"Yes," he says again. "If I'd had to stay behind this time -- I know it would've been because I wasn't ready to be back in the field. You and Bull would've assessed me fairly there."

The quirk to his mouth returns.

"I might have sulked and complained, but I know you would've been right." Cullen gets another small squeeze. "And I know you would've been doing it for my safety, in the end."