He blinks. His head pulling back ever so slightly, expression baffled by the sudden vehemence in her tone, in her insistence. Maybe he shouldn't be so surprised. Shepard took care of her crew. No question about that. But the whole Cerberus thing had been...

... Hadn't been nearly as long ago for her as it was him.

He takes a couple long steps forward, up to her, and ducks his head. One quick, sappy little forehead bonk. One brief moment to murmur, "Yes ma'am." In tones of absolute affection, of wry amusement. Agreement is there too, but as an afterthought.

I love you, too.

Then he's stepped back, and her sunhat goes with him. Plopped precariously on top of his crest and wobbling. "But let's keep going, before you turn into one big speckle."