The honesty of her answer surprises him and he gives her a mirthless smile. He swallows it back and focuses in on her words. As much as he thinks it does matter quite a bit, she's also not wrong.

"I know." He hesitates before going further. He thinks it's his mounting frustration and anger that's telling him he doesn't owe her an answer at all, but he pushes on anyway. "I don't have a choice. I have to."

"I'll be fine." On the outside, at least. He might be a lousy liar, but this isn't just about him. This is about all of them. "Will you be?" He pauses. He doesn't doubt Root is able to pretend. "I mean, do you need to talk?"