1

Jack was waiting for the right time to approach Ianto about what he had learnt about little Lorenzo, also the fact he had notified Child Services as well as his own contacts to ensure something was done to uplift those children. But it was such an idyllic time, these last few days had been so perfect that he didn't want to spoil it.

Ianto was waiting for the right moment to corner Jack about what he had done with regard to Enzo. He had notified Child Services as well as his own contacts and now the Patch Supply was drying up around the father. He hoped there would be an imposed uplifting soon. But it was such a happy time, these last few days had been … well … perfect ya know? He didn't want to spoil it.

The Gods decided anyway.

"Taddy?" Dylan whispered as he patted Ianto's arm knowing his father would sleep through a bomb going off but Ianto was a light sleeper, always waking to a little accident or bad dream.

Taddy, something bad is happening" Dylan whispered and Ianto opened his eyes to focus on the child standing there in his baggy pants as he clutched at the phone, "Enzo is scared and his Da is shouting."

Ianto grabbed the phone and listened to a rampage in progress as well as a little voice trying to silence the baby from crying.

"Lorenzo? Darling?" Ianto crooned and there was a sharp intake of breath before the rush of crying and gasping. "Lorenzo, hey. Enzo! Take a breath, and tell me how to spell your name. Come on."

There was a moment of confusion then the little boy promptly did as he was told. Then silence. Now he was calm, focused and he spoke. "Da has a big knife and is yelling at Mama because she won't give him the patches. She hid them, he's so mad and he spent too much to get them. He went to a new place and they are different patches to what he likes."

"Are you hidden?" Ianto said as he reached out and slapped Jack on the arm, his grunt showing he was waking so Dylan shot around to shake and wake some more.

"Under me bed with Carley."

"Does your Da know you hide there sometimes?" Ianto asked as he heard a scream that had him swallowing thickly, his own mother had made a noise like that. He knew what it meant.

"Sometimes he remembers."

"Shit, it is half past three in the bloody morning Dyls?" Jack slurred as he moved in the bed.

"OK. Listen. Do you ever hide in the broom cupboard?" Ianto asked and there was silence "Lorenzo?"

"No, its dark in there"

"OK, so he would never think to look there right? I used to hide under the sink or in there so me Da couldn't find me" Ianto said as he struggled into pants with one hand, "You hide with the little one and be so quiet. Be mice in a little mousey hole, OK?"

"Yan?" Jack sat up blinking blearily as Ianto continued to talk.

"I am right here and I will not hang up, I will stay here with you darling" Ianto was now getting help as Jack slid his shirt on for him and then moved to dress as well now he had realised the source of the call, "Captain Jack and I are coming to stop him. You have to wait and I will wait with you right here in the dark, OK? You are not alone, I am here darling."

"Dylan, time to be a soldier" Jack said as he knelt and placed his hands on his son's shoulders, "I want you to collect some blankets and get into the Hover, I want you to settle in the back and be nice and still. You will stay there no matter what and when we have Enzo and Carley you will cuddle with them. Understood?"

Dylan nodded and then ran off as Jack called after him, "And clothes baby. Get dressed warm."

"Yes, we are getting into the hover now, did you hear the captain yelling to Dylan to get dressed? Yeah? He will be in the hover too. We will come and you will be safe. All safe and sound with us. OK? Just a little bit longer, you are being so brave" Ianto placed a hand on Jack's shoulder as Jack knelt to slip his shoes on then rise for a gentle kiss, "We're coming now. Listen and you will hear us firing up the hover. Listen for it love."

They rushed to the garage and the huge militarial hover, Dylan disappearing inside ahead of them and they got in, Jack slamming his hand on the ignition as Ianto clipped in, "Hear the engines? We're coming. Can you hear Da?"

"Mama is crying, I think he found them" Lorenzo whimpered, "I'm scared."

"It's OK. I was too, my Da was bad and he hurt me and I was so scared I wet meself sometimes as I hid in the dark. No shame in fear my love. Fear is to keep you alive, to make you focus, soldiers do that. You are such a brave soldier right now."

Jack snarled as he drove like a thing demented, the Militarial Lights on as traffic scattered before them.

They were about to see a real soldier.

And his Captain.