39

"Man, Jack seemed sad he was not coming, even as he said he had too much to do at home" Andy said as he clung to the ineffective little windscreen of the boat they were in. A small flat bottomed boat. What some call a Tinny as it is thin tin simply folded at the sides and a bow created in a fold. It goes like stink though, and that is what Ianto liked about them.

The little outboard motor went on the smell of an oily rag and for twice as long as anything else, more than powerful enough hot push such a light thing through the water with three men on board. Yes, of course he had Owen with him. Don't be stupid. Everyone needs a wingman and we all know the perfect idiot to take for shits and giggles.

They had cruised around the coast like Ianto wanted and were now coming to the small fishing village that usually was a hive of tourist activity this time of year. The bunting was flapping in the breeze and the little town's streets were festive and bright as always, only the overturned pots of colour and occasional bunting torn down gave away the fact that the illusion was broken.

As they let the skiff slowly drift along they saw an overturned baby buggy and further on a pushbike folded nearly like someone had simply hopped off and took off on foot. Owen sighed "fuck. I hate Ghost Towns."

"Yeah, give it a burl" Ianto agreed.

Andy lifted the hand held loud hailer and let if feedback, the horrible wine filling the void of silence, then echoing softly back to them. Ianto dropped the anchor and they waited a good ten minutes. No one appeared in a window, running for them or making noise back. Happy or killy.

"Bugger" Ianto said sadly.

"Come on… let's get closer" Owen said a she pulled up the anchor and they drove towards the boat ramp, letting their boat belly on the cobbles before they clambered out and tied it to a mooring.

"I wish we had a dog" Owen said softly "could send it in for a look, baking and running back to us with wide eyes might be a good early warning system."

"And if it screamed and wailed then fell silent you would run in after it" Ianto replied sagely.

"A huge retractable leash, so it is far ahead but we can see it. A camera on his head like a land drone?" Andy cut into the conversation "The K9 units have stab proof vests, might help against the fuckers too."

"I do not know if we need a dog for this" Ianto said calmly, trying not to roll his eyes.

"A big one" One was now ignoring Ianto all together as he and Andy discussed their new dog they were going to get from the Doggy Store in the Sky "With those cool eyes that are different colours."

"Husky" Andy agreed "Mind, I am in love with Alsatians, because of the whole police dog thing. Mine could be like a little police officer, yours can be more of a medic, have one of those harnesses with pockets to carry your spare kit."

Ianto tuned them out as he knew there was no stopping the conversation now, both men invested in two dogs now. God. As they exited the boat yard and stepped into the main street Andy placed his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. Ianto turned slowly to gape at him.

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

Several barks responded and he face palmed. Of course. The fucking Dog Whisperer is here.

The pack of six or seven dogs came towards them, some hanging back as others rushed to say hi to real humans. Andy quickly found a nice looking German Shepherd and he argued with Owen who commented that is was not, it was an Alsatian. The two men were locked in battle now as Ianto ignored them, checking their safety zone for anyone incoming.

In the five minutes they loudly argued, no one arrived. It was disheartening really. A ghost town. He was not sure how to feel in this place that had once been so loud and full of life and… "Will you two cut it out! Forfucksake."

Both men stooped fighting to stare at him like kids chastised by their mother.

"An Alsatian breed was so called after the Alsace-Lorraine region bordering France and German. The German Shepard gets its name from Germany. The dog was initially called 'Deustcher Schaferhund', which meant "German Shepherd Dog". They are the same fucking dog!" Ianto huffed as he looked around still "Different off-shoots. It was during World War I and II that the German Shephard dogs were termed Alsatian Wolf dogs. The British did not want to have the stigma of word 'German' connected to the dog during the World Wars."

"Really?" Owen asked with surprise.

"Think about it. They look the same? But also different due to time and breeding… same but not. Alsatians and German Shepherds are the same but not. Stop arguing about something unimportant."

"You're touchy" Andy scoffed "Not preggers are ya? Toshiko snarls like that!"

The two men chortled to themselves as they finally got their pistols out and wandered off to find their respective lists of shit. Ianto took a deep cleansing breath and told himself to calm the fuck down. They were right. He was not the preggers one. Soon they would know who was, when Jack was ready to announce.

But he did have a mission too.

Time to hunt for baby things.