[The truth is that he was not expecting a response, and despite what he'd observed of Angel, wasn't expecting such easy agreement. He sounds hesitant again.]

I'm with Dr. Epps now. Not good, he said, but nothing decisive - I might just be the city's next great joke, the vampire who thought he was dying of a cold. [He can't quite laugh, but he manages the mockery just fine.] But... breathing hurts. Considerably. I don't know.

[He doesn't know, and he knows there's nothing he can do either way. That's what it all boils down to. He was immortal once. Helplessness is terrifying.]

But... let's say I'm becoming rather aware of how precarious every day here is. I can't leave this - can't leave them to chance.