Ask the same of your advisor. However, every once in a while, a student is asked for more and more and more. Before you leave the office, reiterate what you have heard. Also determine a date for a follow-up meeting. You have had that very scary conversation with your advisor and the two of you have come to some conclusion regarding the resolution of the issue.
Some people find it helpful to put in writing a plan of action based on the conversation.
While it is an established fact that the Doctoral program is designed to foster independent thought and work, when there is a problem one should up the number of contacts until it is agreed that the problem has been resolved. Don't be a whiner, but don't disappear back into the lab again without more than usual contact with your advisor. Have a plan of action. Everyone at Caltech has busy lives, and no one appreciates unpreparedness. Let's say that things didn't go very well, and the relationship looks shaky at best.