[Newton freezes when recent events are mentioned, hand on his glass and gaze fixed nervously on an imperfection on the counter top. Maybe he should have known it would come up; this guy's obviously close with River, so it makes sense she'd mention the obvious red flag on the ship. After all, he'd been unknowingly a vessel for a dangerous hivemind who had hurt and almost killed a lot of people on this station. Why wouldn't she warn Jack?

(Not warn, his brain wars, she didn't warn him — River's not like that. She just worries. He has to remind himself that people worry about him. Not worry because of him. Not worry that he's still a threat-)

Clearing his throat, he offers a thin smile.]

I'm still here, right? Alive and kicking. So... don't sweat it.

[An easy dismissal. But his hands are fidgeting anxiously with his glass.]

Riv worries too much anyway; she's cool like that.

... But I'm fine. I mean, I'll be fine. It's fine.

[Is it????

He takes a big gulp.]