"The good, the bad, the geeky, the far too suave, and all the shades of gray in the middle ground. Believe me, that wasn't judgement. I just..." Here, Beth took a breath, letting it out slowly as she shook her head. "I've recently become aware that things are a lot more complicated in your world than you ever let on," was what she finally settled on, choosing her words carefully. Back home, there were a lot of things that needed to be worked out; right then, she was trying not to borrow trouble with a Mick who hadn't lived through any of it.
Her smile was a little grim. "Unfortunately. I know she kidnapped me when I was a child to try to manipulate you, same as I know you're the one who rescued me. I know you've spent the last twenty-three years watching my back out of some misplaced sense of guilt, just in case." Beth dropped her free hand to cover his for a quick, reassuring squeeze. "I also know I don't blame you for any of it. She's gone. For good this time, I hope. Right now, that's good enough for me."