[ that screws up his face into a grimace faster than anything else could. this isn't about him, but maybe... he won't correct her. she's better off without him, even here. ]

Karen. The last thing you need to be doing is worrying about me.

[ he worries his lip, having trouble keeping eye contact. instead, his gaze darts around in a familiar nervous pattern. ]

I'll make sure you can get in touch with me, that's all I meant. [ since she's likely to need rescue sooner or later... ]