Jim took a deep breath, his hand instinctively reaching for any part of Kirk he could touch--but he dropped it without making contact. He'd had a few days to get... well, if not used to the idea, resigned to it.

"I didn't let anyone," he said, some little bitterness coming through in his tone that he had not allowed anyone else to hear. "I returned from a meeting with Acting Captain Spock about the results of the rescue mission to find Spock gone, a note bidding me not to worry and what appeared to be a young Romulan girl in his place. Narada requested his assistance. Spock accepted. Without consulting me. With shields up and neither the Narada nor Spock wishing his return, I felt I had little choice but to respect his instincts."

It was clear that despite his resignation, Jim did not take any of this lightly.