53

Rhys let out a hoarse cry as he stumbled back, falling over the chair behind the desk and landing heavily on his wrist.

Ianto heard the dull snap moments before Rhys let out a bellow of pain.

The Z had been advancing on Ianto but the sound of pain had its attention now and Rhys was scuttling back on his butt as it moved closer.

Ianto snarled with rage as he stepped between them, face to face with the monster.

The Z seemed to consider, then snap into his face, missing his cheek by a whisker.

Ianto snapped back and Rhys watched as a huge hunk was removed from its face as Ianto tore at it, his hands more claw like as he reached up and tore at its throat with large growling and snarls.

Jack reached the doorway, a look of horror at the scene as Ianto danced with the Z, blood and flesh flying.

Rhys was standing now and he raised the chair with a roar of rage and swung, catching the Z midriff and sending it flying against the wall.

He released the chair with a yelp and cradled his arm as the wrist complained at him.

Ianto stepped forward, grabbed the Z's head in his hands and with a roar of rage he tore it clean off.

The Z's body folded like someone had switched off the power but the head continued to snap.

Jack strode forward and grabbed it from Ianto's hands and dropped it to the floor, then stomped n it with a snarl.

Silence.

Then Rhys started to laugh.

God, his wrist hurt but that was so damned weird.

Ianto blinked as he looked form the destroyed head to Rhys and started to chuckle, then it grew until they were both laughing hysterically.

"What the fuck is going on here!" Owen demanded as he stood in the doorway.

"We found you some literature" Rhys stumbled over the last word as tears started to fall, "For medical purposes!"

Ianto grabbed the playboy and shook it at him while holding the desk.

"Adrenaline?" Owen asked Jack who grinned and nodded.

Owen stomped in then snatched the magazine from Ianto's hand and examined it.

"Well. Yes. Good. I might need the reference next time I have a tit in my hand" Owen muttered and they were screaming with laughter again, "Make a change from looking at the ones in here!"

Owen stomped back out, shoving the magazine into his backpack as Jack joined in the laughter.

"Don't be mean" Jack giggled, "He's challenged at the moment."

"Yeah" Ianto hiccupped, "He still needs to put a ring on it."

Jack nodded and left the room as Ianto bent down to help Rhys up, in all the giggles they had forgotten to tell Owen that Rhys was hurt.

Owen let loose a mouthful of ugly when he saw the wrist and Jack was absent so Sean helped as Ianto continued to forage.

When Owen was finished, he went out to the Transporter with Rhys and settled him in the back, amongst the many beanbags they had taken.

He then decided to look for Jack, looking for sign of struggle or open doors that might tell him where Jack was.

He kept the axe held high, a fire axe that was lightweight but effective and he was getting quite fond of it.

He found a small row of shops, more touristy than anything and inside one, he could see Jack pouring over something.

"Jack?" he called softly as he entered, not wanting to startle him.

"Look" Jack pushed a tray towards him and Owen realised that they were in a Jewellery store.

The tray of rings sparkled and Owen swore softly as he inspected them,

A small love heart shaped diamond took his fancy. Not white, more of a pinkish tint to it and Jack grinned as he saw Owen reach for the one he had been admiring as well.

"Yeah?" Owen said as he held it up.

Jack reached under the counter and produced a ring box that was also a love heart.

"Yeah!" he agreed.

Owen grinned as he accepted the box and they stepped out into the day.

To the sound of snarling.