Luke grinned and said "Even Chuck Norris is afraid of you, at least if he's smart." He took a drink of his beer and sat it down. "If you would have said the word I'd have pounded his face in. I had to force myself to stand back and not interfere. I trusted that you'd kick his ass, but at the same time not being able to help you was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Part of me was guilty because I couldn't protect you, part of me wanted to beat him into a pulp, and part of me knew it was your fight and that sense of closure needed to come from your victory."
Luke had felt guilty for a long time because he couldn't protect her from what had taken place. "Reason I got the apartment across the hall wasn't because I needed a place. I had a place in upstate New York but I moved back here because I wanted to protect you. I know you're a capable fighter, Jess. But you mean a lot to me."