John raises his eyebrows in response to her words. No one from his time would think in such a way, certainly not if he were to be sleeping with another man, and certainly not if he were to have slept with their lover, past tense or not. But he appreciates that Mary seems to be taking it all in stride. He was being honest himself in that as far as he is concerned, no matter what his feelings for Jim are concerned, he is with Mary, and that is what matters now.

"Well," he says, flashing her another, softer smile. "I am glad to hear it."

His eyes dropping to the teacup in his hand as he continues, "James Kirk is a good man. He was worried for your loneliness, should the fact that he had shared such a thing turn me from our friendship, but the truth of the matter is that the pair of you, your friendship, has been everything to me, in this place. I would wish for you to know that, if nothing else."