22

Ianto had snoozed without nightmares as is the weirdness of his reboot. That is what it is, essentially a reboot of repressed memories and those pesky genetic ones hidden in his DNA until Grey Men arrived and woke them. Things Ianto knew nothing about suddenly crystal clear. A level of clarity that felt like he had known it always, not just for the last five to six months.

He did wonder which great grandmother or grandfather had been one of these things, had passed the gene on that not only made him a changeling but gave such vivid, horrible memories. Finally sitting in the late afternoon sun while waking up more, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to find Owen there.

"You OK?"

"Yes. Had a nap and now need to shake off the cobwebs" Ianto replied as he made room for Owen on the seat. "I don't dream when it's just a catnap. Only when in deep sleep."

"You know… life is complicated, shitty and unfair sometimes. Why you need to enjoy the little things. A moment, just a moment and it can refill the glass someone tipped out all over your lap." Owen said conversationally and Ianto smiled as he decided he REALLY liked this weirdo.

"Thanks for the advice" Ianto smiled.

"You are having trouble sleeping… I heard you and at first thought.. but then.. so raw…"

"Sorry. Yes. I have Night Terrors, suffered all my life but this year they changed, became more upsetting. My relationship changed, my job changed and maybe…" Ianto stopped talking and turned to look at Owen, then said in a quiet voice "I am a descendant of a species called Harbingers. I am one of the large, battle breeds. I am what they call a sleeper agent, my family bloodline…."

Ianto had stalled out, staring at Owen who frowned "what?"

"I was born to a Welsh couple, grew in a Welsh home and was just a normal Welshman. Then something triggered my regressed gene that started to summon thoughts… memories that were formerly hidden and the dreams are training sessions." Ianto said as he finally got it himself "these Grey pricks know my kind are here, they are afraid of us and try to simply work around us if they can, destroy us if they must."

"What did you think? What made you stall out like that?" Owen demanded but Ianto shook his head, turning to Myfanwy with a silent question that she pondered before agreeing that he was right, it is possible.

Ianto rose from the seat and Owen sat wondering what the hell Ianto had realised that made him sit up like that as over the SUV where Jack was working with Rhys the Captain watched Ianto stalk off and wondered the same thing.

Owen wondered if he should talk to him… should tell him his own secret. Would it help?

All Jack knew was that Ianto had thought of his sister.

.

.

Ianto checked the rosters and was relieved to find he was not paired with Jack for the evening and could change things aroid with one of the other men to take his place out in the darkness, then he and Myfanwy took off across the field before anyone could register his departure.

They moved with speed and stealth, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to work out the way it might have happened… the most logical explanation for where he should check… look… seek… hunt….

He became aware of someone behind him and felt a spike of annoyance before scolding himself and knowing this was bound to happen, turning to face the person on his tail and he sighed as he stood waiting for Jack to catch up.

"God damn it Ianto… do you have to run so fucking fast?" Jack said once he reached him.

"The idea was to go alone"

"Too bad. You can go as alone as you like… as long as I am there too" Jack answered as he looked around "Where are we going?"

"A village to the north where my family went for summer holidays… where our people come from" Ianto replied "That way, across the hills."

"Why?"

"Because someone might be there. I am Harbinger, if I came from that village, chances are my cousins and such might have the gene too… right?" Ianto asked.

Jack pointed at him and grinned "Cheeky… correct… cheeky. The question is though… what is the goal here? Did you want to leave me without saying goodbye?"

"I was going to come back!" Ianto said with genuine surprise "I would be there and back by sunrise… you would never know I had left if I found less than hoped for."

"And if you find what you DO hope for?"

"Then I would have returned with reinforcements" Ianto said then stepped forward "Jack… I will not leave you. Not now. We have bonded, we… well. I was always coming back, just maybe not alone."

Jack nodded as he felt the earnest pain in the mere thought of letting him down "OK… let's keep moving and for the love of gods… can we find a vehicle?"

"Unless you can fly a bloody plane…" Ianto said then sighed as he felt amusement coming of the man in waves "Right. Captain. There is an air field over that way.. come on."

Jack grinned as he made a sweep of his arm "Lead the way."

Ianto snorted "as if you let ANYONE else lead!"

Jack smiled, "you know full well I do… I let you lead when we dance."

"Dance?" Ianto frowned then the blush lit up his entire face.

"Oh."