Abby's breath caught as he held her closer, then snuggled into him. When he said she was strong, she laughed without humor. "I really don't think I am, Koa, but thank you." She nudged him playfully and added, "You're more brave than I am. I wouldn't have been able to stand up to Jarett like you did when you came to help me before my first shift."<br/>She looked up at him, then asked quietly in his mind,<span style="font-style: italic">What made you so strong, anyways?</span><br/>Her brown eyes watched his as she waited for his reply. She absently ran her fingers down his arms, lightly tracing his muscles as she waited, her gaze on his neck.