[he can't help but chuckle a bit at that--though he does quiet for a moment...before pulls back slightly. Not enough to leave the circle of her arms, but enough that he can plant his hands on the desk on either side of her hips and be able to look her in the face]

...Stella, listen. You're an amazing dame. Really dynamite. And I know you know that, too. And I know I'm useless in a fight, and you wouldn't need me there anyway even if I wasn't, but...I want you to know that if you ever need some other kind of help--someone to listen, or a hug, or a shoulder, or just someone to hold you--anything like that...I'm here. That, at least, I can do.