Chakotay and Janeway are in discussion in the Briefing Room. Janeway: "It's funny, if we had the ability to separate Tuvok and Neelix the moment Tuvix came aboard I wouldn't have hesitated." Chakotay: "Of course not."
Janeway: "But now, in the past few weeks he's begun to make a life for himself on this ship. He's taken on responsibilities, made friends." Chakotay: "I count myself as one of them." Janeway: "So at what point did he become an individual and not a transporter accident?"
The door signal sounds. door signal "Come in." Tuvix enters. "You wanted to see me, Captain?" Janeway: "Yes, Mr Tuvix. Please, sit down." As Tuvix sits down and sees the two of them standing there he comments: "I feel as though I've been dragged in front of the Numirian inquisition." Janeway: "Will you excuse us, Commander." Chakotay leaves.
Janeway: "We've just been discussing the unfortunate predicament that we're all facing, and I thought it was important to get your perspective before making a decision."
Tuvix: "Are you suggesting this is your decision to make?" Janeway: "I am the Captain of this ship." Tuvix: "Begging your pardon, Captain, it's my life. Isn't it my decision?"
Janeway: "Aren't there two other lives to consider here? What about Tuvok and Neelix? Two voices that we can't hear right now. As Captain, I must be their voice, and I believe they would want to live." Tuvix: "But they are living in a way, inside me." Janeway: "It's not the same, and I think you'd agree with me. They have families, friends, people who love them and miss them and want them back, just as I do."
Tuvix: "But restoring their lives means sacrificing mine. Captain, what you're considering is an execution - an execution!, what they used to do to murderers centuries ago. I've committed no crime at all."
Janeway: "Aren't you arguing for an execution too, of Tuvok and Neelix?" Tuvix: "I'm here, alive. Unfortunate as it may be, they're gone." Janeway: "And I have an opportunity to bring them back." Tuvix: "Don't you think that I care about Tuvok and Neelix? Of course I do? Without them I wouldn't exist. In a way I think of them as my parents. I feel like I know them intimately."
Janeway: "Then you know Tuvok was a man who would gladly give his life to save another, and I believe the same was true of Neelix."
Tuvix: "You're right, Captain. That is the Starfleet way, and I know they'll be some people who'll call me a coward because I didn't sacrifice myself willingly. Believe me, I've thought of that. But I have the will to live of two men. Look at me, Captain: when I'm happy, I laugh; when I'm sad I cry; when I stub my toe I yell out in pain. I'm flesh and blood, and I have the right to live!"

Voyager in space flight.
In the Messhall Tuvix approaches Kes.
Tuvix: "Kes. I need your help. I've just come from the Captain and she's thinking about forcing me to go through with the separation. If anybody can make a difference, Kes, it's you. She'll listen to you. We've helped each other through this and I know that you care about what happens to me."

He continues: "Please, Kes, you may be my only hope."

Janeway is working in her Ready Room when the door signal sounds. door signal "Come in."
It is Kes. "Captain, Tuvix has asked me to speak to you on his behalf. But I can't. Janeway gets up and comes round the desk to her. "He shouldn't have put you in the middle of this." Kes: "But I am in the middle. I have been since the moment of the accident." Her composure begins to crumble and she is in tears as she continues. "I don't know how to say goodbye to Neelix and Tuvok. I know this sounds horrible, and I feel so guilty for saying it, and Tuvix doesn't deserve to die, but I want Neelix back."
They hug as Janeway offers mute consolation. At the same time the dilemma is worrying away at her too.

Tuvix enters the Bridge. "You're excused, Ensign." But instead of giving way to him, the Ensign looks towards Chakotay who is in discussion with Paris at the helm. Chakotay nods. Tuvix takes over the tactical station.
Tuvix: "Mr Paris, what is our present speed?" Paris: "Warp 6.5." Tuvix: "I'd like to conduct a field test of the aft sensor array. Please, slow to impulse." Paris turns to Chakotay. "Commander?" Chakotay: "Until the Captain makes a decision, Mr Tuvix is still the tactical officer." Paris takes the ship from warp speed down to impulse speed.