2

Ianto stepped outside to breathe the clean mountain air, smiling softly as he liked to his left and the deer wandering across his front yard ignored him as it trotted along with interest, following the smell of food and Ianto smiled as he watched its tail wag while chewing the apple slices left out.

It was a harsh winter, the sort that was in your bones making your joints complain each time you left your bedding but he had no choice. Needed water. He stomped his snow shoes into the snow as he trekked to the creek behind his house and he carefully lowered the bucket on a rope over the side of the snow bank, careful not to get too close to the edge.

Learned that one fast.

He then lifted it out and walked gingerly back to the cabin, walking into the entrance way to close the door before sitting to remove the snowshoes and outer garments, then he headed into the cabin and the warmth waiting to greet him. "It's only me."

He walked to the fire sniggering at himself as there was no answer… of course not. He was alone.

He had started doing that it the last six months he had been here after arriving a good month after he started shuffling the deck in his favour … talking to himself. He told himself it was when he started to disagree and argue with himself he could admit there was a problem… right?

Using the 'get to of jail free' cards he had put in play for Lisa were now working well for him as he carried out his plan to run from Torchwood… sans Lisa. Felt weird, finding clothing and such for her at some spots along the way but it was less sorrowful now, he missed Jack more. So much more.

He checked his watch and pondered the day ahead then he rose to get his coffee tin, shaking it as he stared inside and grimaced. Almost out. Right. Time to go shopping.

Ianto had breakfast and drank two cups of coffee, using up the last of his stock. He knew one was the norm but he was gonna freeze his balls off out there. Good thing he didn't need them any more eh? The last cup was piss weak anyway, just the dregs. Why not, he would need the extra burn for the journey to town and with the cold brisk day out there. He then put on his snow pants and heavy jacket, pulling on the bobble hat and then he stomped the snow shoes to test they were solid before heading out around the other side of the cabin to the garage where he checked the fuel gage before turning over the snowmobile … (like someone might have used it since he last did?) … removing his snowshoes before settling on it to ride with practiced grace down the trail towards the village at the bottom of the mountain.

He drove into the back lot of a store and parked, got off and adjusted his jacket before entering and calling out, "Missus Jessop?"

"Henderson?" a voice called back, then an ample bosomed older lady appeared from the walk-in freezer with a look of delight "Hello love, didn't' know you would be in this early. I didn't think you would be here until next week!"

"Coffee" he said with a grimace and she laughed as he added "I might cut my throat soon if there is none."

The American accent was vaguely familiar and although part of him hated the reminder, secretly deep down he knew it was the only thing he had left of Jack. He also considered leaving Great Britain all together but he knew he would miss this place… and the little reminders or ghosts about the place. Anyway… he wanted this citizenship even if fake. He walked through the kitchen to the front of the restaurant and settled at the counter knowing a lovely strong tea would come. He did not remove his large puffy jacket, as always he simply pulled off the bobble hat and let his hair stick out all over the place.

Then after he rose and winked as he told her she could had him if she were just a tad younger, making her blush and he wandered out into the street and across to the store where he was greeted with enthusiasm by those behind the counter.

"HENDERSON!"

"Hey boys. I have a little list today I am afraid… rats have been at my pantry again.. one the size of an American" he said in that eerily Jack-like drawl and they both laughed happily as they helped him and then one of the men leaned in and said softly "A few more of those on-line packages came."

"Ah, I did wonder. Great." Ianto said as he waited for the courier packages to take back across and place in the box on the back of his snow mobile. He then went back into the restaurant and again took his customary seat at the counter, feigning surprise as the large meal placed in front of him.

"No thinks Darlin' girl" he said as the coffee was about to be poured "I broke my one cup a day rule already… black tea?"

"You and your one cup a day" she laughed softly, then she turned with a new smile "Hello Aidan."

"Hey Fran. Pour me some of that coffee would ya?" a man said and Ianto sipped his tea as the local Heddlu sat next to him "Christ we have a hell of a storm blowing in tonight. Hey Henderson."

"Hey Aidan" Ianto replied calmly, "rough day?"

"Bloody tourists, went up the south ridge and haven't come back, gonna have to sent two bloody men …."

Whatever else Aidan was going to say was cut off as faint hollering filled the street outside and they all raced out to find a man there in the middle of the road covered in blood babbling as he pointed back at the mountain "Big Foot, a fucking Big Foot attacked us …"

Ianto looked at the man covered in gore, too much for it to be anything good and he slowly turned to face the mountain as a feeling fell over him that he had not felt in a long time.

Dread.