[ To her credit, despite the cowardice of the past five days, Andy doesn't look away. She meets Rex's stare with her own, steady and stubborn. Even though that question feels as though it puts her under a pin. Do you want to leave? And all evidence to the contrary — no, she doesn't want to leave. If she'd wanted to go, she'd be gone, wouldn't she? But something kept her from trying hard enough to disappear. Something stupid and sentimental — the thing that she struggles to verbalize now.

If she was ever really committed to sparing herself the pain and heartbreak, she'd say yes, no matter what the truth is. But it takes her a long time to answer. Too long. Long enough to be telling. Her silence betrays her before she even manages to work up the words. ]

I came back for you idiots. I came back because this piece of shit ship is home now. [ She can only get it out with the barbs peppered in, and even then, her answer grates on the way out, difficult and too honest. ] Because I couldn't make myself leave you even though I know that it'll hurt worse later if I don't. [ Biting and bitter: ] Of course I love you. Why the hell else would I be this fucking stupid?