"I know," he admitted which was strange since a man would normally never admit a woman was strong against a man. He looked away as he wiped the blood off of his knuckles slowly and deliberately as if thinking.  "I couldn't help myself," He finally admitted with a slight smile as he looked up at her.  "I wanted to protect you...like I can't so many others..."  His voice faltered a little so he stopped talking for a moment and cleared his throat.  "Please forgive the weakness," he finally said looking back up into her eyes.  He was putting himself in a very dangerous position showing someone his weakness but it was a show of trust He hoped she would do the same...or at least not hold it against him.