2

They were getting ready for the recon, Ianto had checked everything and was finally checking with the pups.

Billy held him tightly as he whispered his need for a new jacket and Ianto hummed softly, clothes already on the list.

Spring flowers were blooming and Ianto frowned at Tosh who was on her hands and knees as she weeded her little garden border.

Blossom was sitting on the grass, the sunny day that was promised bringing many out to sort their home frontages.

Just starting her third trimester, Tosh was also blooming and Ianto was revelling in the sound of the baby's heartbeat. Just as happy to sit with his ear to her belly as Jack's chest.

"You think you can get back up from down there little sister?" Ianto asked softly and she smiled as she brushed back her hair.

"If not, I'm sure they'll throw a bucket of water over me" she quipped and Ianto rolled his eyes.

"You are not a whale! You are bloody gorgeous" Ianto admonished and Owen heard from the gate.

"Yep. She sure is" he bent down and kissed her lightly, excited to be in on the recon.

Ianto wasn't as pleased about it, but the council had voted. One of the things he was getting used to was the relinquishing of control. He liked not being the one that had to make the decisions and he was biting his tongue more often when he disagreed.

Owen wanted that ring he had promised her, wanted to show his family that he could bring home the bacon.

Cardiff was waiting, the list was so long that if they waited another day they would need a bloody two trailer truck.

As the transporter rolled out, the children ran alongside calling out and waving.

Ianto looked over at Jack who was grinning as he returned the kisses being blown by Mica and swallowed down the crippling fear that had been striking all morning.

He had tried to talk to Jack but had not found the time so he settled into the mattresses still in the back and tried to trust in the decisions being made.

He drifted, more asleep than awake and when the transporter lurched to a halt, he was jolted out of his fugue.

"What the fuck is this?" Owen demanded, leaning forward with his hand on Jack's shoulder.

"I don't know" Jack said softly, looking at the haphazard placement of vehicles across the road.

"A roadblock?" Sean offered form the passenger seat and Jack hummed.

"This wasn't here when we came through last" Owen muttered and Jack nodded as he scanned the area.

Ianto had stretched and moved to the door, waiting to be let loose and Jack thumbed the locks. As the door slid open, Ianto alighted and began to stalk forward.

He scented the air and slowed his movement, trying to appear as normal as possible.

Jack left the transporter and walked to the front bumper, watching his mate as he walked slowly towards the barrier.

The first shot echoed as the ground kicked up by Ianto's feet and he stopped, turning back to shout at Jack.

The second shot hit Ianto in the thigh and he dropped with a bark of pain. Jack began to run towards him and felt the bite as a bullet hit him in the chest.

The Transporter rolled forward and Sean leaned out to drag Jack's body inside as Ianto writhed in the dirt.

The Transporter started to move closer, desperate to retrieve Ianto but that was when they opened fire, pelting the Transporter and the ground around Ianto.

Afraid for Ianto, the Transporter stopped.

Ianto gasped and groaned as his fingers examined the wound. God it hurt.

A man rose from behind the barrier and Ianto saw the rocket launcher, rolling to scream at them to retreat.

Owen didn't need telling twice, the rocket launcher now visible to him as well.

The Transporter roared back at speed, Ianto laying in agony as he watched his family retreat to safety.

"You OK Z-Boy?" Owen's voice demanded down the coms.

"Owen, keep him calm" Ianto huffed, careful to keep his back to the slowly approaching team of attackers, "He'll revive with a bloodlust."

"I know" Owen sighed, "You stay safe Fang Face"

"Don't come for me" Ianto whispered, "Don't risk yourselves."

"Yan!" Owen scolded.

"Don't risk yourselves" Ianto snarled.

"You come home" Owen said softly, his fear making his voice wobble.

"You kidding?" Ianto huffed, "Tosh would kill us both if I don't get out of this mess."

"Just remember, you're tagged and the coms are open" Owen reminded him, "Just don't react when I start going off on one, OK?"

"Love you too" Ianto said before closing his eyes and feigning unconsciousness.

Rough hands rolled him and he forced himself to stay loose and floppy as he was manhandled onto someone's shoulder.

Ianto made sure to memorise the scent of this one, the satisfaction of this one's pain would soothe the burn.

He was dumped onto what felt like wood. A flat bed?

As the vehicle was started and they drove off Ianto listened to Owen as he ordered Sean to let Jack out and he knew Jack was running, chasing the vehicle desperately before falling to his knees with horror.

Finally the pain was too much and Ianto gave into the call of darkness.

The red tail lights winked and disappeared as Jack knelt in the bloodstain left by Ianto, sobbing and gasping with anger.

Flipping open the VM, Jack stood and began to walk with purpose.

Owen and Sean carefully drove the transporter around the roadblock and slowly crawled along the road behind Jack.

A shadow in the dark.

Heading towards Cardiff, towards Ianto.

Towards bloodshed.