He nodded. "But I suppose there's little point in chasing ourselves around in circles now. Not when there are so few clues..." So few clues, even after months had passed. Of course, he didn't expect the mystery to be solved in a matter of days, but he did wonder how long this war would eventually take.

It was his turn to look surprised as she squeezed his hand. Then he smiled, and his expression relaxed again, a little rueful this time for being the one caught up in predictions of the future. "True. And I think I'd like to survive a little longer."

It was lighthearted, the way he'd said it, almost like a joke. But for someone who arrived on the ship with practically no plans for the future besides staying alive long enough to save his own version of Earth, well... it was something of a leap. He'd had no hopes or wishes for the future because he'd never allowed himself to form any. Even now, it felt strange to harbor hopes for himself. For anything but his mission.

He reached over with his other hand to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, though his fingers lingered for a moment over her cheek.