"And where were you when that was happening?" Bones asked in a low voice. This was harder than it had to be, maybe because they were so close. Maybe another doctor wouldn't have put up with Kirk's bullshit answers and pressed the issue, forcing him to talk or leave.

But Bones wasn't just another doctor, he wanted to get through this today, wanted Kirk to genuinely talk about his experience so that it wouldn't be a non-issue, one of those things that they didn't talk about.

An idea formed in his head, one that he wasn't sure would work but it was worth a try. "I'll make you a deal," Bones told him. "You get through this with me, and I'll answer any question you might have about me and my personal bullshit. Anything," he repeated for emphasis.