The senior staff meeting held at noon in the Briefing Room. Tuvix observes as the others make their respective reports. As he does so, he also thinks, and later he folds his hands the same way that Tuvok's does when he is thinking.

Torres has been referring to the wall-mounted monitor on which various data has been displayed. She moves back towards Janeway and summarises: "The transporter was functioning normally - biofilters, pattern buffers, everything checked out." Janeway addresses Kim: "What about the problem with the molecular imaging scanners?" Kim: "According to the transporter logs, they were optimal at the time of transport. It was perfectly routine beam-out sequence - no anomalies, no power overloads, no malfunctions." Paris: "Our scans of the planet surface and atmosphere don't show anything out of the ordinary." Chakotay: "There's no evidence of any type of alien interference. Frankly, Captain, we're at a loss." Janeway: "And the orchids, Kes? Have you found anything unusual about them?" Kes: "Commander Chakotay brought back a few samples on the shuttle and I ran a biochemical chemical analysis. They contain the same elements as many plants - chloroplast, lysosomal enzymes, cytoplasmic proteins - but there's nothing unusual." Janeway: "There's never been an accident like this in the entire history of transporter technology. I'm not willing to accept it as a random malfunction." Chakotay: "Captain, I recommend we program a holodeck re-creation, try re-creating the accident." Tuvix has been considering the matter all the time he has been listening to the conversation. Suddenly he says: "Sex!" Kes and Paris turn their heads to look at him, startled. Janeway, surprised and indignant: "I beg your pardon!" Tuvix gets to his feet. "What I mean to say - and I apologise for cutting you off, Commander - I think we're on the wrong track. Kes, you said that the flowers you examined contained lysosomal enzymes." Kes: "That's right." Tuvix: "According to Tuvok's botanical research, the presence of lysosomal enzymes could be evidence of symbiogenesis." Kes: "Symbiogenesis?" Janeway: "Symbiogenesis is a rare reproductive process. Instead of pollination or mating symbiogenetic organisms merge with a second species." Tuvix: "Andorian amoeba, for instance, are able to merge with other single-celled organisms to form a third unique species - a hybrid." Kes: "Like you." Tuvix: "Exactly." Janeway: "It's an interesting idea. But we're talking about microcellular organisms here. I never heard of symbiogenesis occurring in a species as complex as a humanoid." Tuvix: "Actually, Captain, when you think about it, Neelix and Tuvok were broken down to a microcellular level during transport - DNA, protein, all in a state of molecular flux." Kim, excited as he develops the theory further: "And if the enzymes that cause symbiogenesis interacted with their DNA while they were in the matter stream it might have caused their patterns to merge!" Janeway: "Like an Andorian amoeba." Tuvix: "Just like that-" and he clicks his fingers - "Tuvix is born!" Janeway: "It's the best theory I've heard so far, the only theory I've heard so far, and it's worth investigating. Mr Paris, take a shuttle to the planet and collect additional flower speciments." Paris: "Yes, ma'am. I'd recommend waiting until morning. The weather on the planet can get pretty nasty at night." Janeway: "Very well. You'll depart at 0600 hours."

The meeting breaks up and the officers leave. As she passes him, she stops and tells Tuvix: "Good work, Mr Tuvix."

Kes approaches her quarters, only to find Tuvix there. She stops, startled, and is not sure how to deal with him.
Tuvix: "Kes."
Kes: "Er, hello." Tuvix: "Hello. Kes: "Do you need something?" Tuvix: "Actually I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner." Kes: "Well, I er-" Tuvix: "You've already eaten?" Kes: "Well, no?" Tuvix: "You're not hungry?" Kes: "Actually-"
Tuvix: "If memory serves me, Wednesday's the day Neelix always cooked Trellian crepes, your favourite meal." Kes: "That's right." Tuvix: "Well, why break with tradition because of a little transporter accident?" That makes her laugh.

In the Messhall there is pandemonium. In the absence of an official chef, the crew are cooking their own dinners. Crowded into the Galley, they are constantly getting in each other's way. Hogan calls: "Somebody's eggs are burning!" Swinn calls back, unable to reach the cooking area: "Those are mine. Can you flip them for me?"
Hogan: "I can't find a spatula." He turns round to look for one. Swinn: "Try tossing them."
At this moment Tuvix and Kes enter. He tells her: "Why don't you have a seat. I'll be with you in a minute."

He strides to the serving counter. "Do you mind telling me what's going on here, Crewman?" It is Hogan who answers: "We're making dinner."

Tuvix, now behind the serving counter: "I see. Alright, everybody out!" He goes into the Galley and chivvies them." Hogan: "On whose authority?" Tuvix: "Chief of security or head chef, take your pick. Out, out, out!" He claps his hands. "Come, come, out!" Tuvix picks up a frying pan and grieves at its mistreatment and the incompetence of the would-be cooks.
Kes can't help but laugh, attracting the amused attention of Kim and Paris behind her who are having dinner together.

Voyager in planetary orbit.

Kes helps Tuvix clear up the Galley after dinner once everyone has gone.
Tuvix: "So you really enjoyed the crepes?"
Kes: "Ah, they were absolutely delicious."
Tuvix: "Don't you think that Neelix always made them a little too spicy?"
Kes: "These were a little different than usual. Did you change the recipe?"
Tuvix: "Only slightly. I thought a more moderate seasoning would allow the flavour of the mushrooms to come through."
Kes: "I loved the mushrooms."
Tuvix: "I'm glad. I can't believe how disorganised this galley was. It's a wonder Neelix ever found anything."
Kes: "He says he has a system. But I guess you already know that."

Tuvix: "I admire your strength, Kes." Kes: "Why do you say that?" Tuvix: "I know I'm not Neelix, but I can posit with complete certainty that if the situation were reversed, if suddenly he found himself without you in his life, he'd be absolutely lost."
He puts his hands tenderly on hers.
She is dismayed, and again Tuvix realises he has made a wrong move. Awkwardly Kes says: "I have to go. Thanks again for dinner."