Jim leaned against the bulkhead outside Kirk's door, taking deep breaths and gathering himself. He hadn't thought it would be so difficult. He'd faced so much worse, as a matter of course.

This was different. This was him, only now he doubted how true that was. What that connection meant. Jim had seen himself mirrored so many times. And as much as he believed in himself, none of those views had been flattering.

Had he lost that?