Rick smiled at her, a very long, curving smile that was both knowing and reassuring. It said, I know exactly what you mean. We are in complete agreement. I'm also in total control, so you don't have to worry. "I'm glad to hear it. Are you hurt?" He did not expect her to be able to answer that question with presence of mind, but it served to distract her from whoever it was she was concerned about defending. Rick wanted Ella thinking about herself. He was grateful that James was present and he didn't have to do anything that might embarrass Ella later, but he was watching her very closely and if true shock set in he was going to call 911 and the extra ambulance (he assumed someone in the apartment had called emergency services) would do them all good.
He pulled a kitchen chair a from the table; it was more frame than fabric and if Ella ruined it, James would survive. "I think you should sit down, you look a bit tired," he observed genially, as they waited for James and her change of clothing.