“You should find yourself a girlfriend. Aren’t you tired of being so serious all the time?” Charlie said with a grin.2

Leaning against the hospital bed in the infirmary of the Federation’s rear base within the subspace secret realm, he supported himself with a crutch as Bond entered the ward to visit him.1

In truth, Charlie had been in a terrible mood lately, his spirits sinking lower with each passing day.0

Yet whenever they met, he always managed to force out a smile and tease Bond.0

Bond, on the other hand, wore a perpetual scowl, as though someone owed him money.1

Those who knew Bond well understood that he was not actually difficult to get along with. He had simply grown accustomed to hiding behind a cold exterior.0

Under normal circumstances, Bond rarely let his guard down.0

Only if someone looked closely enough could they occasionally...0