"Oh." Ned isn't exactly sure what the First Law is, other than that it sounds terribly important, but it's clear enough that this Giskard meant a lot to Daneel, and that things hadn't ended pretty for him. And that saving all of humanity had been involved, apparently. So that's a bit mind-boggling. But Ned isn't so worried about whatever epic story clearly lies behind these cryptic comments, at the moment. What he's worried about is helping Daneel through this.

Ned isn't sure if he will or won't appreciate physical reassurance. In the end, he banks on a tentative yes and, cautiously, rubs a hand back and forth across Daneel's shoulders soothingly. How can he possibly make this any easier for him? Humans get plenty of experience crying as babies. The process is natural to them, comprehensible, even if it gets confusing and complicated along the way for some people. But Daneel has no experience with it, and Ned can only imagine how disorienting it must feel.

"Don't apologize. It's only me here, so if you want to cry... that's okay. It's better than trying to hold it back. You'll just end up feeling worse, for longer." Not that Ned's speaking from experience, or anything.