[ Another glance in Jim's direction has her smiling, just slightly, because she appreciates that attempt more than she can say. It doesn't entirely work, but it helps. He may not be her James, but he really is a good man all on his own merit. ]

I didn't let him order me around. He was a captain, but not Starfleet, so I argued with him and took charge and... I think it irritated him, at first. And then it didn't.

[ She looks back down at the watch in her hands as she thinks back to one of the last moments they'd shared. Her thumbs trace the curved edge of the watchface and it hurts so much to remember that moment with him on the street. The hope she'd felt that perhaps he could come with her, that this thing between them might not end in pain and heartache for her. But it had, and now she's sitting with a man who looks just like him, and— ]

I'm sorry. I know this has to be strange for you. And I know you're not him. [ Her voice strains almost to the point of breaking. ] I know that.