[ For him, a lot of it comes back to not knowing how he's going to fit in around people once he's finally back. It's going to be an adjustment for him and for Jesse, and probably for everyone he encounters. It might not go that smoothly, and people might not understand what he's dealing with. But he wants to slide back into normal life as best as he can, and he can't do that if he's too afraid to face it. He might be apprehensive of it, but that's still not going to stop him.

And really, at the end of the day, if he can do his part to help change how people see parautilitarians, then that's more important than most anything else, isn't it? People might not trust him right now, but maybe he can show them he's not the scary unknown variable they think he is. ]

Well, I don't mind trying. If I don't try, then I'll never get anywhere.

[ Somehow, even though there's resolve in Alan's words, he hasn't yet realized that the sentiments in what he's saying are what's gotten him this far. He had help along the way, of course, but the drive to keep going was always there with him. ]

Even if I was that secretary? [ He can't stop himself from grinning widely at her at the thought of it. He knows he'd be really bad at it, but he can't help but suggest it anyway.

At her question, he just silences for a few seconds so he can just stare at her, riveted as always. Something about her just draws her in and makes him want to never be apart from her again. ]

What now? Well... [ He hasn't forgotten where they are, or that they're still in some kind of danger here, but he can't pretend he doesn't want to just be with her without the kinds of threats they faced before tearing at them. ] We could just talk, or relax a little. [ His gaze travels around her office again. Maybe relaxation in her office would be hard. After all, it is an office. But he finds just being with her relaxing, so that's close enough. ]