25

Finally it was the first day of flight, Ianto watching John as he seemed to jingle with excitement, the inability to remain still catching as several of his team did laps. John's tunic was fresh, new and shiny as he tried not to pull at it, the insignia and pips on the collar a weird feeling.

A weight.

Ianto walked calmly amongst them, hoping like hell they were ready. He sure as hell was. They looked damned fine, but how would they react to anti-grav.

"Right" Angel roared, her small frame giving a surprisingly loud bellow, "Load up ladies!"

The men lifted their dogs, the harness straps going over their shoulders as they ran for the Away Ship, their weapons stowed on their backs with their muzzles in place. Ianto knew they were voice activated and the right command would remove the clips on those muzzles. After all, he and John had the commands in case of instant need for razor blade fur coats. It was amazing to see them take the weight of their dogs, any one that left a man behind didn't deserve to be in his team. Whether the soldier be human or dog, it deserved respect. Ianto was pleased with the dog squad and his choice in letting John have the say in his officers and he watched now as John looked over his men with a keen eye, their eyes meeting and polite nods exchanged before John shot forward to adjust a strap on a young cadet with a wicked tattoo on his face.

Ianto was still watching them when he felt the weight against his leg and he laughed, "If you think you're getting carried my love, think again."

Jewel huffed good naturedly knowing she had been pushing it and they headed up, last on. First off. A good leader is always setting an example.

The Away Ship took them up, the atmosphere falling away as the large boat floated above and John made a small noise as he saw her waiting for him, his ship.

His boat.

His mistress.

Ianto felt the man's glee and gently placed a hand on his arm as he whispered, "Hold. Be strong, be true and hold your ground, no matter what. I can ask no more than that."

"Don't you worry" John said happily, "Wherever you stand, I am beside you. I swear that without a second thought, I know where I need to be."

"Good" Ianto nodded as he let his hand drop, "I will never look for you, I will simply move with intent, knowing you are beside me Captain."

"Always my Lord" John said as he watched Ianto move amongst the troops, making sure they were all OK and more than once he took a knee to talk quietly to a soldier comforting an overwrought dog that was more excited that afraid as it realized they were finally going to do something, not just the course as always.

Space is a strange thing, your bones feel different. Your entire being. John sometimes wondered if you don't have a soul in space, if the lack of gravity also denotes a lack of your soul. He always thought that but standing there on the Away Ship as his lovely big girl swallowed them whole into her landing bay he felt it.

A gentle yet obvious thud in his bones.

It was not a soul he had lacked out here in the cosmos.

It was a home.

He knew before he even stepped onto the grating, his step one behind his Lord Hand, it was home that had left him feeling empty.

And now as he stepped onboard The Boe he felt himself going home where he belonged.

God it felt right.

John stood in his new world.

He took another step and Ianto stepped aside, nodding as the Captain of the vessel moved past.

Cocky bastard looked damned fine!

John took the lead.

As it should be.