3 : Family Ties
"Blowfish?" Donna turned around in her chair as Gwen nodded.
"Yeah. Few years ago, when Jack was off on his jollies. Came through the Rift, got high as a kite on goodness only knew what and held a young family hostage. If this one is as horrible as the last then we are going to have a long night finding him." Gwen yawned. "Where are they anyway? Jack and Ianto?"
"Er." Donna looked around the Hub. "Not here. Oh I called Martha. Her and Mickey are well up for coming to the wedding and stag nights."
"Great." Gwen smiled. She knew Donna loved weddings and as much as both men protested there was no way she was not going to be their wedding planner. "Have you spoken to anyone else?"
"Well, you and Rhys. Your sister."
"Jack's other daughter. Not really my sister."
"Biologically she is."
"I know that and you know that but Alice hates us. I don't blame her but Steven is ok now." Gwen sighed heavily. "It is weird though. Knowing your biological dad is definitely going to outlive not only you but your own grandchildren."
"And I don't blame her. Can you imagine how she must feel? I mean. Jack was out of order. What if it were Anwen?"
"Don't." Gwen rubbed her temples. "You weren't here then. I wish I wasn't here then. So, no. Just a Torchwood stag do. Work night out. You, me, Rhys, what about the Doctor? I know she has changed since we last had any contact from the TARDIS but?"
"I can ask. But I doubt the sense of direction has got any better with this Regeneration." Donna huffed as she thought about the Spaceboy she had once travelled with. The way the alien had the ability to completely change still took a lot for her to get her head around. But then, she reasoned, if she could accept that there were beings such as the Ood and Sycorax then there shouldn't really be anything that surprised her. "Rose and John?"
"Depends if we can get them over to this dimension. Could be too risky, what with Rose expecting."
"True." Donna sighed as Ianto walked into the Hub without saying a word. He was clearly upset as Jack called his name over the room. Gwen and Donna both turned to Jack.
"WHAT." Donna snapped. "Did YOU do?"
"Me?" Jack looked genuinely upset. "I did nothing. I promise. We went to see Yan's parents. His sister was there. It was not pleasant."
"You told them?" Gwen asked as Jack looked at his feet.
"Yeah. We did. Well, Yan did and I was just there. His father said some awful things. Really awful." Jack looked away, clearly as upset as his fiancé. "Put it this way, I don't think any of his family will be at the wedding." Gwen and Donna exchanged glances as Jack went to look for Ianto.
"That's awful." Gwen shook her head.
"Its worse than awful. No such thing as homophobia if you ask me. No one is scared of gay people. They are just disgusting people with sick little minds. Its not a phobia, its a bully using someone's way of life to pick on them. Give me five minutes with Ianto's mum and dad."
"Donna."
"I mean it, Gwen." She glared. "My grandad fought in World War 2 so that scum like that could make our Ianto that upset? No chance. I am going to get his mum there at least." Donna tapped a few keys on her computer before standing up and grabbing her jacket.
"Donna."
"I mean it. I'll be back for the Blowfishmanthing." She waved a hand in the air before leaving the Hub. Gwen frowned, knowing everything Donna had said was right. She just hoped the red head wasn't making things any worse for her friends.
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Ianto looked out over the Bay as he thought about the names his sister and father had called them. He knew neither he nor Jack deserved it. So what if they were two men wanting to get married? It was legal. They were adults. Why not? Because of some teaching in Chapel years earlier? He wiped his hand over his eyes, knowing that his already tricky relationship with his parents and sister was now over for good. He knew they would never accept he was bisexual. That he had found love with Jack.
"Hey."
"I knew they'd be awful." Ianto sighed as Jack stood next to him as they looked out over the water. Jack nodded. He had been warned.
"I am not the best dad in the universe. I have three daughters. One wont speak to me, one barely speaks to her sister and the other never knew I was her dad until she was an adult."
"Gwen."
"But." Jack sighed heavily, exhausted by the events of the afternoon. "Family is important. I know what they said to us hurt you."
"I'm used to it." Ianto paused. "When I was a teenager I knew what Dad thought. I knew the first time he caught me kissing a boy. I still have the scar. I was fifteen. Left home as soon as I could after that. Today wasn't physical, but that was only because I am older now. Could fight back if I wanted to."
"Yan." Jack paused. "Scar?"
"On my shoulder." He paused. "I told you it was from when I was kid. Being stupid. Well, that was what the stupid was. Getting caught with Peter."
"I see." Jack's hurt was replaced by a flash of anger. He knew there was no way he could harm a child, a teenager vulnerable as Ianto had been.
"No you don't. You come from a different time. A different era entirely."
"Hate for no reason still exists in the 51st century." Jack rested a hand on his arm as they heard Gwen behind them. Jack turned. "Gwen."
She smiled slightly. "Its ok, Ianto. Your family will be at the wedding. Rhys, Anwen, Donna and me. Family isn't about just genetics." She hugged him tightly as Jack nodded, wondering what would become of the quiet young man he had fallen for.
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A/N please review