Nell sighed. "This is what I mean, though, Derek. A couple months ago I could have teased you about a date and you'd have come back with some kind of arrogantly flirtatious remark about your charms and we'd still be sitting over a dessert you thought was weird trading taunts and jokes and innuendos. You didn't used to automatically jump to the defensive and start belittling everything, even when we first met. It was more about how much I didn't understand, not that I was babysitting you or spending time because it was a chore. And, honestly, that you could even think I was babysitting you after all this is kind of insulting.
"But, yeah, people do things like this. They plan things for other people without getting input because it's supposed to be a pleasant surprise. Maybe they aren't things you would normally pick, but they could have been things you'd enjoy if you'd let yourself. You don't want the memories, but the rest of us don't want to waste the chances we have. If we manage to get to where we're going, to find the others, that's it. We don't get Disneyland and horseback riding and dinners at fancy restaurants. There's no more barbeques or days at the beach, no hot air balloons or books or television or anything pretty much any of us like. And while you might trust John, there's no guarantees. Something can always go wrong and we may never have any of this again. So, we're trying to take it all in while we still have the opportunity to do so. And, you should have the chance to experience some of this, too. We push because we care about you, Derek, and we want you to have the best life can offer while it's available. I'm sorry if it's too much. But, it's done out of love..."
The rest of what he said finally clicked in. "I...you...Okay, maybe I'm not as smart as you thought. Although..." She smacked the palm of her hand across his upper arm. "I don't need you to protect me, you great lug. I love you for the thought, but stop being such a...man! And that still doesn't excuse you telling me you didn't think I would stick by you." Shaking her head, she tried to glare at him, but failed. "Derek, we don't know what's going to happen, what we're going to find anywhere we end up for any length of time. But, you can't protect me from this...not because you're incapable, but because I won't let you. It's been almost two and a half years since I was home. I'm probably going to get there and find we're living an X-men comic. Or maybe we don't even get to keep these abilities when we leave here. I might not have anything to go back to at home and I could have some kind of real purpose again if I went with you. We just don't know. And we won't know until we get there."