He can't say why he doesn't let those nights defeat him except to say that Murdock men don't lay down. It's what had gotten his father killed and it might, one day, be what gets him killed. If that's the case, he can live with that. He'd rather not contemplate what losing Katniss would do to him. He would rather not find out.

That's a fortunate thing as he's probably not ever going to be rich, but he does hope to be successful, at least in the courtroom. Someday, she will contribute to their income. Matt doesn't mind that she doesn't right now. She contributes to their lives in other ways.

Maybe one of these days she'll recover some of those things that means so much to her. They're both damaged, he as much as she in different ways. They're good for each other. In many ways, they make each other less damaged, more whole.

Fair enough, and she's right. Besides, if she can live with it and accept it and be happy, so can he. Though, he doesn't know for sure that he wouldn't love her if she hadn't been through all of those things, if she were still that naive girl from Brooklyn. He will definitely hold her like this tonight when they get back from patrol because it makes him feel loved and safe as well. He hopes that the night will be calm, that it will be quiet and relatively safe.

He's been expecting this night for a while now. She's been ready for at least a week, but he hadn't wanted to push her. He'd waited for her to bring it up when she felt ready. "I know I didn't have to," he tells her. "It's armored, like mine, so it'll help keep you safe."

Because he couldn't stand it if something happened to her. He wants her as safe as possible out there.