I am gratified to hear it. What purpose do you serve?

[ It's asked carefully, struggling to understand. Spock's role to Jim is ... undefined, as of yet, but he knows he cares for him beyond many others. ]

Pardon me, I am unaccustomed to the human desire for social acceptance, my captain is in the process of enlightening me. Vulcans are informed of their roles in relation to one another so there is no confusion.