I can teach you how to defend yourself some. Not" - he held her gaze - "that it will always keep you safe. There are times when no amount of training will stop what others would do."
"So why..." She let the question drift away.
"Because it helps me sleep at night, because it helps me focus, because sometimes I like knowing that maybe if I were in danger again it would help."
He kissed her forehead.
"And sometimes because it gives me hope that it'll make me strong enough to be loved and protect the one I would try to love.
