Jim laughed, but it was a little strained despite his genuine amusement. "I want us to be able to talk," he said. "We're good at the... not talking. Nonverbal communication, we've got down. But you need more than that. And I think you need something your Bones and your Spock might not be giving you. Not because they lack anything, but because none of us have been in a situation like this before. And because... I guess because I want to be whatever I can for you."

He looked at Jim searchingly, remembering that dream, remembering that sense of Jim being within him, part of him. He couldn't forget that. And there was too much at stake to let them avoid subjects that might be touchy.