Alex frowns, the concern in her expression intensifying as an entirely unfamiliar look passes across Simon's face. Now, she's not seen Simon Reese very often and before they'd been aboard here it had only been the once when Simon was fully intent on manipulating her and whatever but way Simon looked of being distraught almost makes her heart drop. Simon Reese has been a lot of things in this story other than the only person who was telling her the whole truth, and Alex for the most part considers him kind of a Cheshire Cat with his appearances and disappearances. It had been easy for Alex to forget sometimes that Strand was a man, and it was even easier for her to forget that for all intents and purposes, Simon Reese is still a kid. He may be eighteen (nineteen now? Twenty?) but he's still a kid to her considering how much of his life he'd missed. It rips part of her heart out whenever she realizes it, and Alex just frowns when he forges himself once more into an enigma.

"Alright Simon, I won't mention it." And Alex wouldn't because she doesn't want to make things worse for him when things are already so hard, but she can't keep the look of empathy from her face. But if he wants to focus on Strand, Alex can force herself to do the same. "Just being around an angel did that to him? That's a little worrisome." Or a lot worrisome if it means that more might come through that now open door. There is a reason that Warren was after things in Strand's familial line, and there's a reason why Howard had exchanged messages about 'The Mantle of the Dragon' and it's a scary thought. Oh, she's not scared of Strand, but right now she's definitely scared for him.