The irony is, Peter is a good commander. He just tried to be commander and father to Neal at the same time, which went about as well as could reasonably be expected.

Neal smiles, though the expression is... tired and sad and careworn.

"I wish we hadn't really met the way we did. I think we'd get along in different circumstances. I think we could still. You're... ferociously intelligent, and you have a great sense of humor, and I want to know how you broke into Malcolm's room when I designed the lock to replace the first one after he got his medications stolen. ...I mean, yeah, I could have broken in still, but I designed it."

There's a sting of irony in that last part. He quiets again. "I am sorry. I was so... I am still lost."

An admission that no one else has gotten, one that feels strange to offer now. But he trusts Jedao not to share it for some reason.

"I'm not who I was when I got here. I don't know who I'm supposed to be now. I need to go figure it out."