[Again, Saul's holding himself back. Ellie doesn't understand real relationships? That's her problem. But then he realizes no, that's extremely mean and not at all fair. No need to shove his jaded, bitter attitude in anyone's face, let alone Steph's. Ellie's a nice girl, from what he's seen. And he cares about Steph, right? So he wants her to be happy, not feel like anything is killing her.

So he takes a breath and does a little counting before he speaks again.

He makes it all the way up to twenty-five.]

Talk to her, then. Figure it out. Just — I can't help but wonder, you know, since you brought up the Initiative and everything, what happens when the inevitable rolls around and someone disappears. Because you can be as committed to her as anything, and she you, but that doesn't guarantee —

[He falls silent. What was that about being mean and unfair?]

Sorry. I'm — I should hang up.