Chakotay watched as Kathryn and Chad rested and caught their breath. Kathryn had been opposed to this whole idea as soon as Chakotay had mentioned it, but had finally relented when she saw how much it meant to him for her to do this with Chad. Watching her face, Chakotay was glad he had insisted. He thought back to events leading up to this moment.

Two nights earlier he and Kathryn had been a little more innovative than usual and he had pulled a groin muscle. He had immediately thought of getting Kathryn to let Chad take his place but she had resisted. She insisted that Chakotay try to work past the pain so he could continue with their plans. He had tried even though he knew it wouldn't work. This was not a slight strain, it was a severely battered muscle that would take more than one day to recover even with treatment. There was no way Chakotay could have followed through on his commitment to Kathryn. She had finally been forced to concede that he would have to be replaced - at least for one night. When Chakotay had suggested Chad, Kathryn had nearly laughed outright -- until she saw how serious he was. Then she tried to apply logic to his choice. Chad was young - much younger than Kathryn and would not be a good partner for her. Chad's inexperience meant that Kathryn would have to sacrifice most of the enjoyment she normally experienced when with Chakotay.

Despite her protests, Chakotay remained adamant. Chad was more than willing and had in fact asked if he couldn't take Chakotay's place for the night's activities. Chakotay was by nature a quiet spoken man and generally allowed Kathryn to have her way on most issues regarding their personal life, but he could also be one stubborn man. He had commanded a crew of renegades and that required an inner strength and conviction in his own judgments that rivaled Kathryn's on issues that he considered important. This was one such issue. Kathryn had eventually yielded in the interest of personal and professional harmony. In the end she was unwilling to risk their entire future because she wouldn't go along with his request for her to spend one night with someone else.

Chakotay pulled himself back to the present. Looking at Kathryn's face, he knew she would never forget this night with Chad. Chakotay was filled with pride as his wife and son stood together on the podium holding the trophy for the mixed doubles hover ball championship.