He flinches at the sound Eric made, the emotion in his voice. Oh how he wishes he could just make it go away. When Eric trails off Alan is glad but he knows the words he didn't say. It's fatal, he could die with any breath.

"Thank you very much and please pass my thanks on to her as well. Even if there is nothing to be done for it, the fact that you both will have tried even for an instant means a good deal to me." A real smile crosses his face before he bows his head. "I'm certain I'll be here even after Eric heals and there are always messages if you come up with anymore questions."