At least now the tension in their relationship has to amount to something. He either lets her go or he doesn't; no more piddle-farting around. He even said she should go home, and now gets to make good on that (likely hollow) statement. Push come to shove, he will have to face the fact that spending a large amount of time with a domestic partner can make you dependent on them, as commented on this episode, whether he loves her romantically or not.