2

"So the roadblocks were in place" Jack said as he listened.

"I used my Torchwood Creds to get out, I knew something was happening and didn't want to be there in the middle of it. My girlfriend had told me she was pregnant and was my first concern. I now know she was telling porkies. I now know a lot of things I suspected but didn't want to admit" Ianto sighed, "Short story is … the neighbour's daughter and kids turned, then they did. Then Lisa did. I haven't and am unsure why. I touched them, drank and ate the same, breathed the same. No sign of infection."

Jack nodded, "Maybe a quarter are not affected"

"So … maybe some illness we had as a child? Blood type" Ianto wondered.

"Not the blood type, Owen considered that as well" Jack watched the dog chase a rabbit "Maybe a childhood illness…. Do you still have your tonsils?"

"Of course not, Torchwood removes them" Ianto snorted then frowned, "Lisa. Wait, Appendix? If that were true she would not have….wait. No scar. She hadn't had hers out? Have you got yours still?"

Jack swung and strode towards the house "TOSHIKO Get the medical records for Lisa Hallett T1. Did she have an appendectomy or not."

Tosh worked silently, her fingers dancing as she checked and called back what they suspected, "No. No surgery."

"Well, all of us had it done, all of us are immune" Owen said with his arms folded, "Thought so. Are those chickens for eating?"

Everyone turned to look at Owen with surprise, his face telling them he didn't care what they thought, his only interest in Ianto who grinned back. Owen went to see if he could catch one.

"There are several already hanging, was gonna freeze them…."

"Holy shit, you got a freezer?" Suzie blurted.

"Solar as well as turbine power" Ianto nodded, "Can power Toshiko's stuff, also have more to hook up. Panels to go on the barn. I was worried about them being visual from the sky but so far no planes or drones so maybe there is no one looking, the world ending and all."

"Agreed" Jack swung to Suzie, "Make it so."

"Oooo, so… Captainy" Ianto said before he could help it and everyone sniggered as Jack looked over at him with amusement. Quick this one.

"What the next closest place" Toshiko asked as she searched the satellite maps, Owen coming back empty handed.

"There's a thatched cottage that doesn't show from the air, like one of those ones dug into the sod" Ianto pointed, "There. A young hippy couple lives there, a baby I think. I mean, last time I spoke to Nainny she was due so … Nainny has been dead nigh on six months so … she must have popped it out."

Jack grimaced and then regarded Ianto some more, "So. You car is toast, how are you getting around?"

"Grandy had an ATV out back, I also took the dune buggy from next door before I torched the place. Of the two I would recommend the ATV as it doesn't leave tracks like the Buggy does." Ianto said as he guessed the reason for the question, "I know a river bed we can traverse, no trace we were there."

"So, you are talking like they have a brain, they clearly don't" Owen frowned but Jack nodded.

"Not everyone is changed, you said yourself. We have about quarter the population still kicking. Think they are all scared and confused? You don't think maybe some are simply arming themselves for war?" Jack asked calmly, "Raping and pillaging to start when the bell chimes?"

"Ask not for whom the bell tolls" Ianto muttered as he pushed off from the wall he had been leaning in and he headed to the barn knowing Jack was following.

The child was in the cage watching them silently and Jack took a moment to stare back then he turned to watch Ianto who was leaning over the engine bay of the ATV. Shit. Jack blinked as he noted the nice arse and rounded hips, the man needed a bit of feeding but damn, he had the potential for a lovely figure.

"Gonna look at my arse all day or come help unload some of this crap I have on here?" Ianto asked as he straightened and moved to the back, "Things we might not want others to know we have. Just take weapons and some extra fuel. Maybe fresh water to offer as I am sure they don't have a well."

"OK" Jack shrugged off his coat which Ianto glanced at.

"And if you leave that out I will wash it and mend that torn pocket" Ianto offered, "Grandy was a master tailor before he retired, all his kit is here."

"Really?" Jack asked with genuine surprise, "It's authentic ya know."

"I know, you flew" Ianto nodded, "Seen the files. You've been here such a long time and you must be so sick of watching us repeatedly blow our brains out."

Jack looked at Ianto as who seemed to balk, "Shit, sorry Sir, I didn't ….er… shit. I forgot about Alex."

"Well, you do know a lot" Jack finally said.

"Edidic memory" Ianto sighed, "I read a file and retain it whether I want to or not I'm afraid. One of the thing Her Nibs liked."

"Yvonne."

"Mmmm"

"Well, I like your recall too" Jack said as he pulled a crate from the back of the ATV "in the field Tosh can't always access mainframe, having someone who can remotely is an advantage."

"Funny you say that sir" Ianto snorted, "She forbade me from the field after I blew the first thing up she wanted."

"The Bollit Chrystal? That was you?" Jack snorted, "I was so amused by that. She must have blown a boiler."

"Meant that bloody Ghost Machine thing can't work" Ianto sighed, "Almost saved the world. Shame."

Jack decided he liked this man.