As much as TJ suspects he doesn't like rehashing this particular situation because it bothers him more than he wants to admit, she prefers not to press the issue when it's clearly bothering him - even if he won't admit it. Instead, she chooses to tease a little, because he laughed the last time she (tried to) lighten the conversation.

"Your manner isn't easy for some people to swallow?" Her eyes go wide as if this is absolutely untrue and she looks him over, suddenly enthralled. "This brusque, no-nonsense military type might rub people the wrong way?" She sits back, her grin sly. "I have no idea what might give you that idea." Mock seriously, she leans close. "I guess this is the point where I say something about your hidden soft side and promise not to tell anyone?"

Does he have one? She's not sure, but he'd been nice to her and, despite the story he'd just told, TJ had a feeling that he might not be all hard ass all the time.