Instead of saying anything, John only nods, running his hands along her arms until he's gently holding her shoulders. Whatever she has to tell him, he'll listen, and that's really the long and short of it. John has far too many dark secrets in his own past for him to hold any sort of judgment over her having kept secrets from him in return. He loves her regardless of what's happened to her or the things she's done and he knows she knows that. They know that about each other. They also know they can trust each other when the time comes.

"Come sit down first," he says gently. "Breathe for a few moments. Relax."

Bear trots over, nudging his nose against Karen's hand. Not to get her attention, not because he wants her to pet him, but as a comforting gesture. John has no doubt the second she sits down on the table, he'll curl up beside her and lay his head on her lap. Bear's a perfectly trained military dog, but he's an equally talented family dog, too.