1

Phoenix sat in the captain's chair as he watched the stars fly past.

It had hurt, leaving Lazarus behind but he had been correct in thinking that he might make things worse.

At least he could give a bit of misdirection if anyone arrived looking for the source of the power surge.

He was reluctant to take the wee firebug with them, even with a wet nurse but he worried about leaving her if there truly was danger. She was his sister after all. Bad enough that he left his father to grieve alone.

NG was sleeping, a blessing as she seemed a bit colicky lately and he wondered if his fear was giving her a tummy ache, not the milk.

The boys were asleep back in the quarters with Jack.

He reached and felt a dreamless sleep draped over them all and smiled to himself as he continued the night watch.

The Torchwood was beautiful and he never grew tired of this time alone. He had been pleased to see Bollo coming aboard with a green tinged feline/lizard hybrid that he had proudly introduced as his mate.

Leia wandered onto the bridge and winked at him as she paced her checklist report into its port, thus completing her nightly check of the ship. She then kissed him lightly on the cheek and the Torchwood was all his.

He closed his eyes and felt the stirring of the firebird, opening them to see the vastness outside the bridge windows with new eyes.

Stars burned and planets zoomed in and then away like a zoom lens was being employed. Ianto spoke of things, places, alien lives as they sped along in the ethos.

Jack had woken and came in the check Leia's report and found Ianto standing there in all his glory, wings spread like he was sunbathing in the starlight.

"Ianto?"

A rustle of feathers as his mate turned and Jack saw the straight back, the canted head and stepped into his arms, kissing him passionately.

"Hello Cariad" Ianto crooned, stroking his face.

"What are you doing?"

"We were looking at the universe and revelling in life" Ianto said with his soft Welsh vowels stirring Jack's heart.

"Revelling, Huh?"

"Stop it! Harassment that is" Ianto quipped with his eyes shining in the stars mirrored from the view.

"So beautiful. I thank the gods for their gift, "Jack whispered as he leaned in for a kiss, "So lucky."

"Behave" Ianto scolded and Jack felt Phoenix's laughter thrumming.

With a soft smile, Jack bowed and left the bridge as he knew this was their time.

Ianto turned back to look out at the vast black and told Phoenix of his death. Those final moments on Jack's arms, the anger of defeat and the fear of begin forgotten.

The smile on the handsome face was of both men, amused by the thought that Jack would ever forget them.

As the night ticked over Phoenix felt a sold shiver creep up his spine and swung to face whomever had snuck onto the bridge, only to find black emptiness.

He pondered this, then the only remaining possibility had him close his eyes to reach back through the bond.

Daddy?

Run dearest boy, run.