64
Abner returned with Rhys from the river, along with a nice fat tree on the back of the wagon. Ianto wanted to scold but was too pleased, the fishing net set overnight also catching some fresh fish that made his mouth water.
"Some fish and chips for tea aye?" Rhys whispered as he showed eight large fish, more than enough for everyone and some leftover cuts for Jack's ... I mean … everyone's cats too.
Ianto nodded excitedly, trying to remember where the old newspapers were he had stored away for winter fires … would be sort of nice to eat out of newspaper … for old time's sake. The everyday fire was kept in all day around, stoked in at night, coals raked in the morning so the supply of newspaper in the kitchen cupboard would do it for a long time. Ianto had placed stacks … ah. He remembered now. The pump house. He would check there later. By keeping the fire in low at all times there was little smoke.
The decorations were going up, Ianto relaxing into the fun of it as popcorn made an appearance for stringing. Of course, a lot got eaten as well. No matter, some went on the tree. High where the dogs could not reach even if Ianto knew the cats would.
Jack watched for a while then begged off, heading up for a cat nap. Ianto found him there in their room, asleep with soft snoring and a cat or five. Gods, they know the soft touch, don't they?
Ianto gently shooed the cats away and settled next to his love, a hand on the stomach that was lovely and rounded now. Not noticeable unless looking … but there. Definite. Ianto loved seeing Jack naked, showering especially when the water cascaded down the bump. He wondered idly if he was weird. Then he snorted. Of course he was. Best way to survive … normal's didn't seem to be doing so well.
This sobered him as he wondered if anyone else had survived the mist and the Huntrall invasion. This led to scolding of himself, thinking so negatively when Jack had said they had. Right? Others in bunkers and such. Of course they had. The human race would continue, another two years …. Just tow more. Then …then … they would rise again.
Right?
.
.
.
.
.
The white noise was getting to Ianto as he followed it to the source. Toshiko was seated at her station fiddling with the ancient radio, turning the knob a click, canting her head and then sighing, clicking one more.
"Tosh. Just because you can't find someone on there… it doesn't mean there isn't someone doing the exact same thing right now with the same mad hope" Ianto said softly, settling beside her as she glanced at him then clicked once more. He placed his feet up on the edge of the desk and started to rock the chair, listening with her.
Jack appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame "Hey good lookings. Owen and I are heading to the river for a look at the…. What was that?"
"Click back one!" Ianto demanded, the unusual rudeness of his voice as his feet slammed to the flood, Jack's partnered look of sudden interest had her clicking back and listening with confusion.
"There's nothing…"
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Ianto waved a hand in her face as he peered intently at the corner of the room, Jack kneeling as he watched Ianto and Tosh turned to see what was happening, finding the glow beneath his clothing surreal. The tattoo had not just reacted, it was fucking glowing. The weaponry in the shielding was not coming on so there was nothing in his hands that were flat, palm down on the table but the tattoo covered more of his body, travelling up his neck to touch his ears.
"Oh my god. It is…."
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Jack waved his hand as well, focused on Ianto. "Give him time."
Time passed and she stated to hear tonal difference in the static. It was not static, it was some sort of electronic communication? Music? She settled back rubbing her too huge belly while Ianto listened and Jack waited.
Then … it stopped.
Nothing. Dead air.
Ianto reached out and tuned the radio off, sitting back to rub his face and take a deep cleansing breath before turning to Jack "we need to talk. Now."
Both men rose and Toshiko realised she was going to be left out of the conversation, her anger now apparent as she struggled to get out of the chair "Hey!"
"When I understand what I heard, I will share. I need Jack to help me decipher some words that didn't make sense, some things that were strange to me that may have been a translation thing. We will talk … consider and pick apart what I heard then when we understand it as best we can, I will tell you all of it. Promise." Ianto assured her as she settled back with annoyance, knowing he was right. It would drive her insane to hear three or four different theories all at once.
All she could do was wait.