He was happy to make her giggle.  It made him, in a way, satisfied that she cared enough.  He wanted her passion and he would work again to earn her trust.  He was elated the Lauren still cared.  He needed to hear that; he felt that it was a macho thing and he was playing into it.  He wanted to feel that way because he hadn't felt that need in the time he was separated from her.  "I miss her too."