Neelix and Tom Paris care for an orphaned alien.
Neelix and Paris are stranded on a planet where they discover a newborn alien hatchling and must keep it safe. Meanwhile, tension grows between the two men because of a rivalry over Kes, which erupts in an argument between them.
The episode is a mix of comedy and drama, and it gives Neelix and Paris an unlikely pairing. It also gives a quiet look at the relationship between Neelix and Kes, and the way that jealousy can shape his actions. It is lighthearted but also includes a thoughtful sense of responsibility for a helpless creature.