7

The evening meal was wonderful, Jack famished from the day's work and again he watched Ianto take small bites from the edge of the plate and then leave most uneaten. No wonder he was so thin.

A child Jack had not noticed stopped tonight to lean over the back of the chairs and openly stare at him for a while. A boy of ten or eleven maybe. His red hair was an unruly mop and his face expressive. He was curious. Jack detected no fear and malice in the child who finally slid into the chair and smiled.

"I'm Ginger"

"Yes, you are" Jack agreed and the child lit up as he swung to address Ianto.

"See? He knew I was too!"

"Yes Ginger, you are certainly your name" Ianto replied softly, "Only one you."

"Yeah" the chill sighed happily before settling to devour the food Andy placed down with a gentle pat on the boy's shoulder, when done he looked at Ianto who nodded and he rose to run and play again.

"He is shy" Rhys explained as he took the vacated seat, "Poor little bugger, his mama died when he was little and his Da killed by Others. Sheriff brought him here not sure what to do with him. He's a bit … you know … touched.'

"We are all changed" Jack agreed, "The arrival of those beasts heralded a change to all of us. I remember the time before their arrival. I was there. I was … seven? Eight? My brother and I playing in the sand dunes of the Boeshane Peninsular. The ship's engines were so loud as it descended and we looked dup, then I felt fear and grabbed Gray's hand, pulling him away as we ran for home. They were on us so quickly. He fell. I … lost him."

"But they spared you?" Ianto was staring at him with surprise.

"I hid. We now know the ship was on auto pilot, the crew already gone so these things were ravenous and half crazed from it. I think they just overlooked me in their haste to get to the village they had flown over. But the time I crept home my father was gone and my mother … turning." Jack looked at his plate.

"I am so sorry" Rhys whispered, "Your Mama turned?"

"I … yes. I buried them together and left that place, alone and so scared. To have had somewhere like this to come to … this is a good thing you are doing for the babes. A good thing." Jack said as he reached for his glass.

"You put her down" Ianto whispered.

Jack nodded and Ianto puffed "Then you are a better man than I."

Jack shook his had, "I was a scared little rabbit. She came at me and my Da's gun was there in my lap where I had been cradling it. It was luck that I squeezed it out of fear and it went off."

"Luck" Ianto nodded, "The Gods provide that as well."

"You and your Gods" Gwen finally spoke, flicking her hair back, "If there are Gods why did they let the ship land?"

Ianto looked at her with surprise, "What makes you think all Gods are nice? Some are tricksters, malicious or plain bored. Gwen, they are immortal but not without their own minds. Careful what you say, they are listening."

"Yes, Gods hear all" she scoffed and Rhys shushed her.

"Not them … Them" Rhys whispered angrily, "Others."

Gwen paled and stared down at her plate as she wondered how close the things were, the darkness hiding them from sight. Even Tosh shook her head at the woman before rising from her chair, the men all leaping up, "Wonderful meal Andy. I will go check the sensors, this talk had given me the heebie-jeebies."

They settled back and Ianto placed his knife and fork down, making Owen sigh "At least some salad. For the love of the … heh. Come on mate. You eat barely enough to survive."

"Because I must" Ianto replied with annoyance "For you, I must. Do not think to know what I want Owen. Please. It has been a long day, we have worked hard and I am exhausted. I shall retire now, please. Please … keep the doors locked tonight. The moon is on the wane."

"Shit" Owen said to Jack, "Full Moon, they hunt the plains as the pickings are good. When the moon is disappearing they come closer to homesteads as the livestock are easier."

Jack nodded at the warning and rose from his chair, "If you will all excuse me, Toshiko is right. Time to check things are buttoned up."

"Buttoned up" Ianto said as he looked at him, "Not hunkered down. Buttoned up. Military term. Did you serve Mister Harkness?"

"Captain. Yes" Jack grimaced, "I served for the resistance."

He waited for the scoffing or disparaging comments about their loss to the empire but Ianto nodded.

"Me too" he finals said as he rose to head for the opposite door to Jack, "I was a lieutenant."

Jack had much to consider as he walked along his tunnel.

He was amongst friends, more than he had first realised.

For the first time he wondered if this was a bolthole, or something more.

Was this a possible home?