[ there's nancy's eyebrows jumping up again, but this time there's no smirk or side-eye going along with them, she's just... genuinely shocked by the outburst. her voice is a little quieter when she talks again, although it has nothing to do with the people around her and entirely because mike seems like a frayed live wire at the moment, more defensive than usual, and physically? kind of manic, in a way she actually hasn't seen him act back home. and she isn't actually interested in making it worse, so. ]

Okay. Hey. I'm sorry. Okay? [ a beat ] And I'm not saying that just to say it. I'm sorry I haven't been here for you. And that- you weren't home, so you don't know where I'm coming from, either. I'm just- I'm trying to understand. Alright? I'm in the dark just as much as you are, here. So... We're going to have to talk about some stuff. No more secrets.

[ didn't they try this, like, two years ago? maybe they'll stick with it, this time. ]