Pike couldn't claim to be surprised at the questions. Sam had more reason than most to be concerned about Faith and her mental state, since his brother was with Buffy and, if Faith did snap, that put a target on his back. Pike was sympathetic, he really was. Sure, he cared for Faith, but he wasn't letting it blind him to the things she'd done, or the things she could do if she made the wrong choice. It was why the hostility towards her from others never got a rise out of him. He knew that most of these people had plenty of reason to have some serious hate on for Faith.
That didn't mean he was thrilled at the topic of discussion, but they were valid, legitimate questions and he was going to answer them. "That'd be me, yeah, and that'd be her, too." He knew he'd come on a little strong when he'd first talked to Sam, which was part of the reason this meeting was maybe a little awkward. But Pike also liked to think things had smoothed over a little during the conversation. "She's doing good, man." He gave Sam a little shrug, as if to say 'I know you probably don't buy it' but he had asked. "I don't think she can see it yet, but she's changing. Learning control, dealing with her issues little by little. She's still got a long, hard road ahead, but she's on the right track."
Never once did he phrase things as badly as he had in their first conversation. Sam had been exactly right in his points there, and it taught Pike a very important lesson about how he worded things. The situation wasn't casual, so casual, flippant speech wasn't really the order of the day. "And if you're worried about her hurting anyone..." He shrugged again, glancing down at his hands briefly. "I'm not. Doesn't mean much, considering you don't know me and have no reason to trust my judgment, but there it is. From what I've seen, she's moving away from that, rather than towards it."
The bartender deposited his Sam Addams, and Pike scooped it up with his free hand and a nod of thanks. Then he glanced up at Sam and, after a moment of thought, nodded towards the seat next to him. If Sam wanted to talk, about Faith or anything else, it would probably be more comfortable if he sat down to do it.