[ The look of mild fear in Beth's eyes is reflected back in Alan's. He somehow sensed Polaris, not that he knew that was her name, and he didn't understand how he was sensing her or what he was even seeing. Part of him reasoned that something was protecting Beth, but the other part of him, the part of him that didn't want to admit that the world was full of other things was afraid. What if something was taking over Beth? What if it was soemething bad?

Maybe he couldn't really see Polaris in their world, but here... wherever "here" is works differently. Maybe. He doesn't understand where they are any more than Beth does. ]

I couldn't before, but I can now. Is it because of him? [ He stares pointedly at the other man who shares his face; that's another thing he doesn't understand and doesn't like. Who the hell is he, anyway? ]

I suspected; I didn't always know. How was I supposed to bring it up to ask you about it? I wanted to ask you about it, don't get me wrong. But- you would have called me crazy, wouldn't you? Would you have told me the truth, whatever that is?

[ He looks like he wants to pull on his own hair in confusion and lack of understanding and a touch of frustration. ]

It was a few months ago, probably. [ Maybe more than a few, if he's being honest. ] I came home and you were on the porch, and I thought I heard you talking, but no one was there.

[ Alan watches this unfold even as he glances sidelong at Elizabeth. Apparently she still needs something from him, or she wouldn't be here now. The look she gives him suggests she thinks he should step in, but should he? What can he do for the couple in front of them?

Maybe they should keep talking things out for a little while longer. ]