[He knows all about the aversion to a lack of control. Eliot can completely empathize with that. But he also knows that it's not good to let those things that are out of control continue to control him in the decisions he makes.]

Lots of should have's in life, Buffy. You stayed alive, which is more than I can say for myself.

[Cause eventually he had indeed fallen, not without a hell of a fight though.]

You were tossed into an arena with people attacking you just like we all were. What were you gonna do, just take it? That's not you, Buffy. That's not many people. It's instinct to defend yourself.