Wow, he managed to think just as the blast struck him, sending him skidding across the pavement and into an inconveniently placed brick wall. The corner of it caught his shoulder first, pain shooting down to his elbow, his skull connecting next, teeth clattering as he landed in a heap.

He'd been in mid-stride, gathering up for a run, a warning shout dying in his throat. Stay away from her! But it turned out, she could take care of herself.

Wincing, he pushed himself up with one hand, prodding at the back of his head with the other. No blood. Hopefully no concussion. His ears rang, but he guessed that had more to do with that blast of blue energy, aimed not at him but at the three other men scattered through the alley like broken mannequins.

Before he could manage to get himself more upright, the girl rushed at him blindly, landing hard on the pavement and looking at him like a frantic animal.

"Whoa, hey," he said, palms out, "It's okay. You're okay, I'm not going to hurt you."