That was the crux of it all. The people that hadn't felt anything simply went about their daily lives, without a clue. They didn't know they were in another timeline. They didn't know they were a double. Life went on, as life does.
Even if that life included sharks in tornadoes.
When Christine asked him that question, he appeared to be mulling over what to say. He wasn't sure what they were, if they were just friends or something more. If he could put her through such a terrible burden, or if this was the universe's way of saying he didn't have to shoulder it alone. Or if there was an entirely different purpose to why she was chosen. That there was something else entirely that she was meant to do, or that might happen to her. Which was a thought his mind didn't even want to dwell on for very long, if anything happened to her.
"It's not ridiculous," he finally replied, taking hold of her hands in his. "I don't know if there's a way you can help me. Last time you tried, I thought my life was over. I pushed you away, even when you tried to help. Then I came to you when I needed help. Twice."
He tried not to laugh at himself, all of a sudden. He realized it was idiotic to think that the last time they saw one another, that it would be a final goodbye. He knew he couldn't get distracted from tasks at hand, and that Christine was a welcome distraction. Even bantering about cultists provided a moment of rest he often didn't afford himself, from all of the frequent studying and constant observance of everything he was trying to keep track of.
Sadly, it still didn't feel like it was enough.
"This network I'm on. We might need a skilled doctor on call. And as for me," and here he paused, raising a hand to touch a ghostly lock of her hair. "Seeing you has helped. More than you can possibly imagine. Soooo. What if we continue as friends for right now. That are sharing a terrible secret. And you can come to my place for tea and getting creeped out."
If all else failed, fall back on that awkward way of making things seem (not-so-)appealing.