16
They did not like being wet, not at all.
As they stood shivering and complaining John quietly slid around looking at them and could not see anyone with a brand or a bandage, scar or Binding to hide one. The fact Ianto did not seem surprised by this was the thing that struck him the most, that and the way Jack was so calm as he agreed it was likely the fifth one was not in the wet bedraggled group of complainers.
"We are going to dock soon" Jack said and the team turned to him with matching looks of confusion. They were nowhere near a dock… what the hell was he doing? "We managed to contact a freighter that can take us into her cargo bay, we can then pressurize and get out."
Some cheered as others looked confused, looking around as Kevin leaned forward to poke Ianto's arm "boy? What are you up to?"
"Just beating the bushes" Ianto replied gently "You know… flushing out the prey."
The old man settled back again to watch as Jack told a fanciful yarn about their docking procedures and the sounds and things to expect while they were being rescued.
"I… I need to check I look presentable for my family" Daisy said as she rose and took off for the shared room, the little ones snuggled in their pod having a snooze as they ignored the carry-ons and Ianto walked in to find her reaching into the pod.
"Daisy… let's leave them. When we dock I will come in to stay with them in case they are scared" Ianto said calmly and she withdrew her hand, looking at him with surprise as she nodded. He watched her leave the room and leaned against the pod, looking down at the little ones with raw affection before reaching in to move the blankets around them.
.
.
John swung around the corner, his gun leading the way and Suzie swung around him to slam into the opposite wall as they swept the corridor with extreme excitement…er… malice. Jack walked calmly after them and he tuned to see John swing into a room, Suzie covering the doorway as John called back "Clear."
They continued on as Owen and Toshiko stayed with the others trapped in the same room, food on the go as well as Owen telling some fanciful stories about past exploits where he seemed to be the one who saved them time after time, Toshiko's eye rolling telling them all it was more likely the Captain but … Owen seemed to be so sure of himself.
Everyone was pumped, ready for the next step as they were led to the room with the emergency docking seats in case the 'sleepers' were awake for this part and as they were strapped in Daisy looked to Ianto "the babies."
"I will be with them." Ianto said calmly, looking over at Jack who had already begun to walk towards the secondary flight deck.
"But… are they strapped in?" she asked "I will go check it the pod is closed."
She rushed from the room as Gwen harangued everyone into their seats and made out she was in charge, Ianto more than happy to let her rant and control the room as he headed after Daisy. He found her in the room staring down at the two babies, both still sleep curled up with the Kat's whispers twitching now and then as he dreamed.
"Just close the pod, come on" Ianto said gently from the doorway as he watched her wring her hands.
"Soon… soon it will all be over" she whispered.
"Your family will be here, you will see your husband and children again" Ianto smiled as he reached out a hand "Come on love. Coe sit with me and tell me their names again. Leo and Hailey was it?"
"Yes…yes…" she turned to leave, then hesitated, glancing back one more time "you are sure they will be OK?"
"Daisy… it's time to let it go" Ianto said more sternly now "come along. We are to be done with this, soon this vessel will be swarming with Agency men helping up reacclimatize to the more standardized gravity of a larger freighter."
Daisy stared at him for a while, her hands still wringing and Ianto sighed "Really… let's not do this here. With the little ones so close, come… let's go to the corridor and you can check the seals with me for your family, we are so close."
They walked amicably along the corridor to the doors covered with sealant and she reached out to place her hand on the door "I… can I have a moment?"
"Sure" Ianto smiled, reaching out to squeeze her arm before wandering off as she watched him leave then looked back at the door, taking a moment before she took off running for the room.
She slid into the room and headed for the closed pod the kids were asleep in, her face full of raw expectation as she reached out to open the lid. The sound of a Sonic Blaster coming on-line had her turning slowly to stare at Jack who stood in the corner of the room with the weapon raised "Looking for your gun in there Soldier? Ianto already found it for you!"
