One

Pushing the door open Ianto flicked on the light and let out a long sigh of exasperation. He knew his flat mate was not the most organised of human beings. All Leon had to do was pick up his remaining gear. Not a difficult task, Ianto had packed the majority of it himself. From the looks of things Leon had dragged all his stuff packed in boxes and strewn it around the floor. Ianto flipped open his phone to find he could only leave a message.

"Leon it's Ianto. If your gear is not out of my flat by 10am tomorrow I will he charging you another week's rent."

Using his feet to clear a path Ianto reached the kitchen. He dumped his backpack on the kitchen bench and flipped his phone closed. Ianto let out another sigh bigger than the first as he viewed the state of the kitchen. He swore he had told Leon that he had emptied all his plates and kitchen gear and stacked everything on the kitchen bench along with all his cutlery ready to be packed. Hell, he had even provided the boxes and the bubble wrap. For some reason be couldn't explain Leon had pulled out every plate, bowl, mug, glass and piece of cutlery. He felt something crunch underfoot and mentally added an aggravation fee to the long list of money Leon owed him.

He lifted his foot and saw it was part of a mug. He bent down and picked up two of the largest shards. It was one of two Rhiannon had given him supposedly from his nephew David last Christmas. He was not a sentimental person but both had been a touching gift from one of those draw and fire pottery places. Covered in squiggles, the phrase 'Uncle Ianto' on the one he was holding and 'Best Uncle Ever' on the other with David's name added in Rhiannon's hand. He tried to fit the pieces together and he felt his eyes water. He slammed the cupboard door shut. He took a sharp in breath and flinched against the pounding headache that had haunted him all day. He hated these fucking headaches. It was like each one took on its own personality. This one had gotten to the' bang door of cupboard and see stars with searing flash of pain in forehead' stage.

He placed the shards on the bench and opened the front pocket of his backpack. Fumbling he reached in and pulled out a tablet strip and popped out two capsules. Now he had no fear of falling asleep at the wheel he could treat the massive headache made worse by oncoming headlights and ease the profound ache in his body. He threw the capsules into the back of his throat and washed them down with a half-finished sports drink he now pulled from his pack. He looked at his watch and opened another prescription bottle and shook out several small pills. He counted them off. Just enough to get him back to the clinic tomorrow morning. He separated out four with a fingertip then grimacing at the bitter flavour he washed them down. Now hopefully the pain meds would stay down.

Taking another look around at the mess a wave of fatigue rolled over him. He couldn't deal with this, not tonight. If he cleared up and went to sleep any later, he knew he would be in for an even bigger growling from the one he knew was coming.

He could hear Nancy's, the unit health nurse, admonishments ringing in his ears now. He knew he had been pushing it but he had so wanted to see the new baby, little Mica. Just holding her in his arms had made the long round trip worth it. She was perfect and he couldn't describe the feeling as she had curled her hand around his finger. God it had been amazing. She was so tiny he could hold her in the palm of both hands. He had to admit he had had trouble handing her back.

It had been a brilliant weekend; first the baby, catching up with Rhia, who was looking exhausted but proud. Then he had taken David out and spoiled him rotten. The weekend had culminated with him and David kicking a ball around in the back of his sister's garden; it was what being an uncle all was about. So what if he was a little tired? He wasn't going anywhere over the next few weeks. He had no idea when he would be well enough to make it down there again if ever. Certainly not the next month, he would only have the energy to go from here to the hospital, lay in bed staring at ceiling or have his head stuck down the toilet. He knew from bitter experience that no matter how good the anti-nausea medication was nothing could stop the nausea and vomiting once it began in earnest.

'It's going to be grand,' he snarked to himself. Weeks of people fussing about his electrolyte and pH balance. He had already handed over enough blood for twenty vampires. Not that any vampire would want his blood. He felt his stomach twist as he contemplated the continuing delights of having toxic chemicals flushed into his body. Five days and he had already had enough. He only hoped he could get through this round without being fully hospitalised like last time. He could handle being an outpatient but he hated the fuss that went with being admitted. That said he had felt so ill at the time he hadn't cared. It was being helpless he hated. The only good thing about this round was it was going to be the end. After the last a determination had grown that allowed him to take back a modicum of control. He was in charge of his own exit. No fuss, no one wringing their hands over him, he had it all planned.

One hand leaning up against the wall as he pissed he looked at the shower. It was tempting to ease the ache of his body under hot water, 'Nope too tired,' he told himself. He would get up early, tidy up, and then take an extra-long shower first thing. And when he got back from the clinic he would run a long hot bath. One of the reasons he bought this place was the spa bath, he would pour in that posh bubble bath supposably from Johnny.

Flushing the toilet then washing his hands he took three steps across the hall and pushed open his bedroom door. His jaw dropped; the room looked like a tornado had hit it. The mattress was off to one side, the bedding stripped. The entire contents of his dresser were on the floor along with every article of clothing in his wardrobe. It looked like every possession he owned had been tossed around the room. He pulled out his mobile to call the police only to find it ripped from his hands and a hood was pulled over his head. Blind he lashed out with his arms. What felt like several pairs of hands pulled his arms behind his back and he heard the click of handcuffs. He grunted, coughed and kicked out his legs and twisted his body with all his might. Suddenly he was falling forwards and found himself pressed into the mattress. This was swiftly followed by a knee forced into the small of his back. The force made him cry out with pain. Something cold pressed into the back of his neck and he stilled.

"Tell me where he is?" a gruff voice demanded grinding the barrel of the gun into the back of his neck.

"Who?" Ianto shouted out bewildered, his fatigue soaked muscles shaking from effort.

"Bevan, what have you done with him?" the voice shouted into his ear.

Ianto searched his mind desperate for anyone he knew by that name. As the gun barrel twisted only one name came into his mind

"B-Bevan-Bevan T-Thomas. Primary school, haven't seen him for years," he stuttered.

"Don't fucking play games Ianto Jones. Bevan is three years old. Tell me where you have taken him!"

"I don't know any children called Bevan the only children I know…" he stammered out as he felt the barrel of the gun dig into his neck more forcefully sending a sharp pain down his spine.

"You were seen with him less than twelve hours ago in Cardiff. Now where did you take him?" Another voice interrupted that sounded horribly familiar.

"If you've hurt him you bastard I'm going to kill you," Ianto felt himself lifted off the bed backwards and thrown. His back hit the wall with a thud and all the wind was knocked out of him.

"Nephew-David," he gasped out as he was pulled upright. A moment passed and a knee was pressed into his genitals.

"I don't believe you," the voice spat at him grinding the barrel of the gun which was now pushed into his chin forcing his head up exposing his throat.

"Phone-photo's," he panted out. He heard fumbling as his attackers searched for the mobile they had ripped from his hands. "I-I- don't know any child named B-Bevan, "Ianto cried out his heart wildly thudding in his chest as he tried to convince them.

"You were seen with him," the voice snarled.

"David, nephew," Ianto repeated. "MacDonald's, breakfast. 'Toy R Us' birthday," he shouted back. As the words left his mouth his head was pushed so far back he coughed.

"What's with the packing up? Looks like you're getting ready to leave?"

"It's my flat mate, Leon, he's moving out his number is in my phone." His voice trembled as the words tumbled over his lips. "You have to believe me I don't know any child called Bevan. I was visiting my sister. I went because she's just had a baby four days ago. She can tell you; her husband Johnny can vouch for me. Please I have never…" he heard footsteps and suddenly the hood was gone.

Blinking his vision cleared and the terror was instantly replaced with rage.

"What the fuck?" he screamed at both his attackers spraying them with spittle.

"You had better be sure," Rhys moved forward menacingly towards Ianto. "If you hurt him I swear…" Rhys drew up his fist.

"It's not Bevan." Jack threw the phone at Rhys. "Check for yourself." Rhys caught the phone and began to scroll through.

"He worked for Torchwood Jack he could have doctored the images."

"What the fuck is going on?" Ianto demanded.

"Twenty four hours ago my son went missing," Rhys said not looking up from the phone.

"Why… how…how… could you think…I would…you're both mad, "Ianto spluttered and looked at Jack. "How could you think I would do anything so evil?" Ianto twisted his body and indicated the handcuffs.

Jack undid the handcuffs and Ianto punched him to the ground.

"You BASTARD!" Ianto shouted over Jack on the floor. Ianto turned to Rhys as he pointed at Jack. "I have no idea what he told you. But I am not the kind of person who abducts children. I didn't even know you had kids, Rhys."

Jack stood massaging his jaw. "All the evidence pointed to you."

"All I did was go to Cardiff to spend some time with my sister, see the new baby and give David a birthday treat considering how rough things are since my brother-in-law has been out of work."

"You were a possibility," Rhys said unrepentantly.

"Why would I take your son Rhys? I never even knew you had c-children," Ianto pointed out bewildered looking between them.

"He's not my son," Rhys told him. "He's my adopted son."

"Adopted, I don't care Rhys. I don't know what the hell he told you but Jack and I haven't spoken since I walked out nearly three and half years ago when I found out who he was fucking behind my back." He saw Jack flinch and throw a worried look at Rhys. "For you to come here and accuse me …. For you to go through every possible scenario and come up with me is sick. Rhys I would have no possible reason in heaven and earth to harm a hair on your son's head."

"It's not unreasonable," Jack replied strongly.

"Yes it fucking well is Jack. Crazy the pair of you," Ianto said as the events of the last ten minutes began to catch up with him and he put out an arm to steady himself.

"He's my son," Jack said quietly.

Ianto looked at Jack his face distorted in disgust and turned to Rhys. "So they came clean about their dirty little secret and you the big man is bringing up his son. Or did Gwen disappear for nine months and come back with a kid and suggested it fell out the Rift?"

"What's he talking about Jack?" Rhys looked at Jack who went grey.

"Let's go," Jack commanded and moved to leave.

Ianto grabbed Jack by his coat lapels. "You don't get to leave. You break in, you hold a gun to my head and accuse me of the most heinous act I can think of. "

"What's he talking about?" Rhys demanded looking between Ianto and Jack.

"Nothing. Bevan's not here, we keep looking," Jack said struggling against Ianto.

"How could you believe this of me?" Ianto kept a tight grip on Jack. He looked into his face.

"Just over twenty-four hours ago my son went missing. Right now I would kill god himself if it would lead me to him and bring him home." Ianto pushed Jack away who then straightened his coat. "This is a dead end, he's not here. We need to go." Jack took a step forward to find himself confronted with Rhys who blocked the door with his body.

"No Jack. Enough secrets. I have had to accept all kinds of shit from you. I came up here because you said Ianto had found out and taken him."

"NO," Jack shouted at Rhys.

"You need to tell him, Jack."

"You don't know what you're asking," Jack shouted back pushing against Rhys.

"He should know Jack," Rhys told him sternly not moving an inch.

"I don't know what he told you Rhys," Ianto interpreted. "It will be nothing but lies, damn lies, secrets and more lies because that's all Jack's got. A whole life filled with deception which leads to destroying the people around him who are foolish or stupid enough to care for him." Ianto pointed to the door. "Now get out."

"Rhys we need to go," Jack demanded facing Rhys down.

"No Jack. It's clear he doesn't know. I don't care what happened between you and him in the past, but its Bevan's who counts here and Ianto has a right to know."

"Don't you think I know that but I can't," Jack screamed at him.

Ianto turned to Rhys. "I had nothing to do with what's happened. I swear as hurt as I was by Jack's actions I would never hurt a child even his." He caught his breath, his voice shaking as he wiped the tear that had tracked down his face off with his hand.

"I can see that Ianto, I can't tell you how sorry I am, but he told me…" Rhys began to say.

"I don't want to hear," Ianto pointed to the door.

"He doesn't want to know. Move!" Jack demanded and tried to push his way past.

"If what you told me was the truth then he has a right to know," Rhys stood his ground as Jack tried to seemingly dig his way past him.

"You don't know what you're asking," Jack cried out desperately.

"Tell him or I will," Rhys warned staring Jack down. Jack stared back with wild terrified eyes.

"This is what Jack does," Ianto looked at Rhys. "He takes your life then wrings out every last drop of emotion you have until you are nothing but a hollow shell then throws you away."

"Fucking tell him!" Rhys bellowed.

"Rhys I already know about him and Gwen. I fucking left them to it. So if you're trying to tell me Bevan is Gwen and Jack's I don't care." Ianto said feeling his knees giving out and he felt himself begin slide down the wall.

Rhys eyes flew open as he stared at Jack who took a step backwards. "You fucked my Gwen?"

"Rhys," Jack started to speak but Rhys punched him in the stomach and he doubled over.

"Welcome to the Fucked Over by Jack Club," Ianto said bitterly as he hitched himself up.

"You bastard," Rhys lashed out with both fists. Jack moved to protect himself but found himself knocked to the ground a second time.

Rhys took a breath and dragged Jack to standing. "Ianto there is the reason we came here and thought it was you. Jack told me Bevan is your son."

Ianto stared at him and felt the room sway, then swirl.

"Jack told me Bevan is your son," he repeated. "That you had found out and taken him. When we saw the CCTV footage it we thought it confirmed it."

"I know love is blind. So blind in fact I had to walk in on the pair of you fucking before I realised what was going on, but from recollection you don't have a vagina," Ianto said with deliberate slowness as he struggled to get the words out.

"It's complicated; 51st century body. I never expected… it was a shock I didn't realise until after you were gone. After I found out I tried a thousand times to contact you. I didn't know what to do. You were gone and refused to speak to me," Jack said desperate to explain

"Jack even if I believed you, how many other people did you fuck behind my back besides her? He could be anyone's."

"His D.N.A matches yours," he said flatly

Ianto locked his loathing on Jack. "What does Rhys have to do with all this?"

"Gwen and Rhys are his adoptive parents," Jack admitted not able to lift his eyes from the floor.

Ianto stumbled backwards as if hit from some unseen blow and put his arm out to brace himself against the wall.

"I'm sorry Ianto," Jack watched as Ianto's eyes reflected the pain of the betrayal.

"No you're not," Ianto said using the wall to hold himself up. "And what's worse, if this hadn't happened you would never have told me." He saw the truth in Jack's face and he gulped down the feelings that threatened to overwhelm him. "Months, weeks maybe that's all I …" he stopped himself. "I would have spent the time I have remaining never knowing. It wasn't enough that you hurt me with her, you kept this from me."

Jack looked at him shaking his head visibly tearful, "I wanted to tell you but you wouldn't speak to me. I tried, I asked you over and over again to meet. Emails, letters, you know how hard I tried. Months, Ianto; you returned every letter unopened. You made it impossible for me to contact you. I even sent Martha up. What the hell was I supposed to do?" he shouted back.

"How dare you make this my fault. When I needed you, when I needed someone more than at any other point in my entire life I walked in on you fucking the one person you had promised… assured me you wouldn't touch. Knowing my insecurities, knowing infidelity was the one thing I couldn't handle you fucked her not just once but over and over for god knows how long. You laid your hands on her, then on me. Do you know how humiliated you made me feel, how worthless? How little I mattered to you? How used and manipulated?" Ianto's words hit Jack and he appeared to shrink.

"Ianto, Bevan has gone missing; there is no trace of him. We thought, thought when we saw you on the CCTV footage …" Jack attempted to explain.

"You thought that as I am as morally bankrupt as you are. I had found out and kidnapped him out of spite. Did you know?" Ianto demanded of Rhys.

"When Jack told me I didn't believe him. I demanded proof. I spoke to Martha Jones and she confirmed that men from Jack's time can have children. She arranged for Jack's care and organised the delivery. Look Ianto, I'm reeling." Rhys said honestly, "Twenty-four hours ago I had a family. Gwen, my daughter Anwen and Bevan, Jack said the child was his but the mother had died during a mission as part of some Torchwood operation. He had all the proof in the universe. Jack tried to cope but it was impossible especially after what happened with the 456 and Steven. We started looking after Bevan to help out then he made us guardians and took off…left Earth. When he returned eight weeks ago he made it permanent. Bevan is only three years old. He could be hurt or taken by god knows who or what. He's been ripped from everyone he knows and loves. I'm sorry Jack lied to you. I'm sorry for my part in all this. Gwen and Jack well, that will have to get sorted later … all I care about right now is finding Bevan and getting him home."

"Gwen knew didn't she," Ianto said glaring at Jack who closed his eyes in admission.

"Gwen knew?" Rhys turned and demanded of Jack. He turned back to Ianto who was standing rigid, tears flowing down his face. "God I'm sorry."

Ianto pushed past him and went into the lounge. Without warning he found himself bent over his hands on his knees looking at the floor struggling to stay upright. He staggered over to the sofa and sat down heavily trying to force air into his lungs. His head felt several sizes too large and he heard a terrible rushing in his ears. The room swirled and he closed his eyes. Everything went black for a second and he felt a hand on his shoulder. He stood up throwing it off violently.

Standing was too much and he fell to his knees. He took in several large breaths and then with one heave he pushed back the sofa. The sofa legs caught in the rug. It rolled up as he pushed the sofa out the way and exposed a floor safe. Ianto punched in a code. Opening he pulled out a pistol along with several clips of ammunition. Kneeling he snapped in a clip and flicked on the safety and placed the gun in his back jeans' pocket. Standing he now moved into to the kitchen where he grabbed his back pack along with his keys.

"Ianto," Jack said quietly.

Ianto spun around, drew the gun out and pointed it at Jack's forehead, his hands shaking uncontrollably.

Jack took a step backwards and raised his hands.

"One more word out of you and I will blow your fucking brains out."

Rhys stepped back. "If you're going to look for Bevan wouldn't it be better to pool our resources," Rhys begged. "Three heads better than one or two."

"Tell me Rhys, does he call you Taddy or Daddy? Rhys looked stricken. "Now this farce is over." Ianto indicated with his gun. They left and with their hands held up they backed out.

"Keep moving," Ianto told them as he snapped the door shut.

His back against the wall his heart felt like it was spinning in his chest and he felt himself breathing faster and faster. He wanted to scream but he couldn't force any sound out. He had to get back to Cardiff. He had to find him. He stopped as he was struck with a terrible thought; he didn't even know what he looked like.

"How could you Jack?" Rhys said in disgust as the lights of Ianto's car turned the corner.

"I'm not expecting forgiveness or even understanding."

"Good because you won't be getting either," Rhys stormed off in the direction of the car they came in.