There was no time to make it very far because she felt his hand on her wrist. It was then Tabitha remembered his coat, a good barrier between the closeness. This really was not the venue for such a conversation and she regretted bringing it up already. For as composed as she was trying, and could be, she could not say the same for Mr. Colton and she knew if this continued that someone would notice soon.

So she pulled her hand away gently and shrugged from his coat. Tabitha moved away with intention, putting space between them, but reached out to hand his coat back. She'd be lying if she said the heat of his breath against her ear hadn't stirred something under her skin. Still, she had far more rational thoughts on her mind and that needed to take precedence. "If you wish to learn," she started, against her better judgement, still unsure as to what exactly was going to come out of this. "Slow down," maybe it was just a difference in culture and customs, but Tabi felt rushed. Maybe it was her, she was too guarded, too hesitant, but she was only going on her own life experience and that was what had gotten her this far without further incident. Maybe it was him, and an inability to see how strong he was coming across. Maybe it was the increasingly noticeable difference in personality.

"I should not have told you that here, that is my fault," she hadn't anticipated his reaction, but she should have known it would be something similar. "However, it is not a punishment," his word choice irked her more than she wanted to admit. He sounded so absolute, almost as if she had no choice in the matter and that added a layer of frustration. Tabi kept it in check, but something stubborn shone in her eyes as she looked up at him finally, brow furrowed and lips set in a thin line. She too could stick to her own principles, even with a mountain of an American towering over her. "It is a pause. This is not the place. I need space to think and you should take some time, and distance, to do the same. Really think about what I told you and what it means, because I am ashamed and afraid and you cannot change that with a few strong words."  This was probably the most she'd said in a conversation with him, because it was important and she needed to get her point across. It was also painfully honest, more than Tabi had admitted out loud to another person in a long, long time. "So I am going to say goodbye for today as I would like to avoid causing a scene." Her tone was one she often used on patients, leaving little room to argue, though she assumed he might try anyway. Hopefully the small rationale would help solidify her choice. If he pushed, she would have some serious thinking to do.