29. 12.25pm DAY THREE

Time to go.

Ianto nervously watched Jack as he walked around laughing and talking with Owen as he assured him yet again that he knew how to administer iodine pills if they were needed to counteract radiation poisoning.

"Owen, stop thinking the worst!" Jack scolded, "We might not meet a roadblock, might not get hijacked goddess forgive we might not even have a breach that kills everyone!"

"Smartarse motherfucker" Owen muttered, his gleeful grin betraying his humour.

"OK, Everyone is ready to get in. Owen, go get Janet…wait. You need me to check that suit, can't once we start anything. Janet might lunge and break the seal on the tent!" Ianto said suddenly and Owen nodded as the hazmat suits were zipped up.

Once you have Janet tethered you can hop out and I'll get in" Jack grinned and Owen gave a thumbs up as he went to get the happily sedated weevil.

Jack and Ianto quickly sealed the back compartment with the gaffer tape and plastic, blowing a kiss to the children. Owen returned and looked at it with a nod of satisfaction. Janet was like a happy little dog going on a drive, eagerly jumping up to sniff the area set out for her. Owen knelt to tie her in and watched as Jack followed Ianto out of the back and he suddenly knew. He rose to shout but the doors were slamming shut.

"Sorry Owen" the coms crackled, "Only way. We need you. The kids need you. You know I will be OK. Ianto will make sure of it."

"Fuck you Jack, you bastard. You fucking bastard!" Owen roared with anger as he slapped at the doors with a sob.

"Sorry" Ianto's voice was faint, his sorrow evident, "It was my idea. Me and Jack can do this. Besides, it was you or me. I couldn't have accepted you in danger, not even for a moment. I love you ya silly bastard."

"Fuck you" Owen sobbed as he sank to his knees and the engine roared to life.

The truck swayed gently as they took off and Owen slid to his arse, sitting there opposite a confused weevil who was still wondering why his jumpsuit was so much weirder than hers.

"Uncle, we have to get the remotes going!" Stephen called out and Owen shook himself from his grief, picking up the remote control and lifting the small helicopter into the sky to scout ahead as Stephen's car whizzed along with Tosh's.

Owen wished he could wipe his face, his tears wet on his cheeks as he watched the screen for any signs of danger.

"Nearing the main gates" Ianto said softly and Owen nodded even though he couldn't see him, the helicopter moving past the gates to the world beyond and the truck easily slammed through the gates like they weren't there, Jack glancing at Ianto as he gripped the seat silently.

They headed into the village and the tyres crunched over the gravel pathway into the square. Ianto's hand slid across the seat to hold Jack's hand as they drew to a stop and Ianto checked the coordinates.

"We're here" he said softly into the coms for those inside then Jack nodded and Ianto picked up the laptop, contacting the Valiant to say they were waiting for them, then they settled back.

"You have to wait longer" Ianto said after a while, "Damn. You should have reminded me of that. You will die longer."

"Only until we are safe" Jack assured him, "Then a reset and I'm good to go."

"Still. If they are late you will have to suffer" Ianto snarled, "Damn. I should have waited."

"And we might have…"

"Company" Owen cut off their conversation as the coms burst into life, "They are coming from past the bridge over there."

"ETA?"

"Ten minutes?" Owen estimated roughly, "Shit."

"Valiant in coming" Ianto said calmly, "ETA also eight to ten minutes."

"Shit storm in three, two one then?" Owen asked, "Don't tell me someone else is gonna shoot you before I can, that's not fair!"

"Settle down then" Ianto snarled, "I see them. Look, on the bridge. So much for ten minutes."

They could see four people approaching, their manner seemed cautious as they started across the curved walkway and their rifles were also visible, pointed at the truck.

"Shit" Owen huffed, "Not good."

Jack slid from the truck as Ianto hissed at him not to.

"Hi. Lovely day" Jack grinned, "I've lost my dog. Little terrier thing, called Owen. Have you seen him. Yappy little bastard"

"OI!" Owen blustered over the coms.

"Stay right there!" one of the men demanded, raising his shotgun and pointing it at Jack as he slammed the door shut to protect Ianto. The small remote control car rolled to a stop behind the men and Owen moved his hand to the detonator, knowing Jack would gave the signal if it got to that point.

"I'm not going anywhere" Jack smiled as he canted his had, "Well, not for another couple of minutes. Got a ride coming."

The men looked at him and then looked around him into the cab. "What the fuck is he wearing?"

"Ianto has allergies" Jack shrugged, "You know how it is. Gotta be careful these days."

"Wait, who are you waiting for?" another asked, cocking the gun.

Then there was a loud growling as large engines whined and the Valiant suddenly broke through the clouds as she descended to hover over them.

The spaceship seemed to fill the sky as its landing lights blinked in warning.

Jack grinned as he pointed up, "Them."