Jack nodded his appreciate of her condolences. It felt strange, even now, years later, to think of Lena being gone, but after she'd faded from his everyday, it was equally hard to remember what it was like to have her around. "Thank you," he swallowed hard, trying not to think about it too closely.

"Jack Collins, pleasure to meet you Mrs. Bythesea." Jack found his social skills a little rusty these days, but so far he hadn't managed to stick his foot into his mouth. That didn't mean he was any good at conversations that didn't revolve around work or Emerson. He looked around the room briefly for inspiration, but found himself stuck. Their conversation thus far hadn't been too tricky, but he wasn't quite sure where to go from here. "I'll have to remember to make sure the next hospital event is a little more lively." He managed. Though he wasn't strictly involved in the planning, as the head of a department and one without a wife to handle these things, Jack liked to make sure he stayed involved.