Can you hear me? Why did you do it, Tess?

Leave me alone... No don't really.

Why did you lie to them?

I don't know- I didn't mean that, don't go away.

Shhh.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, I didn't-

It's okay.

I didn't mean to, I-

It's okay.

Shit, I'm crying.

That's okay too.

No it's not.

Yes it is.

Don't you argue with me. You're a stupid dream.

Oh, *nice*.

What are you doing here?

I wish I knew.

Am I dying or crazy or something?

I hope not.

Do you hate me?

Why in the hell would- *no*. Tess, swear to God, you did not kill me. Okay? Why do you even thi- how- argh. Why would you...

But you don't blame me?

Of course not, not for anything. Except you screwing up your own life just now.

I'm sorry.

You didn't do anything. I'm sorry.

I'm sorrier.

*I'm* sorrier.

Shut up.

I love you.

I know.

And?

And I love you too. And I should've said that a million times.

One's enough.

Alex?

Um, yeah? Who did you think this was?

No, I knew, I just- don't kid around, this is serious.

You can't see me, but I promise I'm making a very serious face.

There's something I have to tell you about alien pregnancies.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that...

I said serious, jerk.

Serious.

You know about me being... you know, right?

Max's. Congratulations.

Yours. Don't get sarcastic.

What do you mean "yours"?

I mean *yours*. Do the dead get infinite wisdom or what?

I missed out on the wisdom.... Wait, mine?

Yes.

As in my baby.

Yes.

I'm having a baby.

*I'm* having a baby. You're just the father.

...

Alex?

...

Alex??

Calm down, I'm still here. Wow.

Say something.

Give me a second.

Is this good? Does it suck big? I need a hint.

What is your planet gonna think about this?

I'm not technically going there. I'm supposed to find that Larek guy and see what happens. I don't know what I'll tell them.

But you could stay there and not be in danger or anything, right?

Probably.

Sounds good to me.

I'm scared.

What do I do?

Stay here.

As long as I can.

Don't ever go away, do that for me. Stay here.

Always. Always.

And don't baby me.

Anything else?

Promise I didn't cause it.

Are you kidding?

Did I?

NO.

Thank you.

God, I do not understand alien girls.

Huh?

Never mind.

I wake up under a few moons and a bluish tree. Tess and Ava both think it's weirdly beautiful, like we're the same person for a minute.

(Alex thinks it's pretty cool. Alex likes to talk about himself in the third person too. Would Alex like to finish the story or let me? Sorry. Go ahead.)

Some beings look me over and glow and smile as much as they can with teeny mouths. One says something in another language, then tells me in broken English that everything will be fine.

And the baby moves, and the stars keep watching, and I think I really believe him.