[That doesn't seem right, with what he knows of her. With what he's witnessed. She's so strong, and for her to endure that sort of experience and come out of it on top, with a desire to put herself in harms way for the sake of others- not despite it, but because of it? He doesn't understand how a decision that amazing could make her look so ashamed of herself. He wants to, if only to know her better; all this time and it feels like a whole new aspect of her life has been opened up, a door opened to a room he never knew existed.]

Katie...

[He calls her in a different tone, more personal, even using the nickname so few gave her- and he sounds awed, amazed, regretful that he hadn't known before, grateful that she trusted him enough to tell him now. He shifts his free hand to curl around the fingers she has clasped around his shoulder, squeezing gently.]

That's not what you did. You kept us safe, Kate. I can't count the number of times you saved our lives. That's... why we're a team, right? So we take care of each other. You're so strong... whatever your reasons, you belong with us.

[Those positive illusions weren't crushed- just shifted from illusion to justified reality.]