[ There's always a choice, one way or another. He stares down at the floor again, taking a moment to piece together his reply. ]

I feel like hell for a few days, then I move on. [ A slight wince. ] I know - I know it sounds awful, but digging that hole any deeper won't help bring them back and - [ a pause ] - the pain of it? All that... unnatural stuff in your head? It fades on its own with time.

[ He looks up again, half expecting Sam to be looking back at him with judgment, but he keeps his gaze steady. ] Maybe one day we'll figure out how to fix the connection and wake them up again. Right now, the best I can do is keep going. Make sure they'll be able to go home one day. [ By fighting the enemy. ]