[His jaw hangs open slightly. He's not shocked that the lieutenant in particular thought of it, he's shocked that anyone would. It's clever, practical based on what they have on hand, and elegant.]

Just please don't fry my brain, but yeah... [he nods slowly] that could work.

[It's pretty obvious he's impressed.]

[The impressed expression morphs into something else as he watches Nog work. Gratitude. And guilt.]

Sir... uh, you know, there are some officers that would just write me off as a casualty. And you're doing whatever you can - and -

[And he's grateful.]

I know I - I already apologized but that was in the moment and I was embarrassed and I don't feel like that means it was with the sincerity you deserved? [He cringes slightly.] So I'm sorry. Again. For what I assumed when we first met. And what I said.

[He shakes his head.]

We're always taught about how evolved humanity is now, beyond prejudice and - [he breathes out, trying to articulate it] it's easy to forget that we resolved that human-to-human, and that doesn't mean it's impossible to maybe fall... a little short with other species.

I know you've probably dealt with some bias in Starfleet and I hate the thought that I probably added to that, when I was the first officer you'd seen in...I don't know how long. You deserved better, especially after everything you did for the Federation.