26

The place seemed deserted. They had called out, fired a few shots into the air, the whole enchilada. Nothing. Toshiko checked her equipment "Right, that building over there was staff quarters. If this place is shut down for the rainy season then any caretakers would be in there?"

Jack headed in that direction with Owen and Dominic in tow, the Steward in charge on the cruiser actually a good man, ex military and clam under pressure. Jack liked him, Ianto didn't care.

"While they check that out, let's check the guest quarters." Ianto said to her and Owen moved in the direction she pointed, his gun out and his stance like he was about to squat to take a shit. Ianto didn't know why Owen did that, too many cop shows as a kid? Looked sort of Hollywood.

It was an hour later that they all reconvened "Clear."

"Same" Jack said as he looked in the direction Ianto and his team had come from "And?"

"Good. This place can happily accommodate about fifteen to twenty people as well as some livestock. Land for growing food… a good spot." Ianto nodded.

"We want it" Dominic said without fanfare "I mean… sorry… can…"

"Of course you can have it" Jack answered before the man stuttered anything else "We can transfer anything from the boat you want or need, set you up and with some CB radios to keep in touch. Once we have a workable map we can then all share what we have, need or simply don't give a shit about."

"Sounds good" Dominic nodded "I will go back and tell them this place rocks."

"Five crew and three guests. Those guests don't still treat you like their servants I hope" Ianto said softly.

"Nah, we sorted that shit out real fast. We did have one of them thinking we should cater to her still, but we sorted that out with the offer of one of the remaining life rafts so she could be in charge of a boat if she liked." Dominic snorted with mirth.

"Prudence? Hah…. I like that thinking" Jack clapped him on the shoulder "Come on. I want to get that vessel to deeper water. Also, we need to contact the others to let them know we are all good and things are sorted to everyone's satisfaction."

.

.

"It felt weird leaving them there but they seemed happy enough, right?" Owen asked as he looked back at those waving on the shoreline.

"They saw thing on this boat we didn't. Ghosts on here only they fear" Ianto answered gently "They wanted off. In time they might want to get on another one, or another island but for now they only have one another and want to keep that group intact. I can understand that."

"So we can live on this boat?" Owen asked, glee starting in his face "I like this one."

"Well… sure. That island over there is apparently a privately owned one, maybe we can check that one out" Ianto pointed to one that had coconut trees visible and palms. Here, in Wales. Whoever owned it had money, that was clear. Jack grinned as he glanced at him and saw Ianto's intent.

"you want off the boat too sweetie?"

"I want options. Living on sold land is better with a small child, she needs stability and some pets. A garden and shit. I want a place that is just ours, not eating in the Galley with everyone all the time. We can travel sure… but I want a home base that I know is not gonna sink." Ianto relied.

Owen laughed as he pointed at the cruiser they were approaching "That? Sink? Come on, we could lunch a hole in her and she would hit the bottom, still have only the lower levels flooded, still be a metal island."

"that's not what he means" Jack said softly as he reached out for Ianto's hand "Sure Tiger. W can check out that one."

.

.

"Holy fuck balls" Owen said slowly like he had to savor each word.

The place was made of money all right, big money. To the point where Ianto saw things he would have to rip out to just feel comfortable living in it all. Bling up the wazzu. Wow. Jack stopped to regard a portrait on the wall of the foyer "Oprah, she owns everything."

"Not anymore" Ianto replied "It's ours now. Ours. And it's pet friendly at least with her little dogs she loved… look at those doggie doors and the decking. This would be perfect. I love it."

"Well, it' safe. Dry, opulent and clearly well maintained. Again, they had good staff. Weird not to find anyone here though, not a single person." Jack said as he looked around some more, those they had found dead in their beds at the other island quietly moved and dumped so the Cruiser Family did not have to see more death. Dominic was showing himself to be a good man, a natural leader for his little group.

"No boats either. I guess when it all went tits up they took off for the mainland to their families" Ianto shrugged "I like it. No dead here. No tainting. This is clean."

"And so it's ours" Jack clapped his hands with delight.

And room for others with the staff building and guest house as opulent as the main. Oh yes, Oprah looked after her guests, staff and family so well.

Ianto watched Owen and Toshiko check out the guest building one more time, both of them sharing looks he was relieved to see.

Any time now, they would ask.

And it would be nice to have them here too.