"During our evening together I allowed many of the mental shields I maintain to relax as a method of heightening the experience for us all and to aid in communication where there might otherwise be doubt."

He meant Bones and their desire to make sure he had wanted it just as much as the others.

"During that period of relaxation, I believe Pike followed the thread of the resonant bond. I have never known a human capable of mental traveling in such a fashion. I... believe he has used that resonance to cry out to his own Spock."