[ A stray thought that comes from Alan's worries comes to mind then: What if she only stayed with you because she had to end the AWE? Isn't that what she's saying? She didn't go through all those loops with you because she loved you.

Alan's hands clench into fists as he feels a spike of anxiety, but also anger at his internal thoughts. No, that's not it. She said it's more than that, and I believe her. I have to believe her. I won't listen to anything else saying otherwise. ]

But you stayed because of more than just needing to end the AWE, right? [ He knows he believes her, because she just said exactly that, but he just needs to hear it stated again, at least once. ]

Emily. I think- Wasn't she there when... [ He gives a noncommittal jerk of his head. ] When I had just come back, and... well, you know. [ He doesn't like talking about the bits and pieces he can remember any more than she probably does. ]

Tomorrow sounds good. [ Then he can try and prepare himself for being questioned and interviewed.

He feels her fingers shaking, and he instinctively puts his other hand on top of hers to try and be reassuring. Comforting. Something. He can tell she seems worried, but she always seems worried to some degree when they're together. It's always because of me, and I want her to be able to be around me and not be worried. But fixing that starts with me.

Maybe pancakes wasn't a good place to start.

But speaking of pancakes, he watches as she starts cutting into the pancakes, and he realizes that for some reason, he's holding his breath. ]

Dry, huh? [ He feels a small pinprick of disappointment. ] Maybe I didn't follow the directions well enough.

[ But if he's really disappointed, he doesn't let it show. He smiles at her, and the smile reaches his eyes, and he even chuckles a little. ]

Knowing Rose, she'd give us fifty copies of it just in case we lose one.

[ It's not a great joke, but it's an attempt, right? ]