[ Yeah, his hand did hurt a little. Frankly, that sense of exasperation mixed with shock and frustration did a great deal to dull the pain afterward. Of all the things to come across when he came to a new world, to have one of his best friends basically ask him to execute her again... well, their hands were forced last time. But he was different now than he was then. Maybe not exactly wiser, but if anything, more determined not to repeat what he considered the darkest time of his life.

For the moment, he contented to listen to her explain herself. And then his expression turns a note sour, hearing her give what he considered to be such a weak excuse for asking that of him. When she finishes, he sighs and shakes his head. ]

You're still you though... don't you see that?

[ When he opens his eyes again, there's that determined, yet worn smile of his. There's a certain undertone to just the look in his eyes that tells of more troubles and sorrows he'd faced since their days in the Organization. It's tired, yet too stubborn to just give up. ]

So don't ask me to do that again. Not when there's so much that's different here then when it happened. I forgave you for that.

[ A pause. ]

So let's make the second time better, alright?