[ everyone makes mistakes, steve would have said. it's what people do after that can often define who they are. he knows that. he knows a lot of people who carry the guilt of those actions for a long time—himself included. parts of dean's story is interesting, sounds tough. hard. but he doesn't think it's any different than what he'd done working for the government; just a different name to similar things. (he thinks of wanda and wonders.)

as if he would blame dean for any of the choices and decisions he'd made living that kind of life.

steve's smile is soft, the gentlest nudge to dean's side that clearly conveys he feels the same. ]

I think everyone's been there before. There were a lot of times I'd be on my feet for over thirty-six hours and waiting to be debriefed for another two. [ it's rough, if he's being honest. ] But you're right. I'd come back and work with you again if you'd have me.