27

Lucia did not know how to respond to the man now holding her daughter on a hip as he spoke with some other men dressed in uniforms of some sort, their hands waving animatedly as thy laughed at something, Jack joining in as he turned to take Alice from Ianto.

"Hello there Luce" Toshiko said as she came over, wearing the same pale clothing as the men and she smiled as she saw the confusion "These are anti-static clothes. For those of us working on the tech in the Away Vessels and assorted Skimmers and Hovers, it makes the work easier without dust and such getting into the circuitry. Damp and dust does not work well. Some are coming back worse for wear as the flooding continues. They think it might be a record."

"I am sure it is" Ianto said as he interrupted and both women turned as he smiled softly "The Lurker tunnels are all sealed, they cannot come to this side of the planet now… hopefully never again. According to the latest predictions it looks like there is a possibility that the water will not recede for months, when it does it will be a new level."

"What does that mean for us?" Toshiko asked.

"Well… long term we will eventually build the floating city we have envisaged, short term… we continue as we are and try to salvage what we can from the buildings not yet completely under water. Mind you... there is little left to save bar the pets left behind." Ianto stopped and frowned now, his annoyance clear "Poor things, cold and wet and hungry. Left to drown. I hate to think how many did not get to high ground in the buildings. Apparently some have made it to the roofs. These are a priority… one of the older cargo bays is being fitted out as we speak to become a playground for pets and children. Interaction is so important."

"Gods, poor things. I never thought of them… Alice's little fluff…"

"We have it, and apparently my own one is fond now… I hope they don't mate. The young are like little pompoms rolling around underfoot, bloody things" Ianto huffed and Jack slid an arm around Ianto's waist as he hummed in question.

"Our fluffs." Ianto replied.

"Oh god… at night they take off Ianto's socks, one each like little robots. Snarly teethy ones and he always squeals. They like that" Jack laughed, kissing Ianto's forehead before wandering off like it was no big deal. Lucia blinked slowly as she tried to get her head around the fact these Dwellers were not at all the creepy creatures everyone thought they were.

As if reading her mind Ianto said "Would you care to see where we are going to pop you for sleep? Come on, there was room in my berth so I have cleared out a room for you. I hope you don't mind bunking in with us, my kind are all about space. Of course, our ancestors spent so long in this ship in space I guess it instilled the minimalist approach. I am all little eccentric in that I like to collect old things. With our numbers now doubled, we are all sharing for now."

Lucia was following him as she watched her husband run after Jack with glee, the two men liking one another. She could help but say "Why you like someone older like Jack?"

Ianto's laughter was loud and full of glee "Oh no… he would be MY toy boy darling child. No… I am ancient by your terms."

"Oh?"

Ianto winked and led her along the corridors full of bustle and life, stalling her in the elevator as he pushed 'royal suites' button then in no time they were in his quarters, the lush furniture and pretty hand painted walls full of scenes of a long since gone world captivating.

"That is what the English countryside looked like on Old Earth" Ianto said softly as she reached out to touch a tree.

"It's beautiful" she sighed.

"Thanks. Your man, he is an architect? He might be useful in the rebuilding, he might like to be involved. All hands on deck and all that" Ianto said, then smiled as Alice ran into the quarters with glee, calling out. The fluffs ran for her and Jack entered with James who was now talking animatedly with him.

"Hey sweetie, we were just looking at the plans so far for the floating city. James is on the planning committee, made an impression" Jack called out as he hung up their coats and James looked around.

"This door is to your room, it's large and roomy with a table and chairs, a sofa… space if you need some quiet time. Out here you might get run over by the fluffs" Ianto said with an amused snort "As you can see we have a large table and chairs because I like to have time alone, I do not usually eat in the main restaurant with everyone else. Antisocial little shit, my Grandmother says."

"Tht sounds nice Ianto, maybe we can have a nice family meal here tonight, the five of us?" Jack asked looking at the table with six chairs.

"I will let the crew know and… oh… if any of them bow… ignore it. I hate that" Ianto said as he headed off to make arrangements.

Lucia blinked and looked at Jack with confusion as he ignored the strange comment as well, then James was gushing about the plans as he pulled out a little tablet from his jacket she had never seen before and she forgot about it.

They had a new home.

.

.

.

And I am leaving this here… until the next one.

Any ideas for the next one? Maybe we pick it up a few months later to see how they are living? Yes? no? What would you like.

Thanks for reading.

XXXX