The Chief doesn't care much for expressing emotions, especially through physical contact, but there's still an impulse somewhere that makes him wish he could hug her. He isn't good at talking, much less talking through this kind of thing, and it makes even an awkward gesture like that appealing if only he could get the feeling across.

"Next time, they're not splitting us up," he says instead. It's a fact. Their abilities complement one another perfectly, they're meant to fight together.

But he also doesn't want her getting stuck alone again. He won't let that happen.