Don't believe in no-win scenarios

The shadows under Jim's eyes are deep but there's color to his face for the first time in months. He returns the smile though can't help the way both eyebrows arch up and make a run for his hairline when she asks after him.

"How much have you heard? I'm back, and that's enough for me for the moment. Things have been..." The captain trails off and tries to think of a more polite term to describe how his January has been. He licks at his bottom lip before settling on, "...busy."