[She's silent for a moment, and then she lets out the breath she'd been holding. He is somehow always able to do this, to take away her fears with just a few words and the sound of his voice. She doesn't know how he does it but she hopes he never ever stops.]

Thank you. I'm glad you aren't upset. Not that you wouldn't have a right to be. I wouldn't hold it against you if you were.

[No, she'd just hold it against herself.]

[She smiles, at ease again, and her voice takes on even more warmth and the tiniest bit of mock-exasperation.]

Good thing, too, sir. I'm afraid to think of the trouble you'd have gotten yourself into without me.