"There must be moments or Jem wouldn't be his parabatai." Unless Jem liked to torture himself. Which seemed possible but unlikely so there must be some redeeming character trait that no one else saw.

His thoughts instantly turned from curiosity about Jem's choice to concern as he noticed the bruises. A worry that caused his spirits to fall as he realized that she had probably come to see him just so that she might be healed.

Maybe Isabelle was right and he was incapable of courting a girl.

"He should be more careful with you. Simply inflicting hurt does not teach the lesson." Instantly realizing how that might sound, he winced mentally. "Not because you're female but because that isn't the right way to teach."

Flushing slightly, he focused on her question instead of his embarrassment. "No, I was... Research is all. I always have time for you."