"I hope so, it got me through Tactical for a term. I couldn't stop seeing strategies in everything in case it was a surprise assignment."

Looked like an idiot for a few months, too. He remembers the Academy fondly, even having smashed enough work into three years not to have to go through a fourth. Jim works best when faced with a problem to solve. Usually.

He tilts his head to see her better, mood sobering. They need to have a Talk, even if it's just a cursory one.

"Kathryn, if I don't get better from this, I know you'll do everything you can for my people."