Encouragement... [ Alan pauses to think, because he can't imagine what he would say that would come across as encouraging to anyone, let alone his future self, who more than likely has seen things that he can barely imagine or envision. ] I guess if I was going to tell him anything, I'd say he has to do everything he can to come home to you. He can't keep you waiting; he shouldn't. And... well, that he shouldn't give up or even be tempted to give up.

[ He notes that hint of skepticism in her eyes, and a part of him wonders if he's just fooling himself... if he's just in over his head but too stubborn to admit it. Who is he kidding, thinking he can stand against dark forces or whatever the hell is going on here? He's just a guy, a writer, nothing extraordinary. But someone or something thinks he's worth trying to lure into whatever this is. And maybe Jesse- both Jesses thinks he's more than just a guy. Maybe.

Either way, who he is and what he's not doesn't have anything to do with her question that's still hanging in the air. ]

I won't. I- well, I'll do my best to avoid it. I know how much it sucks to be jerked around. I won't do it to her.