[ Sitting at a table with mostly bridge crew, Chris is all too aware that he probably shouldn't be here. As Captain of the ship, he's kept at a remove from the rest of the crew, even those he sees regularly, even those with whom he has an easy camaraderie. He calls Ortegas by her first name more often than not, even La'an gets the first-name treatment — although with her it's usually just because two syllables is a lot shorter than four — but he's not foolish enough to think that they're friends.

There's a reason Chris signs off on requisition requests when someone asks to reserve one of the rec rooms for one party or other but never attends: nobody wants to relax after work with your boss breathing down your neck.

He shouldn't have come into the main mess, not when he knew Loki was going to be here.

However...

Before he can stop to think better of the impulse, he finds himself standing and collecting his tray, one hand raised to keep Ortegas in her seat as she tries to follow him with clear concern writ boldly across her face, and suddenly he's striding across the room to set his tray down on the table at which Loki now sits alone, staring out the windows. ]

Having Erica ask you to come join us would make me feel far too much like I'm in high school again, so I figured... [ He shrugs, smoothing down the front of his shirt, and twists a little in his seat so he can cross one leg over the other. ] If you want me to leave you alone some more I will.