"My neural pathways are accustomed to your sensory input patterns. It is safe to say they grew to anticipate further input following those patterns. When input patterns are notably interrupted--" He pauses for a couple of moments, seeks out the most fitting terminology.

"My programming continues to function around the input it anticipates. In a sense, I suppose it can be said that I have... missed you. And I feel obligated to remind you that if you revise your statement again, we will both continue serving aboard the Enterprise for the foreseeable future. I am functionally patient."