It's probably not better, but it is nice to be needed (though usefulness is not a stable bridge to meaningfulness). It's great to be of service. And... if this is providing familiarity and stability to SecUnit, Phil doesn't know if he can or should try to discourage it, especially given what's been going on.

He does, of course, also notice how it addresses his second concern and nothing he'd said before that.

"Well, I appreciate your help. Really. It's... I'm not used to handling things like this." No matter how many times he's been through it. He stands, sighing. "I'm gonna go get a drink."

It's more of an excuse to put them back on even footing than it is to actually drink, but he honestly could use one anyway. It's not five o'clock yet but he thinks he gets a pass. As he goes to the bar, he says, "What else did you wanna talk about?"

Not dismissed, not just yet.