Hickey takes a moment to assess the situation. Because there are other people here. What he says next matters.

"She was the one who brought it up in the first place," Hickey points out, not moving from where he is near Kieren. If Jopson wants to start the fight back up again, Hickey's making sure he's got someone by his side who can help him out. "I was minding my own business when Kate decided to accuse me of something she knew nothing about, something that happened back home and, quite frankly, was none of her business."

He gives Jopson a little scowl before turning his attention to Fraser. "I defended myself against her slander and grabbed Kate's wrist. Yeah, I'll admit to that. But that doesn't justify getting my bloody face beat in, does it?" Back him up here!

Noticeably, nowhere in that little speech does Hickey actually do what Jopson is challenging him to do.