It was irony at its finest with Eli being Shannon's rock considering Eli himself was mentally falling apart at the seams. Thanks to years of training to keep his emotions under tight control, it was difficult for someone to notice that Eli was definitely out of it and slightly panicked, but someone who knew him would be able to pick up the cues easily, even if they were blind.

"I always want you," he replied, very obviously teasing him lightly. "I just try to behave for your sake."