15

Ianto was exploring and he knew there was more to see than the façade of an old house. As he had expected, what looked like doors to the scullery were actually large blast doors to the huge walk-in chiller that held enough food to feed a large production crew and actors.

It was filled to the gunnels, clearly well stocked. Ianto walked along the shelves with open awe as he saw months worth of food here, some fresh stuff clearly not able to last another week mind, but most of it was good for months. Shit.

Then he saw some candy bars and chose one, sitting on a large bucket of icing… yes… an entire bucket of it. He chewed on the bar and thought of how much Mica loved chocolate, how he had some on his pocket each time he visited, a peanutty one for David as well since he was addicted to the stuff. But Mica, she liked the dark stuff, like him.

Tears were rolling before he could stop them and here alone in the cold he finally wept for the lost family he had tried so hard his entire life to keep safe. Also, the horrifying thought that they might have reanimated and all be wandering around eating people like the things he was now thinking about ways to kill.

Ianto leaned back and took a deep breath, telling himself that was it. He had allowed himself a moment to break down and lose control, now it was time to lock it all back down and focus. He had shit to do, people to save and even though he could not save his family he could try to save this one.

He rose and shook himself like a dog shaking off water droplets, the bad juju being cast out into the void. He had to focus. This is my life now, embrace, enhance and protect.

Yeah.

He can do that.

.

.

Jack had noticed Ianto missing and he also noticed Andy covertly looking for him and he moved over to ask "So, you and Ianto…"

"We grew up together. Sort of like cousins but without the blood thing he has with Martha. I mean he's been my wingman on so many adventures but this one… man… freaky."

"Right so his girlfriend Lisa was his one?"

"His right now. Not his ONE!" Andy turned to look at him and Jack felt like he was under investigation as Andy looked him up and down before saying so quietly no one else could hear "But to tell you the truth, he always lit up when you were coming to see Her Nibs. Lisa was jealous of you ya know."

"Yeah?" Jack grinned.

"Look … he's not exactly someone who lets his freak flag fly if ya know what I mean is Lisa was never about her being a girl or anything. I mean, she was an amazonian goddess, her legs went alllll the way up but he also told me on more than one occasion when off his tits that your arse was the best he had ever cupped in an elevator."

Jack felt shock "Wait… that was him goosing me? Oh my god, the thing was packed each time and… wow. I never even saw him. Wow… how many times?"

"How many times did someone grope you?"

"Three?"

"Well, he said four so…."

"Fuck. In the stairwell one time while were doing a fire drill someone… really? I never aw him that time either. Oh wow, a covert serial bum squeezer" Jack laughed "Well, he has more brownie points already."

"Good, because he does like you but if you want to have something with him be warned… he does not share and he does not like lies." Andy warned, suddenly serious.

"Good, because that's my preference too" Jack reassured him, looking over as Ianto appeared from a doorway with something on a tray in his hands.

"Oh my god!" Suzie was the first to speak "Are those…."

"Found these in the back of the chiller, thawed enough to eat but still cold enough to have lasted so long in there. Come on… who wants chocolate mousse!"

Ianto placed down the tray of martini glasses full of the stuff and turned as Toshiko came in behind him with more as well as a large bowl of whipped cream and fresh berries.

"Oh yeah, and there is an amazing berry garden in the tunnel house out back" she added with a grin "But Owen ate most of the blueberries."

"I like blueberries, so shoot me" Owen said without any care, reaching for a mousse.

Ianto left them to it, walking to a chair and settling in it to eat his own, the puffy eyes and slumped shoulders telling Jack the man was tired sad and overwhelmed.

"I think me and Rhys can take the watch tonight, I will start, Rhys I will wake you after midnight to take over. Tomorrow night can be Ianto and Andy and we will have sorted out a roster by then so there is always someone awake in case the cameras pick up motion." Jack said to the room like it was no big deal.

Everyone nodded and Ianto looked over at him, a single nod before another mouthful of mousse.

Ianto hopped up and looked around "Right, I will do some dishes as I think we need to maintain some control here, you are all heathen scum and we will not be chucking the empty glasses into the fireplace!"

Laughter started as Ianto instantly lifted the mood and Jack saw him hold the room as he camped about cooing about the working conditions here. Like some butler or something that really worked in this house once upon a time.

He was really funny.

And cute.

Jack found himself more comforted by him than the food.