"It never is."

She'd sounded flippant before. Like this was all some sort of game to her. He's not going to judge her on her apparent age or her small stature or any snap decisions like that. After all, Trance looks young and frail and helpless and she's anything but. But talking about saving the universe in such a cavalier way?

Okay. Maybe it's something he'd do when he's joking around with his crew after a day's good work, but he's under no illusions. The universe is a long way from saved from the chaos it's become, and ... she's right. It's not easy. It's never easy, doing anything important.

But a universe is a big burden for one ship and one captain. And sometimes, he feels that, though he keeps those feelings to himself, because he's the captain.

In truth, if there's anything she can really tell him about what she and her friends have done, he'll listen. So when she answers, he's watching her, blue eyes keen.

Until he lets out a laugh of surprise.

Because what she says sounds so familiar. Good plans, good friends, and a hell of a lot of luck is what's gotten him this far.

(You can never have enough luck, Molly had teased him as she curled up against his side, skin warm against his as she kissed him, and he'd laughed, but he'd believed it, too, with every kiss she gave him.)

"Well that's good. I've got the plan, the friends, and the luck."

His smile now is warm, not forced, softening his eyes and chasing away a few of the shadows that are never too far from them.

"I don't know about the other two, but how do the most powerful starship in three galaxies and a force lance sound?"