He wants to hold her and make sure nothing happens to her again. He doesn't want her to have to see her own blood spilled down a hallway like this again. Ever. Protect her. He has to protect her.

Still, her words break him out of his stupor, and he finally finds it in him to reply, "We can hire someone to clean--you don't have to do this..." His voice is tight - could he talk after his throat was originally cut?, he wonders - despite willing himself to be stronger or at least act like he is. The fact she's just quiet says so much to him. She's not attached to this like he is, and she's stronger for being able to put that distance between them.