1

They reached the homestead and Ianto was pleased to find it fully fenced, a keen gardener who was not going to let wandering stock into their flowers so they were assured a crawler free area to park in, the gates closed and Crypto took off with Ianto to check the perimeters as Jack went inside and returned to tell them no one was home.

Either they had wandered off or not been home during the event. Given the fact the gates were shut they all agreed it was probably the latter, Owen sliding from the SUV looking sheepish at hiding in there but arguing he was looking after Mica.

Ianto gave him that one.

The house had belonged to what seemed to be a middle-aged couple, kids either grown or never had any as the photos could have been nephews. Mica still seemed excited to find a box of toys under the stairs that had been kept for when they visited and Owen helped her load it into the SUV as Ianto raided the pantry.

I'm gonna check the out buildings" Jack called out and Owen grunted as he followed leaving Ianto and Mica to ransack the house which she enjoyed a lot.

"Uncle?"

"Yes love?"

"They are gone?"

Yes love" Ianto knelt to face her, "Whoever lived here seems to have been away."

"At the baby thing" she pointed and Ianto turned to find something in the fridge.

Of course the fringe door, the universal notice board and he rose, plucking the invitation to the baby shower from a magnet for Brains Beer. Ianto stared at the magnet then grinned, slipping it into his pocket as he knew both Rhys and Owen would like it…one for the Brains as in human…the other for Brains as in beer. Speaking of which …. Ah! Bingo.

"Here baby, go tell uncle Owen I found some brains" Ianto said pointing at the beer and she giggled as she got the joke, running off to scare the man and Ianto laughed softly as he hooked out a crate of the stuff, some wine and a bottle of Jack Daniels he knew Jack would crow over.

He then went though the freezer, partially defrosted but had kept pretty good with no one here to open it and the bottles of frozen water had helped prolong things as well. A lot of food they would be welcome of.

Owen ran into the house with a frenzied look, then saw the crate and started to laugh, pointing at it as he spluttered that the little cow was as bad as her uncle for games. Mica found that a wonderful thing for him to say.

Crypto padded upstairs and emerged pulling a large fluffy blanket he was obviously hoping to procure for their room and she clapped as she rushed to help, picking it up so it didn't drag as they headed for the SUV and Jack grinned, "Look at them, a couple of pirates. He's a good stick, that fella."

"He is, I am fond of him meself" Ianto smiled softly as he looked at Jack, "But… I think you are the pick of the litter sir."

Jack preened for a while as he grinned, showing his teeth could shine as good as Crypto's.

Jack found some tools that might be good, seeds and such as well as a pretty good motorbike that had been a project but seemed about finished. Jack said he could get it going as Owen made noises and then pointed to a rickety trailer they could tow with it on, the trailer now a great addition as they placed potting mix and other garden implements on it they might use to sustain their own food a bit more.

They seemed to be getting somewhere and Ianto felt the first tendrils of hope that they might just make it.

Right?

Jack seemed to hear and pulled him close, their bodies fitting, as did their mouths and Ianto moaned as he gave into Jack, letting him bend him back slightly as he devoured him like a succubus.

"Uncle Jack, stop slobbering on him" Mica said as she walked past, "I swear to god, as bad as Crypto when he sees a bowl if fresh stew."

Jack released Ianto and blinked at the little snot as Ianto sniggered and whispered that Jack was the hot one, gaining another kiss as Jack decided to ignore her.

Crypto barked to tell them they were done and they all agreed as Ianto politely closed the door, still half hoping the occupants might return one day even as he knew they wouldn't. Like whistling when going past the graveyard, as long as you can keep that thought, it might come true.

Right?

"You are in a good mood" Owen said as he stepped back to let Mica in and Ianto grinned at him.

"I've decided."

"Yeah?" Owen canted his head before going to open the gates, "Decided what?"

"I like you."

Owen seemed to walk on air, the simple yet solid statement meant more than he thought it might.

He liked him too.