Listening to her talk…it makes him smile because it reminds him of Ianto. His constant scolding about remembering the human element in their work, keeping sight of the people they were protecting, believing ceaselessly that everyone deserved to be saved.

Ianto works so hard to keep him human, keep him present—to help him keep the rage and the bloodlust at bay. He shines, like Amanda shines, and Gray feels the glow of her as readily as the warmth of the intoxicating sunshine.

“It’s okay—I’ve done some space exploration myself.” He assured her with a nod. “So I do understand, mostly. The ideas if not the mechanics…listen, feel free to slug me if I’m outta line here, but—what was so impossible? Hearing that and…all that nonsense about anyone pitying a great gal like you, I…was something wrong?”