[ Rather than offer any response to the comment on how he'll end up killing himself, Wash just seethes quietly and drops the empty clip from his pistol, letting it clatter to the floor. Fishing around his armor's storage for a full one, he shoots Tex a sharp look. ]

My ego is fine. Doesn't change the fact that I don't need your help.

[ Really, he's never had much of an issue with his pride getting in the way of him seeking help. That had always been more Carolina's thing. Wash has always been aware of where and when he needs assistance and rarely took much shame in seeking it. It's just these particular circumstances that has his ego slightly bruised. Help from the last person he wants help from. The last person he wants to be around. The person who'd just handed his ass to him and caused the difficulties he's dealing with here in the first place.

Slamming the fresh clip into place, he pushes himself even harder than before to look more okay than he is. Considering he's having a hard time just standing up straight without being in pain, it doesn't work perfectly, but he'll take it so long as he looks at least more competent and capable than not. ]

If you're going to protect anyone, go find someone who doesn't actually know what they're doing.