"Either way, I doubt anyone's going to hate you if you decide you can't do it," Dutch assures him quietly, thinking of reaching out, of giving his arm a stroke but she keeps her hands to herself for the moment. Sometimes, she knows that touch can be unwelcome, almost a burn in the aftermath of a trauma like he's experiencing.

"Here's my advice to you: give it a few weeks before you do anything," Dutch tells him, nodding. "There's no need to rush this sort of thing. We're all okay waiting till you're ready. Spend time with Karen. Don't let yourself be alone, John. It doesn't help anything in the aftermath of something like this."

She'd tried it herself. In the past and when Matthew had gone. It had just ripped her open and let her aching. "Call me if you want to shoot some guns. I'm always up for that."