Alex did need protection. She didn't always know from what, and Simon never really made it obvious what he was doing, but she did need it. This Alex wasn't yet aware of the fact someone showed up in her bedroom to film her one night, for example. But these were things Simon wasn't likely to divulge very easily. The animosity between the two, however, had a whole lot less to do with Alex than she thought. Yes, Simon hated the way Strand treated her, but if that were the only issue he'd keep his nose out. No, they were at odds for more personal reasons.

She was also very right in that Simon had absolutely been listening in on that conversation. How could he resist? Not only were they both divulging some very interesting information, it was boring as hell on this space ship. Nothing to do, no leads to chase, what else is a bilocating psychic to do but to eavesdrop?

Although, it wasn't like he was going to be quick to come out of hiding and reveal that he absolutely had been creepily stalking. Again. Nor was he going to come out, but that was for a different reason. There's a long, long silence where it might seem like Simon was going to stubbornly refrain from responding at all before a single, almost reluctant...

Knock.

Yes, he was listening. No, he's not coming out.