[ Tracing your cheek now with one finger and letting his thumb ghost over your bottom lip. ]

You're one of the most compassionate people I know. [ A beat. ] I don't think I've ever told you that.

[ He'll lace the fingers of his free hand with yours at that. ] I know we're only going to be here a year, and that's not a short time, but I hope I can do something to help. And I don't just mean with the mission at hand.