he who hesitates is toast

Ross bristles and opens his mouth, and Nakia finds herself wishing T'Challa were here to get between the two men before Shuri intervenes.

"He can stay," the princess says, almost absently, before slanting a look at the Sergeant. "For now."

Ross looks as though he's bitten into a lemon, but nods, short and sharp. "Fine," he says, then steps forward and looks down at Sharon's sleeping face. "Hang in there, Carter," he says, with gruff affection, and has to clear his throat a few times before he can reach down to circle his fingers lightly around the wrist of her free hand. "We're pulling for you."

It's brief, and then he turns to Shuri, back military-straight. "Princess," he says. "Thank you."