3

Jack was aware of voices, faint and unrelenting pissing him off as they asked him to do things he didn't want to. He felt hands moving him and cried out as the pain bit deep into his bones, fighting it, then… breathing deep.

.

.

Ianto was sitting with the little girl in his lap, clucking softly as he watched the nurse tentatively tend to the one small piece of flesh the flare managed to get through a small crack of her uncle's coat as he ran. She did not cry, just glared.

For some reason Ianto could not explain, her anger comforted him. Nice to know he is not the only one pissed.

"She will be ready to foster out soon" the nurse said as she rose, fluffing the child's hair. Apparently she didn't like that either.

"She has an uncle"

"He is in no condition to care for a child, much less himself right now" the nurse huffed and Ianto rose, the child still in his arms.

"Meter your voice madam… to whom do you speak?"

Her sarcastic smile faded slightly as he looked at her, his hat tipped back and his eyes no longer the grey she thought they were… no… they were the colour of water… a pale almost translucent blue. Beautiful. Angry.

"Sorry Sir, I meant no disrespect to yourself or the Captain" she said nervously stepping back.

"Well then, effort a solution for me that I find acceptable and I will not feel disrespected now, will I?" he answered, stepping around her to place the child back on the floor where she lit up, reaching for a toy.

Ianto rose to leave and turned to look back down at the little one.

Yes.

He needed this sorted.

.

.

Jack heard that voice again, that soft musical voice scolding someone and the rise and fall of it was comforting somehow, like hearing a radio so far away that you could not make out the distant lyrics.

It was soothing.

.

.

"Where have you been?" the commander demanded as Ianto finally slid into his chair and removed his hat, looking at the screen wearily.

"Burning." Ianto replied calmly "the flares came early and have not relented."

"What?" the commander spluttered "What do you mean… not relented?"

"The 3am die off did not happen… we are still in the hard rain" Ianto sighed rubbing his face "We are hopeful that the 4pm die off will happen as they seem to be decreasing in strength."

"That is unprecedented" the Commander agreed "Any more losses?"

"Four of the five we were concerned about from the flare attack have died, one is still here. Also… the Captain seems to be making a remarkable recovery. Looks like the Boeshane blood is strong in him."

"I understand he was instrumental in the lives saved"

"Yes, he was. All reports provided show him to be a heroic man with great forethought and balls of steel" Ianto agreed "he is of good stock."

"Yes, so I read" the commander drummed his fingers "What do you plan?"

"I will see him healed and if he wants to retire out, I will ensure him a nice posting" Ianto said, then shifted in his chair. Pulling off his hat and the tail was visible for a moment before it fell back.

"You still have that?"

"You took a lot from me but you cannot take that" Ianto replied blandly, all pretense as friendship gone and the commander had the good grace to look down at his own desk before nodding.

"I know what we took from you, and I know… I know what we owe you Ianto. I did not mean offence by referring to it" the commander finally said softly.

"And I will not take offence by your reminder of the reason why I must hide the fucking thing under a hat!" Ianto replied as he shifted in his chair "But I will not cut it. I at least have that much pride left."

"Well deserved"

"I know… you know… shame no one else does. Six more months in this shithole… if I don't' boil first. You have no idea how I dream of my home planet… and it is those dreams that keep me strong here in this hell." Ianto rubbed at his face then looked towards the door, reaching out to hook the tail up and slide the hat back on before a polite knock and the door opening.

"Sir… he's awake" the ensign said nervously "and he's pissed as all hell."

"No doubt. Boeshanninan, they are born to be angry at the worlds" Ianto huffed as he turned back to the screen "good day Commander, may your day be a cool one."

"And yours Chief High Captain" the man nodded then the screen went blank.

Ianto turned to find the ensign staring at him with wide eyes.

"What. I never hid my rank, it is on my paperwork… I just choose not to wear the uniform. Come on… let us go meet this wild man from

Boeshane."