She shook her head, stubbornly tightening her grip by just the slightest amount. He didn't understand, it seemed.

"I'm sure you remember... what I was like after that mission, when you took me away. When I couldn't hold it in, and I-- I hurt you, and you endured all of it without complaining and I know it hurt. And what hurt even more was that it was you I was hurting. If you could do that for me, the very least I could do is the very same."

Naomi took a deep breath and lifted her chin, a sure sign that she wouldn't be swayed. "Jolt, you'll hurt me more if you try to protect me like this."