"No," he said firmly, squeezing her hand. "If you'd gone... I couldn't have dealt with it if she'd touched you."

That came out emphatic enough to surprise even him, actually, and it showed on his face that he hadn't realized how strongly he felt.

"It wasn't anything you could have prevented, regardless," he added, more softly now. "You remember Cordelia? Faith knocked her out in an instant, with just her elbow. All while she was -- er, working, I was just immeasurably grateful that you weren't there for her to hurt as well."