[I am me. He doesn't say anything for a long moment, searching her face. He's not sure if he's looking for something, or if he's just trying to take in the sight of her.] I believe it. I believe you.

[That's what's been sitting between them this past month and more, since she came back. That uncertainty of his, the arguments that his logical brain keeps throwing up. If Ash was here, she'd tell him to go with his gut feeling, and ultimately, that's all he can do.

He ducks his head when she talks about him and the crew, compares them. There's a pause, before he lifts it again and offers a half smile] A crew full of aliens on an alien ship, and I'm the strange addition.

[He might have said more on that vein, but then she takes his hand and he squeezes back reflexively, offering comfort in turn.] It wasn't wrong of you, Shepard. But ultimately, I think I ended being...where I was needed most. [He manages to keep that smile there] Let's face it. You might have wanted me on that crew, but I wasn't a necessary component. Obviously. You did a damn fine job on that Collector base without me, Commander.