[He does get her to smile a little, if only for a second, even though her anxiety is clear through the empathy bond.]

Deal.

[Deep breath. Okay.]

So, um...

[She's slowing down in an obvious way now, her tone much more hesitant.]

So we knew where he was, right? And my brother said to just leave it to him, that he'd handle it. But I just... couldn't, you know? And Sam told me to leave it too, but I didn't listen. And it went... It went really badly.

[Which is why he'd be totally justified in calling her an idiot, and there's already regret leaking through the empathy bond.]