By the end of the third day, all members of the team were ready. The Conservancy would handle the military issues, however they would be needed for the search, communication and technical integration, and medical support. Jens preferred to maintain a nonviolent presence, but Jack was prepared to fight, knowing the necessity of force might be a factor. Mara checked through her inventory making sure she had adequate multi-species medical supplies to prepare for whoever might need her attention. Ajit scrambled around the communications panel checking circuits and testing equipment with Asha watching somberly nearby. After downloading the data files and protocols sent by the Conservancy, he was sure he could communicate and respond on any of their varied systems.

Jack primarily worked Gray going over the profiles and protocols of the Conservancy team. When working with so many different species and cultures, it was important to work smoothly and avoid cultural misunderstandings. Jack went over the weapons that they might use or encounter, showing his brother how to operate each one. Gray took to this eagerly, and demonstrated proficiency on the shooting range. While Jens primarily acted as team leader and liaison with the Conservancy, he made sure he did his paperwork near the weapons range while they were training.

By the end of the day, all were knackered. After sharing a quiet meal, each retired to their quarters intending to get a good night's sleep before meeting with the Conservancy the following morning.

Jens stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel to dry off. Jack leaned against the bathroom wall grinning.

"Looking good!" The Captain flirted as he took the towel away and began to dry off Jens back. "Those workouts are definitely countering paperwork paunch." He handed the towel back and kissed the Time Lord on the neck, as Jens wrapped it around his waist. "Too bad you didn't wait for me to join you."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll think of something," Jens laughed. "I need to check for any new communications, then I'll wait for you in bed."

Jens closed the door to the bathroom. He slipped into the bed and pulled up the quilt, and then reached for the communications tablet on the bed stand. He could hear Jack humming as he took his shower, steam slipping from under the door. Jens smiled as the clear baritone notes formed into a familiar bar song with a quite inventive ending. He was finishing the last review and stored the tablet when Jack slipped in beside him.

"You're still wet!" Jens protested as the Captain nestled against him.

Jack grinned as his hands wrapped around Jen's waist and began to explore.

The Time Lord turned and kissed his lover on the lips, while grabbing his wrists. "Wait, we need to talk first."

Jack frowned and turned on his back. "What about?"

"We need to talk about Gray. I don't want to have this conversation in front of the rest of the team."

Jack sighed. "What about him?"

"I'm not sure he is ready."

Jack took a deep breath. "Look, it's been six months and he has integrated well into the team." Jack propped himself up on his elbows. "He is capable, trained, and I trust him. Mara thinks he has recovered."

"No, Mara has cleared him physically, but she said the talk therapy is still difficult," Jens said. "I'm worried he might regress under pressure."

"Jens, men in my family don't open up easily," Jack countered. "You should know that. "

Jens leaned back thoughtfully. "Do you have nightmares about what he did to you, to your team?" He added softly, "I hear you in the night. I feel the tension in your body."

A shadow filled Jack's eyes as he turned away.

"Talk to me," Jen said softly as he pulled his lover closer. "Lately you have been more restless when you're dreaming. What does your intuition, your instincts tell you about Gray?"

"He's healing," Jack insisted. "He's fine. I trust him."

"You want him to be fine," pressed Jens. "Don't override your gut feelings because you want your brother back."

"Jens, he's fine!" Jack persisted. "Besides, the dreams were not about Gray."

"What is making you so restless?"

Jack hesitated. "Do you dream?"

"I don't know," Jens said thoughtfully. "Probably…I don't remember. Why?"

"It's not just dreams. Sometimes I see him."

"See who?"

"Ianto. Sometimes I see Ianto."

"Are you trying to make me jealous?" Jens teased.

"No, seriously, sometimes I see him just standing there, smiling at me."

"Full suit?"

"Yes," smiled Jack. "He was always a snappy dresser."

"I'm OK as long as it's a full suit." Jens turned and playfully looked over Jack's shoulder. "Keep your clothes on Ianto, he's mine now." And he began to tickle him.

"Stop it!" Jack frowned as he grabbed Jens wrists to push him back. "I'm serious."

Jens rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Do you think there is an existence beyond death?"

"Don't know. Maybe." Jens wrapped himself around Captain's back. "What's brought this on?" He kissed his lover on the shoulder.

"I don't know. A feeling. Premonition. Whatever." Jack continued. "When I die, there is a darkness before the Vortex drags me back to life." He settled back thoughtfully. "I once thought I wanted to die. Now…I don't know. Being alone in the darkness." He shuttered. "Being alone… Sometimes when I see him, see Ianto, I want him to be real."

"Now I am getting jealous."

"No, I mean that when he is with me even just in my mind, I don't feel so alone." Jack turned to face him. "Those long years after I left Earth before I met you…when I bounced around from job to job, star system to star system…I was alone. No ties. I didn't want any ties after they died: Tosh, Owen, Ianto, and finally Gwen. It just…was hard. Just sex was easier. No expectations. But in all that time, I would sometimes see Ianto. Mostly in my dreams. But once in awhile, especially when I thought I would die…I thought I could see him. Really see him. Feel him." He looked into Jens eyes. "That's crazy, right? Wishful thinking?"

Jens thought for a moment. "There is an old Earth saying, There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. As a scientist I find this humbling and generally true."

"Look, Shakespeare, you're not answering my question," Jack grumbled.

Jens sighed. "There are stories from credible people. I have heard stories from the northern peoples of your Earth of a guardian spirit called a fylgia who is seen in a dark hour. Sometimes a person, sometimes an animal. Most are loved ones, family or friends, that had a deep connection to the person that sees them." He put has hand on Jack's shoulder. "I would like to think you have a fylgia."

Jack turned towards him. "Ianto?"

"Especially Ianto. I'd like to think that if you were alone and I wasn't there, someone who loved you would find you, even a fylgia."

"But do you think a fylgia is real?"

"I don't know. That's as honest as I can be, Jack. I simply don't know."

Jack lay back down on the bed. "And I thought you were the logical one of the two of us," he teased. "What would your scientist friends think?"

Jens curled around the older man's back. "A true scientist knows the limit of knowledge." He leaned forward and kissed Jack's left ear and smiled. "As for my friends, they'll think I love you."

"Speaking of which," Jack smiled as he looked back. "Where did you put that stopwatch?"

"What is it with you and stop watches?" Jens murmured as he nuzzled Jack's neck. "Sprint runs in your youth? Track team star?" He lifted his body higher pulling Jack on his back. He playfully began to trace his partner's full lips toying with the cleft on his chin.

"Butt-chin," Jack grimaced.

"Shhh." Soon a mischievous expression filled his face as he positioned himself over his partner. "I remember another expression from one of your Earth poets that I like."

"What's that?"

"Carpe diem."

"Horace, Seize the day. Why?"

Jens grinned and began to slowly slide his hand lower. "And I think I'll finish my day by seizing this."

Jack gasped with pleasure and grabbed his wrist. "Game on!"