"You had good reason," she said softly... "I put my nose where it didn't belong, and for that I am sorry. It was, for lack of a better way of putting it, a bloody mess. I should never have said what I said to begin with, as it provoked you. Not my proudest moment... I did mean what I said earlier in that I have grown to care for you as I would a family member. You're the closest I have now, if you don't mind me saying so," she gave a shuddering breath and a suspicious sounding sniff.