She did say earlier in the episode that she 'needs her' on the staff even though she won't be head writer. I think that's what she meant, but at the same time we know that she needs Ava on a personal level too. But Deborah would never admit that so easily...

I'll leave that conundrum to JPL. 😂

I want Deborah to realise that her relationship with Ava is more important than any aspect of her career and to make a major sacrifice for her. I can't see things improving between them unless Deborah proves how much Ava means to her, and that would require her to make a sacrifice.