Jim watched him for a moment. He knew that look. He didn't think he'd worn in it a long time. Kirk didn't really understand--but that was okay. It was the same way he didn't understand what drove Jim. Not pity. Pity wasn't what lit a fire under him to make things different.

He shook it off, for now, and scooted slightly so he was beside Kirk.

"Never mind," he said. "We don't have to be the same, or have the same reasons for being here. Enough that we're here, right? Doing our job. What matters is we're good at it." He grinned. "And look good doing it."