When Janeway and Chakotay contract 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 the U.S.S. Voyager moves out of 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 stuck 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.
