[It unsettles him as well, to hear as much. And angers him a bit, at that. His life may not have been perfect, but at least it had had meaning. He'd put effort towards his commission for a reason, and it had been a reason that he had believed in. It isn't Jamie's fault, that he is here now, and he can't say that he's angry at him for it either. But he finds his chest constricting at the thought of everything he's lost and -- yes, he's damned angry about it. Doesn't matter.]

Are we expected to be grateful?

[Grey's words are perhaps sharper than he had intended them to be, but he finds he cannot help himself. Perhaps that drink really would do him good. He takes in a sip of a breath, letting it out in a long sigh before continuing:]

I mean to say. If time does not play a factor for them, they might at least have waited for a more opportune time in my life.