Mmh.

[ He doesn't like the implications there. That it was possible to fight, provided you had a powerful enough backbone for it, or provided that you didn't go after people that you had any regard for. He and Miller aren't what anyone would ever call friends, but he thinks he's a fine enough fellow, and intelligent besides. The idea that he simply didn't try hard enough puts a sour taste in his mouth.

He can't believe that. Not of all those poor people who were out of their wits. He refuses to. However Jim and Spock were able to fight it, he won't put that on anyone else. ]

You know, I'm finding out more and more that everyone around here has died at least once -- and had been brought back, to boot. [ He gives Jim a crooked smile. ] It's quite bizarre. I had only known death to be a temporary thing. You'll have to tell me all about it, sometime.

[ He's dodging the question, though. He leans back a little. ]

You can still count it, if you like. But as long as I'm still standing, I don't. [ That's how he's dealt with it; just push it aside, out of mind. To dwell on it when it didn't even hold, when everyone else here seems to have no difficulties moving forward? That just makes him feel pitiful. ] It's not a very long story. One of the kids came to my door, asking for help -- poor thing was strangled half to death, had seen things he shouldn't have ever had to see. But he was followed. And only one of us was going to be able to walk out of that place alive.

[ He grins at Jim, a touch ruefully. ]

Good thing my enemies aren't here with me. I've gone soft.