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Gwen watched Ianto kneel to hug Mica and whisper to her, her little face looking up at her as it became evident he was telling her to be good for Aunty Gwen. For some reason it made her feel warm inside that he was trusting her, she knew she had been fucking up and this was a chance to show she was not totally insane.
Ianto rose and looked at her, his smile warm as he reached out and touched her arm before heading for the SUV and Crypto padded after him with a glace back over his shoulder.
"I will not let her out of my sight" Gwen called after them, pulling Mica into her arms to show she meant it and as the SUV rumbled out of sight she turned to Tosh, "Why do you think he took the SUV and they took the truck?"
"Tray on the back love" Rhys answered for her "they can empty out the cars and chuck stuff in the back as they go along the motorway where as Ianto and Jack will be heading into the town and will need the protection. Chances are …. That's where the danger is, why Jack is going with him and letting Suzie be in charge of the other run."
"If there are RVs in the parking lot where we hope they are then Jack can radio Owen to shoot into town and he and Andy can drive one each, also Ianto can drive one leaving Jack to drive the SUV and Suzie the truck. Hopefully this will get us three RVs, more than we need now but enough to make sure we have plenty of room." Tosh explained, "Jack knows Owen worries about children or pets stuck in vehicles, wants to check. Also there is bound to be some good prep gear in some of them. This will make him happy."
"Well, if they do get some they need to park them" Gwen said as she looked around, "Come on Mimi, you can help me. We can mow this area over here where one will sit for a start. Maybe we can then look for another area?"
Mica nodded and ran over to start looking for things to move out of the way as Gwen walked over to the ride on mower Rhys had already got out for this exact job.
"Sweetie, how about you and Mica move those pots of colour over there? We can then mow that area and if we park one there the pots can go around the steps." Rhys said and Mica gleefully ran to do it as Gwen puffed with pride. She could do this! See? She could be a mama.
"When you women have finished that you can come help me do the gingerbread men" Rhys called once he had finished mowing and Mica squealed as she clapped her hands, Gwen now sure things were going to be OK.
She looked in the direction the vehicles had gone and hoped like hell they were going to be OK. She was really starting to like Ianto.
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Jack was humming softly as he drove, Ianto checking his internal lists while looking out the window and Crypto closed his eyes as he let the wind ruffle his fur.
"Food" Ianto said softly, "I hope we get food. I want that barn full of food. Maybe hidden in the bales."
"Hidden" Jack glanced at him, "You thinking we might be overrun? Or covertly checked out?"
"I am a worst case scenario kinda guy, you haven't worked that out by now?" Ianto asked happily, "Alter all, I was sure you were going to let me go and not follow me."
"Now you know better" Jack smiled as he reached out to touch Ianto's knee then grunt as he slowed to go around a vehicle. They all leaned to look in and were relieved to see it was empty.
"Creepy" Ianto said after another few minutes, "like… a sci-fi movie where they all disappeared. Owen and Rhys are right. This is like End of Days only with a hotter leader than we thought we would have, us lucky heathens."
Jack snorted as he glanced in the mirror to see Crypto laughing as well, the light mood welcome as they neared the town then slowed right down.
"What do you suggest?" Jack let Ianto decide, "Toot to say hi or sneak?"
"Sneak. When in doubt always sneak" Ianto nodded firmly and Jack greed as he drove quietly along the back street towards the area where they hoped the RVs were. Once they knew for sure, they could move on to the stores while the others came their way stripping cars as they went.
It all seemed too easy and Jack glanced at Ianto again to see him frown deeply furrowing his brow and knew he was waiting for the big wreaking ball to come out of nowhere.
A worst case scenario kinda guy.
Jack hoped Ianto would be pleasantly surprised.
They all needed some good luck.
