] it means 'bad match'. That's what Tom and I are. I just hate that it's taken me three years to realise it." Neelix: "If you're really such a mogh'tah, it must have been an awful three years." Torres: "No. Tom is a great guy, and we've had a lot of fun together, and that seems to be enough for him, but not for me." Neelix: "Why aren't you saying all this to Tom?" Torres: "I plan to. After the race." Neelix: "By which time he'll already have disappointed you again. I may not know as much about Klingon tradition as your grandmother, but somehow keeping Tom in the dark doesn't seem very honourable. My feet are feeling better, I should get back to work."