I think the problem is, you're not ready to hear her say what she may say. Until you get to that point, you really can't (or won't) lead. Not that either is better or worse, it's just where you are, acting on emotion.
Maybe this discussion needs to be a fact-finding mission, you ask the question that Starsky and your IC posed and then listen. No decisions need to be on that day. I'm reading Dance of Connection and the author says that difficult conversations like this should be done in two steps. Makes sense to me.
Let go of the she might say this or that and just listen, you don't have to respond. And set a time limit, don't let it drag on forever.
Me 57/H 58 M36 S 2.5yrs R 12/13
Let me give up the need to know why things happen as they do. I will never know and constant wondering is constant suffering. Caroline Myss