"Ohhhh... Well, I mean... That doesn't sound too bad..." Jeff says mildly, as if Malcolm needs the assurance. Though he could see how she'd be a... bit territorial in the moment. Scared and in survival mode, guarding her space, her things, especially surrounded by strange adults...

But he doesn't know Malcolm-- or his relationship with Athena-- well enough yet to go into all of that, so he tries to keep it light!

"I mean, unless you accidentally kicked her or something." But what if he did kick her? What then, Jeff? "Wait, you didn't kick her, did you?"