I was a bit "eh?" by the ending, but after re-reading it as one big story, I noticed all the little bits and pieces, seeming insignificant at the time.
I can't help feeling that this is a little bit like Holmes & Watson, but remember that Watson was a trained professional in his own right. Don't make out hero out to be a hapless sidekick to Stryder.
Well, that's just my take on it. It's your story and characters: do with them as you want to.