I'm not vulnerable, Klaus. I make it a point not to be.

[She's been the victim all too often (will be so in the future so many more times), but she'll be damned if anyone sees her that way. She's stronger now and so help anyone who tries to make her feel weak or powerless.]

Right now the only one who's about to hurt me is you.

[She looks down at where he's clutching at her; he's stronger than her, and with little effort, he could break her bones, tear her apart. She knows that.

And yet, this little conversation right here? She is suddenly very aware that he would be doing the tearing apart to anyone who tried to hurt her, not the other way around.

Her mouth suddenly feels very dry.]

I'll just ignore him, okay? Is that what you want me to do?