"You ain't a little girl, Kate, you're a grown woman but that still don't mean you gotta deal with shit like that alone," he says, voice still angry before he settles a little. "I don't care what the hell's goin' on in my life, if someone, anyone is botherin' you, I ain't gonna stand for it."

Doc pauses.

"It ain't nothin', either. It ain't right, and it..."

He trails off, feeling the anger leave him in a rush that leaves him tired, and then he scrubs a hand over his face and leans back, feeling the onset of a headache at the base of his skull.

"I...I'm sorry, Kate. That y'didn't...you couldn't tell me. I'm sorry for bein' angry right now, I just...it ain't right," and his voice sounds small, his eyes behind his hands. "You matter t'me and I care so damn much 'bout you, worryin' if you're doin' alright."