WHY
Why is he the same and yet so very different? It's clear that his manners are still as bad as ever. He can't open his mouth without snarking and he still doesn't care who he offends but no one seems to care.
Why do the people around him seem so accepting of the way he behaves? Why are they so sure that he can be counted on? Why do they know a side of him that only emerges in a life-threatening situation?
Why is he so much stronger, both inside and out, than he was before? It doesn't make sense. Even if he's doing classified work for the government, his basic job should be the same as mine. He's a scientist, like me. Desk-bound and, present situation excepted, not required to face anything more dangerous than a review board...isn't he?
Why does a woman like that tolerate him? She's clearly intelligent and knows him well and yet she still seems to adore him.
Why isn't he what I expected him to be? Was the man I saw today always there, hidden beneath the surface?
Why did I invite him here to show me everything I'm not?
Why can't I be more like him?
THE END