[ Alex's chest was starting to feel really tight, a slowly rising wave of worry and panic growing in him. Amos had always been on the less emotional side of things, but he'd usually always at least think of how Naomi would feel about things. And he usually cared about how she felt about things.

He swallowed, then looked away, the desire to flee the situation very strong, but not quite strong enough to overcome just how devoted he was to Amos - to the rest of his family. He couldn't leave him alone, like this. Even if it was almost physically painful, to listen to it. ]

Not to the universe, maybe. [ Careful. Quiet. ] But it sure as hell means a lot to me. And I know it means a lot to Naomi.

It don't need to be about the universal picture, because that ain't really the picture we're part of. You know that I - I'd have real trouble, sacrificin' any one of you, for the 'greater good'. Even if it meant we understood that protoshit. I wouldn't be able to sacrifice my family for that. It just ain't worth it.