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Ianto was not sure about this but knew Jack was right, Heath needed to socialize with others. He just didn't think these kids would entertain Heath as much as he was about to entertain them.

"Ah Mister Harkness-Jones" the teacher was walking towards them with a smile that said that she knew what she was doing. She loked at the little one then around him like she expected something else to be there "We spoke on the phone. I'm Vanessa."

"This is Heath" Ianto said as he placed his hands on the shoulders of the little boy who barely came to his waist. She blinked, looked down at the child then at Ianto with open confusion so Ianto added "He is small for his age. Don't worry, I was too. Look at me now."

"Ah … I see. How old is he again?"

"Four and a half."

She blinked, and then frowned "Mister Harkness-Jones. You do realize these children at this after school centre is for children between the ages of seven and ten?"

"Yes, don't worry. He has books and things with him in case he gets bored. He is just looking for friends, he understands that the learning side will be too …. Childish for him."

She blinked slowly.

"Heath is about the mental learning age of a twelve or thirteen year old" Ianto explained patiently "So be warned. He will retreat if he feels ignored and will also correct spelling mistakes on the board. He is currently reading a book of poetry, is fascinated with poems, song lyrics …loves singing actually. If you have anything music related he will be hooked." Ianto smiled "He's a bit of a progeny. Why he doesn't go to a regular school or anything … too advanced and it makes him strange to other little ones his age. We tried. They shunned him for being too clever."

"Oh" she knelt to address the child in question "Hello Heath. I am Vanessa. I will be looking after you until your Daddy comes back for you in a few hours."

Heath regarded her then spoke with a soft musical voice as he pointed up at Ianto "He's my Taddy. Daddy is at work and will not be back until late tonight. He has a meeting with people called 'The Tossers' that he doesn't really like very much."

Ianto blushed "HEATH!"

She found herself giggling as she winked at the little one and rose, now seeing that he was indeed extremely advanced for his age "Not a problem. Would you like to stay for a while?"

"Best not. Rip off the Band-Aid, go cry in my car like a baby" Ianto said and Heath looked up at him so he said "Not literally love. I will be sad without you but happy to know you are doing something different. I will soon be back for cuddles and a report on the day. I expect some good visuals. It is 3pm … I will be back at five thirty. That is …"

"Two and a half. I am wasting time. Perhaps I should go then" Heath nodded, walking confidently into the room full of kids and Ianto let his breath out slowly as he looked at the teacher.

"Good luck, he is … well. I hope this works" Ianto sighed.

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"You dropped him off?"

"Yes Owen. He went in happily without even a backward glance" Ianto said as he pulled into traffic, the Bluetooth in his ear full of noise as Owen laughed at him for the sorrowful tone. "I know. I should be happy he is interested. God. I wish there were something other than his pets and music that held his interest."

"Well ... he loved that weasel thing. Finding it dead broke his heart. Maybe a ferret?" Owen suggested "Shit, they're here."

Ianto slowed the car as he considered.

Ronnie Weasel had been found by Russ whose howls brought them all running to see the poor dead pet still curled as if asleep in the socks left to be folded. Owen said it could have been his little heart, anything really but Ianto had been sure it was the rat bait laid next door, the little man having got out the day before and missing for a few hours before finding his way home.

Russ the Terror … ah terrier and Lucy the regal setter were well loved by the little boy but that silly thing had been a special pet. Maybe. Or a rabbit? He pondered this as he sat at the lights.

"Good thinking Owen. I will swing by the pet hop and see what is available then if there are options I will take him later on to choose for himself. He chose Ronnie after all" Ianto said as the light changed and he checked before starting off.

"Right-o" Owen said and then snorted "I bet when you pick him up there will be a tired teacher."

"She seemed quite nice. I hope he's not too hard on her" Ianto sighed as he turned for the Hub, "There in about five minutes. Make sure Bessie is on at the wall if you want me to fire her up for you."

"Coffee!" Owen crowed then muffled noises and Owen yelping "Sorry love"

"That Tosh?"

"Yeah, munchkin is kicking" Owen was excited now, the impending birth of their first child a wondrous thing for him even is Toshiko was SOOOO bloody over it already.

Ianto smiled as he knew he would make a single shot for her too.

She was allowed one a day.

Doctor's orders.

Lest she kill him.