Reaching out, Jim patted Sulu reassuringly on the shoulder, offering a warm-hearted laugh and a genuine smile, two things that were surprisingly rare out of the captain.

"I'm sure you'll find something else, Lieutenant." This time, when he used the man's rank to address him, it didn't have the degree of separation that he usually went for when employing it. It was more familiar, like a term of endearment rather than a title. "You've proven to be quite good at surprising me so far."