She chuckles breathlessly, and gently bumps their noses.

"Yeah."

He can be rather damn persuasive. But she knows she needs time to think, and that the sting from her wounds will take a little longer to fade.

"I mean it, Gene. Don't do that 'gain. Jus' ... not like that," she murmurs. "Maybe y'think my not sayin' everythin' is what gets us into trouble, but the last time I tried bein' frank with you I ended up getting chewed t'pieces. If I'm s'posed t'be more open with you, you gotta rein in your temper."