Yeah, it's not the first time Dani's referred to them as soulmates, although that's an unusual term to describe a platonic relationship. Soul twins might be better. (I think if those two were going to have a romantic relationship, it would have happened long ago because of the mindlink. Doesn't make sense now, imo.)
I loved that scene when Dani stood up to Cable and his plans.
I liked her hard edge when she was working with SHIELD before that, though. I don't think they softened her when she lost her powers. She was pretty tough during New Mutants vol. 3. It's whenever she gets thrust into a teaching role that she loses her edge. Happened during vol.2 and it's happening now. I love Ayala's writing, but I'd really like to see Dani kicking ass and taking names again.
It occurs to me that there are some gaps between House of M and Young X-men and again between New Mutants vol. 3 and Age of X-man where she could have been working with SHIELD again. It'll never happen, but I'd sure like to find out that was the case and get some flashback stories.