7

Ianto let go of Crypto and the dog slithered happily up the bank to Jack's waiting hands, the scratching of his ears felt good.

"Slut" Ianto said as he calmly walked up the bank like it was not a steep angle, "All my beloveds are sluts."

Crypto chuffed happily as he agreed, those hands were divine.

"Ianto, please let me help" Jack asked softly, "I know where you are going. We want to help. Come on, please. We will go check the camp and..."

"How did you know?" Ianto asked, as he brushed off his clothing and glared at the dog, "Where I was going, how did you know about her school camp?"

"When they took the phones…"

"Of course, Toshiko." Ianto sighed, "Right. No privacy in Torchwood."

"Come on, let's keep going while there is light, we can reach the camp before dusk" Owen called out as he slid between the front seats to the back and opened the door as Crypto jumped in to say hello, his paw on Owen's chest like a furry dinner plate as he patted the little man like one would a pet. "Hey! Careful Muttley."

Crypto laughed as he moved to the other side and looked at the window expectantly, Owen reaching across to lower it without even realising he was being controlled.

"Stop that" Ianto called as he retrieved his pack and walked around to put it in the back of the SUV "Owen is not your slave."

Owen laughed as he settled back then frowned, "Hey, when did I get in the back? Oi!"

"Bad Dog" Ianto muttered with affection as Jack took off and they were moving again, Crypto with his head out the window enjoying the breeze.

Jack looked in the side mirror at the huge head that filled it and for the first time realised what he was looking at, the huge fangs and bright blue pools of intelligence that looked calmly back at him through the snow white fur….a smile in the mirror and Jack smiled back affectionately as he now knew what Ianto was protecting.

OK.

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"So what was your plan?" Jack asked as they neared the campsite his Onboard Nav-Sat was directing him towards, Tosh and Mainframe on board as well, her voice coming through the stereo system as she answered for Ianto.

"Given the size of the area it would be best to stop in the trees and do a walk around first, eyes-on before heading in" her voice sounded strange and Crypto canted his head as he looked up at the ceiling of the Vehicle.

"She's in the radio" Ianto said softly the leaned forward, "I agree Tosh. We can check the surrounding area and work our way in, only one of us visible in case there are living inside, also if there are Zomboids they will chase only the one of us giving the others a chance to check inside. I suggest we all meet back at the SUV as these things can't open doors."

"Agreed, best they chase me since …well… you two are better to help any kids that might be inside" Jack said and Ianto raised an eyebrow in surprise that Owen didn't know about the Captain's ability.

Crypto looked from one to the other like he was considering then he took off, Ianto cursing "Crypto ya prick, get back here!"

The dog ran out into the open area and barked, sitting to wait for attack or welcome.

"He loves Mica." Ianto sighed "One day the bloody idiot will get himself caught"

"Again?"

"No, he wasn't caught, T1 didn't know about him. I found him and took him home. Lisa never realized. Some od us were allowed our pets at work for stress relief. Can you believe she used to pet him while waiting on me to finish a file?" Ianto said as he crouched to watch the doors of the scout hall, "Come on. Come on, be in there."

Jack turned to see what Owen was doing and sighed, "Great. Owen's gone too."

"What the fuck is he doing" Ianto snarled as he stood and watched the tree line, "There. He's skirting the area."

"Tell me he at least has a fucking gun" Jack replied as he strode out to stand with Crypto, calling loudly, "Anybody home?"

Silence.

They headed into the building, Owen telling them there were tents out back all strewn about and then his voice petered out as they looked at the bodies inside.

Ianto was frantically rushing from body to body, each little blonde head getting a groan and hopeful plea to not be her. The Gods were in a strange mood.

"She's not here" Ianto rose to face the other two, "Neither of them."

"Well … where the fuck did they go?" Owen asked.

"Crypto?" Ianto said as he looked at the dog, "Can you find a trail? Mimi. Come on, they would have run, which way?"

The dog went outside and scouted around then looked in the direction they had come from his tail drooping as he scented the breeze.

"Crypto?" Ianto said softly, "Did they run towards home? Grandy's? Are you telling me we have passed one another in the fucking dark or something?"

The dog looked at him and Ianto snorted as he threw his arms up, "Fuck it all, they are travelling across the fields, not the road. We took the road. We need to four-wheel across the fields right? Can you at least pretend a bit harder? Led the way McDuff?"

"My name is not McDuff"

"Well, it's an expression like No Shit Sherlock" Ianto shot back as he began to stomp across the grass heading for a gate.

"Jack?" Owen said in a dreamy voice as he watched them wander off.

"Yes Owen?"

"Did the fucking dog just back-chat him?"

"It's not a dog" Jack replied as he started to walk towards the SUV, "Come on, I don't think you can walk the whole way like they can. We will drive."

Owen blinked, then walked after his boss with his eyes still on the large animal padding alongside the Welshman.

"Tosh? You still there?" Jack yelled as he fired up the engine and locked the four wheels in, turning the wheel to drive through the first set of gates, "Let the others know you have incoming."

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So … now you are starting to see that they are sort of coming out of the woods…sort of. Only question is … are Rhiannon and Mica safe? Are they going to make it home? Are they alone or being chased?

And let's not get started on the 'Dog' eh?

Next instalment will be called ..Crawlers … heh hehe now you will get the title for the Verse.