"What's space like?" He lives in a relatively nice part of Maine, but space is space. It's instantly more interesting and cooler than anywhere he's ever been in his life, and now Alex is truly hanging on Jim's every word.

Jim is pretty cool. He's not talking down to Alex, he's helping him out, he works in space, and he seems really mellow. If Alex can figure out how, he's definitely bringing him some babka from home the next time he can duck back in and out. Or sugar cookies. Or both, possibly, since they might not have those in space and that's a depressing thought indeed.

This is a preview of parenthood, Jim. Children often offer up nonsequiturs. Alex is not an exception to this rule, although he's gotten better about not being as out of the blue as he used to be, but still, he says things without a filter. He looks at Jim a little oddly - that laugh was awkward - and then switches back to the more important topic.

"Sugar's okay in small doses. I'm not really allowed to have candy, though." He's had some bad sugar headaches in his day. Chewing on his lower lip thoughtfully, he decides, "Water's always good."

He gives Jim a quick smile when the space captain hands him the water, grateful.