We can't hide. Wherever we go, this will find us. We can't just shut it out. We... we have to deal with it. We have to fight. Whether we're ready or not, we're in d-danger. Lily, I... mmn. [As Lily sits down, Winter's head leans gently against her girlfriend, looking for whatever comfort she can get.]

Don't... don't worry about me. I'll live. I chose this, and I accepted that there were risks involved. It's okay if I get hurt, if nobody else does. That... someone reminded me of that. It's not reasonable to expect that nobody will be hurt when we have to get involved. But if I c-can protect everyone, there are reasonable sacrifices that can be made.

If someone doesn't push me, I'm going to curl up into a little ball and refuse to move forward. I don't... want that. I want to learn, and grow, and live my life. I have to take risks for that. I have to be strong enough to make sure those risks - to myself and to everyone else - are as m-minimal as possible, but risk will be involved.

Because we have to try. No matter how scared I am. [That fire is back in her eyes, if only a little.]