Whatever reaction Shannon had been expecting for the prodding, it was not to be shoved off and have Eli come to some small kind of panic attack. It left him stunned for a moment while he listened, reaching over with feather-light fingers to figure out what Eli had done to muffle his voice, what new position he had taken. This was wrong. It sounded like Eli was getting drawn further into his head where everything was upside down and backwards, and Shannon wanted to do whatever he could to pull him back out. Dealing with that ominous statement about Matheus could wait.

Time for a different plan. He moved to take Eli's wrists, pulling them apart and pinning them to the pillow under his head. Well, he took Eli's right hand by the wrist, and took his left one by the hand to avoid accidentally adding pressure to the point where Trigger had become fused to his arm. He put down enough pressure to not be insignificant, but nowhere near where it might speak of attempt to cause pain. He leaned over so that he could be right in front of Eli, propping himself on his hands without putting his weight on the wrists he had shackled.

"Hey, listen to me," he said, tone now firm and kind. His worry drowned out his desperation and his love drowned out his worry. There was little doubt in his tone right now. "No more questions. Just listen. Look. Stop thinking. Focus on me. Get out of your head and pay attention. All right?"