When she reaches up and touches the scar, his eyes close on instinct for the briefest of seconds and his mind flashes back to the fight, the feeling of power ringing in his ears, the way Brand had turned and the glint of steel as the blade crossed his face.

But then, it's Doc's turn to catch her wrist before she can pull her hand away completely, and he does so, with a soft touch, even with his rough hands.

"Ain't nothin' to 'pologize for, Kate," he says quietly, before he opens his eyes again and looks up at her.