Inwardly Steve sighed, partly relieved she slowed down on the chopping but he knew her well enough to know something was still bothering her. There was still tension in shoulders and stance, slowly he closed the short distance between them.

"Tomoe," he said gently, placing his hands on her shoulders. "If something else is bothering you, you can tell me." He added, moving his hand down the length of arm to her hand in an effort to stop her from cutting vegetables altogether.

Dinner could wait, he was far more concerned with getting her to talk. They both had their tendencies to brood silently over things, but this was one occasion, he really didn't want to leave her to brood. Especially for something that was out of her control. Time differences aside they were both fish out of water, if she couldn't confide in him than who?