[He nods, stepping away from her to busy himself with what he'd originally come into the kitchen for: preparing a cup of tea. Of course, not being rude he thinks up a kettle large enough to easily hold water for two, setting up the thing with quick and practiced motions.]

I suppose I can do so, assuming that it remains irrelevant. Believe me, Captain Janeway, you'll likely find few that understands the importance of preserving time so well as I.

[He doesn't mean to sound arrogant or to brag; it's simply a matter of fact in Rip's experience. The vast majority of people would choose heroics, while some able to turn away from those in need go too far, and instead find themselves willing to manipulate history to their own whims.

Rip's walked the fine line between for many years now. It's very much part of who he is.]

That said, you've already surmised that I alone don't hold the key to getting free of this dimension. I doubt you'll find you do either. No one person seems capable of it, regardless of their abilities or expertise.

[With the kettle set to heat, Rip reaches up into the cabinet again, this time for the assorted items one might expect be used to make a proper cup of tea.]

Cooperation is going to prove necessary. Not that you have to take my word for it, of course.

[Time, however, would lend credence to his claim.]

Would you care for a cup of tea?