And in that moment he did understand her. What she had said, it was true. It was something he knew because he felt the same way about himself. She saw herself in the same way? John's past followed him in the forms of ghosts and nightmares. Horrid thoughts that intruded and harsh reminders in every action he took. There was always a price for what he did, even if he gave up everything to save the world while they blindly went about their lives.
John wasn't sure he would find someone who could really understand, especially on board the station. But yet, there she was. This beautiful woman with a kind heart, haunted and tainted by a terrible past. And in that brief moment of silence that felt much longer, John felt for her. More than maybe he wanted to admit.
He took a drag from the cigarette and looked at her. "It doesn't seem right. People like us just can't leave well enough alone can we? There's an itch we can't scratch. No matter how many times I want to stay out of things, I find I'm drawn to them even more. Trying to protect people... Now we have this station to protect" he said, taking another drag.
"It's hard to forget though... That's why I drink. It helps me to forget for a while. I can lose myself in intoxication. And maybe for a while my ghosts and my guilt will quieten... Maybe" he shrugged.