"Your mother and I have always had similar amounts of stubbornness in our personality." He might had humor in his voice at any other time, but could not manage it now. He was pleased she hadn't pulled away from him, though. It showed signs of possible improvement in their relationship, which could only mean for a better chance of her coming to tolerate his presence.

"You're alive. We must be thankful for that. And here we have a better chance of undoing what has been done." From what he was to understand, the Cabal were not lingering in this place. John had his doubts, but he trusted Helen to keep those she cared about safe, and if she believed the Cabal were not behind this, then he did his best to believe as such.