Kathryn joined Chakotay on the couch in their quarters listening tentatively to the quiet that had finally settled.  All four of the children had been at the Paris's for Molly's sixth birthday party.  Chad and Cody had come home far from tired and still excited about the party.  Chakotay and Kathryn had listened to them for almost an hour before they finally were in bed, but the noise had continued.  Kathryn had finally gone in and threatened them with something that evoked silence almost immediately.

She sighed,  "Finally!"

"What did you tell them anyway?  I'll use it myself next time."

"Won't work for you."

"Why not?"

"Well, I told them it was a good thing I had come in first instead of you because you were starting to get really angry.  They didn't need to hear any more than that."

"You're kidding, right?"

"No.  I don't use that very often, but it works every time."

"But I've never lost my temper with the boys.  I don't think they've ever seen me angry.  In fact, I'm not sure anyone has seen me angry, except you, for years."

"You're probably right and that's exactly why it works.  They've heard one or two people over the years say they never want to see you angry so they don't want to experience it either.  Taylor asked me once if I'd ever seen you angry.  I told her yes, that you had been angry with me.  She asked why you had been angry with me and I told her it was because you loved me and wanted what was best for me.  She seemed to accept it, and I'm sure she told the boys what I said."

"Why can't you remember that all the time instead of making me constantly confront you on issues?"

"Because I was talking to Taylor about her father, not Voyager's first officer."

"Someday, Kathryn, I'm going to win this argument, but obviously this is not that day.  Want some tea?"  Chakotay stood and went to the replicator.

"Please."

"You were worried for no reason, you know."  At Kathryn's blank look at the unexpected change of subject, Chakotay continued.  "About the crew being confused with two people with the rank of captain on board."

"What do you mean?  I hadn't noticed any problems."

"There haven't been any."

"Then you were right about the set up."

"Not exactly.  The crew has fallen back into their old patterns before your leave."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it a minute.  When was the last time anyone called me by my rank?"

Kathryn's silence was her answer – she could recall no recent reference.  "What are they calling you then?"

"Mostly my name when informality is acceptable and 'sir' or 'the first officer' the rest of the time.  I've even overheard people asking 'where's the commander' meaning me when they didn't know I was within hearing distance. You don't use my rank when talking about me to others. Heck, I don't even use it when I introduce myself to people. I'm just Chakotay, First Officer of Voyager.

"It's a good sign, Kathryn. The crew has made it clear that you're the captain even if they don't realize it."

"I hadn't noticed. They aren't showing you the proper respect. How do you think we should deal with it?"

"I don't."  Kathryn was clearly not going to accept such a brief response.  "No one has been disrespectful to me and I certainly haven't been offended by it. I only noticed it because I heard one of the younger kids ask the boys what my rank was now and it got me thinking. I'm only mentioning it to you so you wouldn't be caught off guard if one of them say something to you one day."

"So we should leave it alone?"

"I think so."

"I still think it's disrespectful."

"Trust me, Kathryn, at the first sign of disrespect I'll make it clear to the offender just what my rank is."

"You just said no one is disrespectful."

"I said no one among the crew had been disrespectful.  I was not including Voyager's captain in that group."

"I don't have to be respectful; I outrank you."  Kathryn tried to sound indignant but failed and was rewarded by a grin.

"So we have no problem, right?"

"All right. You're the expert on crew and kid relations. Why do you wait to start these discussions when I'm not in the mood to argue with you?"

"Think about the question. Why would I start a discussion when you are in the mood to argue?"

"True. I hadn't thought about it from that perspective. You wait until you know you can win."

"Well, I wouldn't have used quite those words, but that about sums it up." Chakotay was chuckling quietly as Kathryn settled against him to luxuriate in the silence and peace. Such moments weren't exactly rare, but tonight she was more aware of them.

Chakotay put his arm around her as he sipped his tea also enjoying their quiet time alone. He thought Kathryn might have fallen asleep until she spoke. "Remember that legend we were going to tell our children?"

"Yes.  Why?"

"It doesn't quite fit us anymore."

"I thought about that right after you resumed command and made a slight change in our legend."

"What legend, daddy?"  A new voice startled Kathryn and Chakotay. They glanced toward the door leading to the children's rooms to see Taylor standing there.

"Come here, honey." Chakotay called Taylor over and settled her on his lap.  She settled against him leaning her head on his chest. "It's a story we thought we'd tell you someday."

"It's not one you told the kids at day care, is it?"

"No, it's one I was saving just for you, Kay and the boys."

"Will you tell it to me now?"

Chakotay glanced at Kathryn who nodded.  "Ok."

"It’s an ancient legend among our people.  It’s a story about an angry warrior who lived in conflict with the rest of his tribe, a man who couldn’t find peace – even with the help of his spirit guide.  For years, he struggled with his discontent, but the only satisfaction that he ever got came when he was in battle. This made him a hero among his people, but still the warrior yearned for peace within himself. One day, an enemy tribe captured the warrior leaving the angry warrior’s tribe with no one to lead them.  A woman warrior found his tribe and offered to lead them if they would join her tribe. Led by the woman warrior, the two tribes found the angry warrior and freed him from the enemy. The woman warrior called on the angry warrior to join her. The woman warrior was brave and beautiful and very wise. The angry warrior swore to himself that he would stay by her side, doing all that he could to make her burden lighter. From that day on, her needs would come first.  And in that way, the warrior found the true meaning of peace and love.

"For many years the angry warrior stood by the side of the woman warrior as she led their people on a long and dangerous journey. Her wisdom kept the people safe on their journey. One day the woman warrior asked the angry warrior to lead the people so she could rest. The angry warrior agreed and the woman warrior was able to rest in peace, secure in his leadership.  After a time the woman warrior realized she had rested enough so she asked the angry warrior if she could again lead their people. The angry warrior welcomed the woman warrior’s request.  He had longed for her at his side leading their people. Once again the woman warrior led her people with the angry warrior at her side.  During their journey they encountered many people and saw many strange and wonderful worlds. They shared their story with the people they met and soon the story of the woman warrior and the angry warrior spread to those they had not met. Soon all the people from many tribes knew their story and the story of their journey."

Chakotay though at first Taylor had fallen sleep while he spoke.

"That's about you and mom, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"I like it."  Taylor was quiet for a few minutes thinking about the story. "Mom, can I tell you something?"

"Of course, honey. What is it?"

"I might not say this quite right, but I'm glad you started being the captain again.  I remember before the boys were born how it was.  I didn't get to see you very often, but that was ok 'cause you were the captain. Then you let daddy be captain and were with us all the time. That was neat, having you around all the time, except when you made us do things we didn't want to do.  But you were different somehow. I don't know how to explain it, like something was missing maybe. Anyway, it's back like it was before the boys and I like it. I don't mean I like not having you around. I do miss seeing you all the time but when I do, it's better than ever. Does that make sense?"

"I think so, honey."

"Good.  I'd better go to bed before dad gets angry with me."  Her smile belied the concern her words tried to convey.  "Thanks for telling me the legend, daddy.  Don't tell the boys until they're older 'cause they won't understand it.  Night."  Taylor scrambled off Chakotay's lap and kissed each of her parents before returning to her room.

"Our little girl is growing up, Kathryn."

"I know.  I wish we could keep her small and safe forever."

"I wish I could just keep you safe."

"Don't start that again."

"Can I start something else?"

"Only if you promise to finish it."

Chakotay stood and pulled Kathryn to her feet abandoning their cups on the table.  "I promise.  I definitely promise to finish what I am about to start."

Laughing they headed for their own room and sealed the door.