5

They found a building that resembled a general store, except everything was free. Sort of. A little man kept a ledger of everything they took and as they walked back towards the houses Tosh glanced at Ianto "Do we have to pay this back somehow?"

"No, no" Ianto laughed softly "No, it's so he can keep inventory. Might be one of the next raids he will have a list of things to replace some of what we took … he does like his stock levels to be just so. We don't argue. He does a good job."

"So, there was a lot of tech in a corner just … discarded. Is it frowned upon? Tech?" she asked "There is not a lot of tech about from what I can see, even stuff that does not connect"

"The atmospheric conditions make it impossible to punch a hole to a satellite" Ianto explained as they walked "they can't detect us down here, can't connect. Of course, the down side is that we can't see them either, up there floating about."

"You think they are? Up there searching for us?" she looked up with alarm. "Can they reach this far with their drones? Or … maybe satellite image?"

"I would be" he answered as he moved away and she stood considering this, then she turned and went back to talk to the strange little man with some good pieces she could use with her own things she still had with her. If anyone could overcome the atmo, she could. Right?

Unaware of her decision Ianto continued to find Rhiannon and Johnny in conversation as the man whined "But I don't have any bloody skills here!"

"Yes you do" Ianto cut in "Over in the red shed is a vehicle bay full of jeeps and such in need of repair. You are good at that. Tinkering with engines. Not many here can. Why the SUVs were such a good thing, why they took the time to bring them across even if it means taking them back for a recon. They knew … they were an advantage we will need in days and weeks to come. A good grease monkey might mean they last us years if we are lucky. A grease monkey would be welcome."

Johnny looked surprised, then turned to look in the direction he was being shown and started to walk that way with purpose. He could do that, he could help with vehicles. He was a qualified mechanic after all. Also, that Rhys said he was a truck driver and mechanic too. With the two men finding they liked each other, it might be a good fit and Ianto nodded as he thought the same thing.

"Thanks. I was about to lamp him one" Rhiannon sighed, "He got up every week morning and buggered off to work, didn't come back until meal time that evening, weekends spent at footy and the pub … I've not need around him for this long in years. Forgot how he rubs me the wrong way."

"Was the right way once" Ianto smiled and she sighed, nodding.

"Rhia … he might remember that too. Maybe that distance didn't help, he got too caught up in his own world and forgot the one he was supposed to be creating for both of you." Ianto advised softly "Maybe this is what he needs to remember that he wanted this. A wife, a family ... not a local pub to drink himself and half his pay check away all the time."

"You know, you say these things but … you never said anything to me. You would come around, drop off money and food, gifts and then take off like it was just any other visit but you knew. Didn't you. When there was nothing in the cupboards" she sighed. "You always timed it right for me to be able to feed the kids, they never knew the nights I worried before you turned up the next day."

"Da" Ianto grimaced "I saw him in him at your wedding. The way he drank, the way he sneered when you looked away. I know. I just know you didn't see it, wouldn't have listened to me back then. The thing is, he doesn't have to be Da. He has time to change, time to retrain himself to be a fucking husband and father again. We don't have to witness a repeat of male abandonment."

"You never forgave him. He was drunk, she had a mental illness … things were …" she stopped speaking as a huge animal approached, a horse. A real, live horse that lowered its majestic head for Ianto to pet as he crooned softly.

"Rhiannon … she saw this. Came here and saw this. He never believed her and told her she was mad. Are you too? Is this a mass hysteria thing? Look around … she had to leave. Had to go back. No wonder she went mad" he sighed "you forgot. Do you still not remember this place?"

"I do" she finally admitted "I always thought it was a fantastic dream."

"Now you know better." Ianto waved a hand "Out there… that's the nightmare now."