"Technically, a date is a social or romantic appointment or engagement by definition. We're friends; this has been a social engagement. So, a date," Nell informed him with a grin. "But, honestly, I don't care what we call it. I just wanted to spend time with you for your birthday. You're the one who John learned one of my favorite sayings from, after all. 'When there are things to celebrate, they should be celebrated.'"
She knew he was pulling back. In a way, he'd been pulling back for awhile, the closer they got to a working machine. But, after the shooting, throughout the day, she could see him pulling back harder, trying to cut the fragile ties he had managed to build. It wasn't something that could be forced on him, though. All she could do was keep trying to spend time with him and hope that, when he finally got to go back to his war, he really did remember and miss talking to her.
"If you really hate this that much, let's get out of here. We can get some fruit and cheese, a bottle of wine, and find some place to sit and eat. I'm not trying to torture you, Derek."