Well, no. Not exactly passionate, but when was Cam ever good with that sort of spontaneity? You're lucky he didn't find a way to trip over something, Vala.

At any rate, the intensity did well to end his thought processes. Insomuch as it stymied them pretty firmly. He'd decide how to scold her about appropriate New Years kisses later. (In a way that conveniently didn't mention his own limited experience with those in particular.) For the moment, he'd apparently committed himself with the hands thing. If he (attempted to, seeing as she quite literally had his back against the wall) backed off now, that would walk the line between spastic and skittish.

Unfortunately, the lack of coming up with the appropriate scolding left him with very little to say once he did get a chance. So he defaulted to his standby. "Vala..." Except it came out more bewildered that warning. Dammit. He'd just have to try it again if that didn't work.