[ In the hours since they'd arrived back in the future, she's wondered countless times if he might come to regret coming to her time. Losing everyone he knows is a pain she understands intimately, having carried a similar pain for over half her life. But perhaps he can forge new relationships with the versions of those people in this time, including Sam, the brother he'd lost. If she had a chance to get her brother back, even a different version of him... There would be nothing in the universe that could stop her from taking it.

Leaning her cheek into his touch the same way he had hers, she lets her eyes close for a moment, savoring the feeling of his fingers on her skin. How long has it been since someone touched her like this? Since she trusted someone enough to allow them to touch her this way? It feels like a lifetime, maybe longer. ]

I gave Captain Pike a very brief summary of the situation, but he'll be expecting something more comprehensive when you're up to it. [ Her expression relaxes slightly as she speaks, her own words finally sinking in. This is really happening. Affection and admiration color her next words, her respect for the captain shining through the exhaustion that clings to her. ] He's a good man. He'll help us figure everything out.